With an expression that said "I understand," Jasper cleared his throat awkwardly. "Sorry to interrupt, please continue..."
"Hey! Wait! You there!" Piper Gates tried to call for help, but Ray Dunlop had already dashed away. She sighed in frustration, "Why didn't you stop him?"
Jasper Hart relaxed his grip and replied, "It's done."
Piper finally felt free. She stood up straight and brushed her hair back, revealing a scar on her right cheek. Jasper glanced at it, his brow furrowing slightly.
Piper quickly tucked her hair to cover the scar and said, "Mr. Hart, are you sure you want to go out for dinner? My face isn't exactly a sight to behold. Maybe I should just send a gift instead?"
"Up to you," Jasper replied.
Piper wasn't quite sure what "up to you" meant, so she simply nodded and said, "Alright, I'll take my leave then."
Just as she turned to go, Jasper asked, "Which 'Shu' are you referring to?"
Piper paused, realizing he meant her surname. "It's Piper Downs, as in the 'Shu' of Piper Downs."
She thought to herself that her name sounded much nicer as Piper Downs, but now she could only be called Piper Gates.
She returned to the banquet hall, where most of the guests had already arrived. Cisco Gustin stood at the edge of the staircase, his face pale with anger, while Michelle Gates held his arm with a look of concern, whispering words of comfort.
Piper Gates ignored them, her face burning with embarrassment as she just wanted to find a cold drink to cool off.
In the garden, Ray Dunlop sneaked over and asked, "Where's Ms. Gates?"
"She ran off," Jasper Hart replied, lighting a cigarette with a smirk on his lips. Ray Dunlop scrutinized him and asked, "You're not actually falling for her, are you? Think it through!"
"Just tell me what you found out," Jasper said, taking a drag from his cigarette.
Ray adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and said, "This Miss Gates, she lost her mother at a young age and has been a punching bag in the Gates family. With her engagement to Cisco Gustin, she's basically just a pawn in a business marriage!"
Jasper furrowed his brow. He had only considered Piper Gate's mediocre treatment in the Stevens family, but he hadn't realized there were so many complications behind her situation.
He tossed the half-burned cigarette onto the ground, stepping on it with his leather shoes to extinguish it. "Is that all? How did she get that scar on her face?"
Ray Dunlop took a sip of red wine and replied, "I heard that when she was a teenager, she went out with Cisco Gustin and got into a minor car accident. Apparently, she got the scar from glass shards while trying to protect Cisco."
"The Gates couple happened to be on a business trip, and Piper Gates didn't receive timely medical attention. The wound was deep, so it left a scar. I took a glance at it yesterday, and it definitely looked like an old injury."
"Can it be removed?" Jasper Hart asked again.
Ray Dunlop shook his head. "It's hard to say. It's been a few years, and it's on her face. I only caught a glimpse of it, so I can't be sure."
Jasper Hart nodded, not pressing the issue further. "Let's head inside."
The two returned to the banquet hall and settled into a corner sofa. Jasper Hart glanced over and spotted Piper Gates nestled on the couch, sipping juice in small, delicate sips, looking adorable and charming.
He thought to himself, without that scar, she would be a top-tier beauty.
Unfortunately, such a gem was hidden beneath rough stone, and no one seemed to notice her worth.
Ray Dunlop followed his gaze and said, "I heard that the Gates family has two sisters, and both of them are quite good-looking."
Jasper Hart took a sip of red wine and said meaningfully, "There's a world of difference."
As the two chatted, more people had already stepped onto the dance floor. Michelle Gates approached Jasper with a highball glass in hand and softly said, "Mr. Hart, it's rare for you to be here. My grandfather has been thinking of you. How about staying for a late-night snack after the party?"
Michelle thought to herself that since her grandfather valued the Hart family so much, if she and Cisco Gustin could win over Jasper Hart, her grandfather would surely support them.
Jasper squinted slightly, glancing toward the corner where Piper Gates was sipping her drink. A playful look crossed his face as he replied, "Late-night snack?"
Seeing Jasper's expression, Michelle felt a surge of confidence. She nodded eagerly, "Yes, it's just a small gathering and will wrap up soon. With Mr. Hart here, our Gates family must host you properly."
Jasper turned his head to look at Piper Gates, who was playfully sipping through a straw, her eyes glancing at Michelle with a knowing look. It seemed she was still hung up on their earlier argument from lunchtime.
