Chapter 283

Chapter 283 Engagement

Upon seeing the approaching girl, Jasper ended the phone call.

The temperature outside was quite high. Many students, who had finished their exams, were being

picked up by their parents. Eileen quickly opened the passenger door and got into the car, using her

pencil case to shield her forehead from the sun.

The temperature inside the car was cool. Jasper handed her a bottle of icy water. “How do you feel

after finishing the exam?”

Eileen took a sip, feeling the heat in her body quickly dissipate. “It’s not as bad as I imagined,” she

said.

After picking her up, Jasper drove to the pre-arranged photography studio,

From childhood to adulthood, Eileen rarely took photos, so this was a rare occasion.

Once the shoot was over, Eileen was so exhausted that she could barely move. She hugged a pillow in

the car, on the verge of falling asleep.

Jasper noticed her body about to tilt over as he was driving. He glanced at her and reached out to cup

her face. When the light turned green, he pulled the car over, adjusted the passenger seat, and let her

lie down to sleep peacefully.

Her makeup was still intact on her face, and she didn’t wake up even when they smoothly drove all the

way to the Smith residence.

Jasper lifted her from the passenger seat, carrying her in a bridal style into the foyer.

The housekeeper walked over. “Mr. Jasper…” Upon seeing the person in his arms, she immediately fell

silent.

“Save whatever you have to say for later,” Jasper said, carrying Eileen upstairs.

Inside the room, Jasper carefully placed her on the bed. The ringing of his cell phone from his pocket

interrupted the moment. Glancing at the caller ID, he immediately rejected the call and promptly turned

off his phone.

With the impending exams and recent events, Eileen had been deprived of a good night’s sleep for

several days.

Jasper walked up to the dressing table, spending a considerable amount of time looking through an

array of bottles and jars. Finally, he found a bottle of makeup remover cream and a bottle of makeup

remover water. He carefully examined the ingredients list before choosing a gentler makeup remover

cream. Then, he went to the bedside and slowly removed the makeup from her face.

Eileen caught a whiff of a refreshing citrus scent, her eyes fluttering open from a drowsy slumber. Her

voice was soft and muffled as she asked, “What’s going on?”

“Sleeping with makeup on is bad for your skin. Let me remove it for you. It’ll be quick,” Jasper spoke in

a gentle whisper.

“Mm.”

After removing her makeup, Jasper gently cleansed her face with water, bit by bit, before applying a

moisturizing lotion.

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Having done all that, he planted a kiss on her lips. “Goodnight.”

Only then did he leave with a heart full of satisfaction.

Inside the study, Jasper was on the phone.

Fabian reported. “Ms. Mulligan has declined the request to go to Sloummont, and… she’s now missing,

not in the mansion. Should we search for her, Mr. Smith?”

Jasper lowered his gaze. “No need. Just let her be. On the day of the engagement, I must ensure that

everything goes perfectly.”

“Yes, Mr. Smith! A few days ago, Caerulus Corporation rejected our share acquisition agreement. Now,

as per your instructions, any company that continues to cooperate with Caerulus Corporation has been

dealt. with by Smith Corporation. As a result, many companies have terminated their partnerships with

Caerulus Corporation. Furthermore, ongoing projects have been halted. If they cannot acquire the land

in Newcove and complete the development within half a year, Caerulus Corporation will have to pay ten

times the amount of the breach of contract. The head of Caerulus Corporation, Eric, applied for a

substantial amount of funds from Xuereb Bank in Hulbury three days ago. It seems he’s trying to fill the

financial gap.

Jasper laughed. “Then tell Xuereb Bank that without my permission, they are not allowed to make any

special approvals.”

“Understood, Mr. Smith.”

Eric would perhaps risk the entire Swan family’s assets to fill that void.

The engagement ceremony would be held in three days.

At the Friedman residence, upon learning about Jasper’s engagement, Jacqueline called the Smiths.

“Old Mrs. Smith, why am I the last to know about Richie’s engagement? I am his mother. Don’t I even

have the right to know about such a significant event?”

Layla replied, “This is Richie’s own decision, and I have no right to interfere. He has finally managed to

emerge from his shadows, and if you truly care for him as his mother, you should not disturb him. You

no longer have any ties with the Smith family. I am only speaking to you on the phone because you

were once Richie’s mother. You tortured Richie and locked him up in the basement when he was just a

kid. He almost didn’t survive. It’s too late for you to feel guilty now. Don’t bother calling again in the

future. As far as the Smith family is concerned, you no longer exist. Hmph!”

With that, she hung up.

Jacqueline was in despair. She sat down on the couch, covering her face with her hands.

Yvette couldn’t bear it any longer. She walked over and sat next to her. “Mom…are you okay? The

doctor said you can’t be stressed anymore. As long as we explain things properly to Jasper, he will

surely forgive us. If you want to go to his engagement ceremony, I can call Eileen right now. With her

persuasion, he will

let us attend.”

After all, it’s his engagement party. What kind of engagement party would it be if both sets of parents

weren’t there?

So many years have passed since then. It’s about time he let it go.

Yvette’s words seemed to give Jacqueline hope. She lifted her head, her eyes filled with tears. “Yvette,

I’m entrusting this matter to you. I already owe your older brother so much.”

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“I understand, Mom. Don’t worry. Jasper will surely forgive you one day.”

Jacqueline had always wanted to make it up to him, but he wouldn’t give her a chance.

She already knew she was wrong.

Back then, she simply couldn’t accept John’s betrayal. He was involved with Ruth outside, not coming

home for nights on end, and even had an illegitimate child with her.

How could she not have broken down, spending her days drowning in alcohol?

Jacqueline agreed to divorce John because she didn’t want to hurt him any further. Leaving him was a

choice she was forced to make.

After the divorce, she dedicated most of her time to undergoing psychotherapy.

She left her homeland in search of treatment, and throughout the years, she had never been able to

escape the guilt she felt towards Jasper.

The illness had worsened significantly. In just a few months, Jacqueline had visibly aged. Her

complexion appeared tired, and she looked as if she had aged by more than ten years.

At Regal Castle Hotel, Eileen looked dignified and stunning in a simple yet luxurious privately tailored

wedding gown. Arm in arm with Jasper, they gracefully mingled among the important guests.

Jasper consumed most of the wine, while Eileen only took a small sip. As congratulations poured in,

Eileen’s palms grew damp with anxiety.

A hint of intoxication was evident on Jasper’s face as he held her hand. “Don’t worry. Don’t be nervous.

I’m here.”

Eileen nodded, revealing a faint smile. Today, her beauty surpassed everyone around her. Even the

most renowned ladies of Hulbury couldn’t compare to her. Eileen, from head to toe, from her face to

every strand of her hair, was exquisite in every way.

At Jasper’s family table, only Layla sat, accompanied by some unfamiliar men.

As Eileen approached, she could feel Eric’s intense and profound gaze fixed upon her. Her body

became tense, and her mind went blank.

Beside him sat Vera, dressed in simple Blake attire. Her long hair was straight and smooth, and her

features were pure and captivating, perfectly complementing him.