Chapter 701
If Mandy didn’t get the hint now, she’d be downright foolish.
“Got it, thank you, sir. I’ll find a chance to thank him later,” she said, turning to leave.
The driver watched her walk away, muttering to himself, “Kids with a sense of gratitude like that are rare these days. Hey, wait, your cigarettes!”
But it was too late, Mandy was already gone.
It was close to midnight.
Jasper, holding his jacket in one hand and a cigarette in the other, made his way downstairs.
Mandy glanced up and saw him approaching.
He didn’t notice her, though.
She couldn’t help but stare at him as he passed.
Jasper was tall, easily over six feet. His hair was slightly curled, styled back in a way that highlighted his sharp, clean-cut features.
On most men, this kind of hairstyle would have looked messy, but not on him. He carried an air of rebelliousness, the image of a carefree rogue.
It wasn’t until he disappeared from her view that Mandy snapped out of it. She quickly followed him outside.
Just as Jasper was about to get into his car, a clear voice called out behind him, “Excuse me.”
He paused, phone in hand, and turned around, blowing out a thin stream of smoke.
His dark eyes landed on Mandy curiously.
Mandy gathered her courage and stepped forward. “I’m the staff member you helped last time at Mystique. You left too quickly before I could thank you properly, so I came to thank you now.”
Jasper raised an eyebrow puzzledly. He had no memory of her at all.
Had I helped someone?
Maybe, but it clearly wasn’t important enough for him to remember.
“Yes, you probably don’t remember, but that’s okay. I do,” Mandy said with a small smile.
Jasper didn’t seem to care.
His phone call connected, and without giving her another glance, he turned and got into the car.
The driver shot a quick look at Mandy before driving off.
She stood there for a moment, feeling a bit disappointed at not getting a response, but she brushed it off and went back to work.
Jasper finished his call and leaned back in his seat to rest.
They soon arrived at the Weekleys’ Estate.
As Jasper got out of the car, the driver handed him a box of cigarettes. “Mr. Jasper.”
“What’s this?” Jasper asked, glancing at the box.
“It’s a token of gratitude from that girl,” the driver explained.
“A token of gratitude?”
Jasper’s lips curled in amusement as he examined the box.
He recognized it was a carton of cigarettes, but the brand didn’t ring a bell.
“Marlboro,” he read aloud, chuckling. “I only like tobacco from abroad.”
Without hesitation, he handed it back to the driver.
“You can keep it,” he said.
Then he walked into the villa without looking back.
He was observing her from a small window.
A few things had happened since Violeta joined the tennis club.
Jasper, always the observer, had watched from the sidelines, taking in her graceful presence on the court. He’d also watched as she and Hayden grew closer.
She is shining.
Violeta played in a tournament for the tennis club and brought back a trophy.
Jasper looked at the gleaming trophy, and his gaze slowly drifted to the window. Outside, Violeta was warming up with Kaylee.
Her pastel sportswear accentuated her vibrant energy.
From afar, Jasper’s dark eyes watched her through the small window, the glass creating a quiet barrier between them.
“Violeta is really something, huh?” A female voice broke his focus.
Jasper was startled.
He quickly shifted his gaze away.
Nessie had somehow slipped in without him noticing.
“When did you get here?” he asked.
“I knocked earlier. Didn’t you hear me?”
✩
Chapter 702
“You were too focused,” Nessie muttered.
Jasper turned around, placing the trophy on a shelf in the corner. “I wasn’t looking at anything.”
Nessie shot him a skeptical look. “Weren’t you just watching them warm up? Violeta and Kaylee make a great pair. It’s rare for our tennis club to have two members as good as them.”
Jasper ignored her and prepared to leave.
Nessie called after him, “Jasper, you can’t just hide in here all day watching everyone else. You should get out there and practice with the group from time to time! Seriously, you’re getting more and more hands-off these days.”
Jasper glanced at her. “Isn’t that what Nolan and you are for?”
He let out a lazy yawn and added indifferently, “My presence is not important. See you.”
Nessie could only shake her head helplessly as he left.
Before the new members joined, Jasper used to love playing with everyone.
But lately, something has changed. He barely even showed up for practice anymore.
All he did was hide out here and watch from afar, though no one knew what he was watching.
Nessie leaned against the spot where Jasper had been standing and murmured to herself, “I have to admit, the view from here is pretty good. You can see everything.”
Meanwhile, Lucy was back in town.
Jasper heard the news from a friend of a friend.
It happened over drinks.
“Who’s back?” someone asked.
“Lucy!”
“Oh, isn’t she Jasper’s ex? Haha, I remember her. She was a dancer, right?”
Jasper rested his chin in his hand, his eyes downcast. He didn’t join in on the conversation.
“Hey, Jasper! Didn’t Lucy leave the country after you dumped her? Man, you were cold. What kind of girl do you even like if she wasn’t good enough?”
“Didn’t you start dating someone else right after Lucy? What was her name again…”
“I remember, it was Esther!”
“Yeah, and Esther even confronted Lucy, didn’t she? That was wild!”
They laughed as they dug up old gossip right in front of Jasper, who seemed either completely unfazed or entirely uninterested.
“Hey, Jasper, who did you like more, Lucy or Esther?” Someone teased him.
Jasper finally looked up, glaring at the speaker. “I like your mother. Now order some drinks.”
The group erupted into laughter.
Jasper crossed his legs and leaned back into the couch. He finished his drink in one smooth motion, leaving nothing but a polished ice sphere in the glass, which he set down on the table.
Lucy was back, but Jasper couldn’t care less.
To him, she was just someone from his past. In fact, from the moment he broke up with her, he had already stopped feeling anything for her. Whether she stayed abroad or returned home was none of his business.
Everyone knew one thing about Jasper. He never went back to his ex.
If he had really liked her, they wouldn’t have broken up in the first place. And since they did, it meant she had become irrelevant to him.
