CHAPTER 86: CHAPTER 86: RUMORS FLYING EVERYWHERE

Jonah Xavier took a small sip from his coffee cup, "It’s probably related to my profession. I minored in psychology once, so I can guess people’s thoughts based on their expressions. As a lawyer, having this auxiliary skill gives me some confidence in court."

Laura Quincy also took a sip and joked, "Doesn’t that mean a lot of people have no privacy in front of you?"

Jonah Xavier laughed, "Not really. I’m not that skilled."

After chatting for a while, the atmosphere became much more relaxed. Laura found him to be a gentle and considerate man, with humorous and witty speech...

After finishing their meal, Jonah Xavier took out the documents he needed translated, "Take a look. Regarding professional terminology, I can recommend a dictionary for you."

Laura flipped through briefly and smiled, "There are indeed quite a lot of technical terms. How much time do I have? If it’s too urgent, I might not be able to translate it in time."

Jonah Xavier’s voice was as tender as the wind, "Within a week, is that okay?"

Laura responded, "Of course! Counselor Xavier, are you intentionally giving me extra time?"

Jonah Xavier smiled, "It’s your first time dealing with this type of legal translation document, so I should give you two extra days, but a week is indeed a bit tight."

Laura shook her head, "It’s fine. I enjoy trying different challenges. Otherwise, life would be too dull."

Jonah’s eyes lit up, "That’s good."

Laura flipped through the documents, "Isn’t it incomplete?"

Jonah nodded, "The rest won’t arrive for another two days. I’ll deliver it to you then."

Laura didn’t mind, "Sure! It just means you’ll have to make another trip."

Jonah smiled warmly, "It’s my duty."

Just as they were about to leave after finishing their conversation, they ran into some "familiar faces".

Jasper Hawthorne and Serena Jennings.

Since that night when they parted unpleasantly, Jasper Hawthorne returned home to receive a severe reprimand from his father, telling him he shouldn’t have upset Serena Jennings. She is wholeheartedly for him, and she’ll surely be a capable partner to assist him in achieving success...

Although Jasper Hawthorne was in a bad mood, his father’s words reminded him not to relax.

He thought it over; once he secures that position, he can choose whatever kind of woman he wants or whatever lifestyle he desires.

Just like the royal families of ancient times, so many princes fought bloody battles for the throne, simply because sitting in that position symbolized having supreme power, and whoever he wants would be just a word away...

Thus, the next morning, he went to the Jennings Family to apologize to Serena Jennings. After all, coaxing a girl is no difficult task for him.

Serena Jennings, although stubborn, had calmed down after his two or three days of continuous efforts.

And so, the two went out to dinner together that evening.

After settling the bill and preparing to leave, she noticed her boyfriend’s gaze fixed on a pair of a man and a woman, or more accurately, fixed on the woman!

The girl’s natural instincts made her realize that this girl surely has some relationship with Jasper Hawthorne...

Laura only wanted to pretend she hadn’t seen Jasper Hawthorne and Serena Jennings. Although she hadn’t truly seen Serena Jennings’ face last time, any woman Jasper Hawthorne would bring out could only be her!

Adding her appearance and attire, it was hard not to match her to the description.

Jonah Xavier also noticed Laura’s unease; it seemed the couple across the way were people she knew, possibly with an unusual relationship.

Suddenly, Jonah heard Laura whisper, "Do me a favor."

He replied gentlemanly, "Okay."

Laura quickly linked her arm with Jonah Xavier’s. She only wanted to leave the restaurant immediately, not wishing to see Scummy Hawthorne for even a second longer.

Jasper Hawthorne, however, didn’t seem to want to let her go so easily. He greeted her calmly, "Long time no see! Your boyfriend?"

Laura took a deep breath; how could there be such a wretched man?

Greeting his ex-girlfriend in front of his current girlfriend?

Isn’t he afraid his current girlfriend will get angry?

But he asked, so she couldn’t completely ignore him, and replied indifferently, "Yes."

With that, she intended to pull Jonah Xavier away quickly.

Jasper Hawthorne looked Jonah Xavier up and down, "You do have a good eye for men! This gentleman looks a bit familiar. I wonder what his profession is."

Jonah Xavier elegantly replied, "Lawyer."

During this conversation among the three, Serena Jennings kept observing Laura’s expression. She noticed she seemed to dislike Jasper Hawthorne, hardly wanting to look at him, while Jasper Hawthorne kept pestering her with questions.

She then affectionately linked her arm through her boyfriend’s, and coyly said, "Jasper, you care so much about her. Could she be your ex-girlfriend?"

As soon as she said that, the atmosphere instantly fell to freezing point.

Jonah Xavier’s eyebrows flickered with a trace of understanding, for he had roughly guessed as much...

Laura’s voice was cold, "People need to look forward; past events are like the years walked through, long gone. Take care!"

