Ch. 391..400

Chapter 391

After Nancy had been taken away, Jay roughly ripped Sean's jacket off of Rose.

Then, he took his own and covered her with it. 1

"Don't touch things from other men anymore. It's revolting." He warned viciously.

A soft chuckle left Sean's lips suddenly.

After using every method under the sun to stop him and Rose from publicizing their relationship, Jay had never expected and thus never prevented Nancy Bell from being the final key to telling the world. Just like that, the public was now aware of his and Rose's relationship.

The show had to go on. Sean smiled humorlessly at Jay. "A matching couple's outfit with my girlfriend, Master Ares? What's the meaning behind this?"

"She's my wife," Jay declared his control imperiously.

"Ex-wife." Sean gave an extremely gentle smile.

"That's still my wife," Jay said, asserting it as a fact.

The knowledge of Sean and Jay fighting over a woman in front of everyone had the Grand Old Master seething with anger. He had people bring the duo into the inner hall.

Grand Old Master Ares examined them himself. "I hear the both of you are fighting over Rose?"

Sean looked a little ashamed of himself.

Jay, however, blatantly replied, "Yes."

Sean stared at him dumbfoundedly. "Have you no shame to admit such things?"

"You have the guts to do it but won't admit to doing it? Does she know what a coward you are?" Jay turned his head to stare contemptuously at him.

The Grand Old Master banged his first heavily on the table. "Enough. Both of you are public figures. Must you deal with such affairs of the heart in public? Fighting like this in public, do you want the entire world to know?"

Sean thought to himself, 'That's exactly the goal I'm aiming for!'

The Bell's elders stared disappointedly as they grumbled at Sean. "There're so many women in Imperial Capital, Sean. Why do you have to give yourself the trouble of fighting over Master Ares' woman?" There was nothing modest behind the elders' grumbling. Rather, they were merely afraid that Sean would end up offending Jay, therefore subjecting Bell Enterprise's future development to Jay's suppression. Sean stared at his uncles with a sneer in his eyes as he replied respectfully, "It's not that I'm purposely

giving myself trouble by fighting over Master Ares' woman, but Rose and I are very much in love. We've already decided to be with each other for the rest of our lives. I wasn't aware that Master Ares still has feelings for Rose!"

Frost grew from the furrow of Jay's eyebrows.

Grand Old Master Ares seemed slightly shocked as well. Perhaps because he had never expected his outstanding grandson to lose to Sean when it came to love, especially when Sean was hardly a match for Jay.

The Grand Old Master stared at Jay. "What's happening, Jay? Weren't you making preparations to remarry Rose? Why is she with Sean now?"

Jay glared disdainfully at Sean. "She was never with Mr. Bell. It's merely wishful thinking on his half."

Sean was in an immediate uproar. "The one doing all the wishful thinking here is you. She married you and gave birth to three of your children, yet you've never treated her with kindness in return. The love between the two of you was no more than blind worship from her. Now that she has finally understood her feelings and is determined to give up on you for good, you decide not to let her go-"

Every word from Sean pierced through Jay's heart like needles.

Was Rose truly done with him? Was she going to give up on him?

At that moment, everyone's gaze in the room fell on

Jay.

Sean's eyes flashed with a slight gloat at Jay's misfortune.

Jay replied coldly, "That's untrue. What's true though, is that Mr. Bell used his authority as a boss to force his own female staff member into a relationship with him."

It was Jay's word against Sean's, making it difficult for others to come to a fair conclusion.

Someone piped a suggestion. "How about we call Rose in here? We can ask her for the truth."

Everyone agreed with a nod. "Sure."

Soon, Rose was brought into the room.

She glanced at the two men who stood like the center pillars of the room. Jay was seeping with frost while Sean wore a soft smile on his face that reminded one of the warmth of a spring breeze. The naturally ingrained human need to approach advantages and avoid misfortunes had Rose instinctively walk toward Sean.

Chapter 392

Chapter 392

"Get your *ss here," Jay reprimanded in a commanding tone as he watched her stand beside Sean. Rose shivered and obediently walked to stand in front of him.

There was no other choice. This devil incarnate held the future of Severe Enterprises in his hand. The Grand Old Master questioned menacingly, "Rose, which exactly of these two men do you love?"

