CHAPTER 66: CHAPTER 66: NOT CONVENIENT TONIGHT

Jean Ellison was pushing a shopping cart, while Jesse followed beside her, a small figure not even taller than the shopping cart.

"Jesse, pick whatever you like."

"Mm."

Jesse reached out and took a pack of teddy bear cookies from the shelf beside her, as well as a pack of cheese sticks, placing both into the shopping cart.

She didn’t know what these were, she just thought they looked appealing.

Aunt Sutton had never allowed her to eat anything from the supermarket before, only the meals and snacks prepared by the nanny.

No matter how healthy, the food had to be controlled—only one handmade hawthorn candy a day, and no excessive chocolate chip cookies.

Jean Ellison picked up a few packs of vegetable fruit puree and a whole box of children’s yogurt, and pushed the cart forward.

Just as they exited the children’s food section, a familiar figure came into Jean Ellison’s view.

Leah Sutton stood in front of the wine cabinet, with a box of packed expensive wine before her.

She was standing sideways, and when she turned her head and saw Jean Ellison, her gaze fell slowly from Jean’s face to Jesse’s, her expression somewhat surprised.

Is this the child from the photo?

Indeed, she resembles Justin Holden greatly: charming and lively, with fair skin and big round bright eyes.

Unable to resist, she walked over with a smile, "This is your daughter Jesse, right? Such a sweet and beautiful child."

Jean Ellison hadn’t expected to meet Leah Sutton here, but upon reflection, this was an import supermarket. Editor-in-Chief Sutton always paid attention to quality of life, so it wasn’t surprising to see her here.

"Call her Aunt Sutton, Jesse."

"Aunt Sutton."

Jesse’s voice was sweet, warming the heart.

Leah Sutton’s smile widened, and she took off a plush pendant from her bag.

"Auntie didn’t have time to prepare a gift for your first meeting, so I’ll give you this."

"I bought it from a specialty store in Britten last week. It hasn’t been released domestically yet."

Jean Ellison hurriedly said, "Editor-in-Chief Sutton, you don’t have to give anything to the child. Thank you for approving my leave these past few days so I could care for my daughter in the hospital."

Leah Sutton insisted on handing the plush pendant to Jesse. Looking at this child, she felt a connection, perhaps because she looked like Justin Holden.

"Leave approval follows procedure; I’m not doing you any favors. No need to thank me."

"Besides, this thing isn’t expensive; it’s just my thought. Let the child have it to play with."

Jean Ellison gave a light smile, lowered her head towards her daughter, "Say thank you to Aunt Sutton."

"Thank you, Aunt Sutton."

Jesse happily held the new toy, touching it here and there.

She recognized the brand; Aunt Sutton had bought many for her before.

But she didn’t take any when she left. They were all left on her princess bed.

"Are you living nearby with your child now?"

Leah Sutton had seen her file, which stated her residence was an old apartment building in the south of the city.

This was the north of the city, at night.

If she wasn’t living nearby, she probably wouldn’t be at this import supermarket at this hour.

"Just moved, living opposite."

Jean Ellison casually said, Leah Sutton’s smile faded, her features becoming stiff.

Opposite?

"You live in Sovera?"

When Leah Sutton asked, she sneered slightly. How could that be? She knew Jean’s income well: she had just gotten her daughter through surgery, and it was said the house in her hometown had been sold.

Where did she get the money to rent a mansion that averages over twenty thousand a square foot?

"Mm, I think that’s the name."

Jean Ellison responded calmly. She remembered the two characters written on the entrance hall of rare marble material at the community gate – Sovera.

Leah Sutton frowned, thinking Jean was boasting, or had done something unethical behind the scenes.

Otherwise, how could she possibly manage to live with her child in Kingswell City’s high-end residential area, filled with affluent people?

Sovera.....

If she recalled correctly, Zoe Holden had said before that Justin Holden lived in Sovera.

Could it be that Justin Holden had arranged her accommodation?

Leah Sutton silently clenched her teeth, hearing her molars crunching, as she returned to reality, still filled with jealousy.

If that were true, Justin Holden really was generous to Jean and her daughter, not only helping with the lawsuit to reunite them but also providing a place for them to stay.

Living in the same neighborhood, wouldn’t they be seeing each other constantly? If anything happened to this mother and daughter, Justin Holden wouldn’t just stand by, would he?

"Editor-in-Chief Sutton, you don’t live nearby, right? It’s late, be careful on your way home."

Jean Ellison was preparing to leave with Jesse, kindly reminding her.

Recent news had reported several young women being followed and assaulted on night walks, possibly by a gang, with the culprits still on the loose, shirking capture.

Leah Sutton’s eyes shifted, as if seriously engaging in a matter of pride, she said, "My boyfriend is coming to pick me up; he’ll take me home."

"That’s good."

Jean Ellison smiled at her, taking Jesse’s hand with one hand and pushing the shopping cart with the other.

She had heard a lot about Leah Sutton’s boyfriend; they were close and often dined together.

Hearing her say this, Jean Ellison didn’t find anything amiss.

"Oh, speak of the devil... There he is."

Leah Sutton raised her voice, waving to someone ahead.

She smiled like a blooming flower, wearing bright red lipstick, with purplish-red eye shadow, resembling a vibrant red rose.

"Justin, I’m here."

Jean Ellison had turned her back, but upon hearing that, she halted, turning abruptly to look.

A familiar face came into view—short black hair, sharp and clean, strong and masculine features, high prominent nose, jawline chiseled like from an axe.

Long legs, broad shoulders, narrow waist, standing out at nearly six foot three in the crowd.

Custom-tailored suit, pure white shirt, light gray buttoned vest, deep black trousers, polished handmade leather shoes that gleamed.

His cuffs were slightly rolled up, revealing a glimpse of a wrist like jade, with prominent veins running from the inside of his wrist up to his robust forearm.

On one side of his upper arm were black leather shirt suspenders; with each stride, the shirt clips were visible against his trousers.

Eyes met.

Justin Holden’s gaze was locked on her face amidst the bustling crowd; only a woman’s shocked face reflected in his eyes.

Jean Ellison stood with her mouth slightly open, staring at him dazedly, as if she didn’t recognize him.

Her heart raced, pounding loudly; even Jesse’s excited loud call of "Uncle Holden" next to her was drowned out.

It had been three days since they last saw each other.

She thought their interaction had ceased, that their lives wouldn’t intersect again.

Unexpectedly, he turned out to be Leah Sutton’s boyfriend...

They must have been seeing each other for a while; everyone in the company knew of his presence as her boyfriend.

Jean Ellison felt a mix of emotions, a sour sensation rising in her nose.

Turns out he wasn’t one for low-profile romances, he simply didn’t love her before.