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,

the man, “No need.

Nathaniel had no choice but to retract his

too strenuous for Winnie, so he took the initiative to reach his hand out and lift her backpack

entire scene was coincidentally captured by a bespectacled man standing in a

was on, and both Winnie and Nathaniel

one another and furrowed their

you take a

go with you,” Winnie refused as she glanced at the man who was taking pictures of them

man strode toward them

were expecting and

journalist from ABC News. I came here on a holiday, but I didn’t expect to bump into you two. May I have the honor of interviewing

she mulled over the man’s words. “Thank you for your interest, but why are you interviewing us if you’re on a

said he was conducting street interviews at the foot of Mount Albeise and coincidentally saw us.

the bespectacled journalist even pulled out his handy

a marriage with the Huxley family. They said that you and Mr. Nathaniel are preparing for your engagement. We’ve asked for clarification, but we weren’t able to get any reliable information. I didn’t expect to bump into you and Mr. Nathaniel here at all. Are you two really dating? When

She even

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

felt rather speechless for a moment and chuckled in response. “How can you not know about this, Ms.

brows as she looked

Vivian, if you’re unwilling to answer that question, why don’t I ask you another one? Is it true that you married a Chanaean man? Is the marriage between you two

Graham, but until I figure out exactly what’s going on, I

attempted to probe further. “Is it that hard to answer a couple of questions? Could it

grew deeper. “What

publicly denied the fact that you were ever married in Chanaea. He also said that you have the freedom of marriage. There are people who are speculating

truly didn’t know what had happened while she was gone, but the journalist kept hounding her, and his questions

into acknowledging matters she hadn’t

scolded, “Please abide by your professional ethics, Mr. Graham. I didn’t agree to your interview, nor did I answer any of your questions.

between Winnie and the journalist. “I

of them had caught the attention of the motel’s

as Nathaniel gave her the order, she would immediately

the journalist finally realized he had been too hasty and had almost angered

Winnie, but Winnie did not accept it. Not only did she ask him to leave, but she also made him delete the

a table

of her with a stern gaze. “What the h*ll

together and explained

Winnie couldn’t help but scoff. “As

“Judging by your reaction, did

she was the one who started it. Wilhelm must’ve gotten on her bad side. Still, I didn’t expect she’d come

in, “It…

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