?


    Paolo randomly picked a Clusian restaurant without even ncing at the signboard. He ordered casually by pointing at the menu and sent the attendant away. The atmosphere of the private room was anything but pleasant.


    Paolo sat next to Yvette while Frankie and Sienna sat together, hardly daring to breathe loudly. As for Jeremiah, he sat alone across them. Frankie and Sienna thought, Judging from the looks, this International Music Association president isn''t here to exchange pleasantries with Mr. Chavez. But what on earth is his rtionship with Yvette? They were dying of curiosity yet too wary to


    ask.


    Jeremiah rose, pouring water for Paolo with calm precision before turning to fill Yvette''s ss with orange juice.


    Meanwhile, Frankie and Sienna knew their ce and quietly helped themselves to their preferred drinks, then took their seats on the sidelines. Their anticipation was almost palpable as they eyed Yvette, Jeremiah, and Paolo, ready for the drama


    to unfold.


    Jeremiah settled into his chair. He was dressed in an immacte white shirt that radiated a subtle chill, and his sharply defined features exuded an intimidating elegance. Across the table, Paolo couldn''t help but appreciate the sight.


    Paolo thought, ''A man should be pleasing to the eye. Money? Secondary. Looks? Essential. It is, after all, the key to keeping Yvette happy. Her joyes second to none."


    Yvette sipped her orange juice casually with her legs crossed. She nced at Jeremiah before turning to Paolo, who was brimming with a thousand questions yet pretended otherwise, trying to act nonchnt. Just say it already," she drawled.


    Paolo dropped his pretense, set down his ss, and shot Yvette mild re as he thought, This kid knows how to ruin my act. I just lost half my aura."


    Clearing his throat, Paolo fixed his experienced gaze on Jeremiah, his tone taking on a sharper edge. "How long have you and Yvette been together?" He wasn''t nning to y nice. After all, Jeremiah was stealing away his youngest mentee


    Jeremiah pondered briefly, raised his brows, then nced at his watch. His lips curled into a faint smile as he said, "Seven months, six days, four hours, 25 minutes, and eight seconds."


    Paolo was about to pick up his ss to drink but paused, setting it back down. He cleared his throat before saying, "Just give me an estimation. Why go into such detail?"


    Sitting nearby, Frankie noted that he had learned something new. One day, he would unt his love like this, just to make everyone else jealous. Yvette casually lifted her eyelids, her green eyes narrowing slightly. Then, she lowered her gaze and continued to sip her orange juice. Her calm demeanor was unshaken.


    Pleased with Yvette''sposed demeanor, Paolo thought to himself, ''Girls shouldn''t be swayed by small gestures like this But for a man to remember such trivial details so precisely. Th''s impressive


    Paolo''s gaze toward Jeremiah grew more satisfied. He continued sking, “How old are you? What do you do for a living! How many people are in your family? Do your parents like Yvette?"


    The question about Jeremiah''s parents'' opinion of Yvette made Polo''s voice grow serious, his tone deepening.


    No matter how covered Jeremials was, he couldn''t be with Yvette if his parents couldn''t ept her temperament and character There were countless men in the world, and Yvette cold easily rece him. Yet, she shouldn''t be burdened by Troublesome inws.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    Jeremialis expression remained indiffering as he answered


    questions without the slightest hespation in his sleepi


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    voice, "I''m 27 years old, a military officer from Clusia. My family has four members-my parents, my grandpa, and 1"


    In the future, it''ll be five. And please don''t worry. My parents prefer Yvette to me. If given a choice, they''d probably pick her as their daughter instead, Jeremiah added.


    Paolo blinked in surprise at Jeremiah''s response but quickly understood. He thought, ''Oh well, Yvette''s a gem-a sweet, lovable girl who could charm anyone. It''s no wonder his parents see her in such a light. They have good taste. We should meet when I go to Clusia


    As for Jeremiah''s career as a military officer, Paolo thought it wasn''t too bad. That wasn''t a concern, although the job probably didn''t pay well. After all, Paolo''s inheritance would go to Yvette, and it would be sufficient.


    Moreover, Yvette was more than capable of earning her fortune Paolo had witnessed her talents firsthand. If Jeremiah retired from the military, he could settle down at home and raise their kids. Or, if he preferred, start a business. Either way, they''d be fine.


    Yvette raised a brow. Her green eyes, deep as a winterke, met Jeremiah''s gaze. She smiled and asked, "Done asking?"


    Paolo nodded, then shook his head and turned to look at Jeremiah. His expression turned solemn, his back straightening unwittingly. "Jeremiah, onest question. Think carefully before you answer. I want you to swear that you''ll only love Yvette for the rest of your life."


    "She can choose to leave you, but you can''t betray her. If one day you agree to this but fail to uphold it, I swear-no matter where you are, even if it costs me everything-I''ll hire 800 assassins to make you pay. So, decide wisely," Paolo added.


    Paolo''s words struck Frankie and Sienna as overly domineering. This was a ssic case of double standards.


    Then, they reconsidered. If it was Yvette and Jeremiah, maybe it wasn''t so unreasonable after all. Their wavering stance changed, and they found themselves thinking Paolo''s demand wasn''t entirely demanding


    Jeremiah''s blue, fathomless eyes showed no ripples of emotion, his gaze deep and steady. Paolo''s words didn''t seem to stir him in the slightest. Paolo couldn''t help but regard Jeremiah with even greater respect. He knew his request was far from fair, but fairness was never the essence of love. Call him selfish or overprotective, but as a mentor, Paolo''s sole priority was ensuring Yvette wouldn''t get hurt in love.


    Yvette crossed her legs, her eyes shimmering with a trace of mischief. Her brows arched slightly, exuding indulgent arrogance. With an indifferent gaze, her fingers tapped lightly on the table. Everyone at the table held their breath, waiting for Jeremiah''s response.


    With calm precision, Jeremiah adjusted his cuffs, his slender fingers betraying no emotion. His deep voice cut through the tension. "I''ll never betray Yvette, not until myst breath. And she''ll never abandon me either."


    The first part of Jeremiah''s statement was spoken withposure, but his tone turned icy and resolute in thetter part.


    Paolo studied Jeremiah''s face and couldn''t find even a trace of falsehood in his expression. Finally, he rxed. As Yvette''s mentor, it was only natural to give Jeremiah a little test, but today, Paolo was forced to witness their public disy of affection


    Looking at Jeremiah, Paolo quipped, ''Don''t be overconfident about not being abandoned. There are outstanding men everywhere. You''d better watch yourself. I''ll advise you as someone with experience-men should stay virtuous and keep a healthy sense of crisis"


    "Rest assured, no one is more exceptional than I am, nor could anyone be more suited for Yvette, Jeremiah replied unhurriedly.


    Jeremiah''s words made Frankie and Sienna twitch at the corners of their mouths. They couldn''t believe someone could speak so shamelessly, Still, they had to adinit, that if anyone had he confidence to back up such words, it was Jeremiah.


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