Flash Marriage to a Stunning CEO (Alistair and Richard)

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The sky was clear, the clouds sparse, and the water shimmered under the midday

sun.

By the lake, the open lawn buzzed with life. Children flew kites, dogs tugged at leashes, and couples strolled lazily along the winding paths.

Willow branches drooped over the shore, tipped with new spring leaves, and trees Alistair couldn't name burst with white and blush-pink blossoms. The air smelled fresh and sweet- grass, petals, sunlight.

Eloise bounced along the rustic wooden bridge, holding Mabel's hand and giggling with each step.

Alistair followed Caroline at a measured pace, his expression relaxed, but every muscle in his body coiled tight. His senses. were sharpened to a point-ears tuned for disruption, eyes flicking over every shadow.

It might've been spring, but the lake water was still freezing.

If someone as sturdy as him fell in, he'd likely get sick. Mabel, elderly and fragile, would fare far worse.

Preston, that smug little opportunist, he'd really risk her life just to play hero? Chapter 37 Drone Crisis

There were people scattered along the lake's edge-fishing, walking, chatting-but Alistair was certain Preston was somewhere nearby. If he wanted to swoop in at the perfect moment and save the day, he couldn't be far.

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Alistair's gaze swept the scene. A man in a fisherman's hat sat nearby, watching his line.

Another young couple laughed and flirted beneath a blossoming tree. None of them screamed "Preston Vaughn," but that didn't matter. He'd never seen the man. Neither had Caroline-at least not well enough to recognize him.

If I can't pick him out, I'll just keep watch. He won't get the chance.

What Alistair couldn't figure out was how Preston planned. to pull it off. How could he push Mabel into the lake without

raising suspicion?

It had to be subtle, deniable, a freak accident...

An out-of-control dog? A runaway kite? A sudden shove disguised as chaos?

Beside him, Caroline caught his constant scanning and tilted her head. "Are you bored?"

He shook his head. "No. The view's actually... really beautiful."

She hesitated, clearly wanting to say more, and then let it go. Chapter 37 Drone Crisis

If he wasn't ready to open up, she wasn't going to pry.

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Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was weighing on him.

It's going to take time. I knew that from the start.

Then Alistair caught movement. The man in the fisherman's

hat stood and began walking-straight toward them. Slowly and casually.

That's him. It has to be. The timing's too perfect.

Alistair's instincts flared.

The area was calm. No loose dogs. No kites. Mabel was still within his line of sight, and aside from standing too close to the edge, she wasn't in any obvious danger. Yet.

Then a girl-small, waifish-started weaving her way toward the bridge, her gait loose and a bit odd.

At this point, anyone or anything-approaching the area was at potential threat in Alistair's eyes.

of some accident or distraction? What if it's not about a dog or a kite at all? What if it's a person-someone unstable,

long as it ended with Preston pulling Mabel out of the water and earning himself a

Chapter 37 Drone Crisis

girl... was

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just as a low buzzing filled the air-faint at

and it hit him

drone. It dropped from the sky in a sharp,

That's how they'll do

fall into the lake. And right on cue, Preston would "miraculously" arrive to pull her out-earning himself a permanent seat at the Ashbourne table. The drone was nearly on her

watching, and the next he was flying across the grass. He reached them in two strides and yanked both Mabel and Eloise back just as the drone smacked into the lake, sending up a geyser of

Crisis averted.

schedule, a man

Chapter 37 Drone Crisis

at the Olympics. He was too

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Alistair's instincts were right, he was Preston, the same man trailing behind the

The man's face was a mess of panic and frustration. He didn't even have time to hide. it. Alistair had beaten him

"Granny! Are you okay?"

her

Mabel whispered, brushing back Eloise's

knelt beside them, pulling her daughter into her arms.

Alistair. Otherwise, I'd be out here

had the spirit to make jokes, she really

you alright, Madam

was the young man-Preston, presumably-approaching

expression turned cold the moment she

he Crisis

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mood had shifted. The drone had ruined everything. Eloise was

than she looked. Alistair stepped

"Let me take her."

clung to Caroline when

looked at Alistair and leaned toward

arms around his neck and nestled her chin

Mabel blinked in surprise.

I'll be damned. Maybe it really

watched the

spent so much time trying to get

to Caroline's heart was

would flinch, duck, or flat-out ignore him.

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a few trusted people. That had given

one non-negotiable when it came to choosing

she doesn't like anyone, then no one has the edge. Right? That just

thought he had time.

Caroline brought

he comforted himself with

no matter who it was. But this man-this complete nobody-had somehow made it past her defenses. Eloise had accepted him.

clawed at him. The plan

forward.

Mabel stopped and turned.

darting away from Caroline's. "I...

show up again." Her face was unreadable, but her stunning.

Preston's face went pale.

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her

was scaled.