Chapter 217

Chapter 217 The Answer Is In The Heart

Eileen hesitated, her fingers hovering over her phone screen, unsure whether or not to inform him that

she wouldn’t be coming home tonight.

She was exhausted and confused about their current situation.

If Jasper is still infatuated with Nancy and maintains contact with her, then why does he still want to be

with me?

Did Nancy leave without saying goodbye out of sheer spite?

I’m not a pawn between them.

Eileen couldn’t bear the emotional betrayal, yet she feared that if she left the Smith residence, she

would have to return to the Swan residence. What awaited her there was a predictable end; she might

fall into Eric’s hands, enduring his endless insults.

She now had only two choices. One was to swallow her pride and pretend to know nothing. continue to

accept the protection of the Smith family and finish studying. The other was to break up with Jasper

and return to the Swan residence to continue living her days in extreme misery.

Whenever Eileen thought about these things, she already had the answers in her heart.

Her class ended at half past eight. The familiar car arrived punctually at the school gate.

Eileen took a seat in the back of the car. Already inside was a person wearing a Bluetooth headset with

a laptop resting on his lap, seemingly in the middle of a meeting. Seeing this, Eileen quietly closed the

door so as not to disturb him.

They were still in a cold war now. After he finished dealing with it, Eileen had already fallen asleep.

In truth, Jasper was also distracted, his mind entirely focused on her. He barely heard a word of the

meeting just now, which ended hastily.

Jasper draped his ash-gray suit over her. Eileen woke up startled, just in time to lock eves with the man

approaching her. No matter how you looked at him today, he exuded an aura of icy aloofness that

warned others to keep their distance

The tattoos I’ve seen on him in the past were always gentle-looking, but seeing them now, they seem

somewhat intimidating

Eileen quickly reacted, picking up las sutt jacket that was about to fall off

Thank you

As soon as she uttered those two words, she felt the man’s aura turn even colder. “You’re

welcome.”

What Jasper disliked the most was her unfamiliar expression of gratitude.

He settled back into his seat. Fabian glanced in the rearview mirror and could tell that the two in the

backseat had been arguing.

In truth, he had known all along that this day would come. If those matters weren’t handled. properly,

Jasper and Eileen, with Nancy meddling in between, would never find peace.

Upon arriving at the Smith residence, the car came to a stop. The two of them had only exchanged a

single sentence during the entire journey.

Eileen got out of the car, one hand holding his coat, the other casually slinging her backpack over her

shoulder.

She could feel the gaze on her back, leaving her speechless.

She handed her coat to the housekeeper waiting at the entrance.

Just as she was about to go upstairs, Eileen saw the older woman sitting on the couch.

“Young lady, I’ve been waiting for you for quite some time. Come over here and taste this butternut

squash oatmeal. Something about its flavor seems off.”

Eileen walked over. “Let me have a taste.”

The housekeeper brought her a new spoon, and after trying it, Eileen asked, “The taste is just right. Do

you find it a bit bland or too sweet?”

Layla shook her head. “It’s supposed to be just oats and butternut squash, but I taste something else.

Something’s off with the flavor.”

Eileen scooped up the bottom of the bowl, only to find acorn squash mixed in. “Grandma, there’s acorn

squash in here. They must have been added by accident. If you don’t like it. I’ll cook you a new bowl.”

“If I don’t eat it, wouldn’t it be a waste of this perfectly good bowl of oatmeal!” Layla seemed to imply

something else, glancing at her and then at Jasper standing beside her. “Forget it. Just pour it out. It’s

mixed with all sorts of messy things, affecting my appetite”

Eileen flashed a slight smile. “If you’re hungry, should I cook some ravioli for you?”

“But I’m a picky old lady, and right now, I just want to eat butternut squash oatmeal

“Let me cook it for you!

A

Eileen put down her schoolbag, and Jasper grabbed her hand. “Old Mrs. Smith, you’re also an old

servant of the Smith family. You should know some rules. Eating late at night can lead to indigestion.

Martha, please take her home.”

Martha responded, “Yes, Mr. Jasper.”

“Wait… Do you still have some prepared butternut squash, Martha?”

Martha replied, “Yes, there is.”

Eileen said, “I don’t have much homework tonight. I’ll start cooking for you. It should be ready in about

forty minutes.”

Layla said with a chuckle, “Then I’ll have to trouble you.”

“It’s okay.”

That was just how it was with the elderly. The older they got, the less they slept.

Eileen went to the kitchen.

Layla sighed deeply. “You and her are like the oats and butternut squash in this bowl. When cooked

together, they retain their original flavors. But if you add or subtract something, the taste changes.

Reflect on what I’m saying… She doesn’t need to cook the oats anymore. Eileen should be having her

exams the day after tomorrow, right? Try not to disturb her these next few days. If there’s anything, wait

until after her exams. Don’t let her mind wander. This young lady… She’s patient, more sensible than

you think. She doesn’t fight or scramble, but the more she’s like this, if you do something to wrong her,

if she gives up on you, then it will be even harder for you to win her back. Cherish her well. As it stands,

she still qualifies to be

Smith family’s granddaughter-in-law.”

my

At the very least, she’s a thousand times better than that woman.

After Layla left, she also dismissed the other housekeepers. Jasper watched the people still bustling in

the kitchen, and his gaze darkened slightly.

Ever since their cold war began, Jasper had been tormented. The thought that she didn’t have much

affection for him and merely saw him as a protective shield for her own purposes was deeply

unsettling.

He was almost uncontrollably furious. Perhaps… it was his pride playing tricks on him

He didn’t want to back down, yet he found himself pondering repeatedly If she truly lett, it would be

even more unbearable for Jasper. The pain and anguish of losing her would be too much to bear

Eileen was pouring water when she suddenly felt a pair of hands encircling her waist,

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embracing her. The man’s chin rested on her shoulder. Eileen tensed up, halting what she was doing.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I’m sorry! I should have taken your feelings into consideration. The issue with the reporters, I’ve… I’ve

had Fabian handle it, and those magazines… they won’t be sold anymore.” He breathed in the familiar

scent of Eileen, and gradually, his previously troubled emotions. dissipated.

Eileen had never expected him to apologize to her. After all, he was a man of great pride and dignity.

He had his own sense of pride.

“It’s okay, I’m fine. You don’t need to apologize to me.”

“I didn’t consider your feelings.”

In reality, his apology truly touched her. After all, he was the first person to utter those three

words to her.

In her previous life, Eric had done many things wrong that had caused her pain, but he had never said

those words to her throughout her entire existence.

All that awaited her was dismissiveness and impatience.

Eileen turned around, likewise wrapping her arms around his neck, her eyes devoid of much emotion.

She thought she should also apologize to him…

Because…