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'