Chapter 23: An Unexpected Encounter with Duke Reginald

Amid the lush greenery by an emerald lake, a delicate figure in green stood opposite a man in dark red attire with gold embroidery. His eyes sparkled mischievously as he taunted her, “Miss Quintina, you’re not as beautiful as my maid or as graceful as my butler. How do you expect me to tolerate such torture to my eyes?” His cruel words made her cry, but he remained indifferent, smiling all the while.

Angered to tears by his words, the lady in green cried, but the man remained unmoved, watching her with a smile.

“Reginald, I’m crying, and you can’t even comfort me?” she complained, stomping her foot. Suddenly, she feigned dizziness, clutching her forehead as she fell toward the man’s arms. Her plan was simple: once in his embrace, she’d cry loudly, attracting attention and creating a scene that would force Reginald to marry her.

The man smiled and sidestepped smoothly, giving her a gentle push on the back.

With a splash, the woman in green fell into the lake, her scream echoing through