Winning Her Heart Back (Emelie Hoven )

Chapter 765 Never Given

"Just as I thought, it's a family gathering. Only familiar faces are here," Emelie said.

Then, she smiled and greeted, "Mr. Swanson, Mr. Middleton, Mr. Collins."

"Since we're all familiar, let's not stand on ceremony. I'll use the plum wine that you gave me to entertain the guests.'

Just then, a maid wheeled Samuel out of the kitchen. Emelie didn't sit in the living room and walked straight to him.

"Even though the doctor says your legs are improving, you should still be careful and not move too much. What are you doing in the kitchen?" Emelie asked.

Samuel gave a slight smile and held up the wine bottle. 'Just getting the wine."

William observed them quietly.

Patrice was also present that evening.

She quietly perched on the armrest of William's sofa and whispered, "Will, you certainly have your share of rivals. Wesley is Emelie's idealized figure from the past, and Lyle is more of a casual fling. My ex fiance, however, is clearly a significant rival.'

Samuel was handsome and refined, with a gentle and elegant demeanor. He had been a loyal friend to Emelie for many years, maintaining their close relationship.

Despite her reservations about the Swanson family, she would still take Samuel's calls and accept his invitations. Thus, wouldn't that make Samuel a notable rival?

William turned his head to look at Patrice expressionlessly. She immediately zipped her mouth and backed away.

William recalled the time when Emelie could have ended up with Samuel if he hadn't shown her another side of him. She did seem to attract a lot of attention from other men.

Bryan, picking up on Samuel's comments, said, 'I wasn't lying, Ms. Hoven. Sam really does enjoy that family's plum wine."

Emelie smiled and glanced back. Her gaze first settled on William, who was seen sitting indifferently, and then shifted slightly to Bryan.

"Mr. Swanson, I never said you were lying. It's not something to lie about. I trust you," she said.

Beathan adjusted his glasses and added, "Is it the plum wine from the place near the archery range? I've heard a lot about it. Thanks to you and Mr. Swanson, I finally got to try it.""

So, before dinner, everyone sat down together and tasted the plum wine.

They claimed that it was to celebrate Melanie's pregnancy, but she had not yet arrived. While no one mentioned it and Emelie didn't ask, it was clear that they were all aware of the real motive behind this gathering.

Lyle leaned against the window sill while drinking the plum wine. He felt exhausted just by watching them. Each of them had numerous agendas and wore numerous masks. Despite reaching the point of snatching each other's projects and secretly undermining each other, they could still sit together and chat amiably.

Sure enough, not everyone could handle being a schemer.

The evening wore on with everyone chatting and drinking.

Though the plum wine was fruit-based, it was pretty strong, and Emelie felt slightly tipsy after a few glasses.

She moved to a high stool by the window to get some fresh air and clear her head.

Mint, a plant that thrives in all seasons, was quietly blooming in the corner where she was. She absentmindedly brushed a mint leaf with her fingers.

Just then, she heard William's voice behind her. 'Is this the mint that you gave Samuel?"

Emelie turned her head to look.

Her posture was relaxed, with one leg bent and resting on the bar while the other extended, revealing her slender, graceful calf. She wore a pair of pearl high heels, with the veins on her foot slightly visible.

Her beauty was the only thing that had remained unchanged over the past three years.

Emelie replied with a lazy tone, her eyes partially hidden by her lowered eyelids, 'Mr. Middleton, you still remember that?"

"Of course, I remember," William said calmly. "You never gave me anything, but you and Samuel had many conversations over that pot of mint. I was quite jealous at the time. How could I forget?"

Emelie chose to overlook the affectionate undertone in his words. 'Mr. Middleton, if you like the mint, you can ask Mr. Swanson if he's willing to give you a few plants."

"What I want is a gift from you, not him." William looked at her intensely.

Emelie met his dark eyes, and the recent revelations from Bryan and Charles came back to her mind.

She held her wine glass and rose from the stool. She didn't look at William but gazed out the window.

Her profile wore a slightly cold expression as she said, 'I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, Mr. Middleton. I'm just an employee. I don't have anything worth giving to you."

After that, she took a sip of her wine.

William coughed softly. "What I want, you've given to many others but never to me."