Chapter 271
Alfred saw Kate running away and guessed that she was looking at him, so she ran back. He couldn’t help but smile.
Soon, he heard the door open.
“Mr. Davidson.” A familiar voice sounded. Alfred suddenly felt that Kate’s voice was very pleasant.
Alfred turned around and walked back. When he saw Kate walking toward him, he smiled and said, “Why don’t you play with them for a while longer?”
“I came back since you were awake. Anyway, we’re going out to play together later.” Kate walked over and held him. She helped him back to the bed and sat him down. She looked at him carefully and added, “You’re in good spirits. It seems that you didn’t have any more dreams in the second half of the night.”
“I’ll get your clothes.” Kate turned around and was about to leave.
Alfred pulled her back. He used quite a bit of strength. Kate was caught off guard and fell into his arms. He took the opportunity to hug her. “You’re throwing yourself at me so early in the morning. You like me very much, right?”
He was the one who had pulled her back. Kate’s beautiful eyes flickered as she playfully added, “You’re my favorite man. Hubby, will you give me a reward? Why don’t you let me kiss you?” As she spoke, she pretended to kiss him.
Alfred was looking forward to it.
Unexpectedly, she was teasing him. While he was filled with anticipation, she giggled and slid out of his arms. She turned around and went to the cloakroom to help him get his clothes. Her clear and pleasant voice sounded, “Mr. Davidson, why is your cloakroom filled with shirts and suits? Is there nothing else?”
Alfred said, “I can’t ride now. Help me with my shirt.”
Kate did as she was told and brought him a black short-sleeved shirt and black trousers. It wasn’t that she liked to pick black, but his clothes were all black. “The clothes in your cloakroom are too drab. I’ll add a few more outfits for you when we get back from the holiday.”
Alfred smiled. “Okay.”
“Do you only like black?” asked Kate.
Alfred replied, “As long as it’s from you, I’ll wear it no matter what color it is.”
Kate looked at him and smiled. “I’m relieved to hear that.”
After handing him the clothes, she even asked considerately, “Do you need me to help you change?” Alfred refused. “No.”
“Afraid that I’ll take advantage of you?” asked Kate.
Alfred said to her, “You’ve taken advantage of me last night.”
Kate told him, “I still want to savor the aftertaste.”
Alfred glanced at her and reminded her, “You said not to affect your riding today.”
That was why their last night was a little messy. Kate muttered something softly. No matter how sharp Alfred’s ears were, he could not hear it clearly.
Ten minutes later, they appeared on the first floor.
Alfred was still dressed in black. Kate was wearing a black and white striped T-shirt and black cropped pants. She didn’t like to wear high heels and didn’t like to wear sneakers on hot days, so she was wearing flat-heeled sandals.
Such a simple combination was also mesmerizing to Alfred. Beauty was in the eye of the beholder.
James thought, ‘Mrs. Davidson’s attire is too ordinary. Although her temperament is not bad, it does not show her identity as Mrs. Davidson.’ However, seeing that Alfred had no objections, James naturally did not dare to raise any objections. ‘Mr. Davidson is bringing Mrs. Davidson to the equestrian resort to ride a horse, not to attend a banquet. Mrs. Davidson would naturally wear whatever she wanted.’
“Mr. Davidson, Mrs. Davidson. Breakfast is ready. It’s still under the pavilion,” James came over and said with a smile.
“What about Cynthia and Lindsay?” Kate asked.
“They have returned to the main house and had breakfast with Mrs. Olivia Davidson. When Mr. Davidson is ready to set off, they will follow.” James replied. ‘Ever since Mr. Davidson’s accident, he has not gone out to play for more than a year. The other young masters tried their best to persuade Mr. Davidson to go out and relax but to no avail. This time, Mr. Davidson took the initiative to invite everyone to ride horses at the equestrian resort. As long as the other young masters did not go on a business trip, they would follow. It could be said that today’s trip is grand.
“Oh,” Kate replied and pushed Alfred out.
As they walked past James, Alfred suddenly said to James, “Well done. Your bonus will double this month.”
James immediately understood that his asking someone to install the swing made Kate very happy.
His salary in the Davidson family was not low. He could catch up to the senior management of a large company. However, people would not complain about money. The bonus suddenly doubled. James smiled and thanked him. Thank you, Mr. Davidson.”
James thought, ‘Mrs. Davidson’s place in Mr. Davidson’s heart is becoming more and more important. As long as Mrs. Davidson is happy, my bonus will double.’
Kate did not understand the meaning behind their words, but she did not ask. Even without her asking, Alfred would tell her what she needed to know.
“Go change the sheets for me,” Alfred instructed James again.
Hearing his order, Kate blushed.
James did not know that there was a surprise waiting for him. He replied respectfully.
After the couple left, James went up to the second floor. Alfred’s room was always cleaned up by him personally. No one else could enter Alfred’s room without Alfred’s permission.
When James was about to change the bedsheets, he was stunned when he saw the dried blood stain on the bedsheets.
He remembered that Kate had come down from the second floor this morning. At that time, he thought that she had gone upstairs early to see Mr. Davidson. ‘Why didn’t I think that Mrs. Davidson slept in Mr. Davidson’s room last night?
‘Then, it means…
‘Has Mr. Davidson returned to normal?’
After being stunned for a moment, James was overjoyed.’ Mr. Davidson has finally recovered!’
James was overjoyed. It was as if he had suddenly been cured. ‘Mrs. Davidson is really Mr. Davidson’s lucky star. ‘Ever since Mrs. Davidson married Mr. Davidson, although Mr. Davidson is still cold and sometimes has a sharp. tongue, he’s much more outgoing than before. Moreover, Mr. Davidson is willing to undergo rehabilitation. Now, even his masculine aura has recovered. All of this is thanks to Mrs. Davidson.
‘I swear that I’ll treat Mrs. Davidson well and respect her. ‘Now that Mr. Davidson has recovered and had sex with Mrs. Davidson, will Mrs. Davidson be pregnant in another month?’ James was overjoyed at the thought of seeing Alfred’d baby.
Kate had no idea that James would be overjoyed; she just felt embarrassed at the thought of James changing the sheets and discovering the blood stain. She regretted not changing the sheets herself when she had the chance, as she hadn’t thought about this issue earlier.
Alfred comforted her, “James is a very sensible person. You don’t have to feel embarrassed.”
Kate hesitated. “Mr. Davidson…”
Alfred added, “James got it. He’ll be a witness in the future.” ‘Witnesses?’ Kate was not stupid. She quickly understood and said, “Could it be that if I get pregnant in the future, they will suspect that I cheated?”
Alfred said, “My grandmother and my mother don’t like you. I’m sure they’ll be suspicious.” His mother even hired someone to follow Kate. Her goal was to get evidence of Kate’s “cheating” so that when he stood up, she could chase Kate away with evidence.
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Chapter 272
Kate sighed and said, “Alfred, I have to admit, being your wife feels a bit stressful sometimes.”
He looked at her, his expression serious but warm. “Just ignore them. As long as I’m around, they can’t touch you. If they get too out of hand, I’ve got plenty of places we can move to. We can just leave, no problem.”
Kate’s heart swelled at his words. The way her husband defended her made all the difference. If Alfred stood by her, his family wouldn’t dare overstep their bounds.
He had always been her protector, making it clear that she didn’t have to follow the Davidson family’s rules. Even if Olivia tried to stir up trouble, it wouldn’t faze her. This was the kind of support she needed.
Yet, she still had questions swirling in her mind. “Alfred, did your mom arrange for someone to follow me?”
There was a brief silence before Alfred answered, “Yeah, but my dad talked her out of it. She hasn’t sent anyone to keep tabs on you since.”
Relieved but still curious, she pressed on. “And aside from your mom, is there anyone else? Like, what about Elijah?” Alfred turned to her, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes. “You already asked Yael. He told you what you needed to know.”
“Really? But Elijah’s crossed paths with me a few times. It can’t just be a coincidence. Is he keeping an eye on Xena instead?” Kate wondered aloud, trying to piece it all together.
Kate was secretly stunned. Alfred really did know her every move.
Thankfully, she was his wife and not his enemy. Otherwise, with someone like him as an opponent, she wouldn’t even know when she died.
No wonder people in Sherpsel were so afraid of him- Alfred always got the information he wanted.
