Avery couldn’t hear what was said on the other end of the bank call, but she noticed Jaden’s smile fade. He took a deep breath, trying to suppress his disappointnt, and asked, "Could you tell why I don’t et the loan criteria?" After a mont, he forced a bitter smile and said, "Okay, I understand. Thank you for your assistance." He put his phone away, twisted open a bottle of water, and stared at the distant mountains as he drank silently. Avery waited until he finished the entire bottle before asking, "Jaden, why was your loan application denied?"
Jaden smiled slightly. "When I consulted with the bank, they said my application should be fine and asked to wait a few days. Just now, the bank inford that there are too many loan applicants, and they can’t arrange for in the short term. They suggested I try other banks instead. When I asked how long I’d have to wait, they said it’s hard to say, and it’s better not to wait." The implication was clear. There was no hope.
Avery quietly sighed to herself, feeling that Jaden’s luck was just too bad. She consoled him, saying, "Jaden, just put the loan aside for now. Maybe luck will co your way soon. Oh, and my friend wants to check on Grandma’s and Grandpa’s health. If everything looks good, she can perform surgery on them anyti. You might need to take so ti to accompany them to the hospital in the near future." With everyone busy at ho, she planned to help Jaden with investnts after a while.
Jaden smiled again. "Yeah, once Mom and Dad’s business is on track, or when Joshua and Zayn co back, I can think of another way." He looked up toward the flower-lined path ahead, his expression softening. "Look, Grandma and Grandpa are waiting for you at the door."
Avery gazed up the slope and saw two stooped figures leaning on walking sticks, standing together at the entrance and looking in their direction. One of the elders raised his left hand, and the other raised her right, slowly waving at her. Though their vision was poor, and Avery’s Grandma was nearly blind—only able to see within 10 feet—at this mont, it felt as if they truly saw Avery, and she could feel their joy resonating from deep within. Avery’s eyes grew warm, and she couldn’t help but raise her hand to wave back at the elderly couple.
During her trip to the countryside, Avery stayed for three or four days, took a ton of photos, and even posted a few shots on Facebook where the location and identities were unrecognizable. anwhile, Alexander was out every day with his rumored girlfriend, spending the night at her place. On one occasion, a reporter caught him dining with her at a private restaurant, where they seed to be enjoying a lively conversation with Alexander’s sister and even took pictures together. Public opinion generally believed that Alexander was serious about this rumored girlfriend.
Netizens were discussing:
Netizen A: How will the Moran family and the Powell family handle the situation of Alexander being in love with soone else and undermining their planned union?
Netizen B: It’s been so many days, and the Moran family and the Powell family haven’t responded at all, as if the joint marriage has never been ntioned. It’s too strange.
Netizen C: Do you think it was Alexander who convinced the Moran family and the Powell family, or are they secretly pressuring him?
Netizen D: I’m wondering when this woman will disappear—three days, a week, or a month?
Netizen E: The above comnt is so scary. We live in a society governed by laws now.
Amid the various discussions, Alexander went on a business trip. That evening, Alexander’s rumored girlfriend received a phone call she couldn’t refuse. An hour later, she found herself in a quiet coffee shop, face-to-face with Anabel.
Anabel wore a traditional dress, sitting gracefully by a low wooden coffee table. One hand played with the broad sleeves while the other held a coffee pot, elegantly pouring coffee, exuding an air of royal grace that felt entirely natural. Anabel said, "Miss Acevedo, please take a seat. Enjoy so coffee."
Madalyn sat opposite Anabel, calmly observing her, having no intention of drinking coffee. She got straight to the point: "This feels like a banquet of deceit. I really don’t have the appetite for coffee. If you have sothing to say, let’s get to it."
Anabel chuckled lightly, showing no hint of hostility. She seed relaxed. "Tonight is just a casual greeting. We’re far from a banquet of deceit. Are you really so nervous?" Her gaze suddenly sharpened, piercing deeply into Madalyn’s eyes. "You definitely don’t want to experience a true banquet of deceit."
Madalyn clenched her hands on her knees, replying in a low voice, "I know how powerful the Powell family is. You don’t need to emphasize that. There’s no need for theatrics. Just say what you need to."
Anabel smiled lightly. "So, you’re a straightforward person. I appreciate that." Madalyn remained silent. Anabel set down her coffee cup. "In that case, I’ll ask directly. Are you Alexander’s girlfriend?"
Madalyn replied, "Yes."
Anabel inquired, "How long have you known each other?"
Madalyn answered, "One year."
"When did you officially beco a couple?"
"Three months ago."
"What do you think attracts Alexander to you?"
"You’d be better off asking him. My opinion doesn’t count."
"Does Alexander have plans to marry you or have children?"
"He hasn’t ntioned it, and I haven’t brought it up. But we are serious."
Anabel chuckled lightly. "Have you discussed whether the Moran family would allow you two to be together?"
Madalyn said, "We haven’t discussed it, but when the news of the intended union between the Moran and Powell families broke, Alexander told he would decide on his marriage himself, and no one could force him."
Anabel smirked slightly. "Do you think Alexander can stand against both families?"
Madalyn said, "That’s a problem for Alexander to resolve."
Anabel shook her head slightly. "Your straightforward visit tonight, without trying to record or tell anyone else, or bringing bodyguards, or attempting to provoke or show off to , shows you’re quite clever. So, what do you think Alexander could possibly do to resolve this?" Her tone was gentle, yet it felt deeply unsettling.
Madalyn bit her lip hard, choosing not to speak, though her expression beca significantly more serious. Anabel poured herself so coffee, took a couple of sips, and then asked, "Have you ever considered that perhaps the Moran and Powell families don’t want to resolve things with Alexander but rather deal with you?"
Madalyn’s pupils widened in alarm, and she beca alert. "Alexander said he would protect ."
Anabel smiled. "Of course, he will protect you. The question is, to what extent can he protect you? And how long can he keep that up?"
Madalyn stayed silent, her expression betraying a hint of indifference, as if she wasn’t worried about this issue. Anabel politely asked, "Let change the question. Do you believe Alexander’s feelings for you are deep enough that he would risk everything, even being voted out by the board?"
Madalyn still said nothing, her gaze falling as she tightened her fists on her knees. Anabel noticed her knuckles turning white from the pressure. She smiled lightly, pouring out the coffee, replacing it with a fresh one, and after sipping a couple of tis, she asked, "Let pose another question. Do you want to see Alexander fight against the Moran and Powell families for you, even if it ans paying a heavy price?"
Madalyn looked up, her eyes fierce. "You’re the strong one, and I’m the weak one. Just tell plainly. If I absolutely have to be with Alexander, how will you deal with ?"
Anabel took a delicate sip of hot coffee and then set the cup down. "A wealthy and powerful man can’t possibly have only one woman. I won’t waste my ti and energy trying to eliminate my husband’s mistress. I have only three demands. If you can et them, I’ll allow you to stay."
Madalyn asked, "What are those?"
Anabel replied, "No marriage, including registering, holding a wedding, taking wedding photos, or acting as Alexander’s wife. No children unless I give my permission. Stay low-key. Do not let the public know you’re Alexander’s woman. Although you’ve already violated this one, you still have a chance to correct it." Anabel smiled as she spoke, her tone polite, yet her words carried the weight of a judge’s verdict, effective imdiately with the consequence of "death for violations."
Madalyn frowned. "If I can’t et those demands, will you kill ?"
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