Rose glanced fearfully at Jay, then turned to look hopelessly at Sean.

Choosing any one of them meant she would undoubtedly offend the other.

She could not offend Jay, but she did not want to offend Sean as well.

"Grand Old Master Ares, I don't believe I have the right to choose," Rose answered.

"It's alright, tell me who you love. I'll have your back," the Grand Old Master said reassuringly.

"You'd better think twice before answering, Rose," Jay whispered. He might as well have reminded her about the screenplay contract with The Moonlit Sky!

Having always lived with the motto 'to go with the flow

Rose immediately decided on Jay after his blatant threat.

"I love Sir Ares!" She clenched her jaw.

Instead of displaying any emotional outbursts, Sean smiled lightly.

"Congratulations." Sean reached out a hand to Rose.

Rose reached out to shake it only to see Jay's piercing gaze burning holes into both their hands.

Rose retracted her hand.

Suspended mid-air, Sean took his hand back to scratch the wings of his nose awkwardly.

The entire atmosphere in the room turned strained. Everyone could tell that this love triangle was merely a competition of who had more power.

Then, Jay turned and left straight away with Rose's hand in his.

Unwilling to spend a moment longer with his elders, Sean bowed and bid them farewell before following Jay out of the hall.

At the doors, Jay suddenly stopped and let go of Rose's hand.

Jay turned around right as Sean followed after.

Sean smiled radiantly. "Master Ares!"

"Leave us alone for a while, Rose." Jay's tone was indifferent.

Startled, Rose stared sympathetically at Sean.

"Good luck."

"Go, Orchid," Sean said, reassuring her.

Rose left with unease settling in her chest.

Sean smiled warmly as he faced Jay. His tone was gentle and he held himself with exceptional elegance. "Is something of the matter, Master Ares?"

The corners of Jay's mouth tugged into a mocking tilt. "You hate me right now, don't you, Sean? You've been wanting to get rid of me, and yet you can't. Getting frantic, aren't we?" Sean's smile froze-This man was very well aware.

"Women are inconsistent, but friends are for life, Master Ares. Whyever would I turn against my friend over a mere woman?" Sean shifted expressions faster than one flipped through books. Jay's sharp gaze pierced through Sean. If his gaze could poke holes, Sean would have turned into a sieve by now. "Claiming my woman as yours in public. How dare you, Sean?" "Master Ares, it was an impulsive decision..." Sean lied through his teeth.

Jay walked over. With a height of 180 centimeters, Sean was just slightly shorter than Jay, yet his aura was immediately overpowered by the latter's. "Quite the acting skills you have there, Sean. Perhaps enough to fool the elders of Bell Enterprise, but not enough to fool me." Sean's smile dwindled.

Chapter 393

Chapter 393

Sean's smile dwindled, almost like sand in an hourglass. The more he tried to recollect himself, the more obvious his frenzy showed. Once again, he experienced the terror that was Jay Ares.

"Your ultimate goal is to make me hate you so that I'd destroy Bell Enterprise for you. That's why you used Rose Loyle, correct?" With every bit of his front ruthlessly dismantled by Jay, all that was left of Sean Bell was his riddled fragile self.

His handsome features were pale and drained of blood! His body began to shake and tremble.

Although, he quickly lifted his head in confusion and spoke suspiciously, "I don't know what you mean, Master Ares."

He refused to believe that Jay knew of his malicious intent.

There was no way Jay could find out his true intentions toward Bell Enterprise so quickly. Not when he had worn this facade for years and had minimal encounters with Jay. "Let's make a deal!" Jay closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they flared with a strong man's

desire to control.

Sean prodded. "What do you propose?"

"I'll avenge your mother for you. How's that for a bargaining chip?" Despite his light-hearted tone, Jay's words sunk deep into Sean's chest, leaving craters in its wake. Sean trembled like a caged animal. "My mother died through suicide, Master Ares. She jumped off a building. There's no enemy to avenge."

"Suicide or not, I'm sure you know better than I do." i

Sean's hands began to tremble vigorously.

The secret he had hidden away for years howled and threatened to burst from his body like a devil in its shackles.

He had been hiding in a closet when his mother jumped off, and from the gap between the closet doors, he became privy to something he should not have seen.

