The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday

The elevator doors had swung open.

Jarrett kept Eloise at bay inside the elevator, then thoughtfully pressed the button for the underground parking lot, saying, "Ms. Harwood, our ride's waiting on the ground level. You best head back on your own." Seeing Kieran reject her, Eloise felt a sharp pang in her heart. Kieran had always pampered her before. It was the first time he'd rushed her away like this.

A nameless sense of foreboding surged within her. Women's intuition could be irrationally accurate. Kieran must have found someone he fancied.

Outside the Sutton Group, as Kieran watched the car pull away, Jarrett reported, "Ms. Harwood should have left by now."

"Check the employees. Find out who's been tipping her off."

"Only the secretarial department knows your schedule. I'll start digging and find the mole."

"Once you find them, kick them out." Kieran's tone was cold as he said, "The Sutton Group has no place for traitors." ""Understood."

The night was quiet. In Preston's study, Freya was rotating her somewhat loose wrists. Her left hand began to numb.

After a day's effort, her handwriting was finally legible. But it was still far from Preston's ability to write with both hands equally well.

"He can write identically with both hands... What monster..." Freya murmured, not noticing Preston had walked in until he spoke indifferently, "A monster like me."

Startled by his sudden presence, Freya looked up sharply. Indeed, Preston had entered the room without her noticing.

Noting it was nine o'clock at night, Preston handed Freya a drink.

Eyeballing the dark red concoction with suspicion, Freya hesitated, "What kind of drink is this? I don't usually have beverages at night."

"It's sour cherry juice."

"Sour cherry juice?" Freya looked puzzled at Preston, asking, "Why give me this?"

"You've been skipping meals at night for years, which isn't great for your stomach. You're used to it, but this juice can help improve your

swnove.n

stomach health. Eventually, vol. ne start feeling hungry at nov

"Really?" Freya eyed the sour cherry juice, the tart aroma wafting up. Finally, she closed her eyes and downed the drink in one go. The juice was a sweet and sour mix, primarily of cherries but with odd flavors.

"What else did you put in besides sour cherries?"

"A secret recipe." Preston's tone was nonchalant.

Freya regarded him skeptically.

A secret recipe? What in the world?

The room was lit only by a warm-toned desk lamp.

Preston casually sat on a couch, pouring himself a half glass of

21?

Wy, looking relaxed, a starkBelongs to © n0velDrama.Org.

contrast to his intimidating demeanor earlier.

Time ticked by.

Using her left hand, Freya struggled to finish an economics essay she had been mulling over. Before she could sign her name, Preston stepped forward and picked up the paper from her. Preston slowly read, "The Echo City Economic Essay..."