No Malicious Intentions?
“Okay. Why don’t you have a seat first?” Elise said. Once again, she started getting herself busy in the
kitchen.
After taking his seat, Jack looked at Elise for a few seconds before slowly shifting his gaze toward
Kenneth, who was sitting next to him. Then, he got up from his current seat and slowly moved himself to
the seat that Winona had taken moments ago.
In contrast to the peaceful and quiet atmosphere in the villa, the Internet was experiencing a sea of
chaos because of that livestream which lasted for less than an hour.
Trending topics of the day included: #FlowerScenMaskLivestream, and
#DidFlowerScenMaskRevealHerFace.
Like raging flames rocketing into the sky, the netizens engaged in multiple heated discussions.
…
As Winona was busy looking at the livestream’s feedback, the situation over at the dining table next to
the kitchen was in tumultuous turbulence.
Jack glanced at Kenneth lightly. Then, he picked up a teacup on the table and poured himself a cup of
water. As he poured, he said, “Mr. Bailey… I don’t know if you’re aware of this… But… Elise is my sister-
in-law. We’re a family.”
Upon hearing that, Kenneth smiled. “Who said I don’t?”
Jack paused from drinking his water. He moved the cup of water away, and the corners of his mouth
formed a vague smile. “No gentleman would commit a mistake on purpose. Besides, I think… some
things just needed to be compared in order to know their true values. Taking that bowl of dumpling soup
for instance. Mr. Bailey, I can see that you fought hard for that soup. But, if it were my brother or any
family members of the Griffiths, Elise would always take the initiative to either offer hers or make an extra
portion. It’s just like how she’s making me a plate of beef stroganoff now upon my request.”
Without waiting for Kenneth to reply, Jack added again, “Also, it seems to me that Smith Co. had never
once been involved in the entertainment industry before. Perhaps, Mr. Bailey, you may not know the
problematic sides of the entertainment industry. In my opinion, any industry is the same, and one can’t
simply enter as one wishes. Elise is under my care, so you can stop worrying about her from now on.”
Kenneth waited until Jack had finished his words. He smiled faintly again, lowered his head, and
mumbled, “Thank you for reminding, Jack, but unfortunately, there are many people in this world who are
as stubborn as a mule. And sorry… I don’t have any past-time activities other than seizing opportunities
and getting what I want. As for whether I can do it, it depends on whether I have the ability. Am I not
right?”
Despite raising the corners of his mouth, there was no trace of a smile in Jack’s eyes. “True. But… I
won’t give you a chance either.”
“Well… I guess it’s up to our own capabilities, then,” Kenneth said as he tapped on the table. After that,
he got up and put on his coat. With his gaze fixating on Jack, he teased Elise. “Miss Sinclair, I’ve paid for
this meal. Shouldn’t you be sending me off personally now that I’m ready to leave?”
“Sorry, I have no time for that. You know where the door is,” Elise said snappishly.
“Oh, locating the door is an easy task for me, but it sure is tough to locate Clemence,” Kenneth said
faintly.
Elise’s facial expression froze as soon as she heard Clemence’s name. And after a while, she turned off
the fire and made her way toward the door first. “Hurry up! You’re gonna dry up my soup!”
“Alright! Alright!” Kenneth said, his face wearing a mischievous smile. Under Jack’s unfriendly gaze,
Kenneth trailed after Elise swaggeringly.
Once arriving at the entrance, Elise opened the door and pushed it aside. A distressful look painted
across her face as she leaned against the wall. “Did something happen to Clemence?”
“Well, that’s not entirely the case,” Kenneth replied with a vague smile.
Squinting her eyes, Elise looked up. “Are you tricking me?”
“Why would I?” Kenneth squinted his eyes, signs of bad intentions spotted in his facial expression. “No
doubt Clemence is still facing some problems. But… the walls have ears, and it won’t be nice if someone
overhears our conversation.”
“Oh, you mean Jack? He’s not an outsider, though.” Elise automatically ruled out Winona. How scheming
can a fresh graduate get?
Upon hearing that, Kenneth merely shrugged his shoulders. “Humans are unpredictable. How can you
be certain that he will not betray you?”
“I understand what you’re trying to imply.” Elise raised her hand impatiently and interrupted Kenneth.
“You’re always reasonable. Well then… how about you whisper it to me?”
