A Wedding Night Gone Terribly Wrong novel Chapter 60

"Alright." But then she added, "Please keep this confidential, ma'am. Let's hold off on announcing our partnership for now."

Sylvia nodded enthusiastically. "Don't worry, my family would love nothing more than to keep you all to ourselves."

Winifred smiled. "I still have three months left on my contract with Mrs. Sutton. Keeping this quiet will help me leave smoothly. Also, my official start date with you would need to be January 1st."

"Done. I'll support you from behind the scenes so you can safely and smoothly cut ties with those people who don't appreciate you, and come straight to our family."

With everything settled, Winifred got ready to leave, and Sylvia walked her out.

They walked out arm in arm, laughing and chatting. Under the rose trellis in the garden, Leland stood waiting, cloaked in the shadows of the night.

Sylvia smiled warmly. "Dr. Shultz, the night air is getting chilly. I'll be heading back to my room now."

Winifred nodded respectfully and watched her go.

Leland quickly walked over to her. "Do you have time now?"

"Um..." Winifred rubbed her fingers together.

"Dr. Shultz, I want to know... do I have a chance with you?"

She wasn't equipped for this kind of directness. Her tongue tied itself in knots. "Mr. Lockwood... you flatter me, but we... we're not suited for each other."

"Why not?" Leland took a step closer. The crisp, clean scent of him, mixed with the fragrance of the roses, practically enveloped her. "Do you have a boyfriend?"

Winifred kept her head down. "No."

Leland let out a breath. "Then what's wrong with me? Tell me, and I'll change."

"No, there's nothing wrong with you. You're wonderful."

"You don't like me because I'm too wonderful?"

Leland shifted his stance, and Winifred felt his presence wrapping around her, completely throwing off her breathing.

"Thank you for your kindness, Mrs. Lockwood, but I really can't eat right now. I'll be back another day to sign the contract, and I'll come say hello then."

Shannon grabbed her hand. "Leland told me you didn't eat anything at the wedding, and then you rushed over here to treat the baby. Running around like that, you must be starving."

Winifred still tried to leave. "It's getting late, and I have a busy day tomorrow. I really need to head back."

"Oh, I see." Shannon looked toward the garden with a hint of regret. "Then I'll have the staff pack it up so you can take it home."

The nanny standing beside her smiled and chimed in, "Mrs. Lockwood even saved her daily gourmet wellness soup for you! Just a second, I'll go grab it."

When they brought the food out, there was so much of it Winifred felt like they had just raided a grocery store. Her left arm was weighed down with bags, and her right arm was loaded up too. There was a multi-tiered food carrier, a massive fruit basket, and a cake box.

Winifred was stunned. "You prepared all this for me?"

Shannon smiled. "I'll have the driver take you home."

Just then, Leland's voice rang out from behind Winifred. "I'll take her."