Chapter 23
As the party was winding down, jasper adjusted his glasses and set his wine glass on a tray offered by a housekeeper. He lowered his gaze thoughtfully, focusing Intently on the housekeeper standing before him
The housekeeper holding the tray was Hailey. She blushed under his gare, thinlong he was interested in her.
Can 1 have your number
Jasper’s voler was wann and magnetic Tew women could resist i
Hailey fell a sense of triumph inside. She knew she was attractive! Although she didn’t know the man before het, she knew that anyone attending this kind of Eathering was either rich or influential.
Just as she was about to agree, she suddenly remembered Terence’s announcement half an hour ago, informing them not to share their contact information with The guests. Even if someone asked for it, they weren’t allowed to give it, no matter who it was.
Hailey paused, carefully considering her options. She couldn’t be sure if Jasper were actually interested in her. If she gave him 1– Jesiening from her job
“Sir, there’s a rule here against sharing our contact information with guests.”
Hailey’s refusal mirrored Tara’s earlier words verbatim–only the look in her eyes was vastly different
Hailey gazed at him with reluctance and admiration, whereas Tara’s eyes had been clear, devoid of any ulterior motives or dese
Jasper maintained his gentle façade. “10% okay then.”
without waiting for Hailey’s response, he departed first
‘number, she’d effectively be
Hailey watched Jasper’s retreating figure with longing, feeling a thousand regrets. Why did the rule have to appear now? It had completely ruined her chances at a good match.
Half an hour earlier, Tara had been busy at the fruit bar when Terence’s voice came through her earpiece. the announced the new rule forbidding all housekeepers from sharing contacts with guests, even it asked.
Tata was stunned. This new rule was identical to the excuse she had used to reject Jasper earlier that night. Even as the party ended, she still couldn’t make sense of it. Could there really be such a coincidence?
out most strikingly.
Before leaving the villa, jasper spotted Tara wording busily in the distance. Amidst the crowd of wealthy, attractive guests, she stood out mast s He glanced at Tenence “Mr. Caley-
Justas Jasper was 65,
t to ask him something, he noticed a tall, exceptionally handsome man approaching Tara from behind. It was none “Tara, prepare a glass of honey lemon water and bring it to my room.
none other than Jonah.
Tara, absorbed in cleaning up, looked up in contusion at Jonal’s sudden instructions.
“Now, Mr. Pranon?
Jonah massaged the bridge of his nose, the Adam’s apple on his elegant neckline bobbing slightly. “Yes. Now”
Having spoken, he didn’t linger. Instead, he headed straight for the elevator to the second floor.
“Right away, Mr. Pearson, Tara said to his retreating figure.
For a fleeting moment, the sensed something amiss but couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
After placing the last glass on her cart, she pushed it toward the kitchen, still puzzling over the strangely timed new rule,
With no time to dwell on Jonah’s unusual behavior, she focused on making the honey Lemon water the him.
Nearby, Halley continued gazing wistfully at Jasper. The handsome, wealthy man had almost been within her grasp, but now he was walking away. She questioned why that ridiculous rule had to be announced just then. It had ruined her chance at a good marriage.
“Did you call for me just now, Mr. Walker?” Terence stepped forward, blocking Jasper’s view of Tara
Jasper locked eyes with the calm and composed Terence. He hadn’t expected a mere butler to have such a clear and piercing gaze as if he could see tight through
“It’s nothing. I’ll take my leave now,” Jasper said politely.
Triener nodded respectfully. “You’re welcome to visit again. ”
He watched as Jasper entered the back seat of his cat only when the vehicle haddaiven away did his sanile more glances at Itailey, who was still looking out. His expression grow even more serious..
gradually fade. As Tetency turned to leave, le cast a few
In the kitchen, Tatahad finished making the loney lemon water just moments ago, the chet had finished his shift, and by the time she arrived, he had already dangedout of his work uniformi
So the figured that she would just
si make it herself. After preparing the honey lemon water, she placed it on a tray in the cast and headed upstairs. Tata knocked twice on Joniali’s bedroom door. “Mr. Pearson, I’ve brought you the honey lemon water.
‘Come in ”
Hearing his response, the prized the door and walked in. No matter how my nes she had been in there, the cold tone of his roo loneliness and holation. Isimpler terms, li gave her chills from head totor.
talways gave bi
bria sense of
She had no desire to stay a seal longer thanecessary. Aller setting the laney lemon water on his coffee table, the quietly left as usual. She didn’t want to attract Jonah’s attention. After all, he certainly didn’t like lart.
Moreover, she feared that if she stayed for even a second longer, he would think that she was trying to seduce him.
“Wait.” Jonah’s deep voice came from behind.
Tara braced herself for a scolding, wondering if she had done something wrong
She wondered if he had found out that she had drunk his milk the previous night, though she wasn’t certain that he would be that petty over half a bottle.
“Did any guests ask for your mumber during the party tonight?” he asked.
Jonah sat leaning elegantly under the lamplight with his long legs crossed. Even while questioning her, he didn’t look her way.
Tara hadn’t expected him to ask about that, but she answered honestly, “Yes, that did happen.”
Only then did Jonah turn his head, meeting her eyes. “What was your first impression of him?”
Tata was puzzled. “Which one do you mean, Mr. Pearson?”
From the beginning of the party until the end, several men had asked for her number, all of which she had declined with the same excuse. Jonah didn’t seem surprised by her response.
“Jasper Walker,” he replied.
At the mention of “Walker“, Tara remembered that man. He was the one who had helped her pick up the cake server.
After thinking it over carefully, she shook her head. “I don’t have any particular impression of him.”
In fact, she didn’t even remember what he looked like.
Jonah studied her as she pondered. She didn’t seem to be lying
“No particular impression, eh?” he slowly asked, drawing out his words.
Tara nodded. “A cake server fell from my cart in the hallway. Mr. Walker picked it up for me. Later, he asked for my number, but I turned him down.” Jonah stared at her intently for several seconds. “You turned him down?”
