Chapter 179
Chapter 179:
“She’s right here with me,” Rylie replied, turning her phone to show Selah and a few others seated beside her.
When Brad leaned into the light, his appearance momentarily stunned the older women. His charm hit them so quickly that their senses became muddled. Evie couldn’t help but compare him to her own son-in-law. Brad seemed far more refined, even through a screen.
She asked, “Leona told me you’re dating Rylie now. Is that true p>
Brad offered a gentle smile. “I am. Does that bother you p>
Rylie blinked rapidly, caught off guard. She leaned closer to the screen, trying to catch his gaze.
Wasn’t he supposed to make things easier? Why was he only complicating things? But Brad simply smiled back, looking as composed as ever, unaffected by the tension. The sunlight streamed over his face, and the older women fell for it just like that.
Leona followed up with another question. “What does your family do? We just want to make sure Rylie isn’t being misled p>
Brad nodded politely. “I’m not sure where the confusion is coming from. My family’s been in the military for generations. As a soldier, I’ve always held myself to a higher moral standard p>
Leona tilted her head slightly and gave Evie a meaningful look. “A soldier? That’s wonderful.” Then, turning back to the screen, she added, “And to think we believed Rylie had been left behind. She’s clearly moved on to someone even better p>
Brad chuckled softly. “She didn’t chase me. I begged her to give me a chance p>
Selah finally smiled, her earlier tension melting away. “I’m glad to hear that p>
But Rylie already knew Brad had gone too far. If he kept spinning stories like this, no one would know what to believe.
She pulled the phone away and said, “That’s enough. He’s working today. We shouldn’t bother him p>
After Evie and Leona left, Selah returned to her patients. Rylie stepped outside, still holding her phone. She turned the camera back on. “Have you forgotten what I asked you to do earlier p>
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Brad smiled softly. “Wasn’t this better? Selah’s calm now. If she had figured out it was a lie, the neighborhood gossip would’ve hit her harder p>
Even without a full explanation, Brad had already pieced together what was going on.
He leaned against the window, his eyes fixed on her. “Do you think I handled it wrong p>
Rylie let out a slow sigh. “Let’s just leave it as it is p>
“Alright.” His gaze lingered on her, his eyes unreadable.
His voice dropped low and soft. “My girl p>
Her chest tightened as she ended the call.
Since the Wesdown International Piano Competition’s preliminary round had been suspended, Rylie’s name hadn’t appeared on the list. Neither Paola nor her circle could find her anywhere.
Isabella glanced over the list and smiled. “Paola, you came in third. With a bit more effort, you could take the whole thing. I wonder how Rylie feels right now—must be humiliating not even making it past the first round p>