Chapter 1075:
Blushing, Gemma turned toward Alicia, her steps deliberate as she tried to divert Caden’s attention. “Alicia, are you happy today?”
“Yes,” Alicia replied warmly and pulled out a chair, motioning for Gemma to sit beside her. “Yes. But tell me — are you dating Pierre?”
Gemma shook her head firmly. “No. He’s just my bodyguard.”
Alicia’s lips curled into a teasing smile. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell your brother.”
Gemma froze, her confidence faltering. Was her act that transparent? Heat crept up her neck as she whispered, “Thank you, Alicia.”
Alicia chuckled. “You’re so easy to fool. I was just testing you.”
Gemma’s face turned a deeper shade of red. She protested, “Why have you become so mischievous?”
“Because only a mischievous woman could end up with Caden,” Alicia quipped with a wink.
Gemma was speechless.
Caden, lounging at ease, set his wine glass down and pulled Alicia closer with a confident arm. “The wine is good. Want to try?”
Alicia didn’t hesitate. She leaned in and tasted it—straight from his lips.
Caden smirked, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. “You’re getting the hang of it.”
Gemma remarked, “Is this really appropriate?”
Caden leaned back, utterly unbothered. “Don’t you have your own bodyguard to smooch?”
But when Caden glanced around, his brow furrowed. Pierre, who’d been standing dutifully behind Gemma just moments ago, was nowhere to be seen.
Pierre received a call from Talia. Preferring privacy, he stepped outside to take it.
There was a moment of silence on the line, broken by the sound of a bottle shattering. Then, Talia’s sobs followed. Concerned, Pierre steadied himself and went back inside to Gemma. “I need to step out for a while. Stay with Mr. Ward until I return, and please, stay put,” he said firmly.noveldrama
Gemma, noticing his serious tone, expressed her worry, “What’s going on?”
“Just a friend in need,” Pierre responded quietly. “I’ll be back before dinner.”
Gemma nodded. “Take care.”
Pierre rushed to the hotel specified on the invitation. He had braced for the worst regarding Talia, but upon arrival, he found the wedding ceremony in full swing. The couple was just ascending the stage.
The venue was beautifully decorated with romantic petals, creating a festive atmosphere. Nichol was slipping a ring onto Talia’s finger. Both seemed to radiate joy. Standing at the entrance, Pierre’s brow furrowed. If all seemed well, what prompted Talia’s distressing call? What was truly happening? Could the earlier cry for help have been a mere prank? Pierre lingered, watching the ceremony conclude with a growing sense of unease.
.
.
.