Chapter 146
The following day, we gathered at the gates of the Fitzgerald estate, anticipation hanging in the air like a heavy cloud. Scarlett
had arranged for us to visit the property in person, a crucial step in the ongoing dispute over its ownership.
As we stood at the imposing gates, the towering ironwork adorned with intricate designs, | couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe.
The estate maintained an air of grandeur that was undeniable, and its sheer size was a testament to the wealth that had once
flowed through the Fitzgerald family’s veins.
Once their car pulled up, Ste emerged first, stepping out with an air of confidence that seemed to apany her wherever
she went. Timothy followed closely behind her, his expression nk as he nced around the grandeur of the
property.
As they approached, the atmosphere grew increasingly charged. Once he saw me standing at the gate, Timothy frowned. My
threat had undoubtedly left an impression, and | could see the unease in his eyes.
Ste, however, appeared unfazed. She offered a cold smile as she greeted us, her words dripping with insincerity. “Lovely to
see you all again.”
Scarlett, always quick to assert herself, didn’t waste any time. She cut straight to the point, her toneced with frustration. “Let’s
not waste any more time, shall we?”
Thewyer, who had been walking behind them, nodded in agreement. “Let’s head inside.”
Scarlett approached the gate, her expression determined, and produced a key to unlock the entrance. The gates swung open
with a creak, revealing a long, winding driveway lined with towering trees that led to the heart of the estate.
Ste stepped forward, her heels clicking on the cobblestone path. “I can’t wait to make some changes here when it’s finally
mine,” she dered, her tone confident.
Scarlett’s reaction, however, was immediate, and her anger simmered just beneath the surface. “Changes? Ste, this is a
historical property with a rich legacy. It’s not something you can simply alter to suit your tastes.”
The tension between the two sisters was impossible to ignore, and | couldn’t help but feel like an outsider caught in the crossfire.
Ste''s determination to make the
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estate her own shed with Scarlett’s reverence for its history and heritage.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
As we made our way through the sprawling grounds, | couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty that surrounded us. The estate was
a treasure trove of natural beauty, with meticulously manicured gardens, a pristineke, and even a charming gazebo that
seemed like something out of a fairytale.
Ste, however, remained focused on her vision for the property, hermentsced with a hint of disdain. “I''ll need to update
thendscaping, of course. And the interior needs aplete overhaul.”
Scarlett’s patience wore thin, and she couldn’t hold back her frustration any longer. “You’re going topletely destroy the
ce!”
The sisters continued to bicker, their voices growing louder as they shed over the future of the estate. | exchanged a knowing
nce with Timothy, who was just as in the middle as | was.
As we explored the interior of the main house, | couldn’t help but feel a sense of reverence for the history that was embedded in
its walls. The grandeur of the mansion’s architecture, the intricate details of its furnishings, and the portraits that lined the walls
all spoke to a time long past.
Ste, however, remained unimpressed. “This ce needs a modern touch. I''ll hire an interior designer to transform it into
something more suitable for our future.”
Scarlett’s anger red, and she didn’t bother to hide her frustration. “Ste, you can’t simply erase the history of this ce. It’s
not just about you and Timothy; it’s about preserving the legacy of the Fitzgerald family.”
Ste merely brushed her off, waving her hand as she turned in the opposite direction toward the backyard.
The sprawling gardens of the Fitzgerald estate unfolded before us like a vibrant tapestry, a testament to nature’s artistry. The sun
cast dappled shadows through the leaves, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers. As we strolled through
this oasis of tranquility, the tension that had filled the air seemed to momentarily dissipate.
Ste’s attitude, however, took an unexpected turn as we reached a picturesque gazebo by the edge of a tranquilke. Her eyes
widened with a glint of excitement, and she turned to Timothy with newfound determination.
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“| want this ce as the backdrop for our wedding,” she dered, her voice brimming with certainty.
| couldn''t help but be surprised by Ste’s sudden change in demeanor. Her earlier dismissive attitude toward the estate had
given way to a clear vision for her future wedding, and the gazebo seemed to have won her overpletely.
Timothy, on the other hand, didn’t share her enthusiasm. He frowned, his voice filled with reluctance. “Ste, nothing is set in
stone yet. We haven''t even decided on a date.”
Ste, however, seemed unfazed by his reservations. She revealed her chosen date with a nonchnt air that sent shockwaves
through my system. “I’ve already decided on December 15th.”
My heart skipped a beat at her words. December 15th—-that was my birthday. The coincidence was too striking to be ignored, and
| couldn''t help but feel a surge of anger and difort at the thought of my birthday being usurped for her wedding.
Ste, noticing my reaction, was quick to defend herself. “What? | didn’t want to wait too long and risk not fitting into a nice
dress.”
