BookToReadChapter 161 Fortunately for Ailie, she was Victoria's friend-her social "get out of jail free" card made her untouchable at gatherings like this. No one dared to actually mock her, even if they wanted to.
She was nothing like Victoria, whose quiet nature made her an easy target-when people taunted Victoria, she never fought back, just sat there and took it. That softness made her easy to push around. After all, the only reason anyone dared to publicly humiliate Victoria was because they sensed she lacked the nerve to stand up for herself; she was the kind of woman who, even after getting married, was whispered about for supposed romantic entanglements outside her marriage.
But Ailie? Nobody in their right mind would pick a fight with her.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Don't bother, I'll switch seats," McNeil said suddenly. He got up, took Violet's hand, and led her to the far end of the table, putting as much distance as possible between themselves and Victoria and Curtis.
He looked for all the world as if he was disgusted by what had just happened. As he sat down, he shrugged off his jacket and handed it to Violet. "Hold onto this for me. I'll need it dry-cleaned tomorrow." Violet took the jacket, giving him a gentle, affectionate look. "I think you have a spare in the car. I'll go grab it for you." McNeil just nodded, not making a fuss, and started eating the grilled meat Victoria had just finished cooking. Victoria rubbed her scalp where it still ached from being yanked earlier. She was on the verge of tears-not because she wanted pity, or because she was trying to get McNeil's attention, like everyone seemed to assume. It was just her rotten luck running into McNeil today. Not the first tshe'd had a miserable day thanks to him. "Are you okay?" Curtis asked quietly, his concern obvious. With her hair down, Victoria looked softer, more alluring. The mountain breeze played with her hair, carrying a sweet scent with it, making her seem even more feminine in Curtis's eyes.
He couldn't help himself-he reached out, almost touching the spot on her head where she'd been hurt. But before he could make contact, McNeil's voice cut through the moment: "Time's up. We need to get moving." For the last hour, everyone had been eating, drinking, and quietly watching the unfold. Lunch was a laid- back affair: grilled meat, beer, and a little seafood.
Curtis realized how it must look and awkwardly pulled his hand back. Victoria wasn't divorced yet; if he got too close to her, it would only make her life harder at work.
Just then, Violet returned from McNeil's car with a spare jacket for him. When he put it on, people couldn't help but notice how strange it looked-McNeil in his black windbreaker, standing next to Violet, the two of them clearly dressed like a couple. But Violet's spare jacket was silver-grey, matching the one Victoria wore. A fleeting moment of surprise crossed Violet's face when she realized. McNeil didn't seem to care. "Let's go," he said, his tone calm and businesslike.
There was still plenty of daylight left. The men hoisted lightweight tents onto their backs, the women shouldering smaller packs, and together, they set off into the woods.
Tonight's challenge was a true test of survival: hike over the mountain, camp out in the wild, and return by morning.
Ailie stared at the rolling, misty hills in the distance and felt her scalp tingle with anxiety. But she was already here-there was no backing out now.
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At first, the group was full of laughter and chatter, but as twore on, the trail fell silent and fatigue set in m Several of themen were clearly struggling, but Violet moved along as if it were a walk in the park, unfazed by the climb.
To lift everyone's spirits, she suggested they take a break for snacks and water, McNeil, ever m attentive twisted open her water bottle for her. Violet took a sip, then handed it back, smiling, "Here, you have stoo." McNeil hesitated, bottle in hand, but in the end, he didn't drink any.
"Con, everyone, let's keep our energy up!" Violet called out. "I heard there's going to be meteor shower tonight. They say if you wish on a falling star, you'll get to spend forever with the one you love most."
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