BINGO! That was what Kenneth had been waiting for. Shortly after those words came out of Elise’s
mouth, he leaned over to her ear and whispered in a low voice, “There’s a chance that the cause for the
death of Clemence’s husband was not of an unknown mysterious power.”
Elise turned to look at Kenneth, looking shocked. “What did you find out?”
With a bright smile on his face, Kenneth said in a pampering tone, “I’m still gathering the evidence. I’ll
bring it to you as soon as I obtain it.”
In a trance, Elise was stunned by Kenneth’s bright smile.
Seeing as Elise was still in a brief astonished state, Kenneth immediately seized the opportunity and
stole a kiss on Elise’s cheek. After that, he ran out speedily.
When Elise snapped back to her senses, she could only feel the flushing heat on her face.
“So… what did you two talk about?” Seeing that Elise still did not head back inside after a long while,
Jack immediately came out looking for her.
“Oh, n-nothing!” Elise stuttered. As if afraid that Jack would see through her, she instantly shut the door.
Then, she turned around and made her way inside while pushing Jack.
Once they were inside again, the two sat down on a sofa. Jack’s facial expression turned serious. “I have
decided. I will decline my current drama offer and come over to be a permanent guest on your
livestream.”
Though flattered, Elise did not wish to alter Jack’s life plan. “Honestly, you don’t need to take it too
seriously. You’ve seen my livestream today; it’s just us playfully jesting around with each other. It means
more than enough that you can appear and support me occasionally. Not just me, but my viewers will
also feel that you’re overqualified to be a permanent guest on my livestream.”
Knowing the fact that Elise would not change her mind so easily, Jack decided not to push her further.
He paused for a while, then he calmly mentioned Kenneth. “Is your relationship with Alex going well
lately? Has anyone been making things difficult for you in the midst of planning your variety show? What
about Kenneth Bailey? Do you want me to find someone to kick his a*s for you?”
At once, Elise’s face blushed as she felt a sense of guilty conscience when she heard Kenneth’s name
being mentioned.
Noticing the blush on Elise’s face, Jack spoke before Elise could utter a word. “Great… So, now you’re
all shy and embarrassed whenever I mention my brother? Has your relationship with Alex truly improved
this much?”
“Huh? Haha… y-yeah…” Elise responded with a guilty conscience. Within seconds, she adjusted her
expression and said seriously, “You don’t have to worry about me. I know what I’m doing. Alex has been
very busy recently, so let’s not bother him further with these petty matters. I can handle it myself, and
besides, I believe Kenneth has no ill intentions toward me.”
“No ill intentions, you say?” There was a flash of wickedness dawning on Jack’s gentle face. “Only men
know how deep his ill intention is.”
Although Jack had never experienced the dark rules lying behind the entertainment industry, at least he
had heard or witnessed quite a handful of top hidden secrets of the entertainment industry. Elise might
not be able to realize it, but being in this industry for years, Jack surely knew what Kenneth was
planning.
It doesn’t matter even if Kenneth truly loves Elise. He knows she has a fiancé but is still hot-headedly
courting her without a sense of boundaries. How is it worth staying associated with such a person?
Upon hearing that, Elise merely raised her eyebrows. She did not dare to answer Jack.
Clearly, Elise knew what Kenneth was planning. However, this man was surrounded by a dark,
dangerous, and mysterious aura. Even I can’t seem to escape from Kenneth’s grasp. How can I trouble
the Griffiths to help me solve this matter?
After being lost in his thoughts for a while, Jack realized that he had slightly lost his temper. So, he
adjusted his tone and said again, “Anyway, do watch out for yourself. Maybe I’ll ask Ronald to arrange
some bodyguards for you and let them guard around the villa.”
“Well I shall thank you for your thoughtful suggestion,” Elise said. She knew Jack would not take no for
an answer. Hence, she accepted his good intentions so as to make him feel at ease.
Elise’s reply received a nod from Jack. Then, he turned his head and looked at Winona, who was silently
standing next to him. “And you are?”
“M-Me?” Winona pointed at herself with hindsight. Then, she proudly said, “I’m Winona… Winona
Jennings.”
“Winona… That’s a unique name.” Jack complimented her. And with a faint smile, he added, “Next time,
please don’t simply open the door for any male guests at late hours, alright?”
Upon hearing Jack’s compliment, Winona kept nodding in excitement. “Okay! Okay!” Oh, my gosh! Jack
Griffith praised my name! He said it’s unique!
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