Chapter 2322


    ?


    Susanna was bored out of her mind ying games. Unable to get a word in edgewise with the others, she decided to get up and wander around. She strolled past a rose arbor and spotted someone leaning against a tree under the streemp, enjoying a smoke.


    Her eyes lit up, and she approached with a smile. "Mr. Foster!"


    Carson turned, a faint smile crossing his face at her familiar tone. "Ms. Murphy knows me?"N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    "Last year at my grandad''s birthday party, you came along with Mr. Foster!" Susanna raised an eyebrow teasingly. "Guess you don''t remember me with all the beauties around you!"


    Carson genuinely couldn''t recall her, especially since she was Andrew''s fiancée, and her remark seemed quite out of ce. His expression cooled. "You''re Andrew''s fiancée. I''ll definitely remember that now."


    "Just a business arrangement!" Susanna said nonchntly. "Like you and Marina, just ying the field!"


    Carson''s demeanor grew colder. "I can''t speak for you and Andrew, but please, Ms. Murphy, don''t specte about me and my fiancée."


    Susanna quirked an eyebrow. "Upset, Mr. Foster?"


    She chuckled. "You''re not serious about Marina, are you? Because I just heard Marina saying she''s not into you at all!"


    Carson''s expression remained unchanged. "That''s between me and my fiancée. It''s none of your business."


    With that, he walked away without another nce at her.


    Susanna, feeling slighted, watched his retreating figure with a frown.


    At her grandad''s birthday party, she had taken an interest in Carson. But soon after, she went abroad, and by the time she returned, Carson was engaged to Marina, and her family had arranged a marriage with the Earwood family for her.


    She didn''t care for Andrew, who had his own affairs, and they mutually understood the nature of their union.


    It was all for the family interests, after all. Who cared about personal feelings?


    Yet, running into Carson today


    stirred something in her.


    Constrained by the prospect of


    arranged marriage, she still wished


    for a choice in the matter.


    With Marina''s indifferent attitude towards Carson in mind, she headed back towards the party.


    The others were chatting and


    Ine


    laughing. Kya was ying with bubble machine, and a bubble drifted onto Susanna''s face. She grimaced and wiped it away roughly.


    Kya approached, looking up to apologize. "Sorry, big sister!"


    "Who''s your big sister? Get lost!" Susanna red at Kya, brushing past her.


    Kya, stunned but not crying, returned to Charlie, who lifted her into his arms andforted her.


    "What''s wrong? Tired? Daddy will take you to bed," Charlie soothed.


    Kya shook her head. "Not tired."


    "Just worn out, then?" Charlie mussed her hair affectionately.


    Magdalen had noticed the exchange between Kya and Susanna and decided to intervene. She picked up Kya, offering her a bunny-shaped pudding dessert, and cast a nce towards Susanna, who quickly looked away, seemingly guilty.


    Magdalen, keenly aware of the situation, suggested, "Let''s not leave Ms. Murphy out. It''s her first time here; we can''t ignore her."


    Susanna offered a polite smile. "It''s okay. I''m fine just listening."


    "How boring!" Magdalenughed. "Why don''t we all y a game? How about Truth or Dare, just like we usually do?"


    Estelle caught Magdalen''s drift immediately, understanding her friend''s underlying motive.


    "Sounds great! It''ll get everyone involved!" Marina agreed.


    As the cards were brought over, Amiee volunteered, "Let me shuffle!"