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'
"What's her name?""Quinn Blue."…The web browser she had opened up was filled with information about Quinn Blue.Jenny had been lauded as an academic when she was still in school and even after. But after seeing all the records and accomplishments this woman had, she suddenly felt inferior. Quinn had both intellectual and athletic prowess, as well as developed several humanitarian projects.Jenny shook her head, trying to shake away the sensation from her mind.Quinn was beautiful, yes; an academic, yes; but that was none of Jenny's business. They were two different people.She shut her laptop, deciding to have a talk with Alec about that woman. If he really only thought of Jenny as a substitute, then they might as well end things. She wasn't about to be someone else's substitute.A knock on the door made her jump in surprise.Could it be Alec? Did he rush over after hearing what happened at the store?Jenny hurried to the door, hope gathering in her heart. It had been so l
Christopher stared at the bowl of instant noodles and reconsidered marrying Jenny.Was his grandfather toying with him?Jenny shot him a look. "You're lucky to have something to eat right now. If you don't want any, you can leave."Most men were probably like Christopher, she thought; never lifted a finger to cook or clean for themselves. Alec was a rare one, for sure.Jenny felt a little sad at that. The thought of not being with him anymore, of not eating his cooking ever again, was terrible."You really went all out, huh." Christopher sat down to eat the noodles. He was hungry, after all.Jenny ignored him and quietly ate her food, wondering when to meet with Alec again. Before that, she'd have to deal with her company. She couldn't let Yvonne frame her for copyright infringement.Christopher didn't leave after finishing his meal."Why are you still here?""Let's chat for a bit, hm? You're not busy, are you?" The man lounged on her couch. He couldn't just leave after finall