If she didn't like it, she would have pushed him away at the first instance, feeling repulsed by him or maybe even slapped him.All that should have happened instead of what went on now—she neither pushed him away nor raised her hand against him, and her heartbeat was faster than usual.Jenny's originally flushed cheeks were even redder now. Her cheeks were practically scarlet, looking like a ripe, delicious apple meant to be devoured.When she regained her senses and wanted to slap Alec, he didn't give her a chance to do so. He lowered his head and planted another kiss on her lips. The unique scent of his breath came between their lips, and Jenny was so dazed by the kiss that she lost all sense of her surroundings and couldn't tell where she was for a moment."I told you this is a good place for kissing. Look at them. They're even bolder than us." A voice came behind them, presumably from the young couple they had seen earlier.Jenny's face turned even redder at that, and she for
Jenny was already feeling upset and restless in the first place. Since Stephanie asked, she decided to tell her everything, hoping that she could help analyze Alec's behavior. After she listened to Jenny pouring out everything that was troubling her, Stephanie's mouth opened wide in shock. It was so wide, an egg could easily fit in. "Jenny, shouldn't you be analyzing yourself now?" She couldn't understand why Jenny didn't notice she was behaving abnormally too.Upon hearing that, Jenny paused, seemingly coming back to her senses. "Alec forcefully kissed you, and you're not scolding him; instead, you're analyzing his mind? Jenny, are you having brain fog?" Stephanie was speechless, not knowing what else to say.There was a brief moment of silence where Jenny was embarrassed and didn't know how to respond either. "I was too stunned to react at the time.""Then what about now? Have you snapped out of it yet?" Stephanie asked, feeling like Jenny hadn't just failed to react but had
It was a Saturday the next day.The sound of her phone ringing woke Jenny up from her sleep. She reached out a hand from under the covers and answered the call. "Hello? Who is it…Oh, it's you, Evan…Where did you say you were?" Jenny sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes. If she didn't hear him wrongly just now, it seemed like Evan was saying he was right outside Walter Castle. Jenny came to her senses after a while. "Alright, I'll send the butler to pick you up." She hung up the phone and rubbed her temples. Although she had fallen asleep quickly after talking to Stephanie on the phone last night, she didn't sleep well. It was because she had a dream about Alec that was quite inappropriate, and it annoyed her.With no time to think too much, she got up from bed, freshened up, and walked out of her bedroom. She noticed Evan sitting in the living room downstairs right away."Evan, why did you come so early?" Jenny was puzzled and quickly walked downstairs toward him.It had been a few
After Jenny finished speaking, the living room fell into complete silence, which made her somewhat worried. In fact, that wasn't the first time she'd said such things. From the very beginning, when Evan decided to join Walter Inc, she'd made herself clear. It was simple: she didn't like him."Evan, I'm sorry, I...""Why apologize? There's nothing you need to apologize for. I've just been too naive about everything," Evan said with a bitter smile. He sighed lightly and continued, "When Gilbert contacted me and asked me to return to the country, I didn't hesitate much because he and I had the same idea. We both thought that when you confessed to me back then, it must have meant you liked me, so I believed I could win you back when I returned.""Evan—""But we both forgot that everyone has their own mind and personal thoughts. Your thoughts shouldn't be manipulated by anyone, nor will they be manipulated in any way," Evan interrupted what she was about to say and prattled on himself.
Jenny didn't understand why, but she didn't oppose what he said. "Alright, you handle it. I trust your abilities.""Okay." Evan smiled and asked her, "So, Luke approached you to talk about this collaboration? Why is he suddenly being kind?""Whatever his purpose is, as long as we can get tangible benefits, it doesn't matter even if he has ulterior motives." Jenny didn't care; in fact, she could guess what Luke was up to.Hearing her words, Evan knew that Jenny wasn't interested in Luke. Even so, he would still help Alec get rid of Xavier, as he wasn't exactly thrilled to see Luke constantly pestering Jenny.After breakfast, Evan suggested taking Jenny to meet Gilbert, and they could have a meal together.Jenny didn't refuse. She hadn't seen much of Gilbert since he came back some time ago. They were all busy, and Jenny didn't know if it was her imagination or something else, but she felt that Gilbert had become more distant after he returned. It was unlike when they were in Parrin
After the trio of them were done with their conversation, they stood up and went to the parking lot. Gilbert asked Jenny to wait in place while he took Evan to get the car.On the way there, Gilbert looked somewhat displeased with Evan. "I brought you back so you could pursue Jenny and make her happy, not say things you shouldn't say in front of her."Evan looked innocent as he shrugged and said helplessly, "How was I supposed to know that you never told her? With all the commotion, I thought Jenny already knew.""I didn't want her to know," Gilbert said."Okay, I promise I won't say anything in front of her, alright?" Evan didn't think too much about it. It was indeed embarrassing, and it was understandable that Gilbert didn't want Jenny to know.Seeing that Evan didn't mean any harm, Gilbert didn't say anything more but asked, "How's it going? Why do I feel like Jenny is still indifferent toward you?""Oh, you're pretty spot on with that." Evan didn't see the need to deceive Gi
"Is Zack coming to Bardoff City too? That's awesome!" It had been a long time since the three of them hung out together. Jenny missed those days very much.Seeing how happy she was, Gilbert asked, "Why won't you let him come here since you want him in Bardoff City so much? He'd happily oblige if you just said the word.""You and Zack are good to me. I know you would agree to my requests, but I can't influence you for my own sake." Jenny would be happy if they came to Bardoff City to further expand their companies. However, if they came here purely for her sake, it would be different. Jenny didn't want to be such a selfish person.Gilbert looked at her, a mixture of emotions swirling in his chest. "It's okay to be selfish once in a while, Jenny. You don't have to be so understanding."One's heart would ache seeing someone be too considerate. Gilbert felt that Jenny had the right to make outlandish requests. She didn't have to consider their feelings so much."It's not about being s
When Jenny was about to take her phone out to check for messages, a gift box suddenly appeared before her. She looked up, seeing Evan smiling at her. "It's for you. You can see if you like it.""There's no need, Evan…" Jenny refused, attempting to slide it back to him.But Evan was persistent. He pouted and said, "You didn't refuse any of the things Gilbert bought you, but you're saying no to this little thing from me. Are you really treating me like your brother, Jenny?"Jenny was at a loss for words. If she refused him again, it would show she didn't think of him as a brother. However, she didn't want to accept the gift from him."Seems like I'm nothing to you." Evan began to take it away, the disappointment apparent in his demeanor.Jenny felt guilty and hurriedly took the box. "How could that be? You're my brother. I just didn't want you to break the bank.""Don't worry. I have the money for this." Evan smiled, watching her take it. "Open it up," he said. He'd bought it when
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