Soon, the waiter in charge of the room came in to serve the group more drinks.
Since the group would spend lavishly, staff here would need connections to get to serve them.
After a few more drinks, Jasper started to feel stuffy and wanted a cigarette. He reached into his pack only to find it empty.
He stepped outside to get some air and ran into a waitress.
Without thinking, he said, “Go grab me a pack of cigarettes.”
Mandy had just finished cleaning a room next door when she heard the voice. She paused and looked up, realizing it was Jasper.
“Alright,” she said quickly.
Mandy went outside and bought a pack of Marlboro.
When she entered the dimly lit room, she handed Jasper the pack. He took it without looking and tore open the packaging, only to realize something was off.
“What’s this?” he asked, frowning.
“Marlboro,” Mandy replied.
Jasper frowned in displeasure.
The waiter in charge of the room rushed over. “Why’d you get that? Go to the bar and get a pack of Davidoff. Mr. Jasper doesn’t smoke any other brand.”
Mandy blinked in surprise, then quickly headed downstairs to get what Jasper wanted.
This time, though, she didn’t even make it into the room.
The same waiter intercepted her at the door, taking the cigarettes from her. She’d done the errand, but the credit wouldn’t go to her.
✩
Chapter 703
Jasper suddenly remembered Mandy, all because of that pack of Marlboros from before.
As he headed downstairs to settle the bill, he overheard an argument at the bar.
“Skyler, why wasn’t the cigarette sale credited to me?”
“Room 303 wasn’t your table. You’re just trying to steal someone else’s credit. What’s the matter? You want a tip too? Well, maybe once you start wearing stockings, we’ll talk.”
Mandy clenched her jaw. “But he specifically asked for me. I didn’t go looking for him.”
“There’s no proof of that. If you want credit, get Jasper to vouch for you.”
Mandy fell silent.
Skyler knew full well that Jasper would never come downstairs just to vouch for her.
In Skyler’s eyes, Mandy was too proud and rebellious.
She needed to be put in her place, and that included making her clean the bathrooms and take care of the less desirable tasks.
“Skyler, why do you always target me?” Mandy asked, her voice barely concealing her frustration.
“I’m not targeting you. If you don’t like it, you can leave.” Mandy’s hands balled into fists, her frustration building.
Just as she was about to resign herself to another day of being mistreated, Jasper’s voice rang out from the stairs, calm and clear.
“Credit her for the cigarettes.”
Skyler immediately straightened. “Sure.”
Mandy had been fully prepared to quit on the spot, even if it meant working for free for half a month, but she was caught off guard when Jasper once again stepped in to help.
She glanced over at him, filled with gratitude.
Jasper’s cold expression didn’t change. He gave her a brief glance before heading toward the door.
After he left, Skyler glanced at Mandy meaningfully. “If you knew how to play your cards right and got close to him, you wouldn’t have to listen to me anymore.”
Mandy didn’t respond.
Skyler’s words stung, especially for someone like Mandy, who was new to the workforce.
Jasper’s two acts of kindness had stirred something in her.
She found herself looking forward to the next time she would see him.
However, Jasper’s visits to Mystique weren’t regular.
He wasn’t the type of person Mandy could run into just by wanting to.
Meanwhile, Lucy had heard the rumors circulating about Jasper and Violeta when she returned from abroad.
She assumed the two of them were together now.
Many at school believed it too.
Whenever women got too clingy, Jasper would usually distance himself, knowing that the more attention he gave them, the more trouble it would cause.
He hadn’t expected Lucy to go to Violeta and start stirring up drama.
It became a public scene in the cafeteria, and things got ugly.
Hayden eventually stepped in to stop Lucy from causing further trouble.
Lucy, knowing better than to cross Hayden, backed down and left.
If Hayden hadn’t spoken up, Jasper wouldn’t have just stood by and watched Violeta get hurt.
He knew Hayden would intervene because Violeta was different from him.
And Jasper had been right. It was another sign that Violeta meant something to Hayden.
That was a good thing, just like Jasper had said before he wished them the best.
But the pang of jealousy he felt deep down told him that his well-wishes weren’t as genuine as he liked to pretend.
He wasn’t as indifferent as he wanted to be, but he couldn’t control his feelings.
“Timing is everything in life,” Jasper thought, snapping out of his reverie.
In front of him, an older man, clearly drunk, was rambling on.
“Look here, young man, I got this drink first, so don’t go trying to take it from me! If you want more, you’ll just have to sit back and watch, haha!”
“Then pay for it,” Jasper replied coolly.
“Huh? Haha, pay for it? No way! That’s never going to happen. Haha… hic!”
Skyler approached, gesturing for two waiters to escort the drunken guests upstairs.
“It’s just you tonight? Room 303, as usual?” Skyler asked Jasper.
“Yeah.”
With that, Jasper coldly nodded and headed upstairs.
It was clear that something was off with him tonight.
He was alone, and anyone could tell his mood wasn’t great.
Once in the private room, he ordered a single bottle of liquor and sat there drinking by himself.
After returning downstairs, a supervisor approached Skyler.
“Skyler, should we send someone up to keep him company?”
“No need. Jasper’s not in the mood today. Let’s not disturb him.”
Chapter 704
“Alright.”
Turning around, Skyler noticed Mandy standing at the door.
After a moment’s thought, Skyler signaled the supervisor to let Mandy go up.
“Her? She’s never been there before. I’m worried she might offend him.”
Skyler smirked. “She’s different from the others.”
It was the perfect chance.
If Mandy messed up, she’d be fired right away.
If Jasper liked her, she could potentially become someone who could approach him in the future.
Either way, everything rested on how well she seized this opportunity.
The supervisor nodded and made the necessary arrangements.
Mandy made her way to Room 303, not knowing that it was all a test set by her superior.
