Chapter 10
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Chapter 10
Shaun’s sister-in-law, Priscilla Moore, was sitting at the side with her newborn, surrounded by a group of women cooing over the baby.
Scarlet made her rounds, greeting Justine and the other ladies. She was just about to slip away for some fresh air when
Priscilla called out to her.
“Scarlet, do you want to hold him?”
The baby was dressed in a soft cotton onesie with a little bunny print, tucked snugly into a white fleece blanket. He blinked his large, deep-set eyes at her.
Before Scarlet could decline, Priscilla had already eased the infant into her arms. “Go on, hold him. Look at how much he likes you. He can’t take his eyes off you.”
Left with no choice, Scarlet sat down, finding herself in a silent staring contest with the baby. To her surprise, he seemed to genuinely like her. He started blowing tiny bubbles and let out a gurgling laugh.
Scarlet couldn’t help but smile back. It was a strange, wonderful feeling to be liked by a child.
“Hi there,” she whispered to him. “My name is Scarlet. What’s yours?”
Priscilla laughed. “He doesn’t know who he is yet. Even if he did, he couldn’t tell you.”
The baby’s gold locket slipped out from under his blanket, and Priscilla tucked it back in. As she did, she caught sight of
Scarlet’s neckline.
“Scarlet, you’re wearing a lucky charm too!” Priscilla exclaimed.
The conversation shifted, and everyone’s eyes landed on Scarlet’s neck.
She was wearing a necklace with an emerald pendant-a rare stone with a vibrant green color. It was expertly carved into the shape of a locket, smooth and polished to a mirror shine.
Scarlet instinctively reached up to touch the necklace. She had worn it for so long that the emerald felt like a part of her.
“Where did you get it? I’d love to find a piece like that,” Priscilla said with admiration.
Scarlet shook her head. “I’m not sure. It was a gift.”
Priscilla smiled knowingly. “William must have picked it out for you, then. In that case, I doubt I’ll be able to find another.”
Scarlet offered a faint smile in return. Sitting under the brilliant glow of the crystal chandeliers, she was suddenly transported back to a snowy New Year’s Eve years ago.
It was midnight, and William was waiting for her downstairs in the cold. They had a frantic, heated embrace and a kiss in the middle of a blizzard. Then, he booked a private, massive display of fireworks just for her.
There was a time when William had truly loved her.
One of the older women who specialized in jewelry chimed in, “You don’t see many young women wearing fine emeralds like that anymore.”
“The color is incredible,” Shaun’s mother, Andrea Leslie, added with a kind smile. Then, she turned to Justine and said, “You really are lucky, Justine. William married such a wonderful wife.”
Justine gave a polite, thin smile. “I’m not as lucky as you. You already have a grandson!”
It was a casual remark, meant to deflect the praise, but it steered the conversation right back to the one topic Scarlet wanted
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Chapter 10
to avoid.
Andrea turned to Scarlet. “So, when are you and William going to have one of your own?”
Scarlet fell silent.
Thankfully, Justine wasn’t in the mood to discuss their family planning either and skillfully changed the subject. Scarlet handed the baby back to Priscilla and seized the chance to slip out through the side doors for some fresh air.
Outside, the pool area was quiet. Despite the cold, the pool was still filled with water, the surface shimmering under the
moon.
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Scarlet had forgotten her coat, and the night air bit through her thin dress. She thought about going back inside to grab it, but through the glass doors, she could see the glowing lights and hear the echoes of laughter.
That atmosphere of family bliss felt so foreign. She didn’t want to go back inside.
Scarlet sat by the pool for a while until a housekeeper hurried over and draped a blanket over her shoulders.
“Mrs. Cooper, it’s a bit chilly out here. Please, be careful not to catch a cold.”
Scarlet accepted it gratefully. “Thank you. I’ll just be a few more minutes.”
The housekeeper left, leaving her alone in the courtyard. It was surprisingly peaceful out here, away from the forced socializing of the party.
But the peace didn’t last long. A sudden chill hit her back. She turned to find a seven or eight-year-old boy standing there, clutching a large water gun.
Scarlet didn’t recognize him, but she assumed he was a child of one of the guests. She figured it was just an accident and turned back around, only for another jet of water to hit her square in the shoulders.
She looked back. The boy, Niall Luther, was holding the gun up with a mischievous smirk.
Scarlet frowned. “Do I know you?”
“Nope.”
“Then why are you pointing that water gun at me?”
“Because I feel like it!” Niall chirped, firing another shot. “Who told you that you could sit here?”
Half of Scarlet’s back was now soaked. In the cold fall air, the damp blanket felt like ice against her skin. She didn’t take the blanket off, though. She knew the kid wasn’t done.
She stood up to leave, but Niall wouldn’t let it go. He chased after her, aiming the gun at her legs.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Most of the time, Scarlet had been a pushover. Having lost her parents and her home at a young age, she’d learned the hard way how to blend into the shadows. She’d been fostered, bullied, and eventually adopted into the Cooper family, where life as an outsider was never easy.
She had spent her life being cautious, reading the room, and never making a scene. She never asked for help because she knew there was no one to stand up for her. So, her first instinct was to run away from trouble.
But even a weak target had a breaking point.
Scarlet stopped in her tracks and turned to face him. “You should probably start running.”
Niall didn’t catch her drift. He kept pumping the handle of the water gun. “Why should I?”
Scarlet stood there in her damp blanket, her voice steady and calm. “Because the water in that pool is freezing. You should warm up now so you don’t cramp up when you fall in.”
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Chapter 10
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“I’m not gonna fall in!” Niall started dancing around her, making shooting noises as he continued to fire.
Scarlet glanced toward the house. Unfortunately, there were people nearby. William was standing under the terrace with his hands in his pockets, looking effortlessly relaxed as his gaze drifted toward the pool.
Scarlet’s brow furrowed, and she slowly pulled her hand back, deciding against pushing the kid in.
Next to William stood Brett Luther, who was eagerly lighting William’s cigarette. “I’ve had experts look at the numbers. The ROI on this project is at least 200%. It’s a guaranteed win.”
The man went on and on, hyping up his company’s latest venture as William listened uninterestedly.
“Heritage Bank’s commercial loans aren’t my department, Brett. You’re talking to the wrong person,” William said.
“Oh, come now, you and Julian are family. It’s all the same. Besides, you own half the bank. One word from you is all it takes, “Brett replied.
William didn’t answer. His eyes narrowed as he focused on the poolside.
Brett followed his gaze and chuckled. “Ah, look at that kid. He always did have a thing for pretty women.”
William’s gaze shifted to Brett, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. “That’s your son?”
“He takes after his mother in looks, but he’s got my brains. His teachers say he’s a genius,” Brett said, clearly proud. William reprimanded coldly, “Aren’t you going to teach your child any manners? Do I have to do it for you?”
Brett froze, startled by the sudden hostility. Before he could react, William crushed his cigarette in an ashtray and strode toward the pool.
Seeing that Scarlet wasn’t fighting back, Niall got bolder. He aimed the water gun directly at her face. “Let’s see what you look like without all that makeup!”
Before he could pull the trigger, a hand clamped down on his wrist.
“My wife’s makeup looks perfect. Why would you want to ruin it?”
William stood in front of Scarlet, his grip on Niall’s wrist firm and unyielding. His dark eyes were devoid of any warmth. ” How dare you mess with my wife?”
End of the Contract,Start of His Obsession
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