Her exnation did little to ease my irritation. It may not have been intentional, but it left a sour taste in my mouth. | struggled to
maintain myposure, my. voiceced with thinly veiled anger. “It’s just...December 15th is my birthday.”
Timothy trained his eyes on me. “That’s your birthday?”
| nodded urgently. It wouldn’t effect their day at all, but it would taint mine. knowing that Timothy was taking Ste Fitzgerald’s
hand in marriage.
Ste’s response was dismissive, her focus solely on her wedding ns. “Well, you can celebrate your birthday some other time,
then. This date is perfect for us.”
“It''s not,” Timothy interjected suddenly, causing everyone to pause. Ste paused just as she was ready to walk away, turning to
him with a scowl.
“What do you mean?” she asked, her tone challenging.
“| mean,” he continued, “We can’t do it that week. I''ll be too busy with....hockey. Yeah, it will be our final week of the season, and
| don’t want to be absent for the final stages of wedding nning.”
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Ste scoffed. “Are you freaking serious? You''re prioritizing hockey over me!”
| nced at Scarlett, and | could tell she was shielding herughter behind her hand. | felt slightly humored myself, seeing Ste
unable to cope with being challenged.
Timothy pressed on, and for a split second, | thought | saw him wink at me. “Ste, there are 364 other days in the year. We
don’t have to rush on the one.”
The tension in the air was tangible, and it seemed as though all of Ste’s viciousness turned to me. She handed me a re,
then looked back at Timothy, and the calcted look that took over her face spoke volumes.
After we left the tranquil gardens of the Fitzgerald estate, we made our way through the mansion’s joint rooms and back toward
the entrance. I''d been purposefully keeping my distance from them, but it seemed that Ste wasn’t done torturing me yet.
She quickened her steps until she was right by my side. Her eyes, filled with a strange mix of triumph and curiosity, turned to me.
“Evie, have you ever been in love?”
The question caught me off guard, and | hesitated for a moment. This seemed like. a test more than anything, and | feared her
response to the truth. | nced back at Timothy and our eyes meeting for a fleeting second before | answered, “No.”
Ste’s smugness seemed to grow as she leaned in closer, as if trying to uncover my deepest secrets. “No? You''ve never been
in love? That’s quite sad, isn’t it?”
My patience was wearing thin, and | couldn''t help but retort, “Love isn’t the only measure of a person’s worth.”
Our exchange seemed to hang in the air like an unspoken challenge, and | couldn’t help but feel a sense of difort at the
way Timothy and | had inadvertently met each other’s gazes once more. | didn’t need the reminder of what happened between
us.
Ste’s eyes narrowed, and/she seemed intrigued by my response. Perhaps she had expected me to be more vulnerable, to
reveal something she could use against me. But | had no intention of giving her that satisfaction.
To my surprise, however, Timothy spoke up. His voice was calm but carried a hint
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of underlying emotion. “Some people believe in finding the right person instead of rushing into a rtionship.”
Ste beamed with self-satisfaction. “Oh, Timothy, that’s sweet of you to say. | knew you felt the same way.”
But Timothy’s words weren''t directed at Ste, and he made that abundantly clear as he looked at me. His eyes bore into mine,
and there was a depth of meaning in his gaze that left my heart fluttering.
“It''s important to take your time,” he continued. “To find someone who truly understands you and makes you a better person.”
The weight of his words hung in the air, and | couldn’t help but feel the weight of his gaze. It was as if he were speaking directly
to me, acknowledging theplexities of our past and the uncertain path thaty ahead.
Ste, however, remained oblivious to the undercurrents of our conversation. She leaned closer to Timothy, her voice filled with
self-assuredness. “I’m d you feel that way, Timothy. It makes me even more certain that we’re meant to be.”
Timothy''s gaze never left mine, and there was a hint of something unspoken in his eyes. | felt my chest tighten and | turned
away.
As we stepped out into the crisp evening air, the tensions that had simmered in the mansion still lingered. The fate of the estate
hung in the bnce, and it seemed as if no real progress had been made.
| turned to Scarlett, still rattled by Timothy’s words. “I need to gather more information on Ste and Andy. We can’t afford to get
too deep into this without knowing all the facts.”
Scarlett nodded and reached into her purse, pulling out a card, handing it to me. “Here, this might be useful. Check into room
209 at the hotel downtown.”
| took the card from her, my curiosity piqued by her cryptic suggestion. “Room 209? Why that specific room?”
Scarlett’s lips curled into a mischievous smile as she leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. “Room 209 has a great
view of Andy''s office building. You might find it quite enlightening.”
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Her words sent a shiver down my spine. Scarlett had always been resourceful, and | had no doubt that she had her reasons for
suggesting that particr room. As | nced at the card in my hand, | couldn’t help but wonder what secrets it might hold.
Only one way to find out now.
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