Chapter 13
But now that he was listening, Gwyneth pressed on. “The Jenkins family has called Joracity home for three generations. No one understands this city’s cultural DNA like we do.
“Lopez Group’s got plenty of cash and wants to turn Bayview Haven into the crown jewel of the city. Jenkins Group will make sure every detail- from cohesive street aesthetics to cultural integration–meets perfection.
Though not officially part of Jenkins Group, Gwyneth had never forgot how Peyton’s ceramies had kept them afloat. This project wasn’t just
-it was a fight to preserve her mother’s legacy. Years of quiet observation had fueled her resolve to land this deal.
business–it wa
Harrison noticed the fire returning to her once–dull eyes. A wild spirit suited her far better than being someone’s trophy. Before he could stop it smile tugged at his lips.
Gwyneth, who was speaking eloquently, looked up and caught his almost doting smile. Suddenly.
- v. blurred memories flickered–someone had
looked at her like that when she was a child. Her voice died.
Harrison seemed to snap out of it, the smile vanishing “Why stop?”
“Have we met before?” Gwyneth frowned, searching his features. She desperately wanted to find something familiar, to piece together and recall the distant figure from her memories.
But no matter how hard she tried to recall, her memories were like weathered photographs–dusty, yellowed, and torn, with no trace of their original form. Her beautiful brows furrowed in deep frustration.
After a long silence, Harrison said, “I’ll take the Bayview Haven project.”
Gwyneth jerked her head up, startled. He agreed without hearing the full pitch? Probably it’s just part of the arranged marriage bargain, and he doesn’t care what I say at all!”
She thought the latter was more likely. The essence of an arranged marriage, was, after all, an exchange of interests.
Shaking off the distraction, Gwyneth stepped forward and said seriously. “Thank you for partnering with Jenkins Group. In return, you can ask me to do something for you.”
Harrison went still, jaw tightening. ‘She couldn’t recall the past, yet she remembered to draw a clear line w with me
Just then, a soft knock sounded at the door. A servant stood there, with Clyde, Harrison’s assistant, following behind
Both Harrison and Gwyneth turned toward the doorway.
Gwyneth spoke firs: “Go take care of your work, Mr. Lopez. 171 be okay here. They’d just met, and she didn’t want to take up too much of his time.
To Harrison, it was a clear dismissal. His help wasn’t needed anymore. “Okay,” he said and left without a backward glance, Clyde trailing after him.
Through the sheer curtains, Gwyneth watched as the taillights of Harrison’s car disappeared into the distance. Then she bent to unpack a
a ceramic vase when her eyes caught the flowers by the bay window.
The blooms–fresh green leaves cradling delicate petals–were arranged in a loose, artful sprawl. They were exactly those rare flowers Gwyneth used to adore
“Harrison’s team really pays attention,” she murmured, impressed.
Bella had ripped up Gwyneth’s plants without a second thought. But Harrison’s staff had nurtured these rare flowers just for Gwyneth
The student I’ve sponsored for years isn’t even half as considerate as some random servant in my arranged husband’s house. Totally mistead her. Gwyneth muttered to herself.
With no mood left for the flowers, she turned to unwrap her mother’s ceramics before placing them on the polished shelves
Suddenly, Quentin’s call came, his voice sharp and urgent