Carrying the tray of wine and fruit, she knocked and entered the room, unaware she was being used as bait.
Inside, Jasper sat on the couch, smoking and distracted by his phone.
At first, he didn’t pay attention to who had entered until Mandy set the wine on the table and said, “Your wine is here. Do you need anything else?”
Upon hearing her voice, Jasper looked up.
“It’s you.”
After seeing her twice before, Jasper now recognized her.
Mandy smiled softly. “You recognize me this time.”
Jasper put down his phone, signaling her to pour the wine.
Bending over to pour, she finally caught his serious gaze.
Mandy was wearing Mystique’s men’s uniform, which made her stand out.
“Don’t Mystique have women’s uniforms?”
“Yes, but I requested to wear the men’s uniform,” she said, briefly pausing before explaining further.
With his legs crossed, Jasper looked at her with a playful expression. “Why? I thought you were supposed to be a greeter. Why are you up here?”
His memory was good.
The first time they met, Mandy had been outside, welcoming customers and seeing off drunken customers.
She wore a man’s uniform, probably to avoid serving customers upstairs.
After finishing pouring the wine, she stood respectfully to the side and answered, “It’s because of personal reasons. It’s more convenient for me to wear it this way. Skyler had me come up today.”
Jasper took a sip from his glass, then asked, “What’s so inconvenient? No wonder your manager has you doing random jobs. Bosses usually don’t like employees who act on their own.”
Especially in their line of work.
Mandy’s expression stiffened slightly.
After a moment of hesitation, she bent down and rolled up her pants, revealing several twisted scars running along her slender legs.
“That’s why I don’t wear skirts.”
Jasper glanced at her legs, his eyes briefly flickering, but his tone remained even. “How did this happen?”
“I got burned when I was a kid, playing near a fire.”
Jasper gave a small nod, took another sip, and motioned for her to pour more.
Whiskey, with its complex flavors, was typically enjoyed in small amounts. Too much alcohol at once could be damaging.
“This is 60 proof whiskey.”
“I know,” he said.
Mandy said nothing more as she continued pouring.
The room was quiet, so Jasper struck up a conversation as they drank.
“How old are you?”
“Just turned 20.”
“You’re not from Quinston, are you?”
“No, I moved here for school.”
“Won’t working at Mystique affect your studies? Won’t your parents care?”
Mandy lowered her gaze. “They won’t. I don’t have parents.”
Her work didn’t interfere with her studies-in fact, she needed the job to support herself.
Before coming to Mystique, she had worked other jobs, but Mystique offered the best pay. So, after a year of struggling, she decided to take it.
When survival was on the line, things like reputation took a back seat.
As long as she stayed true to herself, that was what mattered.
Jasper’s gaze softened with a trace of pity when she mentioned her parents.
“You can leave. I don’t need your service here.”
Chapter 705
“Alright.”
After Mandy left, Jasper remained in the room for another hour before settling the bill and heading out.
Mandy thought it was just a routine service.
However, as she was cleaning the restroom, her supervisor appeared behind her.
“Mandy, you can stop cleaning. Ms. Jasper stored some wine today. It’s all been recorded in your performance. You might be the top seller this month. Skyler said you’ll be in charge of Room 303 from now on.”
The supervisor’s words left Mandy in shock.
At the reception, she found that Jasper had stored three bottles of wine, each priced at 300 thousand. She had earned a hefty bonus.
Previously, Room 303’s sales had been divided among several waiters, but this time, all the credit went to Mandy.
The news spread quickly, and soon everyone was talking about how lucky she was.
Mandy hadn’t expected Jasper to be so generous.
The three bottles of wine he stored were worth nearly a million.
Even though she only received a portion, it was still a significant amount.
The unexpected fortune filled Mandy with both gratitude and unease.
But despite her worries, she couldn’t deny the joy the money brought. She treated herself to a nice meal and bought some expensive everyday items she had wanted for a while.
Her roommates noticed her new purchases and couldn’t help but comment.
“Mandy, this smells amazing! I saw this brand at the store, but it’s so pricey. How come you suddenly splurged on it?”
“Yes, this shower gel costs hundreds!”
None of her roommates knew Mandy worked at Mystique.
She hadn’t exactly hidden it, but she didn’t go around announcing it either.
“My performance this month was good, so I treated myself.”
One of the girls sighed. “That’s nice. By the way, I know you’ve been working part-time. Where do you work? My parents didn’t send me much allowance this month. I need to find a job.”
Before Mandy could answer, another girl sitting on the top bunk, her legs crossed, snidely remarked, “Oh, please, it’s just a bottle of shower gel. What’s there to brag about?
“You guys don’t even know where she works, do you? I saw her at Mystique when I was out with my boyfriend. She was tugging with a drunken man. Definitely doesn’t look so innocent!”
The room went silent.
The girl who had asked earlier looked at Mandy awkwardly. “Wait, Mandy, you work at Mystique?”
Mystique was a well-known, high-end bar in Quinston.
This industry had a bit of a shady reputation.
Most people assumed a good girl wouldn’t work in such a place.
Especially not someone like Mandy, a college student.
Working there implied she wasn’t focused on her studies.
With the expensive items she had recently bought, the other girls were quick to judge how she earned the money.
Mandy had hesitated for a long time before taking the job.
She wasn’t the most open-minded, and a small sense of shame still lingered inside her.
Now, being pointed out by her roommates has deepened that embarrassment.
Even though she hadn’t done anything inappropriate, she only greeted guests; she still felt uncomfortable.
Mandy averted her gaze, grabbed the shower gel, and placed it back on her desk. Trying to act indifferent, she said, “Well, I do work at Mystique. I bet none of you want to do that, right?”
“Of course not! If my parents found out, they’d kill me!”
The girls moved away from her as if she were contagious.
Mandy felt a pang of discomfort but said nothing. She packed up her textbooks and left the dorm.
