J thought, “It was my fault.”


    She shouldn''t have doubted Gerard.


    With a flourish, Gerard slipped the amethyst bracelet around J''s wrist.


    Deep purple was her favorite color.


    J''s smile deepened, "Thank you, Gerry. I love it. You''ve grown into such a thoughtful young


    man."


    Gerard grinned, "I''m just happy you like it, Grandma. You raised me all by yourself. It''s only right


    that I show my gratitude."


    At his words, a look of sheer contentment washed over J''s face.


    She always knew that Gerard was a good, dutiful boy.


    Seeing that J''s anger had dissipated, Gerard continued, "Grandma, I''m sorry for worrying you.


    It''s gettingte, and let me walk you to your room."


    "Alright," J nodded.


    The pair ambled off, a picture of harmony and warmth.


    Delia watched their retreating figures, her brows knitting together in frustration.


    She had thought there''d be a stormy confrontation.


    A rift between them.


    But, contrary to her expectations, not only was there no rift, but J''s affection for Gerard seemed


    to grow even stronger.


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    Back in her room, Delia dialed Edna''s number.


    She didn''t say much, only reminding Edna that Gerard had returned and J hadn''t exploded in


    rage.


    After hanging up, Edna''s expression turned dark and dangerous, "ying games with me?"


    She had worked hard to sow discord between the two, only for Gerard to undo it with a mere


    photograph and bracelet, making J forget all the troubles.


    Edna was convinced that Gerard''s trip to Cloudcrest was to see Carole, and she would never


    believe otherwise.


    It seemed she had underestimated Gerard.


    But no matter how clever he was, what could he do?


    After all, he was just a teenager.


    Edna''s eyes narrowed, and she was determined to be Jonah''s wife, bear his children, and


    push Gerard out of the Lindsay family for good.


    In the Lindsay family mansion,


    As soon as Gerard reached his room, the smile vanished from his face. He grabbed his phone and


    texted Mr. Yeager, “Mr. Yeager, I''ve safely arrived in Capital City.”


    “Home already?” Despite thete hour, Nanson replied promptly.


    “Yes, if you evere to Capital City, let me know. I know this ce like the back of my hand.”


    “Will do. My niece keeps talking about getting into Capital University. If she makes it, I''ll let you


    know.”


    Gerard''s lips curved into a faint smile as he read the message.


    Being Nanson''s family must be nice.


    He wondered if his own mother had any siblings. If so, he might also have an uncle.


    What would his uncle be like? Like Nanson?


    Lost in thought, Gerard eventually texted back, “I''ll be waiting for you in Capital City.”


    “It''ste. Get some sleep.”


    “Goodnight, Mr. Yeager.”


    After sending the message, Gerard headed off to the bathroom for a shower.


    In the blink of an eye, Valentine''s Day arrived, and Cloudcrest was bustling back to life.


    Students were returning to school.


    Yeager''s Delicacies was reopening.


    Carole, unable to work with an injured hand, hired two extra hands and made herself responsible for


    supervising the shop. Though she couldn''t be hands-on, she kept busy by learning French, even


    ying French songs during the shop''s lunch breaks.


    Hard work paid off.


    In just ten short days, Carole could already manage basic conversations with foreign customers.


    Anthea, with her backpack slung over her shoulder, was off to school.


    But first, she made a detour to thepany.


    She rarely visited the office, so when she stepped into the CEO''s private elevator, the staff buzzed


    with curiosity.


    "Who is that? She''s gorgeous. The CEO''s daughter?"


    "I heard our CEO''s only 27 this year."


    "No way. Maybe that''s his girlfriend?"


    "Seems likely."


    "The CEO''s girlfriend is drop-dead beautiful."


    These whispers floated around after Anthea had entered the elevator, so she remained blissfully


    unaware.


    She walked straight to Talbot''s office and knocked.


    "Come in."


    Talbot''s voice beckoned from within.


    Anthea pushed the door and entered.


    Talbot, seated in his executive chair, was buried in paperwork, his brow furrowed. Thinking it was


    his secretary with more documents, he said without looking up, "Just put the files on the desk, and


    I''ll get to them in a bit."