tentious, sweet–tongued woman.


    “Let’s wait for them to finish eating and see what Jessica will do next,” Cecilia suggested.


    “All right.”


    Lucille also calmed down, choosing to trust Cecilia.


    She was well aware that if she just rushed over, there was no guarantee she could outmatch Jessica.


    Moreover, upon hearing how Mason addressed Jessica respectfully as the daughter of the Quill family, it was clear that Lucille’s own family background fell short inparison.


    She had made up her mind. If Mason turned out to be a jerk, she would break up with him. In the worst- case scenario, she’d just have to venture into the dating pool again in search of her actual true love.


    In the adjacent private room, Mason didn’t mention a single word about Lucille in front of Jessica.


    Instead, he simply ordered a few dishes and subtly shifted the conversation toward Cecilia.


    “What did Mrs. Rainsworth do at the office today?” asked Mason.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    “Oh, nothing much. She was just reviewing some conference documents.”


    While munching on her food, Jessica continued to criticize Cecilia, “Honestly, I don’t think my sister–in-w takes her job seriously at all. She spent over an hour just reading through a single meeting document. She couldn’t understand it and even felt annoyed by my presence. She even made me leave her alone.”


    Mason nodded andmented, “Pregnant women can have a lot of mood swings. You’ve really had a tough time.”


    Jessica shook her head and drawled, “It’s not hard. As long as I can help Nathaniel share some of his burdens, I don’t find it difficult at all.”


    After she spoke, she passed the bowl of dessert she had taken a bite from to Mason, who sat across from her.


    “Mason, give this a try. This dessert is so yummy.”


    Pretending to be upset, Jessica asked usatorily, “Are you rejecting me, Mason? I clearly remember when you first started hanging out with Nathaniel, you’d eat anything I’d taken a bite of when I came to see you.”


    Lucille was speechless with anger. Go to hell, Mason!


    To his credit, Mason stood his ground and exined, “Ms. Quill, that’s all in the past now. I’m engaged these days. It’s not appropriate for me to behave like this.”


    “Is she that strict with you? You’re not even her son,” Jessicained.


    Mason chuckled and said catingly, “You always speak your mind, don’t you? All right, let’s dig in.”


    He felt somewhat helpless.


    In his memory, Jessica was just an innocent young girl. He didn’t interpret her current actions as attempts to seduce him.


    After all, people tended to be prejudiced. When he first met Jessica, she was just in her teens.


    She was such a bright, innocent girl back then, and it was a great pity that her parents had passed away early.


    Moreover, as the youngdy of the Quill family, she never looked down on the working ss. She always addressed him by his first name, which made him feel fond of her.


    Lucille, who was seated on the other side of the private room, felt so wronged as she listened to everything that she couldn’t stomach her meal.


    So it turned out that Mason, who seemed as impassive as a block of wood, had a juvenile crush and experienced first love.


    Perhaps it’s because he failed to win over his first crush that he’s settling for the next best thing Noticing her distress, Cecilia began to regret bringing Lucille along.


    She reached out, taking hold of Lucille’s hand.


    “Lucy.”


    –


    me.


    Lucille wrapped her arms around Cecilia and wailed, “I feel so terrible. I’ve only known Mason for a few years, but he has known Jessica for much longer.”


    Just as Cecilia was wondering how to console her friend, an idea suddenly struck her.


    “Just because you’ve known someone for a long time doesn’t necessarily mean anything. Mason has known Nathaniel for even longer. Does that mean his feelings for Nathaniel are deeper than his feelings for you?” asked Cecilia.