’Candy?’
The appearance of the little girl sent the crowd into a frenzy of cheers, and Damien Vaughn’s brow furrowed.
’Why does the child he’s holding look so familiar? So much like Candy?’
’But it can’t be her. How could she possibly be here, in Shane Grant’s arms?’
"Grant has it good. So young, and he already has a son and a daughter."
Uncle Lee stared at the little bundle in his arms and shook his head meaningfully.
"That’s not his daughter. Shane only has one son; the child’s mother died in a car accident on the day she gave birth. He hasn’t looked for anyone else all these years. I kept telling him it was time to think about his personal life, but he always brushed it off, saying he wasn’t in the mood. I never expected... I guess I’m just getting old. Young people don’t want to tell us the truth anymore."
’Is that so?’
’So that was his past.’
Damien Vaughn’s gaze returned to Shane Grant.
The horse ran three quick laps around the field. Amidst the crowd’s cheers, Shane Grant put Candy back down.
Immediately after, before Cecelia Archer could prepare, he scooped her up onto the horse’s back.
With a dizzying whirl, she found herself sitting on the back of the galloping horse, encircled in his arms.
The wind whistled in her ears, along with his warm, strong breaths.
"Don’t be afraid. I’m protecting you, so there’s no need to be scared. Close your eyes and enjoy this."
Shane Grant had a pleasant voice. He’d raised it to be heard over the noise and speed, but from this close, every word was resonant and powerful, quickly soothing Cecelia Archer’s fear.
Their bodies were pressed together. She could feel the strength in his arms and the firmness of his chest.
Cecelia Archer’s cheeks flushed. She felt a little awkward, but in her heart, she also felt an unprecedented sense of relaxation and happiness.
First a son and daughter, then his wife.
The two of them were so young, so beautiful, such a perfect couple. The crowd clapped and cheered for them like crazy.
As Damien Vaughn watched, his expression gradually grew complicated.
’Why has the person changed again? Are my eyes playing tricks on me today? First I saw a child who looked like Candy, and now this woman looks like Cecelia Archer?’
’Cecelia Archer. That heartless, disloyal woman.’
’I did so much for her, and for what? She desperately tried to seduce me, and after finally getting me into bed, she just quietly left Stratton.’
’She really doesn’t have any lingering feelings for me at all!’
For the past few days, Damien Vaughn had been forcing himself not to think about Cecelia Archer. A busy work schedule filled his life and served as a temporary distraction. He never expected, however, that the mere sight of a similar figure would instantly bring her back to mind.
The horse galloped at full speed. Cecelia was held as they completed several laps before the pace gradually slowed.
Shane Grant leaned close to her ear and asked, "How does it feel? Are you scared? Want to keep going?"
Cecelia Archer opened her eyes and looked around. Everyone was recording them with their phones, each person wearing a smile like they were shipping a couple. Even the two kids were huddled together, covering their mouths and grinning meaningfully.
She was well aware that she and Shane Grant were crossing a line.
"No, that’s enough. Just experiencing it was good. I’m still a little scared. Thank you, Mr. Grant. Please let me down."
Like a knight-errant from a historical drama, Shane Grant leaped gracefully from the horse’s back.
Cecelia Archer was about to copy him and jump down, but before she could even move her leg, Shane Grant reached up, placed his hands under her arms, and lifted her down from the horse.
Unlike before, when they were pressed against each other, this time they were face-to-face—far more direct.
She was hanging on Shane Grant like a child, and because of the wide movement, his mouth even brushed faintly against her cheek.

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