"W-What are you doing?" Jason stammered.


    Realization dawned on Chelsea. Mortified, she yanked her hand back.


    "Look, don''t get the wrong idea. I wasn''t trying to take advantage of you," she blurted.


    Head lowered, she missed the sudden intensity in Jason''s gaze.


    "Ms. Rainsworth, do you really not remember me?" he asked softly.


    "Huh?" She blinked in confusion. "Have we met before?"


    Seeing her utterly baffled, Jason knew she had either forgotten him long ago or never noticed him at all.


    "Never mind. I must have been mistaken. If there''s nothing else, I''ll head home."


    Jason left Chelsea standing there and strode toward the bus stop. Chelsea watched his tall figure disappear into the night. She tried to recall where she''d seen him before, yet no matter how hard she tried, she couldn''t ce him.


    She let out a long sigh and muttered, "Forget it. The less trouble I have with men, the better."


    Once burned, twice shy.


    After nearly being taken advantage of several times, Chelsea no longer dared to socialize with men. She phoned the driver and asked him to pick her up.


    Back at home, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Jason''s face kept hovering in her mind.


    Where exactly have I met him? Why can''t I remember?


    Talking to herself, she finally swung her legs off the bed.


    Phoebe was also awake. "Chelsea, why are you still up?"


    "I can''t sleep," Chelsea answered, then asked, "Mom, why are you up, too?"


    "I''m worried," Phoebemented. “There are so many men in Tud, yet we can''t find you a decent husband. Do you still remember Magnus?"


    Chelsea nodded. "Of course."


    It hadn''t been that long, after all. Naturally, she still remembered Magnus.


    "I used to think he was a fine


    choice," Phoebe exined, "but then I learned what he''s really like. And that grandmother of his-I heard he''s run up quite a debt. The money she asked me for was money he''d already squandered."


    Phoebe was no fool. Even after she handed Heather the money, she meant to investigate every detail; she didn''t want any loose ends.


    Mentioning it reminded Chelsea that she should tell Cecilia.


    She''d felt a little awkward raising the topic with Cecilia that day, but then decided friends shouldn''t hide things from each other.


    So, Chelsea told Cecilia that Heather had asked the Rainsworths for money.


    Cecilia wasn''t the least bit surprised. "Chelsea, I forgot to warn you. Magnus must have spent that money. I''m really sorry."


    "No worries," Chelsea replied. “I


    know the Escobars have nothing to do with you. I just wanted to let you in case shees after you


    "Thank you."


    Cecilia meant the thanks sincerely.


    She knew Chelsea hadn''t told her because of the money loss; she was deeply grateful.


    After putting down her phone, Cecilia called Sven. "How''s Magnus doing now?"


    The Escobar family''s money was gone. Surely, he had to face some consequences.


    "He''s out of the hospital and currently working with Denise," Sven reported.


    "Has he pulled any stuntstely?" Cecilia asked.


    "No. He actually seems to have matured. Denise says he''s even saving money." Cecilia felt a ripple of relief.


    "Looks


    adversity really can


    change a person. Sven, keep the


    e on him. Don''t let himmet


    into his old, carefree ways."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!