"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
Jenny was about to say something else but ultimately kept silent since Janet was there. "Be smart, then."After Jenny left, Zack huffed and pursed his lips, feeling conflicted."I'm sorry, Zack," Janet said softly.She knew things only devolved to this because of her, though Zack never said anything of the sort out loud. Janet guessed that Zack's siblings knew of her past too.After falling in love with Zack and his personality, she felt guilty for subjecting him to that sort of response from his family. If only she hadn't had such a complicated past, things wouldn't be so tense today."Don't be sorry. It's not your fault." Zack had done his homework on Janet, too, and confronted her about everything.Yes, it was morally incorrect, but Zack didn't blame her. Who wouldn't want to live a worry-free life?Now Janet really felt ashamed. "It is," she mumbled weakly."Janet…""I regret it all, you know that, right?" Zack's heart clenched painfully. He gathered Janet into his arms,
Gilbert eased up upon hearing that. "You have a point. Being too opposed right now will only incur Zack's hatred."He had thought of breaking the two up from the start, just hadn't put things into action. But now, Jenny's words had opened yet another window of understanding for him. It wasn't like Gilbert actually wanted to stay at a stalemate with Zack forever."We'll wait and see first." Jenny nodded, glad that her brother was taking her advice.Gilbert then shifted his focus to Alec, having seen him speak to Jenny earlier by the fence. "What did Alec Faust want? Does he live next door?""He…""Hasn't given up, has he?" Gilbert questioned. He'd thought Alec might feel defeated when Jenny moved in with Evan and finally gave up. The doctor was never certain whether Evan's injuries would heal. Therefore, there was a chance that Jenny would have to stay by his side for a long, long time. He imagined Alec would surrender under the pressure.Jenny sighed, glancing out the window to f
That afternoon, Gilbert called off his engagement to the Silveras. He did not pick up a single one of Lottie's calls. When he found Marigold, she was taking Caleb on a stroll around the neighborhood. It had been a while since she'd taken notice of anything related to Gilbert. She suddenly felt how nice it was to have her mental energy spent somewhere else, no longer being so hung up on that man. However, when Gilbert appeared before her, her heartbeat quickened. "Why are you here?" Marigold said, snapping out of her reverie. Gilbert smiled lightly. Without saying much else, he pulled her into an embrace. "Didn't you say that I could come to see you once everything is settled?" Marigold was stunned. She was in disbelief. "So, what you're saying is it's all over?" "Didn't you read the news?" Gilbert was speechless. "No. I didn't want to care." Every time she saw anything about Gilbert and Lottie, she felt miserable. She'd rather save herself the pain and block out anything
In the end, Esther went with Gilbert's suggestion. However, she did not trade Bradshaw Operation's projects with Jenny. She went with the Silveras. For one, she did not trust the Walters. On the other hand, the Silveras and the Bradshaws were going to be united through marriage. They deserved to be trusted more. Gilbert didn't mind. After all, if anything happened to the Bradshaws, the Silveras would not help. With those projects in hand, they would only fall further into debt. The plan was going smoothly. Gilbert had not gone to see Marigold once. He knew that before subduing the Bradshaws, going to visit Marigold would only endanger her. After all, Marigold was safe. Nothing had happened, and Caleb was growing up healthily. One month later, things began to feel off in Bradshaw Operations. After Faust Group received their money, they did not start the project. No one knew what they were doing. Esther was feeling antsy. She prodded Gilbert to ask if there was anything wro
That very afternoon, Esther and Gilbert rushed to Faust Group to sign the deal. Gilbert said he was worried that Alec would change his mind, so he urged Esther to sign it. Only through a written contract would they be able to relax. Esther thought it made sense and agreed to rush to Faust Group with Gilbert.In the meeting room, Alec looked at the two people before him, expressionless. "You have a good son, Mrs. Bradshaw." "I'm flattered. My son had Bradshaw Operations' interests at heart. He'll inevitably be a little insensitive. Please don't hold that against him, Mr. Faust." Esther smiled. She didn't mind Alec's sarcasm because it didn't matter. As long as Bradshaw Operations could truly benefit from this, she didn't care how much Alec mocked her. Alec smiled coldly and slid the contract over to her. "You may flip through it." Esther took it and read through it seriously.If this project succeeded, they would reap massive rewards. However, it required a massive upfront inv
