Zachary had wanted to say something else, but seeing that Jessica’s mind was elsewhere, he
remained silent.
Jessica removed her black coat and handed it to Susan.
Without skipping a beat, Zachary draped the white fur shawl over her shoulders, then gently adjusted her hair. His fingers moved deftly, as if this were completely natural to him.
Not far away, Derrick and Celine watched them walk inside. Jessica’s heels made her look like the perfect couple with Zachary when they stood side by side. They were truly the epitome of a picture–perfect couple.
Derrick clenched his fists. Ironically, he still had half a mind to hold Celine by his side.
“See what happens in less than three months? And this is her loyalty you’ve been rambling about. Seems like trash to me,” Celine mocked, giving him a disdainful glance.
He didn’t deny it and led her inside with a sad smile.
An immaculately dressed server soon led Jessica and Zachary to Bryn Hall.
After Zachary showed the security guard their invitation cards at the entrance, both of them were let inside. Behind them, Derrick and Celine followed suit.
“Who is this Cupid of yours?” Jessica asked. “Everything here seems pretty fancy to me.”
“She’s my dad’s colleague’s daughter.”
Jessica remembered the call he had with his father last time. “What does your father do for
work?”
Zachary glanced at her, pressing his lips together. “He’s a senator.”
“What?” she blurted out, stopping in her tracks. “Why haven’t you told me about this?”
“You never asked.”
She was left utterly speechless. She now knew why he kept saying she was completely clueless
about him.
Although she and Ginger were close, their different family backgrounds had never been an issue. What mattered was simply whether they got along.
“Besides your parents and grandpa, do you have other family members?”
“I have a sister. She and my brother in–law are both senators, too.”
Jessica pursed her lips, then took in a deep breath.
“It’s not too late to find out now,” Zachary reassured her, patting her hand on his arm as he led her forward.
“Then, you should be quite compatible with this woman who’s pursuing you,” she mused. ” Why did you-”
“Jess, my family hasn’t sunk so low that we need a marriage alliance to support us.”
“Right.”
Her stomach turned under the weight of his words.
“Aren’t you worried that I’m only after your looks or money?”
“Are you?” he asked, looking at her earnestly.
The affection in his eyes was unmistakable. She pressed her lips together.
He leaned closer and whispered in her ear, “If you were after my looks, I wouldn’t have starved for so long. If it’s my money you’re after, I can do the math. Giving you ten thousand for each time isn’t a problem. I’d only be worried that you wouldn’t be able to take it.”
Jessica dropped her gaze, her cheeks burning. He clearly wasn’t one to restrain his desires.
“Zach!”
“Here comes the trouble,” Zachary muttered.
“Zach?” Jessica repeated.
“It’s ‘honey‘ for you. That sounds way better,” he said.
Jessica bit her bottom lip, her heart in chaos.
In a red dress and a pair of matching heels, a striking woman was dashing toward them, her dark curls bouncing behind her shoulders.
Excitement filled her delicate face when she saw Zachary, but he simply gave a curt nod and
subtly took a step back.
He might look like a gentleman, but deep down, he wasn’t exactly warm.
“Hello, Sasha,” Jessica greeted.
Sasha Yates stood frozen in place. It was rare to see a woman at Zachary’s side.
Just two months ago, he’d been alone, and Sasha was already familiar with the few women
he’d been with. Yet, she had never seen Jessica before.
“You’re…”
Sasha’s expression stiffened, but she tried to stay composed. Something about Jessica’s presence made her uneasy.
“I’m Jessica Lockman.”
Jessica glanced at Zachary, then laced her fingers through his.
“You and Zach are…”
“As you can see.” Jessica didn’t spell it out and simply lifted their intertwined hands a little.
Zachary only smiled and said nothing.
