Chapter 23

Chapter 23 Jennifer Cried From behind, he looked desolate under the afterglow of the setting sun. He was feeling rather downhearted because Yasmin and Jessica had suspected him.

Right then, his phone rang. It was a call from Jennifer.

Jonathan picked up the call and quickly composed himself. Chuckling, he said, “Jen, what’s up?”

“Can I treat you to a meal?” Jennifer spoke on the other line.

Startled, Jonathan said, “You mean tonight?”

Jennifer replied, “Yes!”

Jonathan was not in the mood to see anyone. He said, “I can’t make it tonight. I have something else to do.”

“What are you doing tonight?” Jennifer pressed on.

Unable to come up with an excuse, Jonathan blurted, “I’m on my period. Happy?”

“Even if you’re having a period, it won’t stop you from enjoying a meal, right?” Jennifer retorted sharply.

Words failed Jonathan as he did not expect Jennifer’s snappy response.

In the end, he gave in and accepted the invitation.

Later, Jennifer picked up Jonathan in her car.

Once he got in the car, Jennifer asked him, “Where would you like to go?”

Jonathan gave a perfunctory reply. “I don’t want to go anywhere. I only want to eat the food you make.”

Jennifer hesitated for a moment. “Really?”

“Of course!” Jonathan responded right away.

Jennifer gritted her teeth and said, “Okay, then. Let’s go grocery shopping!”

“Jen, what’s with that look? We’re only going to your house for a meal. Why do you look like you’re ready to face death at any moment?” Jonathan asked displeasingly.

Jennifer smiled. “You should know that I’m taking a huge risk by inviting you to my house.”

Jonathan rubbed his nose and said, “I’m a gentleman. The last time you got drunk, you had asked me to stay, but I left.”

“Go to hell!” Jennifer’s face flushed a crimson red.

At that moment, Jonathan’s phone rang again. He looked at the screen and saw that it was a call from Yasmin.

Jonathan answered the call. Jennifer simply remained silent as she focused on driving.

Yasmin said, “Let’s meet up.”

Jonathan calmly replied, “I’m a little busy right now. I don’t have the time.”

Yasmin was rendered speechless. This guy is so arrogant.

Yasmin said, “I think we need to talk. There seems to be a misunderstanding.”

Jonathan was not a petty man. He did not want to be mad at Yasmin. He was certainly disappointed that they did not trust him, but the dead Connor suddenly came to mind. Yasmin is Connor’s only sister. I shouldn’t argue with her.

At that thought, Jonathan softened up his tone and said, “Yasmin, I have nothing to do with you, and I know I can’t make the call for you. If I lose the duel, you can just deny it because you haven’t promised anything in the first place. Don’t worry. I won’t lose to him no matter what. I really don’t think there’s anything to talk about. You’ll find out everything three days later. What do you say?”

Hearing that, Yasmin froze at the spot as realization struck her. She knew she was wrong to jump to a conclusion like that. Jessy and I must have hurt Jonathan deeply. He protecting us wholeheartedly, yet we doubted his motives.

Polly had done a background check on Jonathan, so she knew everything there was to know about him.

On the other hand, Jonathan wondered why Polly had come to look for him.

He got up and opened the door to find the beautiful and elegant Polly standing at the entrance.

She looked refreshing in white sportswear. Her hair had been tied up in a ponytail.

Without realizing it, Jonathan’s eyes swept across her large chest. They were still quite magnificent under the white top.

Frowning, Polly said, “I know who you are, so stop staring at me like a pervert.”

Embarrassed, Jonathan hurriedly said, “It’s late. Why are you here? I believe we’re not that close.”

Polly merely replied, “Let’s talk.”

“If it’s love you want to talk about I’m,” Jonathan responded.

Polly said, “Get in the car. I’ll buy you a drink.”

Yet, Jonathan said, “It’s too late. I don’t want to go. I’m afraid you’ll force yourself on me after you get drunk.”

Polly knew that Jonathan was rejecting her because he did not want anyone to probe too much into his life. He was reluctant to interact with anyone that knew too much about him.

So, she said, “You’re about to have a duel with Randy. You should know more about him and Cyclops. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself in deep waters.”

Jonathan heaved a heavy sigh. “Fine. I’ll come with you.”

Polly got to her Porsche and tossed Jonathan the key. “You drive.”

Jonathan caught the keys and nodded. After the two got into the car, Jonathan started the car as though he had done it many times and drove off.

“What do you know about me?” Jonathan suddenly asked out of nowhere.

Of course, he knew why Polly had asked him to drive. Polly was testing him.

“You drive very well,” Polly said with a smile.

Jonathan said, “You don’t have to rack your brains to dig up my past. I can tell you all about it. I used to be a mercenary that carried out missions in exchange for money.”

Polly stated, “Someone as skilled as you wouldn’t be unknown among the mercenaries. Tell me more. Perhaps I might have heard about you before.”

Jonathan let out an awkward laugh. “I don’t think I’ve asked you anything. You really should get rid of this habit.”

Seeing that Jonathan was unwilling to speak up, Polly decided not to question him further.

Jonathan took Polly to the street lined with bars by the sea.

The two entered one of the bars. It was an entertainment bar where heavy metal music shook the walls. Many men and women were swaying to the music on the dance floor.

Jonathan got excited. He wanted to join them and dance with the pretty women, but it would be awkward because Polly was with him.

The two sat down at a table in the corner. Polly ordered a cocktail while Jonathan asked for a cold beer.

Jonathan’s eyes never left all the other beautiful women there. He would blow kisses at them, but he was so badly dressed that the ladies ignored him.

Soon enough, the waiter served them their drinks. Polly said, “Let’s have a toast.”

Jonathan raised his glass.

Then, Polly said, “As far as I know, Randy has been praying every day. He took the duel with you very seriously, but you don’t seem to care. Do you think you’ll win?”

Jonathan downed his beer, and then he grinned at her. “Will you believe it if I tell you I’ve never lost a battle?”

Polly smiled wryly and said, “I believe you. However, Randy is not an easy opponent. Edward, the founder of Strikezone Martial Arts, had two generations of disciples, and Randy is the best among the second generation.”

Jonathan said, “I already know that Cyclops has something to do with Strikezone Martial Arts.”

Polly smiled. “Strikezone Martial Arts only accepts those with great potential and good family backgrounds as disciples. That’s the trick they use to expand their network, and they are now a huge organization. Therefore, even if you can beat Randy, the others will come for you.”

Frustrated, Jonathan said, “Isn’t Randy the best among them? If I beat him up, what else do they think they can do?”

Polly replied, “You’re wrong. I said that Randy is the most outstanding disciple of the second generation. I didn’t say anything about the disciples of the first generation. And even then, the first generation learned from their masters, whom are Edward’s seniors and juniors.”

Jonathan cursed upon hearing that. He said, “This is never-ending.”

He had cursed because he was mad, but Jonathan was still clear-headed. He pondered for a while and said, “I didn’t start it.

Randy was the one who came to me. I couldn’t stand there and do nothing. No matter how strong the people from Strikezone Martial Arts are, I have to fight Randy since he challenged me. I’ll show them what I’ve got if they insist on being unreasonable after the duel.”