Chapter 6: “ How could he?”

Juniper stared at Asher, who was smirking at her. 

She felt in her heart that this person was emanating danger.

 But her father's words were something she never thought she'd hear.

"What fiancé? Since when do I have a fiancé I know nothing about?" she asked angrily.

"Honey, can you calm down? This is unlike you at all," Shane said, trying to keep things calm.

"I'm glad you noticed that, 'mother.' Or should I call you a devil? What parent would sell their daughter for their own benefit? And you could have done better; you sold me to this worthless piece. You guys have already done your worst. I'm out of here."

Before anyone could stop her, Juniper was already outside. 

She saw an old couple coming toward their mansion, but she didn't have the heart or energy to speak to anyone. 

She got into her BMW and rode off without a care in the world. 

What would happen next with her parents was none of her business.

Back in the mansion, Mark and Shane were terrified by Juniper's attitude when she stormed out after her harsh words. 

Juniper might not know, but they had witnessed how ruthless these people, especially the smiling devil Asher before them, could be.

"I'm... I'm so sor..." .

Mark was interrupted by Asher before he could finish his words.

"It's okay, Mark. I already anticipated this."

"What did you anticipate?" Sara Kingsley said as she entered with a cold look.

"Grandma?" Asher called out in shock.

"I asked a question, and I never said you could call out my name," Sara said.

Mark realized things were really getting out of hand. He was now cursing inwardly about Juniper's attitude. 

If he knew the old couple would be here today, he would have done everything possible and in their power to get Juniper to stay back. 

Everything was so messed up.

“Who said we should give with to a short-tempered daughter? Juniper just couldn't keep her cool and go with the flow a little”.

Mark complained  silently to Shane who was as nervous as he was . 

He looked at his wife, and realized she already had sweat on her face as she stared at him with a nervous look.

 "This is bad," Shane whispered.

“I know” he answered .

Just then… 

"Mark, where is my granddaughter-in-law? I want to see her and also speak to her," Sara said and sat down with a curious look.

The expression of the couple did not go unnoticed by her .

Shane hurriedly motioned for the maids to bring over some tea. 

The old couple looked entirely different from what the rumors said about them. 

They had no exquisite or 'shining' things on them. They looked very humble, but their expressions said otherwise. 

The look on the old man's face could explain it. He hadn't said a word since he entered, and it was said that his temper was something no one wanted to experience. 

Only a miracle could bring a smile to his face.

"Why are you both in a daze? Did our impromptu visit cause trouble? If so, we can leave and come back another time," Sara said with a smile when looking at Mark and Shane.

It was completely different from how they were looking at their grandson. 

"No... No. It's okay. It's just that..." Mark said in a nervous voice.

"She went out for something very important at the office," Asher said with a cold face.

"How could you allow her to leave alone? Wait..." Sara said and realized something. 

"Is she the same girl we saw leaving the house with a grave look?" she asked and stood up with worry. "Oh goodness. 

Asher, this is not something you should play with. If you don't care about anything, then care about her now. 

She's going to be your wife soon, and I need you to leave this very instant. Go and help her out."

"Mrs. Kingsley..."

"It's fine, Mark. You don't need to act distant. We're going to be a family and also business partners."

"Okay, I will listen to you."

Sara Kingsley angrily stared at Asher, contrary to the warm look she had given Mark and Shane.

"You, leave now."

"Grand..."

"Don't 'grandma' me and leave this very minute."

Asher was devastated, but he followed her instructions. However, he still wanted to know why they were here.

"Grandpa, are you not going to say anything?" he asked.

The old man just stared at him angrily, and it was clear what he meant. Asher rolled his eyes and went out of the mansion.

"That's better. Now, what are your plans for the venue? Are you guys okay with it?" Sara asked with an excited look when looking at the Reed couple. 

They wondered how a person could be so thick-skinned. 

In just a few seconds, her demeanor had changed completely.

Unknown to Juniper….

She drove around the city for a while and decided to go back to the office. 

But while driving, she realized there was a call on her phone.

"Juniper, where are you?" Emily's anxious voice could be heard on the phone as soon as it connected.

"I'm on my way to the office, what happened?"

"You really want to see this."

"What?"

"Just turn on the news right now."

"I'm currently driving, and I'll do that when I get there. I have something important to do."

"This is not something you want to miss. It's about Cole."

Juniper's hand trembled a little. 

She frowned, thinking this guy still had a little bit of influence over her. 

She inhaled to calm her nerves and decided.

"I told you before that I do not care about him anymore. I have a lot on my plate now, and it's better you care less about him and what goes on in his life."

"Juniper, you..."

Before Emily could finish her statement, the call was already disconnected.

"Really?" she asked as she stared at the dark screen. 

She shook her head and decided to go over to talk to that stubborn soul called Juniper.

On the other hand, Juniper, who had ended the call, closed her eyes and put her phone away. 

With a determined look, she rode straight to the office. 

She didn't want to care about anything else as her family's company was on the verge of bankruptcy.

 She would rather die than get married for benefit.

She entered her office after a few minutes and tried to get some work done. 

But after a few minutes, she realized she couldn't get her mind on anything. 

The call from Emily was still ringing in her mind. 

With a determined look, she picked up her phone and logged into the website that broadcasted news about the elite families.

"The Scott family's princess is married to a fourth-tier family heir."

"Cole Adams inherited the position of a general manager of the Scotts' company."

"The new couple to welcome their first child soon."

"The ex-sweetheart of the Reed family princess declared that he had nothing to do with Juniper Reed and that he only sees her as a friend and nothing else."

"The Scotts to go head-on with the powerful Kingsley for the ten-billion-dollar project."

Juniper stared at the phone with a pale look.

"That... That bastard. That son of a bitch. He even denied ever having anything to do with me. What a coward," Juniper said as she buried her head on the desk, her shoulders trembling.

Although the office had already closed, and she was the only person present in the company, she still felt it would be a big shame if someone accidentally saw her in this state.

Emily barged into the office, her breath uneven.

"Juniper? Juniper?" she called out in the empty office. But just when she was about to leave, she heard a faint noise coming from the dark washroom.

With an alert look, Emily walked into the washroom and turned on the light to see Juniper sitting in a corner with tears in her eyes.

"Oh, Juniper," Emily said with a scared look and hurried to her side. 

She didn't need to know that Juniper had already read the news.

"Emily, how could he do this to me? I loved him. I really loved that bastard."

Hearing such words from the strong and willful Juniper felt like a knife piercing through her heart.

 She could do nothing but offer comfort.

"I know. Let's not fuss over that piece of trash. He means nothing, and he will always mean nothing," Emily consoled.

"But he promised me he'd be there for me. Was it wrong to let my guard down around men? Was it worth it?"

"No man is worth your tears. It's his loss for losing such a beautiful and strong-willed lady like you. All men are just looking for their benefit. It's not surprising that he did what he did. We, as women, are the ones who should make the right decisions for ourselves, and that is to live life the way we want to. Okay?"