?Chapter 1396:


    “If you want your father to hear about the mess you’ve made with your startup’s finances, then by all means—stay put.”<fn78b8> Follow current nov?ls on fι?dnοvel</fn78b8>


    Melvin warned, his voice low but sharp. He hadn’t shown up unarmed. Over the past few days, he had quietly dug into Jack’s background, just in case Jack ever came sniffing around Jessica again.


    Jack’s smirk disappeared in a sh. “You’ve been investigating me?”


    “Next door. I’ll be waiting,” Melvin said coolly before turning and walking into the adjacent room.


    Jack, visibly shaken, shoved the women off him and stood up to follow. Just as he slipped inside, Jessica arrived—catching the tail end of Jack walking into the private room behind Melvin.


    Her heart clenched tight in her chest. Melvin had said he didn’t care, yet here he was, facing Jack head-on. What an idiot.


    Melvin hadn’t noticed Jessica trailing him—he was far too absorbed in the moment. When Jack walked in, his demeanor didn’t shift. He simply said, “Sit.”


    “What do you want?” Jack asked, irritated.


    “If you’re nning to marry, you’d better start acting like it,” Melvin replied, his voiceposed, his words slow and deliberate. “Cut ties with all your girlfriends.”


    Jack blinked,pletely stunned. He stared at Melvin like he’d misheard him. “What did you just say?” he asked again, still baffled. Marrying? Since when was that happening?


    “Cut ties with all your girlfriends and focus on Jessica,” Melvin repeated,ying out his conditions tly. “Do that, and I’ll erase your little startup mess. But if you treat Jessica badly, I have more than enough ways to make your life miserable.”


    The longer Jack listened, the more confused he became. Just as he was about to speak, the door burst open.


    Jessica stormed in, her face a mixture of panic and frustration. Before either man could speak, she turned to Melvin and snapped, “This is what you call urgent? Coming here to talk to Jack?”


    “No,” Melvin replied instantly, his earlier confidence crumbling.


    “Then what are you doing here?” Jessica pressed.


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    “He told me to dump all my girlfriends andmit to you,” Jack cut in, clearly enjoying himself. His voice held a mocking lilt. “I mean, since when was—”


    “Shut up!” Jessica barked, cutting him off.


    Jack opened his mouth to argue but went silent when he saw the fire zing in her eyes.


    “Well, since you’ve made your point, let me make mine,” Jessica said, her tone icy and firm as she turned to Melvin. “My life isn’t your concern anymore. I’d appreciate it if you stayed out of it.”


    Melvin looked at Jack. “He’s not right for you. You shouldn’t marry him.”


    “I think he’s perfect,” Jessica replied with defiance, determined to stand her ground.


    Melvin said nothing.


    Jessica didn’t stop. “Don’te looking for Jack again. I don’t want you interfering in my life. Once we’re married, whatever he does will be with my permission. It’s none of your business.”


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