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Chapter 10
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2024-12-27 16:59:20Related chapters
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 11
Deidre's smile deepened, radiant and clear. Her bright eyes flickered with subtle light as she spoke in a soft, measured tone, "I'm honored to have earned Mr. Halls's recognition, and I thank you for the compliment, Mr. Landon. It's a privilege to attend such a distinguished gathering, all thanks to Mr. Halls."The words were disarming, their sharp edge concealed beneath perfect politeness. If you thought her tone carried sarcasm, that was your problem. And if you didn't, well, that wasn't her concern.Deidre's composed demeanor betrayed nothing, yet Micah's eyes flickered with a momentary chill.Standing beside him, Casey, holding her brother's arm, felt the subtle tension ripple through his body. It was barely perceptible, but to her, it was like a distant alarm bell ringing in warning. She kept her unease to herself and maintained a cordial smile as she turned to Connor."I've heard that tonight's wine is exclusively from your private vineyard, Mr. Halls. I can't wait to have a
Last Updated : 2024-12-27Not Your Second Choice Chapter 12
Micah felt anger rising in his chest, and he blamed it on Deidre's brazen and ridiculous excuse.Seven years had passed, yet this woman, once serene and docile, now carried an edge that was impossible to ignore.He forced his gaze away from Deidre's retreating figure, unwilling to dwell on her any longer. Spotting a familiar business associate among a group chatting nearby, he straightened his suit and walked toward them.Casey, however, kept her eyes fixed on Deidre, her gaze filled with sharp wariness.The Deidre she encountered now, after seven years, felt like a completely different person.Almost as though she were an entirely new being.Outside the banquet hall, there was an open-air pool. It was midsummer, and the night sky, scattered with countless stars, reflected beautifully in the shimmering water below.Deidre stood idly by the pool, swirling the red wine in her glass, which she had picked up from a passing waiter's tray. Her gaze drifted from the tranquil pool to Co
Last Updated : 2024-12-27Not Your Second Choice Chapter 13
When a woman is truly angered, reason has no place to stand.As a woman herself, Deidre understood this better than anyone.Watching Casey teeter on the brink of an outburst, she decided she wasn't going to stick around to witness the spectacle. Years of navigating the sharp edges of the business world had taught Deidre when to yield and when to push. Without hesitation, she offered a swift apology."My bad," she said smoothly, her tone light. "Seven years overseas, and my language has grown rusty. How could I misuse a phrase like 'official girlfriend' to describe your relationship with your brother? My bad—I'll punish myself with a drink."She tilted her head back and downed the red wine in her glass in one go. The crimson liquid disappeared, leaving nothing but a faint sheen on her lips.As the last drop went down, Deidre pressed a hand lightly to her temple and gave a delicate shake of her head, her features softening into an almost dreamlike haze. "This wine hit harder than I
Last Updated : 2024-12-27Not Your Second Choice Chapter 14
Deidre turned her head.The moment she confirmed that the person standing behind her was indeed Micah, her usual calm demeanor vanished without a trace."What's the meaning of this, Mr. Landon? Are you arresting a criminal?" she asked, her tone neutral, her gaze not meeting Micah's. Instead, her eyes fell on his hand gripping her wrist.Micah frowned and released her. "What happened just now? Don't you think an explanation is in order?""Why should I explain?" Deidre rotated her wrist slightly, lifting her eyes to meet his. The usual warmth in her eyes had dissipated entirely. "If you want an explanation, perhaps you should start by asking your sister to explain."Deidre knew Casey too well. She couldn't help but wonder what story Casey would weave this time to cover up her earlier claim, "It's all her fault I fell in."There's an unspoken law about human nature: people instinctively sympathize with the weaker party.Casey had mastered this principle from an early age. She wield
Last Updated : 2024-12-27Not Your Second Choice Chapter 15
Deidre acted swiftly. By the time Micah realized what was happening and tried to intervene, it was already too late.Casey's wrist was seized firmly by Deidre, her heels struggling to find traction on the sleek floor. Stumbling, she was dragged forward, barely managing to keep up. They stopped abruptly after a few steps—right at the edge of the swimming pool."What are you doing? Let me go—ah!"The words had barely escaped her lips before Deidre flung her straight into the water. A loud splash followed, sending ripples through the pool and leaving the onlookers utterly dumbfounded. Every single person who witnessed the scene stood frozen, mouths agape.Standing by the pool's edge, Deidre glanced down, water droplets flicking onto her face. She raised a hand to wipe them away gently—careful not to smudge her makeup. Heavy-handed gestures could ruin a look, and unlike Casey, who now resembled a tearful, smeared mess trying to play the pitiful damsel, Deidre had no intention of bein
Last Updated : 2024-12-27Not Your Second Choice Chapter 16
Casey felt a sudden panic rise in her chest. She stayed silent, but her hand instinctively clutched at Micah's arm.Her meaning was unmistakable, even without words.First came Deidre's sharp remarks, and now the Landon siblings' reactions.The onlookers quickly realized this wasn't the kind of drama they wanted to linger over. Without exchanging a word, they dispersed in small groups, leaving the area as inconspicuously as possible."So it's not a misunderstanding?" Connor's face was skeptical, his tone probing."Miss Winsley isn't wrong. It was a misunderstanding," Micah said, suppressing the frustration simmering within him. His tone remained calm, and his face had already returned to its usual refined and gentle demeanor.With that single sentence, the matter was laid to rest."Micah…" Casey called out, unwilling to concede just yet. But as she looked at Micah, she saw no warmth in his gaze. Behind the calm surface of his expression and the lenses of his frameless glasses, t
Last Updated : 2024-12-27Not Your Second Choice Chapter 17
Micah turned to Casey, his gaze through the rimless glasses as calm as ever, yet it sent an undeniable chill down her spine. She heard him question her, "Who taught you to distort the truth and act so recklessly?""I didn't," she replied hastily."Denying it?" His tone remained emotionless, but there was a glint of frost in his eyes. "Shall we review the surveillance footage together?""Micah, do you really need to speak to me like this over Deidre?" Casey's frustration erupted into indignation.To be chastised by her beloved brother, especially for Deidre—a mere outsider in her eyes—made her simmer with jealousy. She had intended to appear contrite, but her bitterness spilled over. "I'm your sister, your family! She's just an outsider—one who brought shame to you and our family in Salve City years ago! Don't tell me you still have feelings for her!"Micah's usually composed and refined face, reminiscent of a nobleman from an ancient painting, lost some of its warmth at her words.