He spoke, his voice cold and firm. “I’ll have someone keep an eye on Elijah. I won’t let him get near you again.” “Alfred, his people are tough too. Just make sure yours are careful,” Kate reminded him.
Alfred’s response was calm but resolute. “If they get discovered, we’ll fight.”
There was a sense of “I’m not afraid at all” in his tone.
His people and Elijah’s had been at it for years-sometimes it felt like they took turns ambushing each other.
Their battles in business were brutal, and their bodyguards were no different. It was like a constant game of one-upping each other, just to prove a point.
Kate couldn’t help but laugh. “I love how domineering you are!”
Alfred glanced at her and said, “You think I am? You’re the bold one here. All my life, you’re the only one who dared to rip off my clothes and leave a mark. You even told me, so arrogantly, that you were going to marry me.”
Kate’s cheeks flushed. “That… that was a long time ago, do you still remember?”
‘He never forgets,’ she thought.
He smirked. “Oh, I remember it all. And if you ever betray me, I’ll make sure we settle every debt, one by one.”
Kate grinned, leaning in a bit. “You don’t have to worry, Alfred. That’s never gonna happen. I’m super responsible. You’re already mine, and I’m not letting go. No way I’m leaving you behind.”
Alfred, full of confidence, thought, ‘No one in Sherpsel can even compare to me.’
Under the pavilion, there was a sumptuous breakfast on the stone table.
Most of them were Kate’s favorites.
Downstairs, a delicious breakfast was laid out on the stone table, most of it being Kate’s favorites. The kitchen staff had figured out pretty quickly that when Alfred and Kate ate together, the meals needed to be tailored more toward her tastes.
So, anytime they shared a meal, it was mostly what Kate liked.
As they ate, enjoying the food, Yael walked up with a phone in his hand. He approached Alfred and said, “Mr. Davidson, Ms. Sowle is here.”
‘Belinda Sowle?’ Kate’s attention immediately sharpened.
Belinda was one of those sneaky rivals-the kind who acted like a friend.
Dealing with Grace Weaver, who openly wanted Alfred and clearly didn’t like Kate, was much easier. But Belinda? She played it cool, and that was way harder to handle. Alfred’s tone dropped, ice-cold. “What is she doing?”
Noticing Kate had slowed down, he gently placed more food on her plate, his expression softening. “Eat up,” he said warmly.
Kate smiled back and scooped some of his favorite dishes onto his plate. “You should eat, too.”
Kate had a great appetite, and being a foodie meant she didn’t need any reminders to eat more.
In fact, every time they ate together, she was the one who polished off the most food. Thankfully, Alfred didn’t mind her being a big eater.
“Ms. Sowle said she has prepared two sets of summer clothes,” Yael continued. “Since it’s getting hotter, she thought they’d be perfect for Mrs. Davidson and sent them over.”
Kate internally rolled her eyes. Belinda sure knows how to time things right, she thought sarcastically.
Alfred simply nodded. “Have someone bring the clothes in for Kate.”
“Will do.” Yael gave a respectful nod, turned, and walked out of the pavilion.
Soon enough, he was at the entrance of the mansion.
Belinda was waiting in her car, watching as the gate slowly opened.
She was no stranger to the Davidson family mansion-after all, the women in the family loved wearing her designs.
But even as a regular visitor, Belinda always had to wait for approval before stepping inside. She couldn’t just waltz in without permission.
In terms of strict rules, the Davidson family definitely took the crown. And yet, despite all the formalities, Belinda envied the women who could come and go freely from this mansion.
If she could marry into the family, she would follow every single rule without complaint. But alas, Alfred was impotent, and he didn’t love her. The door to his heart was firmly shut.
As she spotted Yael approaching, Belinda stepped out of her car, walked forward a couple of steps, and waited for him to meet her.
“Yael,” Belinda greeted with a bright smile, knowing full well that even Alfred’s bodyguards were people you couldn’t afford to offend-especially Yael. He was Alfred’s right-hand man, someone who held a lot of trust and responsibility.
“Ms. Sowle,” Yael replied politely, though his expression barely shifted. “Mr. Davidson asked me to take Mrs. Davidson’s clothes.”
Belinda’s smile faltered for a second.
“I’d really like to hand them to Mrs. Davidson myself,” she said, trying to keep her voice light. “Just to make sure everything’s perfect and there is no issue.”
Yael, unmoved, responded, “Mr. Davidson instructed me to pick up the clothes, Ms. Sowle. I can’t make any decisions beyond that.”
His straightforward answer drove her a bit mad. Alfred’s staff, much like him, were unwavering in their loyalty and directness.
After a brief pause, Belinda tentatively asked, “Did I come too early and interrupt something?”
She was always caught between a rock and a hard place- too early, and she would get no time with Alfred; too late, and she’d miss him entirely.
“He is having breakfast with Mrs. Davidson,” Yael answered, his tone still polite but firm. “Ms. Sowle, you’d definitely be disturbing him.”
Belinda swallowed her frustration. Still smiling, she pushed further. “Yael, could you call Mr. Davidson? I just want to hand the clothes to Kate myself. If there’s anything off, I can make the adjustments on the spot.”
Yael didn’t budge. “Ms. Sowle, you’ve delivered the clothes. If there are any issues, I’m sure Mr. Davidson won’t be pleased. Trust me, it wouldn’t end well for anyone if he lost his temper.”
Before she could respond, he added, “But with someone as talented as you, I doubt there’s anything wrong with the clothes.”
She had already taken Kate’s measurements, so there was no way the clothes wouldn’t fit. If they didn’t, it would definitely ruin Belinda’s reputation.
Belinda found herself speechless. Yael, like Alfred, was impossible to crack.
Chapter 273
“Ms. Sowle, please hand over Mrs. Davidson’s clothes. Let’s not keep them waiting,” Yael said, his tone firm.
Belinda had no choice but to turn back to her car. She opened the door, hesitated for a moment, then grabbed the two sets of clothes. With a polite smile, she handed them over.
“Yael, could you pass these along to Mrs. Davidson for me?” she asked.
Taking the clothes, Yael nodded. “Of course, Ms. Sowle. Now, if you don’t mind, you can head back.”
Belinda stood her ground, her perfectly composed smile not faltering. “Yael, is Mr. Davidson going on vacation today?” she asked, probing carefully.
Yael’s expression shifted slightly, his tone turning cold.” And where did you hear that, Ms. Sowle?”
Belinda quickly clarified, “Oh, it was your young lady who came by with Ms. Mccoy to pick out a gown. I overheard Cynthia Davidson mention it.”
She made sure to drop Cynthia’s name, hoping to remind Yael of their ties.
“Is it true?” she pressed.
After a brief pause, Yael’s response was dry. “And what would you do with that information, Ms. Sowle?”
Belinda faltered. What could she really do? Would she dare to tag along uninvited?
If Alfred didn’t personally ask her to join, there was no way she would follow.
“Ms. Sowle,” Yael added, his tone soft but final, “Mrs. Davidson enjoys her meals in private.”
Yael, holding the clothes, said, “Ms. Sowle, I’ll be heading back now. Please help yourself.”
He then turned and walked away, leaving Belinda to decide whether she wanted to leave or linger. It didn’t matter to him either way, but she certainly wasn’t going to get any more out of him.
What Yael didn’t realize was that Kate had been watching the whole time.
Alfred noticed her gaze and, with a playful poke to her forehead, asked, “Are you full already? Why are you staring like that?”
“Ms. Sowle is here,” Kate replied with a grin. “I remember you two get along well. Aren’t you going to invite her in for a drink?”
Alfred, unfazed, shrugged. “I don’t have time for her. Do you really want me to call her in?”
Kate laughed softly. “Hey, that’s your business. As long as things between you two are purely friendly, I’m not going to worry about it.”
“Do you honestly believe men and women can be just friends?” Alfred asked, giving her a knowing look.
Kate was momentarily at a loss for words.
Alfred continued, “Back then, before I had you, whatever Belinda did didn’t matter. Nothing to lose, nothing to gain. But now that you’re in my life, she’s just someone who designs your clothes.”
His words brought the warmth back to Kate’s expression, her smile growing even wider.
Belinda might have once been Alfred’s confidante, but
since Kate entered the picture, Alfred had started keeping her at arm’s length. Now, Belinda was just the person who made Kate’s clothes.
If Kate ever decided she didn’t want Belinda’s clothes, it would be nearly impossible for her to see Alfred again.
