Keep Your Distance, Mr. Warrington!

ly leaning in until his lips were almost upon hers, then abrup

tively clos

you hoping for a kiss?" His voice, devil

zing she'd been played, her expression darkened, "Cecil

d thoughts of

ps curving, "Your grandfather

at

truck, barely be

seat, legs crossed, fingers idly tapping on the t

d. What did he mean

agreed to t

"Alas, my grandfather's vision isn't what it used to be. As his

chuckled coldly, "As my fiancée, I'd expect

, "I said, even if this marriage is rea

rpened, a warnin

e had touch

f, wondering why she'd wasted so m

nfront her grandfather

en feeling the strain lately. Your thoughtful fiancé has whisked me away for a restful break a

. Ivy's spin

ld gra

er Ashford, only to be met wit

isurely enjoying iced tea under

is wise?" Yves Granville, Master Ashford's loyal bodyguard, vo

wdness flickering in his clouded eyes, "Ivy's spirit, unyielding like min

antly sipping his coffee with

thin line, "Your grandfather's right. It'd

lly

ling her purse at him, "

d glanced over, star

sipping his tea, "A couple in lov

r the onlookers, who qu

tly delighted to have lande

cis

hoice words, grinding he

ing a complex mix of emotions, in stark cont

not pl

t question was laden wit

se was icy,

eded, "How about this? Have a child with me, a

ice cold, "In your dreams. Dre

nd, striding out of the

ingering on her retreating figure

.

e ancestral home, Iv

y have be

ission, no one can move in!" Uncle Xavie

rted, "You insolent servants, losing sigh

before inviting guests," Aunt Gwendoly

s in distress behind Tristan, desperately tryi

I'll ensure you're admitted

.

ing a beat, her grip tightening on her phone as she

, exuding faux tenderness while comforting Elise and

vy nearly succumbed to the urge t

emarked, "I thought we had bu

g Ivy, "Madam, upon hearing Master Ashford was out,

ndignation, clearly appal

, sister..." Elise trie

ared Elise and her mother a kind glan

th her glare, feigned sweetness as she grasp

"My mother only had one daughter. Sister,