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Sean’s lips tightened into a straight line, his gaze lowered, making it impossible to read his emotions. He remained silent, lost in thought.
After a moment, Mr. <b>Jasper </b><b>Sr. </b>spoke with a heavy, serious tone. “Sean, you must remember–something like that must never happen again. You are the only helrof the Jasper family. Do not throw your life away for a woman. Understand?”
Sean’s hands, resting at his sides, clenched slightly. His voice was steady but deep, “I understand.”
Mr. Jasper Sr. then tumed to James. “From now on, as long as Sean’s actions don’t vite our family’s principles or break thew, do not interfere with him.”
James felt a surge of frustration. The family’s power and assets were being handed directly from Mr. Jasper Sr. to Sean, bypassing him entirely.
But despite his resentment, James didn’t dare voice any objections in front of his father. After all, this entire mess began because of his own mistake–his illegitimate son, Joseph.
If he had just kept himself in check all those years ago, none of this would be happening.
still, he tried tofort himself. <b>sean </b><b>was </b>his son, not <b>an </b>outsider. It Sean held power, it would still be in the family,
“I understand,” James finally replied.
The cold front arrived<b>, </b>and temperatures plummeted below freezing, Jersey City saw its first snowfall of the season.
The sky had already darkened by the time Charlotte stepped <b>out </b>of thew firm. Snowkes drifted down in a gentle flurry<b>, </b>sparkling beneath the neon lights, creating <b>a </b>magical, almost romantic atmosphere.
Standing by the street, Charlotte reached out, letting a few snowkesnd on her palm. The icy wind bit at her cheeks, and she adjusted her scart, her breath tuming into a misty white cloud in the cold air.
A sleek ck Maybach pulled up <b>by </b>the curb.
Charlotte saw Sean stepping out, striding quickly toward her.
They had nned to visit Lama at the hospital together today
Once the car door closed, sealing out the howling wind, Sean wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. He took her cold <b>hands </b>in his, rubbing them gently.
“your hands are freezing. Why didn’t you wear glows?” His voice was filled with concer
<b>“</b>It’s <b>just </b>a short walk,” Charlotte replied, sniffling
“That’s no excuse,<b>” </b>Sean muttered, continuing to warm her <b>hands</b><b>. </b>“Remember to wear them next time.”
“okay,“Charlotte agreed soldy<b>. </b>
At the hospital, they found Luna sitting up in bed, staring nkly out the window at <b>the </b><b>fa </b>
<b>falling </b>snow.
Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t <b>even </b><b>notice </b>then enter
Lura, I’m here to see you,” Charlotte called gently, <b>cing </b><b>a </b>small bag on the bedside table.
Luna stapped out
out of her da
hr daze, turning toward them. When her gazended on Sean, a sh of <b>awe </b><b>and </b>curiosity crossed her eyes.
Charlotte uniled, inmoduring them. “Luna, this <b>is </b>my boyfriend, Sean <b>Jasper</b>.”
Realization brightened Luna’s face. “Hello, Sean!”
Demembering Charlotte’s repeated feminders to be <b>warm </b>and <b>approachable</b>, Sean softened bija <b>toise</b>, offering a gentle smile. “Hello,”
Luna’s checka flushed slightly,
“quickly looked away, y but happy.
Chadatte moved <b>closes</b>, sitting by the bed. Luna looked even paler and thier than before. Her cheeks were sunken, and her small frame seemed swallowed by the
Curlotte’s heart twisted with pain, but she forced a bright
bought you alle pili,” she amused, pulling a tly, cream–<b>colored </b>hat from the bag “Do you like it?”
juma’s eyes lit up, and a sweet senile spread across her face. “I love it! Thank you, Charlotte!”
The two hadi
d grown close over the past few <b>days</b>, with Luis now affectionately calling her “charlotte” instead of “Miss Riley ”
Taking the hat, Luna immediately swapped it with the one she was wearing, wis looked at Charlotte with bright, eager eyes. “Does it look <b>good</b>, Charlotte?”