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Chapter 38
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Not Your Second Choice Chapter 39
"There really isn't!"Sandy was on the verge of exploding. "And Finn is just too much. He had his company's legal team issue a statement right away. For the team member they poached, the penalty fee? Decker Media's willing to double the compensation. It's blatantly throwing money at the problem. He's determined to get what he wants. Damn it, this kind of filthy rich arrogance makes my teeth itch."In Salve City, the Decker family was one of the three old-money aristocrats.Sandy's family was well-off, sure. But her arms were no match for Finn's mighty legs.Hearing this, Deidre immediately understood—getting Sandy's talent back was completely out of the question."What about finding a replacement?" Deidre's expression grew thoughtful. "Didn't you mention your agency's talent selection process? Narrowing a hundred down to ten, then choosing the most suitable ones from those ten to debut? Maybe you could pick someone else to fill in.""Of course, I've thought of that."Sandy sighe
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 40
The upstairs was tastefully decorated, the design and target clientele of this restaurant clearly catering to a middle-class sensibility. Each table was separated by intricately carved wooden screens, offering a sense of privacy and elegance.It reminded Deidre of one of her favorite restaurants—similar yet distinct. The atmosphere here leaned more toward understated tradition, the kind that felt steeped in history. The seating was sparse, and the background music was fittingly classical, a guitar piece softly playing in the air. Deidre recognized it immediately.This place, she thought, was exactly to her liking."We came here in a rush," Sandy said suddenly, "and now I feel like I need to use the restroom."Deidre saw through her in an instant. "Bringing me here for breakfast wasn't the main objective, was it? The real goal is to finish eating quickly so I can pick out a guitar to teach your talent."Sandy, completely unbothered, smiled with mock innocence. "I've been practici
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 41
"This area has been transformed into a hub for cutting-edge e-commerce information. It used to be…" Sandy patiently explained to Deidre, making the time pass effortlessly."The music store is inside this mall," Sandy continued. "I spoke to the guitar instructor at my company, and they said this shop has a great reputation. It's known for selling quality guitars, and it has the highest number of returning customers in Salve City."As she spoke, Sandy skillfully maneuvered the car into the underground parking lot. Once parked, the two stepped into an elevator, ascending to the shopping mall above.The mall was vast, divided into multiple zones. To avoid wasting time, Sandy quickly pulled out her phone, found the music store's number, and called. After listening attentively to the directions from the store employee, she led Deidre directly to the shop.The store turned out to be a comprehensive music outlet. As Deidre stepped inside, her initial impression was one of quiet admiration.
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 42
In the Winsley family, Deidre was nothing more than an existence tolerated out of necessity—a girl whose biological mother had passed away early and who was unloved by her father.Even though Deidre had worked hard since middle school, balancing tutoring jobs to earn money while maintaining her grades, eventually securing a scholarship to attend university, what did it matter?The Winsley family ran a thriving business; they didn't need her meager tutoring income or scholarship money. The truth was painfully simple: Deidre was the one the family had no desire to acknowledge.Casey and her mother looked down on someone like Deidre, someone they saw as unrefined and pitiably poor. The very idea of Deidre being able to play the guitar was as absurd as claiming she could touch the sky and stand shoulder to shoulder with the sun.Ridiculous. Impossible. Laughable."Miss Landon, the piano you ordered will be arriving at noon," a sales clerk informed her after checking."Oh, really?" Ca
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 43
"Who said we wouldn't buy it?"As the saying goes, a tree thrives on its bark, and a person lives for their pride. One must never lose face.Sandy placed her card directly into Joe's hand. "We'll take both guitars."Casey shot her a sideways glance, her tone sharp and laced with scorn. "Oh? Don't act like you didn't just hear what I said. I was the first to say I'd buy them. First come, first served starts when the money comes out, not when someone tries them."Such brazenness, the kind that tests limits.Sandy opened her mouth, ready to retaliate, but before she could, Deidre let out a long sigh. "Miss Landon, are you certain you want these two guitars?"Both Sandy and Casey turned to look at Deidre.Seeing the faint furrow on Deidre's brow, Casey assumed she was intimidated. Feeling triumphant, she pressed on. "Of course. Did you think I was like you? I have the money to afford them! Joe, hurry and wrap these two guitars for me!"Joe looked uneasy, his expression caught betwe
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 44
