Chapter 8
The day I returned home, my parents threw a grand welcome banquet in my honor. I had
spent the past few years expanding my family’s business overseas, and our product sales abroad had more than tripled under my management.
My parents were practically semi–retired now. They were spending their days traveling and enjoying life. This banquet was their way of formally introducing me to high society as the next head of the Jennings family.
As soon as word got out, Amveris‘ upper class flocked to the event, eager to curry favor with me, their new golden ticket.
After being apart for years, my parents looked even younger than I remembered, probably
because they had less stress and traveled a lot.
When I hugged them, the warmth of their touch nearly brought tears to my eyes. Memories of their tragic fate in my last life flashed through my mind, and I had to blink back a rush of
emotion.
waiter was just about to approach me when someone abruptly shoved him aside. Coco, who was dressed in a cheap cocktail dress, walked up to me with a glass of wine. “Welcome back, Ms. Jennings!” She had an obsequious smile on her face.
For a moment, I was taken aback. My mother leaned over and whispered in my ear, “She’s already seeing someone else—your father’s friend, Mr. Lopez.”
I barely kept my expression in check, stopping myself from gaping. Gary Lopez was well into his 50s, and rumors had it he had a thing for all kinds of young women.
Pretending not to notice the bruises on Coco’s arm, I returned her smile. “You’re just as graceful as I remember, Ms. Young.”
She picked up on the sarcasm in my tone but didn’t even flinch. Instead, she grabbed my hand warmly and said, “Ms. Jennings, you had the wrong idea about me in the past. We’re clearly cut from the same cloth and could’ve been close friends and allies, but we let a
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Chapter 8
worthless man ruin everything.”
+25 Bonus
As soon as those words rolled off her tongue, a figure suddenly appeared and slapped her, sending her sprawling to the ground. It turned out the waiter from earlier was none other than Jasper.
Looking down at Coco with pure hatred, he snarled, “You slut! You blew through my family’s fortune, and now you’re out here throwing yourself at other men? I had to work three jobs just to buy that dress you’re wearing for you! Have you no shame?”
Coco clutched her stinging cheek and scrambled to her feet. Pointing at Jasper’s nose, she spat, “Have you taken a good look at yourself in the mirror lately, Jasper? You’re nothing but a lowly waiter now! How dare you talk to me like that?
“I’ve been more than generous with you! What can you possibly offer me now? You’re nothing but a filthy rat hiding in the shadows!”
There was no way Jasper would win against Coco’s sharp tongue. He was defeated in no
time. He pointed a trembling finger at her, and his chest heaved with rage, but he couldn’t get a single word out.
As a crowd began to gather, Coco threw herself into Gary’s arms, expertly playing the helpless victim. “Darling, he hit me!”
Gary’s wrinkled face was filled with concern as he gently patted her bare back. He frowned
as he called for security.
The security guards pinned Jasper to the ground, completely immobilizing him. He barely managed to lift his head and looked up at me. “Wynne, please help me…” Turning a deaf ear, I pretended not to notice as I stepped on his outstretched hand and walked away.