“Hurry up and eat. Once we’ve finished and rested a bit, we’ll head out,” Alfred said, his tone gentle but firm.
Kate nodded. “Okay.”
Just then, Yael walked in with the clothes and handed the bag to Kate.
She reached for it, tempted to check out the outfits inside, but Alfred stopped her. “Later. We’ll look at them later,” he said, his voice leaving no room for debate.
“Alright, I’ll listen to you,” she said, her voice soft and compliant, almost like a little lamb.
The bodyguards nearby couldn’t help but follow internally,’ Mr. Davidson, I’ll listen to you!’
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Lily Carter stood guard at the entrance of the villa complex, waiting for Oswald to appear.
She had packed a homemade breakfast for him in a disposable lunchbox, featuring her delicious ravioli and freshly baked bread, making it easy for them to take along. She had even made a variety of fillings for the bread. Lily was proud of her culinary skills.
Her friends often joked that if she ever left Regency Group, she could open her own snack shop, and it would thrive. But for now, she wasn’t considering quitting. The promotion potential at Regency Group was too good to pass up, even if climbing the ladder was tough. Everyone there was top-notch, and the competition was high.
Having secured her position as Alfred’s main secretary was a big deal for her. She had proven herself by navigating all the challenges thrown her way, and she was satisfied with her salary and status.
Unless Oswald really pushed her to the brink, she had no intention of resigning.
If that day ever came, she knew she would walk away without looking back. For now, though, she was committed and ready to wait for him.
After a while, Oswald’s car finally rolled out of the villa area. And soon, he couldn’t help but notice her.
Today, she was wearing a simple beige dress that hugged her figure nicely. Even in something so plain, she looked like she could step right into an evening gala.
She had a small black backpack with a cute white cotton rabbit hanging from it and was holding a bag filled with disposable lunch boxes.
It seemed like she had just finished packing breakfast and was about to give it to someone special.
Oswald’s thoughts darkened as he remembered the bouquet she had received the day before.
When his car glided to a stop in front of her, he felt a twinge of regret. He wanted to just drive away, but Lily had already knocked on his window.
Reluctantly, he rolled it down and said, “What do you want?”
“Mr. Gordon, could I get a ride with you?” she asked, her tone light.
He raised an eyebrow. “Do you even know where I’m headed? Can you handle the fare?”
A playful smile danced on Lily’s lips.
Oswald’s mind raced, ‘Is she trying to kiss me again?’ “You’re going to Mr. Davidson’s place, right? Funny coincidence-I’m headed there too. And by the way, Mr. Davidson actually told me to take your car,” she said.
Oswald’s eyes widened in surprise. “Alfred asked you to take my car?”
When they weren’t in the office, Oswald and Alfred were good friends. He couldn’t be bothered with formalities and just called him by his first name.
“If Mr. Davidson didn’t call me, there’s no way I’d dare to tag along with you,” Lily shot back.
He considered her words and had to agree.
In their company, there were plenty of higher-ups, but aside from him and Alfred, no one dared show up uninvited at the Davidson mansion.
“Okay, but why did Alfred call you over?” he asked.
They were heading to the Davidson family’s racetrack for a little getaway, and while it made sense for him to go, Lily was a different story.
Lily just smiled and said, “If you don’t believe me, feel free to call Mr. Davidson.”
Oswald glanced at the clock and figured Alfred was probably still eating breakfast. After a moment of thought, he unlocked the car, letting her hop in.
As they settled in, he said, “Just a heads-up if Alfred didn’t invite you to Davidson’s residence and decides to have someone kick you out, don’t expect me to come to your rescue.”
Lily fastened her seatbelt and shot him a playful smile.” Don’t worry, Mr. Gordon. I won’t hold it against you. Even if Mr. Davidson does have someone toss me out, that’s on me.”
She was confident; after all, Alfred had personally called her to join them on this trip to help keep his wife company. She had nothing to fear-Alfred was always serious when he made a request.
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Chapter 274
“Mr. Gordon, I got up early to make this breakfast. Why don’t you give it a try?” Lily handed the packed meal to Oswald, her eyes twinkling with a smile. He could feel the pressure -turning her down almost seemed cruel.
“I’m driving,” Oswald replied, his tone neutral, not exactly refusing but not accepting either.
Lily Carter smiled and said, “I can drive. You can sit back, relax, and enjoy breakfast.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You’ve already eaten?”
“Yep, all set,” she said with a nod.
Oswald couldn’t help but wonder if she packed it just for him after already having hers.
However, he decided not to ask-it’d only make things more awkward.
“Mr. Gordon?” she prompted again, waiting patiently.
“Alright, sure,” Oswald sighed, finally giving in.
Honestly, he was annoyed when she didn’t bring him breakfast yesterday. This time, he figured he’d “help her out” by not letting it go to waste.
The two swapped seats, with Lily taking over the driving and Oswald reluctantly digging into the meal.
“I packed this up since it’s not always easy to grab something decent while we’re out,” she said, glancing at him as she drove.
Oswald stayed quiet, but the truth was, anything she made was always good.
He just wasn’t about to admit that. Letting her know how much he liked her food would only give her more reason to stick around.
After a few bites, he finally asked, “So, why did Alfred invite you along?”
Oswald couldn’t help but wonder if Alfred had invited her because of him, like some kind of setup.
Since Lily was already in his car, she didn’t mind spilling the truth. “Mr. Davidson mentioned Mrs. Sutton doesn’t have many friends around. He thought she might get lonely, so he asked me to come along and keep her company,” she explained casually.
‘How nice Alfred is to Kate!’ he thought.
Oswald sighed. “If I’d known, I wouldn’t have asked. Now I’m just choking on their lovey-dovey shit.”
Lily chuckled. “I know, right? Who would’ve thought Mr. Davidson, of all people, could be so thoughtful and sweet with Mrs. Sutton. He always seems so cold and distant.” She paused, then added to herself, ‘Too bad about his legs… and, well, that other rumor. Hopefully, it’s not true!
Noticing Lily’s dress, Oswald raised an eyebrow. “We’re going to a racecourse, and you’re in a dress? You plan on riding a horse like that?”
Lily laughed softly. “I don’t even know how to ride a horse. I’m just here to keep Mrs. Sutton company, make sure she’s not bored. Dresses are comfy and cool for that.”
Oswald didn’t respond. His horsemanship was pretty decent.
He could probably teach her, but the thought of spending that much time with her… He quickly brushed the idea aside. He didn’t want to give her the wrong impression or encourage anything.
Suddenly, Lily’s phone rang. She glanced at Oswald. “Can you grab that for me? It’s in my bag behind you.”
Oswald pulled her phone from the bag and glanced at the screen. “It’s an unknown number.”
“Answer it for me, see who it is,” Lily said, focused on the road.
He hesitated but eventually picked up the call for her. “Is this Miss Lily Carter?” the voice on the other end asked.
“She’s driving right now, so it’s not convenient for her to answer. Who’s calling?” Oswald replied smoothly.
“I’m from Fragrant Bloom. Someone ordered a bouquet of roses for Miss Carter, and I’m delivering them now. Could you ask her where she’d like them dropped off?”
Oswald’s mood instantly soured. Yesterday, Lily had already received two massive bouquets of roses, which had sparked endless gossip at the office.
And now, more flowers? Who was this coward sending them without even showing up in person?
‘You are not serious,’ Oswald thought, annoyed, ‘If you really meant it, why hide behind a florist? Just send the flowers yourself.’
Lily, hearing the conversation, quickly chimed in. “Just have them leave it at the security office. The guard can sign for it. I’ll pick it up when I get back.”
Oswald relayed the message, trying to hide his annoyance.
Before hanging up, the florist added, “And should we do the same for the evening delivery?”
Oswald frowned. “Evening delivery? There’s more?”
“Yes, the sender ordered two bouquets daily, one in the morning and one in the evening. Both are 1000 roses.”
Lily didn’t bat an eye. “Same deal. Just drop it at the security office.”
Once the florist had the instructions, they hung up. Oswald slipped her phone back into her bag, then went back to munching on the breakfast buns as if nothing unusual had happened.
“Lily,” Oswald started, his voice a little tense.
“Mr. Gordon, just spit it out.” Lily glanced over briefly before turning her focus back to the road, a soft smile still playing on her lips. That smile-it was somehow blinding to him today.
He knew Lily was beautiful; they were a well-matched pair in that regard. But he never paid much attention to how radiant she looked when she smiled. Today though, seeing her grinning like that probably because of the flowers-he realized just how much about her he had overlooked.