Joe glanced at the guitar displayed in the glass case, a non-sale item. "No customer has ever requested to borrow the guitar in the display before. I'll need to get approval for this. Please wait a moment," he said.Casey, trying hard to suppress her irritation, stood coldly to the side, quietly waiting for the outcome. She was eager to hear the result as well."Casey, it's been ages. What's taking so long?"Casey's mother, who had been waiting in the lounge, finally grew impatient. Left without a choice, she came out to look for her daughter, only to find herself unexpectedly face-to-face with Deidre. Her initial smile froze instantly and morphed into a frown. "Why are you here? No, more importantly, why are you even in Salve City?"It was clear that Deidre's return to the country had been kept from her.Deidre's faint smile faltered slightly, but she didn't respond. Instead, her gaze shifted away, calm and unbothered.Casey strode quickly to her mother's side, her tone drippi
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 45
"You!"Casey took a deep breath, suppressing the fire threatening to erupt. She forced a cold smile and looked at Sandy. "You're mad because I hit the nail on the head, aren't you?""Hey! You're just—"Before Sandy could finish, Deidre placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her mid-sentence. Her eyes glinted with a faint chill, though a gentle smile lingered on her lips. "Miss Landon, have you perhaps forgotten the temperature of the pool water during the business banquet in Zemenia City?"Hit where it hurts the most, a serpent struck right at its seventh inch.Casey's triumphant smile shattered like glass, her face alternating between pale and flushed. That banquet was the darkest chapter of her life, a memory she desperately wanted to erase. Yet Deidre wielded it mercilessly, leaving her defenseless."You bitch!" She gritted her teeth, squeezing the words out as though they'd been trapped behind bars.Deidre's response was calm, each word cutting like a blade. "And surely, yo
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 46
"When I asked earlier, this was what the boss specifically instructed," Joe said, invoking the authority of the big boss. What else could Casey say? She snorted coldly, her eyes narrowing as she glared.Deidre, on the other hand, looked surprised—though the surprise quickly gave way to delight. Deep down, she had indeed been curious about the tone and feel of that exclusive guitar, the one displayed in the glass case, marked "Not for Sale."The moment she entered the shop, her gaze had been drawn to it. On impulse, she had casually mentioned borrowing it, never expecting her request to actually be granted. Now, as her fingers brushed against the strings, the sound that resonated stunned her. It was a vibration that struck straight to her heart—a feeling so profound it defied description.What a remarkable guitar this was.Deidre, skilled as she was with the instrument, always felt a special attachment to exceptional ones. Her expression softened as she pulled out a chair and sa
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Not Your Second Choice Chapter 100
"YOU!"Daisy watched the atmosphere between the two shift. As she saw Micah stand up, she put on a look of feigned concern and hurried over. After all, the president of the Landon Group had just been knocked down by the assistant of a competitor—certainly not a dignified event."Deidre, I finally found you! Mr. O'Reily called me earlier, said he had something urgent to discuss with you, but couldn't reach you."Daisy had only made up an excuse. When it came to Micah, using Benedict's name was the most legitimate tactic.Unexpectedly, as she spoke, Deidre's phone rang.Daisy's eyelids twitched and she instinctively looked over.And there it was...Caller ID: It really was Mr. O'Reily.Daisy turned speechless. She could probably win the lottery today, with this luck!With Daisy present, Micah knew he couldn't continue the conversation with Deidre.In fact, even without Daisy, the discussion wouldn't have gone anywhere.Micah's handsome face regained its calm demeanor. The prev
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 99
"I'm not drunk," Micah said.Deidre didn't reply. His face was serious, but his eyes—behind those frameless glasses—held a slight haze, as if they were blurring into a soft kind of fog.After spending two years with him, Deidre knew very well that Micah was, in fact, drunk. A sober person couldn't possibly argue with someone who was so clearly intoxicated, especially not over something so trivial as whether or not they were drunk.She glanced at the door to her room, which Micah was blocking, then turned away.On a luxurious yacht like this, it was ridiculous for all the rooms to be occupied. She could easily switch rooms. Even if they were all taken, she could squeeze in with Daisy for one night.In any case, Deidre had no intention of wasting another word on Micah."Don't go!"Micah, seeing her intention, stepped forward. His arm reached out and grabbed her wrist."Are you going to find Cameron?"With a forceful pull, he turned her back toward him, his hands gripping her s
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 98
Deidre paused for a moment, quickly tapped the send button on her phone, then shut off the screen and set it aside. She smiled at Daisy, signaling for her to sit beside her. "I know, I owe you one for helping me out with Mr. O'Reily on the dance floor."Daisy, still looking a bit shaken, leaned in close to Deidre's ear and whispered, "God knows, just dancing with Mr. O'Reily was enough to make my scalp tingle in shock. And then he had that cold, deathly stare... I mean, he's handsome, but I guess they don't call him 'The Godfather' for nothing. After just a short dance, I was practically shoved away."Deidre, ever considerate, gently patted Daisy's back to reassure her. "Once this seven-day yacht trip is over, I'll treat you to a big meal.""Not that I'm just looking to freeload off your dinner, Deidre!" Daisy laughed. "I mean, getting to dance with a handsome guy—can't complain."Daisy, a post-2000s girl, had the natural optimism and straightforwardness typical of her generation.