His father had brought his mistress home, and they were caught in bed by his mother. Mortified, she angrily urged for a divorce.

However, unwilling to let his mother leave with properties under her name, his father employed the help of his mistress and they pushed his mother off the building. Then, they faked evidence and made it seem like it was an accident caused by slipping.

Too young to do anything but protect himself, Sean hid the fact that he was a witness to the crime and enrolled in an academy overseas. He left the land of sorrowful memories as fast as he could.

Despite his sufferings overseas as a youth, he mustered up the determination to strive in his studies. It was all to grow stronger so that one day he could reclaim justice for his mother.

How did Jay see through him when he had done so well to disguise it all these years?

Sean shook as he asked, "How'd you know?"

For the first time, he feared the man before him.

Jay's chiseled features pulled into a bitter smile.

He had flipped through every business Severe Enterprise had partnered with seven years ago when he was investigating the death of Angeline Severe.

Instead of finding what he wanted, he was rewarded with a load of outrageous scandals from all sorts of affluent families.

Jay was silent, and Sean knew he had asked a question that he would receive no answer to.

"Then, Master Ares... What's my bargaining chip?"

Frost shone in Jay's eyes. "Stay away from Rose Doyle!'

Sean was stunned. That was it?

He felt like he had won the lottery with this deal.

A long while later.

Seeing the duo exit, Rose's inquisitive gaze fell on Sean. "Did he do anything to you, Sean?"

Sean shrugged and forced out a smile. "I'm sorry, Orchid. You've been dismissed from Bell Enterprise starting today."

Rose stared blankly. "What about our revolutionary friendship, Sean? The revolution has yet to succeed and we still have work to do! How could you so easily lose to the enemy's woos?" "I'm sorry, Orchid!"

Right as Rose was about to ask what had happened, Sean fled away quickly like a completely different man.

Devastated by the news, Rose felt as if her head had instantly exploded into pieces. Dazed, she staggered backward and flopped back into a chair.

Chapter 394

Chapter 394

She had been dismissed by Bell Enterprise?

That meant she no longer had a way to avenge Severe Enterprise or to fish out Bell's mole.

Staring at the downcast woman, Jay mocked with his arms crossed. "What? Miss him already?" Rose glared at Jay. "You forced him to dismiss me, didn't you?"

"I didn't," Jay replied truthfully.

All he did was have Sean stay away from Rose. He never said anything about a dismissal.

Rose's hands were balled into fists. Not only was this man complex and difficult to understand, but he was also two-faced and an absolute b*stard.

Jay lazily placed his hands in his pockets.

"If you want a revolutionary partner, how about me? Sean Bell is too easily swayed."

"Can't afford you." Rose huffed.

"At least I'm loyal to you."

Rose rolled her eyes. "As if I'd be stupid enough to believe your bullsh*t."

Jay was speechless."..."

He was as loyal a man as they came!

"Let's go!" Jay spoke.

Rose refused to move.

Jay stared hopelessly at the angry little lady. "Doesn't sitting here put a damper on your mood, Rose?"

"What's it to you?"

His patience had depleted, so he strode over and bridal -carried her without warning.

"Let me down."

Ignoring her, he continued walking forward with her in his arms.

A few steps later, they were met with Josephine and Zayne Severe. While holding hands, the duo smiled and laughed as they walked intimately, leaving no space in between them. Rose immediately hid her head into Jay's embrace.

"What are you, an ostrich? Why are you burying your head away when you see people?" Jay teased.

"If I'm an ostrich, then you're a chicken." Rose fired back sharply.

Jay was rendered speechless."..."

"Jay?" The sight of Jay had both Josephine and Zayne rooted in place.

Jay bellowed sternly as his murderous glare fell on Josephine's and Zayne's intertwined hands, "Let go."

"I thought you said you'd stop looking over my private life, Jay. Why are you going back on your word?" Josephine murmured hurtfully.

Jay replied disappointedly, "If I stop looking out for you, who knows if you'd get sold off before even knowing what happened?"

A flash of guilt flashed through Zayne's eyes.

Blinded by love, Josephine looped an arm tightly around Zayne's. "Both Zayne and I love each other. It's true love."

