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Chapter 56
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Not Your Second Choice Chapter 57
"Casey, I'm extremely disappointed in you." Micah's voice was calm but carried a distinct chill, as his gaze locked onto Casey like a hawk eyeing its prey."So what?" Casey snapped. Since the truth was out, she decided there was no need to hide it anymore. "Yes! I bought the trending topic in the first place. I wanted Deidre to be humiliated. Who does she think she is, acting all high and mighty? Just because she's got some looks, she thinks she can marry into wealth. I can't stand that fake, pretentious act of hers! Especially after what happened at the banquet and the bar—I wasn't about to let it go!"Her words came out in a torrent, her fiery glare meeting Micah's unwavering gaze. "You're my brother. What, are you expecting your own sister to apologize to her?""This whole mess is your doing," Micah replied, his voice heavy with disappointment. His expression darkened further as he regarded her unrepentant attitude. "Look at yourself—do you still think you're behaving like the
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 58
Since Micah already found out her secret, Casey saw no reason to hide it from their mother. She decided to lay everything out."So, someone helped her, and the video ended up in her hands?" Casey's mother's tone carried the weight of contemplation."Exactly! You have no idea, Mom. That Half-past Five Bar is something else. I tried to pay for the video, but they told me they'd only hand it over to the police! Now someone else got their hands on it and cleared her name." Casey's frustration flared up again as she recounted the events."Deidre must have seduced someone of power!"Casey's mother mulled this over. "Fine. Leave this matter alone. I'll handle it myself."She would never allow Deidre, someone she had never approved of, to have any connection with the Landon family. Not even a whisper of association.That was precisely what Casey had been waiting for. A grin spread across her face as she beamed. "Thanks, Mom! I knew you'd always have my back."Back in her room, Casey gla
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 59
When Deidre hesitated momentarily, Benedict had already circled around the desk, heading straight toward her."Mr. O'Reily?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.Benedict, tall and upright like a perfectly straight pole, strode over with long, purposeful steps. In no time, he was standing before her.At 5 foot 3, Deidre had to tilt her head slightly to meet the gaze of this man who stood well over 6 feet. Her smiling face betrayed a flicker of surprise as she looked up at him.The man before her was dressed impeccably, his suit without a single crease. Even the top button of his shirt was fastened, giving him an air of restraint. He exuded an aura of stern composure, a man who seldom smiled or indulged in unnecessary words.Benedict lowered his gaze to Deidre. "Your résumé is exceptional. You could easily serve as the president of one of the O'Reily Group's subsidiary companies. I'm curious—what terms did the old man offer to make you settle for the role of an assistant?"
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 60
"The agenda for today's meeting is simple," Benedict began without preamble. "Most of you are familiar with me, so there's no need for introductions. Instead, I'd like to introduce someone else."From the moment they walked into the conference room, Larry had followed closely behind Benedict. Observing this, Deidre hesitated for a moment, then decided to follow suit, stepping into place behind Larry.When Benedict spoke those words, Deidre's eyelids twitched instinctively.As expected, the man's calm, resonant voice filled the room. "This is Deidre Winsley, my new assistant. You may get acquainted with her."His words were like a single drop of water falling into an oil pan, calm on the surface but igniting a wave of chaos beneath. Shock rippled through the room, leaving no one untouched.The young president, practically a prince in his stature, had called a meeting just to introduce his assistant?All eyes turned to Deidre.Among the senior executives present, the thought on ev
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 1
The brilliant lights in the hall dimmed, leaving a concentrated glow upon the stage. The bride and groom stood bathed in radiance—she in her flowing white gown, he in his impeccably tailored suit. They were the perfect picture of beauty and elegance.The background music shifted, rising into a crescendo, infusing the air with a palpable sense of excitement. The wedding ceremony had reached its peak.Deidre clasped her left hand over her right, her palms damp with sweat beneath the delicate white gloves. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, each beat echoing like a drum in her ears. She was so nervous it felt as though her heart might leap into her throat.Her gaze settled on the man before her, a mix of elation and unease swirling within her. Micah Landon—one of Salve City's most eligible bachelors, heir to one of its most powerful families—was about to marry her. It felt surreal, like a fairy tale come to life. A Cinderella marrying her prince, with all the incredulity that e