“Lily, any idea who’s sending you these flowers?” he asked, trying to keep his tone casual.
“No clue,” she answered, a touch of amusement in her voice. “I know a lot of men, and quite a few are interested in me. There’s no way I can narrow it down to just one.”
It was true. As Alfred’s highly competent secretary, she naturally interacted with many people, and yes, a lot of men admired her.
But deep down, her feelings were all tangled up with Oswald. Even when walking away seemed like the best option, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
Now, she was just holding on to whatever hope was left. If this didn’t work out, maybe then I would finally let go.
Oswald knew plenty of people were interested in Lily. He glanced at her and said, “Just remember, some guys aren’t after you-they’re after the fact that you’re Alfred’s
secretary. Be careful not to get used as a business pawn.” Lily’s expression cooled instantly. “Don’t worry, Mr. Gordon. I’m not the type to get swept away by men,” she replied, then with a touch of bitterness added, “Except maybe you. You’re loyal to Mr. Davidson, so I don’t need to worry about you, right?
Their eyes met briefly before Oswald turned to stare out the window. After a pause, he spoke, his tone indifferent. Whoever’s chasing you now isn’t serious. You should figure out who it is and put a stop to it.”
He continued, “A guy who’s too shy to even show his face but sends flowers through a shop? That’s not romantic-it’s lazy. If he really wanted to get your attention, he’d show up at your office with the bouquet himself. He’d make an effort -ask you out, bring you gifts, not just roses.”
Lily was quiet for a moment, then said, almost teasingly, ” Maybe he’s trying to keep it mysterious. And honestly, it’s working. I’m curious now. A guy who sends me flowers every day and is generous with 1,000 roses? He’s got to know how to sweep a woman off her feet.”
She had a dreamy, almost playful look on her face. Oswald frowned, clearly annoyed. “Lily, you’re driving. Keep your eyes on the road and don’t get lost in daydreams!” he snapped.
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Chapter 275
The Davidson family’s equestrian resort was massive, with rows of horses and plenty of staff bustling around.
It had been run for by Miles Davidson, who had been passionate about horses since childhood. After high school, he had begged Alfred to let him take over.
But he was still only 17 or 18, so Alfred said no, telling him to wait until after university. Determined, Miles sped through his studies, graduating by 20, and was finally entrusted with the racecourse.
Now, five years later, the place was thriving, just like the Regency Group.
The racecourse was usually open to the public, drawing in a crowd of horse-racing enthusiasts. But today, with Alfred bringing over his guests, the place was closed for two days of private use.
“Wow, so many horses,” Kate murmured, eyes wide as she took in the sight.
The racecourse was massive- sprawling lawns and
winding tracks stretched out like a scene from a postcard. They could ride on the track or take off across the open field, galloping through the grasslands.
Alfred glanced over at her and asked, “You want to go down now?”
Kate smiled, shaking her head. “I’ll stick with you for now, watch them ride.”
She figured it wouldn’t be wise to abandon him right after arriving. Alfred was cool on the surface, but she knew him well enough. He’d hold onto things, and she could bet he’d bring it up later at home if she left him to his own devices. Alfred’s gaze softened. “I brought you here so you could unwind and de-stress. Go have fun if that’s what’ll make you happy. Don’t worry about me. Yael and the others are here to keep me company.”
Kate smiled. “I’m fine. I’d rather take a walk around first.”
The scenery around the racecourse was not bad either.
The scenery at the racecourse was pretty nice, and besides, apart from Alfred’s siblings and Lindsay, the only people she really knew were Oswald and Lily.
Everyone else was a stranger, and she could feel them sizing her up the moment she arrived. Luckily, she had thick skin and was confident enough not to let it get to her.
Kate had only invited Xena. Her parents had politely declined, saying they were too old to hang out with the younger crowd. In reality, they probably just didn’t want to intrude on their daughter’s time with her husband.
“Are you tired? Why don’t you take a break?” Alfred asked gently, his tone full of concern.
His gaze reminded Kate of the night before, causing her cheeks to flush. She felt a wave of warmth and replied, “I’m good, Alfred. How about I push you around? It’s been a while since you’ve been here, right?”
“Yeah, over a year,” Alfred admitted. Before the accident, he used to come here with friends every month for a ride. But after his legs were injured, riding was no longer an option.
Kate smiled as she pushed him along. “When your legs are back to normal, we’ll come here together and race. Let’s see who’s the better rider.”
Alfred smiled. “I’ve been riding horses since I was a kid. You still want to challenge me?”
Kate paused, realizing she didn’t stand a chance. Sure, she knew how to ride, but her skills were nothing special- definitely not enough to compete with someone who grew up doing it.
She quickly changed the subject. “Where’s Xena?”
Alfred glanced around, then said casually, “She’s probably hiding under a tree, snapping photos of my brothers.”
Kate laughed, knowing how true that was. Xena had a thing for taking pictures of attractive men, and the Davidson family had no shortage of those. With more than ten young, handsome men around, there was no way Xena would let this opportunity slip by.
Sure enough, when Kate looked around, she spotted Xena crouched behind a tree, phone in hand, snapping photos of the guys on the equestrian resort.
“Yep, that’s Xena for you,” Kate said with a grin. “She’s always been like this.” Xena had never been shy about her love for good-looking guys, and her phone was full of secret photos.
The only person who’d ever caught her off guard was Elijah. Alfred chuckled. “You can tell her she doesn’t have to sneak around. She’s your friend, and my siblings won’t mind-just as long as she doesn’t sell the photos. But taking them in secret? That can get annoying.”
He wouldn’t be too thrilled if someone was secretly taking photos of him either.
Kate’s eyes lit up. “Really? That’s great news!”
“Let me call Xena real quick,” she said, stopping and pulling out her phone to dial her friend.
Xena was practically buzzing with excitement today like she had just hit the jackpot.
So many good-looking men all in one place – the most eligible bachelors in Sherpsel, no less.
Every single one of them was way better-looking than the guys she’d secretly snapped photos of in the past. These were real, top-tier handsome.
She knew, of course, that she shouldn’t be sneaking photos of Alfred’s friends, especially since she was here as Kate’s guest. But she just couldn’t resist.
Her plan was simple-hide, snap a few shots from a distance, and avoid taking close-ups or anything too obvious. Just a few pictures capturing how incredible they looked riding horses. No harm in that, right? Surely no one would be offended, and it wouldn’t get Kate in trouble either. Just as she was in the zone, her phone started ringing.
Xena glanced at the screen and saw it was Kate calling. She scanned the area and spotted her friend waving from a distance.
With no chance to yell across, she picked up the call.
“Xena, why are you hiding all the way over there?” Kate teased.
“It’s just a little hot,” Xena laughed nervously. “Nice and cool under the tree.”
She wasn’t the only one avoiding the sun. A group of people who weren’t riding had gathered under a large tree too. The shade offered relief, with a few marble tables and benches scattered around for anyone to relax.
There were a few familiar faces around, but Xena didn’t know them well enough to strike up a conversation. Her hobby of secretly snapping photos hadn’t exactly won her any friends. Just like Kate, she often felt a bit isolated in this upper-class crowd.
“Why don’t you come over, and we can walk around together?” Kate suggested over the phone.
“You focus on Mr. Davidson, don’t worry about me. I’ll
manage just fine,” Xena replied, knowing full well that Alfred wasn’t the type to share Kate’s attention easily, and she had no intention of playing the third wheel.
“How about I ask Cynthia to show you around instead? And listen, if you want to take photos, just do it openly. No need to sneak around. That’s straight from Alfred,” Kate added with a small laugh, knowing full well that Alfred’s presence meant the couple would be left in peace, as his friends would quickly find other distractions.
“Wait, seriously? I can actually do that?” Xena’s voice lit up with excitement. She could hardly believe her luck.
“Yep, Alfred keeps his word,” Kate confirmed.
“Well, thank him for me!” Xena beamed, already imagining the shots she could get.
“I will. I’ll catch up with you later, maybe we can go riding together,” Kate offered.
Xena laughed, clearly in a good mood. “Don’t worry about me! As long as there’s a handsome guy around, you just enjoy your time with Mr. Davidson.”
Kate rolled her eyes, playfully teasing, “You forget your friends the moment you see a good-looking guy.”