Jay looked at Rose. "Sean also said he and Rose loved each other moments ago, yet he dashed faster than a wide hare anyway. You're telling me this is the true love you have?" Rose was speechless.

Josephine looked sympathetically at Rose. "Since when did Jay become a love-counterfeiting enforcer, Sister-in-law? Although if you're really trying to act with other men, you've got to make it look more real-" Jay spared Josephine a glare, and she immediately closed her mouth.

"Prove it to me, Josephine Ares, that what you and Zayne have is true love."

Zayne instantly shouted, no longer holding back, "How do you even prove true love? Do you want a live stream?"

Chapter 395

Chapter 395

Under Jay's sharp death stare, Zayne's voice grew softer by the moment. "How about you prove to us as well? You love Miss Rose, right?"

Both Josephine and Rose internally praised Zayne for his wits.

Looking at Rose, Jay asked, "What do you think?"

Rose was siding with Zayne, so she said, "Only as a role model can one persuade others."

"Then what do you want?"

"I don't believe Sir Ares can afford to give me what I want," Rose muttered softly.

"If it's what you want, it shall be yours as long as I'm capable of giving."

Rose panicked. What psychological shock had this man gone through?

After pausing to think, she replied, "I want a luxury car, company shares-"

Mischievously, Rose listed off lucrative benefits as a prank as she stared at Jay, waiting for him to go back on his words.

"No problem!"

She was stunned. Raised the stakes of her prank, she continued to say, "I also want the status of Mrs. Ares."

"No problem!"

Rose tightened her jaw. "Then... Could you put them into words and sign the paper to seal the deal?"

Smiling humorlessly, Jay said, "Sure."

Shocked, Josephine began to wave Zayne's arm and plead coquettishly, "Look at how my brother loves my Sister-in-law, Zayne. What about you?"

Pulling Josephine into his arms and staring provokingly at Jay, Zayne said, "I too can give you everything I have, and without all that written contract nonsense. Just say the word and it's yours. Any time and any day."

Jay scoffed. "You'll transfer your tens of billions worth of debt to her?"

Shocked, Zayne spluttered and choked.

With his face flushing red, he spoke, "You've misunderstood. What I meant is that she can have me as an entity in itself."

"Don't you dare touch Josephine again. Not until you pay back that tens of billions worth of debt, at least." Jay clenched his jaw.

Devastated, Zayne removed his hand from Josephine's grasp.

Rose murmured, "True love is priceless."

Looking at Rose, Jay did not know whether to laugh or to cry. These two siblings were mortal enemies who always fought, either physically or verbally, whenever they met, yet that had never affected the strong sibling bond the duo shared.

As far as Angelina Severe was concerned, only she could bully Zayne. No one else.

It was the same for Zayne as well!

However, Zayne was not grateful to Rose. "Which side are you on, Rose?"

Looking at him with disappointment in her eyes, Rose said, "Josephine's a simple lady who's stubborn and serious when it comes to love. I don't wish that she ends up taken for granted." Josephine was grateful after hearing her sister-in-law's remark. "Thank you for caring so much about me, Sister-in-law, I'm touched. Don't worry, Zayne and I are really in love with each other." With that, Josephine pulled Zayne's hand to show off the two heart-shaped rings that glimmered under the sunlight.

Rose made no further comments while Jay's expression stayed dark.

Staring at her displeased brother, Josephine came up with a plan. Perhaps additional contact with Zayne would open Jay's eyes to how true Zayne's feelings were for her. That way, her brother would stop being so prejudicial with Zayne.

"Jay, Sister-in-law, let's go join the banquet."

Josephine suggested.

Sparing Rose a glance, Jay found that she was still staring 'affectionately' at Zayne.

Jay agreed. "Let's go!"

The fact that it was already after lunch hour, coupled with how today was not the exact date of Grand Old Master's birthday, the banquet hall was left with a few scarce people enjoying their meals here and there.

Josephine took the open compartment next to the window and the four of them sat one by one.

Rose had spent the whole way there watching her brother, trying to read his life story from the lines of his face. When Zayne took the seat next to Josephine, she took the seat next to Zayne.

Zayne reprimanded under his breath, "Stop looking at me so affectionately, Rose. Master Ares will get jealous."

