Brandon was,
after all, still a man. As such, he couldn’t help being provoked by Anna’s seduction. He picked her up and carried her upstairs. The room was quickly filled with sexual tension, but just as things were about to escalate, Brandon stopped. All he could think about
Was Jessie.
Jessie had always been shy whenever they did it, unlike Anna. He used to think it was more exciting to be with Anna, but now, he found Jessie’s reactions far more genuine.
Seeing Brandon make no further move, Anna tried to take the initiative, only to be pushed away coldly.
“Anna, I just remembered that I need to do something at the office. You should rest. No need to wait up for me.” Without waiting for a response, Brandon buckled his belt, grabbed his shirt, and left the room.
Before Anna could process what had happened, he was already gone.
The next day, Jessie woke up to a message from Phillip.
Jessie’s gaze dimmed. Though Phillip and Liliana were her biological parents, they never had much of a relationship. Unless absolutely necessary, Jessie rarely went home, and Phillip
wouldn’t ask her to go home for no reason either.
While she was deep in thought, Zane came up behind her and hugged her. “What’s wrong? Why are you frowning first thing in the morning?”
“My dad wants me to go back for a visit.”
Zane knew full well that Jessie and the Hickmans had a strained relationship and that her parents had never truly accepted her.
“If you’re going, I’ll go with you. With me there, they won’t dare mistreat you.”
Turning around, Jessie burrowed into his embrace. “Thank you, Zane.”
With a smirk, he teased, “All I get is a thank you? That doesn’t seem very sincere. Tonight…”
Jessie covered his mouth and warned, “Don’t you dare say it.” She could already guess what he was going to say, and her ears turned red.
“It’s been a while since I visited. I should prepare a few things to bring back.
Zane caught her hand. “There’s no need for that. I’ll have my assistant handle everything. Go get dressed. We’ll leave as soon as you’re ready.”
Since they already considered each other as husband and wife, Jessie saw no need to be polite and turn him down. She headed to the walk–in closet to get changed.
She came down in a light apricot–colored dress, just in time to see the housekeepers loading a large number of gifts into the trunk.
“There’s no need to bring that many things. People are going to think you’re showing up with a bunch of wedding gifts.”
Zane merely remarked, “We’re about to register our marriage. It’s only right to give my future in–laws some gifts to show my sincerity. That way, they wouldn’t dare look down on you.”
Jessie didn’t really care about that, but seeing how sincere he was being, she didn’t refuse. Just as she got into the car, Zane received a call. Something urgent had come up at the company that needed his attention.
“You should go take care of it. Since you’re sending this many people with me, I’m sure I won’t suffer
any mistreatment.”
Zane leaned over to plant a kiss on her forehead. After making sure everything was in order, he left.
Two hours later, the car pulled up to the Hickman residence.
The driver, Wallace Kramer, said, “Mrs. Stafford, should we bring the gifts in now?”
Jessie replied, “Yes. Go ahead and do that now.”
As the bodyguards unloaded box after box of gifts, Jessie walked inside.
The second Jessie stepped through the door, a porcelain teacup flew straight at her before shattering on the floor.
“So, you do remember your way home. I was beginning to think you’d already forgotten your parents!”
