Chapter 21
Raymond pressed his lips together, his thumb swiping lazily across his contact lists. He then closed the list, switched to WhatsApp, and hit video call without a second thought.
Veronica was sprawled out on her bed, focused on the stock market closing price, when the call popped up and nearly made her drop her phone. She blinked at the caller ID for a second, declined the call, and made a voice call back.
She smirked. “Mr. Harrington, you’re still up at this late hour? Are you trying to join the bald club early?”
Raymond let out a low chuckle. “It’s been a few days. I can’t even see your face, huh?”
Veronica grinned, “Oh, I’m doing you a favor. If I showed up in your dreams, you’d wake up screaming.”
“I don’t dream very often,” Raymond said.
Veronica paused, unsure how to spin that one, when he dropped his tone and spoke up, “But if it’s you, I wouldn’t mind.”
A warm breeze slipped in through the window that hadn’t been shut tight, brushing over her skin. Her cheeks immediately flushed.
She let out a quiet laugh. “Well, I’m honored to appear in your dream”
Raymond chuckled. “Have a good night. I’ll come and see you in a few days.”
“Okay, Veronica replied and hung up fast.
She tossed off the blanket, walked barefoot to the window, and pushed it all the way open. More of the night air came in, and the heat on her face slowly faded.
Once she cooled down, she climbed back into bed and reopened the stock tracker like nothing had happened.
Mason told Veronica she could sleep in, but she still got up at seven and joined the morning run with him and the others.
During the jog, she got a better idea of what the people at Weston Manor were like,
Most of the Westons, except for David, were easy to get along with and treated her well, as long as she showed a little friendliness.
Her
r two cousins couldn’t have been more different. One worked in the family business, the other was basically a walking billboard–an A–list actor that the internet never shut up about
That actor cousin, Gavin Weston, walked with Veronica after the run, one in casually draped over her shoulder. “Look, Ronie, with your looks, you’ll definitely be a superstar.”
–
Edwin Weston walked over at that moment and said, “Don’t listen to him. Come to the company. You can pick any role you want.”
Gavin rolled his eyes. “Seriously! Nine–to–five routine? That’s no fun at all. Ronie, better join me. We’ll shoot movies, sing songs, and do the red carpet thing”
Edwin shook his head. The entertainment world is not for someone innocent like her. She’s not like you, okay?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Gavin snapped.
Edwin replied. “You know exactly what it means”
They started arguing, Veronica rubbed her forehead with her good hand. The noise was getting annoying. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw someque standing at the door.
Clavin noticed her glance and asked, “What’s up, Ronie?”
Edwin also turned to look at the person at the door.
Grace was startled by their sudden gaze. She panicked and tried to step back. However, her foot landed on a small rock, and she lost her bulance.
Grace let out a shout, thinking she’d fall miserably.
LA
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Chapter 21
“You okay?” Before Grace fell backward, a strong arm caught her around the waist. Another hand grabbed hers and pulled her straight into a steady chest.
to shimmer.
Grace’s face went pale. “L you… She looked down, biting her lip. Tears welled up in her eyes, just enough to
Alexander hadn’t expected her to cry. The first thought in his mind was that someone had seriously upset her. He asked, his voice dripping with concern, “What happened? Did someone mess with you? Don’t cry, okay? Just tell me who.
Hearing that. Grace looked even more fragile. And this kind of vulnerability was just what Alexander couldn’t resist.
Right then, laughter rang out from the yard. Alexander glanced up, his eyes narrowing as he stared through the iron gate toward the source of the laugh–Veronica
Veronica held up her hands, shrugging. She glanced at Edwin and Gavin, sighing, “Oops. I’m not even allowed to laugh now?”
Edwin and Gavin shot looks right back at Alexander.
‘Don’t mind him, Ronie, Edwin said.
Yup. That guy’s got issues,” Gavin added without holding back.
Veronica nodded, then threw Alexander a cold glance. She turned to Edwin and Gavin, urging. “Hey, let’s go grab breakfast. Grandpa and the others are probably waiting
They both nodded. “OK”
Gavin perked up. “Ronie, what kinda food do you like? Cloudhaven has some killer spots. I’ll take you to try them one by one, okay?” Edwin said, “Don’t listen to him. Every time he goes out, he’s followed by a swarm of paparazzi. Come with me instead. You will actually get to eat in peace.”
One on each side, both of them kept talking over each other, walking behind Veronica like a personal escort
Compared to Veronica, who was getting the royal treatment, Grace stood awkwardly just outside the gate.
Frustration built up in her mind as she thought, “We’re all David’s daughters. Why do they treat her like family and act like I don’t even exist? They didn’t show me any respect even in front of Alex.
Grace lowered her eyes, hiding the fury and jealousy starting to holl over. She swore to herself, Just wait and see. Il step over every single person who ever looked down on me. But right now, locking Alex down comes first
Grace was quick to reset. Just a breath in, a glance down, and by the time she looked up again, her eyes were rimmed red. She said, “I’m so sorry. It’s my fault. Rohie misunderstood you.”
Alexander shook his head. “You don’t need to apologize. None of this is your fault. He stepped aside, let go of her, and then quickly looked away. “I’ve been annoyed with Veronica’s behavior for a while. Don’t worry about what she thinks.
Grace looked up, her tear–filled eyes widening with tears. “But you and Ronie… You’re engaged. If she thinks the wrong thing s–she might turn on you…
As soon as she finished, she covered her face with both hands and started to cry. “It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have come over to ask when she’s going back.
“If I hadn’t shown up, they wouldn’t have been upset, I wouldn’t have fallen, and you you wouldn’t be misunderstood. I’m so sorry,
Alex.
Alexander handed Grace a handkerchief. “Don’t beat yourself up. This has nothing to do with you. Honestly, I was planning to talk to Mason and cancel that engagement.
“Really?” Grace looked up. Her red eyes and nose made her look extra pitiful.
Seeing her fragile face, Alexander suddenly had an idea in her mind. If Grandpa is dead set on that arranged marriage, maybe it can be
someone else