Chapter 276
Kate also informed her sister-in-law, Cynthia, to bring Xena along and show her around. Cynthia happily agreed, so with everything arranged, Kate felt more at ease and was ready to enjoy a peaceful walk with Alfred.
“Alfred?” she called softly.
“Yeah.”
“Your family really put a lot of thought into this place. Even though it’s an equestrian resort, the scenery is stunning. The flowers, trees, artificial mountains, ponds… and all those antique buildings with long corridors. It’s not just for horse riding; it’s a beautiful place to visit,” Kate remarked, admiring the surroundings.
Aside from the horse-riding facilities, there were also playgrounds for kids who weren’t ready to get on a horse. Alfred glanced around, smiling. “Miles turned this into a tourist spot, and it seems like he’s on the right track.”
The resort was doing well, contributing a fair bit to the Regency Group’s profits each year.
“Miles seems so young but clearly has a good head for business,” Kate commented.
“We’ve got over a dozen brothers, and most of them are pretty good at making money. Miles is the 13th, just 25 this is my fifth uncle’s eldest son. Below him is his year. He’s twin brothers-they’re the same age as Cynthia and the 14th and 15th siblings. They’re just about half a year older than her. They graduated from university with Cynthia last year but went abroad to continue their studies. They should be back around the New Year.”
“You have 15 brothers?” Kate raised an eyebrow. She realized she was a little embarrassed that, despite being married into the Davidson family for a while, she still hadn’t quite figured out how many younger brothers Alfred had.
“Yeah, my grandma had five sons. Each one wanted to give her a granddaughter, but in the end, all they had were boys,” Alfred said, looking a little sheepish. “So, here we are, fifteen grandsons later.”
He chuckled lightly. “Luckily, the Davidson family business is big enough to handle us all, or my grandmother would’ve gone mad with that many grandsons running around.”
Kate laughed. “Cynthia’s really a gem then, huh?”
Alfred smiled warmly. “Oh, absolutely. She’s been the family’s little treasure since day one. All the elders adore her, and the fifteen of us brothers, we’ve always looked out for her. When she started school, it took over ten of us to drop her off. You can imagine the scene intimidating, to say the least.”
Kate imagined that spectacle and couldn’t help but smile. The thought of a man trying to marry Cynthia crossed her mind, and she figured he would have to be seriously brave. After all, who would dare argue with someone who had fifteen brothers-in-law?
“It’s definitely special having a girl in the family,” Kate mused. “I hope we’ll have a daughter one day.”
Kate couldn’t help but feel excited. The thought of having a daughter with Alfred made her smile. Their little girl would definitely be adorable, no doubt about it.
But deep down, she knew it wouldn’t be the same Rowena from before.
Alfred’s expression softened but then gradually turned more serious, as if something had crossed his mind.
After a moment, he said quietly, “I have a feeling our first child will be a beautiful daughter, just like the Rowena you dreamed about.”
Kate froze for a second, the name pulling her back into memories. If Rowena came into this life again and chose her as her mother, Kate vowed she would protect her with all her heart. And with a father like Alfred by her side, Rowena would thrive.
“Yeah, I hope we have a daughter as sweet as Rowena,” Kate whispered, her voice barely audible as she gazed out into the distance, lost in thought.
Rebirth changed so many things-people, events, everything. Kate had rewritten her own story, and with that, she feared she’d never get to meet Rowena again.
“Did Rowena look more like you or her dad in your dream?” Alfred asked quietly.
“She looked like me,” Kate replied just as softly.
It was the fact that Rowena resembled her so much that had kept her from realizing she wasn’t Chris’s child in that previous life.
Alfred glanced at her thoughtfully. “If she looked like you… In your dream, was Rowena’s father really Elijah?”
His voice had a slight edge, tinged with jealousy. He was her husband now, and the idea of her dreaming about another man, even in a past life, didn’t sit well with him. Kate sighed, gently reassuring, “Alfred, it was just a dream.” She felt guilty for not telling him the truth, but how could she explain the concept of rebirth? Especially to someone like Alfred, who didn’t believe in such things. All she could do was insist it was just a dream.
“I get it, it was a dream,” he muttered. “If it were real, do you think Elijah would still be walking around?”
Kate couldn’t help but laugh. She leaned in, kissed his cheek, and teased, “You know, Alfred, I love it when you get jealous of me.”
“Is it so obvious?” he asked, raising a brow.
“No, but it’s more like you’re slapping yourself in the face, and it’s all red.”
Alfred fell silent, realizing he had just walked right into that one.
One should always leave room when making decisions, never being too harsh. Alfred had been too ruthless before, and now, he was facing the consequences.
“I don’t even know if Rowena is really Elijah’s child. That’s just what he said in his dream. In mine, I never even spoke to him. The few times we crossed paths, I only saw him from a distance,” Kate explained softly. It was similar to how things had played out in her previous life.
Alfred fell quiet, processing her words.
Even Elijah had a dream like that. It felt like the universe was trying to send some kind of message.
But Alfred wasn’t interested in figuring out what God might be hinting at. He just wanted to know who was pulling the strings, setting a trap that could catch both him and Elijah. In Sherpsel, he and Elijah were considered the top young men-smart, powerful, and influential. Whoever could manipulate them like this had to be someone formidable, yet Alfred couldn’t think of anyone capable of such a feat. In reality, Kate was married to him, not Elijah, and there was no way she could be carrying Elijah’s child. Still, that nagging feeling of a hidden threat lingered in Alfred’s mind, making him cautious.
“Alfred?” Kate’s voice broke his thoughts.
He responded calmly, “Kate, why don’t you head over and change with Lindsay and the others? Then, you can ride. I’ll have someone pick out the gentlest horse for you.”
She looked at him, puzzled. “You don’t need me by your side anymore?” she asked.
Alfred smiled. “I brought you here to relax and enjoy yourself, especially to ride. Yael and the others are with me. Go have fun.”
After a pause, he added with a grin, “Besides, we’ve got a whole lifetime together.”
With that, Kate stopped resisting. Seeing everyone else already on horseback, her own excitement started to bubble up.
To anyone watching, the way they interacted was pure sweetness.
Right now, a man riding alongside Oswald asked, “So, Alfred’s really happy with his new wife?”
Oswald glanced over at the couple and smiled. “It’s official now. Of course, he’s happy. He brought her along on this trip with us, which means he’s serious about her becoming part of his world.”
“Didn’t that Ms. Sutton try to escape the marriage, even risking her life?”
The man, another friend of Alfred, was Tristan Wainwright, a young gentleman of the Wainwright family in Averlon. The Wainwright family had business ties with Regency Group, and Tristan was in charge of their cooperation.
Oswald shrugged. “Let’s focus on the outcome, not the details.”
Tristan gave a thoughtful look. “Aren’t you worried Alfred might get caught in some kind of trap?”
曲
Chapter 277
“I already gave him a heads-up, but if Alfred’s all in, what can I say?” Oswald shrugged a hint of envy in his voice. Watching Alfred, it suddenly clicked-he understood why his friend was so willing.
Kate had shown Alfred what happiness could be, and Alfred was hooked.
Even if Kate had her own plans, it seemed Alfred was okay to take it. From Oswald’s perspective, Kate seemed completely genuine in her feelings for Alfred.
Tristan fell silent for a moment. If Alfred was willing, there was no point in trying to talk him out of it.
“Tristan, how about we have a race?” Oswald suggested, breaking the tension. “We haven’t been here for a while, since Alfred’s accident. We could use some fun.”
Without Alfred around, their gatherings never felt the same. His absence always lingered in the back of their minds.
Tristan grinned. “I’m down, but let’s talk stakes. What happens if one of us loses?”
He shot a glance at Lily. Tristan knew full well that Lily had feelings for Oswald. After working with Regency Group for so many years, nothing escaped his notice.
Oswald didn’t hesitate. “Whatever it is, win or lose, I’ll see it through.”
Tristan’s grin widened. “If I lose, I’ll treat you to a meal and help you with whatever you need just nothing illegal. But if you lose, you have to go over and kiss Lily.”
Oswald’s face immediately darkened. He glared at Tristan.” You’re looking for a fight, aren’t you?”
Tristan laughed. “What’s wrong? Afraid you’ll lose?”
“Afraid? Don’t be ridiculous,” Oswald said confidently. “I’ve known Alfred longer than you, and I learned to ride before you even knew what a saddle was. There’s no way I’m losing.”
