As they left, Jeffree snuggled into Jared''s arms. "You know, Jared, even Emily can''t stand ra. She''d probably do anything to see her gone. Teaming up with ra is just asking for trouble," Jeffree murmured.


    Jeffree was used to being invisible in the Dawson family, so meeting Jared felt like a stroke of luck. Rumor had it he was connected to the prestigious Warren family, though no one knew the details.


    The Warren family was a big deal, and if they were backing Jared, it meant they saw something special in him.


    Usually, Jeffree had to stick close to Ethan to rub elbows with the powerful crowd, basically ying the role of his sidekick. She was tired of being the butt of jokes, yearning to climb the socialdder and sit at the table with people like Ethan.


    She couldn''t stand being looked down on.


    But in this world, everything was about status. Marriages were strategic, and Jeffree, barely a blip in the Dawson family, wasn''t exactly a catch for someone looking to climb higher. In her darkest moments, she stumbled upon Jared and overheard whispers about his ties to the Warren family.


    Thinking of Jared''s potential rise made her smile sweetly, imagining herself being noticed for once.


    "Jared, you never told me what''s your deal with the Warren family? Do you call Richard ''brother''?" Jeffree asked.


    She''d seen Richard plenty of times, but he never acknowledged her.


    Richard was intimidatingly distant, and she couldn''t picture what being rted to him would be like.


    Jared stiffened at the mention of Richard, trying to keep his cool despite the irritation bubbling up.


    "Why even bring him up?!"


    Jeffree blinked, taken aback, and quickly shut up. "Jared, do you not like him?"


    Jared took a deep breath, his hands clenching at his sides. "It''s not about liking or disliking him. I just don''t care. In the Warren family, we''re basically equals. We were bound to sh. Now that they''re backing me, Richard''s disdain is obvious, but I don''t see him as a threat."


    The more someone insists they don''t care, the more they actually do.


    But Jeffree, oblivious to this, just gazed at him with even more admiration. "Jared,


    I knew sticking with you was the right choice. Promise me I''ll be the only woman in your life, okay?"


    Jared soaked in her admiration, feeling a sense of satisfaction, and in the privacy of the car, they indulged in each other.


    Afterward, Jeffreey blissfully in his arms when her phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number.


    [Jared and Richard are half-brothers. Technically, Jared is entitled to a share of the Warren family fortune, but no one knows he exists.]


    Jeffree''s eyes widened in shock. Half-brothers?!


    Richard was the Warren family heir. Did this mean Jared could inherit a big chunk of the estate?


    Jeffree wasn''t up to speed on the Warren family''s internal matters, so she discreetly nudged Jared. "Jared, do you have any shares in the Warren family?"


    Irritation flickered in Jared''s eyes. Richard would never hand over shares to him.


    If people found out about him, they''d probably want to erase him. For years, he''d lived like a shadow, hidden with his mother under the guise of being a war widow''s son.


    "No, I''m not interested in that. Richard''s all about power, but I just want to live peacefully."


    Jeffree''s heart ached for Jared. The Warren family assets should rightfully include his share. How could Richard keep it all?


    She was determined to help Jared.


    As Jared got dressed, he thought about how he didn''t truly care for Jeffree. But after years of feeling invisible, her admiration wasforting.


    His thoughts drifted to ra. She was assertive and intimidating, a lot like Richard, which stirred something uneasy in him.


    But she was gorgeous, the kind of beauty that made you want to conquer it.


    If those icy eyes ever thawed, who knew what brilliance they might reveal?