Chapter 26: Taking Responsibility
After Davina left with an unbothered expression, Kaitlyn pulled me aside, clearly frustrated. “Why do I feel like I’ve just been challenged by an underling?”
I tried to comfort her. “It’s normal.”
A few days ago, Kaitlyn had made a few remarks about Davina in front of Fletcher, and the young woman probably took it to heart.
She was getting a bit too cocky.
Kaitlyn sighed. “Being pampered really makes all the difference.”
“Are you jealous?”
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Kaitlyn shook her head, dismissively. “When I was pampered, I saw and experienced more than enough…”
Her voice trailed off, as though some unpleasant memory had crossed her mind.
I couldn’t help but ask a bold question, “If your ex–husband came back to find you, would you forgive him?”
“Ha, Kaitlyn scoffed, “Is it that the gigolos at the club aren’t well–behaved enough, or that the simps around me aren’t handsome enough?”
She was being defensive.
I decided not to call her out on it.
The next day, we boarded a rented
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seven–seater van to the legendary Horton Manor.
When we arrived, I began to understand why everyone was so eager to please Davina.
Standing in the European–style manor covering seventy or eighty acres, I felt like I had stepped into a fairytale.
Every blade of grass, every tree, every doorframe exuded luxury and elegance.
Not to mention the Turkish rugs beneath our feet and the massive crystal chandeliers overhead.
The patterns and designs were unlike anything I’d seen on the market–truly unique.
A polite server greeted us: “Mr. Lynton has
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arranged accommodations for everyone. Please follow me.”
Even the luggage was being taken care of.
Kaitlyn asked “Is Mr. Lynton
already here?”
“Yes, Mr. Lynton has already arrived and is resting with his companion. The event will begin in the afternoon.”
The activities at the manor were divided into three parts: cycling around the lake, a night party, and tomorrow’s organic fruit–picking.
For Davina’s sake, Fletcher had even pushed back the cycling time.
As I took in the intricately decorated hall, a wave of sadness washed over me.
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In an out–of–place moment, my mind drifted to my first trip with Fletcher.
It was shortly after he had taken my hand, willingly.
The trip had been my suggestion, and Fletcher had agreed.
To make sure he was satisfied, I secretly wrote code for an off–campus company, researched the guides, and booked the hotel. After all that careful planning, Fletcher suddenly changed his mind at the last minute and refused to go.
He said it was a waste of time.
The hotel wouldn’t refund the fees, and the hundreds of dollars I had spent on accommodation went down the drain.
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That money had been earned after half a month of coding.
Back then, I naively believed Fletcher was a man of great vision, disciplined and restrained.
But the wound hidden deep inside me felt as though it had been burned with acid, instantly turning raw and bleeding.
Only now did I understand: Fletcher hadn’t lied. He just didn’t consider me worth the time he’d given to others.
In the afternoon, we gathered to prepare for the lake cycling.
The first place finisher would get a full spa treatment in the evening.
Kaitlyn and I were eager to start, but then we
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overheard Davina. “I won’t make it around the lake, why don’t I just wait for you all here?”
The server was considerate. “We also have tandem bicycles, so you can ride together and save energy!”
Davina fluttered her big eyes at Fletcher, who paused and then nodded, “Alright.”
So, amidst the cycling group, there was an out–of–place tandem bike.
The weather was perfect, sunny and mild, and everyone pedaled in harmony, not disturbing the couple behind us.
Halfway through the ride, I began to feel exhausted. I saw Kaitlyn waving at me from around a bend. I gritted my teeth and forced myself to keep up, but when I looked up, I suddenly realized we were heading downhill.
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I didn’t react in time, and before I could stop myself, I tumbled down.
Pain shot through my limbs and body, and ! fought to hold back tears, but my mind raced with fear.
I thought to myself: If I died here, what would Sabrina and Miles do?
In that moment, panic overtook me, and tears streamed uncontrollably down my face.
“Lena, don’t be afraid, I’ll get help!”
Kaitlyn’s frantic shout echoed as she rushed to my side.
I closed my eyes, forcing myself to regain some composure. Suddenly, I felt a tightness
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around my waist, and my body was lifted off the ground.