From that moment on, rumors of her working at Mystique spread across the department.
She had been an ordinary student, but now she drew attention -whispers followed her wherever she went.
Still, Mandy managed her newfound wealth responsibly.
She was a good student and loved learning, even splurging on premium course materials that few others would buy.
Chapter 706
When Mandy wasn’t attending classes, she spent her time working at Mystique.
Jasper hadn’t made an appearance, so she carried on with her usual duties as a greeter. If he did show up, she’d be assigned to Room 303.
A month flew by, and still, there was no sign of him.
During the holiday, Mandy originally planned to work as a private tutor, but she couldn’t stop thinking about Jasper. So, she decided to take on a full-time position at Mystique.
Upon knowing that, Skyler suspected Mandy might have feelings for Jasper.
However, they were in different worlds, the wealthy son and the ordinary girl, and the odds weren’t in her favor.
Still, Skyler didn’t say anything, simply agreeing to let her work for two months full-time.
Despite this, she couldn’t shake the disappointment, as Jasper still hadn’t come.
One day, the young men who had partied with Jasper in Room 303 showed up. Unable to help herself, Mandy asked them what Jasper had been up to.
They laughed and joked.
“Oh, Jasper? He’s been on vacation with Zoren and the rest. Who knows where they went?”
“I know. I saw his Instagram post yesterday. He’s out on the prairie with Zoren, Liam, Zoren’s cousin, and Hayden.”
Others pulled out their phones.
“Really? I didn’t even notice until you mentioned it!”
Mandy glanced at their phone screens and saw the group photo.
In the group photo Jasper posted, there were four guys. Jasper stood in the middle, a man in a white coat beside him, and a girl smiling sweetly on the other side.
It was obvious from the photo that the group had a close bond. Their outfits and appearance screamed privilege.
While the four guys were all attractive and eye-catching, Mandy couldn’t take her eyes off the girl standing next to Jasper.
With her background in psychology, she noticed that despite Jasper’s arm being around his friend’s shoulder, his stance and body language suggested something different.
Since Jasper posted it, it was clear he was satisfied with it.
Mandy’s intuition told her that Jasper saw that doll-like girl differently.
“Violeta is truly a campus belle. She’s so stunning.”
“No wonder there are rumors about her and Jasper.”
“Careful! Don’t let Jasper hear you say that. He’ll be angry.”
As their conversation trailed off, Mandy stood there silently, processing everything.
It became clear that Jasper had been living his life, moving on from old habits.
It wasn’t a surprise who would stay caught up in a casual fling forever.
Mandy had worked her way up from a small village, enduring many struggles along the way, but she had never felt as helpless as she did now.
The gap between their social classes felt like an impossible divide.
Jasper hadn’t stored the wine for her out of affection, and his kindness hadn’t been just for her-it was simply because he was a good person.
Yet somehow, she had let herself hope for more.
A quiet storm of emotions churned inside her as she lowered her eyes.
Two more weeks passed before Jasper’s vacation finally ended.
He returned to Quinston. Along with his friends, he visited Mystique as usual.
This time, Zoren and Liam tagged along too.
When Mandy entered Room 303, she immediately recognized Zoren and Liam from the photo Jasper had posted.
She stood in the corner of the room, silently performing her duties.
After a few drinks, one of the men jokingly asked Jasper why he hadn’t found a new girlfriend yet–it wasn’t like him.
Jasper had a reputation for quickly moving from one relationship to another.
Yet, almost an entire semester had passed since his last breakup, and he still hadn’t found someone new.
✩
Chapter 707
Jasper looked at the man and asked, “Why not introduce me to someone?”
The man chuckled and replied, “Oh, please, no one on my list is good enough for you.”
Zoren joined in, teasing, “Tired of the usual? Going for something more low-key now?”
Jasper grinned. “It doesn’t matter if they’re flashy or simple. I’m staying single for a while.”
Liam couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
“Alright, alright,” Zoren said, waving it off.
Mandy stood nearby, quietly listening to their playful chatter.
Even though Jasper made it seem like a joke, who really knew what he thought deep down?
His words were just for amusement.
She was just an observer, knowing her place and staying within her boundaries.
After the dinner, Mandy cleaned up the private room. While tidying up, she noticed something wedged between the couch cushions, a light violet hairband. She picked it up and examined it closely.
It looked expensive and was probably made of real silk.
As she studied it, a sense of familiarity washed over her. After thinking for a moment, she realized she had seen a girl in a photo with Jasper on Instagram, wearing the same hairband tied in a ponytail.
It was exactly where Jasper had been sitting earlier.
Clearly, the hairband had fallen from his pocket.
Uncertain of what to do with it, Mandy folded the hairband and kept it with her, just in case Jasper came looking for it later.
After finishing her cleaning, she was about to leave when her supervisor approached.
“Did you find anything in the room that belongs to Mr. Jasper?”
Mandy paused for a moment and answered, “Yes.”
“What did you find?”
“A hairband. It should be his.”
The supervisor reached out. “Let me take a look.”
Mandy pulled the hairband from her pocket and handed it to the supervisor, who examined it for a few seconds.
“Just this? I thought it might be something more valuable. Anyway, Mr. Jasper is in the parking lot waiting for it. You better take it to him quickly.”
“Alright.”
When Mandy arrived at the parking lot, she saw Jasper leaning casually against his car, smoking.
She glanced down at the hairband in her hand, took a breath, and walked over. “Here’s your belonging,” she said, handing it to him.
Jasper stubbed out his cigarette and took the hairband from her.
“Where’d you find this?” he asked.
“It was between the couch cushions where you were sitting.”
Jasper examined the hairband carefully, almost as if he was concerned it might’ve gotten dirty.
Mandy noticed something rare in his expression, a slight hint of worry. Jasper usually came across as carefree and unruly at Mystique, but now it was clear that the hairband meant a lot to him.
