Chapter 119 The Lane Family’s Eugene

With a bright smile, the old woman teased her.

“This one’s way better than the guy you broughtst time.”

Scarlett had wanted to bring Connor to try the flower cakes. But Connor had barely arrived bwhen /bhe imed work was urgent and left right away.

Back then, the old woman had just finished a fresh batch and brought it out with a grin.

Scarlett had forced herself to eat them alone, pretending it didn’t bother her.

She didn’t want to think about that day anymore.

“Don’t overthink it, Granny. He’s my teacher.”

The old woman’s eyes went wide.

“Girl, you’re bold! But he doesn’t look that old. Did he get work done or something?b” /b

Scarlett went quiet.

‘Their voices were low, but she was still afraid Jasper would overhear.

“Um, he’s just an outstanding young man…”

She racked her brain for every possiblepliment to describe a prodigy.

Lavish praise, one after another.

Her face was animated as she talked, even throwing in wild hand gestures.

And with every movement-

A soft, natural fragrance drifted around her,pletely flooding Jasper’s senses.

“Jasper, are the flower cakes ready yet?”

Jack came running in, holding the robot cat, drenched in sweat.

The peaceful, sweet atmosphere shattered.

Jasper’s brows dropped like frost settling over his eyes.

He exchanged a nce with the robot cat.

The robot cat, like receiving some silentmand-

Pressed its dirt–streaked paw over Jack’s mouth.

“The flower cakes are ready!”

Scarlett came out from the kitchen with a tray and saw Jack bouncing around the store blike /bba /bmaniac.

“Is this your pre–dinner performance?”

Chapter 119 The Lane Family’s Eugene

Jack froze.

Now he really looked like an idiot!

iForget /iit! Not iying /iwith you two ianymore/ii! /i

Fuming, he plopped down and angrily stuffed several cakes into his mouth.

Scarlett, who nearly didn’t get any, went quiet.

Outside the shop-

A sleek ck car cruised past discreetly.

Inside, the driver asked in a low voice:

“Sir, aren’t you going to go greet the youngdy?”

“Take me to her apartment.”

The man didn’t answer, just gave the driver his instructions.

Later that night-

Scarlett stepped out of the car, smiling as she waved to the people inside.

“Guess I’ll see you in Jandale.”

She was heading to Jandale to meet her biological family.

And possibly stay there for a while.

She’d have to return to Trenwyn for her graduation defenseter.

So this trip to Jandale was important.

It would determine whether she could adapt there–or even take root.

“Pixel, before you leave, you ihave /ito call me.“/

Jack was visibly anxious.

-Pixel had refused to travel with him.

It broke his heart.

But he also didn’t want to see her suffer.

He figured if the timing worked out, maybe he’d travel with her after all.

At least they could look after each other on the road.

Scarlett nodded. “Of course.”

Under the glow of the streetlights-

Chapter 119 The Lane Family’s Eugene

She could bsee /bthe cold, statuesque man in the back seat.

“Mr. Fletcher.”

She called out.

“Our contract still stands. Let’s keep in touch.

Jack pressed his lips together.

“That one–sided contract–you’re the only one who takes it seriously.”

“I’m telling you, he doesn’t even deserve to text. A message in a bottle would be plenty.”

Scarlettughed.

“I agreed to that contract willingly, and I don’t think it’s unfair. See you in Jandale”

She stepped back and waved again.

Jack was reluctant to go, but eventually drove off.

Scarlett watched their car disappear into the distance.

Then turned around to head back to her apartment.

But she hadn’t walked far-

Before she felt something was off.

At the stairwell-

A shadow stood.

Backlit, she couldn’t see his face clearly.

But the man was tall, his aura calm and gentle. He didn’t seem hostile.

Still, she stayed cautious, fingers resting inside her pocket on a small pouch of powder.

A little concoction she’d developed herself–one whiff and a person would lose all sense of touch.

-Good for a quick escape.

“My name is Taylor.”

Just as she was mentally nning out/her escape route-

The man finally spoke.

Her brow furrowed slightly.

iTaylor/ii? /i

iTaylor/i?

Chapter 119 The Lane Family’s Eugene

Her fingers cased off the pouch.

“You’re here to pick me up?”

Taylor stepped out of the shadows.

He had striking features.

It was as if the gods had taken their time sculpting him–sharp eyebrows,manding presenceb, /bband /bban /binnate elegance in every move. It was hard to look away.

“Yeah. I came to see you.”

He looked at her-

And saw in her face the same features from an old photograph of their mother.

Seven or eight points of resemnce.

But far too thin.

Almost malnourished.

“I’m Eugene from the Lane family,” he said.

“You don’t have to call me ‘brother.’ Just use my name.”

Scarlett was genuinely surprised.

??

She’d heard the Lane family’s second son was attending the academic exchange.

She’d been nervous about meeting him then.

But that meeting never happened.

And now, here he was–appearing out of nowhere.