Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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“Ms. Greene, good evening. I am a staff member of the resort. Tonight, we are hosting a barbecue and camping event. Would you be interested in joining us?” someone said.
Phoebe thought about it for a moment. Since she had no plans for the evening, she decided to sign up.
When she arrived at the campsite at the scheduled time, she was surprised to see that there were quite a few people there. The people who could attend this event were mostly associated with the Wright Group.
Phoebe didn’t expect that Declan’s group, Mason’s film crew, Audrey, and her friends would all be there.
Phoebe initially planned to sit by one of the smaller barbecue grills, where there were only one or two people, and start grilling. Suddenly, Audrey spotted her. “Pheebs, come over here and join us.”
Phoebe was about to refuse, and Audrey walked straight over to her. “Grilling by yourself is so boring. Come join us. We can keep you company.”
Reluctantly, Phoebe decided to join Audrey and sit with her.
Sitting among a group of elderly women, Phoebe immediately felt out of place.
Audrey’s companions were all older women from other prominent families in Roseberg, and when they saw Phoebe, they began asking Audrey who she was.
Just as Raisa was about to speak, Audrey cut in. “This is my god–granddaughter, Phoebe. If any of you have a young man of the right age, do let me know so I can introduce them to her.”
Phoebe couldn’t help but feel a bit helpless. “Mrs. Richardson, no need.”
Putting aside the fact that she and Declan were not yet divorced, Phoebe was currently not focused on relationships. Getting Miracle Youth off the ground was her top priority.
Audrey smiled warmly at her. “Pheebs, don’t worry. When you get married, I will make sure to prepare a generous gift for you.”
Upon hearing this, the group immediately started talking over each other, suggesting young men they knew who might be a good match for Phoebe.
Sitting nearby, Declan naturally heard Audrey’s words, and his expression darkened instantly.
They hadn’t even divorced yet, and Audrey was already eager to introduce Phoebe to someone else. ‘Does Grandma think things aren’t complicated enough?‘ he thought.
Ian chuckled and teased. “Declan, can you still eat your barbecue after hearing that?”
Declan shot him a cold glance and replied expressionlessly, “If you’re too free, go ahead and continue skewering the meat.” This barbecue event was completely self–service. The staff only provided the meat and the necessary ingredients. Customers had to slice the meat and prepare their own marinades, and if they didn’t do it right, it was a disaster.
Ian didn’t know how to do anything and was assigned the task of skewering the meat.
He thought about the soft texture of the meat in his hands and involuntarily shuddered. He quickly said, “I was just kidding. Why are you so serious when someone cracks a joke now?”
Declan said nothing more, his face as cold as ever.
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Ian glanced at Jennifer, who was unusually quiet, and smiled. “Jennifer, why are you so quiet tonight? You’re not like your usual self.”
Jennifer forced a smile and said, “I’m just lost in thought. I’m a bit distracted.”
Ian chuckled but didn’t say anything further.
lan had a rough idea of why Jennifer was silent. The reason Phoebe’s horse had suddenly gone wild had been clearly captured on the surveillance cameras.
50
Everyone had expected that Declan would do something to Jennifer, or at least give her a warning, but he had done nothing. He acted as if nothing had happened and allowed Jennifer to stay close to him without issue.
However, Jennifer, feeling guilty, didn’t know how to face Declan. With Bianca not around, she could only remain silent.
At that moment, Declan suddenly stood up and quickly walked over to the next table.
An elderly woman was introducing a potential match to Phoebe and even asked Phoebe to add him on WhatsApp. Phoebe, unable to resist her enthusiasm, took out her phone and was about to add the man as a friend, planning to explain things to him later.
Suddenly, a long hand reached out from above and snatched the phone from her hand.
Phoebe turned around in surprise and saw it was Declan. She couldn’t help but frown. “Give me my phone back.”
Declan’s expression was indifferent as he looked at her, then tucked the phone into his pocket. “It’s not safe for you to leave it there. I’ll keep it for you.”
The other elderly woman, who didn’t know that Declan and Phoebe were married, looked confused and turned to Audrey. “Audrey, what’s going on here?”
Audrey was about to explain when Declan spoke calmly. “Ladies, I apologize, but Phoebe is already married. I am her husband. What my grandmother suggested earlier was to upset me, so I hope you don’t mind.”
Declan’s words were like throwing a depth charge into a calm sea. Immediately, all eyes turned to Audrey.
“Audrey, is this true? Why didn’t you tell us before? You’ve kept it a secret for too long.”
