Chapter 5: Engagement


    Chapter 5: Engagement


    The two strolled into Pansy Group, and the photo shoot went off without a hitch. Some of the


    clothing choices didn''t meet Carl''s taste, leading to a fewints. However, whenever Jane


    reassured him, his opinion took an immediate U-turn. Her presence had an almost magical effect on


    him.


    If he veered off course, one of Jane''s nces would set him right. Carl was not only respectful, but


    also somewhat fearful of her. It wasn''t just gratitude for her past heroics; he worried she might give


    him a spanking if he irritated her.


    Despite Carl''s potentially hindering attitude, what was estimated to take five hours ended in just two.


    Once the shoot was over, Carl grabbed Jane''s arm and suggested, "Let''s go. We have a lot of


    catching up to do. Dinner''s on me."


    "No, I can''t. I''m still on duty," Jane coldly rejected him.


    A few employees were still on set, pretending to be busy while gossiping about the unfolding drama.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "Did Carl offer Jane dinner and get turned down?"


    "Wow, what''s going on? Doesn''t she know who he is? Most girls would jump at the chance. She''s


    acting pretty haughty."


    "I''d dly trade ces with her and quit my job just to spend some time with Carl. Jane is a fool."


    Rejected, Carl felt almost defeated. After a moment''s thought, he inquired, "By the way, why did you


    start working here? Did your family go bankrupt? If so, I can support you. You don''t have to work


    here, okay?"


    Jane rolled her eyes and replied, "You don''t know the whole story, Carl. If you''ll excuse me..."


    She returned to work, leaving everyone expecting a dramatic exit from Carl in frustration.


    However, to their surprise, he managed a helpless smile and headed to the lounge to wait for Jane


    until her shift was over.


    At closing time, Patrick walked out of his office and told Jane, "Grandpa has a reservation at a


    restaurant. Let''s go have dinner."


    Patrick had been reluctant to go, but Mike had resorted to threats. The old man had experienced a


    heart attack and, during a video call, he said, "You must go. If you don''t, I''ll pull the plug on this


    venttor. Do you want me to die?"


    Patrick had no choice but toply.


    Jane was about to respond when Carl entered the room. "Jane, are you off duty now? Shall we


    have dinner?"


    It wasn''t until Patrick cleared his throat that Carl realized he wasn''t alone. "Oh, Patrick, you''re here!"


    Had Jane and Carl known each other all along? Patrick watched the two of them in puzzlement.


    Jane, who had remained quiet until then, finally spoke. "How about we all have dinner together?"


    In the end, the three of them made their way to the restaurant where Mike had made a reservation.


    During the ride, Carl engaged in animated conversation with Jane, who responded warmly from


    time to time. When they arrived, Carl''s chivalrous side emerged as he held the door for Jane, pulled


    out a chair for her, served her food, and filled her wine ss. Patrick found himself ying a


    supporting role, as if they were in their own world and he was simply a bystander.


    "By the way, you still haven''t told me why you decided to work at Pansy Group. Is there something


    between you and Patrick?" Carl had a suspicion that there might be more to their rtionship.


    ncing at Patrick, Jane replied, "My grandfather asked me to work here. As for what''s between


    us... we''re engaged."


    Carl nearly choked on his water.


    "Wait, you two are what? What a small world we live in! So, you''re the country girl Patrick is


    engaged to?"


    Jane nodded nonchntly.


    The rumors of their engagement had spread far and wide in Guavo, so Carl was already aware of it.


    Given his knowledge of Jane''s background, he couldn''t help but sigh at how misguided the media


    had been. She might be from the countryside, but she was far from poor. The North family was


    incredibly wealthy, with dozens of mansions scattered around the world.


    "Are you two in love?" Carl asked, looking at them incredulously.


    Jane responded calmly, "Don''t get the wrong idea. We''re not in love. The engagement will be called


    off in three months."


    Carl let out a sigh of relief and nodded.


    In a candid admission, he said, "That''s good. Patrick doesn''t deserve you. I''m even better than him.


    You two arepletely different. He''s cold and boring. A marriage between you two would be a


    disaster."


    Patrick angrily stabbed a piece of steak and chewed it vigorously.


    Carl wasn''t worthy of Jane? What nonsense! "By the way, Carl, your brother asked me to purchase


    the car you''ve always wanted. He ns to gift it to you. I thought..."


    "Come on, Patrick. I didn''t mean it like that. Can''t you take a joke anymore?" Carl offered an


    awkward smile.


    They enjoyed a pleasant meal.


    Upon leaving the restaurant, Jane and Patrick bid Carl farewell.


    "Goodbye, Jane! I''lle to visit whenever I have some free time."


    Jane patted Carl''s head as they hugged, waving to him.


    "Farewell, Carl. Take care!"


    She patted him affectionately, as if he were a pet dog, like her skan Mmute. But in Patrick''s


    eyes, it seemed as if she were flirting with him.


    He grumbled and climbed into the car.


    On the way back, he finally voiced hisint, "Now I see why you were so confident when you


    said you''d never fall in love with me. You''re in love with someone else."