Chapter <b>121 </b>
Sean subtly stepped aside, avoiding her reach without a word.
Vivian paused mid–motion<b>, </b>then quickly recovered with a breezy smile.
“Hey, Sean! You’re here.”
Sean responded with a brief, indifferent, “Yeah.”
When she turned to Charlotte, however, <b>her </b>smile cooled slightly.
“Miss Riley,<b>” </b><b>she </b>greeted, polite but distant.
Charlotte gave her a faint nod in return.
Standing behind Vivian were two unfamiliar girls.
“These are my friends, Suzy Wilson and Mandy Yeager,” she said brightly.
<b>“</b>Oh, and Mandy brought someone new along today. Let me introduce you.”
Vivian turned and called out, “Zac! They’re all here.”
\zac?
Zac?
Charlotte’s heart skipped a beat<b>. </b>
<b>No </b><b>way</b><b>. </b><b>It </b>couldn’t be…
Before she could finish the thought, that all–too–familiar <b>face </b>came into view.
Zac Gibson appeared, dressed in a <b>te</b><b>–</b><b>gray </b>hiking <b>jacket</b><b>, </b><b>a </b>trekking pole in one hand. He walked <b>over </b>casually, like he belonged there<b>. </b>
Sean’s <b>expression </b>darkened. He turned to Vivian<b>, </b><b>eyes </b>sharp with scrutiny and displeasure.
<b>“</b>When did <b>you </b>meet Zac Gibson?” he asked, his voice low and clearly unhappy.
Vivian blinked innocently<b>, </b><b>eyes </b>wide with faux confusion. She looked every bit the picture of naive charm.
<b>“</b><b>He’s </b>Mandy’s friend. She asked if she could bring someone along, and I said sure<b>. </b><b>I </b>just met him today. Why? Is something wrong?”
Charlotte remained silent, lips <b>pressed </b>tightly together, pretending not to know Zac.
But Zac <b>gave </b>her a knowing smile and greeted her <b>anyway</b>.
<b>“</b>Charlotte. Been a while<b>.</b><b>” </b>
<b>Vivian </b>turned to her<b>, </b>eyes wide in <b>surprise</b>.
<b>“</b><b>You </b>two know each other?”
Charlotte <b>replied </b>tly, “No.”
Zac, at the same time, said<b>, </b><b>“</b><b>Yes</b><b>.</b>”
They spoke <b>over </b>each other.
Vivian <b>shot </b>Mandy a nce<b>, </b>and Mandy yed along instantly. Her voice turned syrupy sweet as she looked at Zac,
“Zac, what’s your connection with Miss Riley? I’ve never heard you mention knowing someone like her.”
Zac chuckled, eyes lingering on Charlotte.
“She’s my ex.”
A loud, dramatic <b>gasp </b>came from Vivian.
<b>“</b><b>Wait </b>– Miss Riley, you were Zac’s <b>ex</b>? 1 had no idea<b>! </b>If I’d known, I never would’ve <b>let </b>him tag along.”
Charlotte got the message loud and clear. So it really was intentional
If the incident at the stables had been a misunderstanding, what about this?
Mandy wasn’t happy. She pouted and gave Zac a jealous little huff.
“Zac, don’t tell me you came on this hike just to sneak in a date with your <b>ex</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>
Zac only smiled<b>, </b>saying nothing. But in everyone’s eyes, that silence was as good as <b>a </b><b>yes</b><b>. </b>
The atmosphere instantly <b>grew </b>awkward and tense.
<b>+25 </b>Bonus
Mia quietly slipped over to Charlotte’s side, gently tugging on her sleeve.
<b>“</b>That’s really your ex?<b>” </b><b>she </b>whispered.
Charlotte <b>gave </b>a near–imperceptible nod.
Mia folded her arms, voice <b>low </b>and unimpressed.
<b>+25 </b>Bonus
<b>“</b>Wow. Vivian definitely did this on purpose.<b>” </b>
Charlotte watched the scene unfold with a cold, detached gaze<b>, </b>the whole performance feeling all too rehearsed.
There was no way this was just a coincidence.
Last time, her cousin, Steven Sullivan, had thrown a banquet for her at the Sullivan estate<b>, </b>and Zac had caused a major <b>scene </b>there. Vivian might not have attended, but as <b>the </b>Jasper family’s adopted daughter, there was no <b>way </b>she hadn’t heard about it. <b>Gossip </b>like that spread fast in high society.
So bringing Zac here today?
It was likely deliberate.
But why?
What exactly was Vivian trying to do?
<b>Just </b>as Charlotte was piecing it all together<b>, </b>someone suddenly took her hand.