"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
Old Mr. Faust was waiting for Alec when he returned to the living room. The old man seemed displeased. "Has she gone back?""Mhm." Alec nodded, sitting down beside his grandfather."What is wrong with you, Alec? How long has it been? Why aren't you two together yet? Are you even trying?" Old Mr. Faust questioned, genuinely concerned for his grandson.Alec sighed. "You make it sound like I don't want to, Grandpa."If Jenny had agreed to it, they'd have started dating long ago."She's only hesitating because of all the things you did that broke her trust. Bitter, isn't it?" Old Mr. Faust grunted out. Before Alec could speak, Old Mr. Faust continued, "When you two were married, I told you she was the right match for you, but you never wanted to even meet her in person. Look at you now. You lost your own wife, for God's sake."The more Old Mr. Faust spoke, the more upset he grew. God knew how much work he'd put into getting Alec to marry Jenny, only for it to end with a divorce.I
Just then, the doorbell rang."I'll get it," Jenny said, heading to the door, already guessing who it was.Sure enough, Zack and Gilbert stood outside the door, Janet alongside them. The atmosphere was tense between them, most likely due to the issue with Janet.Jenny ignored that fact, however. "Come on inside. It's cold out."She glanced at the sky; snowflakes already drifting down from the clouds. It looked like there'd be another few inches of snow today.Warmth surrounded them as they entered the villa."I've bought all the ingredients you asked for, Gilbert. Is there anything else you need? I can go get it." Jenny dragged her eldest brother to the kitchen.Spotting Evan in there, Gilbert scoffed, "Oh? You wanna help out too?""However way I can, yes." Evan smiled, ignoring Gilbert's poke. He knew Gilbert wasn't happy with him for asking Jenny to take care of him. But Evan didn't care.Gilbert sneered. "No need. Why don't you go back to your room and rest? Else you feel
Once they finished with the spinach, Zack and Janet went out to the garden with Jenny. The place was piled with snow at this point, forming quite the snowy wonderland."Jenny," Alec murmured longingly when he spotted the trio playing in the snow next door. He stood right beside the fence in his own garden.Jenny went up to him. "You guys finished preparing lunch yet?""Mhm. The butler's making it." A two-person meal didn't need much lavishness or grandeur.Alec only wished Jenny could join them for lunch.Recalling it would only be Alec and Old Mr. Faust eating together, Jenny suddenly pitied them. "You didn't invite Mortimer and Alfred for lunch?"She knew Alec would loathe seeing them right now, but it was New Year's, the time for family to reunite and spend time together."Them?" Alec scowled. "Why should I? We're not family.""Alright then." "What about you? I'm guessing Gilbert's cooking in the kitchen?" Jenny nodded, feeling embarrassed. "Yeah. Zack and I don't know h