Chapter 23
A flash of malice passed through Joyce’s eyes. If she was going down in disgrace, Aline wasn’t getting off easy either. She wanted her to fall-and fall harder.
Gasps erupted from the crowd as they watched Aline standing frozen in the horse’s path, seemingly too stunned to
move.
Just as everyone braced for disaster, Aline suddenly reached out and seized the reins with lightning speed. In one smooth, powerful motion, she vaulted onto the horse’s back.
The crowd fell silent, stunned.
No one had expected that.
They watched in awe as Aline took complete control-tightening the reins, leaning forward with perfect balance, her legs firmly locked around the horse’s sides.
Every movement was crisp, confident, practiced.
There was no doubt about it-Aline wasn’t just capable. She was trained. And she was exceptional.
Clayton stood there, stunned. He never in a million years would’ve guessed that Aline could ride a horse-let alone like
that.
Watching her now, poised and commanding in the saddle, he felt as if he were looking at a stranger. This was the woman he had been married to for three years, and yet he had no idea she possessed this kind of skill.
Her jet-black hair whipped behind her in the wind. She looked fearless. Unstoppable. Like a true warrior.
In Clayton’s arms, Joyce was equally stunned.
Aline… could ride?
And not just any horse-but that wild stallion?
Joyce silently prayed that Aline would fall. She wanted to see her humiliated, thrown to the ground.
But the reality couldn’t have been further from her hopes.
Aline didn’t just stay on-she tamed the horse. After a few strong laps, the once-unruly stallion was responding to her as if it had been trained by her for years.
When Aline rode the black horse back and brought it to a smooth stop, everyone watching finally exhaled.
She had completely tamed it.
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11:30
Chapter 23
As she dismounted with practiced ease, Clayton finally found his voice.
“You… when did you learn to ride?”
“Does it matter?” Aline said coolly.
He had no answer.
Her eyes flicked to Joyce, still leaning pitifully against him.
“Riding fast isn’t a big deal,” she said. “But if you’re doing it just to impress a man, then clearly, you and I never had the same goal.”
With that, she handed the reins to a nearby handler and walked away.
Joyce’s face flushed red, then went pale. Aline’s words were like a slap in the face.
Everything she had said to belittle Aline earlier was now being thrown right back at her-and she had no comeback.
Because Aline had done what she couldn’t.
Just then, Clarice rushed over, looking both relieved and panicked. “Are you okay? You’re not hurt, are you?”
“I’m fine,” Aline said with a small smile.
Clarice let out a long breath. “You scared the hell out of me. Saving Mitch was one thing, but then you went and jumped on that monster of a horse? Do you even realize how close you were to serious injury?”
“I’m not that easy to take down,” Aline said calmly. “And besides, if I hadn’t done something, someone would’ve been hurt.”
Clarice sighed. Even though Aline had long since left the military, that deep-seated instinct to protect others hadn’t gone anywhere.
Meanwhile, Randal hurried up to Mitch, sweating bullets. “Mr. Fuentes, I sincerely apologize. I had no idea the horse wasn’t fully broken in. I can’t believe this happened. Thank God you’re alright-if something had gone wrong, the Dunn family would’ve been ruined.”
“The Dunn family should be ruined,” Mitch said coldly. “If Ms. Moore hadn’t stepped in just now, that horse would’ve been put down-and your family name would’ve vanished from Uslille in under three months.”
A cold sweat broke out down Randal’s back.
“So tell me,” Mitch added, his voice even, “don’t you think the Dunn family owes Ms. Moore a proper thank-you?”
