Jaycie froze mid-step before turning her head to see who had called out to her. It was one of her father’s former business partners, who had once begged for a collaboration with him. She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
She didn’t want to reveal her identity and was trying to figure out how to slip away unnoticed when one of the guys trailing behind Cole glanced her up and down and let out a mocking laugh.
“Did he say Ms. Stanton? He wants to pitch a business idea to Jaycie? Look at her—she’s obviously a nobody. How could she be involved in any kind of business? What a joke.”
His words sparked a wave of laughter. They weren’t speaking in Frutunian, so Jaycie could clearly understand their ridicule. Still, she kept her expression neutral, showing no reaction.
Cole, however, wasn’t as composed. He shot the guy a cold, warning glare. The man, sensing he’d crossed a line, quickly toned down his mockery, and the others, catching Cole’s sharp look, gradually fell silent.
The noise died down, and the man didn’t follow them. Jaycie trailed behind Cole as they walked home in silence. Once inside, Cole hung his coat on the rack and finally broke the quiet.
“Babe, I won’t take you to those kinds of gatherings anymore.”
Her voice and expression remained calm, even though it felt like a subtle expulsion from his social circle. She simply asked, “Am I an embarrassment to you?”
He chuckled softly while reaching out to ruffle her hair, but she dodged his hand. Sighing, he explained, “What are you talking about? I just don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”
“But there’s a gap between us, Cole. Sooner or later, we’ll face situations like this. Hasn’t your family been pushing you to marry for alliances?” Jaycie watched him closely, searching for any hint of guilt in his expression.
At the mention of an arranged marriage, Cole’s face stiffened for a moment before he quickly regained his composure. “Jaycie, all you need to know is that I love you. Nothing else matters. As for the other issues, I will find ways to handle them.”
If she hadn’t been paying close attention, she might have missed the flicker of unease in his eyes. After speaking, Cole headed to the bathroom to wash up. As she watched him walk away, she couldn’t help but wonder if what he meant by “handling other issues” was marrying one woman according to his family’s wishes while keeping another on the side.
Not far away, Cole’s phone on the nightstand buzzed with a notification. Since she knew his passcode, she unlocked it easily and glanced at the message. It was from Eileen.