Even though it wasn’t her place, Mandy couldn’t help but ask, “This hairband… it belongs to a girl, doesn’t it?”
“Yes,” Jasper casually responded, opening his car door. “Thanks for finding it and keeping it clean.”
“You’re welcome,” Mandy said, then added, “But if it’s so important to you, maybe next time don’t carry it around so carelessly. You might not be as lucky in finding it again.”
Jasper smiled slightly. “You’re right.”
“Take care.”
As Jasper’s car pulled away, Mandy stood there watching.
If she still couldn’t see his attitude, she would be too foolish. It was obvious that Jasper didn’t care about her, as he rather cared about a hairband. She understood her place. It was time to let go of any fantasies she’d held onto.
From that point on, Mandy continued to work at Mystique. But this time, she willingly gave up her exclusive rights to Room 303.
“Why are you giving it up?” her manager asked, visibly annoyed. “Do you know how much effort I put in to get you into that room? You’ve got a good thing going, and now you want to walk away from it?”
In Skyler’s eyes, Mandy either didn’t understand the opportunity she had or she was too proud for her own good.
Who did she think she was?
It was a coveted opportunity that others couldn’t beg for, but she rejected it.
In truth, if it hadn’t been for her connection to Jasper, Skyler would never have given her such an opportunity in the first place, as she didn’t follow the hidden rules.
During her time managing Room 303, Mandy had made a hefty commission of 90 thousand just from the last time Jasper had stored wine there.
Chapter 708
With her earnings over the past months, Mandy had made as much as some office workers make in a year. What more could she want?
“Thanks for all the support. I know there’s been talk since you put me in charge of Room 303. So maybe it’s time to hand it over. Whoever’s next in line can take it. It’s not that I don’t want to manage it anymore, but I don’t want to hog the opportunity. Also, I won’t be coming next month.”
“What?”
Mandy gave a small bow. “I appreciate the chance you gave me. I’ve saved enough to cover my needs. I want to focus on my studies now.”
It was uncommon.
Most women who worked in the nightlife industry found it hard to go back to a simpler lifestyle after getting used to high earnings. But Mandy was different.
“Well, it’s your choice. Just make sure you won’t regret it.”
“I won’t.”
Mandy worked for the rest of the month at Mystique and never returned after that.
Her absence didn’t make much of a difference to Mystique.
No one asked where she went.
Not even Jasper.
Time flew by.
Jasper and his friends graduated from Toland University, and he decided to continue his studies abroad.
After their farewell drinks and a final meal together, Jasper headed to Wiltonshire. Hayden and the rest followed their paths.
The memories of his time with Violeta at Toland University felt like a forgotten film, sealed away in Jasper’s mind.
In Wiltonshire, he met new people and returned to his usual routine.
He had tried to find her in the crowd, but he was met with disappointment. She was like a needle in a haystack, hard to find but unique.
With the rise of the internet, Jasper didn’t need to return home to keep up with Violeta’s life.
She had made waves in the domestic entertainment industry.
In Wiltonshire, Jasper found himself trapped, just as he had once been in the tennis club’s lounge.
He stayed in a bigger but equally confining place, avoiding the things he didn’t want to face.
But eventually, life caught up with him.
His family sent people to find him several times. Under the weight of their pressure, Jasper finally agreed to return home. Word of his return spread quickly to his friends.
That day, they started chatting in their group after a long time of silence.
Jasper re-recorded his voice message three times before he sent it.
“You must be kidding, Vio. You’ve got the influence now and don’t need my help. You’re the company’s goldmine. I’m the one who should be sucking up to you! If you need anything, just say the word…”
The transition of power went smoothly.
But Jasper wasn’t ready to take charge yet, so he suggested spending two years at Apex to get back into the swing of things and slowly take on more responsibility.
His family was content as long as he was willing to come back.
Apex Entertainment was already a well-established company, so his father allowed him to go there for a few years.
In the end, whether he was dragged there or went by his own will, he was still heading toward the same destination.
Once at Apex, Jasper didn’t do anything major.
He had a special assistant named Jeffrey Sarratt handling most of his work.
After a relaxed six months, Evelina joined Apex.
To Jasper, her clumsy attempts to impress him were like watching a child play. He didn’t even bother to expose it.
However, he needed someone to help him maintain stability with his family, and the pressure to get married was looming over him.
Honestly, no man would turn away a beautiful woman.
So, Jasper decided to go along with Evelina’s game.
It had been a while since he last visited Mystique after his time abroad.
That night, he walked back into Mystique. The place had been renovated two years ago, and the second floor was no longer how he remembered it.
Time had passed.
Most of his old friends, who used to run in the same social circles, were starting families or focused on their careers.
Graduation had placed everyone back in their proper roles in society. Those who once called him by his first name now mostly refer to him as Mr. Weekley, and very few lived as carefree as he did.
Chapter 709
Jasper didn’t call anyone when he arrived. Instead, he quietly sat at the bar counter, sipping his drink.
Even though the staff at Mystique had been replaced a few times, Skyler, the manager, remained.
Skyler came over upon hearing Jasper’s arrival.
“Hello, Jasper. I haven’t seen you for a long time.”
Jasper looked over and smiled slightly. “Yes, it’s been a while. You’re still around.”
Skyler smiled politely. “Yes, I’ve thought about leaving. But once I step out of Mystique, I’m not sure where I’d go. So I’ve stayed. Guess I’ve gotten too comfortable here.”
“Sit down and have a drink with me.”
“Sure.”
The two sat together at the bar counter, catching up like old friends after a long absence.
The bartender poured a drink for Skyler, too. Seeing the wine, Skyler suddenly remembered something.
“Jasper, is this the new wine? You probably forgot, but the wine you stored here before you left is still in the cellar. It hasn’t been finished.”
