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Chapter 5
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Not Your Second Choice Chapter 6
Vincent had been spewing curses at Deidre just moments ago, but upon hearing Valerie's confession, his lips pressed into a rare, tight line. He said nothing.Deidre let out a derisive laugh, her gaze shifting from Valerie to settle on her father. "You heard her, didn't you? You know now who orchestrated today's wedding fiasco. Weren't you so eager to beat me to death earlier? Why aren't you laying a hand on Valerie now?"Vincent remained still, his brows furrowing deeper as he finally spoke. "She's your sister. Watch your tone.""And when she humiliated me in front of an entire banquet hall, did she ever stop to think that I was her sister?" Deidre's voice cracked as she shouted, her anger no longer contained. "She's your daughter. Am I not your daughter, too?""You're the older one. You should let her have her way," Vincent said, as if his words were carved in stone."Yes, that's always your answer. Whenever there's a conflict between me and Valerie, you tell me I'm the older one
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 7
"I'd rather never get married in this lifetime than marry Micah. Never!"Deidre stopped laughing, her face freezing over, her voice sharp: "I think you've misunderstood something. When I said 'fine,' I meant I'll leave this house, and you can all go ahead and live your happy little lives."Since middle school, Deidre had been a boarding student, and the bond between her and her father, Vincent, had always been tenuous. The estrangement between them was as thin as the paper separating two worlds. In a blended family, when there are children from previous marriages, someone always ends up hurt. Vincent's fatherly love had been doled out almost entirely to his other children, Valerie and Johnny, leaving only the scraps for her. It was like charity, barely a gesture.Now, standing on the edge of her limits, she had had enough. Absolutely enough."Fine! Fine then!" Vincent, enraged, his face contorted, pointed toward the door and bellowed, "I'll cut ties with you today! Get out! Get o
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 8
It seemed that the professor had sensed the unease in Deidre's voice. After a moment, the warm, familiar tone of her mentor returned over the phone."There could still be a chance. Let me make a call and try to secure it for you."Deidre had always been a top student. Even though she hadn't finished high school, she had been exempted from exams and directly enrolled in the prestigious university in Salve City, completing both her undergraduate and master's degrees in one continuous stretch.Her mentor, who had always kept a close eye on such promising talent, was not one to let someone like Deidre miss out on such an opportunity."Thank you. I'll wait for your call," Deidre said, her fingers tightening around the phone, turning pale as she bit down hard on her lower lip. Her heart pounded, the anxiety spreading like fire.She waited for an answer.It could be a chance at heaven or a fall into hell.Each second dragged on painfully, like she was being fried alive in a pan. She gr
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 9
Her forehead had a faint beauty mark, a delicate peak, and long, distant mountain-shaped eyebrows. Her slender, bright eyes shimmered with a quiet glow, and her petite nose and full lips, while not strikingly beautiful, had an understated, classical charm, like a lady in an ancient classical painting.It was especially those eyes—gracefully lifted at the corners—where the soft glimmer of light seemed to dance with a warmth that stirred the heart.Her temperament was elegant and serene, perfectly harmonizing with her features. She resembled a polished jade, so captivating that it made one forget the world around them.Looking at her face, Micah felt something deep inside him stir, something his heart had been holding still for seven years. His smile deepened, and a quiet meaning flickered in his eyes.Seven years later, he never expected to encounter Deidre in a setting like this.Compared to the twenty-year-old version of her, Deidre now exuded a quiet maturity. Those eyes, though
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 10
Soon, the two sides stood facing each other.Deidre's expression was composed, her gaze steady as she looked at the two siblings from the Landon family. It was as though she were meeting strangers for the first time, offering a polite smile—calm, distant, and full of courtesy. They were all adults now, and in public, regardless of what had passed, there was only the need to uphold a certain image."Mr. Halls, it's a pleasure to meet you.""Mr. Landon, the pleasure's mine."One was a powerful figure in the business circles of Milwarke, the other a leading heir in Salve City's largest and most influential corporate family. Both men were strikingly handsome, wealthy, and well-versed in the ways of the world. To any outsider, the scene was undoubtedly pleasant to behold.They shook hands, polite and composed, as the formal greetings passed smoothly."And this beautiful lady?" Connor's gaze lingered on Casey with interest.Micah cast a casual glance at Deidre. As he noted her seren
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
Not 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
Not 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
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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
