Chapter 206


    Chapter 206


    “Is it good?” Howard asked gently.


    nun


    Gwendolyn nodded enthusiastically, her eyen lighting up with delight.


    Selina’s face twisted into a sour expression while William, enjoying the show from the side, couldn’t


    help but chuckle.


    With his face clouded with a stormy look, Ryan scooped up a teful of shrimp, saying, “Selinia loves


    these, too.”


    The two men wore in a veritable peeling contest at the dinner table, seeing who could amass the most


    shelled shrimp on their tes.


    How cleldish they were.


    Howard picked up the napkin, carefully cleaning his fingers. Then he served Gwendolyn, ensuring her


    te with all her favorites. They whispered to each other now and then, lost in their little world.


    Selina’s heart brimmed with bitterness


    Even the most delicious dishes tasted nd to her at that moment.


    “Selina,” William leaned in, adding fuel to the fire with his words, “If I were Howard, I’d pick Dr. Quigley,


    too. You’re too much and treat everyone like they’re fools.”


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    Selina red at him fiercely.


    William just shrugged, looking indifferent. He and Selina, his cousin, had never been close.


    He had no interest in maintaining a facade of warmth. “I bet you’re thrilled that Mom had a brother for


    me instead of a sister. No one will threaten your status as the sole jewel of both families.”


    “Why would you think that, William?” Selina’s voicee with grief as her brow furrowed.


    William’s grin didn’t reach his eyes as he said. “Selina, you better pray the day your true colors never


    come.”


    He’d felt the brunt of Selina’s maniptions to win favor since they were kids.


    She wanted everyone’s adoration to follow her lead. And as the Lopez family’s eldest grandson,


    William was just a stumbling block on her path to adoration,


    Selina clenched her jaww, her heart seething with envy.


    Her eyes were red with emotion, and she watched as Howard doted on Gwendolyn, treating her like


    she was something precious. Ryan offeredfort by her side. “Selina, I told you I’d help you.”


    “Thank you, Ryan, Selina’s voice wavered, her nose linged red.


    Ryan was her ace in the hole, and she still had that trump card from the ident a decade ago.


    That country bumpkin had nothing on her!


    Were it not for the car ident, her parents and Howard would have finalized their engagement within


    a month from then. She and Howard were a couple made in heaven, Gwendolyn was nothing but a


    meaningless interlude.


    At eight o’clock sharp, the fireworks by Sapphire Serenity Lake began.


    The banquet hall’s guests poured out, eager for the Lopez family’s prime viewing spot, a rare treat


    *Howie, I saved you the best seat. Selina cooed, eager to please. “Come on! You do the honors!”


    Howard took the lighter from her but handed it to Gwendolyn without missing a beat


    Her heart swelled with a sweet rush.


    Rows of fireworks were lined up by theke, waiting for guests to light them up. Gwendolyn, who had


    never had the luxury of setting off fireworks herself, was thrilled at the prospect.


    “Mr. Chadwick, let’s light them together, Gwendolyn suggested


    Howard nodded leisurely, holding her soft hand as they approached the fuse


    The fuse hissed as it caught fire, and the fireworks soared into the sky, exploding into a bouquet of


    dazzling colors, illuminating her joyous, pretty face.


    “It’s so beautiful,” Gwendolyn sighed in wonder.


    Howard swallowed hard. The spark from the lighter didn’t just ignite the fireworks, it also kindled a


    growing longing in him.


    “Indeed, it is,” he replied.


    1/2


    10:03


    Under the watchful eyes of the crowd. Howard suddenly wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed


    her fiercely. The lights nickered on and off, then passion intensifying against the backdrop of the


    celebration


    Around them, the noise of the party confined, with whistles and teasing shouts filling the air.


    Selina’s eyes were aze with fury, her mind numbed by the disy


    How dare Owendolyn


    was so shameless!


    A feeling of destructive rage bubbled up from within her as she stared at the dark, brooding surface of


    theke. Howard was so intimate with that nobody‘


    That was i prelege she had never experienced!


    once said you’d always help me no matter what I did. Does that


    at promise still stand?” she asked, her lips quivering


    Ryan affirmed. For a lifetime, it stands ”