Source: When Howard was kissing his secretary, I handed him a room card. His brothers cheered, "Sister-in-law has great poise." Howard gave a sarcastic look and said, "Chu Yu, you've become so understanding." I left calmly. Just as I closed the door, Song Ran called, sounding aggrieved. "You gave him the room card, so what about us?" I gently reassured him, "He just mentioned that the Cullinan has a starlight ceiling; let's give it a try tonight." Target:
Chapter 1
Tobias was kissing his secretary when I handed him a room card.
His friends started teasing, "Wow, she's really cool about this."
Tobias looked at me with a mocking gaze, "Jillian, you've grown up."
I walked away calmly.
Just as I closed the door, Ayden called, sounding pitiful.
"You gave him the room card, what about us?"
I coaxed him softly, "He just mentioned the Blue Lightning car with the starry roof. Let's try it tonight."
1
It was a friend's birthday, and Tobias, along with his group of friends, had secretly gone without telling me.
His alluring secretary was there too.
"Ms. Reynolds must have quite the influence to get Tobias to come over."
"The birthday boy is Kacie's brother, isn't it practically a family gathering?"
"Good thing she's not here, or she'd be really upset..."
Everyone in our circle knew I liked Tobias. I had been chasing him for twelve years, watching him date countless women while he ignored me.
Yet, our families had an engagement agreement.
Tobias probably wanted to avoid complications, so he deliberately didn't tell me he was coming here.
But as luck would have it, I was nearby, and a well-meaning friend spotted me and mischievously dragged me in to say hello.
As soon as I entered, I saw Kacie sitting on Tobias's lap, kissing him repeatedly like a playful bird.
Tobias leaned lazily against the chair, one hand in his pocket, the other loosely around her waist, looking carefree and flirtatious.
Kacie's brother, Vernon, saw me and approached quickly, as if facing a great enemy, to stop me.
"What are you doing here?
I didn't invite you."
Tobias's friends looked on, eager for drama.
"I told you, wherever Tobias is, she'll always find him."
"She's the family's eldest daughter, yet she doesn't care about appearances at all."
"What eldest daughter? Everyone knows she's just an adopted child..."
Tobias tapped the table impatiently, and the room fell silent.
I smiled at the wary Vernon, "Don't worry, I'm just here to deliver something."
Then I pushed past him and walked up to Tobias.
Kacie hesitated, but since Tobias didn't say anything, she remained seated on his lap, looking at me defiantly.
Tobias took a sip from his wine glass, "What are you doing here?"
I smiled calmly, "Mr. Howard, you know the answer to that."
He knew very well that neither of us should be here.
2
Today, my parents had invited him over for dinner to discuss our wedding plans.
Yet, he deliberately stood them up to attend this birthday party with Kacie.
Now, he only slightly frowned, "I had something to do today. I'll visit your parents next time. I'm sure they'll understand."
Yes, they wouldn't dare not to understand.
They would just take their anger out on me instead.
"Jillian, we're not kids anymore. Stop being so willful."
"In the future, I don't want you following me around. It bothers me."
"As for the wedding, wait for my notice."
I interrupted him, "Tobias."
He sighed, lowering his voice, "Jillian, be reasonable."
"Don't make me cause a scene."
I smiled, taking a card from my bag and handing it to him.
"I'm just here to give you something."
He looked at the hotel room card in his hand, his face darkening.
"What does this mean?" I brushed my hair aside, "It means nothing. Enjoy yourself."
"As for the wedding, let's not mention it again."
He paused, letting out a sarcastic laugh, "You want to call off the engagement?"
I shook my head, "Tobias, I never agreed to the engagement."
Because no one ever asked my opinion, no one thought I would refuse the man I had loved for so many years.
I used to think so too.
But now, I looked at him sincerely, "From now on, I won't bother you anymore. You're free."
With that, I took out the jade bracelet his mother had given me during our engagement and returned it to him.
He looked at it playfully for a moment, then laughed mockingly.
"Jillian, you've learned to play games."
"This bracelet isn't worth much, nor is it a family heirloom."
"If you don't want it, just throw it away."
I was stunned for a moment, then understood.
His mother never thought highly of me, just gave me a random bracelet to brush me off.
And I, like a fool, treasured it for so long, never daring to wear it.
I shook my head in self-mockery.
Tobias thought I was regretting it and was about to make a sarcastic remark.
I flicked my wrist, and the bracelet flew straight into the trash can.
"Now, we're even."