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Chapter 237
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Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 238
Harvey arched an eyebrow and let out a hearty laugh. "Today is about unwinding and enjoying ourselves, Ms. Graham. Let's save the business discussions for another time. If the opportunity comes up, I'd be happy to visit Graham Group for a tour. There's no rush to make a decision."Frustration welled up in Angela's chest. This was his response after everything she'd done to convince him. She had to remind herself to stay collected and not let her emotions show.Since things had already come this far, she forced a pleasant smile. "Sure, Mr. Collins, you're welcome anytime. I'll personally show you around."They left the lounge one after the other. A group of people was gathered outside, clearly waiting for them. Dexter cast Angela a questioning glance, silently asking whether she had convinced Harvey.Angela had no time to reply. She stepped aside to call Clara, instructing her to enforce all company policies strictly, leaving no room for favoritism or misconduct.If Harvey decide
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 239
"Do you know how to ride?" Mia asked, gesturing toward the stable in the distance. "I can find you a gentle horse and walk you around a few times. I promise you'll love it once you get the hang of it."Horses roamed the stable—some munching on feed, some snorting, while others kicked up dust as they pranced.Angela's attention drifted to a group of socialites gathered outside the stable, picking out horses. Among them, she recognized Shelley. She stood arm-in-arm with Elena, pointing at the different horses in the stable.Shelley's voice was loud as she complained that one horse was too fat and another's coat too dull. Meanwhile, Elena remained quiet and composed, though she occasionally glanced back at Angela, her expression unreadable."Just find me one that isn't too spirited. I'm not much of a rider," Angela said.In truth, she was being modest. Growing up, she'd watched Tyler and Marie ride with ease and had picked up a lot just by observing.Angela had even gone riding with
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 240
Mia remained unfazed. "I could have one of our staff assist you, Ms. Rutherford. They're more specialized than I am and can provide better service."Shelley scoffed and stepped forward. "Absolutely not. Those lowly staff could never compare to you. Not that you're anything special either, but… you are a professional horse trainer."You're the only horse trainer in Eldmere City who's somehow managed to get engaged to the scion of a wealthy family. Are your staff aiming that high too?"Shelley had always been sharp-tongued—expecting kindness from her was a lost cause.Angela's expression hardened. "Don't push your luck, Ms. Rutherford. Maybe you should look in the mirror and ask yourself if you're any better."Shelley's smile faltered, but she quickly recovered. "Isn't that a little uncalled for, Ms. Graham? I don't understand why you'd lower yourself to befriend a mere horse trainer. And let's not forget—you didn't exactly come from much either."You only got where you are by bein
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 241
"Did Ms. Graham and Ms. Spencer get on someone's wrong side somehow? I don't understand why some people just have to be so confrontational. Don't they know that they should at least have basic respect toward others?"The people around them whispered among each other, criticizing Shelley for being inconsiderate and lacking in manners.Shelley winced slightly in embarrassment. She stammered with an awkward expression, "I-I didn't mean it that way! I'm blunt with my words, but I never looked down on them. If I did, why would I even come here?""Need I remind you that you just ordered me to lead your horse, saying that menial work like this is fitting for a lowly horse trainer like me? We've long moved past the master-slave dynamic in society. Don't you understand that everyone is equal in the modern world?" Mia questioned.Her voice was calm and indifferent, yet it carried an inexplicable authority that made everyone feel uneasy.Shelley was at a loss for words, and her face turned a
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 242
Zayn quickly went along with what Mia said to calm her down. "Alright, alright. Don't be mad. Let's take our time to figure this out."Angela walked alone to the golf course beside the horse track to clear her mind.She was in an awful mood. Watching those people subtly and openly bully Mia made her feel like she was looking at an alternate version of herself in a parallel world.If she hadn't come to her senses and had continued to be Dexter's devoted follower, then there would have been one more poor soul getting bullied here."What's wrong?" A familiar male voice suddenly came from behind her.Speak of the devil—it was Dexter.His tall, lean figure cast a shadow over her and shielded her from the sunlight completely.Angela turned to look at him. With the sunlight illuminating his back, he appeared exceptionally handsome. His deep-set, smoldering eyes were particularly captivating. Given his good looks, it was no wonder there was always a group of women chasing after him wher
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 243
Shelley was at the front of the group. Her horse was much taller than the others. It gave off an imposing presence.She turned her head and lifted her chin in Angela's direction to taunt her.Angela, however, simply averted her gaze indifferently. She didn't even bother to spare Shelley so much as a glance.As soon as the whistle blew, Shelley shouted, "Giddy up!"Her riding posture was textbook perfect. She leaned slightly forward, her gaze sharp and focused, every muscle in her body tense. She clamped her legs tightly against the horse's belly, coordinating her reins with the occasional whip. In less than a minute, she had already pulled ahead by half a lap.The race was only five laps long, so it would be over quickly.At this moment, Angela had no intention of stealing the spotlight. She planned to take it easy and just enjoy the ride. It was clear that Shelley was determined to win first place today.But just as Charcoal carried her through the second lap, he suddenly bec
