After that, they engaged in a pleasant conversation, or so it seemed to Randy and the others.Jenny, on the other hand, never entertained the idea of working with the Glasses. That family was going down soon anyway."I need to go to the restroom." She left the table. Seeing that, Randy called his father and shared some updates about his lunch with Jenny. She had no idea about the call, occupied by another pressing matter. A man had showed up in front of her, his figure towering over her. He seemed surprised to run into her.She stared at Alec Faust. When she was about to speak, he frowned with irritation. "Miss Walter, please have some self-control. I don't like women who obsess over me."She was speechless. Did Alec just accuse her of obsessing over him?"Alec Faust, you're a narcissist," she snickered and fired back since he did not show her any respect in the first place. "If anything, you're the one who's obsessed with me," she added , tone hostile.The frown on his face
"They look great together," Blake remarked casually, attracting Alec's gaze. She hurriedly clarified, "The Walters and the Glasses might be relatives, but Jenny and Randy are not blood-related. Everyone knows that."Although Graham presented Jenny as his and Rowena's long-lost daughter, everyone was clever enough to figure out that Rowena was not Jenny's birth mother.Alec was irked by the reminder that Jenny and Randy were not blood-related. Their existence seemed unusually jarring to him when he looked at them again. "Let's go," Blake urged. He nodded and left with her. He didn't expect to run into Jenny during his business meeting at the restaurant, and he was even more surprised to see her dining with Randy.Once Alec and Blake were gone, Randy shifted his focus back to Jenny. "Isn't that guy your ex-husband?"Thanks to his thorough investigation, he was more than familiar with Jenny's background. That was how he recognized Alec Faust right away."Yeah," she didn't deny. Her
Unaffected by her anger, Randy kept smiling and was even secretly glad to have evoked some emotions from her. "Shall I send you back to the office?" he asked."No," she turned him down and left immediately. He didn't insist and watched as she left. The relationship between Jenny and Alec left him wondering.After lunch, Jenny drove to Walter Inc. Although the encounter with Alec ruined her mood, she didn't let it affect her work. She strode to Graham's office, knocked on the door, and entered.He quickly shut the document he was reading and smiled at her. "Take a seat. I heard from the staff that you've been here since morning. You must be tired.""I'm not as weak as you thought. I came in early in the morning but did nothing of importance. Tired? I'm far from it." She knew Graham wanted to be a good father to her, but she wasn't accustomed to his doting manner.He smiled at her comment and joined her on the couch. "Is something up?""Yeah." She nodded and handed him Randy's prop
After leaving Walter Inc, Jenny immediately went to work and investigated the land under the South City Development Project. Even though Graham had promised to look into the matter, she was struck by Randy's bold move to suggest a partnership—he must have been confident that the Walters wouldn't get any dirt on him.Feeling uneasy, she decided to take matters into her own hands. Only when she examined the details by herself and pinpointed the problems could she devise her counterattack.…Back home, Randy met with Wayne and told him about the conversation with Jenny."Dad, do you think she meant her words?" Randy was wary despite Jenny's verbal agreement to consider the deal. In his eyes, Jenny was sly and duplicitous. Her willingness to work with the Glasses invited suspicion as Randy wondered if she was scheming against them.Wayne pondered the idea for a while and said, "That's hard to tell, but we're alright as long as she doesn't make us her enemy. As for the partnership with
Jolene refused to leave, for she knew what was waiting for her at home. However, she failed to free herself from Rowena's grip and had no choice but to be hauled home.On their way home, Jolene cried in the car. "Mom, why did we have to leave? We should ask Uncle Wayne and Randy for help. They will help us out for sure."Rowena was frustrated enough, and Jolene's incessant crying pushed her buttons. "Stop crying!"Jolene was taken aback after being admonished. "Mom, even you're angry at me now?" She sobbed even louder.Feeling helpless, Rowena pulled Jolene into a hug. "I'm not angry at you. I just think that we need to figure out a solution instead of crying uselessly. Did you seriously think Uncle Wayne and Randy would help us if we begged them to? You'd be naive to think so. They will not help because they won't get on your dad's bad side just for us. Got it? We are nothing to them." She decided to clear the air with Jolene to wake her daughter up to life's realities.Jolene wa
Jolene listened to Rowena's explanation in heavy silence and secretly disagreed with her mother's arguments. She believed Rowena's failure stemmed from her inability to conquer her dad's heart. Thinking that she was different, she had confidence in her allure. She could make James fall for her once they were married. However, no one knew where she got her confidence from."Mom, what did you do to marry Dad?" She suddenly became interested in Rowena's past, thinking she might take a page out of the book. Rowena looked ashen-faced when she heard that. "Jo! Don't be foolish!""Mom, I'm done for if you refuse to help me." Knowing that Rowena would help, Jolene put on a pitiful face. Indeed, Rowena sighed upon seeing her daughter's expression. "Are you sure you want this?""Yes. I'm willing to do anything to marry James Windsor." In comparison, James Windsor was better-looking and wealthier than Brandon Britt. She'd be a fool not to marry James.In the face of Jolene's determination
On the next day, Jenny drove south to check out the land the Glasses had successfully bid on. Graham had confirmed nothing was wrong with the land from his investigation. There was no issue with the legality of the project, which was located in a strategic location. The project would be lucrative once the land was developed into a business district.Last night, she looked into the details of that parcel of land and found nothing wrong with it, but she still felt bothered. Why would the Glasses share such a great project with them?With that question in mind, she arrived at the construction site to see for herself. Only then she'd feel assured.Workers were entering the site even when the project hadn't started. It looked like the Glasses were ready to get things started. She wondered if there was truly nothing fishy with the project. Did the Glasses genuinely want to cut a deal with her?She still couldn't place full trust in them. Since security wasn't tight at the site, she sneak
Jenny followed closely behind Alec and questioned, "Who are they, then?" How odd it was to have non-construction workers on a construction site."They're probably with the Glasses," he answered candidly, for there was no reason to shun the topic. She was taken aback but soon had it figured out. Something must be wrong with the land if the Glasses hired men to stand guard at the site.Jenny turned around to return to the site, anxious to search for answers to her questions. Seeing that, he quickly pulled her back and frowned. "What are you doing?""I came here to figure out what's wrong with the land. I can't go home empty-handed." She didn't want to waste the trip.Alec was dumbfounded but held onto her hand tightly. "Aren't you afraid of being caught? Are you flirting with danger now?""I know my limits." Jenny believed the men were likely bodyguards with mediocre skills serving the Glasses, and she could handle them easily.Due to memory loss, he couldn't recall her expertise
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