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.”

backpack. It must be heavy,

the man,

but to retract his

it was too strenuous for Winnie, so he took the initiative to reach his

a bespectacled

was on, and both Winnie

exchanged glances with one another and furrowed their

don’t you take a seat over there?

glanced at the man who was

Winnie’s surprise, the man strode toward them instead of waiting for them to approach

they were expecting and openly passed them his business

came here on a holiday, but I didn’t expect to bump into you two. May I have

for your interest, but why are you interviewing

conducting street interviews at the foot of Mount Albeise and coincidentally saw us. On the other hand, this

the bespectacled journalist even pulled

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 are

the journalist’s words. She even lowered her gaze to look at the name that was printed on the business

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

moment and chuckled in response. “How can you not know about this, Ms. Vivian? Look, I even took a picture

appeared between Winnie’s brows as she looked over at Nathaniel.

up first, “Ms. Vivian, if you’re unwilling to answer that question, why don’t I ask you another one?

voice, “I’m sorry, Mr. Graham, but

“Is it that hard to answer a couple of

that, Winnie’s frown grew deeper. “What does this have

that you have the freedom of marriage. There are people who are speculating that you two are doing this for your upcoming marriage

her, and his questions were deliberately phrased in a way that was

matters she hadn’t even

your professional ethics, Mr. Graham. I didn’t agree to your interview, nor did I answer

and the journalist. “I believe it’s time for you to leave, Mr. Graham. Otherwise, I’ll call the

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

soon as Nathaniel gave her the order, she would immediately call

he had been too hasty and had

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

left, Winnie instantly found a table in

looked at the man sitting in front of her with a

words together and explained

heard everything, Winnie couldn’t help but

your reaction, did you already know

“But I’m not surprised by the fact that she was the one who started it. Wilhelm must’ve gotten on her bad side. Still, I didn’t

Nathaniel chimed in, “It… isn’t entirely

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