Scars Of A Broken Bond

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"Why did you call out to me?" Lance gave Bettie an innocent look.

Bettie retorted, "It's summer now, isn't it? This isn't the mating season.

"I was just reminded of that day when your mom walked in on us while I was tutoring you. What's on your mind?" Lance asked, lifting his eyebrows.

Bettie hesitated. Her mother had indeed walked in on them during a tutoring session at her house, but that was the following semester. Lance had deliberately brought up last semester's incident, probably to make her misinterpret his words on purpose.

If Bettie directly corrected Lance, it would seem as though she had been dwelling on their past encounters. "Isn't it summer at the moment? What's running through your head? Bettie shot back with confidence.

With that, she turned and kept walking. "I won't discuss this further. Let's move on."

The two of them stayed outside until ten o'clock before heading back to the hotel.

Bettie declared to take a taxi back alone, indicating she didn't require Lance's drive.

Lance remarked, "We're staying at the same hotel, remember?"

Bettie found herself at a loss for words. This was not the first time Lance stuck around her. When Sabrina spotted Lance in Philade and took photos of him, Sabrina casually asked if Lance had been looking for her lately.

At that time, Bettie offered a vague reply, "Not really these days." She wasn't lying. Lance had returned to Philade in those days. Before that, while she was busy working, Lance made it a point to visit her now and then, whether he was on a business trip or in Mathias, always seeming to stay updated about her life.

"What do you want, Lance?" Bettie asked, frustration evident in her tone.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm trying to win you back, Bettie," Lance said with determination.

Bettie looked down, about to respond, but Lance cut her off, "Please, don't say no. Listen, Bettie, I know what you're facing now. Your dad had an affair, and you're stuck going on blind dates because you feel like you have no other choice. I get that you don't want to marry just to protect your inheritance. But managing a company isn't your strong suit, and you don't have any leverage with your dad. Let me be that leverage for you."

Bettie was taken aback. She had expected a declaration of love, not this. "And how exactly would you be my leverage?" she asked, curiosity piqued.

"I'll join your family's company and run it for you. By the time your half-brother graduates and comes on board, I'll make sure he's no threat, forcing your father to leave the company to you," Lance explained confidently.

"But you've already won over other shareholders. Why would my father leave the company to me?" Bettie questioned, still skeptical.

"There's one condition. We need to get married. Once we're married, what's mine becomes yours," he proposed.

Bettie couldn't help but smirk. "In your dreams."

"Bettie, think about it. We could make a deal, and I promise I'll honor our agreement during our marriage. Do you really want your half-brother inheriting everything from your dad?" Lance pressed, hoping to sway her.

"Then, there's no need for me to ask for your help."

"But do you think you'll find someone better and more reliable than me?" Lance looked at Bettie with intense eyes.

Bettie opened her mouth, but no words came out. She had to admit Lance had a point. If she decided to work with someone else, setting aside whether they could be trusted, what if they asked for a divorce after taking over her family's company? She could be thrown out and broken.

Working with Lance was still risky, but nothing major. For one, Bettie knew Lance well enough to trust he wasn't the type to betray her. Additionally, he was highly regarded by Royce. With his much more lucrative projects to make money, his targeting the Ramirez family's company for financial gain seemed a time-consuming way.

Lance drove his car to the hotel's underground parking lot.

After parking, Lance and Bettie exited the car and took the elevator.

"Bettie, I hope you'll consider this carefully," Lance said before they entered their respective rooms.

In Mathias, at noon on Saturday, Keilani went to Starriver Bay to pick Jennie up for lunch.

Keilani smiled at Jennie. "I was going to pick you up from kindergarten yesterday, but then I remembered what you mentioned last time. So, I'm here instead. How about we spend the afternoon together after lunch? What do you say?"

Jennie thought for a moment. "I need to do my homework this afternoon, but I can have lunch with you." "Sounds good. What are you in the mood to eat?"

"How about we go to that restaurant that serves mutton dishes?" Jennie said earnestly, "Tyrone mentioned he'd have lunch with me today. I'm not sure if he'll show up."

Keilani's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, really?"

"He said that. I thought you wanted some alone time with me to get to know each other better. Why are you looking forward to his visit?" Jennie questioned with a hint of innocence.

"... Well, I have something to discuss with your dad. I was hoping we could all share a meal, like a family." Keilani fumbled this excuse, noting Jennie was being quite perceptive.

"Alright."

"I'll look for a place that serves mutton. We'll call your dad once we get there."

"Okay."

Seeing Jennie's straightforward agreement made Keilani smile. To Keilani, despite Jennie's cleverness, she was still just a kid at heart. Who wouldn't enjoy good food and fun times at her age? Eventually, Jennie would be won over by her.

On their way, Keilani managed to keep her probing side at bay and asked with a seemingly casual tone, 'I had thought you would stay at Wanda's house. But when I got there, wanting to pick you up, I was informed your dad had brought you here instead. So, since when did you come here?"

"Two days ago."

"Is it just you and your dad here, or is there someone else?

Deep down, Jennie knew Keilani was referred to Sabrina. Yet, she replied honestly, "Karen was also there."

"Why did your dad decide to bring you there all of a sudden?"

Jennie revealed, "When you went to kindergarten that day, my classmates were saying I was born out of wedlock. It made me feel really uncomfortable, so after kindergarten, I rushed to Sabrina's place..."

Gripped by anxiety, Keilani hurriedly asked, "And what happened next?"

Seeing Keilani was more interested in what had transpired than those words targeted at her in the kindergarten, Jennie pouted and continued, "Sabrina had Tyrone come get me and told him not to take me back to Wanda's house again. Sabrina declared her reluctance to leave with Tyrone."

Keilani seemed relieved. "Why doesn't she want to leave with your dad?"

"Maybe she dislikes me," Jennie said, looking down.

Keilani warned, "She's divorced your dad. And don't visit her anymore. What if she tries to harm you?"

"Sabrina isn't like that."

Keilani argued, "She dislikes you. How can you be so sure she isn't? You don't really know her. She acted all sweet in front of you, but she was actually pretty aggressive. She was so mad at you for being my and your dad's daughter that she smashed my car and even hit me. Back in Philade, she got caught stealing my necklace, and the studio fired her. You're still young and don't understand all this. Trust me, I'm not going to harm you!"

"Fine," Jennie replied though she rolled her eyes when Keilani focused on the road. Did Keilani really think of her as a naive child? She was smart enough to see through Keilani's intentions from those misleading words.

Once they got to the restaurant and picked out their meals, Jennie called Tyrone. "Hey, Tyrone."

*Jennie, is something up?"

Jennie remarked, "Keilani brought me out for lunch. Wanna join us? Remember your promise of dining with me?"

After a brief moment, Tyrone inquired, "Where are you guys?"

Overhearing the conversation, Keilani couldn't help but smile. She hastily announced the restaurant's name and

address.

Tyrone replied, "Alright, I'm on my way."