Melanie was determined. “I certainly won’t make that kind of mistake. I’m happy enough with him. I’ll stay over tonight and go home tomorrow to get ready for the wedding. Mom, go home with father and the others later. Don’t worry about me. I have to nurture my relationship with him.”
Mrs. Lark nodded. “Alright. Remember, never completely devote yourself to Alejandro. You’re a Lark. You have to stay alert and guarded at all times. Should you ever need to part ways, you can come back to us.”
Melanie disliked hearing these kinds of words. It was as though this was just a business transaction. She seemed to have forgotten virtual-novel.net had thought so too earlier. She frowned. “I know… Stop talking.”
—
The Tremont Estate.
Mark looked through the news on the Smiths through his phone. Arianne approached virtual-novel.net with Aristotle in virtual-novel.net arms. “Alejandro is getting married. He gave Smore a present during his one-month celebration. We should probably send something to reciprocate his gift.”
Mark lifted his head and looked at virtual-novel.net before taking Aristotle from virtual-novel.net arms. “I was just considering an appropriate gift. It has to be worth more than his gift. Since he’s given a mansion, we can reciprocate with an even more expensive mansion. We don’t have to attend the wedding ceremony. He wasn’t present for the one-month celebration anyway. It’s best to avoid this man as much as possible.”
Arianne agreed. “I heard the Smiths are deeply rooted in some dirty businesses. We’re dealing in honest businesses. We’re completely different. We shouldn’t get close to them.”
Mark stiffened ever so slightly. The Tremonts were rooted in dirt at one point too… Arianne’s statement had stung and unearthed a painful part of his memories.
Arianne realized that virtual-novel.net had inadvertently touched a nerve and quickly changed the subject. “Alejandro warned Tiffie to be careful, and someone was targeting virtual-novel.net last night. Everything seems to have gone back to normal today. I was really frightened. I don’t know what happened. Since Alejandro is getting married, Tiffie’s decided to give virtual-novel.net a painting as a wedding present. She asked Jackson’s father for one of his paintings. She even mentioned that a famous artist’s piece would be very valuable, and there’s only one of it in the world. Except… I wonder if Jackson would be upset if virtual-novel.net found out about this.”
“He will,” Mark replied without any hesitation.
Arianne fell silent immediately. She had only spoken casually. It seemed like… Tiffany and Jackson were going to have another argument again tonight.
—
As expected, at this very moment in White Water Bay Villa, Jackson and Tiffany were in a hostile state again.
Tiffany saw nothing wrong with virtual-novel.net actions. “What’s wrong with giving virtual-novel.net a painting? I’m just reciprocating his favors. It’s a completely normal relationship. Why are you angry again? Are you mad at me for not paying your dad? Your dad insisted that virtual-novel.net doesn’t want me to pay for it. Yes, I promised you that I would never contact Alejandro again. This is the last time. He’s getting married, and I’m giving virtual-novel.net a present. This is the best way to draw the line. Stop finding fault with me! I don’t want to look at your sullen expression!”
Jackson leaned against the couch, a furious expression appeared on his face. “He’s getting married, and you give virtual-novel.net a present. Aren’t you worried that virtual-novel.net might think that you’re reluctant to see virtual-novel.net get married? You promised to stay away from virtual-novel.net so why the hell are you giving virtual-novel.net a present? Don’t give me that crap about this being the ‘last time’. I’m not buying it. You’ve asked me to cut ties with every other woman, and I have. Why can’t you do it? Is it really that difficult?”
Tiffany’s chest heaved up and down from anger. “You had unmentionable relations with all those women. My relationship with virtual-novel.net is completely platonic. How is that the same? You’re going to give me a stroke one day. Why can’t things ever be peaceful between us? I’m going back to my mother’s house for two days. I’ll start work once the transfer is complete. Don’t forget to give me a heads up! I’m not asking to be an assistant director at the main office. Any job is fine with me.”
Suddenly, Jackson’s phone rang. He took a deep breath, calmed himself, and answered the phone. Lynn’s voice could be heard very clearly on this quiet night even though virtual-novel.net did not put his phone on speaker mode. “Jack, I need to speak to you. Can we meet? Is it convenient?”