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?

he'd already leaned back,

farther back. Marguerite had no desire to stay squeezed in beside him, so she decided to get

squeeze past him to get out. The space was cramped, and she hesitated, trying to figure out

abrupt stop. Marguerite lost her balance and

wrist, steadying her. With a gentle

nerve in her body seemed to

"Sit properly."

rumbled in her ear. Mortified, Marguerite slid away, stiffly putting some

"Buckle your seatbelt."

again, this

She hastily fastened her seatbelt, then turned to face the window, squeezing her eyes shut in hopes of falling

what just happened was seared into her bones,

hour later, the bus arrived at the

sight of Hayes' long-awaited dream: Nina's tent hotel. Its ivory dome glowed, with a transparent top perfect for

mountain.

their excited kids up the slope. Hoping to ditch Silas,

to Margot, the two kids giggling as they hunted

matter how fast Marguerite walked, she couldn't get very

time

up, offering to take a photo of Marguerite. She tried to refuse, but he was

a picture of

of joining, he sat down on a bench beneath a tree, legs crossed, stubbornly refusing

Dad, get

icy. "I'm not

blunt that even Margot was taken

What was going on?