Chapter 15 The Third Wheel

• Yuliana and Sophia heard from the others that Ryleigh had proclaimed to be Julie’s nanny. They were relieved to learn that Paxton had not denied it. After much discussion, they postulated that Paxton and Ryleigh had a secret agreement that involved Julie. It was still possible to salvage the situation, since Paxton did not wish to reveal that he was married. They decided that they should continue to feign ignorance.
• “Come to think of it, our families are bound by marriage…” Yuliana said to Noelle, intending to sound the latter on her views. After all, it was of pertinent importance to strengthen the business ties through marriage.
• “Marriage?” Alice asked, thinking that she had misheard Yuliana’s words.
• Noelle explained, “When you were born, our families agreed that the eldest son and eldest daughter should be married one day. Alice, you can make your own decisions. I won’t force you to marry if you don’t wish to.”
• Noelle looked at Alice fondly. She went through twenty years of agony and great pains to find her daughter. The thought of Alice having to spend hard times at the orphanage wrenched her heart. She vowed to do whatever she can to compensate for the time lost.
• Arranged marriage for the eldest son and eldest daughter? Doesn’t that mean that I will marry Paxton? Alice could hardly contain her happiness at the thought of being married to Paxton. It was almost like a dream come true.
• Just then, Sophia dragged Paxton to join the conversation. She exclaimed, “What a coincidence. Alice saved my brother once!” Sophia planned to matchmake Paxton and Alice, so that she could get rid of Ryleigh.
• “Is that right?” Yuliana immediately stood up and asked in a concerned voice, “When did you get hurt, Paxton? Are you alright? Did Alice save you?
• Alice looked down abashedly and stayed silent. On the other hand, Paxton maintained a straight face and replied, “I got into trouble the other day. Luckily, Ms. Miller saved me or it would have been disastrous.” Deep down, Paxton knew that he owed Alice an explanation, and he could not afford to drag the matter any longer. He had not expected that Alice would turn out to be the Xander’s family daughter, the woman whom he was bound by marriage.
• “It seems like it’s Heaven’s will! Who would have thought that they would have such destiny!” Noelle noticed Alice’s reddened face and knew that her daughter was in love.
• “Alice saved your life, Paxton. You need to repay her!” Yuliana instructed. She longed for the families to be bound by marriage.
• “Why don’t you marry her, Paxton?” Sophia suggested.
• Ryleigh stood by the side and waited patiently. She could clearly hear the ongoing conversation. Alice saved Paxton? She even has an arranged marriage with him? What a surprise! Ryleigh thought to herself in amusement. She was in a fake marriage and was now a third wheeler.
• Not wishing to hear about the matter anymore, Ryleigh turned around and started to make her way to the outdoor balcony. Soon, her phone started ringing. After peering at the caller, she decided not to answer the call. She did not know how to explain what she was doing at the moment.
• Just then, a voice sounded, “Are you Paxton’s woman?”
• Ryleigh was caught off-guard by the sudden sound. She turned her head and saw a man walking out of the darkness. He was dressed in an impeccable suit and tie. There was a seductive yet sinister aura surrounding the man. He lit a cigarette and took a deep puff.
• “Am I too dazzling?” Logan Yandles teased with a wicked smile.
• “You are a bad person. Get away from me,” Ryleigh said flatly. Without waiting for a response, she turned around and started to leave.
• Logan was taken aback by her honest response. Even though he was involved in shady businesses, it did not mean that he was a bad person.
• Haha, Paxton’s wife is really interesting. I’m interested in her now too. Logan thought to himself mischievously. He crushed the cigarette with his bare hands, seemingly unaffected by the heat. His lips curved into a seductive yet dangerous smile.