Chapter 21 Her Second Thoughts

Without realizing it, she jumped to her feet, her wide eyes desperately trying to focus on Wesley Merritt. Violet Leach watched Jade Cooper's reaction with quiet satisfaction, thinking she didn't even need to intervene—Jade was already filled with regret. "You're Wesley Merritt? How can you be Wesley Merritt? Isn't he supposed to be some hideous, balding man?" Jade stammered, nearly incoherent with shock. "Jade!" Mark Cooper snapped, warning her to watch her words. Then he turned to Wesley. "My daughter is young and speaks without thinking. I hope Mr. Merritt won't hold it against her." Wesley's indifferent gaze swept over Jade with casual disregard, then moved on—less than three seconds elapsed. "The gift," Wesley said, turning to Ethan Foster. "Yes, sir." Ethan produced the pre-prepared present and handed it to Wesley. Wesley stepped toward Mr. Cooper. "Mr. Cooper, I wish you happiness as vast as the Eastern Sea and a life as long as the Southern Mountains." "Good, good." Mr. Cooper accepted the gift with delight. A gift from the head of the Merritt family was undoubtedly priceless. "I always knew the rumors were false. Your grandmother was famed for her ethereal beauty and otherworldly grace. I knew you couldn't possibly be as grotesque as they claimed." Mr. Cooper studied Wesley with open admiration. If such a man of exceptional caliber could become his grandson-in-law, he'd be laughing in his sleep. "In that case, I can now rest assured handing Jade over to you." At those words, Jade rushed forward, her eyes glazed with infatuation as she stared at Wesley. "Um… that day, I stood you up. I'm so sorry." Violet curled her lips slightly, stepped forward, and said to Jade, "You don't need to apologize. Not only that—I should thank you." "You!" Jade instantly recognized Violet as the woman who had slapped her at the mall. Violet lightly arched her exquisitely drawn eyebrows and said, "It's me." "You—let go of his hand! He's my fiancé!" Jade fumed, ready to lunge forward and tear Violet's hand away. Violet didn't release her grip—she deliberately tightened it. "He was your fiancé, but on the day you were supposed to get married, you stood him up. Later, I married him. So now he's my legally recognized husband. Why should I let go?" "What?!" Jade stared at Violet in utter shock. "How is that possible? How could you?" Violet pulled out the red marriage certificate from her bag. "See this? Wesley Merritt, Violet Leach—this document bears the official seal." Jade staggered back half a step, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at the red booklet. She was consumed by bitter jealousy and regret! "No, no, you're not worthy of marrying him. The one who should've married him is me! Me! Give him back to me!" "Miss Cooper," Violet said, "regret pills are something you can't buy, no matter how rich you are." Then she glanced at Wesley, saw his expression was pleased, and guessed her performance had amused him—she'd just humiliated Jade on his behalf. "Honey, let's go." Violet smiled sweetly at Wesley. "Mm." A clear hint of pleasure softened Wesley's features as he turned and left the private room with Violet. Violet was about to release Wesley's hand when he suddenly gripped it tighter. She looked at him in confusion, but before she could speak, his deep, magnetic voice whispered in her ear. "She's coming out." As soon as Wesley spoke, Violet saw Jade burst out of the private room, chasing after them. This Jade truly wouldn't give up. But it wasn't entirely her fault—how could anyone resist someone as breathtakingly handsome as Wesley? "Wesley Merritt, I'm sorry. That day wasn't my fault—I was misled. I'm not shallow. It's just that the rumors said you were hideous and utterly disgraceful, so I—please forgive me! I promise I'll make it up to you tenfold from now on!" Jade pleaded desperately. How could she not panic? Wesley was the most handsome man she'd ever seen—radiating an innate nobility and charisma that no ordinary man could match. If she missed this extraordinary man today, she'd regret it for the rest of her life! "Miss Cooper," Wesley said coldly, "I'm already married to her. Our relationship ended that day. Please don't bother me again." Jade glared at Violet with bloodshot eyes. That fox spirit, that wretched woman—daring to steal her man! "I don't believe it! Are you staging this with her just to make me regret it? Well, I *do* regret it! So just—" Before Jade could finish, she watched in horror as Wesley suddenly wrapped his arm around Violet's waist. The sight nearly made her eyes pop out. And it wasn't over—Wesley lifted Violet by the waist, drawing her flush against his chest, then lowered his head and kissed her soft lips.