NovelEnglishChapter 277 The day after the auction.
Crimson Gardens.
Leonard, sporting a large bandage across his forehead, knocked on the study door before entering to deliver his usual report on the surveillance at Willow House.
"Sir, Mrs. Bennett hasn't left Willow House at all today." Seated behind his desk, Lysander looked up, his expression unreadable, his sharp eyes slightly narrowed. "So, she's planning to hole up in there until her new ID is ready." Today was April first.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtIn four more days, the fifteen-day waiting period imposed by the local authorities would be up, and Mila would be able to collect her new identification documents. Once she had those, getting replacements for everything else would be a breeze. A shadow flickered across Lysander's eyes. He spoke, almost to himself, "I can't let her leave the country." After a moment's thought, he looked up at Leonard, a slow, calculating smile forming on his lips. "My dear in-laws haven't seen their daughter in years, I imagine they must miss her terribly. Invite them over. It's tfor a family reunion." Leonard frowned instinctively, but quickly lowered his gaze and replied, "Yes, sir." Just then, Lysander's phone began to buzz on the desk. He answered it without looking, and Ryan's boisterous voice cthrough the line.
"Lysander! You guys really had my back while my brother was away. Tonight's on me-we're all gathering at Nathaniel's club for dinner. You absolutely have to be there." "...Alright." After he hung up, Leonard reminded him, "Sir, your head's only just healed. You shouldn't be drinking." Lysander's tone was cool. "A little won't hurt." He hadn't exactly been in a good mood lately.
As soon as Ryan knew Lysander would come, he called Giselle.
"Giselle, I did what you asked-Lysander's in for tonight." He hesitated, then asked, "Why not invite him yourself?" Given how much Lysander valued Giselle, he'd never refuse if she asked him out to dinner.
Giselle laughed softly. "I want to surprise him. If he knows it's my idea, it won't be the same." Ryan felt a stab of envy, but didn't say much. He chatted with Giselle a bit longer before reluctantly hanging up.
That evening.
N Laugh, private lounge.
Lysander and his group of friends-including Giselle-sat in a circle, drinking and laughing. It wasn't often they all got together, so the atmosphere was festive and relaxed.
The drinks went around quickly, and with everyone so close and familiar, nothing was off-limits. Someone, emboldened by the wine, called out to Lysander, who was sitting beside Giselle.
"Hey Lysander, how much longer are you going to keep Giselle waiting? When's the big day?" "Yeah, seriously!" "We're all just waiting for your wedding so we can celebrate, you know!" The group erupted in good-natured teasing.
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Giselle and Lysander had been m promised to each other since childhood, and grown everyone here had up tod together. Their families were well matched, and everyone saw them as the perfect couple.
When Lysander had married Mila-a nobody from a humble background- everyone had been stunned. And when they found out Mila had trapped him into marriage by getting pregnant, their disapproval only grew. To them, Mila was nothing but trouble for their friend. For years, they'd all agreed: speople just aren't meant for polite society.
So when Giselle cback from abroad and everyone realized she'd been waiting for Lysander all this time, it seemed obvious to their childhood friends- this was the real deal.
A perfect match-equal in status, talent, and looks.
And Lysander certainly didn't seem to mind.
As the teasing continued, Giselle's cheeks flushed a delicate pink, like the glow of sunset. She looked exquisite, stealing glances at Lysander from the corner of her eye, searching for any hint of his reaction. Lysander merely swirled his wine glass and smiled, saying nothing.
Ryan, unable to restrain himself, was about to blurt out a question about when Lysander would finally get divorced-but Nathaniel, sitting beside him, quickly pulled him back.
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