From Best Friend To Fiancé (Savannah and Roman) novel Chapter 466

Chapter 263: He Saw Us

Savannah

River and I sat side by side on one of the stone benches bordering the rose garden with the light illuminating the manor casting long shadows across the manicured hedges. The roses were in full bloom–deep deep reds, soft blush pinks, creamy whites–and their scent

hung thick in the air, sweet and almost intoxicating.

It was beautiful. Too beautiful to belong here.

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The fragrance curled into my lungs, rich and overwhelming, and for a fleeting second I forgot where I was. I forgot about heart monitors and blood samples and needles piercing skin that should never have been touched.

I couldn’t help but think of River’s bedroom–whatever it looked like since I had no idea.

If Calder really picked fresh roses for her every single day, then her room must smell like this constantly–warm, floral, alive. The thought

made something tight twist inside my chest.

“You’re waiting for Reese to get back, aren’t you?” River said suddenly, digging into the already open bag of chips and munching on it like

the world wasn’t quietly collapsing around us.

I nodded. “He should be on his way back-”

The words barely left my mouth before the sharp blare of car horns cut through the air. Headlights flooded the driveway, slicing through

the garden like twin blades.

That was…

fast.

River glanced up, amused. “You were saying?”

A sleek lime coloured sports car rolled in with practiced ease before coming to a stop not far from where we sat.

“He really is a fast driver,” I murmured, my pulse quickening. “Isn’t he?”

Reese stepped out almost immediately, shutting the door behind him and scanning the grounds with that familiar sharpness–alert, tense, always watching. His gaze landed on us, and without breaking stride, he headed straight our way.

Before either of us could speak, Reese reached out, grabbed River’s open bag of chips, and started eating.

River paused as her mouth fell open. “Why are you such a brute?” she muttered, staring at him in disbelief.

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Reese didn’t even look at her. He dropped onto the bench beside her, still chewing. “And what are you doing out here this late?” he asked

gruffly.

River narrowed her eyes. “And you–where have you been? Leaving Savannah alone like that.”

1 blinked.

Wait.

“He went to see the doctor.” My brows knit together slowly. “You asked her to keep me company, didn’t you?” I turned and asked Reese.

His hand froze halfway to his mouth. “No. I did not.”

The words hit me like ice water. “What?” I whispered.

I turned to River immediately. She was staring back at me like I’d just accused her of murder.

“I thought Reese sent you,” I said, my voice rising. “I thought he asked you to keep me company. What’s going on?”

The chips crinkled softly as Reese lowered the bag, all traces of casualness evaporating. His posture stiffened, shoulders squaring.

“What are you saying?” he asked slowly. “Who sent you, River?”

She straightened, confusion flickering across her face as she looked at us. “It wasn’t Reese, Savannah. I never said it was him.” She paused, choosing her words carefully. “It was Randall.”

My blood ran cold.

“He told me you’d be alone,” she continued, clearly unsettled now. “That Reese had just left the manor. He said you were bored sitting alone in Roman’s room and asked me to keep you company until Reese returned.” She gestured to the snacks. “He even gave me those to

bring along.”

The world tilted.

A loud ringing filled my ears, drowning out the garden, the birds, the distant sound of the piano. And suddenly–violently–the sign Id

ignored earlier slammed into me.

She didn’t know. River hadn’t known about the guard. About the injection. About the blood. About Doctor Ben.

I should have known.

“Oh my God,” I breathed.

“Randall sent you?” Reese repeated, his voice low and dangerous.

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River nodded slowly. “Yes. I don’t understand what’s happening. Is something wrong?” Her gaze darted between us. “Did I do something wrong? Did Randall do something?”

Panic surged up my spine like fire. I turned to Reese, my hands trembling. “Oh my God, Reese. He knows. He saw us.”

His jaw clenched.

“He knows everything,” I continued, the words tumbling out. “He’s been watching us the whole time. Watching Roman. Watching the guard. Watching Alex take the blood.”

Reese’s hand curled into a fist so tight his knuckles turned white. “That fucking scum,” he growled. “He saw everything.”

Nausea churned in my stomach as the realization fully set in.

Randall had watched his own brother get injected with sedatives–watched him slowly poisoned and weakened–and yet said nothing.

Instead he handed out snacks and sent River like a distraction.

How vile could one man be?

River inhaled sharply, her eyes widening as she pieced it together. “The guard you mentioned earlier…” she said slowly. “Randall watched

him inject Roman and didn’t raise an alarm, didn’t he?”

I nodded. “And he watched us take Roman’s blood. Reese took it to a doctor. He saw that too.”

She gasped, pressing a hand to her mouth.

My chest tightened painfully. “What are we going to do?” I asked Reese. “He knows.”

Reese exhaled through his teeth. “If he knows,” he said grimly, “there’s a chance our father knows too, Randall doesn’t sneeze without his

permission.”

My heart skipped. “Oh my God–Roman,” I whispered.

I shot to my feet.

“Savannah, wait “Reese started.

But I was already running.

I didn’t look back as I sprinted across the estate, gravel crunching beneath my shoes, the manicured beauty of the manor blurring past me. Servants paused mid–step. Guards turned, surprised. Curious eyes followed me—but I didn’t slow.

All I could think of was Roman.

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“Savannah! Wait up!” Reese shouted behind me.

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River’s voice joined his, breathless and panicked.

I pushed myself harder, lungs burning, heart pounding so loudly I was sure everyone could hear it. I tore down the corridor, past polished

floors and pristine walls, until I reached Roman’s door.

I didn’t knock. I just shoved it open.

The door banged against the wall, startling everyone inside. Ramsey and Rosie turned sharply. But they weren’t alone.

Randall stood beside Roman’s bed, arms folded as he watched. My heart nearly stopped.

He looked calm. Too calm. His gaze was fixed on Roman, cold and assessing, like he wasn’t looking at his brother–but at a broken object.

One he had a hand in breaking.

For a split second, no one spoke. Then Randall slowly turned his head toward me.

And smiled.

“Hi, there.”

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