The guests around them were secretly watching the scene unfold. Michelle Gates was well-known in their social circle for her beauty, while Jasper Hart was infamous throughout the coastal city for his disinterest in women.
Now, with Michelle publicly inviting Jasper to stay for a late-night snack, if he accepted, it would be a huge deal!
Jasper leaned back slightly, his tailored suit pants hugging his long legs perfectly. He parted his thin lips and said, "Come here."
Michelle was taken aback, feeling a flutter of nerves. Although she had deep feelings for Cisco Gustin, Jasper was top-notch in every aspect—his presence, wealth, and looks were unmatched!
As the man lounged casually on the sofa, his magnetic voice beckoned her She found herself stepping forward, her cheeks flushed with shyness.
Ray Dunlop suddenly cleared his throat, causing Jasper to frown at Michelle. He raised a hand, gesturing for her to move aside.
Confused, Michelle stepped aside, following Jasper's gaze to see Piper Gates sipping through a straw.
Jasper then said again, "Come here."
Piper Gates blinked in surprise, pointing at herself. "Me?"
Jasper Hart nodded. Piper walked over, still confused, and asked, "What's up?"
"Want to grab a late-night snack?" Jasper asked.
Caught off guard by the random question, Piper shook her head. "No, thanks."
Jasper didn't seem bothered. He turned to Michelle Gates and replied, "No snack."
Michelle's face instantly flushed red. After inviting them so sweetly, all her efforts went to waste because Piper said no?
"Mr. Hart, I—"
"Is there something else?" Jasper interrupted, his tone displeased.
Michelle shrank back under his gaze, shaking her head. "No... nothing else..."
Seeing that there was nothing more to discuss, Piper turned to leave. Michelle quickly followed, gritting her teeth and saying, "Piper, don't get too cocky!"
Piper nodded. "Okay."
"You!"
Piper Gates sighed, speaking earnestly. "Michelle Gates, what do you want? You want Cisco Gustin? Fine, I'll step aside for you. I've already said I'm not interested anymore, so why are you still so angry?"
"Don't you get tired of being this upset every day? You look like a pufferfish. Does Cisco Gustin really like that?"
"Piper Gates! Who are you calling a pufferfish?" Michelle Gates was even angrier now.
Piper sighed again. "Getting worked up is bad for your health, really bad for your health..."
As she walked forward, Michelle, unable to contain her frustration, stepped on Piper's skirt, determined to make her stumble. But to her surprise, the skirt didn't budge at all.
Piper stopped in her tracks, turning to glare at Michelle with a piercing look. "Michelle Gates, I'm speaking to you calmly because I'm not afraid of you. You'd better tone it down!"
Michelle, taken aback, quickly withdrew her foot and shook her head innocently. "Sorry, sis, I didn't mean to step on your skirt. Please don't be mad..."
"Michelle!" Cisco Gustin approached, pulling Michelle behind him, looking at Piper with disdain. "What are you doing? Are you bullying Michelle again?"
After everything that happened today, Cisco Gustin felt he had seen through Piper Gates. Deep down, she was just a woman who belittled herself!
Piper opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything, Cisco fired off like a machine gun, "Piper, stop making a scene. I could never marry someone like you!"
"I already made it clear to your Dad and aunt that I want to back out of this marriage. I only want Michelle in my life; I don't want anyone else. Stop dreaming!"
"Cisco, please don't say that about my sister…" Michelle Gates tugged at Cisco's sleeve.
Cisco placed a hand on Michelle's shoulder and replied, "Michelle, if I don't set things straight with her, she'll keep clinging on. She's not like you; she doesn't understand."
"Cisco, my feelings for you are sincere. It's my fault for not controlling my emotions; I'm the one to blame…"
"Michelle, you're just too kind! Always thinking of others!"
As they exchanged words back and forth, Piper Gates had no patience for their little performance. She coldly interrupted, "Alright, you two stars, have you finished your act? Can you step aside now?"
Cisco Gustin shot a disgusted glance at Piper Gates before turning on his heel and walking away. Michelle Gates smirked at Piper, leaning in to whisper, "You ugly freak, you'll never outshine me!"
Her innocent face hid a venomous glint in her eyes.
"Oh really?" Piper Gates replied with a sweet smile, subtly extending her foot to firmly step on the hem of Michelle's skirt with her high heel!