Last Updated : 2024-12-27Not Your Second Choice Chapter 18
Deidre walked over to the sofa, her phone in hand, and collapsed onto it, stretching lazily with her eyes closed. She let out a soft sigh, her eyes narrowing in contentment.Propped up on her hands, she sprawled on the couch, her posture relaxed as her gaze drifted to the large floor-to-ceiling windows in front of her.Outside, the city lights of Zemenia City glistened like a luxurious camouflage.'I wonder how Salve City looks now, after seven years,' the thought flitted through her mind.The image of the Landon siblings she had seen today popped into her head, and she furrowed her brow.'Damn it, why am I thinking about them?'She shook her head, shifting her position on the couch, and took out her phone to open her Telegram app.Soon, a stream of messages popped up on the screen.The most noticeable one caught her attention, and she raised an eyebrow.She clicked on it, began typing a reply, and just as she was about to send it, her phone rang.Deidre raised an eyebrow and
Last Updated : 2024-12-27
Latest chapter
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 30
Kiera watched as Valerie tried on several pieces of jewelry, her dissatisfaction growing with each one. She turned to the saleswoman, signaling to continue searching for another style. Meanwhile, Valerie seized the moment and glanced toward the gift-wrapping counter.But this time, all she saw was a saleswoman carefully wrapping a piece of jewelry, and the familiar, infuriating figure she had seen earlier was nowhere in sight.Where was she?Valerie's curiosity grew. Kiera, meanwhile, urged, "What's the matter with you? Your dad finally agreed to buy you an expensive piece of jewelry, and now you're acting so indifferent. Come on, pick something.""I know."Annoyed, Valerie looked around the store one more time, but the person she was looking for was still nowhere to be found. Sighing, she turned her attention back to the jewelry.In the tea room, Deidre sat with her phone, checking stocks. She hadn't drunk much of the tea in front of her, knowing that soon, someone would bring
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 29
The sales associate's smile grew even wider, as though the stars had aligned that day. She had come across a customer who was not only good-looking but also about to drop a seven-figure sum on a necklace."Okay, I'll bring it right over."When the necklace was placed in front of Deidre, especially when she held it in her hands, the difference between seeing it through the glass display and holding it was stark. Her first impression was that earlier, outside, she had felt a faint sense of longing. But now, holding the weight of seven figures in her palm, she felt an unmistakable pang of heartache."Wrap it up. It's a gift.""Of course, please follow me to the gift box counter so you can choose the packaging."As Deidre followed the sales associate toward the counter, two figures walked into the store."Mom, I swear that looks like Deidre."Valerie would never forget the day Deidre had slapped her three times.Growing up, she had always been treated like royalty by her parents.
