Fickle Hearts, Shifting Ties

Anya met Samuel Harrington at noon.Her father had nothing but praise for this man and the moment she saw him,she finally understood why.

Dressed in a crisp white suit,he carried himself with effortless elegance.His calm demeanor and strikingly handsome features seemed to outshine everything around him,making even the most lavish surroundings feel like a mere backdrop to his presence.

Unfortunately,Anya no longer harbored any illusions about men,not after Chris.To her,it made no difference who she married.

The first words he spoke were direct."Miss Morrison,are you willing to marry me?"

She was momentarily taken aback but then nodded without hesitation."Yes."

Her voice was cold and detached,yet across from her,a flicker of joy flashed in Samuel’s eyes.

"I understand,"he said softly."Anya,may I ask you out later?"

"No need.If you have no objections,we can proceed with the engagement."

Her tone was indifferent,her attitude even colder.Seeing her like this,Samuel’s heart clenched in pain.

Before he could say anything else,a familiar voice suddenly rang out with a mocking laugh."Isn’t this Miss Morrison?Why are you with another man?"

Anya lifted her gaze and saw Carmen clinging to Chris’s arm,the two of them looking every bit the intimate couple.

Seeing her,Chris’s expression shifted instantly.He shoved Carmen’s hand away and stepped forward."Anya,why are you here?"

Then his gaze landed on Samuel and his face darkened with anger."Who is he?"

At that moment,Samuel understood everything.

Anya glanced at Chris and the woman still clinging to his arm,then let out a cold sneer."I should be the one asking.Why are you here?"

Chris stiffened.He quickly pulled his hand away from Carmen’s grasp."Anya,it’s not like what you think…"

He started to explain,but Anya had no interest in hearing his excuses.She turned slightly and addressed Samuel instead."I will handle this matter in the next few days."

Samuel gave a small nod,then rose to his feet.He extended a polite hand toward Chris."Hello,I’m Samuel Harrington."

Chris frowned and his eyes were filled with disdain."You?You’re not even qualified to shake hands with me."

The moment he saw this man,a deep sense of crisis gripped him,an unsettling fear that Anya would be taken away.

However,he buried it under layers of arrogance and contempt,unwilling to believe she would ever leave him.

Anya frowned at his blatant hostility,but Samuel remained unfazed.He simply turned to her with a composed smile and said in a gentle tone,"It seems you have some things to take care of.Let’s talk later."

Anya pressed her lips together,nodded slightly and watched as he walked away.

Chris could not help but ask her,"Why are you with someone like him?"

Someone like him?

Anya did not bother answering.

Carmen arched a brow and sneered."Miss Morrison,I wonder if you thought you were having a secret meeting?"

Anya’s gaze fell on the shopping bags Carmen was carrying and she curled her lips into a faint smirk."If anything,you look more like the one sneaking around."

Her piercing stare made Chris tense.He quickly stepped away from Carmen,as if caught red-handed and hurriedly explained.

"Anya,it’s not what you think.She’s my cousin.It’s her birthday today and I just brought her here to buy a few things."

He seemed eager to say more,but Anya had already turned away.Her tone was indifferent."All right,I believe you.Samuel and I were just discussing business."

She no longer cared about their relationship.Even if they truly were together,it would not stir a single ripple in her heart.

Soon,the day of the birthday party arrived.

Carmen wore a sapphire green dress that hugged her figure perfectly,making her fair skin appear even more delicate and luminous.She stood out like a glittering pearl,radiant and dazzling in the crowd.

Meanwhile,Anya sat among the guests,her eyes drifting toward Chris,watching as he gazed at Carmen with something close to infatuation.

At some point,Chris excused himself and left.Anya had just handed over her gift and was about to step outside for some air when,as she passed by a curtain,a familiar,intimate voice drifted from behind it.