“I can’t believe it. We all thought Declan would be the last to get married, but it turns out he’s the first among our grandsons.”
“Audrey, this is too much. She’s clearly Declan’s wife, yet you told us she’s your god–granddaughter. No way, you owe us a dinner, or this won’t be over.”
*****
With all attention now focused on Audrey, Declan grabbed Phoebe’s hand and pulled her away.
It wasn’t until they left the barbecue area and entered a quieter grove that Declan let go of her hand. “Are you stupid? Grandma tried to set you up with someone, and you couldn’t just say no?”
Phoebe looked at him calmly. “Why should I refuse?”
Declan’s face turned ashen, and he gritted his teeth as he stared at her. “Phoebe, don’t forget that we’re not divorced yet.”
Phoebe nodded. “I know. I just wanted to get to know him, nothing more.”
Declan was so angry that he couldn’t find the words.
Seeing the anger in his eyes, Phoebe extended her hand. “Can you give me my phone back?”
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Chapter 79
Phoebe had originally come to enjoy a nice barbecue, but now Declan had ruined her mood. ‘Of course, nothing good happens when he’s around, Phoebe thought.
Declan grabbed her hand. “If you stay with me for a while, I’ll give it back to you.”
Phoebe frowned, yanked her hand away, and coldly said, “I’m giving you this phone.”
If worse comes to worst, I’ll just buy another one, she thought,‘ she wondered. Phoebe couldn’t stand being alone with Declan for even a moment,
As Phoebe turned to leave, Declan suddenly wrapped his arms around her from behind, his voice low. “Phoebe, I misunderstood you earlier. I’m sorry.”
Phoebe’s body stiffened for a moment, then she turned around and pushed him
Chapter 79
Chapter 79
67%
+50)
“Ms. Greene, good evening. I am a staff member of the resort. Tonight, we are hosting a barbecue and camping event. Would you be interested in joining us?” someone said.
Phoebe thought about it for a moment. Since she had no plans for the evening, she decided to sign up.
When she arrived at the campsite at the scheduled time, she was surprised to see that there were quite a few people there. The people who could attend this event were mostly associated with the Wright Group.
Phoebe didn’t expect that Declan’s group, Mason’s film crew, Audrey, and her friends would all be there.
Phoebe initially planned to sit by one of the smaller barbecue grills, where there were only one or two people, and start grilling. Suddenly, Audrey spotted her. “Pheebs, come over here and join us.”
Phoebe was about to refuse, and Audrey walked straight over to her. “Grilling by yourself is so boring. Come join us. We can keep you company.”
Reluctantly, Phoebe decided to join Audrey and sit with her.
Sitting among a group of elderly women, Phoebe immediately felt out of place.
Audrey’s companions were all older women from other prominent families in Roseberg, and when they saw Phoebe, they began asking Audrey who she was.
Just as Raisa was about to speak, Audrey cut in. “This is my god–granddaughter, Phoebe. If any of you have a young man of the right age, do let me know so I can introduce them to her.”
Phoebe couldn’t help but feel a bit helpless. “Mrs. Richardson, no need.”
Putting aside the fact that she and Declan were not yet divorced, Phoebe was currently not focused on relationships. Getting Miracle Youth off the ground was her top priority.
Audrey smiled warmly at her. “Pheebs, don’t worry. When you get married, I will make sure to prepare a generous gift for you.”
Upon hearing this, the group immediately started talking over each other, suggesting young men they knew who might be a good match for Phoebe.
Sitting nearby, Declan naturally heard Audrey’s words, and his expression darkened instantly.
They hadn’t even divorced yet, and Audrey was already eager to introduce Phoebe to someone else. ‘Does Grandma think things aren’t complicated enough?‘ he thought.
Ian chuckled and teased. “Declan, can you still eat your barbecue after hearing that?”
Declan shot him a cold glance and replied expressionlessly, “If you’re too free, go ahead and continue skewering the meat.” This barbecue event was completely self–service. The staff only provided the meat and the necessary ingredients. Customers had to slice the meat and prepare their own marinades, and if they didn’t do it right, it was a disaster.
Ian didn’t know how to do anything and was assigned the task of skewering the meat.
He thought about the soft texture of the meat in his hands and involuntarily shuddered. He quickly said, “I was just kidding. Why are you so serious when someone cracks a joke now?”
Declan said nothing more, his face as cold as ever.
1.10
17.21 Tue, 8 Apr
Chapter 79
67%
Ian glanced at Jennifer, who was unusually quiet, and smiled. “Jennifer, why are you so quiet tonight? You’re not like your usual self.”