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 28
Deidre knew that Veilner Corp., one of the companies under the O'Reily Group umbrella, was not far from her apartment.It amused her how even during a casual meal, people at the next table were already delving into company matters. Soon-to-be colleagues, unwittingly discussing the business she'd soon be part of—it felt like an unplanned preview of her new environment.The two men at the next table seemed engrossed in their conversation. As Deidre finished her meal, she stood and glanced over, noticing a few cans of beer had joined their table. Her lips curled into a faint smile as she subtly took note of their faces. Then, with deliberate nonchalance, she turned and made her way to the cashier. After scanning the QR code to pay, she stepped out of the restaurant.Settling back into her car, Deidre recalled Sandy's suggestion about the nearby shopping mall. Sandy had assured her it had a comprehensive selection of goods and wasn't far from the apartment.Deidre set the mall as her
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 27
The moment Deidre entered, she immediately noticed that the restaurant was much more spacious inside than it appeared from the outside. The place was busy, almost every table occupied. A friendly server approached her with a smile."Good evening, are you dining alone?" she asked."Yes, just me," Deidre replied with a nod.The server gestured for her to follow, guiding her to a table. Once seated, the server pointed to a QR code on the table."You can place your order online. If you need anything else, feel free to let us know," she added.Deidre nodded in understanding, then took out her phone and scanned the QR code. As she browsed the menu, she overheard a conversation from the next table, separated by an intricately carved partition."Did you hear? They're reopening bids for the Dobinsky project," one voice said."Really? I thought the bidding was already over. Why do they need a second round?" came the surprised reply."Well, if there's no second round, our company, Veiln
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 26
"Of course, I'll hold on to my big, strong friend, and never let go.""Tsk, tsk..."Sandy smiled, her eyes narrowing slightly. As they approached yet another red light, she slowed the car and shot a mock angry glare at Deidre. "You haven't changed a bit. Still sweet-talking your way through everything, huh?"They laughed, talking about everything and nothing, drifting between topics like two old friends. Before they knew it, they had arrived.Sandy had a vacant apartment nearby, close to where Deidre would be working. With her constant travels, she had prepared the place early, knowing that Deidre was returning to Rowanda to develop her career.The driver helped move their things into the apartment's living room."Alright. You can head back to the company," Sandy instructed the driver before turning to Deidre."Take a look around first. I've added some things, but if there's anything you're missing, just get it yourself."As soon as the door closed, Sandy collapsed lazily onto
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 25
Deidre looked up at the airport entrance and saw a tall, elegant woman in a business dress waving at her, walking briskly toward her.It wasn't until Sandy Mallark stood before her that Deidre's eyes showed surprise, as if she couldn't recognize the woman in front of her. The person, dressed as a professional, was none other than the 23-year-old girl she had parted with three years ago, fresh and full of youth."I know what you're going to say," Sandy said, taking Deidre's suitcase. With a casual tone, she added, "It's not like I wanted to dress more maturely, but it's the only way I can command respect from the board of directors at my agency. Otherwise, they'd just call me a young girl and wonder how I could possibly run the entire company."Not all rich young women like to flaunt their wealth.Yes, Sandy was a low-key, rich heiress. Unpretentious, willing to work hard, and down-to-earth, she proved through her actions that she didn't rely on her family."You're right. It's rare
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 24
Larry's foot paused over the accelerator. Through the rearview mirror, he saw his boss roll down the window."Get in."It was clear the words weren't meant for him.Larry frowned, looking toward the entrance of the Bealeys.Deidre was about to hail a cab when she heard Benedict's voice. She immediately turned her head.After a brief hesitation, she quickly stepped down the stairs and briskly walked toward the Maybach.It was the rule to listen to the new boss's words. A good subordinate followed orders.She smiled at Benedict, her expression respectful yet natural. "Thank you, Mr. O'Reily, for the ride."Of course, she wasn't going to sit in the back with him. She thanked him by the door and then moved quickly to the passenger seat, opening the door and settling inside.Larry hadn't really paid attention to Deidre before.Sure, she was over 1.6 meters tall, but his boss was over 1.8 meters, and just now, Deidre had been following Benedict, dressed in casual clothes. He hadn't
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 23
Bryan, seeing that Benedict was about to leave, quickly stood up and moved to block Benedict.Benedict glanced at him, his voice neither cold nor warm. "Did you forget? You called my assistant to come pick me up because I'd had too much to drink."Bryan was speechless.What a random excuse and absolutely fake excuse!He had used it earlier and now Benedict was throwing that back at him.Bryan stared at him, wanting to argue, but in front of Deidre, he couldn't bring himself to respond. That would be like admitting he had lied.Benedict swept his gaze over the room and saw Deidre rising to follow him. He said nothing, simply striding toward the door.As soon as Deidre stepped out of the room behind Benedict, Bryan's voice rang out behind them, "Deidre, next time I'm in Salve City, let's hang out. Teach me to drink!"She glanced up at Benedict. His lips were pressed together, and the corners of his eyes turned down, his face clearly impatient.Deidre opened her mouth to reply wi
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 22
Bryan went from being excited to watch the show to being utterly dumbfounded as he watched Deidre effortlessly down eleven Jägerbombs. If it weren't for the fact that he had seen the drinks being prepared earlier, he might have suspected that Deidre was drinking plain water instead.For a man with a decent tolerance, finishing a single Jägerbomb without faltering was already considered impressive. Drinking three in a row was a remarkable feat. But Deidre managed to down eleven without so much as a change in her expression. The last time Bryan had seen such composure was with Benedict. Among men, he was the only one capable of pulling it off. Among women, Deidre was the first.This extraordinary woman had something to do with Benedict, though—she was his first female assistant.Bryan's gaze turned complex as he looked at Benedict, his heart filled with sympathy. 'Bro, your grandfather really did give you a tough assistant,' he thought, despite her being a woman.Benedict picked up