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 2
The wedding host, visibly flustered as the groom turned and walked away, hastily gestured to the sound engineer to cut the music. As the cheerful background tunes abruptly ceased, the atmosphere shifted, the murmur of the crowd swelling into an unabashed roar of judgment and speculation."They've been engaged for over a year, and now this scene unfolds at the wedding? Utter humiliation," someone remarked loudly."She looks so pure, doesn't she? But clearly, she's got other, shall we say, talents that hooked Micah. Guess she practiced those talents with plenty of others. Walk along the river long enough, and you'll get your feet wet. Someone probably got fed up and exposed her. Tsk, tsk."That particular comment sliced through the air like a shard of glass, sharp and cutting."Nonsense! I didn't do any of that!" Deidre screamed, her voice raw with desperation.Her outburst only added fuel to the fire. None of the attendees spared her even a modicum of sympathy. They were there fo
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 3
Deidre recognized the wedding ring—it was the same unfamiliar one that had appeared earlier at the ceremony.Micah's voice broke through the heavy air, low and dripping with disdain. "You're not worthy of this ring."Her heart shuddered at his words, and pain flared across her jaw as he harshly released her. Without so much as a glance back, he stepped into the car, slamming the door shut with finality. His expression remained cold as he instructed the driver, "Drive."Desperate, Deidre chased after the car, her bare feet burning against the scorching pavement. The southern Salve City was in the grip of a relentless summer heat, but she barely noticed. The pain in her feet seemed distant, insignificant compared to the ache in her chest.She ran with abandon, her cumbersome wedding gown tangling around her legs, until she tripped and fell hard onto the unforgiving ground. Her knees and elbows scraped against the rough asphalt, bleeding slightly. She looked utterly disheveled, a fa
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 4
The reporters had trailed after Micah's car for a good while, hoping to intercept him, but when it became clear that their efforts were futile, they shifted their attention. Like a tidal wave, they surged toward Deidre instead.Vincent Winsley, who had also rushed out, caught sight of Deidre slumped on the ground, her hair disheveled, her expression blank. A surge of fury erupted within him."You've disgraced me completely!" he spat, his teeth clenched in rage. Without waiting for a response, he stormed over and yanked her up forcefully. Deidre stumbled as he dragged her toward the parking lot, his movements sharp and brimming with frustration.Like a discarded, soulless rag doll, Deidre let herself be shoved into the car. Her mind was elsewhere, caught in an unending loop of Micah's cold words and Casey's venomous taunts.A replacement.The phrase clung to her, refusing to loosen its grip.Deidre's lips curled into a silent, bitter smile.Of course. It all made sense now.No
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Not Your Second Choice Chapter 60
"The agenda for today's meeting is simple," Benedict began without preamble. "Most of you are familiar with me, so there's no need for introductions. Instead, I'd like to introduce someone else."From the moment they walked into the conference room, Larry had followed closely behind Benedict. Observing this, Deidre hesitated for a moment, then decided to follow suit, stepping into place behind Larry.When Benedict spoke those words, Deidre's eyelids twitched instinctively.As expected, the man's calm, resonant voice filled the room. "This is Deidre Winsley, my new assistant. You may get acquainted with her."His words were like a single drop of water falling into an oil pan, calm on the surface but igniting a wave of chaos beneath. Shock rippled through the room, leaving no one untouched.The young president, practically a prince in his stature, had called a meeting just to introduce his assistant?All eyes turned to Deidre.Among the senior executives present, the thought on ev
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 59
When Deidre hesitated momentarily, Benedict had already circled around the desk, heading straight toward her."Mr. O'Reily?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.Benedict, tall and upright like a perfectly straight pole, strode over with long, purposeful steps. In no time, he was standing before her.At 5 foot 3, Deidre had to tilt her head slightly to meet the gaze of this man who stood well over 6 feet. Her smiling face betrayed a flicker of surprise as she looked up at him.The man before her was dressed impeccably, his suit without a single crease. Even the top button of his shirt was fastened, giving him an air of restraint. He exuded an aura of stern composure, a man who seldom smiled or indulged in unnecessary words.Benedict lowered his gaze to Deidre. "Your résumé is exceptional. You could easily serve as the president of one of the O'Reily Group's subsidiary companies. I'm curious—what terms did the old man offer to make you settle for the role of an assistant?"
