Chapter 20 Jade Has Regrets

Just as Violet Leach was about to open her eyes to see what was happening, Ethan Foster's voice suddenly rang out. "Boss, so you're here. Just now, Miss Shao—" Ethan Foster stopped short when he noticed Violet Leach held firmly in Wesley Merritt's arms. The boss was about to kiss Violet Leach! And just as he was about to succeed, Ethan had walked in on them! When Violet opened her eyes, she was startled by Wesley Merritt's face so close to hers. Why was he leaning in so close? It looked like he was about to kiss her. Of course, Violet only thought this to herself. How could Wesley possibly want to kiss her? If he were interested in women, with his status and looks, he'd have been married with children long ago. Wesley's expression darkened. If not for Ethan's interruption, he would have already tasted that sweetness. "What is it?" he asked. Ethan swallowed hard, a cold sweat breaking out on his back. "M-Miss Shao and her grandfather heard you were here and wanted to see you." Wesley recomposed himself. "I see. Understood." "Then let's go. You helped me earlier, now it's my turn to return the favor," Violet said. Hearing this, Wesley felt displeased again. Though he knew Violet had kissed him only to use him, hearing her say it aloud made him even more annoyed. Just as Wesley was thinking this, Violet reached out and linked her arm through his. "If you don't mind, you could do what I did earlier—kiss me in front of Jade Cooper." Violet said this purely as a joke. Wesley abruptly stopped walking and turned to look at her, his eyes fixed on the girl's red lips. Could he really do that? "Ahem—I was just kidding. I know you're not into women and you're super particular about hygiene. Asking you to kiss me is basically like asking you to die." "You think I'm not into women? Who told you that?" "Do I need someone to tell me? You're thirty years old, not a single woman around, and you don't even like women getting close to you," Violet shrugged. "Besides, I've heard rumors you might be into men." Wesley: "..." "Most rumors have little to do with the truth." Some things still needed explaining—he couldn't let her misunderstand him on something like this. "You're right," Violet nodded. Seeing is believing, hearing is deceiving. Most rumors aren't trustworthy. Inside the private room. Jade Cooper just wanted to run away. "Dad, I don't want to marry him! Let me go, please!" "Don't be ridiculous! Even though Mr. Merritt has already married, the Cooper and Merritt families have deep ties. Mr. Merritt has never shown himself before, but he's honored us with his presence today for your grandfather's birthday banquet. If you avoid him now, it'll be your fault. Besides, you stood him up a few days ago—him not holding it against you was already a miracle," Mark Cooper said, still shaken by the thought. "But I really don't want to marry that hideous man, Dad!" "Enough!" Mr. Cooper snapped, glaring at Jade. "Wesley Merritt is arriving any moment. Watch your words. And I've heard—he's already married." "Really?" Jade asked, shocked. Mr. Cooper stroked his beard. "Whether it's true or not, I can't say. I only heard it from someone in the circle." "It's definitely fake," Jade sneered. In her mind, this news was probably spread by Wesley himself, just to lower her guard so he could trick her into meeting him. Just as Jade was thinking this, a knock came at the door. They had arrived. Mr. Cooper and Mark Cooper stood up. Jade huffed and sat in a dark corner, her back turned to the door. She wished she'd made herself look uglier—ugly enough to make him want to vomit at the sight. Mark pulled the door open and, upon seeing the young, handsome Wesley Merritt, froze. "You—you're Mr. Merritt?" "I'm Wesley Merritt," Wesley replied coldly. Hearing that voice, Jade lifted her head slightly. That deep, masculine bass voice was way too attractive. Drawn in by the sound, Jade couldn't help but turn around. When she saw Wesley Merritt's breathtakingly handsome face, her expression instantly lit up with awe.