Chapter 147
The crowd jabbed fingers at Elena, calling her shameless and fickle.
Elena lifted her eyes to Victor–the other person in that photograph–only to find he had all but vanished into thin air.
He just swore he’d marry me, and now that I’m branded a home–wrecker, why doesn’t he have the guts to speak up?‘ she thought.
Sir Whitmore’s cane struck the floor with a crack. “What rubbish about stealing a brother–in–law? My grandson has no fiancée at all! I dare anyone to claim that title again.”
A stern, commanding voice suddenly boomed from the doorway.
It was Sir Whitmore!
Annabelle Bennett’s complexion blanched in an instant.
Sir Whitmore had shown up–and right in front of this entire crowd he was about to strike her pride.
Sir Whitmore strode forward, his expression grim as he glared at Annabelle on the stage, then gave a cold snort and addressed the room, “Ladies and gentlemen, anyone can see this photo was taken in secret. Flaunting a clandestine snapshot in public to stir gossip is despicable. The motives behind so vile an act are plain for all to see!”
“And for the record, my grandson has no fiancée at all, so I would appreciate it if certain people stopped misleading everyone.”
A woman in the audience protested, “Even if she’s not the fiancée, Miss Bennett still shouldn’t seduce her own sister’s boyfriend! That’s no
different from being a home–wrecker.”
Another voice chimed in, “Exactly–she knew he was taken and still went after him. In the old days she’d have been tossed into a pond for it!”
Sir Whitmore’s brows drew together in a sharp frown.
If he could announce that Elena Bennett was actually Victor Whitmore’s fiancée, the uproar would end, yet he didn’t know Elena’s wishes and dared not speak rashly, so he kept darting urgent glances at Victor.
Victor, however, merely stared at Elena with a dark, brooding/gaze, showing no intention of clearing things up.
In truth, Victor was seething and meant to use this uproar to teach Elena a lesson.
He closed the distance between them step by step, bent down, and murmured at her ear, “Beg me. you’re my girlfriend.”
Elena let out a low, scornful laugh. “Keep dreaming,”
fo Victor’s face hardened at once.
“Fine, Elena! Have it your way–wear the scarlet letter of a home–wrecker!”
Just then a hand shot out, clamping onto Victor’s arm. “You’ve got some nerve!”
“Plotting after your own aunt–to–be, are you?”
If you beg me right now, I’ll tell everyone
Simon Whitmore’s half–lidded black eyes curved in a lazy smile as he pulled Elena possessively to his side.
The moment his words landed, every person present–including
Elena herself-was stunned.
AD
09:36 Fri, 8 Aug OO
Chapter 147
Victor’s expression turned downright hideous. “What did you just say?”
Simon cast Elena a tender glance, devotion shining in his eyes.
“I said Elena is my girlfriend–your Aunt Elena.”
All around, the guests stared at Simon in open–mouthed shock.
Victor’s eyes went wider still, disbelief written across his face.
Only Sir Whitmore, after the first jolt of surprise, broke into a grin so wide it almost split his cheeks.
He hurried over. “Simon, are you serious? You and Elena are dating?”
Simon arched a brow. “Dad, do I look like I’m joking?”
“You’ve played plenty of jokes on me! I nearly thought you preferred men and was about to find you a boyfriend!” Sir Whitmore cuffed him on the head, then burst into hearty laughter.
“So this was the big surprise you were hiding from your old man–excellent! At last you’ve done something that puts my mind at ease.”
Simon turned to Elena with a gentle smile. “Elena’s shy, so we kept it quiet.”
C
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.