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 244
As soon as Dexter finished speaking, Charcoal suddenly let out a long, pained neigh. His front hooves reared up, and he nearly threw Angela off.A wave of dizziness hit her, and she couldn't hold on. She swayed precariously on the horse's back.At that critical moment, Dexter didn't hesitate. He lunged forward and grabbed Angela. They both fell onto the grassy land and tumbled on the ground for more than 30 feet.Angela was absolutely stunned. She only knew that she had fallen into a solid and warm embrace before the world spun violently the next second. Her mind was nothing but a chaotic mess."Angela!" Dexter's anxious cry rang beside her ears.The half-conscious Angela slowly opened her eyes and met his gaze. Dexter's eyes were filled with deep concern. His reddened eyes were a clear indication of how worried he was.A scrape ran along the side of his face. The wound was obvious and jarring to look at."You… How are you?" A complicated mix of emotions surged within Angela. Sh
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 245
Zayn fell into deep thought and suddenly recalled that when Angela had first mounted Charcoal, everything had been fine. Then, Charcoal had gone berserk out of nowhere. It was highly likely that something had suddenly provoked him."Our horses are generally chosen for their gentle temperament, and they are trained daily by professional horse trainers. They wouldn't just go mad for no reason," Mia said, furrowing her brows.She then added, "If anything happens to them, I won't be able to forgive myself even if I die a hundred times over."She lowered her head in shame. No matter what, the incident had happened at her club. She wouldn't be spared from blame.Suddenly, Elena stood up and said coldly, "Ms. Spencer, you'd better hurry up with your investigation. This concerns the safety of the Bamford family's heir. If anything happens to Dexter, the Bamford family will not let this go easily. "At that point, it won't just be you. You'll drag the Jewell family down with you as well."
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Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 430
At night, Genevieve took a sleep-aid medication and fell into a deep slumber. Meanwhile, Austin wandered around the manor with Angela.The courtyard, featuring a garden, lawn, lake, forest, and horse stable, was illuminated by the peaceful light of the stars and moon, creating a dreamy atmosphere. To her surprise, behind the small forest near the horse stable, there was a secluded wooden cabin filled with various painting tools and art supplies.Angela couldn't help but recall the countless times she had casually mentioned that if she ever became wealthy, she would buy a vast manor. Then, she would fill the estate with trees and build a small wooden cabin among the trees, decorating it just the way she had always dreamed. Back then, Angela had still been a somewhat naive woman, indulging in romantic fantasies. However, after going through a difficult marriage and the stress that followed, she had long forgotten her past dreams."Do you like it?" Austin asked.Angela was briefl
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 429
Angela couldn't help but feel a bit nervous and uncertain. The last time she had painted was months ago during a livestream session. Though she still remembered what Genevieve and Austin had taught her, she worried that her rusty hands would fail her, earning her a scolding. "Ms. Lawson, what should I paint?" Angela asked as she spread out the canvas and carefully arranged the paints. Genevieve took a small sip of tea, sighing with gentle exasperation. "Why are you still so indecisive? Just paint whatever you feel like. As long as it makes you happy, that's all that matters." Angela shook her head with a wry smile. After that, she began sketching. She was capturing this very moment, with Genevieve sitting by the bed, gazing at her lovingly.Time passed slowly as Angela painted in silence, while Genevieve quietly admired her. She was calm and gentle.On the surveillance feed, Austin watched the scene with a complex expression, feeling conflicted.Elias stared intently at th
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 428
Elias and Austin clearly had a good relationship. He was extremely dedicated and responsible.As they reached the upper floor, a loud, furious roar came from the south-facing bedroom. "Get out, all of you! Who are you? Stop staying in my room!"Hearing that voice, Angela couldn't hold back any longer. She started crying again. It was Genevieve's familiar, slightly aged voice.At that moment, two maids rushed out in a panic. A loud thud followed from inside the room as if something had been thrown to the floor.Upon seeing Austin, the maids turned pale with fear, momentarily at a loss for words. After all, they knew that Austin cared deeply for Genevieve and wouldn't allow anyone to mistreat her."You can go now," Austin instructed, waving the two maids away calmly. Then, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.Angela followed closely behind. The moment she entered, her eyes fell on a middle-aged woman crouched in the corner, trembling with fear. She was thin, her hair strea
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 427
