Early the next morning, Jacques woke up at dawn, took extra care getting dressed, and finally made his way downstairs with great formality.


    Baade and Cami couldn''t help butugh at the sight of him. If someone didn''t know better, they''d think Jacques wasn''t just heading out for a date, but straight to his own wedding.


    "Mom, don''t you think my hands look a little empty?" Jacques asked, ncing down at himself.


    "Empty? Not at all," Cami replied. "Everything you need is right here. I''ve already prepared the gift for you."


    After all, Jacques was her own flesh and blood. Cami knew exactly what he was up to before he even made a move.


    She fixed him with a warning look. "And don''t even think about touching the flowers in my garden!"


    "Mom, that''s not fair," Jacques protested, already making a beeline for the garden. "Your flowers are so beautiful-if you just keep them to yourself, isn''t that a waste? Beautiful things should be shared with the world."


    Cami rolled her eyes and turned to Baade. "Does that even make sense?"


    Baade shrugged. "Instead of nitpicking his choice of words, maybe you should be more worried about your flowers."


    "Oh no, my flowers!" Cami eximed.


    By the time she hurried outside, Jacques had already snipped every single one of her finest blooms-the ones she''d been nurturing for weeks and couldn''t bear to cut herself. Hydrangeas, pink roses, ssic reds, even the delicate apricot roses from her prized terrace collection... none were spared.


    Cami pressed a hand to her forehead. "My darling boy, you really do have an eye for beauty. You''ve managed to pick every single flower that was in its prime. If this still doesn''t win you Fidelia''s heart, then all these poor flowers will have died in vain."


    "Don''t worry, Mom," Jacques said with a confident grin, "there''s no such thing as being too polite. And with my charm, Fidelia is bound to like me."


    "If you were really that confident, you wouldn''t be making such a big fuss," Cami muttered.


    Jacques gave an awkwardugh. Inside, he thought to himself that Fidelia was so exceptional, it was no wonder he was this nervous.


    When the Crawfords arrived, Effie was still in the middle of a chess game with Bancroft.


    Just a little while ago, they''d sent Lyman away, but even then, Bancroft still lost to Effie. He was too stubborn to ept defeat, insisting on a rematch.


    Meanwhile, the others remained rooted in shock, finally realizing that Effie had been hiding her true skills all along. Her chess game was clearly a notch above Bancroft''s.


    For the first time, Bancroft felt the thrill of meeting a true opponent-someone he wished he''d met years ago. He was determined to get in a few more games with Effie while he had the chance.


    Just then, the butler entered, announcing the arrival of the Crawford family.


    The Etheridge family was so absorbed in the chess match that they hadn''t even noticed their guests. The butler had to remind everyone again.


    Suddenly, everyone snapped to attention.


    Jacques had already been scanning the room the moment he walked in. When his gazended on Effie, he strode over, holding out the carefully wrapped bouquet.


    Fidelia happened to be standing nearby. She''d noticed the Crawfords as soon as the butler announced them, and the first thing she saw was Jacques.


    Her heart fluttered wildly, her cheeks flushing pink.


    She watched nervously as Jacques walked toward her, noticing the flowers in his hand, her heart swelling with delight.


    She thought to herself, Jacques really is a gentleman-he even brought her flowers.


    Just as Jacques reached her side, she extended her hand. "Ja—”


    Before she could finish, Jacques shed her a smile and said, "No need, I''ve got


    it."