Chapter 11
Maxwell Stone had forgotten something and returned to get it. Passing Jordan’s room, he instinctively pushed open her door, but the room was silent and empty.
On the table lay the letter he had carelessly tossed aside, now bearing a hastily written but resolute message on the back: [No need. I will not marry you. Maxwell Stone, let us never meet again.]
He stared at those words, his brow furrowing slightly before letting out a cold laugh and crumpling the paper into the trash.
“Throwing a tantrum?” he muttered, his eyes flashing with impatience. “She’ll be back in a few days.”
In his mind, Jordan had always been docile and dependent on him. How could she possibly truly leave? Without his protection, where could she go? Besides, she was injured and had barely any money.
He headed downstairs, just in time to encounter her parents storming in, faces flushed with anger.
“Where’s that ungrateful child?!” Her father’s face was livid. “Someone just said they saw her leaving with a small suitcase. Did she run off with our belongings?!”
Her mother shrieked, “Ungrateful brat! After all these years of raising her, she dares to steal and run? She might as well die out there!”
Maxwell listened to their increasingly vicious curses, his brow imperceptibly furrowing.
Vanessa ran down from upstairs, her eyes red-rimmed. “Mom, Dad, please don’t be angry… Jordan probably just acted on impulse…”
“Impulse?!” Her mother hugged Vanessa tightly, her voice dripping with concern. “Vanessa, you’re just too kind! That worthless girl doesn’t deserve to be your sister!”
Maxwell stood to the side, his gaze sweeping over the contorted faces of her parents, then to Vanessa’s tearful expression.
Not one of them had asked how Jordan’s wounds were healing.
This thought flashed through his mind, surprising even himself.
But quickly, he suppressed that strange feeling, coldly stating, “Don’t worry about her. She’ll be back eventually.”
Ther snorted. “Come back? I’ll break her legs if she does!”
ig mother chimed in, “Absolutely! She’ll have to beg on her knees!”
Jordan couldn’t possibly truly leave, Maxwell thought. She loved him too much. How could she bear to?
As the cursing continued around him, a strange uneasiness took root in his chest.
After thoroughly checking that nothing else was forgotten, Maxwell personally drove Vanessa to her school. Her parents followed, their faces brimming with pride.
“Vanessa, take good care of yourself at college. If you need anything, just tell us!” her mother fussed, holding Vanessa’s hand.
Her father patted Maxwell’s shoulder. “Maxwell, we’re counting on you to look after Vanessa.”
Maxwell nodded, though his gaze was somewhat distracted.
He had just sent people to check all train station records but found no trace of Jordan. It was as if she had vanished into thin air.
“Max?” Vanessa gently tugged at his sleeve, looking up. “What are you thinking about?”
He snapped back to attention, responding flatly, “Nothing.”
Vanessa blinked, lowering her voice. “Are you… thinking about Jordan?”
Maxwell’s eyes darkened. “What’s there to think about her?”
Vanessa bit her lip, looking hurt. “I just worried you might be upset..: After all, Jordan liked you so much…”
Maxwell remained silent, merely reaching out to ruffle her hair, though his movements seemed stiffer than usual.
After settling Vanessa in, Maxwell rented two apartments nearby-one for her parents and one for himself.
Her mother beamed with joy. “Maxwell, you’re so thoughtful! Vanessa is truly blessed to have you as her brother-in-law!”
Maxwell forced a slight smile but didn’t respond.
That night, he stood alone on the balcony smoking, his thoughts inexplicably drifting to Jordan’s defiant eyes amid the swirling smoke.
She really wasn’t coming back?
The thought stabbed at his heart, only to be ruthlessly suppressed.
she was just an insignificant person, he told himself. Besides, she loved him more than her own life. How could she possibly eave him for good?
With that, he extinguished his cigarette and returned inside.
Tet lying in bed, he found himself uncharacteristically unable to sleep.
Early the next morning, Vanessa excitedly came to find him. “Max! Our school is having a welcome party tonight. Will you
tome with me?”
well wanted to refuse but, seeing her expectant gaze, eventually nodded.
At the party, Vanessa flitted like a joyful butterfly through the crowd, attracting numerous male gazes.
Maxwell stood in a corner, his cold eyes scanning everyone who attempted to approach her, yet his mind kept drifting to the
past.
Jordan had once looked at him with the same expectation, asking if he could accompany her to the market fair.
But he had always refused.
Perhaps, he thought, if she asked again, he might reluctantly agree just once.
