Chapter Forty-one: Lost in Thought
947 Words
Jenna had planned with Matron Rose to pretend to be a poor orphan. Back then, she was Matron Rose’s favorite child, and their bond remained strong. Jenna saw her as a mother figure and never felt shy expressing her feelings and plans to her. Matron Rose, ever cooperative, helped Jenna secure a job at the same fresh milk and ice cream store—now beautifully renovated and rebranded as the famous All Fresh Drinks, Ice Cream, Chocolate, Chip Cookies, and Snacks Store.
Enzo had purchased the store years ago, drawn by the memories it held of Claire Wyatt. Jenna soon discovered that the fresh milk and snacks sold there were Alistair Everett’s favorites—and he still visited the store. So, she resumed work immediately after being hired.
But something unexpected happened.
Three elegant women walked into the store, escorted by more than a dozen bodyguards. The guards formed two straight lines, facing each other, as the women walked flamboyantly down the center. One was an older lady in her early fifties, accompanied by a younger version of herself—clearly her daughter in her late twenties. The third woman, younger than both, didn’t seem related but was clearly cherished by them.
Jenna watched with little expression on her conspicuously beautiful face. She turned to the salesgirl beside her and asked quietly, “What exactly is going on here?”
Theresa glanced at the flashy trio enviously and whispered, “They’re members of the most powerful family in the entire Western region of Beguisra. Actually, they’re among the top five richest families in the whole country.”
Jenna squinted her eyes thoughtfully. They must be from the Everett family, she mused. The mother and daughter looked strikingly alike, and there was a hint of Alistair’s features in them. But who was the third lady?
Just as she was lost in thought, Theresa added, “The older woman is the matriarch of the Everett family, and that’s her daughter. The third one—Miss Olivia Brookes—is her future daughter-in-law.”
Jenna was stunned. She quickly took a second look at Olivia Brookes, who happened to be staring at her with hostility. Why would Olivia look at me like that? Jenna wondered. We’ve never met before.
She tore her gaze away and calmly looked at Miss Oakley Harold and Sharon Everett, who were also watching her. Oakley couldn’t help but admire Jenna’s beauty silently. Sharon and Olivia, on the other hand, felt uncomfortable. They were used to being the center of attention—but this store assistant had stolen their spotlight.
Trying to comfort herself, Sharon sneered, So what? She’s just a pretty face—a poor salesgirl. She arrogantly walked over to Mrs. Everett and stood beside her, picking out items while the store assistants continued their routine.
Jenna’s heart was in chaos. She had come all this way hoping to win Alistair’s heart. But now she learned he was engaged. Her brows furrowed unknowingly. Why didn’t the information I gathered mention this engagement? What’s going on? Disappointment washed over her. She couldn’t be the third wheel in someone else’s relationship. Though it hurt, she resolved to let go of her feelings for Alistair Everett. From today, she would give up.
Bryan nudged her gently. Jenna snapped out of her thoughts and raised her brow at him.
“What are you thinking about?” he whispered. “Attend to the customer.”
Only then did Jenna realize someone had been standing in front of her for a while. He had spoken to her several times, but she hadn’t noticed. Even though other assistants offered to help, he refused—waiting patiently for Jenna.
When she finally looked up, her eyes locked onto his—and she froze.
It was Alistair.
He looked even more handsome than he had on the battlefield, or in his youth. His eyes were glued to hers, filled with questions and emotion. Neither of them spoke. They simply stared at each other, locked in a silent gaze that drew the attention of everyone around.
Olivia Brookes watched the scene unfold with growing panic. She gritted her teeth but maintained her composure. She knew Alistair didn’t like her and had never agreed to his mother’s arrangement. Still, she believed he would give her face in public—if only for the sake of the Brookes family.
She walked over arrogantly and gently wrapped her arm around Alistair’s, standing intimately beside him.
People whispered around them:
“Wow! What a perfect match!”
“Yeah, they’re a real match made in heaven.”
Olivia lifted her beautiful face and smiled sweetly. Alistair looked down at her, and to the crowd, it seemed like a tender gaze. But only Olivia saw the fury in his eyes as he gritted his teeth and said, “Let go.”
She shivered and quickly dropped her hand.
Though the crowd didn’t notice the tension, Olivia secretly gritted her teeth and threw daggers at Jenna with her eyes. Jenna, however, paid no attention. She continued her work, already thinking of handing in her resignation during her break. She would leave the Western region and resume her search for her biological father.
Suddenly, she heard a knock on her desk. She looked up to find Olivia standing in front of her, clearly angry.
Jenna sighed in frustration, then calmly asked, “What can I do for you, Miss Brookes?”
Olivia arrogantly ordered, “Come and push my shopping cart,” then turned and walked away.
Theresa and Bryan looked at Jenna pitifully, silently distancing themselves. They knew she had provoked Miss Brookes—and feared it wouldn’t end well.
- Writer
