Jenny couldn't exclude that possibility. She tried to console herself. People had exes, even her—it was normal. But the fear that she might just be a substitute terrified her. Jenny hated how fragile she felt. It had never been like this before she got into this relationship. She couldn't stop imagining what Alec was up to when he wasn't spending time with her.Did he still talk to that other woman?She even considered asking Alec who that woman was and whether she was just her substitute. She stopped herself every time, pretending nothing had happened. Every day that she worked, she pushed these doubts from her mind. But Alec only got busier and busier with work, increasing her anxiety."Hey Steph, wanna grab lunch together?" Jenny finally called Stephanie. She needed to find someone to vent to before she lost her mind.Stephanie was already waiting for her at the café, and she immediately noticed the weird look on Jenny's face."What happened? You don't look okay. Have you bee
"He's not, and neither are you. You have to be confident in yourself, Jenny. I've never seen you like this," Stephanie said solemnly.Jenny dismissed it. "It's not about confidence." She just wondered if Alec liked her because she resembled the woman in the photo.Who…was she?Jenny had too many questions but didn't tell Stephanie any of them. It would only worry her friend."How have you been, by the way? Is Paul causing any trouble?" Jenny swiftly changed the topic. She didn't want to talk about her relationship anymore. It only aggravated her further.Stephanie sighed, sipping her coffee. "I've been alright. Paul's been busy, but we've been handling it okay." She wouldn't have agreed to lunch with Jenny if the problems had persisted."Good. Remember to always let me know if you need help," Jenny said."Hehe, I will."The two continued their lunch, dropping the topic of Alec and Paul. It allowed them a moment's reprise from their worries.When Jenny went home that night, she
Mortimer Faust's expression was equally ugly. Being called dead by one's own son was not an easy thing to go through. He was about to argue when Old Mr. Faust yelled, "Don't you dare talk! If you had been here for Alec, he wouldn't be so upset with you!"Mortimer winced and said gently, "Dad, things were complicated back then. I didn't have a choice.""Didn't have a choice?" Alec sneered. "What terrible situation would've made you abandon your wife, I wonder!""I…" Mortimer tried to retort but couldn't find anything to say."Where's your whore now, hm? Abandoned her too?" Alec hissed."She died." Mortimer sighed, sadness lingering in his eyes.Alec couldn't be more pissed off than he was right now. "So you come crawling back only after your mistress dies?! I should kick you out right now, you fucking—""Alec Faust, I am your father!" Mortimer roared.Alec sneered. "My father. Is. Dead." No way was he going to accept this man as his father now.Old Mr. Faust hurriedly stopped
Alec lit a cigarette by the door, gazing up at the night sky, deep in thought.Footsteps sounded from behind him. It was Mortimer, surprised that his son was still there. "You're still here. Good. I need to talk to you about something."Alec tossed the cigarette on the ground and snubbed it with his foot. "Really. What?""Break up with Jenny Walter and never have any contact with her again," Mortimer said swiftly, oblivious to his son's hostility.Alec sneered but said nothing."How could a woman like her be on the same level as you? She's obviously just in for your money. She's not fit to be your wife, Alec!" Mortimer had no clue about Jenny's background. Old Mr. Faust didn't tell him either, so Alec wasn't going to start.His hands curl into fists by his sides. "A woman like her? She's a hundred times better than that whore you ran away with."Mortimer's face darkened immediately. "Don't you dare talk about her like that!""You're protecting her even after her death? How roma
Saturday night was La Vie Jen Rose Designs official launch. Jenny had rushed to the office early in the morning to finalize the preparations.Jade crept to her side and whispered, "Is Alec coming?"Jenny grew still. She did call him last night, but he seemed busy with work and couldn't make it to tonight's event."No. He's busy with work." Jenny shook her head.Jade looked disappointed. Alec's attendance would've added more influence on the company's opening. "It's fine. I trust our company's worth," she murmured, as if reassuring herself.Once the preparations were complete, they proceeded to the storefront where their models and outfits were. The staff were busy making sure everything was ready."Nervous, Jenny? The world will soon witness your brand's capabilities."Jenny shrugged. "I have faith in my creations." She gazed at all the outfits ready on their hangers, and confidence and pride swelled in her chest."Good for you, 'cause even I'm nervous." Jade was actually afrai
Jenny's smile soured just the slightest as doubt crept into her mind. Yes, the Faust Group hadn't been up to much lately, so why had Alec been so busy? He didn't even have time to grab a quick lunch with her.Something was wrong.Jenny quickly stopped those thoughts from spreading. She decided to make a trip to the Faust Group after tonight to finally get an honest answer from Alec.As Jade ended her speech and applause followed, their shop officially opened. The crowd flocked in, and Jenny, alongside her staff, tended to the customers.Their prices raised several gasps and hushed whispers, being on par with several international luxury brands."Look at the price on this!" someone cried unabashedly.Jenny went up to the woman who had spoken up. "Would you like to hear about what materials we use for our clothing?""No, actually. I just want to know why you'd dare price your items as high as the Shanelle across from here."Obviously, this woman was rich. But still, she didn't wa
Yvonne was enjoying the scene she had caused. Two of her staff stood by her side, holding robes similar to the ones the woman had purchased from Jenny's store.The woman quickly compared her purchase with the ones shown. Her face fell when she realized they were nearly identical. She tossed a robe at Jade, demanding, "What is this? You expect me to wear a copycat's work?!"She was an influential woman in Parrington, so wearing something like this would surely ruin her reputation.Jade tucked the robe in her arms and glanced at the ones Yvonne's staff were holding. "We can guarantee there was no copyright infringement involved.""No?" Yvonne sneered and walked up to Jenny. "How would you explain the similarity in our designs when we've been open for a week now?"Jenny knew Yvonne was coming directly at her. All this copycat stuff must've been her idea too. She just had to figure out how Yvonne got her designs."I have the fashion drawing for this robe because I drew the design mys
The police came, and the customers soon left. Yvonne didn't understand how Jenny looked so confident. Did she have evidence?She cautiously went up to Jenny. "Do you have proof that you didn't copy our work?""Don't you worry. I'll be handing all our proof to the police. You just worry about whether you missed something. Or your reputation will be ruined once the truth comes out." Jenny grinned.Yvonne was shocked by her confidence but quickly recomposed herself. "Hmph! We'll see just what you can come up with!" Before she left the premises, she turned around to upset Jenny even further. "Alec hasn't been coming to you recently, has he?"Jenny frowned but ignored her."Don't you wanna know what he's been up to?" Yvonne grinned. "Because I know exactly what's going on with him.""Nope. We're alright. Thank you for your concern." Jenny turned to leave."Really? Then why does it seem like you don't know anything that's going on?" If only Jenny knew about Mortimer Faust, she wouldn'
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