The atmosphere instantly grew solemn. Melanie smiled suddenly and pointed outside. "Let's have a chat. I'll treat you all to some smoothies."Jenny looked at Stephanie, who was equally dumbfounded. However, she did not feel opposed to it. "Alright."Melanie paid for the dress she had tried on, and they walked into the smoothies shop downstairs.Jenny couldn't remember the last time she had a smoothie. Most of the time, she had coffee instead because she felt smoothies were too sweet for her liking.They ordered some smoothies. It was then that Melanie picked up where they left off. "Although I know he still likes you, I don't mind. I think it just means that he has depth. Someone like that is worthy of my affection."Her eyes shone when she spoke of Paul. Stephanie felt her chest bloom when she looked at her. She remembered how proud she was to be with Paul before. Then when Paul was unwilling to disclose their relationship and even said he wouldn't marry her, their relationship c
Jenny rolled her eyes and said, "Does that mean we have to forgive him? Does he think that the world revolves around him?"If Alec were to do what Paul did, refuse to make their relationship public, refuse to marry her, and then trap her in his house, Jenny would not forgive him either.Some things were just a matter of principles."Of course, not everyone has to forgive him. Like Stephanie. Don't you forgive him?" Melanie said. She continued, "But he has to be given another chance. Stephanie might not be willing to give him a chance, but I do. I believe that he won't make the same mistake again."Jenny admired her willingness to be a lab rat. "Alright, as you wish."She couldn't stop anyone from liking Paul. Despite his shortcomings, Paul was handsome and came from wealth. Lots of girls would like him."Can we exchange phone numbers? We'll be able to hang out in the future." Melanie took her phone out embarrassedly, blushing a little. She wouldn't have been so arrogant if she ha
Mhm. Have you had dinner?" Jenny went to sit across from Evan.Evan nodded. "Don't worry about me. I have a personal chef, remember?"Though having asked Jenny to move in with him, Evan still didn't want to control her too much. He didn't want to upset her, after all."Here. Got you a present for New Year's." Jenny handed him a present.Evan took it, surprised. "Isn't New Year's in two days? Why're you giving me this now?"Jenny shrugged. "It's all the same to me."Evan smiled. "Thank you.""Open it. See if you like what I got you." Jenny beamed at him, hoping Evan's moods might lift with the present she got for him."I'll love anything you give me." Evan opened the present up. Upon seeing it was a tie, he smiled. "Stylish. Thank you.""I'm glad you like it. I wasn't sure what you liked; I just felt like this suited you."Evan wanted to ask if anyone else had gotten such a gift, but he swallowed his words at the last second.Afterward, Jenny got up. "I'll wheel you back into
"What about you? Any New Year's plans?" Alec asked. He wanted to ask her if she'd like to spend it with him but wasn't sure if she'd accept the offer. After some thinking, Jenny said, "I'm not sure. Probably like usual—spending it with Zack and Gilbert."Evan would likely join them as well, though Jenny didn't mention it to Alec for fear of his displeasure.Frankly, Alec had guessed as much too."Sounds good. Why don't we light some fireworks together during the night? We can have lunch together." The people of Bardoff City customarily had their New Year's meal as lunch instead, so they'd still be able to hang out for the remainder of the day."Alright."Alec grinned. "Get some rest then.""You too." Jenny didn't ask further about Alec's personal business. She trusted him enough to make the right decisions.Just as she was about to end the call, Alec suddenly asked, "Aren't you going to ask about Blake and me?"Jenny frowned, then suddenly recalled the news she'd seen earlier
"My guess is the old man will come knocking on my door soon enough." Of course, unless Zeke wanted to watch his family collapse into a heap of rubble.From across the windows, Jenny gave him a thumbs up. "Amazing work, Alec.""So what if I am? I'll always lose when it comes to you." He really never stood a chance against Jenny.Jenny rolled her eyes. "Alright. Time to sleep. Goodnight.""Goodnight." After bidding their farewells and hanging up, Jenny closed her curtains, making Alec finally leave the window.Just when he was about to draw his curtains, he spotted Evan across the building looking out the window right at him. He had most likely seen Alec calling Jenny over the phone just now.Alec grinned and waved at the man before drawing his curtains.Evan's expression fell. Alec was clearly flaunting at him. Still, there was nothing he could do. Bardoff City was Alec's playing field. It would be extremely difficult to get rid of the man, plus Jenny would never forgive him if
"I'll come with you." Evan didn't want Jenny going alone, mainly because the old man was Alec's grandfather, and the last thing he wanted was for Jenny to have further contact with Alec.He knew he couldn't stop her from going, after all."No need. It's right next door. I'll go on my own. You stay and rest." Jenny shook her head. It's not like Evan knew Old Mr. Faust. Things would be weird if they met just like that.Evan sighed. "Alright. I'll be here."Jenny wanted to say "Don't wait up for me," but Evan had a familiar determination on his face that meant she wouldn't succeed in convincing him, so she didn't bother.She happily went next door while Evan gazed unhappily at his neighboring house.Meanwhile, the butler was already waiting outside for Alec when he arrived at the mansion. "Mr. Alec."Alec smirked. The people in this family really were keen and intelligent beyond the ordinary. Even their staff knew when to be courteous.He probably knew better than to piss off the
Alec straightened up, smiling gleefully. "You say that, but we both know you're just begging for my help right now."Their statuses had swapped for good, so Alec felt like he could finally express displeasure with the old man's tone."Yes," Zeke gritted out quietly.Seeing him surrender, Julian snarled, "Show some respect, Alec Faust! Didn't you always want the title as the family's head? Well, now you have it, so you better at least be grateful to Grandad!""Julian!" Zeke grunted, glaring at his grandson.But Alec remained unperturbed. He gazed at Julian. "Why should I be grateful? I wouldn't be here today if you all had a plan to deal with your family crisis, no?"His words were replied with silence."So, shouldn't you be grateful for me instead for saving the family from being wiped out in Bardoff City?" Alec grinned.Julian had never been so disrespected in his entire life as a Faust. But Yakov held him back from retorting.When Xavier was still around, Yakov had considere
Jenny beamed as she greeted Old Mr. Faust, "Grandpa.""Jenny?" The old man was shocked to see her. "Did that boy ask you to come?"Only Alec knew of his arrival in Bardoff City. If he hadn't informed Jenny, she wouldn't have shown up so soon."I live right next door, actually." Jenny pointed at the neighboring building, staying silent on her business with Evan.Old Mr. Faust grinned. "No wonder he chose this place."Jenny laughed, then changed the topic. "How are you? Feeling better?""I'm an old man, after all. Things are what they are." Old Mr. Faust sighed, having long accepted his reality. "Come, sit."Jenny sat across from him, noticing how frail he looked. "You don't have much to worry about from now on—Alec's most likely the head of the Faust family now.""Mhm. He's never disappointed me," Old Mr. Faust said proudly.Though he was never fond of Mortimer, the one thing he was glad of his son was his beloved grandson Alec.Still…"You're right. All that I'm holding onto