By the time Ste Grace got to the Golden Garden, Frederick Addington was already waiting for her.


    When he saw her, he was speechless.


    She usually didn’t wear much makeup and dressed inly. She had never dressed like this before.


    Today she oozed sensuality and elegance, not a hair was out of ce.


    What a stunning beauty!This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Celine Grace had tied the knot with Wilson Chuck because of her outstanding beauty.


    Ste was the undeniable product of their union.


    She sat across from Frederick.


    He poured her a ss of red wine with a suggestive smirk. “So to what do I owe the pleasure?”


    Ste lowered her eyes. “I never hated you,”


    Frederick gave her another smirk as he eased back on his chair. “So tell me, what can I do for you?”


    Ste silently swirled her drink, her silky eyes staring through the wine and ss to the distorted world beyond.


    The longer she stayed silent, the more mysteriously beautiful she got, thought Frederick.


    He reached forward and grasped her hand.


    She did not resist.


    He moved over to sit beside her.


    Her re was as cold as ever, but there was a certain elegance to it now.


    She had a fire in her that he craved, one no other woman had.


    His passions surged. He leaned over to kissed her on the lips


    but she blocked him with her hand. “I have something important to tell you,” she said.


    “What?” he asked drunkenly. “You look so charming now. I used to mistreat you like a douche, is it toote to say sorry?”


    “I’m going home now,” Ste informed him curtly.


    “Go home? Whose home? My home? You know, I would wee you into my home any time.” Frederick leered.


    “Not your home, Wilson’s. I want what belongs to me,” she stated firmly.


    Frederick was doubtful. “Before this, you never wanted tell anyone that you’re the state mayor’s daughter. You didn’t even reveal it to Eli. Now, you actually want to go back to Wilson’s side? Why?”


    “You know the truth. Will you help me?” Ste asked.


    Frederick moved in steadily, still intent on her rosy lips. “And what can you offer me in return?”


    “What do you want? You know I have nothing. If I weren’t so desperate, I wouldn’t even be thinking of my father the state mayor.” Ste said bitterly.


    “Ste, I am liking you more and more. Be my woman.” Frederick took a deep breath and attempted another kiss.


    Ste jumped to her feet and red at him.


    He said the same things when he was wooing her, and look what happened then!


    “I want to be Wilson’s daughter, and you will be my brother-inw. It’s better to keep our distance. I want to be part of Chuck Family and Felicia’s in the way. Now please help me.”


    Frederick was aghast.


    He hated it when women reject him. He picked up the wine and downed it in a single gulp. His tone took a menacing edge, “I can help you. What about my needs?”


    “Master Addington is never short of women.” Ste refused.


    Frederick stood and scrutinized her. “Jasper and Katty are getting married soon. Do you really still hold out hope for him?”


    “I know who is worth waiting for, who is worthy of protection, and who is worthy of my love. Master Addington, you don’t have to worry about me. I’ll foot the bill.” Ste turned towards the door.


    Frederick grabbed her arm. “What’s the rush? It’s only been half an hour. We still have two and a half hours. Lets eat.”


    Ste couldn’t resist.


    Frederick ordered the dishes.


    Ste stole a nce at the video taken on her phone.


    It should be enough to convince Wilson, to keep Felicia from Frederick.


    “Where have you been these days?” Frederick asked.


    “I don’t need to report to you.” Ste turned off the camera and ced the phone in her bag.


    “Let me guess. Jasper took you to Tavers Vige to find Timmy.” Frederick said with a knowing smirk.


    Ste was shocked. She fixed a suspicious re on Frederick. “How do you know?”


    “Jasper’s parents may not want him to find the murderer. As for the one who killed Timmy, I’m guessing it was Steven or Zoah?”


    “It could be you too,” she retorted.


    Frederick poured himself more red wine. “It’s murder. If it were me, I would have killed Jasper right away. Why beat around the bush?


    He had a point there.


    Her cell phone rang. When she saw Jasper’s caller ID, her eyes welled up. She could not mask her distress.


    Frederick’s regarded her coldly.


    She ignored the call.


    The corners of Frederick’s mouth twitched. “I remember telling you not to mess with Jasper. He is not a man to be trifled with. His family will never ept you. Why do you want to humiliate yourself?”


    Ste emptied her ss in one shot.


    A text message came in from Jasper.


    This time she opened it.


    “What’s wrong? Are you at home? I’ll be at your doorstep in ten minutes,” it read.


    Ste got up to leave but


    Frederick stood in her way. “You’re not allowed to go.”


    “I need to rify something with him. Please, I don’t want to escape,” Ste said with teary eyes.


    “Fine, go rify it.” Frederick stepped aside.


    Ste hurried out the door.


    He gritted his teeth and called Felicia. “Come to the Golden Garden.”


    When Ste got back,


    Jasper stood at her door, smiling.


    She felt a stab of regret.


    He was so good, so very, very good…


    She headed towards him, put her arms around his waist, buried her face in his arms, and drew warmth from his body.


    She still remembered the first time they met.


    He had held her in the same manner. “I will protect you,” he promised.


    Since then, he had fulfilled that promise time and time again.


    Before him, she hated thinking back.


    Her memories were full of misery, only serving to dishearten her.


    Now, she had something to reminisce about.


    Those warm memories supported her as she braved onward.


    Jasper asked gently, “Are we going to keep standing out here?”


    “I just want to hold you like this,” Ste replied softly.


    “What’s wrong? Where have you been today? Why are you dressed up like that?” Jasper asked.


    Ste came to her senses and opened the door.


    “I wanted to change my image, so I went out to buy some cosmetics,” Ste lied as she stepped into the bathroom.


    Jasper followed, beaming. “You’re always beautiful even without makeup. I have seen you on your bad days too. Are you still worried that I will dislike you?”


    Ste teared up again. She closed her eyes and sshed cold water on her face.


    Jasper handed her the towel and said, “Everything went smoothly on my side today. I want to take you home this weekend. Let’s get married as soon as possible.”