In the following days, Gilbert headed over to Faust Group infrequently during the day. To others, he was there to talk business with Alec. But in reality, it was a different scenario altogether. Vincent brought Gilbert a cup of coffee in Alec's office. Because of all the times he'd been there, Vincent knew what he wanted without having to ask. Alec had a cup of coffee placed before him, too. Everyone thought that Gilbert was trying to convince Alec to give him one of the shares, which was why he always came there, but that was not the case. The collaboration was a set-up. As long as the Bradshaws signed the deal on the project, they would not escape unscathed. Gilbert had planned this for a long time just to trick the Bradshaws into accepting the project. However, the scheme had to be executed perfectly. Since Gilbert buttered up the project in front of the Bradshaws, Alec had to feign disinterest in his collaboration. Otherwise, it would seem suspicious if Alec, a smart ma
After the engagement party, Gilbert officially had a stronghold in Bradshaw operations. Because he was already very capable, he had a lot of supporters. No one challenged him in the company. Most of them sucked up to him because they knew that if things went well, he would be the heir of the company.Gilbert didn't really care about that. He didn't even want to be there for long. He knocked on Esther's door and walked into her office."Come, sit." Esther was all smiles when she saw him. It was more sincere than before.She used to doubt him a lot, but now, although she still had her reservations, she mostly believed in him. In her eyes, no one would reject the chance to inherit Bradshaw Operations. This was basically manna from Heaven. Gilbert just didn't know it back then, and now he did. Gilbert sat down in front of Esther and began reporting the information he had gathered, as well as his thoughts on Bradshaw Operations and his plans for the future.When he presented the inf
Gilbert and Lottie's engagement party was held at Bardoff Grand Hotel on Saturday.A ton of people showed up to their engagement party. After all, the Bradshaws and the Silveras were pretty big names in Bardoff City, and plenty of the other families knew of their true wealth. They all came to attend the party. Jenny and Alec had both received invites. Jenny was Gilbert's sister, and on top of that, they represented the Walters and the Fausts. It was to be expected. At first, Jenny didn't want to go. The party held no meaning to it. It was just a show put on for Esther. It would be a complete waste of her time. However, she was talked into it by Alec. It would be weird if she didn't go. Zack brought Janet to the party. He found Jenny and was in a daze. "Wasn't Gilbert courting Marigold? Why is he engaged to Lottie?" Jenny rolled her eyes. "What have you been doing, Zack? You're really bad at keeping up." Gilbert had been courting Lottie for a while now. If Zack paid attention
Gilbert drove to Jenny's villa, but he was in no rush to get down. He didn't unlock the doors, either. He obviously wanted to talk to Marigold. But Marigold evidently didn't want to. "I want to take my child and leave." She was afraid. What if Gilbert and Lottie married and took her child away? She no longer believed in love. The only thing she believed in was her child. Gilbert tightened his grip when he heard that. "Marigold, the engagement is only for Esther to see. I have no feelings for Lottie." "Who knows? People change. You said you didn't have feelings for me, too." Marigold found this all very amusing. Perhaps this was fate. Gilbert wanted to keep explaining, but Marigold did not give him the chance to. "Just let me and Caleb leave. If what you say is true, you can come to find us once everything is over." And if Gilbert didn't come looking for her, the truth would unfold itself, and she would give up all hope. Gilbert understood that Marigold had already made
Marigold was miserable throughout dinner, but she persevered till the end without being too dramatic. After dinner, they walked to the entrance of the shopping mall.Gilbert went to get the car. Lottie stood with Jenny and Marigold. Watching Gilbert leave, she turned toward Marigold. "I heard that you used to like Gilbert very much." "It's all in the past. It's not worth mentioning." Marigold didn't want to talk about it. She was afraid that Lottie would see that she still liked Gilbert. Most importantly, she was afraid that Gilbert's plan would be ruined. Lottie smiled. "That's true. The past is the past. You're such a nice person. You'll definitely be able to find someone better suited for you in the future." Marigold pursed her lips. Gilbert soon brought the car over. Lottie was about to get into the car, but before she did, she suddenly turned to Marigold and said, "Gilbert and my engagement party will be in a few days' time. If you have the time, you're more than welcom
Everyone was shocked to hear her speak so suddenly. Lottie was stunned, and she explained, "You've misunderstood. That's not what I meant. I just think that if the child follows his father, it'll help him develop better, and you'll be less stressed." "I don't need your concern. I can raise my child alone," Marigold snorted. She did not hold back at all. Lottie looked unpleasant. Gilbert had no choice but to step in. "We'll have our own child together. And whoever likes it the most will get to keep it." Although they knew that Gilbert had meant this for Lottie to hear, Marigold found it extremely upsetting. She looked at Gilbert, and for a moment, she was unable to tell if he was being genuine. She thought of all that Gilbert had said to her last night, saying that he didn't like Lottie and had no intention of marrying her. But he looked to be truly in love. Marigold didn't think she could tell if he was faking it. "I'm sorry. I need to go to the restroom." Marigold didn't w