Jennifer forced a smile and said, “I’m just lost in thought. I’m a bit distracted.”
Ian chuckled but didn’t say anything further.
lan had a rough idea of why Jennifer was silent. The reason Phoebe’s horse had suddenly gone wild had been clearly captured on the surveillance cameras.
50
Everyone had expected that Declan would do something to Jennifer, or at least give her a warning, but he had done nothing. He acted as if nothing had happened and allowed Jennifer to stay close to him without issue.
However, Jennifer, feeling guilty, didn’t know how to face Declan. With Bianca not around, she could only remain silent.
At that moment, Declan suddenly stood up and quickly walked over to the next table.
An elderly woman was introducing a potential match to Phoebe and even asked Phoebe to add him on WhatsApp. Phoebe, unable to resist her enthusiasm, took out her phone and was about to add the man as a friend, planning to explain things to him later.
Suddenly, a long hand reached out from above and snatched the phone from her hand.
Phoebe turned around in surprise and saw it was Declan. She couldn’t help but frown. “Give me my phone back.”
Declan’s expression was indifferent as he looked at her, then tucked the phone into his pocket. “It’s not safe for you to leave it there. I’ll keep it for you.”
The other elderly woman, who didn’t know that Declan and Phoebe were married, looked confused and turned to Audrey. “Audrey, what’s going on here?”
Audrey was about to explain when Declan spoke calmly. “Ladies, I apologize, but Phoebe is already married. I am her husband. What my grandmother suggested earlier was to upset me, so I hope you don’t mind.”
Declan’s words were like throwing a depth charge into a calm sea. Immediately, all eyes turned to Audrey.
“Audrey, is this true? Why didn’t you tell us before? You’ve kept it a secret for too long.”
“I can’t believe it. We all thought Declan would be the last to get married, but it turns out he’s the first among our grandsons.”
“Audrey, this is too much. She’s clearly Declan’s wife, yet you told us she’s your god–granddaughter. No way, you owe us a dinner, or this won’t be over.”
*****
With all attention now focused on Audrey, Declan grabbed Phoebe’s hand and pulled her away.
It wasn’t until they left the barbecue area and entered a quieter grove that Declan let go of her hand. “Are you stupid? Grandma tried to set you up with someone, and you couldn’t just say no?”
Phoebe looked at him calmly. “Why should I refuse?”
Declan’s face turned ashen, and he gritted his teeth as he stared at her. “Phoebe, don’t forget that we’re not divorced yet.”
Phoebe nodded. “I know. I just wanted to get to know him, nothing more.”
Declan was so angry that he couldn’t find the words.
Seeing the anger in his eyes, Phoebe extended her hand. “Can you give me my phone back?”
610
17:27 Tue, 8 Apr NN·
Chapter 79
Phoebe had originally come to enjoy a nice barbecue, but now Declan had ruined her mood. ‘Of course, nothing good happens when he’s around, Phoebe thought.
Declan grabbed her hand. “If you stay with me for a while, I’ll give it back to you.”
Phoebe frowned, yanked her hand away, and coldly said, “I’m giving you this phone.”
If worse comes to worst, I’ll just buy another one, she thought,‘ she wondered. Phoebe couldn’t stand being alone with Declan for even a moment,
As Phoebe turned to leave, Declan suddenly wrapped his arms around her from behind, his voice low. “Phoebe, I misunderstood you earlier. I’m sorry.”
Phoebe’s body stiffened for a moment, then she turned around and pushed him away, stepping back several paces. Her expression was frosty as she looked at him. “You don’t need to apologize. If you really felt sorry, you wouldn’t have let Jennifer stay by your side after watching the surveillance footage.”
Declan’s expression shifted. “I won’t let Jennie hurt you again.”
Phoebe suddenly smiled, and there was no warmth in her eyes. “Since you chose to protect Jennifer, don’t apologize to me. I won’t let her go just because you said sorry.”
“What do you want to do to Jennie?” Declan asked.
AD
way, stepping back several paces. Her expression was frosty as she looked at him. “You don’t need to apologize. If you really felt sorry, you wouldn’t have let Jennifer stay by your side after watching the surveillance footage.”
Declan’s expression shifted. “I won’t let Jennie hurt you again.”
Phoebe suddenly smiled, and there was no warmth in her eyes. “Since you chose to protect Jennifer, don’t apologize to me. I won’t let her go just because you said sorry.”
“What do you want to do to Jennie?” Declan asked.
AD
