His Last Choice, My First Gambit Chapter 04

His Last Choice, My First Gambit Chapter 04

It was Preston. He had come with the Coast Guard, no doubt to put on a show of searching for me.

When he saw me, Preston rushed over, his eyes wide with feigned concern. Coralie are you okay?”

I pulled away from his grasp and glared at him. “Do I look okay to you?”

Preston stared at me, speechless.

Just then, Lily emerged from behind him. Her eyes darted to Julian, who was standing right behind me.

Lily piped up, “Coralie, you got on his yacht? There were no other boats nearby. It was pitch-black. How did you manage to get rescued?”

I was stunned. What was she implying?

“Also,” she continued, “even though you and Preston are engaged, you’re both competing for the Crestwood Marina project. You’re not the lead, so you had no reason to be on that yacht. Preston had to be there for his family’s bid. And now, at such a critical time, this happens.”

She paused for effect. “This is a lot of coincidence, Coralie. Are you sure it’s just luck? Or did someone plan all this?”

Was she accusing me of sinking the yacht?

My pity for her in my past life didn’t extend to letting her slander me in this one-not after I’d handed her a second chance to live.

I saved her, and this is how she repays me? Unbelievable. If I’d known, I would have let 1 her drown.

I glanced at a nearby officer and raised my voice. “Officer! I want to file a report! She’s slandering me!”

After that, we were all taken to the Coast Guard station.

While we were waiting, Lily wouldn’t let it go, staring at me intently. “Coralie, why won’t you answer me? Is it because I’m right, and you’re too guilty to speak?”

I turned my head and gave her a cold look. “Are you a police officer? Why should I explain anything to you? Who do you think you are?”

She had the nerve to repay kindness with malice. I had no reason to be polite.

Lily was at a loss for words.

Preston, standing beside her, couldn’t take it anymore. He stepped forward.

“Coralie, how can you speak to her like that? Lily just wants the truth. She’s a victim here!”

“She’s a victim, and I’m not?”

Preston’s face paled with rage. He pointed a finger at me, shouting, “Coralie! Lily is trying to find out what happened, and you’re being completely unreasonable!”

Just then, Julian walked out of the interrogation room, having finished his statement, and took in the scene.

He strode over, planting himself directly in front of me. “What’s going on? You planning to start a fight in here?”

Julian’s face was grim, his tone carrying an authority that couldn’t be questioned. He glared at Preston, who looked ready to explode.

I watched from behind Julian as the tension crackled between the two men.

Preston was furious, but he still stood protectively in front of Lily, pointing at me and demanding, “What’s your relationship with her?”

Julian deliberately turned to me, his eyes softening with a tenderness that took my breath away. “What do you think?” he asked.

I looked up, meeting his mesmerizing gaze. His eyes tilted up slightly at the corners, and there was a small mole just beneath one.

The way he looked at me felt like a silent conversation.

Maybe it was the atmosphere, but I couldn’t stop myself from reaching out and taking his hand.

Preston’s face grew even darker. Just as he was about to erupt, an officer called him in for questioning.

After everyone’s statements were taken, the preliminary investigation officially ruled it

an accident, though a person of interest was identified in connection with the yacht’s malfunction.

Although I knew this was orchestrated by Preston’s business rival, I couldn’t say anything without proof.

As we were leaving the station, Julian suddenly took iny hand. “Let’s go.”

I was confused. “Where are we going?”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to stay at my place? I have a spare guest room.”

His sincerity warmed me, and I was about to agree when Preston’s cold voice cut in from behind us.

“Coralie, I’ve already told your parents about the shipwreck. They’re very worried about you. They’re on their way home now.”

Hearing this, a wave of bitterness washed over me. How pathetic, learning about my own parents’ concern from the man who’d left me to die.

As for them… they were always so busy. Too busy for my birthdays, too busy for my parent-teacher conferences.