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 58
Since Micah already found out her secret, Casey saw no reason to hide it from their mother. She decided to lay everything out."So, someone helped her, and the video ended up in her hands?" Casey's mother's tone carried the weight of contemplation."Exactly! You have no idea, Mom. That Half-past Five Bar is something else. I tried to pay for the video, but they told me they'd only hand it over to the police! Now someone else got their hands on it and cleared her name." Casey's frustration flared up again as she recounted the events."Deidre must have seduced someone of power!"Casey's mother mulled this over. "Fine. Leave this matter alone. I'll handle it myself."She would never allow Deidre, someone she had never approved of, to have any connection with the Landon family. Not even a whisper of association.That was precisely what Casey had been waiting for. A grin spread across her face as she beamed. "Thanks, Mom! I knew you'd always have my back."Back in her room, Casey gla
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 57
"Casey, I'm extremely disappointed in you." Micah's voice was calm but carried a distinct chill, as his gaze locked onto Casey like a hawk eyeing its prey."So what?" Casey snapped. Since the truth was out, she decided there was no need to hide it anymore. "Yes! I bought the trending topic in the first place. I wanted Deidre to be humiliated. Who does she think she is, acting all high and mighty? Just because she's got some looks, she thinks she can marry into wealth. I can't stand that fake, pretentious act of hers! Especially after what happened at the banquet and the bar—I wasn't about to let it go!"Her words came out in a torrent, her fiery glare meeting Micah's unwavering gaze. "You're my brother. What, are you expecting your own sister to apologize to her?""This whole mess is your doing," Micah replied, his voice heavy with disappointment. His expression darkened further as he regarded her unrepentant attitude. "Look at yourself—do you still think you're behaving like the
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 56
Through the screen of her phone, Casey could feel Neil's seething rage. Her heart clenched with unease—fearful that he might uncover she was behind the initial trending topic. But just as quickly, her nerves settled. It was only natural that Neil would pin all the blame on Deidre."I'll hang up now and ask around," she said. "Take care of yourself, don't get too worked up. Getting upset will only give certain people the satisfaction they want."Her tone was calm, considerate, designed to soothe. She waited for him to hang up first. As soon as the call ended, however, her expression darkened. The anger that had been simmering inside her boiled over, twisting her features into a scowl that radiated malice."Damn it! Who the hell is helping that wench?" she hissed.It wasn't possible that the Mallark family had managed to obtain the video footage—if a Landon couldn't, how could a Mallark? Casey's fury erupted, and she hurled her phone to the floor.Just then, a knock came at th
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 55
The moment the name "Neil Decker" leaped onto the screen of her phone, Casey's heart gave a sharp jolt. Forcing herself to stay calm, she answered, "N-Neil?""Do you know what the hell that trending topic is about? And that video? That Deidre—damn it—I won't let her get away with this!"Neil's voice, full of rage and frustration, exploded from the other end of the line.In the hospital, Neil had woken up from unconsciousness, only to find himself lying in a hospital bed. The sheer humiliation struck him like a tidal wave.He had been thrown to the ground like a ragdoll by a woman, sprawled out in an utterly disgraceful posture. To add insult to injury, he had managed to knock himself out with the very wine bottle he had intended to smash on someone else.The moment he regained consciousness, his first instinct was to call someone at Half-past Five Bar to have the previous night's video destroyed. But before he could dial, his elder cousin Finn's call came through.Neil, clueles
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 54
Deidre's eyes were clouded with suspicion.It didn't take long for her to understand.Clearly, the trending topic had shifted. It was no longer a smear campaign."Take a look at this!"Following Sandy's lead, Deidre's gaze landed on the screen, showing a video clip.After watching for a moment, she realized the earlier part of the footage was missing, but the middle remained intact without edits."There's more, look!"The video was divided into segments. In one of them, Neil was raising his wine glass as if to smash it at her, but the part where she slapped him was conspicuously absent."Now that this video is out, anyone with half a brain can tell you were acting in self-defense," Sandy said, her smile almost mischievous. "Check out the comments!"Sandy exited the video and navigated to the comments under the tag "The truth behind the rejected bride—Fact or Fiction?" Deidre scrolled down.[This girl in the video isn't the bride from the Landon family's wedding seven years
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 53
"Gabriel, let's wrap up here for today. I'll review the proposed contract changes and get back to you later," Benedict said."Alright," came Gabriel Augustin's response.The video conference ended swiftly. As the screen went dark, Benedict's voice cut through the room with a calm authority, "What happened?""Your phone rang earlier. It was the bar manager. He mentioned Deidre's appearance on the trending searches online.""Trending searches?" Benedict's brow shifted slightly as he raised his hand. "Give me the phone."Larry promptly handed over the device, his tone steady as he relayed his impressions of the situation. "Sir, this reeks of manipulation. It's almost certainly the work of hired trolls."Benedict's gaze locked onto the phone screen, his fingers scrolling through the flood of comments. One by one, he read them, the darkness in his eyes deepening into a cold, unfathomable hue."They've invested quite a bit of money in this. The effort is obvious," he said, his voice
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 52
"That incident has escalated?"Larry sounded surprised. "The surveillance footage from the bar wasn't released. How could photos have gotten out?"He doubted any random bystander would be reckless enough to provoke the Decker family by leaking those images online. The way public opinion was being guided online reeked of calculated intent, not coincidence."I've reviewed the photos circulating online," the bar manager said, his tone cautious. "Judging by the angles, they were taken up close. My guess is someone who came with Miss Landon snapped them on their phone at the time."That made things trickier.Larry frowned and cast a glance toward the closed conference room door. "Alright, I get it. Keep stalling on your end. Don't let any reporters into the bar for interviews. I'll bring this to the boss's attention."Ending the call, Larry remained seated, his gaze lingering on the door as his thoughts churned.He vividly recalled Benedict's demeanor when they encountered Deidre at
