Anticipation

William responded indifferently, "Haven't I always been like this? Don't you know me?"

Emelie couldn't help but recall the times he had manipulated her into submission. This was precisely who he was. Her expression turned colder.Owned by .

William continued, "Since polite requests don't work, I'll have to use methods you're familiar with."

Emelie sneered, "Let go!"

"The dance isn't over, Ms. Pierce. It's rude to leave early," William said, forcefully spinning her around again.

Emelie felt time couldn't pass any slower.

William held her hand. She was wearing a long gown with velvet gloves that ended above her elbows.

He wasn't really trying to provoke her, so he changed the subject. "I heard you visited Alderbrook during Springfest. You bought three lilies daily from the florist and placed them before your parents' portraits every day. Initially, you bought four. Why three now?"

Emelie's gaze turned cold. "You're spying on me."

He wouldn't know so much otherwise.

William didn't deny it. "I couldn't understand what the lilies represented, but now I do. They represent the four of us, right? With Charles' downfall, you reduced one flower."

He looked down, their faces close to each other. "One day, there might not be a single flower left, right?"

He would also be eliminated by her. Surprisingly, there was a hint of anticipation in his voice.

Emelie saw her own reflection in his dark eyes, mirroring her own cold expression toward him. She didn't look happy at all.

At the same time, the music ended. Emelie quickly faked a polite smile to avoid attracting attention.

However, her words remained harsh. "It's finally over. Mr. Middleton, why do you make every interaction feel like punishment? I felt like I was transported back to three years ago."

She had said that three years ago she needed to deceive herself every time they spent time together, or she wouldn't be able to face him. It wasn't enough that she said this once; she wanted to inflict more suffering onto William.

William grabbed her hand as she tried to leave and swallowed. "The second dance is about to start. Ms. Pierce, can we have another dance?"

Emelie's patience had reached its limit. She genuinely hated being controlled and snapped, ' What makes you think you can demand anything? Let go!"

William refused to release her. "Don't struggle. Do you want to cause a scene and ruin Melanie's wedding? She's Samuel's sister."

He was threatening her, just like before.

Emelie felt an uncontrollable rage building within her. "You-!"

Her words were interrupted by another calm male voice. "Mr. Middleton really loves emotionally coercing others."

Emelie was startled, and she turned around quickly. William also looked up.

Earlier, they were so engrossed in their fight and hadn't noticed anyone else. Now they realized someone had walked across the dance floor and was standing behind Emelie.

The man naturally took Emelie's other hand and glanced at William.

William's expression turned cold.

Their confrontation attracted the attention of the guests around them, who began to murmur,,"Mr. Middleton and Ms. Pierce... Who is this person?"

"He looks familiar, but I can't quite remember who he is."

"He must be someone important considering the air he gives off."

"Of course. Otherwise, he wouldn't dare go up to Mr. Middleton and Ms. Pierce so abruptly."

The speculation grew as people tried to guess the identity of the handsome man who just appeared.

Emelie called out his name, revealing the answer. "Wesley."