Chapter 507 - 503: I Disagree

"How could I possibly dislike it? It’s beautiful. I think it’s even more beautiful than my last one. I love it." Jasmine Sterling admired the details, unable to put it down. As a professional designer, Megan Nash had clearly put a lot of thought into this qipao.

"Thank you," Jasmine Sterling said sincerely.

Megan Nash could tell that Jasmine Sterling wasn’t just being polite and genuinely loved it, and she couldn’t help but break into a relieved smile.

"Has Mr. Jennings been busy lately?" Jasmine Sterling asked casually.

Megan Nash nodded. "Very busy. I haven’t seen him in almost a week."

As she spoke, she lowered her head slightly to hide the loneliness in her eyes. ’Even though I was prepared for this, it’s still hard not to feel sad when you actually experience not seeing him or even hearing from him for so long.’

As a fellow woman, Jasmine Sterling was very sensitive to Megan’s mood.

"If you find something to keep yourself busy, you won’t dwell on things."

Megan Nash looked up and gave an embarrassed smile. "It’s not like I haven’t tried. I started my own brand, but it ended up failing. That was a pretty big blow to me."

"I’m not good at much else. If only I had your talent for starting a company, Ms. Sterling."

"I don’t have any special talent. I’ve just been lucky enough to always have kind people helping me," Jasmine Sterling said with a smile.

But this was what she truly believed. From old employees of her previous company like Manager Tate and Mina who were willing to trust her, to friends from her social circle like Monica and Wendy, and even Mr. Jennings, who had helped promote her extensively—their support was the only reason her company had achieved its current success.

She had always been incredibly grateful for it.

"Oh, don’t sell yourself short. People are willing to help you because of your own charisma. Why else would they choose you over anyone else? To forge good iron, you must be strong yourself."

Jasmine Sterling smiled at her words, the foul mood Felix Vance had put her in suddenly clearing away like clouds parting to reveal the sun.

Just then, her phone suddenly buzzed with a new message.

She casually picked it up to look, and her expression changed slightly.

It was from Mr. Jennings.

"Ms. Sterling, are you free tonight? I’d like to invite you to dinner."

With Megan Nash sitting right across from her, a sense of panic instantly washed over Jasmine Sterling, especially since Megan had just mentioned she hadn’t seen Mr. Jennings in almost a week.

"Are you all right?" Megan Nash asked instinctively, noticing the slight change in her expression.

Jasmine Sterling turned off her screen and shook her head, her expression back to normal. "I’m fine. Thank you for the qipao. I’ll definitely wear it the next time I have an important event."

Megan Nash said with a smile, "Try it on when you get back. If the size is off anywhere, remember to tell me, and I’ll alter it for you."

With that, she stood up to leave. Jasmine Sterling didn’t press her to stay and personally walked her to the company entrance.

After watching Megan Nash get into her car and drive away, Jasmine Sterling slowly took out her phone. She stared at the screen for a long time before replying, "I’m sorry, Mr. Jennings. I’ve been quite busy lately. Let’s reschedule for another time."

「The Vance Family Villa.」

That evening, because Jasmine Sterling had suddenly canceled their date, Finn Vance headed home early after finishing his work for the day.

When he pushed open the villa door, the interior was unexpectedly dark, a stark contrast to the bright sky outside.

Finn Vance was slightly taken aback, his brows knitting together as he called out, "Mrs. Coleman?"

Mrs. Coleman was the family’s housekeeper. Usually, whenever he came home, she would be the first to greet him, taking his coat and putting away his shoes.

But today, it was deathly quiet, without a single sound to be heard.

He changed his shoes and walked into the living room, only to find the curtains drawn. The outside light barely seeped in, just enough to make out the shapes of the furniture.

A figure was faintly visible on the sofa. Finn Vance took a closer look and recognized him immediately.

"Son?"

He called out tentatively and pressed the switch for the automatic curtains on the wall. A WHIRRING sound filled the room as the floor-to-ceiling curtains slowly parted.

As the living room brightened, Finn Vance drew closer and saw Felix Vance sitting on the sofa with his head in his hands. He was cradling a picture frame containing a black-and-white memorial portrait of his mother.

Finn Vance was horrified!

"Why did you take this down?" Snatching the frame away, a hint of anger on his face, Finn Vance looked at his son and asked, "What’s wrong with you? What happened?"

Felix Vance slowly lifted his head to look at his father, his eyes dark and empty. "Dad, do you even still have Mom in your heart?"

"What kind of question is that?" Finn Vance’s face darkened with displeasure. He gently wiped away the non-existent dust from the picture frame with his hand.

He personally wiped this memorial portrait every single day.

It had its own dedicated room in the house, where Finn Vance would have a drink by himself every night, speaking to the portrait.

Not long ago, he had even told her that he might be taking a new step in his life. He hoped his wife’s spirit in heaven knew and was certain she would understand.

"Then why are you with another woman?" Felix Vance asked, his face contorted in grief. He was a completely different person from the one who had faced Jasmine Sterling earlier that day.

Finn Vance said, "Son, your mother has been gone for over ten years. You’re already grown up and have graduated. Don’t I... don’t I even have the right to choose a partner again?"

He slowly sat down next to his son and said cautiously, "I thought you would support me."

"Support you?" Felix Vance laughed mockingly. "Why would I support you being with a complete stranger? Dad, everyone says you’re so devoted, so faithful. What is this now? Have you just been acting all these years?"

"You..."

Finn Vance was speechless. There was no anger in his heart, only disappointment.

’For his son’s sake, he hadn’t remarried for all these years, and this was the questioning he received in return?’

"Anyway, I don’t approve. I’ve already made my feelings clear to Miss Sterling."

"What do you mean by that?" Finn Vance’s gaze sharpened. "You went to see her?"

’No wonder Jasmine suddenly said she had to work late and canceled their date tonight!’

"How could you do that!" Finn Vance’s voice suddenly rose as he stood up in anger, rebuking his son. "You can tell me whatever is on your mind, but you should not go and disturb other people so recklessly!"

Felix Vance glared back without a hint of fear. "So you’re protecting her now? Dad, what makes her better than Mom? You haven’t been interested in anyone for all these years, so why her? Why!"

"Because your mother is dead!" Finn Vance bellowed, veins popping on his temples, his entire face flushed red with rage. "Your mother has been dead for over ten years! But I, your father, am still alive!"

Hearing this, tears welled up in Felix Vance’s eyes. He shook his head, a look of despair on his face as he fought them back. "I don’t approve. I will never approve. If you insist on being with her, then don’t call me your son anymore!"