Chapter 396

Chapter 396

Snapping back to reality, Rose moved awkwardly back to Jay.

Josephine stared questionably at Rose. The discrepancies in her behavior caused Josephine to feel rather... Uneasy.

"Sister-in-law, you can't possibly be having feelings for Zayne, right?"

"Huh?" Rose was shocked.

Zayne spoke up, "What do you mean, 'huh'? With how you kept staring lovingly at me, my girlfriend's bound to misunderstand."

Josephine spared Jay an anxious glance. She was afraid that her brother, being the control freak he was, would misunderstand Rose and thus rain fury upon her.

However, Jay took it all in a stride, sitting elegantly as if nothing had happened. There were no indifferent walls put up when he gazed at Rose.

This was not Jay's style at all.

"I didn't stare lovingly at you," Rose argued with a huff, "You're not a 100-dollar bill either. Not everybody has to love you!"

Zayne choked, wishing nothing more than to throw this woman into the sea to feed the sharks.

Jay could not help but chuckle.

Walking over with a menu, the waiter asked respectfully, "Young Masters and Misses, is there anything you'd like to order?"

"Seafood." Josephine looked at Zayne. "Your favorite."

Jay, however, interjected. "Red meat."

Displeased, Josephine protested. "Jay, but you like seafood too!"

Gazing lovingly at Rose, Jay said, "She likes game birds."

Zayne felt his heart skip. Rose was just like his sister, Angeline. They both liked to eat game birds.

Surprising everyone, Zayne acted gentlemanly this time. "If game birds are what Miss Rose likes to eat, I'm down to try."

Josephine smiled and nodded. "Up to you."

She played the role of a mindless wife going along with her husband's whims.

"Can't you stand up for yourself, Josephine?" Jay was exasperated.

Josephine replied confidently, "Don't you want Sister-in-law to obediently follow what you say as well, Jay?"

Looking at Rose, Jay frowned. For her to follow his words obediently...

"Maybe in another life!"

Rose felt attacked. Was she not gentle with him?

Josephine chuckled. "You'll have to work harder, Jay. Women's hearts are actually rather easy to conquer..."

Jay rolled his eyes. "That only applies to you."

Josephine shot her own foot.

Rose quickly spoke to save Josephine from embarrassment. "It's not that difficult to conquer my heart either!" Zayne fired back, "Nonsense. As if there's anyone who can resist Master Ares' charm."

Rose was speechless."..."

The dishes arrived quickly with Angeline's favorite tete de veau right in the middle of their rectangular table.

Both Jay and Zayne reached for the calf's head at the same time with their cutleries. Neither of them had the intent to yield.

Josephine and Rose were shocked...

Neither Jay nor Zayne liked eating calf's head!

Zayne spoke, "It reminds me of my sister. I remember how she loved this dish..."

Jay replied, "So does Rose."

Josephine stared blankly straight ahead... Her brother was giving Sis Angeline's favorite calf's head to Rose. Did that mean Jay was finally walking out of the psychological shadow she left behind?

Yet it did not feel real for Jay's love for Angeline Severe stemmed from within his bones.

Zayne's shocked gaze once again fell on Rose. She loved to eat calf's head too?

Chapter 397

Chapter 397

Zayne let go of the calf's head, letting Jay place it onto Rose's plate.

Rose was speechless... This tete de veau was the most expensive one she had been served.

Rose loved to eat calf's head too!

Zayne's curiosity for Rose only grew each time he found a common interest shared by both Rose and Angeline.

Waiting for Rose to leave for the toilet, Zayne excused himself as well and blocked Rose's path when she was halfway there.

"Rose, I want to talk to you." Zayne leaned against the wall with an aloof expression on his face.

Seeing Zayne's unruly behavior, Rose reprimanded, "Stand straight, or the Ares family will think that their future son-in-law is a frivolous and unreliable man." "Who am I to you? Who are you to control the things I do?" Zayne questioned angrily.

At his questioning, she became silent.

His inquisitive gaze fixed on Rose. "Rose, alias, Ange Lin. What are your intentions behind approaching my father?"

Rose had nothing to say."..."

"You act as if you have the same interests as my sister and have seduced Master Ares. Does Master Ares know? Your complex identity and your schemes?" Rose was still speechless. "..."