“Oh?”
Jasper wasn’t surprised he’d forgotten. After being away for a few years, it was natural.
Skyler gestured for the bartender to retrieve the wine from the cellar.
“Jasper, don’t think too much of it. I just figured it’d be a shame for such good wine to go to waste.”
The wine had appreciated over time, and what Jasper had paid back then wouldn’t compare to its value now.
Leaning back in his chair, Jasper asked casually, “How many bottles did I store back then?”
“Three. You drank two. There’s still one left unopened.”
“Now I remember,” Jasper recalled having purchased them to cheer up a waiter.
“That waiter’s gone, right?”
“Yes, she left a while ago. Surprised you still remember her.”
“I have an impression of her.”
“She returned to her studies after saving enough. It’s been a few years now, so she’s probably graduated by now.”
The bartender returned with the wine.
After sharing a couple more drinks, Skyler had other matters to attend to and left first.
Jasper lingered at the bar for another half hour and enjoyed the music before leaving.
The Apex monthly report lay on Jasper’s desk, with the first page highlighting the female artist rankings-Violeta at the top.
Jasper scanned her schedule and said, “From now on, I’d like to see Violeta’s schedule first.”
Jeffrey, his assistant, nodded, not surprised by the request.
Violeta was Apex’s biggest star at the moment, and it made sense that Jasper would want to keep a close eye on her.
“Sure, I’ll list all her schedules in one form.”
“Hmm.”
After briefly reviewing the other reports, Jasper was about to dismiss Jeffrey when he changed his mind.
“Forget it. Leave things as they are. I don’t need to see her schedule separately.”
Confused, Jeffrey asked, “Why?”
Jasper squinted. “Treat everyone equally. I should treat everyone equally.”
He repeated the phrase, not just for Jeffrey but as if reminding himself.
“But Violeta’s our top artist right now. It’s a good idea to monitor her closely to avoid any issues like we had with Lydia-“
“That won’t be necessary. Violeta isn’t Lydia. You can go now.”
Jasper cut him off, making it clear the conversation was over.
“Alright.” Jeffrey nodded, leaving the office quietly, but remained puzzled.
From a business standpoint, it made perfect sense to track the activities of top artists. Jasper had been right to ask for special attention from Violeta at first.
So, why the sudden change?
Treating everyone equally?
What does that mean?
Jeffrey couldn’t figure it out, thinking Jasper’s decisions were hard to understand.
Jasper had always been a hands-off leader, even skipping over the financial reports lately.
Chapter 710
Jasper ended things with Evelina at the right moment. It was the same way he had started their relationship perfect timing.
Although Evelina struggled to accept it and clung on for a while, Jasper knew how to handle the situation smoothly.
He had long recognized Evelina as a woman who always wanted more than she could have.
After a few months together, they both got what they needed from each other.
When the time came to part ways, Jasper ensured Evelina received more public attention than she’d ever had since her debut.
Mixing both kindness and firmness, he finally convinced her to stop bothering him.
Jasper felt satisfied watching Violeta win an award. He sat through the entire award ceremony, despite her appearance only lasting about ten minutes.
It seemed like something a business mogul would do-not for fun, but to keep an eye on industry trends.
That day, with nothing better to do, he went to Mystique once again.
Now that his breakup with Evelina was public knowledge, Jasper found himself a target for many women eager to win his heart.
However, they didn’t know that Jasper had already shut down any possibility of getting involved romantically again.
Later that night, he encountered someone familiar. After all these years, he was surprised that he still recognized Mandy.
“You are…”
“I’m Mandy. I’m surprised you still remember me. Seems like I haven’t changed too much over the years.”
After graduating, Mandy moved to a different city for work…
Just a week ago, she was reassigned to Quinston to handle a client there. That evening, her client had specifically requested they meet at Mystique for business, so she had no choice but to go.
She hadn’t expected to bump into Jasper at the bar counter on the first floor. Upon seeing him, she initially thought she was mistaken.
Though they’d crossed paths a few times before, she had let go of any unrealistic dreams she once had about him.
She faced reality with calmness. Fortunately, she had been through enough setbacks to know how to stay composed. She continued her education and gained a valuable qualification.
Over the years, she poured her energy into her work and was rewarded for her efforts. She was no longer the shy waitress who used to work in a corner of Room 303.
Jasper’s gaze swept over her, his voice clear as he said, “Your face hasn’t changed, but a lot of other things have.”
Mandy knew he was talking about her appearance.
Back when she worked at Mystique, she had been reluctant to wear skirts. Now, she was dressed in a sharp business suit, showing off her legs, something she’d always been inferior about.
“Your legs…”
“I had surgery two years ago, and the recovery went well.”
Mandy shared it openly.
Jasper didn’t hold back from complimenting her. “You were always meant to look this stunning.”
His casual praise caught her off guard, and she replied with a hint of surprise, “Thanks.”
Just then, her phone vibrated; her client upstairs was still waiting. She glanced at Jasper and said, “How long are you staying? I need to head upstairs. If you’re still around later, maybe we can catch up.”
“No rush,” Jasper replied. “You’re not a waitress anymore. Go ahead. I’ll probably be here for another half hour.”
Mandy nodded. “Alright.”
She didn’t intend to make him wait. After all, she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to finish in time.
Encounters like this were up to fate, and she couldn’t force them.
She went upstairs while Jasper turned his attention toward a female singer performing on stage.
Luckily, the meeting went smoothly. As if fate were on her side, the client’s wife called about an emergency at home, asking him to leave early. Within 20 minutes, Mandy had escorted the client downstairs.
After settling the bill, she returned to the bar counter and was relieved to see that Jasper was still there.
Jasper raised an eyebrow in amusement. “You didn’t just send your client away with an excuse, did you?”
“Of course not,” Mandy replied, taking a seat next to him and ordering a glass of juice.
