Chapter 4

Looking back now, Vivian's tenderness feels like it was always behind a veil-unreachable and kind of fake. Too bad Leslie had been so blind in her past life, never really seeing things for what they were. "Leslie, did you hit your head or something? Why are you staring at Mom like that?" "Exactly! Leslie, what's up with that look you're giving?" Leslie slowly lifted her eyes and shot over a glare-it was icy cold, like it could freeze someone in place. Lydia felt a chill run down her spine and instinctively took half a step back. "Mom, she's glaring at me again!" "Alright, alright, both of you stop fighting." Vivian also felt something off about the way Leslie was acting-she didn't seem like herself. Trying to push aside the weird feeling, Vivian reached out and took Leslie's hand. Leslie had to fight down the disgust building in her chest. She barely managed not to yank her hand away from Vivian. Vivian gently patted Leslie's hand, her tone heavy with concern. "Leslie, sweetie, I know asking you to marry into the Ackerley family is unfair. But it's not like we have a choice. The Ackerleys are powerful. Broderick picked you, and he's been pressuring your dad. If you don't say yes, he said he'd ruin our family. Your father and I love you so much... You wouldn't just stand by and let our family fall apart, right?" Vivian had been repeating stuff like this over and over, brainwashing Leslie into thinking Broderick was some kind of wolf in sheep's clothing. So no matter what Broderick did to win her over, in Leslie's eyes, he was always up to something shady. After enduring Vivian's long speech, Leslie coolly pulled her hand back and said in a quiet voice, "You done? Got it." "What...?" Vivian hadn't even finished, and Leslie had already cut her off. Without another word, Leslie turned around and went downstairs. "I get it. I'll marry him." She agreed so fast that Vivian froze for a moment, not sure how to react. Lydia's eyes flashed with jealousy. She would've married Broderick too, no problem. Why did it have to be that spoiled, pretty puppet of a third daughter? Everyone in the Green family knew Leslie was just a pampered little decoration, nothing more. Vivian quickly recovered and hurried after her downstairs. They hadn't even had breakfast yet when the butler came over and reported, "Ma'am, Mr. Ackerley is here." The second she heard that, Leslie didn't bother playing shy-she immediately walked straight out. She didn't want Broderick stepping even one foot into the Green home. It just didn't feel right. In her past life, after marrying Broderick, he brought a lot of benefits to the Greens. But that wasn't enough for them-they were greedy, like bottomless pits. In the end, they actually wanted to destroy Broderick and the Ackerley family. Not this time. This time, she'd protect him, no matter what. And even in another life-again and again. Broderick had just happened to stop walking when he noticed a slim figure running toward him. Leslie came to a stop right in front of him. She was wearing a pale blue dress today. It was July in Windmere, the sun was shining, and summer flowers were in full bloom. Tiny morning dew still clung to the grass in the Green's garden. But Leslie didn't notice any of that-her eyes were fixed only on the man in front of her. Broderick was also dressed in light blue, with a black pair of trousers. His shirt was tucked in neatly, showing off a firm waistline. He looked crisp and clean, and those narrow eyes of his were locked right on her, like fire flickering behind them. Anyone would've thought they were wearing matching outfits on purpose. She knew ahead of time what he'd wear-that's why she dressed this way today. As she stared at that sharp, almost-too-perfect face in front of her, tears threatened to blur her vision. Her hand shook as she reached up and touched his cheek.