When I opened my eyes, I found myself being carried in Fletcher’s arms.
Our gazes met, and his voice trembled, “Don’t be afraid, the paramedics are on their way.”
He looked exhausted, his brows furrowed deeply, his expression one of rare panic.
Was it just my imagination?
I steadied my thoughts, closed my eyes, and opened them again. I pushed against his stiff arm and said in a low voice, “I’m fine, please put me down.”
Fletcher stood frozen, looking up at Duke, who was rushing over. “Where are the paramedics?”
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His tone was sharp, unstable, and trembling.
The distance was too close, and I could see the veins in his forehead pulsing.
His tone was sharp, unstable, and trembling.
“They’re on their way,” Duke said, looking a bit flustered as he reassured me, “Mrs. Lynton, don’t worry, the medical station is close by, you’ll be fine.”
I corrected him, “You called me the wrong name.”
Just then, I saw Davina walking up behind Duke, panting as she approached Fletcher and asked, “Letch, why are you carrying Charlene?”
Her voice held both a touch of grievance and
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probing curiosity.
Fletcher seemed to realize the awkwardness of the situation and frowned, replying, “She’s injured.”
His tone was sharp.
Davina froze for a moment, lowering her voice, “I didn’t mean that. I meant… you shouldn’t pick her up right after the fall.”
Fletcher paused, clearly caught off guard. He shot a glance at Duke and said, “Are these paramedics moving at the speed of turtles?”
Duke looked flustered, embarrassed by the unintended jab.
I took a deep breath, “Mr. Lynton, Davina is right. Please put me down.”
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If he wasn’t careful, I might end up with a bone dislocation or worse.
“Don’t move,” Fletcher warned, “Get in the car first.”
He insisted on carrying me to the on–site ambulance.
Davina followed closely behind and said, “Fletcher, the ride is still ongoing, and it wouldn’t look right if you left like this. I’ll stay and take care
of Charlene.”
Her point was valid–how could the leader be absent during a team–building event?
Just then, Kaitlyn caught up with us. I gave her a subtle look and said, “Kaitlyn is here, so there’s no need to trouble you both.”
Fletcher furrowed his brow, glanced at
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Davina, and silently got out of the car.
At the medical station, the doctor examined me. While checking my arm, he accidentally brushed against my wristband, and a flash of something unreadable crossed his eyes.
“Left wrist sprain, nothing serious,” he wrote in the medical report, then added, “But you’re too thin.”
I stood at 5’19” tall and weighed less than 55 kg.
Kaitlyn glared at me, “Did you hear that? Eat on time, and stop overworking.”
The doctor gave me a sympathetic glance and spoke softly, “Physical issues aren’t always related to diet; it could also be due to stress. Mental health needs attention too.”
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Before the doctor could finish, the door to the consultation room suddenly opened, and Fletcher and Davina appeared at the doorway.
Fletcher’s gaze on me was charged with unspoken meaning.
My chest tightened, and my hand instinctively curled into a fist, unfortunately straining a ligament.
It stung a little.
“Is it serious?” he asked the doctor, his voice full of concern.
“It’s a sprain. Apply cold compresses and get some rest. Avoid intense physical activity.”
“Since it’s a fall, Davina suddenly interjected, “Should she stay in the hospital overnight for
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O
observation?”
Her tone was caring, without a hint of fault.
The doctor thought for a moment before replying, “It’s best to observe for a night.”
Upon hearing this, the young woman visibly relaxed.
Now, I understood her intentions. I played along and said, “Mr. Lynton, I’m afraid I can’t attend the party tonight. I hope you all have a great time.”
Fletcher nodded slightly, his voice calm as he said, “Take a good rest.”
After they left, Kaitlyn took a sip of water, clearly irritated. “Davina’s definitely keeping an eye on you.”
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I shrugged. “It’s nice and peaceful now.”
Kaitlyn paused, then said, “When you fell, Fletcher panicked and rushed down from the tandem bike after hearing my shout, leaving Davina behind.”
I closed my eyes and whispered, “Well, after all, Lynton Group is in charge of this team–building trip. If someone had actually gotten hurt, Fletcher would have been responsible.”
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