Chapter 146

The following day, we gathered at the gates of the Fitzgerald estate, anticipation hanging in the air like a heavy cloud. Scarlett

had arranged for us to visit the property in person, a crucial step in the ongoing dispute over its ownership.

As we stood at the imposing gates, the towering ironwork adorned with intricate designs, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe.

The estate maintained an air of grandeur that was undeniable, and its sheer size was a testament to the wealth that had once

flowed through the Fitzgerald family’s veins.

Once their car pulled up, Stella emerged first, stepping out with an air of confidence that seemed to accompany her wherever

she went. Timothy followed closely behind her, his expression blank as he glanced around the grandeur of the

property.

As they approached, the atmosphere grew increasingly charged. Once he saw me standing at the gate, Timothy frowned. My

threat had undoubtedly left an impression, and I could see the unease in his eyes.

Stella, however, appeared unfazed. She offered a cold smile as she greeted us, her words dripping with insincerity. “Lovely to

see you all again.”

Scarlett, always quick to assert herself, didn’t waste any time. She cut straight to the point, her tone laced with frustration. “Let’s

not waste any more time, shall we?”

The lawyer, who had been walking behind them, nodded in agreement. “Let’s head inside.”

Scarlett approached the gate, her expression determined, and produced a key to unlock the entrance. The gates swung open

with a creak, revealing a long, winding driveway lined with towering trees that led to the heart of the estate.

Stella stepped forward, her heels clicking on the cobblestone path. “I can’t wait to make some changes here when it’s finally

mine,” she declared, her tone confident.

Scarlett’s reaction, however, was immediate, and her anger simmered just beneath the surface. “Changes? Stella, this is a

historical property with a rich legacy. It’s not something you can simply alter to suit your tastes.”

The tension between the two sisters was impossible to ignore, and I couldn’t help but feel like an outsider caught in the crossfire.

Stella's determination to make the

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estate her own clashed with Scarlett’s reverence for its history and heritage.

As we made our way through the sprawling grounds, I couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty that surrounded us. The estate was

a treasure trove of natural beauty, with meticulously manicured gardens, a pristine lake, and even a charming gazebo that

seemed like something out of a fairytale.

Stella, however, remained focused on her vision for the property, her comments laced with a hint of disdain. “I'll need to update

the landscaping, of course. And the interior needs a complete overhaul.”

Scarlett’s patience wore thin, and she couldn’t hold back her frustration any longer. “You’re going to completely destroy the

place!”

The sisters continued to bicker, their voices growing louder as they clashed over the future of the estate. I exchanged a knowing

glance with Timothy, who was just as in the middle as I was.

As we explored the interior of the main house, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of reverence for the history that was embedded in

its walls. The grandeur of the mansion’s architecture, the intricate details of its furnishings, and the portraits that lined the walls

all spoke to a time long past.

Stella, however, remained unimpressed. “This place needs a modern touch. I'll hire an interior designer to transform it into

something more suitable for our future.”

Scarlett’s anger flared, and she didn’t bother to hide her frustration. “Stella, you can’t simply erase the history of this place. It’s

not just about you and Timothy; it’s about preserving the legacy of the Fitzgerald family.”

Stella merely brushed her off, waving her hand as she turned in the opposite direction toward the backyard.

The sprawling gardens of the Fitzgerald estate unfolded before us like a vibrant tapestry, a testament to nature’s artistry. The sun

cast dappled shadows through the leaves, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers. As we strolled through

this oasis of tranquility, the tension that had filled the air seemed to momentarily dissipate.

Stella’s attitude, however, took an unexpected turn as we reached a picturesque gazebo by the edge of a tranquil lake. Her eyes

widened with a glint of excitement, and she turned to Timothy with newfound determination.

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“I want this place as the backdrop for our wedding,” she declared, her voice brimming with certainty.

I couldn't help but be surprised by Stella’s sudden change in demeanor. Her earlier dismissive attitude toward the estate had

given way to a clear vision for her future wedding, and the gazebo seemed to have won her over completely.

Timothy, on the other hand, didn’t share her enthusiasm. He frowned, his voice filled with reluctance. “Stella, nothing is set in

stone yet. We haven't even decided on a date.”

Stella, however, seemed unfazed by his reservations. She revealed her chosen date with a nonchalant air that sent shockwaves

through my system. “I’ve already decided on December 15th.”

My heart skipped a beat at her words. December 15th—-that was my birthday. The coincidence was too striking to be ignored, and

I couldn't help but feel a surge of anger and discomfort at the thought of my birthday being usurped for her wedding.

Stella, noticing my reaction, was quick to defend herself. “What? I didn’t want to wait too long and risk not fitting into a nice

dress.”

