On the Day I Was Kicked Out of the Wealthy Family, I Had a Flash Marriage with a Tycoon

Chapter 228: Won’t Go Back On It

"Let’s take today off. Don’t go to the lab," Jasper said, avoiding her question and changing the subject.

Chloe Sterling eyed him suspiciously but said nothing.

"Taking one day off won’t set you back too much, will it?" Jasper pressed.

Chloe slowly replied, "That’s not necessarily true."

"This project isn’t that critical for Silas. He can handle the Nocturne Group’s problems on his own."

"I just want to finish this deal as quickly as possible. It’s not entirely about helping him."

"But you weren’t in such a rush before." Jasper suddenly rolled over, pinning her beneath him. He whispered, "I don’t want you working yourself to the bone, leaving early and coming back late every day."

Chloe’s fingers tightened on the corner of the comforter. "Fine. You... you can get off me now."

Jasper chuckled softly. "I’m afraid not."

"..."

Sensing his intention, Chloe’s expression shifted, but she was powerless to push him away.

「Country E.」

Silas Coldwell sat in his office, his expression grim. "What in the world is going on?" he demanded.

Zane Stratton kept his head lowered. "We’ve confirmed it multiple times. It was most likely Jasper Lockwood."

"He’s helping me now, instead of kicking me while I’m down?" Silas sneered. "Has he lost his mind?"

"Er... perhaps it’s because of Lynn Chester? Do you think he wants you to terminate the deal with her?"

Silas tapped his fingers on the desk. "If he wanted to negotiate, why didn’t he do it earlier?" he mused. "He’s already provided the help. What leverage does he have now?"

"Well..." Zane said, at a loss. "I can’t figure it out either, sir."

Earlier that morning, Silas had discovered that Jasper Lockwood had been helping him in secret. He couldn’t for the life of him figure out what the man was up to. He had been bracing for Jasper to pull some dirty trick while he was vulnerable, never imagining he would lend a hand instead.

After a moment of careful thought, he asked, "Are you sure there isn’t some kind of trap?"

Zane replied, "There’s no way for him to turn this into a trap. It’s clearly a situation that only benefits us, with no downside whatsoever."

Silas’s gaze darkened. "Helping me directly without making any demands... You really think he’s that kind?"

"Could it be that Lynn Chester asked for his help?"

"That’s even more unlikely." Silas didn’t know Jasper well, but he knew Chloe Sterling. She would work herself to the bone, but she would never ask Jasper Lockwood to help *him*.

"Then I truly can’t figure it out, sir."

After a long moment of contemplation, Silas gave his orders. "Forget it. Never mind his motives for now. Let’s focus on resolving our own issues first."

"Yes, sir."

"Still, remain cautious. Just in case there’s a trap."

"Understood." After a pause, Zane asked, "So, are you going to meet with the elders now?"

Silas narrowed his eyes, then rose to his feet. "Let’s go."

It was already past ten o’clock when Chloe and Jasper came downstairs, so they decided to just have brunch.

At the dining table, Chloe looked at the man across from her and suddenly asked, "You’re not going out today either?"

Jasper watched her, a slight smile playing on his lips. "That’s right. I’m taking the day off at home."

"You didn’t plan this all along, did you?"

"I couldn’t have predicted you’d come home early last night, say what you said to me, and be so... forward."

"..."

Chloe fell silent and focused on her food.

But Jasper pressed on. "Chloe, you just promised me. No more leaving early and coming home late, working yourself to death. You can’t take it back."

At his words, a sudden blush flooded Chloe’s fair cheeks. She lowered her gaze, avoiding his eyes, and gave no reply.

Seeing her silence, Jasper deliberately prodded, "Why so quiet?"

Chloe shot him a glare. "I don’t go back on my word!"

"Good." Jasper’s lips curved into a smile, his eyes glinting with cunning.

Chloe’s face grew hotter, the blush spreading all the way to her ears. She tried not to recall how he had "convinced" her, but she couldn’t stop the memory from replaying in her mind.

Finally, she had to change the subject to distract herself. "What’s the situation with that shipment of red wine? Have you found it?"

"Not yet," Jasper said. "They keep putting up smokescreens to probe our reactions. They’re clever, in a petty way."

"So what’s the plan? Are you just going to keep playing this game with them?"

"That’s all we can do for now. But it won’t be for long. Demand for red wine is high before the holidays, so they’re bound to make their move before the year is out. We just have to keep a close watch."

"I see." Chloe nodded. "Then you shouldn’t have to wait too long."

「The Sinclair Residence.」

Jean Kensington sat in the guest room, running a hand through her hair in utter embarrassment. ’How could I have lost control and gotten that drunk last night? And in front of Tristan Sinclair, of all people! It’s so humiliating.’ She had absolutely no courage to leave the room and face him.

But she couldn’t just hide in her room forever. After agonizing for what felt like an eternity, she finally walked slowly to the door, pushed it open, and hesitantly stepped out.

This appeared to be the second floor. Jean glanced around, saw no one, and started toward the staircase. Just then, a maid walking up the stairs saw her. "Miss Kensington, you’re awake."

"Er... yes," Jean said awkwardly. "Um... is President Sinclair downstairs?"

"No, President Sinclair left early this morning."

Hearing this, Jean breathed a huge sigh of relief. ’Thank God I don’t have to face Tristan. If I’d known he was out, I wouldn’t have wasted so much time agonizing in my room.’

The maid added, "However, President Sinclair asked that you call him when you woke up."

Jean asked, "I’m supposed to call him?"

"Yes, that’s right."

"Okay, I will. I’ll call him in a little while." After a pause, Jean asked, "By the way, was it President Sinclair who brought me back last night? And my clothes..."

She had drunk so much last night that she couldn’t remember.

The maid explained, "President Sinclair brought you back. He personally carried you to your room, but he left you in our care after placing you in the guest room. We were the ones who changed your clothes."

Jean looked astonished. "He personally carried me to my room?"

The maid nodded. "Yes."

Jean could hardly believe it. ’A man as proud as Tristan Sinclair actually carried a drunkard like me? I would have thought he’d just have his men haul me in, at best.’

"I see. Thank you."

Clutching her phone, Jean walked down the stairs. As she headed for the main entrance, she debated whether to call Tristan now or wait until she got home.

But just as she reached the entrance to the living room, the front door swung open, and two tall figures strode inside.

It was Tristan Sinclair and Dean Lynch.

Jean froze on the spot.

Dean Lynch stared at her in astonishment. "Jean! What are you doing here?"

"I..." Jean glanced from him to Tristan, momentarily at a loss for words.

Tristan, however, just laughed. "What’s the matter? Too embarrassed to say?"

Hearing this, Dean grew even more shocked. He turned to Tristan and asked, "President Sinclair, what’s going on? Why is Jean here?"