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 97
"I can tell, Bobby, that your company is sincere in wanting to collaborate with us on this project. Otherwise, we wouldn't be having this conversation."Benedict's deep voice broke the silence, pulling the conversation back to the matter at hand. "Bobby, you know, of course, that the Dobinsky project is intended for our technology city. Now, as for the five percent price increase you proposed, I will say this clearly: Such a concession agreement is not something we can sign."Upon hearing this, Bobby's heart sank, though he maintained his composure on the surface. "Benedict, wouldn't you reconsider? After all, the returns from the technology city once it's completed will be substantial."In business negotiations, attention to detail is key, especially when it comes to reading the room. Both Benedict and Deidre had picked up on the subtle shift in Bobby's demeanor. The calm confidence he had initially shown was now replaced by a quiet sense of urgency.Once the defensive line begi
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 96
Benedict swirled the wine glass in his hand, his gaze not meeting Bobby's. His voice was cool. "I can tell, Bobby, there's more to your words than what you're letting on.""Benedict, as expected of you," Bobby's smile deepened. "You must know, when the Dobinsky project first went to bid, Veilner Corp didn't make the cut. The Landon Group took the lead. Now, as we approach the second round of bidding, although your company's proposal is the best, it's a bit tricky for us."In business, there are ways to say things. Sometimes, the true meaning lies not in the direct words, but in the subtle layers beneath them. Bobby's words were clear enough. He was asking if Veilner could increase its offer, especially in terms of the price.Deidre's eyes glinted as she glanced at Benedict.His fingers tapped softly on the armrest of the sofa, his expression unchanged, but the faintest sound of his knuckles brushing against the wood seemed to fill the air. His voice remained calm and measured. "T
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 95
The tempo slowed and finally returned to silence as the dance came to an end. The men and women in the ballroom nodded to each other in mutual respect.Benedict, with a cold and composed expression on his handsome face, stepped out of the dance floor without a word.Deidre raised an eyebrow and was about to follow him when she heard Micah's voice from behind. "Do you hate me?"She turned back to see Micah looking at her with a deep gaze. The question struck her as absurd. "Mr. Landon, you have quite the short memory. Who was it that looked at me with disdain at the wedding, dropped me without a word, and walked away without a second glance? And now you're asking me this?"Some things, Deidre thought, if left untouched, would fade away with time. She was certain that given enough time, everything, even the most painful memories, would eventually be forgotten. Yet, there were always people who took great pleasure in reminding her of the moments she wished to forget.Especially when
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 94
Deidre smiled wryly to herself. The music lifted in tempo once again, forcing her, though unwilling, to raise her hand and follow the rhythm in a solitary spin.As she twirled, her eyes quickly flicked toward Cameron.Cameron was waiting for the beat, planning to reclaim his partner.Micah maintained his gentle, composed smile, but there was a chill in his eyes. He hadn't missed the subtle exchange of glances between Deidre and Cameron. No, he had been watching closely, noting exactly where Deidre's gaze had lingered.She was flirting with him again, right in front of him.So she wanted to switch back?A sliver of coldness flashed in Micah's eyes.He knew very well—he didn't want her to switch back.As Cameron neared them, preparing to take Deidre away, Micah intentionally took a misstep, stepping into Cameron's path.Both Deidre and Cameron understood immediately what this meant.Deidre's smile remained, her tone gentle, but her eyes burned with a cold gleam.She couldn't w
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 93
The waltz gradually shifted from its gentle rhythm to an upbeat tempo, unveiling its inherent charm and complexity.Micah's gaze didn't linger on Natalie. He maintained perfect synchronization with her steps, seamlessly adapting to the beat, while his eyes discreetly swept toward Deidre again. Around them, most dancers had begun showcasing their partners, spinning them gracefully across the floor.Matching the tempo, Micah maneuvered with subtle precision, guiding Natalie closer to Deidre and Cameron without breaking stride.Deidre, no fool, couldn't possibly miss Micah's frequent glances in her direction. She smirked inwardly, instantly grasping his intent. He was moving their way.The music surged, and following Cameron's lead, Deidre executed an elegant pirouette. Her red evening gown, delicate as butterfly wings, flared into cascading waves of crimson, drawing all eyes to her. Her movement was mesmerizing, a perfect harmony of grace and poise.Cameron's face held its usual g
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 92
"Ah…" Natalie gasped softly as her hand was enveloped by Micah's warm, steady grasp. Her cheeks flushed, her heartbeat quickening like a drumroll, as she followed him into the dance floor.Within the crowd, Deidre stood out effortlessly in a custom-made crimson gown. Her movements flowed seamlessly with the rhythm, rising and falling with the melody, her figure spinning gracefully like a fiery phoenix in flight. Opposite her, Cameron, equally striking with his sharp features and composed demeanor, lifted his long, elegant hand to guide Deidre through a perfect turn. A gentle, unguarded smile lingered in his eyes."I remember back in school dances, you always attended with Sandy," Cameron remarked, his deep voice carrying an air of teasing admiration. "But I don't recall ever seeing you dance. Seems like you've been keeping this talent hidden all along."A faint smile curved Deidre's lips. "If you keep looking at me with such a gentle expression, I'm afraid I might misstep." She fi
