I could only imagine how tough it must be for Duke to handle such a temperamental
boss.
And just like that, the atmosphere grew awkward.
“Mr. Lynton, don’t be so serious,” Silvia chimed in with a smile, seemingly unaffected by the cold tension in the air. “Us women just can’t match your strength. How about this, I have a solution that will work for everyone. Mr. Lynton, would you like to hear it?”
Her voice was light, almost playful, clearly unfazed by Fletcher’s stern demeanor.
“Please, Ms. Connery, go ahead.”
“Since Ms. Grande is already feeling
exhausted, we can let her rest for a while”
2/13
Silvia said with a gleam in her eyes. She turned her gaze to Duke and quickly proposed, “Duke, why don’t you stay with Ms. Grande and take care of her? I’ll continue the hike with Mr. Lynton, and we can meet up later at the mountaintop restaurant. How does that sound?”
She phrased it as a suggestion, but her tone left little room for refusal. Silvia had already made her mind up.
Clever women knew how to create opportunities for themselves, and Silvia was
certainly one of them.
Duke hesitated for a moment, then shot Fletcher a pleading glance.
But Fletcher avoided his gaze, offering nothing but indifference.
3/13
Soon, the viewing platform was left with just Duke and me.
Duke took a sip of water, his expression confused. “Mrs. Lynton, this Ms. Connery… she’s clearly up to something. Are you really okay with Mr. Lynton going off with her alone?”
Shouldn’t it be Davina who’s worried?
I gave a self–deprecating smile. “After all, Mr. Lynton is quite the charmer.”
“Mrs. Lynton, don’t misunderstand, alright?” Duke hurried to explain, his tone more serious now. “Mr. Lynton only agreed to Ms. Connery’s invitation because of work.”
I raised an eyebrow, curious. “What kind of work requires him to pair up with Ms.
5/13
Connery like that?”
“Mrs. Lynton, I’m telling you the truth. Mr. Lynton agreed to this to get the guest list from Lucky B&B,” Duke seemed to get more anxious, his voice dropping slightly. “Once he has it, we can find Free…”
His voice cut off abruptly, and Duke quickly covered his mouth, his eyes wide. “Oops. Mr. Lynton asked me to keep it secret.”
I thought for a moment, piecing things together.
So, Fletcher was showing Silvia respect and going along with her to enjoy the sea of clouds just to get his hands on the guest list from Lucky B&B. That list was private information–worth far more than money could buy.
6/13
No wonder Fletcher was being so generous. It seemed he was willing to go to great lengths for Davina.
Since Silvia held such valuable information, I figured it was time to get on good terms with her.
With that thought, my resolve solidified, and I smiled. “I’m rested now. Let’s go.”
An hour later, the four of us gathered once more at the viewing platform in the sea of clouds.
Surrounded by the ethereal beauty of the mist, the atmosphere felt like a dream. My mood lightened a little.
“Ms. Grande,
Could you do us a favor and take a photo of Mr. Lynton and me?” Silvia asked, handing me her phone.
7/13
I was more than happy to oblige. “Of course.”
The opportunity had come to me, so there was no reason to refuse.
Before I could finish speaking, Silvia had already eagerly linked her arm with Fletcher’s, their closeness making it seem like they’d known each other for years.
As for the man, though he didn’t respond, he didn’t pull away either.
For a moment, I found myself slightly distracted.
For some reason, a wave of unhappiness suddenly flashed across my chest.
It occurred to me that I had never taken such an intimate photo with Fletcher.
8/13
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Silvia, clearly enraptured by Fletcher, pressed herself almost entirely against him at my suggestion.
Active and bold,
“Is this better, Ms. Grande?”
Given the relationship between Silvia and Davina, she surely knew that Fletcher was Davina’s boyfriend, but this thin moral line, when faced with a man like Fletcher, was ultimately fragile.
“Perfect” I said humbly, “One, two, three.”
As soon as I pressed the shutter, Fletcher immediately pulled away from Silvia, his expression stiffening.
I pretended not to notice, handing the phone. back to Silvia with a polite, “Please, Ms.
10/13
Connery, take a look.”
Silvia cheerfully took the phone, glanced at the photo, then handed it to Fletcher, saying, “Mr. Lynton, I have to say, we make quite a pair.”
Fletcher’s face remained stern as he replied, “Ms. Connery, you really have a way with jokes.”
Silvia hadn’t expected her enthusiasm to hit a brick wall, and now found herself a bit
awkward.
In fact, anyone with eyes could see what her intentions were toward Fletcher.
She had simply overestimated her own charm and underestimated Davina’s place in Fletcher’s heart.
11/13
I thought of that quest list and quickly smoothed things over..
Ms. Connery, with your stunning beauty, and Mr. Lynton, with your striking handsomeness, when I saw you two
standing together just now, only one thought crossed my mind.”
At this, Silvia’s curiosity was instantly piqued. “What thought?”
“You’re a perfect match.”
Silvia blushed and glanced at Fletcher shyly. “Ms. Grande, I didn’t expect you to be so humorous. It seems I’ll have to toast to your during lunch.”
I was more than happy to oblige. “I’ll be happy to follow your lead, Ms. Connery!”
12/13
I had thrown that compliment, and it seemed to hit the mark.
As I watched Silvia walk ahead, beaming, I let out a quiet sigh. But when I looked up, I met Fletcher’s sharp gaze.
I quickly averted my eyes, but the man swiftly closed the distance between us and murmured, “Well, Charlene, you’ve got some nerve, huh? Using me to do you a favor?”
13/1