CHAPTER 7: CHAPTER 7: SITTING ON HIS LAP

The smile on Renee’s face instantly froze. She wondered if there was something wrong with her ears, or if she was just hearing things.

For a moment, she was stunned and asked incredulously, "What, what did you say?"

Jack looked at her. "Come over here."

Renee didn’t dare to go over; not only did she not dare to approach him, but she also wanted to turn around and run.

Jack spoke again, "Come over here."

Terrified, Renee retreated backward. "Uncle, stay if you want, just don’t mistreat the kittens."

She turned around and ran, not caring about the big cat and the two little kittens anymore. It wasn’t that she was heartless; it was just that the situation was too frightening. She didn’t dare to stay a second longer and only wanted to leave immediately.

However, when she reached the door, she found that the two wooden doors were already closed, tightly shut.

She tried to twist the doorknob, but it wouldn’t budge at all.

There was a password on the door, but she didn’t know what it was.

At that moment, her heart was racing like never before, as if it was about to leap out of her chest.

She forced herself to calm down, took a few deep breaths in front of the closed wooden door, and then turned back to the corridor.

The man in the wheelchair was still there, in the corridor.

Renee looked at the man with a broken leg yet still exuding an intimidating aura, feeling both angry and frightened. However, being under his roof, she had to bow her head. No matter how angry she was, she dared not show it.

"Uncle, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have entered your garden uninvited. But I really didn’t do it on purpose. I saw the big cat scratching at the door and calling out pitifully, and then I heard the kittens, so I brought the big cat in. If I knew it was your place, I definitely wouldn’t have come in."

Jack spoke calmly, "Come and get the cat."

Renee didn’t want to go, but she knew she had no choice. Even if she didn’t go to him, she couldn’t leave the garden.

She clasped her clothes tightly with both hands, slowly walking towards Jack.

Jack looked at her calmly and, when she got close, picked up a kitten from his lap and handed it to her.

Renee was stunned for a moment, just about to take the cat, when suddenly her phone rang. Seeing it was a call from Caleb, her lips curved into a smile.

She was about to answer the call when Jack grabbed her wrist.

Jack held her wrist with one hand and pulled her waist with the other, drawing her into his arms.

Renee landed on Jack’s lap, looking at him in horror.

Jack placed his hands on her slender and soft waist, lifting her up.

Renee was trembling all over, her heart pounding as she looked at Jack with fear; her cheeks were flushed with an unusual red due to the fright.

Jack released her and wheeled himself back into the room, instructing coldly, "Get her a coat and an umbrella."

"Yes, sir."

A moment later, a middle-aged woman in a gray housekeeper’s outfit emerged from inside.

The woman handed her a black umbrella and a gray housekeeper’s coat.

Renee took the items and hurriedly thanked her, "Thank you, ma’am."

The middle-aged woman smiled, "No need to thank me, young lady. It was all the master’s instructions."

Renee looked up towards Jack’s back inside the room and said loudly, "Thank you, Mr. Yates. May I leave now?"

No one responded to her, and the room was silent.

Renee put on the housekeeper’s coat, opened the umbrella, and left. By then, the door was open, and she quickly ran out.

Once outside, she retraced her way back.

Caleb came running through the rain and, upon seeing her, grabbed her arm and asked anxiously, "Where were you? Why didn’t you answer the phone? Who gave you the umbrella and coat?"

He fired three questions in a row, his tone worried.

Renee, with red-rimmed eyes, looked at him and finally couldn’t hold it in anymore; tears rolled down her face.

"Senior, I messed up. I accidentally went into your third uncle’s garden."

Caleb had already guessed as much and, instead of scolding her, he smiled and comforted her, "It’s alright, you came with me. You’re both a guest and a junior; no matter how bad-tempered my third uncle might be, he won’t get mad at you."

Renee sniffled, her voice choked, "I really didn’t mean to."

Caleb wiped her face with the back of his hand, "Okay, don’t cry. I’ll go explain it to him later."

-

After her bath, Renee changed into clean clothes and sat in the armchair in the bedroom with a cup of hot milk, lost in thought.

Her mood hadn’t yet calmed down; she was still anxious.

"You replace the kittens and stay here with me."

As she showered, this sentence kept echoing in her mind. She wasn’t sure if the man was joking or serious. But either way, it was absurd, absurd enough to be somewhat terrifying.

Could it be that he didn’t want her to be with Caleb, thinking that a poor student like her wasn’t a match for his nephew? So, he deliberately used the cats to make things difficult for her, saying such things to scare her so she’d give up.

She thought it was very likely her guess was right, and couldn’t think of any other purpose for what he did.

While Renee was lost in thought, Caleb entered the room, walked over, and rubbed her head. "Third uncle called me to his place. I’ll go over; you get some sleep."

Renee looked up, her lips moved as if wanting to tell Caleb her thoughts so he’d give up. But when she was about to speak, she held back.

She was afraid Caleb might impulsively confront Jack if she told him.

If they ended up fighting over her, she’d completely offend Jack, and she couldn’t imagine the consequences of offending such an influential figure.

She couldn’t afford to offend Caleb and even less so Jack.

"Okay, you go ahead." She forced a smile, though it came with difficulty.

The rain had stopped, and the garden was even more serene after the rain.

Caleb rode his mountain bike along the refreshing tree-lined path and quickly headed to Westwood Tower.

He called out as soon as he entered, "Uncle."

Butler Pierce’s voice replied from inside, "Young Master Sanders is here."

Caleb asked, "Is uncle asleep?"

Butler Pierce pointed to the study window with the light on. "He’s still working."

Caleb walked to the study and knocked on the door. "Uncle, what can I do for you?"

A cool and deep voice came from the study. "Come in."

Caleb pushed the door open and nervously touched his nose.

Jack was reviewing financial reports and didn’t lift his head. He spoke coldly, "Sit."

Caleb sat on a black leather sofa nearby, his head lowered, looking as obedient as a puppy.

Jack set aside the financial reports, tapped his finger on the table, and said in a heavy voice, "Tomorrow, report to the company’s marketing department. Ian Lynch will oversee you."

Ian Lynch was the marketing director, a childhood friend of Jack, and one of the elite from The Capital Circle.

Upon hearing that Ian would guide him, Caleb stood up excitedly, feeling flattered as he looked at Jack. "Uncle, you’re so good to me, you truly are my beloved uncle!"

Jack motioned for him to lower his excitement. "Market research might be tough, but you’re young. It’s a good time for you to build resilience."

Caleb grinned, "Don’t worry, Uncle. Your nephew isn’t afraid of hard work; assign anything to me."

Jack lowered his gaze, "You can go."

Caleb coughed lightly, "Uncle, about Renee—it’s her first visit, and she might’ve lost her way, accidentally entering your garden. Please don’t hold it against her. She’s young and timid; since leaving your place, she’s been crying, afraid you’re angry."

Timid?

Jack lowered his eyes, and a slight, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips. He hadn’t seen any timidity in her; her courage seemed rather large, asking for a cat, one after another.

Crying? Some inappropriate images suddenly flashed in his mind, causing an unexpected itch in his throat, making his heart restless.

Seeing Jack remain silent, Caleb dared not say more and turned to leave, only to hear the cool and deep voice behind him, "Bring her by in the morning."