Silly Bride novel (Winnie and Xavier)

“Why are you here? Aren’t you on a business trip abroad?” she queried.

There was a look of shock on Winnie’s face, but on the other hand, Nathaniel seemed pleasantly surprised to see her.

He walked over to her with a smile hanging on his lips. “The project has been temporarily canceled, so I flew back here shortly after. I’ve already settled a bunch of things in advance because of the project, and since the schedule that’s already set in stone can’t be altered, I decided to just give myself a break.”

After a brief pause, the man continued to explain, “When I thought of a holiday, the first place that popped into my mind was Mount Albeise. I didn’t expect to meet you here either, but I suppose that’s fate, huh?”

“Yeah.” At that point, Winnie was still completely unaware of the rumors that had spread like wildfire about her upcoming engagement with Nathaniel.

Flashing the man a courteous smile, she said, “What a coincidence indeed. The only difference between us is that I’ve already descended the mountain, whereas you still have a long way up.”

“You’re right.” Nathaniel nodded, and a thought instantly crossed his mind. But if I can spend the rest of my time here with you, I’ll gladly forgo my hiking plans.

He couldn’t help asking her, “What are your plans after this? Are you planning to stay for a little longer to do some sightseeing, or are you heading back?”

Not giving her a chance to respond, he then proposed, “I know a town nearby that has a wine cellar that produces good wine. You should go try it if you get the chance to. I can take you there if you want, and if you’re interested, we can also go hunting together. There are a lot of moose around here.”

“Is that so? It sounds great, but I think I’ll take a rain check.”

Winnie had witnessed an avalanche while she was on the mountain the previous day. Although she had been tens of miles away at the time and hadn’t been in any danger, she could still feel the intense pressure of that moment.

When the avalanche occurred, she instantly had a flashback to the explosion that happened on the dock.

The danger and fear she experienced back then was no different from what she felt about the avalanche, but what made the former incident so memorable was the people she had experienced it with—her lover and her friend who had jumped in to save her with little regard for their own safety.

Hence, after the avalanche, Winnie knew it was time for her to go home and take care of some matters as no one knew exactly what life had in store for them.

She couldn’t keep harboring resentment for something or someone because of an incident, nor could she miss out on everything she should’ve cherished at that moment.

With her mind made up, Winnie politely declined Nathaniel’s invitation. “I’ll come back and experience it when I get the chance, but I’m in a bit of a rush to go back to Chanaea now.”

“Are you going back to Avenport so soon? It doesn’t seem like you’ve been here for long,” said Nathaniel, a hint of disappointment evident in his tone.

He had already seen the news about their supposed engagement and also read the Speiser family’s response to it.

Truth be told, Nathaniel was delighted to see Wilhelm deny the fact that Winnie had ever married Xavier.

I thought this would be my chance, but I didn’t expect her to go back so soon. Besides, judging by her behavior, it doesn’t seem like she knows what has been going on in the outside world ever since she came here.

After pondering for a while, Nathaniel asked, “Winnie, is the reception bad up there? Have you contacted anybody in the outside world recently?”

“The reception is pretty bad in the mountain. What is it? Did something happen? Does it involve me?”

The woman was simply too sharp, so Nathaniel could only flash her a wry smile and come clean about the situation. “All right. Since it seems you’re truly unaware, I think we need to find a place to sit and talk.”

“Sure.”

me your backpack. It must be heavy, right? I’ll carry it for

Winnie once again declined the man, “No need. It’s only a couple of steps

had no choice but to

Winnie, so he took the initiative

bespectacled man standing in a

for him, however, his flash was on, and both Winnie and Nathaniel immediately noticed

exchanged glances with one another

said to Winnie, “Why don’t you take a seat over there? I’ll

as she glanced at the

Nathaniel’s and Winnie’s surprise, the man strode toward them instead of waiting

like they were expecting

I didn’t expect to bump into you two. May I have the honor of interviewing you guys? I can assure you it won’t take up too much

furrowed her brows as she mulled over the man’s words. “Thank you for your interest, but why are you interviewing us

street interviews at the foot of Mount Albeise and coincidentally saw us. On the

Ms. Vivian…” Since Winnie didn’t outright reject him, the bespectacled journalist even pulled out

marriage with the Huxley family. They said that you and Mr. Nathaniel are preparing for your engagement. We’ve asked for clarification,

Winnie’s face when she heard the journalist’s words. She even lowered her gaze to look

she queried, “What are you talking about, Mr. Graham? What arranged marriage?

you not know about this, Ms. Vivian? Look,

she looked

was about to speak, the journalist piped up first, “Ms. Vivian, if you’re unwilling to answer that question, why don’t I ask you another

a stern voice, “I’m sorry, Mr. Graham, but until I figure out exactly what’s going on, I

further. “Is it that hard to answer a couple of questions? Could it be that Wilhelm Speiser is

deeper. “What does

speculating that

but the journalist kept hounding her, and

interview but rather a scheme to lure her into acknowledging matters she hadn’t even heard of, and Winnie

didn’t agree to your interview, nor

that, Nathaniel took a step forward to put some space between Winnie and the journalist.

the motel’s receptionist, and

Nathaniel gave her the order, she would immediately call the

he had been too hasty and had

only did she ask him to leave, but she also made

journalist left, Winnie instantly found a table

She looked at the man sitting in front of

his words together and explained everything

heard everything, Winnie couldn’t help but scoff. “As

by your reaction, did you already

Wilhelm must’ve gotten on her bad side. Still, I didn’t expect she’d come up with

chimed in, “It…

at the man, confused. “What do you mean? Don’t tell me