Rosalind Lowell was knocked to the ground. A sharp pain shot up from her foot, contorting her face in agony.
The honking car slammed on its brakes. Fortunately, it was the only vehicle around.
"Miss Lowell."
Alaric Davenport ran over, his face cold. He shot a reproachful glare at Hope, who was off to the side. He hadn't been able to intervene in time, but he had witnessed the whole thing.
Hope whimpered pitifully, like a child who knew it had done wrong.
He squatted down, his expression unreadable, and asked steadily, "Where does it hurt?"
"My foot."
...
Rosalind Lowell lay on a hospital bed. Fortunately, it was only a sprain and minor scrapes.
"He's usually very well-behaved."
Alaric Davenport had initiated the conversation. Rosalind Lowell froze for a second. The image of him carrying her moments ago flashed into her mind, causing her face to flush. Just as she was about to say something, the room door swung open.
"Well now, Mr. Davenport, we've really put you out. This girl of mine is always a bit reckless. Please don't take it to heart, Mr. Davenport."
Seeing Herman Lowell walk in with a wide, beaming smile, Rosalind Lowell immediately understood.
'He only came rushing over because of Mr. Davenport, and because the office wasn't far away.'
Alaric Davenport stood up and gave a slight nod. "Mr. Fairchild."
"Her mother will be here later." Herman Lowell then sat by her bedside and took her hand. "Rosalind, my dear, does it still hurt?"
Rosalind Lowell blinked. Her skin crawled. 'Do we really have to put on this happy-family act?'
"Your sister is also at the hospital for a check-up. She'll be right over."
The words were barely out of his mouth when Faye Lowell's voice rang out. "So what if she got hit? Does she really have to..."
Faye Lowell had just stepped through the door when her eyes landed on Alaric Davenport. They instantly lit up, and her heavily made-up face grew even redder.
'So handsome...' she thought. 'Isn't he even better looking than all those pop idols I've seen?'
"Dad, who is this...?" Faye Lowell asked, her eyes fixed on Alaric Davenport.
"Your future brother-in-law."
"Brother-in-law?" Faye Lowell froze, her brow furrowing. Her gaze didn't leave Alaric Davenport for a second before she turned to glare at Rosalind Lowell. "You did this on purpose, didn't you?"
'So that's how it is, Rosalind Lowell,' she fumed internally. 'No wonder you finally agreed to marry a stranger after making such a fuss. With a man this handsome, you're not losing out at all! He was supposed to be mine!'
"What?" Rosalind Lowell asked, her voice a little hoarse.
"Ahem..." Herman Lowell cleared his throat, reminding them that Alaric Davenport was still in the room.
Seeing how things were, and feeling uncomfortable under Faye Lowell's intense stare, Alaric Davenport said, "I'll go pay the bill. You all can chat."
After paying the medical bills, Alaric Davenport was about to round the corner back to the room when he saw Faye Lowell and Herman Lowell talking outside the door. He stepped back out of sight.
"Dad, I don't care. I want to marry him."
"Faye, didn't you say you wouldn't marry him? With all this back and forth, what am I supposed to tell the Davenport family?"
"I don't care! I can't let Rosalind Lowell have it so easy."
"Now, now, my precious daughter. That matriarch of the Davenport family... based on my few dealings with her, she seems like a difficult woman. How about I find you an even more prominent family next time, alright?"
Alaric Davenport sneered. 'As if there are any families in Corvidale more prominent than ours.'
'Besides, if Yasmine Kimball is involved in this marriage alliance, then it's not the simple business transaction his father thinks it is...'
His eyes darkened. A chill radiated from him, so intense that even passersby found it unsettling.
...
Rosalind Lowell's phone was ringing off the hook with calls from Yvonne Carter. "Hello?"
The moment the call connected, Yvonne Carter started shouting, "What have you been doing? It took you forever to pick up."
Rosalind Lowell took a breath, forcing an obedient tone into her voice. "What is it, Mom?"