Chapter 483

Sunlight spilled over the country lane. Sophia Lowell glanced down at her mud-splattered pant cuffs.

She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, only to find bits of grass clinging to her fingertips.

Ethan Roscente's brow furrowed the moment he spotted Bianca Savigny. "What are you doing here?"

Bianca wore a pale pink sundress that swayed with her movements. She pressed her lips into a demure smile. "Don't tease me, Mr. Roscente. This is my hometown." The villagers behind her erupted in approving laughter.

"Our Bianca has really made it, knowing such an important businessman!"

"Now our flower fields will never lack buyers!"

"Who knows? She might even become the lady of the house someday!"

Two pink blooms appeared on Bianca's cheeks, though her eyes glittered with something sharper. She'd been hiding in the village these past days, terrified Ethan would come demanding answers. That morning she'd woken to find the wrong man in her bed—she'd nearly lost her mind.

Now seeing Ethan here filled her with equal parts hope and dread. Then her gaze landed on Sophia standing beside him, and her smile froze.

Sophia stood a few paces away, listening to the villagers fawn over Bianca. She looked down at her wrinkled blouse, speckled with unidentified seeds. Her phone buzzed—Theodore Orlando calling.

"Professor," she answered, her voice tight.

Bianca seized the moment to step closer to Ethan, tilting her face up with practiced innocence. "Mr. Roscente, let me show you the flower fields? The roses are at their peak this season."

The villagers chimed in:

"Yes, let Bianca guide you!"

"She knows every inch of this village!"

Sophia's grip on the phone turned white-knuckled. Theodore's voice murmured through the receiver, but the words dissolved before reaching her. Sunlight caught in her disheveled bun as the makeshift twig hairpin threatened to give way.