Jimmie''s eyes narrowed, and his handsome face quickly frosted over. Icy words


    slipped through his lips, dripping with menace. "Melvin, are you sure you heard that right? That doesn''t sound like something Mr. Schwartz would do, given his character."


    Shanley lowered his eyes, saying nothing.


    “Ha,” Melvin scoffed from the side, wincing as the movement pulled at his injuries. The pain only sharpened his tone. "Why don''t you ask the honorable Mr. Schwartz yourself if he''s been hitting on his friend''s sister? Tsk, tsk. It''s not even a sure thing yet, and he already has the audacity to call himself her future husband. If our family gave him the green light, he''d probably drag her to the courthouse immediately, wouldn''t he?"


    Jimmie was speechless. He turned to Shanley, waiting for an exnation.


    Shanley''s lips were pressed into a thin line, his sharp brows furrowed. A few cuts marred his refined face, and the corner of his mouth was crusted with dried blood. He had taken off his suit jacket, and his white shirt clung to his well-built chest, his tie hanging askew. With his short hair slightly disheveled under the harsh, cold light from above, he had a strangely worn-out look.


    Juniper found herself staring, gradually captivated. Say what you will, but his face was undeniably handsome.


    Seeing Shanley remain silent, a sense of unease grew in Jimmie. He nced over at his sister, only to find her gazing at Shanley with undisguised interest, a faint smile ying on her lips. Jimmie couldn''t help but feel that the way Juniper was looking at Shanley was... far from innocent.


    "Shanley, is what Melvin said true? Are you really after my sister?" Jimmie felt as if he''d been struck by lightning. He could barely breathe, forcing himself to suppress his rage as he asked the question through gritted teeth.


    Juniper watched him quietly, waiting for his answer. If he dared to admit it, her brothers would never let him off the hook. But if he didn''t... she had no interest in a man who couldn''t take responsibility.


    "Yes," Shanley said, lifting his head. His voice was low but unwavering. "It''s true. I have feelings for Juniper."


    "Say that again!" Jimmie exploded, surging forward to grab Shanley by the cor, his eyes bloodshot. "I trusted you! I entrusted my sister to your care, and this is how you take care of her?"


    Melvin leaned back, a smirk on his face, thoroughly enjoying the show. "Weren''t you so smug earlier?" he thought, "Go on, keep it up!"


    Juniper stood her ground, though a flicker of nervousness entered her clear eyes.


    "I have feelings for Juniper," Shanley repeated calmly, his hands hanging at his sides as Jimmie held him. "It''s a long and somewhat unbelievable story. But as for my feelings. the one who fell first."


    was


    He knew that going after someone''s sister meant a beating was inevitable. He just hadn''t expected it toe so soon.


    At his words, Juniper''s brow rxed almost imperceptibly, and a casual smile touched her lips. He actually


    admitted it. then


    Alright she would try to hold them back a little when


    they started hitting him.


    "You..." Jimmie''s mind went nk, all ability to think gone.


    He had been the one to send his sister to Shanley. Had he just delivered her straight into the wolf''s den? This old man was surely skilled in his methods. How else could he have charmed Juniper so


    Jimmie wondered just how far things had gone between them. Recalling how close


    they had seemed earlier...