CHAPTER 26: CHAPTER 26: SELINA HUGHES’S SCHEMING

Talia and Adrian Jennings returned after two laps.

Yvonne Coleman, Ryan Quinn, and Winter Donovan were nowhere to be seen.

They must have gone horse riding.

Only Selina Hughes was there.

Seeing them return, Selina Hughes approached them with a sweet smile, "Wow, Sister Talia, you look so cool riding a horse. Can I learn to ride from you?"

Talia was taken aback.

Didn’t she just say that she only wanted her brother to teach her?

Talia replied, "There are equestrian coaches over there. I can call a coach to teach you."

Selina Hughes pouted, with a bit of a spoiled tone, "But the coach will put pressure on me, and I don’t know the coach. I’m afraid of being scolded. Sister Talia, you’re so nice, you won’t scold me, right?"

Talia wasn’t used to unfamiliar people being so coy with her.

She turned her head to look at Adrian Jennings.

Wanting to hear what he had to say.

Adrian Jennings happened to turn his head as well to look at her, asking for her opinion, "Talia, are you willing to teach her?"

He threw the question back to her again.

Talia thought for a moment.

After all, Selina Hughes was Adrian Jennings’ sister.

She would also be her sister-in-law in the future.

Although Selina Hughes’ attitude wasn’t very good at their first meeting.

But that was nothing major, and she later apologized.

Now, Selina Hughes’ attitude towards her seemed friendly.

Talia was inherently kind and usually wouldn’t assume the worst in girls.

She didn’t think Selina Hughes meant any harm, so she decided not to refuse.

"Okay." Talia looked at Selina Hughes, "I can teach you some basics today and give you a taste of riding. Later on, let your brother sign you up for a riding class for systematic learning."

"Really?" Selina Hughes said with a sweet smile, "Thank you, Sister Talia."

The way she kept calling her "Sister Talia" was so sweet.

Talia felt a bit embarrassed, wondering if she had overthought things earlier.

Selina Hughes seemed not to have any ill will towards her.

Talia smiled politely and said, "You’re welcome."

Selina Hughes watched the woman in front of her.

Talia Rhodes, her sister-in-law.

She should call her "sister-in-law".

But no matter what, the words "sister-in-law" couldn’t come out of Selina Hughes’ mouth.

She didn’t want to admit that Talia Rhodes would be her sister-in-law in the future.

She couldn’t accept Adrian Jennings being with another woman.

Adrian Jennings gently said, "Thank you, Talia."

When he turned to Selina Hughes, the gentleness in his eyes vanished, returning to his usual cold demeanor.

Adrian Jennings instructed Selina Hughes in a brotherly tone, "Learn well from Talia and listen to her. Do whatever she says and pay attention to safety."

"Got it, brother." Selina Hughes smiled compliantly, appearing obedient.

"Come with me," Talia said, turning with the horse.

Selina Hughes followed.

"Come on, get on the horse first," Talia patiently told Selina Hughes, "Mount from the left side, place your left foot on the stirrup, and swing your right leg over the horse’s back to sit."

Talia assisted Selina Hughes in mounting the horse, "Careful."

Selina Hughes wasn’t wearing riding attire, but her sportswear today was suitable for riding.

Once Selina Hughes was on the horse, Talia led the horse slowly from the ground.

The little white horse was very docile when led, walking slowly.

"Are you getting used to it?" Talia asked, looking up at Selina Hughes.

Turning away from Adrian Jennings’ gaze, Selina Hughes no longer pretended to be obedient.

The smile on her face disappeared, her eyes cold as she replied indifferently, "Mm, it’s okay."

Talia didn’t mind the change in Selina Hughes’ demeanor.

They weren’t familiar in the first place, and this attitude felt more natural than forced friendliness.

Talia began explaining the basics to Selina Hughes, "For beginners, posture is crucial. Sit up straight in the saddle after mounting."

"Try holding the reins," Talia said, letting go of the reins for Selina Hughes to hold.

"To move the horse forward, make sure not to pull too hard on the reins. Don’t pull backward; release the tension to ease pressure on the horse, prompting it to walk forward gently."

Following Talia’s instructions, Selina Hughes held the reins without pulling back.

Snowball walked forward obediently, step by step.

Talia warmly assured, "Its name is Snowball, it’s very gentle. You don’t have to be afraid of it."

"Is it?" Selina Hughes’ voice lacked warmth, her words slightly odd.

Talia responded, "Don’t worry, I’m here, nothing will happen."

Selina Hughes curled her lips ambiguously, "Thank you, then."

Talia continued explaining, "If you want the horse to speed up, try gently squeezing the horse’s sides with your calves. This is called leg pressure. The horse receives your signal to speed up."

"Generally, the greater the leg pressure, the faster the horse runs."

"When the horse starts to run forward, remember to relieve the leg pressure promptly."

After finishing, Talia kindly asked Selina Hughes, "Does it make sense to you?"

Selina Hughes responded, "I understand."

As they spoke, the two moved further and further from their original position.

Selina Hughes glanced back, no longer able to see Adrian Jennings.

Talia continued discussing equestrian basics with her.

But Selina Hughes wasn’t paying attention.

Her right hand, holding the reins, also clutched a brooch.

She had deliberately taken it off and hidden it in her hand earlier.

Unaware, Talia asked her, "After all this riding, how do you feel? Isn’t horseback riding exhilarating?"

Selina Hughes replied perfunctorily, "Yes, it’s quite nice."

"The weather is wonderful today," Talia admired the distant sunset warmly.

As evening approached, the sunset was stunning, the sky filled with colorful clouds, and a gentle breeze swept the meadow.

Talia leisurely strolled, appreciating the enchanting scenery.

After walking a while, Talia said, "That should be enough, right? Let’s head back."

Selina Hughes smiled knowingly.

Talia was a bit puzzled.

It was then that the unexpected happened.

The little white horse suddenly began to gallop wildly.

Selina Hughes, clutching the reins, screamed in panic from the horse’s back.

"Ah—help! Help!"

Talia was utterly stunned by what unfolded before her eyes.

What was happening?

How could gentle Snowball suddenly lose control?

Everything happened too quickly, within seconds, and Talia couldn’t grasp the horse’s reins in time.

Talia’s mind went blank briefly.

When she snapped out of it, she dialed the emergency rescue number for the stables.

After being carried by the horse for some distance, Selina Hughes fell onto the grass and rolled far away.

The horse continued to run uncontrollably forward.

The emergency rescue team quickly arrived and placed Selina Hughes on a stretcher.

Adrian Jennings and the others followed the rescue team, rushing over to check the situation.

Seeing Selina Hughes injured, Adrian Jennings frowned, looking gravely at Talia.

Talia stared back at him dazedly, her eyes filled with confusion.