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.

accident or distraction? What if it's not about a dog or a kite

pulling Mabel out of the water and earning himself a debt of gratitude, it didn't matter how she

Chapter 37 Drone Crisis

behind the girl... was someone

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narrowed just as a low buzzing filled the air-faint at

it hit him all

drone. It dropped from the sky in a sharp,

That's it. That's how they'll do

"miraculously" arrive to pull her out-earning himself a permanent seat at the Ashbourne table.

second he was watching, and the next he was flying across the grass. He reached them in two strides and yanked both Mabel and Eloise

Crisis averted.

schedule, a man came

Chapter 37 Drone Crisis

at the

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were right, he was

looked over, and their eyes met. The man's face was a mess of panic and frustration. He didn't even have time to hide.

"Granny! Are you okay?"

was shaking, but her first thought

sweetheart," Mabel whispered, brushing back Eloise's curls.

them, pulling her daughter into

here giving the fish a bath-and at my age, I'm not

herself to breathe. If Mabel still had the spirit to

you alright, Madam

young man-Preston, presumably-approaching now, his

cold the

he Crisis

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ruined everything. Eloise was shaken,

than she looked. Alistair stepped forward, holding out his

"Let me take her."

clung to Caroline when upset. Sometimes,

at Alistair and leaned toward him without

nestled

Mabel blinked in surprise.

it

Preston watched the

time trying to get Eloise to like

to Caroline's

would flinch, duck, or flat-out ignore him. He'd convinced himself it was just her personality-shy, Chapter 37

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to a few trusted people.

non-negotiable when it came to choosing a partner- her daughter had

no one has the edge. Right?

had thought he had time. Plenty of

brought

first, he comforted himself with the idea

kept her distance no matter who it was. But this man-this complete nobody-had somehow made it past

clawed at him.

stormed forward.

Mabel stopped and turned.

eyes darting away from

him. "No need. Just don't show up again." Her face was unreadable, but her stunning. beauty still hit like a

Preston's face went pale.

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in her words.

was scaled.