CHAPTER 25: CHAPTER 25: SELINA HUGHES DRIVEN MAD BY JEALOUSY

Talia had just returned to Oakhaven, and her two best friends took her out every day to eat, drink, have fun, and shop.

For now, she put aside the matter of submitting her resume to Senco Law.

On this day, a few girls arranged to sit together and have some desserts.

Yvonne Coleman had gone partying at a bar last night, only returning home at two or three in the morning, and today she looked quite listless.

"These days it’s either shopping or drinking and clubbing, I’m tired of it," Yvonne lay on the table, suddenly brightening up with an idea, "The weather’s so nice today, why don’t we go to Winter’s family’s ranch and have some fun this afternoon?"

The biggest ranch in Oakhaven is owned by the Donovan Family.

The three of them had previously taken horseback riding lessons together.

Talia jokingly teased her with a smile, "Sober yet? If not, you better not go, it’d be like drunk driving."

"I’ve been sober for ages," Yvonne said with a sly grin, "Last night, I threw up all over Ryan Quinn, poor guy, haha, in my hazy state I think I saw his face turn completely green."

Winter Donovan smiled gently, "Yvonne, didn’t your brother get mad at you?"

Yvonne replied, "Believe it or not, Ryan’s been quite the big brother lately. After I puked on him, he changed, showered, and even made me hangover soup."

Ryan Quinn and Yvonne Coleman are step-siblings.

Ryan’s mother passed away due to illness when he was very young.

Yvonne’s parents divorced when she was seven due to irreconcilable differences.

Later, Ryan’s father met Yvonne’s mother through friends, and they hit it off, soon marrying and forming a family.

The first time Yvonne met Ryan, she was only nine.

Back then, Ryan was fourteen, going through a rebellious phase, and he didn’t like his stepmother, which also spilled over to Yvonne, his new step-sister.

The first meeting, he yanked Yvonne’s pigtails, telling her to get lost.

Talia stirred the syrup in front of her with a spoon, looking at Yvonne with interest, "You’re like a nemesis sent from above to torment him."

Yvonne chuckled, "Well, he used to bully me all the time."

After some casual chit-chat, Yvonne continued, "Anyway, are you guys going to the ranch or not? I haven’t gone horseback riding in a while, I want to have some fun."

"Sure," Talia said, "I haven’t ridden a horse in Mirehaven for three years, I miss the days of racing with you."

Winter smiled gently, "I’ll go too."

Yvonne flashed a coy smile at Talia and opened her phone contacts, "I’ll give Ryan a call and have him bring Adrian along."

The ranch.

Talia changed into her equestrian attire.

The tailored light gray high-collared fitted riding jacket, paired with white tight-fitting pants and black riding boots, perfectly showcased Talia’s shapely figure.

She tied her long hair in a bun at the back, adding a touch of cool elegance.

Talia walked out slowly, and those waiting outside were all dazzled by her stunning appearance.

"Wow, after all these years, Talia, your figure has only gotten better," Ryan teased with his usual mischievous demeanor.

Yvonne pinched his waist with squinted eyes, "You better shut up, Adrian hasn’t said anything yet, don’t embarrass yourself."

"Ouch, hey, be gentle," Ryan exclaimed, wincing in pain.

Adrian Jennings glanced over and smiled slightly, "Talia, you look great today."

He too had changed into riding attire.

It was also in gray tones, coincidentally matching hers as if they were in couple outfits.

The riding clothes perfectly displayed Adrian’s broad shoulders and narrow waist, his tall stature making him stand out in the crowd.

Beside him stood Selina Hughes.

Talia was a bit surprised; she didn’t know Selina would be here too.

Adrian said, "Selina wanted to come play, so I brought her along."

He thought it would be good for Talia and Selina to get to know each other more, since they’d be family in the future.

Talia nodded and greeted with a broad smile, "Hello."

As they spoke, Adrian’s horse was brought over.

It was a very beautiful warmblood horse, and since Talia had never visited the ranch with Adrian before, she was seeing his horse for the first time.

Talia’s eyes lit up; it was a tall and majestic horse, which by the looks of it, seemed to be a purebred Hanoverian from Germany.

Selina’s voice was sweet and coy as she asked, "兄哥, what kind of horse is this? It’s so pretty."

Adrian replied coolly, "It’s a Hanoverian from Germany."

Ryan chimed in from the side, "Don’t underestimate this horse, Selina, it’s quite a prized one."

Selina coquettishly shook Adrian’s arm, "哥哥, I really want to learn horse riding too, can you teach me?"

Talia’s gaze inadvertently lingered on Selina’s hands grasping Adrian’s arm.

Why did she feel an uncomfortable twinge inside?

She quickly looked away.

Adrian smoothly pulled his arm out, "I can enroll you in a riding class."

Yvonne timely interjected, "Miss Selina, if you want to learn equestrian, come to me. I can recommend my instructor to you."

"哥哥, I want you to teach me," Selina still pouted.

A strange emotion welled up in Talia’s heart.

Indescribable and indistinct.

Not wanting to stay and watch Selina act coy, Talia turned and went to the stables to fetch her horse.

Her horse was a white Akhal-Teke, a birthday gift from Winter Donovan on her seventeenth birthday.

Its coat was pure white, with sleek fur that shone with a fine radiance under sunlight, giving it a divine and noble appearance.

The Akhal-Teke is also widely known as the Ferghana horse.

Beside her, Winter smiled warmly, "Talia, in the three years you were away from Oakhaven, I took great care of Snowy for you."

"Snowy" was the name Talia had given the horse.

Because of its pure white coat and because it was a gift from Winter, Talia named it "Snowy."

"Thank you, Winter." Talia raised her hand to stroke the white horse’s face, and the gentle creature lowered its head to nuzzle against her palm.

Talia exclaimed in surprise, "It’s been over three years, and Snowy still remembers me."

"Of course," Winter replied, "Horses are very intelligent."

Talia led the horse outside.

She was eager to get on and ride a lap.

She stepped onto the stirrup, with Adrian supporting her arm and giving her a gentle boost at her waist to help her onto the horse.

"Thanks."

Talia rode off into the distance.

Not noticing the envious and cold gaze from Selina behind her.

The Donovan family’s ranch was in the countryside, vast and open, with endless stretches of grassland.

Talia galloped freely, the wind rushing past her ears.

She loved the feeling of unrestrained freedom.

It was as if only at such a moment did she feel truly free.

As Talia rode, her form was light, her movements agile, radiating charm from head to toe.

Everyone present couldn’t help but be captivated by her.

Even Selina had to admit that Talia Rhodes shone brightly at that moment.

Seeing Adrian Jennings fix his gaze on the figure slowly disappearing into the distance, even galloping after her, made Selina seethe with jealousy.