Chapter 3 Trash And Dumpster

Ryland froze for a second before a knowing sneer crossed his face.

"Coralie, there's no need to try and save face. You've chased me for eight years, and everyone knows the great Miss Lawson won't marry anyone but me. Don't you think this little act is ridiculous?"

Beside him, Cara took a timid step forward, biting her lower lip as if consumed by guilt. "Miss Lawson, I know you're upset. You don't have to put on a brave face for us."

She cast a fragile look at Ryland and gripped his hand.

"But Ryland and I truly love each other... Miss Lawson, we never meant to hurt you. Please, just let us be together."

Coralie's stomach churned with disgust.

In her past life, before Cara was sent away, she had constantly stirred up drama. She played the weak, harmless victim flawlessly, using her feigned innocence to make Coralie look like an unreasonable, bitter shrew.

The ridiculous part was that in her past life, Coralie had actually believed she was the one who drove the girl away, carrying a massive burden of guilt.

Because of that, even after Cara was sent abroad, Coralie had continuously wired money into her account.

Later, when Cara cycled through multiple boyfriends overseas, got pregnant, and had a miscarriage, Coralie never breathed a word of it to Ryland.

Yet this was the woman Ryland treated like a fragile treasure, pampering and protecting her at all costs.

Coralie let out a cold laugh. "Cut the act, Cara. If you don't find yourself disgusting, I certainly do."

Cara's face drained of color.

Ryland immediately yanked her behind him. "Coralie, if you're pissed off, take it out on me. Leave Cara out of this!"

"Why would I take it out on her?" Coralie blinked in mock innocence. "I couldn't be happier that you two are together. After all, one's trash and the other's a dumpster. It's a match made in heaven."

A few of the Lawson family servants standing nearby couldn't stifle their laughter.

Ryland's face burned with humiliation.

He had known Coralie for eight years, and she had always been meek and submissive around him. Since when did she have a mouth like that?

Was she playing hard to get?

It was the only explanation that made sense. After all, how could a woman who was so desperately in love with him just let go?

He glared coldly at Coralie, his tone dripping with absolute certainty. "You talk a big game. If you're really so over me, then give back the necklace I gave you."

Coralie's hand instinctively went to her collarbone.

Ryland had personally fastened that necklace around her neck on her twentieth birthday. It was the only gift he had ever given her.

Over the years, even when the metal gave her an allergic reaction, she hadn't taken it off for a single day.

But now...

Coralie unclasped the necklace in one clean, decisive motion.

Ryland hadn't expected her to actually take it off. The smug smile on his lips froze.

He reached out to take it, but Coralie suddenly opened her hand. The necklace dropped straight to the floor with a sharp clatter.

"You want it?" Coralie looked at Ryland, who was caught awkwardly leaning forward, and her lips curled into a smirk. "Pick it up yourself."

With that, she turned on her heel and walked back into the living room.

When had Ryland ever been treated with such blatant disrespect? He gritted his teeth, fury flaring in his chest.

"Coralie, stop right there!"

Just as he lunged forward to chase her, two burly bodyguards stepped into his path. Richard stood at the entrance, his expression dark.

"Mr. Morgan, you are no longer welcome at the Lawson Estate," Richard said coldly. "Throw him out."

Without a word, the bodyguards seized Ryland by the arms and dragged him toward the exit. Cara was snatched up by another guard, and moments later, both of them were unceremoniously tossed out the front gates of the estate.

Even as he stumbled onto the pavement, Ryland felt like he was hallucinating.

He had actually just been humiliated by Coralie. How dare that woman!

Cara was absolutely seething, but she swallowed her rage, clinging to Ryland's arm with wide, tearful eyes.

"Ryland... do you think Miss Lawson deliberately said all those awful things because she's just too upset?" she murmured. "Maybe she just wanted to get your attention. I bet she's inside crying her heart out right now."

Those words were a balm to his bruised ego, instantly making Ryland feel better.

She was right. Coralie had chased him like a lapdog for eight years. How could she just give up like that?

He sneered, pulling Cara into his arms with a condescending huff. "So what if she is? You're the one I love. But... if she comes crawling back to beg for my forgiveness, I might still be willing to keep her around as a friend."

Cara snuggled shyly into his embrace, but a dark, calculating glint flashed in her eyes.