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.

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

Mabel out of the water and earning himself a

Chapter 37 Drone Crisis

the girl... was someone

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a low buzzing filled the air-faint at

and it hit him

drone. It dropped from the sky in a sharp, sudden descent, heading straight for

That's how they'll

it hit her, she'd 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 now.

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

Crisis averted.

then, right on schedule, a man came tearing across

Chapter 37 Drone Crisis

the Olympics. He was too

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right, he was Preston, the same man trailing behind

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

"Granny! Are you okay?"

was shaking, but her first thought was

sweetheart," Mabel whispered, brushing

daughter into her arms. "Are you

at the lake. "Thanks to Alistair. Otherwise, I'd be out here giving the fish a bath-and

had the spirit to make jokes, she really was

you alright,

was the young man-Preston,

expression turned cold the moment

he Crisis

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drone had ruined everything. Eloise

lifted Eloise, but she was heavier than she looked. Alistair stepped forward, holding out his

"Let me take her."

when upset. Sometimes, she even

today, she looked at Alistair and leaned toward him

his neck and nestled her chin on

Mabel blinked in surprise.

it really

Preston watched the

time trying to

to Caroline's heart was

no matter what he did, Eloise would flinch, duck, or flat-out ignore him. He'd convinced himself it

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to a few trusted people.

was, Caroline had one non-negotiable when it came to

like anyone, then no one has the

thought he had time. Plenty

Caroline brought

with the idea that

her mother. That she kept her distance no matter who it was. But this man-this complete nobody-had somehow made it past her defenses. Eloise had

him. The plan

forward. "Madam

Mabel stopped and turned.

eyes darting away from Caroline's.

voice cut clean through him. "No need. Just don't show up again." Her face was unreadable,

Preston's face went pale.

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was nothing but finality in her words. The sentence wasn't

was scaled.