Bride Behind The Mask (Frederick and Marguerite)

Chapter 894

Hayes and Margot exchanged glances, hope flickering in their eyes-just as it did in Marguerite's.

But Marguerite herself wasn't even sure what she was hoping for.

Would he say Violet's name? Surely, he would.

Yet, at that very moment, the man's gaze rested openly on her, as if trying to give her the answer without a single word.

Maybe she was just imagining things. Flustered, she broke eye contact, just in time to see him hand the card back and say the final name aloud.

"Manley."

A name no one expected.

Marguerite burst into laughter. It wasn't either of the names she'd guessed, not even close, but for some inexplicable reason it put her in a good mood.

Hayes and Margot both deflated. Margot, half-annoyed and half-anxious, shot the man an exasperated look.

"Dad, why'd you pick Manley? He's not even here! You're supposed to name someone who's actually in the room!"

He stared back at his daughter, face unreadable, saying nothing.

Aberdeen glanced at the two cards, then gave a regretful sigh. "Well, that was a bust. Let's try again next time. The rules only count for adults who are present!"

With that, Aberdeen returned to his seat. Hayes and Margot grumbled quietly, sulking as they deliberately plopped down together.

Uh-oh.

Did that mean she'd be sitting next to Silas now?

the corner of her eye, Marguerite noticed he'd already leaned back,

plenty of empty seats farther back. Marguerite had no desire to stay

the window, she'd have to squeeze past him to get out. The space

abrupt stop. Marguerite lost her balance and instinctively lurched

caught her wrist, steadying her. With a gentle tug, she

every nerve in her body seemed to spark, her heart skipping

"Sit properly."

low, magnetic voice rumbled in her ear. Mortified, Marguerite slid

"Buckle your seatbelt."

spoke again, this

She hastily fastened her seatbelt, then turned to face the window,

of what just happened was seared into

later, the bus

hotel. Its

The hotel was perched halfway up the mountain. They'd have to

few parents were already leading their excited kids up the slope. Hoping

stuck close to Margot, the two kids giggling as they hunted for fallen leaves and

Marguerite walked,

behind her, and every time she

offering to take a photo of Marguerite. She tried to refuse, but he was already running over

a nudge, clearly wanting a picture of the two of

been keeping to himself the whole time, now dug in his heels. Instead of joining, he sat down on a bench beneath a tree, legs crossed, stubbornly refusing to budgeno matter how much Margot

Dad, get

icy. "I'm not taking a photo with

that even Margot was

What was going on?