Chapter 1 Introducing Gardenia

Gardenia Wendell never dreamed that she would ever see Ansel Leager again in her lifetime. Moreover, it just had to be when her boyfriend, Ian Chandler, took her back to the Chandler residence to meet his family for the first time. At that very moment, Ansel was leaning back against a dark-colored couch made of genuine leather. His long, slender legs were crossed, and he had his head turned away from her, speaking to Ian's grandfather, Mason Chandler, in low tones. From time to time, his lips would curl up into a smile that brimmed with a lazy yet measured confidence. Ansel, with his smile and red lips, was all too familiar to Gardenia. On the night of her 18th birthday seven years ago, he had nibbled on her earlobe with that exact smile on his face as he said in a husky, lustful voice, "Good girl, Fleur. Say you're mine." That night, he had physically "gifted" her a coming-of-age present by taking away her virginity. Dust-covered memories rose to the forefront of her mind, and she immediately wanted to run away before he noticed her. Unfortunately, Mason's voice rang out just a second later, "Allow me to introduce you, Mr. Leager. This is my grandson's girlfriend, Gardenia Wendell." For an instant, Gardenia felt as if she had been immobilized by some form of magic. She couldn't get her legs to move, nor could she say a single word. Ansel looked over in the direction Mason was gesturing in, his gaze landing on her. She didn't dare to look up at him, so naturally, she didn't get a look at his expression either. A few seconds later, she heard him laugh coldly and say, "Oh, I see." Mason didn't notice anything amiss and continued, "To be precise, she won't be his girlfriend but his fiancée soon! My dear grandson is a hopeless romantic, you see. He told me early on that he would marry nobody else but her." Ian, who was standing next to Gardenia, was a little embarrassed at that. He quickly interjected, "Grandpa! Nia's right here with us, you know…" "You're going to be married soon. What's there to be shy about?" Mason teased cheerily, waving a dismissive hand. He then turned back to Ansel and said jokingly, "By the way, I heard you've always had a good eye for people, Mr. Leager. Since you just so happened to visit when the two of them returned, would you let me know what you think of my future granddaughter-in-law? They're a great match!" Mason wanted to know what Ansel thought of her? Gardenia once again felt the weight of two gazes directed toward her. Then, Ansel's cold and indifferent voice rang out, "She isn't much." Following his answer, everyone other than him fell into an awkward silence. Just when Gardenia assumed that Ansel would definitely—intentionally—put her on the spot, he stood up and straightened his suit. "Since Mr. Ian brought a friend to meet his grandfather today, I'll get out of your hair." With that, he turned and left without even waiting for Mason to bid him farewell. Ansel had actually left just like that! Gardenia stared blankly at the doorway for almost a full minute before finally processing that fact. Ian tapped her on the shoulder and asked cautiously, "Nia? You don't have to take what Mr. Leager said to heart. He's not the one marrying you anyway! "It's just that Grandpa had something to ask of him recently, and… we simply can't afford to offend someone like Ansel Leager. So, please just pretend you didn't hear that." When he didn't receive a reply, Ian called out again, "Nia?" "Huh?" Gardenia mumbled, abruptly coming back to her senses and smiling stiffly. "Sorry. I was just thinking about the contract for the project." Seeing that she didn't seem to mind Ansel's words, Ian sighed in relief. "You should stop thinking about it. Isn't it enough to have it constantly on your mind while at the company during the day? "Come and have dinner. Grandpa hired a chef specifically for the occasion." "Okay," Gardenia replied after a brief pause. Although she agreed not to think about it anymore, she couldn't get over the shock of seeing Ansel throughout the entire dinner. However, from how promptly Ansel left just now, she could infer that he didn't seem to think much of her. Throughout the entire time he had been in the Chandler residence, his gaze hadn't lingered on her for even a second. So… he probably had a new toy to play with now, right? That realization immediately filled her heart with relief. It made sense. They hadn't seen each other for five years, after all. How could a man with a libido as high as Ansel not have a woman by his side by now?