Tristan smirked. “Then what’s the problem? If you’re so sure, why worry about my little challenge?”
Oswald’s expression remained stern. “The bet’s between us. Leave Lily out of it.”
“Protecting her, huh? Or are you just scared she’ll bug you if you kiss her? Seriously, Lily’s been waiting on you for ages -she’s almost growing grey now! You’ve gotta face the music. Look at your boss; even he’s starting to crack. Are you really more stubborn than a rock?”
Oswald rolled his eyes. “I didn’t ask her to wait for me.”
Tristan gave his horse a little nudge and took off, speeding around the track. When he finally stopped in front of the big tree, he flashed a grin at the ladies lounging there.
“Hey, girls!” he called out, flashing a smile. “So, I’ve got a little bet with Oswald here. If I lose, I treat him to dinner and help him out with anything legal. But if he loses, he has to kiss Lily. What do you all think?”
The ladies just stared, clearly taken aback.
Kate glanced at Lily, piecing together the dynamic of her and Oswald from what Alfred had said. Tristan seemed intent on adding the fuel even more.
Cynthia and Lindsay also shot curious looks at Lily, waiting to see her reaction.
But Lily remained calm, not even blushing at Tristan’s bold words. That was the professionalism of Alfred’s secretary. “Tristan!” Oswald yelled as he rode closer, his voice echoing. The shout caught everyone off guard, and it was clear he was more than a little frustrated.
Xena nudged Kate and whispered, “Mr. Gordon and Miss Carter-there’s something going on between them, right?” Kate smiled softly. “Hard to say if anything will happen, but it sure doesn’t stop us from enjoying the show.”
It seemed like Oswald had stirred up some trouble among his circles. Alfred was always on Lily’s side, and now even Tristan, an important business partner, was jumping in to help.
“Tristan, if you want to race, fine. But leave Lily out of it,” Oswald muttered, clearly avoiding looking her way.
Everyone else trotted over on their horses, listening intently. It didn’t take long for them to catch up on the situation. “Oswald, what’s the matter? Afraid you’re gonna lose?” they teased, grinning at the drama unfolding.
Oswald shot a furious glare at Tristan. “You think his bet’s fair? Lily’s a decent girl, alright? She doesn’t have a
boyfriend yet. If I-if I mess things up and she can’t find anyone because of me, who’s gonna take responsibility for that?”
Lily’s calm voice cut through the chatter. “No need for anyone to take responsibility.”
Her words silenced the group. She looked straight at Tristan, with a hint of amusement in her eyes. “Mr. Wainwright, Mr. Gordon’s riding skills are rusty. Don’t push him too hard.”
Her tone had a playful edge, clearly egging them on.
Oswald locked eyes with Lily, looking guilty. “Lily, I’m sorry you got dragged into this.”
But Lily just smiled at him, unfazed. “It’s fine. Whenever something involves me, you always seem to resist. I’ve gotten used to it.”
That comment hit Oswald like a punch to the gut. He wondered if he hurt her that much over the years.
Lily turned to Kate with a smile. “Mrs. Sutton, I’m here for you today. Feel like riding a horse? Let’s go get changed.” Kate stood up, grinning. “Why not?” Then she looped her arm around Cynthia and Lindsay, dragging them along.
Xena, who didn’t know how to ride, stayed behind on the bench under the tree, watching the guys with wide, admiring eyes.
Even though all of them were undeniably handsome, each had his own charm some looked refined, others gentle. Then there was Alfred, who exuded a noble, cold presence.
Alfred was like the king of the group, and the men around him were just as impressive in their own ways.
“Tristan, if you lose, I’m gonna beat you senseless!” Oswald growled, clearly still fired up from Lily’s sudden exit. He seemed more than ready to take on Tristan in a race.
Before long, the two of them were racing their horses across the track, competing fiercely.
Meanwhile, as Kate and Lily walked, Kate leaned in and asked, “Lily, do you really love Oswald?”
Lily shot a slight smile, but there was sadness in her eyes. “Does it even matter anymore? I’ve loved him for years, waited for years, but he just doesn’t care.
“I used to make him breakfast every morning-he loved it before. But after I confessed my feelings, he stopped touching it. Sometimes, he’d even throw it on the ground like it meant nothing.”
Kate’s heart sank. “That’s brutal. How can Oswald be so heartless?”
Lily sure had thick skin. Any other woman would’ve thrown in the towel ages ago.
Cynthia chimed in, shaking her head. “Lily, let it go. You
deserve way better than that. You’re amazing and trust me, there are plenty of men out there who’d treat you better. I could introduce you to someone if you’re up for it.”
The men she knew were all pretty well-off.
Lindsay, always the bold one, crossed her arms. “Look, I’ve been watching it all just now. He’s not completely indifferent to you. He’s just too proud to admit it.”
Chapter 278
This was just like Theo Davidson he kept dodging Lindsay all the time, but whenever something went wrong, he was the first to rush to her side.
“You know, you could just go for it,” Lindsay said with a smirk. “Tackle him, strip him down, and sleep with him for a night. Then run off and make him chase you around, give him a taste of what it’s like to regret messing up-classic wife-chasing crematorium style.”
Everyone was momentarily stunned into silence.
Lily chuckled. “You know, I like your boldness, Miss Mccoy. If you don’t mind that I’m just an ordinary worker, would you consider being friends?”
Lindsay replied without hesitation, “Girl, I don’t care if you’re a street sweeper. If I like you, I like you. From now on, we’re friends. And trust me, if anyone messes with you, I’ll be there to back you up.”
Cynthia, pulling Kate aside, whispered, “Don’t let Lindsay’s wild ways rub off on you, Kate.” She chuckled. “Otherwise, Alfred’s gonna lose it, and Theo might blow a fuse.”
Kate couldn’t help but laugh. “Lindsay’s pretty refreshing, though. I like her straightforwardness.”
“It’s easy to be bold when you’re rich and know how to handle yourself,” Cynthia teased. “Didn’t you notice how Theo’s been avoiding her since we got to the resort?”
Now that Cynthia mentioned it, Kate realized she hadn’t spotted Theo at all.
Kate was going to say that she could probably hold my own if it came down to it, but against Alfred? No way. She wouldn’t stand a chance, and honestly, she wouldn’t even want to.
He was her number one backer. Who would be crazy enough to hurt the one who helped them?
“Kate, you’ve been down this road before. Show Lily a few tricks to win Oswald over, then vanish and let him chase after her like crazy. Otherwise, all those years of heartache will be for nothing,” Cynthia teased.
Kate chuckled, “I’ve been through it, but I don’t really have any secret moves.”
She just had thick skin. And, well, Alfred’s cooperation.
“How did you get Alfred to fall for you then?” Cynthia nudged.
Kate’s cheeks warmed, too shy to answer. That was between her and Alfred, strictly intimate business. She wasn’t about to spill those details.
Sensing the awkwardness, Lily jumped in, “Mrs. Sutton and Mr. Davidson just naturally clicked. Every couple has a different dynamic, right?”
Lily then remembered how Alfred would get a little animal sculpture every few days. They weren’t expensive, but each one was meticulously detailed, and he loved them.
His desk was almost overflowing with those little creatures everywhere.
Whether it was senior staff or clients, everyone was curious and admired the figurines. But Alfred was super protective. Even Oswald wasn’t allowed to touch them.
Rumor had it Kate had hand-sculpted each one herself, just for Alfred.
Lindsay, reflecting on her own situation, thought back to how she and Theo were practically sworn enemies. Her grandmother always teased her, saying she looked like a fairy but acted like anything but a woman. She clearly liked Theo, yet they ended up bickering constantly. It baffled her how she couldn’t just get along with him.
But that was their dynamic. She knew she could never be as sweet and lovey-dovey as Alfred and Kate.
“I always thought Alfred couldn’t be swayed. Now I get it- he just hadn’t met Kate yet. He spent all those years being stubborn as a rock, only to crack when she came along. It’s like he was just waiting for her,” Lindsay sighed.
She had missed a lot of the drama while being overseas and regretted not seeing Alfred, the “uncrackable stone,” finally break. It had to be something.
Kate smiled softly. “It’s just fate between us.”
Lindsay chuckled, “That smile of yours is making me jealous.”
“Kate, don’t smile at us like that,” Cynthia teased. “I’m pretty sure if my brother knew, he’d blindfold us all so we wouldn’t steal a glance at your sweetness.”
