Poppy Vance saw what was happening and quickly called out to Clara Grant. "Clara, hurry up and open it! This is the first ti Brother Quinn has ever given a woman a gift. Even I’m curious to see what he got for you."
Although Clara Grant didn’t believe them, she knew that refusing the gift under these circumstances would be a major embarrassnt for Seth Quinn.
She hesitated for a mont before reaching for the brocade box in his palm.
But before her fingers could even touch it, the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open. A sharp, hurried voice imdiately followed, ringing in her ears.
"Wait, Seth! You can’t propose to her!"
Then, before anyone had a chance to react, the person rushed in front of Seth Quinn with lightning speed and snatched the brocade box right out of his hand.
Everyone froze for a couple of seconds before turning to look at the person who had just burst in. Then, everyone—except for Clara Grant—froze all over again.
Autumn Shelby?!
Linden Jennings and Poppy Vance exchanged a look, each understanding the silent ssage in the other’s eyes.
’We were going to wait until after Seth gave his gift to tell him,’ they thought. ’We never expected Autumn Shelby to find us this quickly.’
River Sterling and Chase Childs, however, wore looks of utter disbelief. River even rubbed his eyes hard, and upon confirming it was undoubtedly Autumn Shelby, he couldn’t help but mutter, "Holy shit!"
Once Clara Grant snapped out of her daze, she suddenly understood who this woman was. ’She must be Seth Quinn’s forr fiancée, the woman he loves so deeply!’
’Otherwise, why would everyone look so shocked to see her? Why would she call Seth Quinn "Seth" so intimately? And why would she be so desperate to stop him from "proposing" to ?’
At this realization, a sharp, intense pain suddenly stabbed at Clara Grant’s heart. The pain was fleeting, but she felt it with perfect clarity.
’So, this was the woman Seth Quinn had always deeply loved, the one he could never forget even after they broke up! So, I was just her replacent!’
Clara Grant desperately wanted to look away, but her gaze remained fixed on the woman. In fact, she found herself sizing her up even more intently.
’I have to admit,’ she thought, ’the woman is gorgeous. She has a great figure, and her overall presence is simply outstanding. She exudes the noble air of a high-society lady. But right now, her nervousness shows in her eyes, giving her a slightly flustered look.’
’No wonder Seth Quinn loved her so much. What man wouldn’t fall for a woman like her?’
’The love of his life has co back for him. Seth Quinn must be ecstatic, right?’
’Maybe tomorrow... no, maybe he’ll ask for a divorce any minute now.’
’Then, I’ll be... free!’
Even though she was thinking about freedom, why was there this indescribable ache in her heart?
’Didn’t I always want to divorce him and escape his control? Now that the mont is finally here, why do I feel so reluctant?’
’Reluctant?’ The thought made Clara Grant freeze.
’No, no, that’s impossible. I don’t love Seth Quinn. I don’t think I even like him, do I? How could I be reluctant to leave him?’
’That’s right. I don’t like him. I don’t love him. Ours is just a transaction. I’m not reluctant at all!’
’It’s just... everything happened so suddenly. I was just caught off guard, that’s all!’
Clara Grant couldn’t help but turn her head slightly to look at Seth Quinn.
But the one person who should have been overjoyed, ecstatic even, was perfectly composed. There was no trace of wild joy or even surprise on his face.
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