Then, addressing Jessie, he said, âCome to the study with me.
Thereâs something I need to discuss with you.
â
Jessie remained cautious.
Albert offered a self-mocking smile.
âJessie, do you see me as such a reprehensible person? I havenât forgotten that you have a boyfriend.
â
Without meeting Albertâs gaze, Jessie headed out first.
âItâs good that you remember.
â
Albert followed, closing the door behind them.
They both entered the study.
Despite being alone, Jessie maintained her composure, taking a seat on the sofa without assuming any sense of ownership of the house.
Albert poured her a glass of warm water and retrieved twenty thousand dollars in cash from the drawer, along with a contract.
âJeslyn has taken a liking to you, so Iâd like to hire you as her private tutor for the long term.
Regarding the salary, you can name your price, and Iâll agree to it.
â
Jessie carefully examined the contract and found nothing particularly remarkable about it.
It appeared to be standard and well-drafted, as one would expect from the Waston Groupâs professional lawyers.
However, rather than immediately signing it, she adopted a serious tone and addressed Albert.
âIn reality, what your daughter needs isnât just a teacher, but companionship.
If youâre unable to provide her with enough companionship, perhaps you should consider finding her a new mother.
â
Albert observed Jessie quietly.
âDo you dislike her? Do you want to be rid of her so badly?â he inquired.
Jessie was caught off guard.
âI donât think so.
Your personal life is none of my concern.
â
âThen why did you suggest I remarry?â
Albert remained composed.
âI can offer you one hundred thousand dollars a month.
Think of it as high-class companionship.
Making money isnât easy nowadays.
Consider it.
â
Jessie reasoned that Albert wasnât pressuring her excessively, and she worried that if she kept on refusing him, it might come across as being narrow-minded.
Besides, one hundred thousand dollars could greatly support her studio.
Jessie reasoned that when Jeslyn grew tired of her, Albert would naturally seek out someone else.
After pondering for a moment, Jessie agreed to the arrangement but proposed one additional condition.
âI wonât stay overnight.
â
Albert accepted her condition and took hold of the contract.
As he casually added the new stipulation, he remarked, âWhat? Are you eager to stay over?â
Jessie couldnât help but retort, âMr.
Waston, we wonât be able to cooperate if you continue like this.
â
Albert paused in his writing.
He looked up at her and, for the first time, spoke openly about their past.
âJessie, you werenât like this before.
When we met in the past, if you were upset, youâd cry, curse, or even slap me.
But now youâre so composed.
Itâs unfamiliar to me.
Youâre behaving differently.
Are you seriously considering your relationship with that doctor?â
After Albert spoke his piece, Jessie gave a slight smile.
She murmured gently, âMr.
Waston, thereâs no need to dwell on the past.
â