Austin watched the scene in silence, his expression unreadable. Though he remained indifferent, his fists clenched ever so tightly.Angela walked over, closing the transparent umbrella. "Austin, let's go."Her fingers tightened around the handle, her knuckles pale, and her lips had lost all color. It was an undeniable sign of exhaustion and weakness. "Let's go." Austin reached out to take the umbrella, but she didn't hand it over. Instead, she silently brushed past him and headed toward the airport. A faint pain stirred in his chest as he watched her stubborn figure disappear into the distance. Only now did he truly realize that she was no longer the same person she used to be.After an eight-hour flight, they landed in Yedren. Another exhausting ten-plus hours by car brought them to a remote, almost isolated town on Yedren's border. Unlike Yedren's bustling cities, this place offered beautiful natural landscapes, with mountains on one side and the sea on the other.The to
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 426
Angela was completely taken aback, puzzled by the meaning behind his words. For a brief moment, she found herself at a loss for how to reply.Dexter looked into her eyes, showing a hint of tenderness. Suddenly, he softly brushed his fingers through her messy hair and sighed quietly. His voice was gentle, tinged with an unmistakable hint of vulnerability. "I don't want to see you struggle.""You…" Angela hesitated, her gaze softening with a hint of heartache."I'm not someone who falls in love easily. And I believe you're the same. So, go handle your own matters first. As for us… We can talk about it later." He smiled sincerely.Angela's entire body tensed as if she had been hit, leaving her feeling broken. She couldn't believe that he could be this direct and understanding. That wasn't like him at all.She had never imagined facing such a difficult choice. Seeing Genevieve was something she had to do. Yet, Dexter had also become someone she couldn't bear to part with. Feeling
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 425
When Angela woke up, the room was utterly silent. She felt like she was being held in someone's embrace, a weight pressing on her chest, making her uncomfortable. "You're up?" Dexter's deep voice, filled with satisfaction, came from right beside her.Angela froze. She instinctively wanted to turn and sit up, but she was firmly held in his strong arms, unable to move. "I... I'm a little thirsty. I want to get some water." She avoided looking at his face. Her voice carried a hint of unease. "Hmm." Dexter stood up and turned away from her to pour a glass of water.He wore only black boxer briefs, showcasing his impressive physique. It was simply mesmerizing. His broad shoulders, trim waist, defined abs, and long legs were striking. But the most captivating feature was his face with sharp features, a chiseled jawline, and icy eyes that exuded indifference. He was absolutely stunning.Angela couldn't shake off the wild memories of last night and suddenly realized how much she h
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 424
"You're just getting back? Have you eaten yet? What's going on?" Fiona looked at Angela, surprised to see her return with such a heavy heart. Angela forced a faint smile and shook her head before heading upstairs. After shutting herself in her room, she didn't do anything. She didn't shower or change her clothes. She simply lay there, motionless, for two hours.A little past eleven, Angela heard a door open in the adjacent room. It must be Dexter coming back. She quickly got out of bed, kicking off her high heels and slipping into quieter slippers before stepping out. From the slightly ajar door, she could already smell the faint scent of alcohol. Dexter had been drinking. Without hesitation, she barged in. Before he could react, she switched off the lights and pushed him onto the bed.Dexter was startled. Instinctively, he tried to push her away. But the moment he realized it was her, he stopped moving. In the darkness, he looked at her intensely, feeling puzzled. He a
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 423
Austin was surprised by Angela's directness.After all, in the past, Bill and Judy had kicked her out of her home more than once. Despite being a wealthy socialite, she had ended up being a waitress and washing dishes in a restaurant just to make a living, even becoming the subject of ridicule. At that time, she had never even considered defying her family. She had accepted every word they said without hesitation. Her compliance had been so extreme.But at the very least, she'd still had a tiny spark of ambition. Otherwise, Genevieve wouldn't have chosen her as her last mentee.When they arrived at the top-floor office, Clara was already waiting outside. Seeing Angela approach, she quickly stepped forward and handed her an acquisition contract. Angela introduced Clara to Austin before taking the contract and leading both of them into the office. She asked Clara to take care of Austin while she focused intently on reviewing the document. Austin sat on the couch, quietly watc
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 422
Angela told Mia about what had happened earlier, hoping to get her opinion.Mia, who already felt that her life was complicated enough, found herself caught in a dilemma at this moment. "Angela, your situation is really tough. Just when Mr. Bamford is being the best to you, Austin suddenly showed up. It's really tricky," Mia said, holding Leo in her arms and furrowing her brows in thought.Angela collapsed onto the couch, staring at the ceiling in deep thought. If she agreed to break up with Dexter, he would be utterly heartbroken. Their relationship would be irreparably damaged. In fact, it might be even worse. Dexter's pride would prevent them from ever crossing paths again.After all, he was the one being abandoned. To him, it was the greatest humiliation.Yet, if she didn't break up with him, she would miss her last chance to see Genevieve. When it came to life and death, everything else should be secondary. She was conflicted, but it felt like she was gradually leaning to
