Lexie hurried over, looking anxious. "I thought you two were arguing, so I wanted to give Mr. Houston a chance to clear up any misunderstanding. I''m sorry. He didn''t actually want to dance with me."


    The other guests looked outside, eager to witness a ssic showdown between the two women.


    Debra, however, only gave a faint smile. "It''s just a dance. What does it even mean?"


    Her indifference took Lexie by surprise and hurt Marion''s feelings.


    "But," Debra continued, "it''s indeed improper for him to dance with another woman while we''re still married."


    Marion tensed up. "What do you want me to do?"


    Debra raised an eyebrow. "What, you want to make up for it?"


    "Yes." His response was firm.


    "Then jump into that fountain," she said. "And don''t get out unless I say so."


    It was winter in Orkgate, and the weather was brutally cold.


    Anyone who jumped into that fountain at this hour would end up catching a cold and falling ill.


    Lexie panicked. "That''s too much, Mrs. Houston. You can''t just humiliate people..."


    Before she could finish, a collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Marion had already jumped into the fountain without hesitation.


    In no time, his face was flushed from the cold. His lips paled, and droplets of water clung to his hair, forming a thinyer of frost.


    "Mr. Houston!" Lexie cried out in shock.


    "Looks like someone is feeling bad for you," Debra scoffed, ncing at Lexie. "Alright, I''ll give you a choice. Divorce me and be with Miss Trennery. How does that sound?"


    "Mrs. Houston, you made a mistake. Nothing is going on between Mr. Houston and me. How could you..." Lexie exined.


    But Debra cut her off. "Marion, go down on your knees and answer me."


    The guests were struck dumb. Marion wasn''t just anyone. And yet, Debra was humiliating him like that.


    "You crossed the line!" Lexie lost it. "You''re not wee here. I need you to leave now."


    She rushed toward the fountain, ready to pull Marion out. But before she could reach him, he had already lowered himself onto his knees.


    "I don''t want to leave you," he said. "And I will never get a divorce."


    A sharp inhale swept through the crowd.


    Lexie''s face turned ashen, and she was at a loss.<fn766d> Content originallyes from FindN()vel</fn766d>


    But anyone who knew better could see through her trick. She was ying the helpless, understanding woman in front of everyone.


    Debra had seen this act too many times before. Shelia had pulled the same innocent routine. It was doubtful that she could do better.


    "If Miss Trennery invites you to dance again, you know what to do, right?"


    "Yes."


    "Then show me."