?Chapter 1811:


    When she opened the door, she found Peyton leaning casually against the wall, a slight smile on his lips. His eyes seemed to dissect her with clinical precision.


    An inexplicable chill slithered down Aileen’s spine. She hugged herself, her fingers digging into her arms as she stammered, “Why—why are you here? Where’s my dad?”


    Peyton’s smile widened, revealing perfect teeth. “He stepped out. He’ll return by dinner time. Until then, it’s just us.”


    Horror bloomed across Aileen’s face. “Just you and me? What should we do? What do you want?”


    Surprise flickered briefly in Peyton’s eyes. “Sit down and talk over coffee?” He tilted his head curiously. “What did you think we would do?”


    “Of course! That’s exactly what I was thinking,” Aileen responded, her hands flying to her burning cheeks. What had possessed her to react so dramatically? Mortification consumed her.


    Peyton observed her crimson blush with interest. “Were you perhaps imagining something inappropriate? Did you think I might…” He trailed off suggestively.


    “No, I wasn’t!” Aileen’s voice rose an octave too high, betraying her. She shoved him aside and fled down the hallway.


    As her figure disappeared around the corner, Peyton recalled her father’s earlier confession:


    “My daughter has been sheltered by her mother and me to the extent that she understands little about the world beyond our protection. We’ve always prioritized her safety above all else. Though she’s blessed with beauty, her innocence worries us. This is why we seek a respectable husband for her, someone who will cherish rather than exploit her trusting nature.”


    Peyton thoughtfully rubbed his chin. “She truly is remarkably transparent,” he observed under his breath. “Her face reveals every thought that crosses her mind.”


    Yet she was undeniably captivating—her angelic featuresplemented by a figure that turned heads. It was rare to encounter someone who so perfectly matched what he found attractive.


    With a subtle smirk ying at his lips, he followed in her footsteps.


    Aileen settled onto the living room couch. Noticing Peyton approaching, she frowned slightly and reached for the remote, turning on the television.


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    When Peyton took a seat beside her, she instinctively shifted away, creating a deliberate space between them on the cushions.<fn3ba4> Original content can be found at findnovel</fn3ba4>


    He nced at her with curiosity. “Why are you sitting so far from me? You’ve been promised to me, after all.”


    “I never agreed to it!” Aileen replied, frustration evident in her voice.


    “You’re reluctant to marry me because you have feelings for someone else, aren’t you?” Peyton asked with a yful lilt. “Who holds your affection? Could it perhaps be… Clive Yates?”


    At the mention of Clive’s name, Aileen froze momentarily before lunging forward to cover Peyton’s mouth with her hand.


    “Don’t say his name!” she whispered urgently, rm shing in her eyes.


    Peyton merely blinked at her, his expression unreadable behind her restraining hands.


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