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.”

must be heavy, right? I’ll carry

the man, “No need. It’s only a couple of

no choice but to retract his hand and

he couldn’t help worrying it was too strenuous for Winnie, so he

by a bespectacled man standing in

was on,

glances with one

instantly said to Winnie, “Why don’t you take a seat over

refused as she glanced at the man who was taking

Winnie’s surprise, the man strode toward them

were expecting and

but I didn’t expect to bump into you two. May I have the honor of interviewing you guys? I can assure you

you for

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

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

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

Winnie’s face when she heard the journalist’s words. She even lowered

tone, she queried, “What are you talking about, Mr. Graham? What arranged marriage? What engagement? Why don’t I know anything about

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

brows as she looked over at Nathaniel. “What’s going

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

in a stern voice, “I’m sorry, Mr. Graham, but until I figure out exactly what’s going on, I will not be answering

The journalist attempted to probe further. “Is it that hard to answer

frown grew deeper. “What

He also said that you have the freedom of marriage. There are people who are speculating that

happened while she was gone, but the journalist kept hounding her, and his questions were deliberately phrased in a way that was leading her

rather a scheme to lure her into acknowledging matters she hadn’t even

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

forward to put some space between Winnie and the journalist. “I believe it’s time for you to leave, Mr.

them had caught the attention of the motel’s receptionist, and

Nathaniel gave her the order, she would immediately call

he had been too hasty and had almost angered

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

the journalist left, Winnie instantly found a table in the restaurant to

of her with a stern gaze.

explained everything that had happened

Winnie couldn’t help but scoff.

your reaction, did you already

one who started it. Wilhelm must’ve gotten on her bad side. Still, I didn’t expect she’d come up with such a story. It’s completely absurd! Does she

chimed in, “It… isn’t entirely

mean? Don’t tell me you’re the one who leaked