“I’ve thought about this a lot. Meeting you back then felt like an honor. You were a huge help to me, and I’ve always wanted to express my gratitude if I ever got the chance.”
Chapter 711
If Jasper hadn’t stepped in to help Mandy back then, she probably wouldn’t have made it through college so easily.
She wouldn’t have had the strength to handle all the exams.
Her life had been exhausting, but Jasper’s assistance gave her a chance to move forward smoothly. Without his help, she might have been lost long ago, never reaching where she was today.
Jasper was curious. “Really? What did I do for you? I honestly don’t remember.”
Mandy smiled. “Well, people who do good often forget about it. But I remember it.”
Jasper looked at her thoughtfully and smiled. “Looks like life’s been treating you well these past few years.”
“I wouldn’t say I’ve done extraordinarily well, but I’m happy with where I am now.”
“That’s good to hear.”
After all, for most people, money solved the majority of life’s problems.
“What about you?” Mandy asked. “How have you been these past few years?”
“Do I look like I’m struggling?”
Mandy paused, then said seriously, “You might be wealthy, but you don’t seem truly happy.”
Leaning back in his chair, Jasper seemed intrigued. “Why do you think that?”
“I’m not sure of all the reasons, but a happy person doesn’t usually drink alone at a bar.”
Her words hit home.
Usually, Jasper only visited bars when he was feeling down.
In the past, he surrounded himself with people to avoid appearing lonely. But as he got older, he found himself enjoying solitude more and more.
Now, he could spend half an hour just sipping a single drink, savoring the quiet.
He didn’t deny it, remaining silent.
Mandy glanced at him, her eyes softening with a hint of sympathy.
Was it possible that someone like him, seemingly on top of the world, had unfulfilled longings?
Suddenly, a woman rushed over, pushing past Mandy. She called out, “Jasper! There you are! Why didn’t you tell me you were here? I’ll join you!”
Mandy could only stand there in surprise.
Jasper turned to the newcomer, flashing a faint smile. “Ivory, what are you doing here?”
Ivory McGee beamed at him. “I came with a friend. I didn’t expect to see you here, Jasper. Let me sit with you!”
Ivory was one of those women who had been pursuing Jasper for some time.
She had met him through her brother in Wiltonshire, but he had never been interested in her romantically.
Even though she often hinted at her feelings, he always turned her down politely. Yet, here she was, again.
Jasper glanced at Mandy, noting how Ivory had rudely shoved her aside. He didn’t appreciate how she treated Mandy.
“I’m with someone at the moment,” he said, his voice calm but firm.
Ivory turned to Mandy, giving her a once-over as if sizing up the competition. “What’s so special about her? She’s nothing compared to me.”
Her disrespectful comment crossed Jasper’s line.
“Ivory, where do you get that kind of confidence? It’s sad when you can’t even see yourself clearly.”
After he said so, Ivory showed a look of grievance.
Mandy’s expression was also subtle.
“Why are you being so harsh?” Ivory said, her voice breaking. “Is it so wrong to like you? I wouldn’t even be here if I didn’t care about you.”
Jasper didn’t waver. “It’s time for you to go. I don’t want to have to say it again. Liking someone isn’t wrong, but when it’s one-sided, it becomes a problem. Should I call your brother to come pick you up?”
Ivory left in tears.
Mandy listened to Jasper’s words, feeling as though a cold breeze had swept over her heart.
Liking someone wasn’t a crime, but one-sided affection was doomed from the start.
It almost felt like he was giving her a warning too.
Her once unsteady feelings were now firmly in check.
She had thanked Jasper for his past kindness, and they didn’t have much in common beyond that. There wasn’t a reason for her to stay any longer.
Since she had already stood up, she could leave now.
Jasper broke the silence. “I’m sorry for what just happened. I apologize on her behalf.”
Chapter 712
“It’s okay. I don’t think she did it on purpose. It’s almost time, so I’ll leave first,” Mandy said before leaving.
Jasper simply responded with a soft hum.
After Mandy left, Jasper’s expression became somewhat despondent.
What he said just now was also a reminder to himself.
The blockbuster success of “The Golden Ages” marked a milestone leap for Apex Entertainment.
Although this was a collective team effort, Jasper gained more recognition than the others for this achievement as the CEO of Apex Entertainment.
Following this success, the Weekley family considered having Jasper take over other business sectors. In the near future, he would no longer be the CEO of Apex Entertainment.
The wedding invitation was given to Jasper privately by Hayden.
Jasper accepted the invitation and said he would definitely attend the wedding.
The hall where Hayden and Violeta were going to hold their wedding was booked by Jasper through someone he had a relationship with.
He didn’t know what wedding gift to give, so he arranged the wedding venue.
On the wedding day, Jasper attended in a gorgeous dress, sat in the audience and watched the whole scene, then clapped and blessed them.
It was not as hard to accept as imagined.
Or maybe he had already imagined this future in his mind when he went to Wiltonshire, and now it can be said that the assumption had come true.
The people who came to Violeta and Hayden’s wedding were basically acquaintances.
After the ceremony, Jasper and Liam stood together and chatted until Cynthia came over and asked Jasper to join her in socializing with the elders.
Jasper knew that this was another excuse.
Cynthia never gave up on letting Jasper go on a blind date.
She had been quiet for a while. However, perhaps because she saw that Hayden and Violeta were getting married today, she became worried and started to set Jasper up with girls again.
This time, Jasper still didn’t want to go, but he was dragged along half-heartedly.
“Jas, this is Mrs. Yates. I told you before.”
Since he had come to socialize, it wasn’t Jasper’s character to keep giving others the cold shoulder.
He smiled and said politely, “Hello, Mrs. Yates.”
A few of them stood together chatting casually, and Jasper gave half-hearted responses until two lovely girls approached them.
Cynthia, “Oh, is this your youngest daughter, Josie?”