Alfred had a real possessive streak.
“Seriously,” Lindsay agreed. “Even women like us are jealous of him.”
Lily nodded, laughing along with them. They all knew Alfred too well.
Kate, outnumbered, couldn’t escape their playful teasing. Afterward, they changed into their riding outfits and headed to the stables.
“Kate, Cynthia!” a young man called.
It was Miles Davidson, waiting near the stables. He ran the equestrian resort and had been introduced to Kate earlier by Alfred when they arrived.
“Miles!” Cynthia called, while Kate smiled.
“I brought out the horse you usually ride,” Miles said, pinching Cynthia’s cheek affectionately. “Looks like you’ve lost some weight. Haven’t been eating enough?”
“I’m dieting,” Cynthia replied with a grin, not minding the pinch. It didn’t hurt anyway.
Miles adored his little sister. If she so much as lost a strand of hair, he would act like it was a national emergency. No way he would ever pinch her.
His face turned serious. “Why are you even trying to lose weight? You’re perfect as you are. You need to eat properly,” he scolded her.
Cynthia sighed dramatically. “If I keep gaining weight, I’ll never get married.”
Miles, sounding as overbearing as ever, said, “Then don’t get married. I’ll take care of you forever.”
Lindsay elbowed Kate lightly, and when Kate turned,
Lindsay leaned in and whispered, “With that attitude, no guy in Sherpsel is gonna have the guts to marry Cynthia. Imagine marrying into a family where you’d have fifteen brothers-in-law.”
Kate couldn’t help but stifle a laugh, nodding in agreement. Lindsay’s bluntness was growing on her.
Cynthia smiled, clearly used to this kind of banter. “I can already see my future… living the life of an old spinster.” Miles, still firm, shot back, “You’ve got fifteen brothers who’ve got your back. What’s there to worry about?”
He seemed genuinely troubled by the idea of his sister getting married. At 23, she was still so young in his eyes. Just the thought of some guy being his brother-in-law made his fists itch.
“Miles, I’m just gonna get my horse,” Cynthia said, knowing exactly where his mind had wandered.
At her age, let alone settling down for marriage-she hadn’t even been in a proper relationship yet. The one guy she liked in college got so spooked after her brothers had a talk” with him that he practically ran in the opposite direction.
All because Cynthia had a crush on him.
Knowing how badly all her brothers had scared off that poor guy in college, Cynthia had given up even liking anyone. With fifteen overprotective, sister-obsessed brothers, any guy brave enough to show interest didn’t stand a chance.
After Cynthia left, Miles turned to Lindsay and Lily, his tone much gentler. “The horses are over there, ladies. Feel free to pick whichever you like.”
Lindsay grabbed Lily’s arm and pulled her away, leaving Kate standing there, a little confused as to why she was the only one left behind.
Miles chuckled and said, “Kate, your horse is ready. Alfred specifically picked out Sheep for you. I’ll bring it over. He’s very gentle.
It was clear that Miles had been given strict orders by Alfred to choose the calmest horse for Kate. Though Miles was technically the manager of the equestrian resort, his passion for horses meant he knew every animal’s temperament inside out.
Kate smiled and raised a brow. “I’m actually pretty good at riding, you know.”
With a name like “Sheep,” it was obvious this horse wasn’t exactly a wild stallion.
Chapter 279
Miles flashed a warm smile, one that was softer than Alfred’s usual serious expression. To Kate, he seemed more like a carefree, sunny boy.
“If you’re not into Sheep, you could always tell Alfred,” Miles offered. “The fiercest horse here is Gale-Alfred’s personal favorite. Only he can handle it. Even I, who raised it, can barely touch Gale, let alone ride him.”
Kate smirked, realizing there was no point in arguing. Miles was just following Alfred’s orders, and clearly, Alfred wasn’t about to take any risks with her safety.
In the end, it was all because Alfred cared. He probably thought she might not be in top form, especially since it had been a while since she’d ridden. So, Kate accepted the gentle Sheep without much fuss.
Ten minutes later, Kate and the others led their horses out of the stable, ready for the ride.
As they headed off, Miles made his way toward the five-story office building in the distance, the hub of the equestrian resort.
Inside, Alfred and Theo were waiting for him.
Alfred, unable to move at the moment, was calmly seated, while Theo, despite claiming he was trying to avoid Lindsay, couldn’t resist standing by the window. He held a pair of binoculars, pretending to admire the scenery, but it was obvious what or who he was really looking for.
Miles couldn’t help but shake his head. Theo’s avoidance tactics were almost laughable.
On the fifth floor, in the general manager’s office, Theo continued to peer out the window with his binoculars, scanning the resort. From that height, he had the perfect vantage point, able to see right through the greenery and check out what was happening at the equestrian resort.
Alfred had just rolled in, catching Theo with a suspicious look on his face. With a soft snort, he raised a brow.
“You’re here.” Theo quickly put down the binoculars, pretending like he hadn’t been staring out the window. “Why not spend some time with Kate? You saw how confident she looked on that horse.”
Alfred’s tone was calm, almost indifferent. “If I’m there, I’d just distract her. Besides, I don’t want to kill the fun for everyone else,” he added as he wheeled over to the window, reaching out to Theo. “Give me those.”
Theo hesitated, gripping the binoculars tighter, but one hard glare from Alfred was all it took. Reluctantly, Theo handed them over, his hand betraying him even though his mind resisted.
Alfred took the binoculars, barely interested. “If you really want to watch, you should head down to the arena. What’s the point of peeking from up here? She can’t even hear the cheers,” he said as he raised the binoculars to his eyes.
After only a few glances, he lowered them. He couldn’t catch more than a brief glimpse of her before his interest faded. Without saying another word, he walked away with the binoculars in hand.
“I’m not watching her,” Theo said defensively. “She doesn’t need me to cheer her on anyway. With how hard she works, I bet Kate and the others won’t stand a chance. Lindsay’s on another level.”
Theo knew that even Alfred’s friends like Tristan and the rest probably couldn’t outshine Lindsay.
Lindsay might’ve come from money, but she acted more like a rebel. Full of quirks, she seemed to know everything and didn’t care to hide her flaws. She lived her life on her own terms, without worrying about what anyone thought. In contrast, Cynthia couldn’t afford that kind of freedom. She overthought everything, always cautious.
“You don’t need the binoculars. Let me use them,” Theo said, rushing to Alfred’s side with a grin, hand outstretched. “I wanna see if Cynthia and the others are out yet.”
Alfred shot him a look, pulling the binoculars back a bit. ” These are mine now. You got a problem with that?”
Theo quickly shook his head. “Nope, no problem.”
“Good. Now, stop hovering. Go get me some water. I’m thirsty.”
Without hesitation, Theo nodded and headed off to fetch the water. Alfred placed the binoculars down on the coffee table, then gripped the arms of his wheelchair and carefully moved over to the sofa, sitting down slowly.
Just as he settled, the door swung open, and Miles came in. The moment he saw Alfred, he nearly sprinted across the room. “Alfred, why didn’t you ask Theo to help you? Yael and the others are just outside. You could’ve called them, and they’d have come right in.”
He quickly moved to assist Alfred.
Theo came back with a glass of warm water and chimed in, “No need to panic. He’s been going all out with his rehab. He can walk around ten feet without the chair.”
Miles raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Is that true, Alfred?” Miles had been at the equestrian resort most of the time, so he hadn’t kept up with all the news at home. He knew Alfred and Kate had secretly tied the knot and made it official recently, but that was about it.
He figured Alfred managed his own business and didn’t feel the need to ask about his brother’s private matters. Even if he did, it wasn’t like Alfred would tell him unless he wanted to.
“Yeah, I can barely manage 11 or 12 steps,” Alfred said with a shrug.
He remembered how rough it had been when he first married Kate. Back then, he could barely get through two or three steps, each one sending sharp pain through his legs. It hurt so much, that his face would go pale, and he’d break out in a cold sweat.
Even someone as tough as he liked to think he was had trouble handling that kind of pain.
Most days, he avoided standing up at all. It wasn’t just the pain-it was also his pride. But after Kate came into his life, she somehow convinced him to start rehab. Slowly, without realizing it, he gave in to her persuasion.
Now, every time he took those painful steps, he did it for her. He wanted to be strong enough to rush to her side whenever she needed him. He wanted to be the rock she could lean on, the one who could hold her close.
He wanted to stand tall, wrap her in his arms, and let her feel safe there.
