Helen was speechless upon being censured. Aery and Mark also got done with their conversation. The latter walked over with a long face and tugged Arianne to leave. Returning to the car, he said coldly, “Go back to the Tremont Estate.”Brian did not understand how the current atmosphere became like this when they were so friendly while coming to the restaurant. He hummed an acknowledgement and didn't dare say more.Arianne didn’t feel guilty so she asked directly, “What did Aery tell you? You look so gloomy as if it’s going to rain.”Mark did not answer her question but slightly lowered his head as if he was musing. After some time, he spoke, “That day of the accident when you miscarried, what were you doing with Will in the car?”Reluctant to recall the incident, Arianne was a little heavyhearted. “He wasn’t in a good mood that day because you acquired his company, so he called me out for a chat. Of course, he didn’t tell me that. We were just chatting. After that, he sent me back to t
Arianne’s voice quivered as she spoke, but speaking to this point, there was no turning back. She had to win this time, she would not give in first!“Mm… not bad…” Mark was not being humble but he pondered. Something did not seem right…Arianne swallowed. “Uh… isn’t Nina leaving one of these days? When is she leaving? Let’s treat her to a meal. She’s a girl, ask someone to help her with the moving.”Successfully having his attention diverted, Mark replied, “I know. I’ll go to Jackson and Eric later. I won’t be home for dinner. Rest earlier after your meal.”When the car arrived at the Tremont Estate’s gate, Arianne got off the vehicle shakily, feeling her legs wobbling. Mark did not go in, having Brian drive to Jackson’s at the White Waters Bay. He suddenly asked, “Brian, was she picking a fight with me just now?”Brian swallowed. “I guess… I guess so… Actually, I agree with her that you’re at fault. It’s not an issue for her to throw a tantrum…”Mark wore a meaningful smile. “It’s not
Eric shook his head. “Don’t know. You can tell this to someone else and bluff them, but lying to your bros? Do we not know who you are? Other than being a womanizer, you don’t have any weakness. Women around you are either your relatives or your lovers.”Jackson smiled without saying anything back. When he heard glass shatter in the kitchen, he jolted. “You guys talk, I’ll go check it out.”When Jackson left, Eric whispered to Mark, “Do we want to let sis-in-law know? This is her best friend. What do you think?”Mark kept quiet, showing his disinterest in the matter. Not willing to give up, Eric fished out an exquisite box of cigarettes and passed it over. “Want one?”Looking at the cigarette offered to him, Mark hesitated for a second before rejecting Eric decisively. “I don’t smoke.”Eric teased him. “Oh ho ho, have you really quit? Yeah right, as if I believe that. Arianne isn’t here, so no need to pretend.”Perhaps it was for the weak ego of a man, for Mark took a cigarette and lit
Eric almost doubted himself after Tiffany’s spiel. “You… Fine! That’s all I have to say. Do whatever you want. I’m only giving you a reminder. You can’t sport with certain people, neither can you afford to as well. This is to prevent things from getting awkward when we meet Arianne in the future. Jackson’s never one to force others. If you’re reluctant to, nothing will happen between you both. Done and dusted, think about it yourself.” Tiffany rolled her eyes at him. “Okay, okay. Thank you for your reminder. Now go away, don’t block my source of light!”…Forty minutes later, Brian dropped Arianne off at the White Waters Bay. The door to Jackson’s house was left ajar, but she still knocked first.When Tiffany heard it, she sprinted to pull the door open like a gust of wind. “Ari!”Arianne was surprised. “Tiffie, why are you here?”Pulling the girl inside, Tiffany explained briefly, “Found a part-time job. I’m working by the hour here. Some cleaning and whatnot…”Arianne felt her heart
Truthfully, not many women could resist a man like Jackson. Even when you knew that he was a playboy, you would still think that he was elegant and charming. The unintentional details would always reflect his gentlemanly manner and his considerate character. More crucially, he had the assets to be a playboy. He was rich and handsome. Even devil-may-care Tiffany felt butterflies in her stomach for a while.…It was past ten at night when Mark and Arianne left Jackson’s villa. Everyone had some wine during the dinner, including Arianne, but she did not have too much. She could feel her cheeks heating up but she was still clear-minded.Brian had been waiting outside for a long time. When they got into the car, Arianne looked at the villa that turned scintillating in the nightfall and suddenly asked, “Is Jackson married?”Mark paused for a beat before answering, “No, but soon. He knows what he’s doing, you don’t have to worry.”Mark was Mark, he knew what she was thinking with just one que
“Give me a reason. Don’t tell me that someone your age is still afraid of sleeping alone. Are you afraid of the dark?” Tiffany asked him jokingly.“Something like that. Give it a thought.” Jackson got up and poured himself a glass of wine then drank half of it in one go.Tiffany thought about it, but still refused in the end. “The cab I hailed is arriving soon. Besides… it's not appropriate for us to do this. I heard from Eric that your marriage has been internally decided, which means you already have a partner. Why are you asking me to do something like this instead of your fiancée? I don’t want to be criticized by someone else. Come on now, there’s nothing scary about sleeping alone. Don’t worry so much.”Jackson smiled, somewhat self-deprecatingly. “My fiancée? Didn’t you see her at the restaurant last time? She isn’t like you.”Tiffany was suddenly at a loss for words. What did he mean by that? Was he insulting her? Being here with Jackson alone made her feel awkward. She coul
“You did this on purpose, didn’t you?” She gave Jackson an accusing look.“No, I didn’t. The wine glass was on the armrest when I left. I don’t know how it spilled.” Jackson shrugged innocently.“You’re deliberately making things difficult for me, aren’t you? You knew how tired I am already from cleaning and created another mess for me! How am I supposed to clean this sofa?” Tiffany looked like she was about to cry because she had absolutely no experience in cleaning up a stained sofa.Jackson burst out laughing on the spot. He thought Tiffany was going to accuse him of deliberately soiling the sofa to force her into submission. He didn’t expect her mind to be this pure. It was as if her brain didn’t function like a normal person’s.It was already midnight and Tiffany finally accepted the fact that she wouldn’t be going home today. Even so, she still insisted on not sharing the same blanket as Jackson. At least, it felt safer that way.At the Tremont Estate...Nina was forcing Ar
After a wild storm, Mark finally got up and went into the bathroom. “I’ll send Nina off later. You should get more sleep after getting some food.”Arianne blushed and sank into the blankets, still panting slightly. The man looked as cold as an iceberg again after getting out of the bed, but they were talking a lot more now. In the past, he would never talk to her unless necessary.In the White Water Bay Villa, Tiffany woke up freezing cold. Except for the warmth on her back, she felt cold everywhere else. She didn’t know how the two blankets ended up being kicked onto the ground. Jackson and her were supposed to be sleeping on each side of the bed, but they were now in each other’s arms! No, to be precise, she was the one being held in his arms. She would’ve murdered him if it wasn’t for the fact that he kept his arm on her waist and not any higher than that.She only now understood what he meant by sleeping with him. Jackson only wanted her to be his pillow. It was only as simple a