Just then, a bright set of headlights beamed from behind, and an SUV slowly came to a stop not far from them.

Seeing David step out of the driver's seat in full hiking gear, Jessica scoffed."Great, just what I needed to start my day off wrong."

Her tone made it clear that she considered David the source of her bad luck.

David's temper flared instantly at Jessica's provocation. He gritted his teeth and snapped, "Wanna say that again?"

Jessica wasn't intimidated. She lifted her chin and repeated louder,"Great.just what I needed to start my day off wrong."

"Are you looking for trouble?" David's face flushed with anger.

At that moment, the passenger door opeñed, and Ethan stepped out.

With just a casual glance from Ethan, David seemed to freeze in place.swallowing his anger and letting out a frustrated grunt, looking as humiliated as he felt.

Wendy instinctively turned her head and locked eyes with Ethan.

He had changed into a black jacket that made him look even more imposing.

His gaze was fixed on Wendy, his eyes deep and unreadable.

Wendy met his stare, raising an eyebrow defiantly.

Then, Lydia emerged from the back seat.

She fluffed her wavy hair and smiled at Wendy, "What a coincidence.Wendy.We meet again."

She emphasized the word "again," implying Wendy had followed them on purpose.

Wendy ignored her insinuation and called to Jessica and Susan. "Let's go.It'll take an hour and a half to hike up, and we don't want to miss the sunrise."

But Lydia wasn't done. She quickly walked over and clung to Ethan's arm,saying sweetly, "Ethan, look at Wendy, so energetic this early in the morning. I wonder which handsome guy she's meeting."

She shot Wendy a challenging look.

Ethan's expression darkened, his tone dripping with sarcasm, "Some people just can't stay put, always looking to flirt around."

Though he didn't name names, everyone knew he was talking about Wendy.

Wendy wasn't one to take insults lying down. If they were going to humiliate her publicly, she saw no reason to hold back.

"Lydia,Ethan, you two are perfect for each other-a mistress and a jerk."Wendy sneered. "I hope you stay together forever and spare the rest of us."

Lydia's face turned red with embarrassment at being called a mistress.

She couldn't handle the insult and immediately teared up, looking extremely aggrieved.

She started crying. "Ethan, did you hear what she called me? Who's the

mistress? I knew you first, how can she slander me like this?"

Ethan was already fuming from Wendy's retort, and seeing Lydia so upset only fueled his anger.

His face turned ashen, feeling that Wendy had gone too far by humiliating him and Lydia in public.

"Wendy, you owe Lydia an apology!" Ethan stormed forward,grabbing Wendy's arm tightly. "If you don't apologize, this isn't over!"

Wendy looked at the two of them, feeling nothing but contempt and anger.

She gritted her teeth, enduring the pain in her arm, and stood tall.sneering at Ethan, "Why should I apologize? Did I say anything untrue?You know exactly what you've done."

She tried to shake off Ethan's grip, but he held on tight.

"Let her go!"

The sudden voice made everyone freeze.

All eyes turned to see Alexander appear as if out of nowhere.

He stood tall and imposing, his presence commanding the air around him.

In a few strides, he was beside Wendy, knocking Ethan's hand away and pulling her into his protective embrace.

He looked down at Ethan with a mocking smile, "Using force on a woman?Some man you are."

"You!" Ethan was so furious he almost cursed, but he held back, knowing who he was dealing with.

Alexander gave him a cold look before turning to Wendy, "Are you okay?"Wendy stared at him in a daze, completely taken aback by his sudden appearance.

After a moment, she snapped out of it and replied, "I'm fine. Are you here to hike too?"

"Yeah," Alexander's gaze never left Wendy. "I heard the sunrise at Wildflower Mountain is beautiful. I wanted to see it."

As he spoke, his eyes were filled with a deep affection that was almost palpable.

It was a beautiful scene.

But to Ethan, it was an eyesore.

Beside him. Lydia was nearly driven mad with jealousy.

How could Wendy, a woman who had been cast aside, attract a man like Alexander?

Susan and Jessica exchanged curious glances.

Clearly, some people had good taste. Wendy was beautiful and capable,far better than the pretentious Lydia.

Only a blind man like Ethan would mistake trash for treasure.

Wendy avoided Alexander's gaze and checked the time, "We should hurry,or we'll miss the sunrise."

Alexander nodded.

Without another word to Ethan and his group,the four of them set off towards the peak of Wildflower Mountain.

The challenge of hiking was quite strenuous for Wendy, who was not used to regular exercise and was in poor health.

After just a few hundred steps, she was already sweating.

Susan and Jessica raced ahead, soon disappearing from sight.

Alexander kept an eye on Wendy, stopping to wait for her whenever she needed a break.

Wendy gripped her hiking poles, bent over, and took deep breaths.

After a moment, she looked up. a mix of apology and determination in her eyes, "You should go ahead. Don't wait for me. If we keep stopping,we might miss the sunrise."

"No rush," Alexander shook his head gently, looking at her with a soft smile. "It's okay if we don't see it today."

Wendy paused, his words struck a chord in the softest part of her heart.