Chapter 176
Chapter 176:
Seeing Rylie come out, they teased with smiles, “Which young gentleman has come to propose to Rylie, bringing so much stuff? It’s worth a few million, isn’t it p>
Her brows pulled together in confusion. Propose? What did that mean? Was she somehow getting married without even knowing it?
One of the pharmacists from HaloFlow Pharmacy stepped outside and, spotting Rylie standing dazed in the courtyard, called out, “Why are you just standing there? Everyone’s already gathered in the front hall p>
“Who’s here to propose?” Rylie finally snapped out of it and asked her first question of the morning.
The pharmacist blinked, looking puzzled. “The Dury family. You really didn’t know? They’re already in a meeting with Selah p>
A stunned look crossed Rylie’s face. “They’ve got guts, showing up here with a proposal like this p>
By the time she walked into the front hall, she found the small consultation room packed with Dury family members, all crowding around Selah as if they were already part of the family.
Rylie strode in, her tone deliberately sharp. “What’s all this about? Did Mr. Fred Dury suddenly come down with some rare illness and pay in advance with all these gifts p>
“Oh, don’t be silly.” Selah quickly pulled Rylie to her side, giving her hand a reassuring pat. “The Dury family is here to talk about your engagement. Have you forgotten? You were promised to them as a child p>
With a raised brow, Rylie answered coolly, “Pretty sure I broke off that engagement — publicly, too p>
Selah blinked, clearly caught off guard. “You did? You called it off yourself?” Catching the look on Selah’s face, Rylie finally realized where all the confusion had started.
A soft, helpless laugh slipped from Rylie’s lips. “Wait a second — did you honestly think I got dumped? Is that why you called the Dury family here, trying to patch things up p>
Selah’s face froze with awkwardness, while Fred stepped forward, forcing a sheepish smile. “Rylie, come on. I know the feelings between us are still there. You still have love for me. Whatever happened before — that’s on me. Can’t we just move past it and start over p>
Every story starts at gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s․com
Standing nearby, Fred’s parents wore strained, eager smiles. Octavia quickly jumped in, her tone honeyed. “It’s my fault, really. I should’ve raised him better. From now on, Rylie, you’ll have the final say in anything involving the Dury family. Let me make it up to you, alright p>
Rylie gave a faint, polite smile. “It was my mentor’s mistake for arranging this. I owe you an apology, but as for marriage — there’s no future for me and Fred p>
Selah faltered, unsure. “Rylie, are you really saying this because you mean it? I heard from the neighbors… they said it was all over the news, how you were publicly dumped. I thought you were heartbroken. I don’t want my mistakes to cause you more pain p>
With a soft laugh, Rylie pressed her fingers to her temple. “So this is what’s been weighing on you these past few days p>
Selah reached up to cup Rylie’s cheek, her eyes filled with quiet concern.
Though she had worried about ruining Rylie’s future, it seemed that fear had been unnecessary all along.