Zayne pulled out a cigarette from the box in his pant pockets. Lighting it up skillfully, he took a long drag.

"Why aren't you saying anything? Feeling guilty now, are we?"

She plucked the cigarette from his mouth and threw it on the ground, stepping on it to extinguish the light.

"Smoking is bad for your health!" she reprimanded.

He was irked beyond words now. "Leave me alone, Rose."

Ignoring him, she walked closer to him. "You think I'm approaching Severe Enterprise with villainous intent, don't you?"

"Am I wrong?"

"If you'd use your brain and think for once, Zayne, then you'd know that Severe Enterprise is currently riddled with holes. There are no competitors who'd be willing to spend money on some corporate espionage to deal with you. Wake up, will you?"

"If you already know that Severe Enterprise is screwed, then why are you even here? Isn't it an insult to your hacking abilities to work for Severe Enterprise?"

"I'm here to save Severe Enterprise..."

"You expect me to believe you? You had Grandfather sent to Grand Asia Medical Center. How is that saving Severe Enterprise?" Zayne was utterly infuriated. Instantly, Rose wilted like a flower under the snow.

She had yet to see the truth of Jay when she sent Grandfather to Grand Asia, not to mention how her grandfather had relayed the message to seek help from Jay while he was semi-conscious. It only led her t o make the wrong choice.

Strongly believing that Rose was a commercial spy sent by Jay to spy on Severe Enterprise, the desire to eliminate Rose sparked in Zayne.

Worried that Rose had an accident as she was taking a long while, Jay decided to look for her himself!

Zayne reached his hand out when he saw Jay's shadow and pulled Rose into his arms. As his actions were too sudden for her to realize what was going on, she ended up pecking Zayne on the cheek. Flames of fury burned in Jay's frosty eyes at the sight of Rose and Zayne kissing.

"What are you doing?"

Hearing her brother's icy and dark tone, Josephine dropped her utensils and ran over.

With Rose's hair caught onto a button of Zayne's top, she did not dare to move. Zayne, on the other hand,

did not want to move.

He was not the one with their dignity on the line!

"Oh my God!" Josephine covered her eyes in shock at the intimate sight of Rose and Zayne kissing.

"How could you do this?" Josephine shouted in disbelief, close to breaking down.

Despite being the one who instigated it, Zayne made himself the victim. "It's her. She tried to seduce me, even coming down on me to kiss and bite..."

Josephine exhaled a sigh of relief. Thank goodness that Zayne had not taken the initiative.

However, she was immediately worried about Jay.

How could her brother let Rose go after she seduced another man in his presence?

Chapter 398

Chapter 398

Rose might have her blood spilled today.

Turning her head, she finally removed her lips from Zayne's cheek. She opened her mouth to speak, "Zayne Severe, my hair's caught on your button."

Zayne took the chance to push Rose into more trouble. "Your hair wouldn't have caught onto my button had you not made a move on me, would it?" "B*stard, untangle my hair!" Rose felt despondent.

Jay walked over and carefully untangled Rose's hair from Zayne's button. The act was surprisingly gentle.

Free once again, Rose took in a deep breath.

Josephine walked over with a disappointed look in her eyes as she stared at Rose. "How could you seduce your brother-in-law?"

"I didn't. Josephine, you have to believe me. It was all a n accident." She protested, her words frail and weak.

Josephine spoke, "Whether I believe you or not is not the point here. What matters is whether my brother believes you or not."

Zayne stared at Rose with a touch of schadenfreude in his eyes!

His gaze read, 'You've got to try harder if you want to screw with me'.

Clenching her jaw, Rose glared at him. Seeing this man's stupid behavior, she might just end up crying.

Right as everyone was waiting for Jay to descend hellish punishment on Rose, he did the opposite. "Seducing my woman in broad daylight... What do you have to say for yourself, Zayne Severe?" Both Josephine and Zayne objected indignantly. "She was the one who seduced me, though?" "Can't you tell right from wrong, Jay?"

Jay continued, "She went to the bathroom first. Pray tell how she was going to seduce you had you not followed her here? At least look at who you're talking to before lying, Zayne... Do I look like an idiot to you?"

Zayne widened his eyes. Jay's ability to remember details had him in absolute awe.