Love really does change a person. It could mess one up or make them better.
The question is, was Alfred someone whose love had changed for the worse, or was he becoming a better man because of it?
“That’s awesome,” Theo chimed in, snapping him out of his thoughts. “If you keep up the rehab, you’ll be back on your feet in no time. The doctor said as long as you stick with it, you’ll be walking like anyone else.”
To his younger brothers, Alfred had always been this unshakable, larger-than-life figure. They were used to looking up to him, relying on his strength.
So, when Alfred gave up on himself after his accident, it hurt them in ways they couldn’t even express. They tried everything-persuasion, comfort, whatever they could think of but nothing worked.
What eventually pulled Alfred out of that dark place wasn’t their words. It was a crisis at the company. Elijah had teamed up with others, scheming to cheat the Regency Group. Theo and Lucas tried to handle it, but they just weren’t a match for Elijah.
In the end, Alfred rolled back into the company in his wheelchair, took control, and shut down Purchas Group’s plan. That moment reminded his brothers that even if Alfred was in a wheelchair, there was no surpassing him. He was still the man they had always admired.
As Miles looked at Alfred now, he noticed something unusual a softness on Alfred’s face. The harsh lines of his usually tense features had relaxed, and it was… surprising. Miles couldn’t help but recall a conversation he overheard between his mother and someone on the phone. His mom had said that Kate Sutton was a witch, claiming she had bewitched Alfred to the point where she didn’t even have to follow the Davidson family’s strict rules. There was envy and maybe a little jealousy in his mother’s voice Growing up in the Davidson family, Miles knew how suffocating those rules could be, especially for women. The men in his father’s generation always thought they were doting on their wives, but none had ever challenged the rules to actually give their wives more freedom.
But Alfred had, for Kate. He had fought those family rules and won. Now, Kate could live freely, and do as she pleased, and that had made her the envy of all the other noble ladies. 贾
Chapter 280
Miles had initially thought his mother was exaggerating, but seeing that soft, almost tender look on Alfred’s face now, he knew it was real-Alfred genuinely cared for Kate. “Alfred, Kate’s already got Sheep, but she doesn’t seem too thrilled with him. She thinks Sheep’s a bit too gentle,” Miles said, hinting at Kate’s clear preference for something with a little more spirit.
Miles wasn’t surprised. Kate, after all, had grown up in the countryside, learned combat skills, and didn’t have the typical elegance of a high-society lady. It made sense that a docile horse like Sheep wasn’t her style.
Alfred smirked. “A woman who drives like she’s in a race car isn’t going to be impressed by Sheep. But that’s all she’s getting.”
He knew exactly how reckless Kate could be behind the wheel and no way he was going to take that risk, especially since he wasn’t sure how skilled she actually was at riding.
Theo, already peering through the binoculars, chimed in, Let’s see if Kate can ride Sheep like Gale.” There was a playful edge to his voice as he scanned the distance.
Alfred took a sip of water, glanced at Theo, and shook his head with a mocking smile. “Miles, push me to the racetrack.”
In the end, he couldn’t help but worry about Kate getting too reckless. If he showed up, though, she’d probably tone it down and not push herself too much.
“On it.” Miles moved to help Alfred into his wheelchair, then looked over at Theo, still glued to the window with the binoculars. “You coming, or are you staying glued to that spot?”
Theo glanced over and said, “I’m not going. You guys go ahead. I’ll stay back and keep an eye on the office.”
Miles chuckled. The equestrian resort was closed to the public today, open only to Alfred and his group. In fact, all the employees had been given the day off by Miles, so there was really no need to guard anything.
Miles pushed Alfred out of the office, and Yael along with the other bodyguards immediately followed.
As they made their way out, Miles broke the silence, asking, “So, when are you and Kate finally going to have your wedding?”
Even though Miles respected Alfred, he always felt awkward during the long silences between them, so he quickly tried to find something to talk about.
Alfred paused for a moment before replying, “When I can walk like a normal person.”
He cared a lot about appearances. Standing tall at his wedding was important to him-far better than sitting in a wheelchair.
He wanted to look his absolute best for Kate, just as he wanted her to be the most stunning bride in his eyes.
Miles glanced at his brother’s legs and nodded in understanding. After a moment, he asked, “Is Kate still working now?”
Alfred gave his younger brother a sharp look. “Miles, you seem awfully interested in Kate.”
Miles quickly backtracked, “No, no, it’s not like that. I just figured you’d like talking about her since you’re so into her.” What Miles didn’t realize was that when someone’s in love, they tend to be a little possessive-especially Alfred. Even if it was just his brother, Alfred didn’t particularly like anyone, even family, talking too much about his Kate.
Alfred’s gaze was steady. “You really don’t need to worry about what Kate’s up to. Just respect her like you respect me, and no matter what Grandma or your mom says, you’ll be fine.”
“Okay, I know,” Miles replied quickly, not wanting to push the conversation any further.
Out on the lawn, Kate and the others were already riding, slowly making their way across the grass.
After circling half the lawn, Lindsay turned to Kate and the group. “This slow pace is killing me. Why don’t we make it a race?”
Kate smiled and shook her head. “Nah, no race. If you wanna sprint, go ahead. We’ll catch up.”
She stroked Sheep’s white fur-a calm, gentle horse, probably meant for kids. “Sheep, you’re gonna have to step it up a bit later. Don’t slow me down.”
Kate had always loved the thrill of speed. Whether driving or riding, she craved that rush. Naturally, she would enjoy letting loose on horseback too.
At first, Lindsay was keeping pace with the group, mindful of Kate’s riding skills. But after hearing Kate’s comment, she decided to go all out. Turning to Cynthia, she grinned.” Cynthia, let’s race. First to the end of the lawn wins.”
Cynthia nodded, accepting the challenge, and they both pulled on the reins, bringing their horses side by side, ready to take off.
Kate took charge as the referee, raising her voice. “Alright, ready, set, go!”
As soon as she called it, Cynthia and Lindsay spurred their horses into action. Kate and Lily followed close behind, and soon the sound of hooves thundered across the lawn.
The men on the track whistled in encouragement, with Lucas riding over to cheer on his sister.
The rest of the brothers came over too, and with all their cheering, Cynthia, fired up by their support, was the first to cross the finish line.
When Lindsay and the others caught up, Cynthia turned to Kate and asked, “Do you think Lindsay let me win on purpose?”
Kate shook her head. “My horse was a bit slow, so I didn’t catch everything, but I don’t think so.”
Sheep, Kate’s horse, was definitely not built for speed. She couldn’t help but wish she could try riding Alfred’s horse, Gale.
Miles had mentioned that Gale was the most aggressive horse at the resort, and even though he looked after it, he couldn’t ride it. Gale only recognized Alfred as its master.
Cynthia’s beautiful face was flushed from the heat and the excitement, just like everyone else’s.
“Lindsay must’ve let me win. Hold on, I’ll be right back,” Cynthia said, and without waiting for a reply, she galloped off toward her brothers.
Kate watched her go, a little confused, but she stayed put. She soon realized what was going on when she saw Lucas and the other guys riding off after Cynthia.
It hit her then-Cynthia probably felt pressured by her brothers’ cheering, and Lindsay might’ve eased up because of that.
Not long after, Cynthia came back with a determined look on her face. “Lindsay, let’s have a rematch!” she challenged. Lindsay chuckled. “You really think I let you win? It’s been ages since I’ve ridden, so, of course, I’m rusty. You’ve been here more often, so your skills are way sharper. Losing to you is no surprise. But if you don’t believe me, we can race again as many times as you want.”
After all, they were there to ride, so it didn’t really matter how many times they raced.
The two girls competed again.
This time, Kate and Lily took it easy, just trotting their
horses under the shade of a tree while the others raced ahead.
Xena had been busy snapping photos, lit up when she saw Kate approaching. She smiled, reaching out to help Kate dismount and then went to help Lily.
“Kate, you looked awesome up there! I took a video and sent it to you,” Xena said with a grin. “I didn’t know you were such a natural at riding.”
Kate checked her phone and found the video and a few snapshots Xena had taken of her on horseback.
“Hey, do you want to give it a shot?” Kate asked, offering Xena a chance to ride.
Xena shook her head quickly. “No way, I’m terrible at it. I’ll stick to solid ground, thanks!”
“Tonight, how about we hit the hot springs instead?” Kate suggested.
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