Then, she quickly led Jonah Xavier away.

This time, Jasper Hawthorne couldn’t stop them.

He looked at Laura Quincy’s retreating figure with a hint of unwillingness, emotions that were completely seen by Serena Jennings.

She sneered, "Oh, Jasper Hawthorne! Sweet-talking me on one hand and still pining for your civilian ex-girlfriend on the other! You’ve really kept me in the dark!"

Jasper felt a burst of helplessness in his heart and could only coax, "Serena, what are you thinking? How could I still be pining for her? She’s not even worthy to hold a candle to you! But as an ex-girlfriend, isn’t it normal to say hello when we meet? Besides, think about it! I didn’t greet her behind your back, which further proves that there’s nothing shady between us."

Serena sneered, "Is that so? It better be!"

Jasper hurriedly explained, "Seeing is believing. Did I cross any boundaries just now?"

Serena smirked mockingly, "Seeing is believing? You’re pining for her, but she utterly despises you? That’s the fact I see!"

Jasper cried out his innocence, "In your eyes, am I really that contemptible? What kind of person is Laura Quincy? Is she really worth me pining for her?"

Serena was half convinced, "You better be telling the truth! Otherwise..."

She remembered, his ex-girlfriend’s name was Laura Quincy.

After leaving the restaurant, Laura Quincy let go of Jonah Xavier’s arm, apologetically saying, "Counselor Xavier, I’m sorry! I just made you pretend to be my boyfriend, I..."

Jonah Xavier’s eyebrows were like distant mountains, and he lightly curved his lips, "Perhaps one day I’ll need your help, and you’ll promise to help me then."

Laura suddenly felt this was a great idea. She disliked owing favors, and this way she could settle the score.

"Sure!"

Jonah smiled warmly, the girl before him had a bright and open personality, wearing her emotions on her face, free of scheming.

Laura, on the other hand, found him easy to get along with, his words and manner were comfortable. If not for her current feelings for The Demon King...

Perhaps, she would consider Counselor Xavier a good boyfriend candidate.

Even until they parted, Jonah Xavier didn’t pry into Laura’s ex-boyfriend’s personal matters. The two were still classmates meeting again after a long time, not close enough to casually discuss private issues.

He wouldn’t force it, and from the earlier situation, it seemed Laura deeply disliked that man, showing no goodwill towards him at all.

On the contrary, that man seemed unable to forget her...

Judging by his appearance, that man somewhat resembled Jasper Hawthorne, the Eldest Grandson of the Hawthorne Family, who had been appearing frequently in the public eye recently.

Laura was working in the translation department at Aegis Group, and the Eldest Grandson of the Hawthorne Family was her ex-boyfriend?

That’s quite interesting...

Back home, Laura relaxed and slumped onto the sofa. So many things had happened lately, she needed to sort them out properly.

She’s a strong, independent woman of the new century and cannot be led by a man!

Since The Demon King wants to play this game of draw and release, she’ll play along!

Just as she was thinking that, her phone suddenly rang.

Startled, she jumped, only to find it wasn’t The Demon King’s call, but an unknown number. After thinking for a bit, she answered, "Hello?"

"Sis! It’s really hard to get through to you! I heard you’re working at Aegis Group now?" Phoebe Turner’s voice was instantly recognizable even after a hundred years.

Laura said irritably, "If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up."

Phoebe quickly said, "Sis! If you hang up, I’ll go to the Aegis Group’s entrance to find you tomorrow. I know where it is, and I don’t believe I won’t find you!"

Laura took a deep breath, "Phoebe Turner, what do you really want?"

Phoebe laughed, "Sis, why would you say that? What motives could I have! I just want to meet up with you, that’s all! Mom and Dad really miss you and hope you can come home for a meal. Such a simple request, you wouldn’t refuse, would you?"

Laura didn’t believe at all that her father and stepmother missed her, "I’m very busy."

Phoebe continued, "Sis, no matter what, we’re family. If you’re so cold-hearted, it won’t look good if your colleagues find out, right?"

Such blatant threats made Laura very displeased, but to prevent Phoebe from affecting her work, she could only agree, "Fine, I’ll find time to go back tomorrow night."

Phoebe immediately beamed, "Sis, I’ll ask Mrs. Zimmerman to make your favorite dishes!"

Laura was filled with disgust, "Hanging up."

The moment she hung up, she let out a long sigh. With such a family, she avoids them whenever possible to avoid unpleasantness.

Sigh...

The following evening.

Standing in front of the home she hadn’t seen in so long, Laura felt particularly complex. It used to be a Quincy household, with her grandparents and mother all around...

Now, they’re all gone, leaving just her. Her father no longer seemed like the father she knew, as if she wasn’t even his daughter.

Raising her hand, she knocked on the door.