Chapter 4

Reagan leaned in close to me. "I know you overheard what we were talking about in the break room earlier! But Connor and the Harrison family belong to me, and only me!"

She gave Sarah a push, sending her straight into the water.

She watched as Sarah struggled for a moment before going under, and only then did she shout for help, "Connor, hurry, save Sarah!"

The cries for help caught everyone's attention. Connor didn't hesitate. He leapt into the water and hauled Sarah out.

Reagan was sobbing, tears streaming down her face. "Ms. Landry, everything is my fault. I shouldn't have married Brenton and shouldn't have become your sister-in-law. But Sarah is innocent.

"I know where I stand, and I would never cross the line. Please, just give Sarah and me a way out. We'll never fight you for anything that belongs to the Harrison family."

The crowd started gossiping and casting sidelong glances.

"Is that really Connor's fiancée? She's even going after Brenton's widow and his unborn child!"

"She's gorgeous, but her heart is as venomous as her looks."

"How could someone like her ever be worthy of Connor? If the Harrison family is really going to accept her, maybe we should reconsider our partnership with the Harrison Group."

Sarah huddled in Connor's arms, sobbing softly.

"Connor, did I do something wrong and make Caroline mad?" she asked in a trembling voice.

Connor gently stroked her cheek, his heart aching for her. "It's fine, Sarah, you were a good girl. Someone else is at fault here."

"Caroline, apologize in front of everyone!" Connor said.

I shrugged, not interested in arguing. "Go ahead, check the security cameras."

A waiter rushed over. "Ms. Landry, I already told you that the cameras aren't working today. Why are you asking about them...?"

She covered her mouth in surprise, realizing her slip. "Sorry, Ms. Landry, I think I made a mistake."

The crowd started booing, and Connor looked at me with deep disappointment in his eyes.

Connor said, "Caroline, how could you be so heartless? Even going after a kid?

Since you won't admit you were wrong, you'll be sent to the doghouse. I'm sure you'll figure out what you did wrong in there."

The crowd clapped and shouted their approval.

Amid the crowd's roaring applause, a clear male voice suddenly cut through.

"Who dares touch my wife?" Jamison's words sliced through the noise.

I turned toward the voice and saw Jamison standing at the center of the crowd, tall and elegant, his handsome face dark with anger.

His commanding presence made everyone freeze, and they instinctively parted to let him through.

Jamison strode toward me, his tall frame and sharp features radiating authority. When he finally took my hand, I realized that this was really Jamison, standing right here.

My voice practically bubbled with excitement. "You're back early!"

He was supposed to be in Silvreach today, at the wedding of his best friend, the one who brought us together.

He brushed my nose affectionately, a playful glint in his eyes. "With your track record, I just can't trust you to stay out of trouble."

I caught the teasing in his tone and pouted, pretending to be annoyed.

Come on, I was just dumb enough to fall for a loser when I was younger. Did he really have to keep rubbing it in?

Jamison glanced at Connor, who was still on the ground. "Now I can stop worrying."

His eyes caught the bruises on my arm, and he looked at me with real concern. "Does it still hurt?"

I flashed him a big smile. "Now that you're here, it doesn't hurt at all."

Connor's eyes widened as he saw how close Jamison and I were, his voice trembling with disbelief.

"Caroline, what's your relationship with him?" he demanded. "The Wallace family has been established for generations, and Jamison is so overbearing. Didn't I warn you to stay away from him?"

I gave him an exasperated look. "He says I'm his wife, so what do you think our relationship is?

"Yeah, he's arrogant and overbearing, but at least he dotes on his wife. You? You're all gentle and charming, but only when it comes to your sister-in-law."

As soon as I said that, the crowd started whispering among themselves.

"She's got a point. Connor and Reagan are way too close. No wonder Caroline's pissed."

"Even so, going after a kid is just downright cruel."

"Hey, keep it down. Nobody really knows what's going on between her and Mr. Wallace. Watch your mouth, or you'll get yourself in hot water..."

I swept my eyes across the crowd, making sure everyone heard me. "I always take responsibility for what I do. But if I didn't do it, nobody gets to blame me for it!

"Like right now, I didn't push her, so don't even think about accusing me!"

Connor snapped, "You messed up and still won't own up to it! There were only three of you there. If you didn't push her, are you saying Reagan, her own mother, did?"

I snorted. "That's right. Reagan was the one who pushed her."