However, he refused to admit it. "Are you framing me, Master Ares?"

"Still denying it?" Jay's gaze grew feral. "Men!" Jay barked out, and the bodyguards on shift outside the banquet hall entered. "Beat him up. Stop only when he's willing to tell the truth." Josephine was stunned. "Are you serious, Jay?"

Jay replied, "This man is unprincipled. I'll straighten him out."

Dragging Zayne onto a long plank, the bodyguards procured a whip and began to hit Zayne on his back.

"This is Sister-in-law's fault, Jay. Why are you punishing Zayne without even asking what happened? It's not fair," Josephine said, wailing.

With her eyes on Zayne, Rose felt every brutal whip on his back as if they had landed on her instead.

Zayne's painful cries only tightened the clench in Rose's heart.

At that moment, Rose fell on the ground in front of Jay with a thud. "Stop hitting him, Sir Ares. It's my fault, s o hit me if you have to instead!"

Despite being a frail woman, Rose was readily willing to take unnecessary blame and punishment to protect her brother... How could Jay not be smitten for such a girl?

Pulling her up, he instructed the bodyguards, "Stop."

Josephine was staring at Jay, slightly shocked as she rewrote her understanding of him. There were no limits to how much he would put up with Rose.

Had he fallen in love with Rose?

Just like how he loved Sis Angeline all those years ago?

Josephine walked over to help Zayne up while the latter looked at Rose with curiosity. She had begged for him?

Why did she save him when he had harmed her earlier?

"Let's go get you some ointment, Zayne."

With Josephine's helping hand, Zayne managed to stand. Then, they turned to leave.

Rooted in place, Rose watched as Josephine suddenly turned around to stare deeply at her as she left. The fury in her eyes sent Rose plunging into indescribable emptiness.

To save Zayne moments ago, she had lied about seducing him. It seemed like she had become a horrible woman who stole others' men in Josephine's eyes.

Josephine might have already given up on her.

Sighing silently, Rose turned around and found Jay staring at her without blinking.

She felt her heart drop straight down a bottomless pit.

Chapter 399

Chapter 399

Offending Josephine was a small matter in contrast to offending this divine being. The latter was truly a crime that would easily end with her annihilation.

"Sir Ares!" Rose yelped nervously with her head held down.

She mulled over how he would punish 'disloyal' women. Would he drown her? Feed her to the sharks, or maybe snipe her?

As if seeing through the woman's fear, Jay reached out a hand to ruffle her hair. However, Rose evaded him by jumping a meter backward as if she had met a n enormous enemy. Jay's hand was suspended mid-air while his expression revealed his displeasure.

"Come here!" His tone was still rather gentle.

"I'm sorry, Sir Ares." Rose whimpered.

"About what?"

"I shouldn't have seduced another man in front of you and embarrassed you." Her voice was small.

"I'm not angry at you."

With widened eyes, Rose was wondering if she had heard him wrong.

Then, she quickly understood. Why would he get

jealous if he did not love her at all?

"Okay."

"Let's go!" Jay strode forward with his long legs.

Following behind him, Rose was overwhelmed with mixed feelings. Her heart hurt horribly.

Why did she not feel the relief of escaping tragedy?

On the other hand, Zayne was suffering at the moment as well.

Josephine took him to her villa and had him lie face down on the couch as the wounds on his back were leaving him seething in pain. "Ow!"

"Is he even your biological brother? How could he be s o ruthless with his future brother-in-law?" Zayne was prone to mouthing off.

Taking the ointment, Josephine lifted the back of his top and carefully applied it on him.

"My brother still loves me, considering how these are merely external injuries. He could very well have crushed all 206 bones in your body, you know. Then you'll be left with a mollusk that can only move as per his whims."

"Enlighten me. Why was your brother so cruel to me, yet he won't punish Rose? How is he still so carefree after being cuckolded so badly?"

Josephine replied, "This Sister-in-law of mine likes to do things on her own. My brother used to hate her to the marrows of his bones, yet for some reason, he seems to have undergone a complete change recently. He's become exceptionally forbearing with Sister-in-law. Perhaps he's treating her kindly and being especially loving because she's the mother of all three of his children?"

Zayne scoffed. "I'd say this Sister-in-law of yours is just like your brother in terms of personality. They're both dark and scheming people."