Her explanation did little to ease my irritation. It may not have been intentional, but it left a sour taste in my mouth. I struggled to

maintain my composure, my. voice laced with thinly veiled anger. “It’s just...December 15th is my birthday.”

Timothy trained his eyes on me. “That’s your birthday?”

I nodded urgently. It wouldn’t effect their day at all, but it would taint mine. knowing that Timothy was taking Stella Fitzgerald’s

hand in marriage.

Stella’s response was dismissive, her focus solely on her wedding plans. “Well, you can celebrate your birthday some other time,

then. This date is perfect for us.”

“It's not,” Timothy interjected suddenly, causing everyone to pause. Stella paused just as she was ready to walk away, turning to

him with a scowl.

“What do you mean?” she asked, her tone challenging.

“I mean,” he continued, “We can’t do it that week. I'll be too busy with....hockey. Yeah, it will be our final week of the season, and

I don’t want to be absent for the final stages of wedding planning.”

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Stella scoffed. “Are you freaking serious? You're prioritizing hockey over me!”

I glanced at Scarlett, and I could tell she was shielding her laughter behind her hand. I felt slightly humored myself, seeing Stella

unable to cope with being challenged.

Timothy pressed on, and for a split second, I thought I saw him wink at me. “Stella, there are 364 other days in the year. We

don’t have to rush on the one.”

The tension in the air was tangible, and it seemed as though all of Stella’s viciousness turned to me. She handed me a glare,

then looked back at Timothy, and the calculated look that took over her face spoke volumes.

After we left the tranquil gardens of the Fitzgerald estate, we made our way through the mansion’s joint rooms and back toward

the entrance. I'd been purposefully keeping my distance from them, but it seemed that Stella wasn’t done torturing me yet.

She quickened her steps until she was right by my side. Her eyes, filled with a strange mix of triumph and curiosity, turned to me.

“Evie, have you ever been in love?”

The question caught me off guard, and I hesitated for a moment. This seemed like. a test more than anything, and I feared her

response to the truth. I glanced back at Timothy and our eyes meeting for a fleeting second before I answered, “No.”

Stella’s smugness seemed to grow as she leaned in closer, as if trying to uncover my deepest secrets. “No? You've never been

in love? That’s quite sad, isn’t it?”

My patience was wearing thin, and I couldn't help but retort, “Love isn’t the only measure of a person’s worth.”

Our exchange seemed to hang in the air like an unspoken challenge, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of discomfort at the

way Timothy and I had inadvertently met each other’s gazes once more. I didn’t need the reminder of what happened between

us.

Stella’s eyes narrowed, and/she seemed intrigued by my response. Perhaps she had expected me to be more vulnerable, to

reveal something she could use against me. But I had no intention of giving her that satisfaction.

To my surprise, however, Timothy spoke up. His voice was calm but carried a hint

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of underlying emotion. “Some people believe in finding the right person instead of rushing into a relationship.”

Stella beamed with self-satisfaction. “Oh, Timothy, that’s sweet of you to say. I knew you felt the same way.”

But Timothy’s words weren't directed at Stella, and he made that abundantly clear as he looked at me. His eyes bore into mine,

and there was a depth of meaning in his gaze that left my heart fluttering.

“It's important to take your time,” he continued. “To find someone who truly understands you and makes you a better person.”

The weight of his words hung in the air, and I couldn’t help but feel the weight of his gaze. It was as if he were speaking directly

to me, acknowledging the complexities of our past and the uncertain path that lay ahead.

Stella, however, remained oblivious to the undercurrents of our conversation. She leaned closer to Timothy, her voice filled with

self-assuredness. “I’m glad you feel that way, Timothy. It makes me even more certain that we’re meant to be.”

Timothy's gaze never left mine, and there was a hint of something unspoken in his eyes. I felt my chest tighten and I turned

away.

As we stepped out into the crisp evening air, the tensions that had simmered in the mansion still lingered. The fate of the estate

hung in the balance, and it seemed as if no real progress had been made.

I turned to Scarlett, still rattled by Timothy’s words. “I need to gather more information on Stella and Andy. We can’t afford to get

too deep into this without knowing all the facts.”

Scarlett nodded and reached into her purse, pulling out a card, handing it to me. “Here, this might be useful. Check into room

209 at the hotel downtown.”

I took the card from her, my curiosity piqued by her cryptic suggestion. “Room 209? Why that specific room?”

Scarlett’s lips curled into a mischievous smile as she leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. “Room 209 has a great

view of Andy's office building. You might find it quite enlightening.”

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Her words sent a shiver down my spine. Scarlett had always been resourceful, and I had no doubt that she had her reasons for

suggesting that particular room. As I glanced at the card in my hand, I couldn’t help but wonder what secrets it might hold.

Only one way to find out now.

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