Chapter 121
Sean subtly stepped aside, avoiding her reach without a word.
Vivian paused mid–motion, then quickly recovered with a breezy smile.
“Hey, Sean! You’re here.”
Sean responded with a brief, indifferent, “Yeah.”
When she turned to Charlotte, however, her smile cooled slightly.
“Miss Riley,” she greeted, polite but distant.
Charlotte gave her a faint nod in return.
Standing behind Vivian were two unfamiliar girls.
“These are my friends, Suzy Wilson and Mandy Yeager,” she said brightly.
“Oh, and Mandy brought someone new along today. Let me introduce you.”
Vivian turned and called out, “Zac! They’re all here.”
\zac?
Zac?
Charlotte’s heart skipped a beat.
No way. It couldn’t be…
Before she could finish the thought, that all–too–familiar face came into view.
Zac Gibson appeared, dressed in a slate–gray hiking jacket, a trekking pole in one hand. He walked over casually, like he belonged there.
Sean’s expression darkened. He turned to Vivian, eyes sharp with scrutiny and displeasure.
“When did you meet Zac Gibson?” he asked, his voice low and clearly unhappy.
Vivian blinked innocently, eyes wide with faux confusion. She looked every bit the picture of naive charm.
“He’s Mandy’s friend. She asked if she could bring someone along, and I said sure. I just met him today. Why? Is something wrong?”
Charlotte remained silent, lips pressed tightly together, pretending not to know Zac.
But Zac gave her a knowing smile and greeted her anyway.
“Charlotte. Been a while.”
Vivian turned to her, eyes wide in surprise.
“You two know each other?”
Charlotte replied flatly, “No.”
Zac, at the same time, said, “Yes.”
They spoke over each other.
Vivian shot Mandy a glance, and Mandy played along instantly. Her voice turned syrupy sweet as she looked at Zac,
“Zac, what’s your connection with Miss Riley? I’ve never heard you mention knowing someone like her.”
Zac chuckled, eyes lingering on Charlotte.
“She’s my ex.”
A loud, dramatic gasp came from Vivian.
“Wait – Miss Riley, you were Zac’s ex? 1 had no idea! If I’d known, I never would’ve let him tag along.”
Charlotte got the message loud and clear. So it really was intentional
If the incident at the stables had been a misunderstanding, what about this?
Mandy wasn’t happy. She pouted and gave Zac a jealous little huff.
“Zac, don’t tell me you came on this hike just to sneak in a date with your ex?”
Zac only smiled, saying nothing. But in everyone’s eyes, that silence was as good as a yes.
The atmosphere instantly grew awkward and tense.
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Chapter 121
Mia quietly slipped over to Charlotte’s side, gently tugging on her sleeve.
“That’s really your ex?” she whispered.
Charlotte gave a near–imperceptible nod.
Mia folded her arms, voice low and unimpressed.
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“Wow. Vivian definitely did this on purpose.”
Charlotte watched the scene unfold with a cold, detached gaze, the whole performance feeling all too rehearsed.
There was no way this was just a coincidence.
Last time, her cousin, Steven Sullivan, had thrown a banquet for her at the Sullivan estate, and Zac had caused a major scene there. Vivian might not have attended, but as the Jasper family’s adopted daughter, there was no way she hadn’t heard about it. Gossip like that spread fast in high society.
So bringing Zac here today?
It was likely deliberate.
But why?
What exactly was Vivian trying to do?
Just as Charlotte was piecing it all together, someone suddenly took her hand.