Huffing, Josephine felt the same. "Here I thought she was a kind and innocent woman. I can't believe she tried to seduce you today, even when she knows that I like you. To think that I saw her as my best friend."

Zayne said, "What a match made in heaven, her and your brother."

Having applied the ointment all over his back, Josephine leaned over to ask, "Does it hurt anywhere else?"

"My behind," Zayne replied.

Josephine blushed and stuffed the ointment into his hands. "Apply it yourself."

"I don't have eyes behind my head, so how am I supposed to apply anything when I can't see?" Zayne pestered, saying again, "Help me."

He pulled his pants off as he spoke.

Josephine immediately shut her eyes. "Stop playing around, Zayne."

Zayne merely stated, "We're going to end up together anyway, Josephine. Stop acting so shy."

Chapter 400

Chapter 400

Josephine's heart softened at Zayne's pitiful expression. Taking over the ointment, her face flushed as she applied it over his behind.

Zayne could not help but laugh at Josephine's beet red cheeks. "Why are you so shy? You do know that there won't be any hiding between us after we get married, right?" Using her hands, she covered his face.

"Okay, okay. I'll stop." Zayne stopped teasing.

Chirp, chirp, chirp.

The sound of birds singing drifted through the quiet park.

Sighing, Zayne lifted his head to stare at the scenery outside the windows. "The Tourmaline Estate is beautiful. What a quiet and pleasant place as well. I'd say it's quite the paradise.'

However, Josephine sounded uneasy when she spoke, "Both Uncle Jacob's and Uncle James' illegitimate children have become adults in these few years. Every year they use the Grand Old Master's birthday to make themselves known to the world with all sorts of oppression."

Pausing for a while, she continued, "Tomorrow will be Grandfather's actual birth date. Who knows what

monumental incident will happen or who the protagonist will be tomorrow?"

Zayne reassured her, saying, "Don't worry about it, alright? With your brother overseeing the Tourmaline Estate, any fiend or savage will be easily subdued."

Hearing him, her expression darkened. "My brother has seen all sorts of conspiracies, and as a result is no longer as humane as he once was. I'm afraid of the repercussions and acts of revenge he'll have to face by those illegitimate children for standing between their way of joining the family."

A dark spark flashed in Zayne's eyes.

At the same time in Fragrant Vessel Court.

The faint sweetness of osmanthus wafted through the quiet patio.

Sitting on the rocking chair, Rose plopped her cheek o n one hand for support as she breathed in the intoxicating sweetness of osmanthus flowers around her. Suddenly, she pondered, 'August is already over. Where is the smell of osmanthus coming from?'

Rose stood up from the rocking chair and glanced over at the second floor.

A guest arrived at Fragrant Vessel Court moments ago, and they had been engaged in a conversation with Jay in the study ever since. There had yet to be any signs of the session coming to an end. Afraid to bother Jay, Rose walked through the door that led to the backyard by herself and followed the scent of the osmanthus flowers slowly.

Greenery covered the backyard and was shadowed by over a dozen camphor trees that towered into the clouds. Flowers such as tree peony and hibiscus filled the space in between. Foliage bloomed into the cramped path, covering it as it led to a faraway place.

Entering the backyard garden, Rose's lithe frame vanished under the numerous vegetation around her.

Rain began to fall before she knew it, and trekking the path became more difficult than it already was.

After walking for quite a while, Rose found that where the bluestone path ended, a muddy little road began. Tip-toeing on the last piece of bluestone, Rose stared ahead-The road in front was filled with thorny vines and shrubs as well as a whole new undiscovered world.

Rose turned around to return, only to see the shrub in front of her move.

'Is someone there?'

Rose called out surprisingly, "Is somebody there?"

From the shrub popped out a head. It was a woman's and she wore a large straw hat.

All Rose could see was her mouth. Her thin lips were curled into a slight tilt.

Rose could not help but be reminded of Jay's thin lips!

The woman must have been surprised to see Rose as well, for she quickly hid back into the shrub.

Rose stared in shock!

'Who's this woman?

'Why's she here?'

Snapping back to reality, she immediately followed after. "Don't be afraid, Miss. I'm not here to hurt you. Stop running away!"