Mrs. Yates nodded. “Yes, this is the first time she has joined me for such an occasion. Josie, Jessie, this is Mrs. Weekley and Jasper.”
I know the Yates family has an older daughter named Jessie Yates, but I’ve never heard of a younger daughter named Josie Yates.
From the conversation, Jasper learned that Josie had been weak since childhood and had been raised by her godmother in the countryside. After more than a decade, she was finally brought back this year.
Josie and Jessie were from the same roots, but they had different educational environments since childhood, which had cultivated them into two people with different personalities.
Jessie was bright, generous, and graceful.
Josie was a little timid and not outstanding enough.
Cynthia took up with a fancy to Jessie and wanted to set her Jasper.
But Jasper had been in contact with rich girls since he was a child, and now he was immune to the term “rich girls.”
Therefore, the one who caught his eye was actually the timid Josie.
When he saw Josie for the first time, Jasper only thought of one sentence: The same fate but a different destiny.
Perhaps it was because Jasper saw that Josie was uncomfortable in front of them, so he spoke up to help her out.
“Mrs. Yates, I want to talk to Josie. Is it convenient for me to take her there?”
“It’s alright. Josie, you go with Jasper. He will take care of you.”
Cynthia’s expression froze for a moment. She thought that Jasper was attracted to Josie, who came back from the countryside, and not to Jessie, who was raised in luxury.
Jasper took Josie aside and sat there playing with his phone without saying anything.
Although sitting here was much better relaxing than socializing with others, Josie didn’t know what was Jasper’s intention of bringing her here, so she boldly asked, “Jasper, why did you bring me here?”
Jasper said calmly, “I brought you here to get some fresh air. Don’t be restrained. Do whatever you want. You can go back later.”
Josie was confused by his words.
But she could sense that Jasper held no ill will toward her. Not only did he lack malice, but he also showed little interest in her.
Jasper looked at his phone and said, “Your sister is very good at this kind of occasion. Since you don’t like it, you can be smarter next time and find an excuse to leave.”
Josie replied, “I think this place is very beautiful. I like it.” Jasper moved his eyes to her face. “Do you really like it?”
“Yeah. I like it.”
“Then why don’t you sit down? Don’t your feet hurt?”
Josie was stunned by his reply.
Jasper easily exposed her disguise. “Your high heels are too small, and your Achilles tendon is worn out.”
The fact that Josie didn’t sit down despite her foot pain only indicated that she was constantly straining herself.
Yet, she insisted on pretending to be completely calm.
She thought she was doing a good job of it.
However, in the eyes of Jasper and the others, she was as transparent as if she were unclothed; they could easily see through her awkwardness.
They chose not to point it out before because they were respectful and wanted to preserve Mrs. Yates’s dignity.
Chapter 713
Jasper was tired of playing along, so he revealed the truth.
Upon hearing this, a hint of embarrassment flashed across Josie’s face.
Jasper’s words were blunt, but they also made Josie realize that he genuinely brought her here to relax.
She sat down and loosened her shoes.
“Why do you want to help me?”
“Do you need a reason to help people?”
“Don’t you need one?” Josie smiled and said, “Since I returned to the Yates family, no one has treated me as the daughter of the Yates family. If I had known that I would live in such a restrained way, I would rather not come back.”
Jasper said, “You are quite open-minded. Normally, shouldn’t you be happy when you suddenly find out that you have parents with a net worth of hundreds of billions?”
Josie replied, “I was indeed very happy at the beginning, but later on, it was just so-so.”
Nobody in the Yates family welcomed her.
She was aware of her situation and didn’t want to be a burden.
Jasper glanced at her and said, “I know someone who is similar to you; she returned to her family halfway and is doing very well. Everyone in her family loves her.”
Josie was silent. “You are talking about Violeta, aren’t you?”
“Yeah.”
“Is she … the reason why you helped me?”
“I guess so, you have the same fate but different destiny.”
He thought that if Violeta returned to the White family and found herself in Josie’s position, she would also need someone to come to her aid.
“Well, I owe her to your help then.” Josie flicked her hair and suddenly remembered something. She asked Jasper seriously, “Are you planning to marry Jessie?”
Cynthia and her mother had tried so hard to set up Jasper with Jessie. If Josie couldn’t figure it out, she’d be foolish.
But it was her that Jasper called away, which surprised Josie. She didn’t expect that she, a marginal Yates family daughter, could also catch his eye.
Jasper took a sip of wine and said decisively, “No.”
“Then you won’t…”
“No.”
Jasper looked at her with deep eyes and refused very straightforwardly.
“I won’t accept the arrangement of my family, and I won’t just marry someone.”
Josie paused for a second, pulled the corner of her mouth, and said, “You are pretty cool … hehe.”
Jasper saw Violeta and others not far away. He stood up and prepared to walk towards them, putting the wine on the tray next to him, then he glanced at Josie and said, “Would you like to take a rest or come with me? I’ll introduce you to someone.”
“No, I’ll just sit here for a while. Go ahead. Don’t worry about me.”
“Okay.”
Jasper said nothing more and walked away.
Josie cast a glance at his back, rubbed her ankle, and quietly mumbled, “Jasper Weekley, you definitely have a unique personality.”
She saw Jasper walk over to Zoren and the group, saying something to them.
Then, their attention shifted toward Josie, prompting her to smile awkwardly.
Jasper looked at Josie once more before turning his attention back to chat with the group.
“She is the youngest daughter of the Yates family, Josie Yates.”
“Is it the Yates family that your mother wants you to get engaged to?”
“Right, but I won’t get engaged. I’m not interested in Jessie Yates, but my mother likes her. If I have to marry someone from the Yates family, I’d rather marry Josie … ‘
Those who were present were left speechless by Jasper’s reply.
**********************
“The End of Jasper Weekley’s Side Story”
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