Chapter 249
Chapter 249
Chapter 249 The Reunion
As they turned their heads, they met Jaquan’s icy and indifferent gaze.
In that instant, Belle felt a wave of guilt wash over her.
Her sister was easily fooled, but her nephew was no fool.
Belle quickly tried to cover up her mistake with a smile. “Oh Jaquan, you personality. I speak before I think. Don’t you know how I treat you guys?”
How did she treat them? Jaquan hadn’t forgotten.
know my
When his parents were still struggling, Belle used to badmouth Sarah, saying that Sarah had married the wrong person and asked for trouble.
Belle also would say things like, “The Chester family is a well-known family in Los Angeles, why marry a laborer?”. Her speeching was always annoying.
But times changed quickly, and the Dunphy family had firmly established themselves in Los Angeles, becoming part of the upper class, completely silencing Belle.
Belle’s attitude had also changed just as quickly as the times.
She no longer spoke those irritating words, and would often visit Sarah, asking about the Dunphy family’s business and Charle’s situation whenever she had the chance.
Even a young Jaquan could see Belle’s intentions clearly.
Sarah was too naive and sheltered by Charle, so she didn’t realize Belle’s true intentions, always greeting her with a smile.
But Belle’s schemes had never received a response from Sarah or anyone else. She was always left in the dark.
Back then, Belle was arranged to marry someone in New York.
If Sarah weren’t afraid that Belle would suffer in the new family, she wouldn’t have traveled all the way to New York during her pregnancy.
But Belle used the visit as gossip material to chat with others behind Sarah’s back. NôvelDrama.Org exclusive content.
She said that Sarah went on a trip when she was heavily pregnant, and because of fate, she lost Cierra during the earthquake.
So the Dunphy family was unlucky and everything was their own fault? Jaquan sneered
in his heart.
Belle’s gossip finally shattered Sarah’s naivete, and Sarah never again opened up to
Belle.
But their blood relationship could not be broken, and they had to maintain contact as
sisters.
Sarah began to give Belle a cold shoulder. When Cierra was still not found and Belle divorced her husband, Belle would often come and advise them to give up the search for Cierra, saying, “Life and death are predetermined.”
At the time, Jaquan’s father was furious and almost had a falling out with the Chester family. But after Belle’s father forced Belle to apologize, the matter was finally resolved.
In the years that followed, because of their unpleasant past, Belle rarely visited.
Jaquan didn’t feel like confronting Belle today, so he looked up and locked eyes with
Draven instead.
What an esteemed guest, he snorted.
As they stared at each other, sparks seemed to fly in the air.
Both were in positions of power, exuding an intimidating aura.
Unfortunately for Draven, he was much younger than Jaquan and couldn’t bear the
pressure.
Moreover, he had come to apologize rather than engage in a verbal sparring match, so he took the initiative to back down.
“Mr. Dunphy, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Draven extended his hand to Jaquan. “I’ve
heard of your legendary achievements since New York, and recently, I came to Los Angeles with some friends for a two-day trip. I asked Mrs. Chester to bring me here. I hope I’m not disturbing.”
Jaquan raised an eyebrow and sneered, “What if I do feel disturbed?”
He thought to himself, how dare Draven come to pay a visit?
In his eyes, Draven now must be quite something to associate with people like Belle.
Jaquan used to admire Draven in the business world, but now that he had heard about Cierra’s experience and Belle’s negative opinion of Sarah, all the appreciation he had for Draven had vanished. Disgust was all that remained.
Given his current state of mind, Jaquan had no desire to even touch Draven’s hand.
The atmosphere became tense.
Draven didn’t seem to find the situation awkward, but Ryan next to him was feeling anxious and uncomfortable.
If it weren’t for Cici, he would have pulled Draven away immediately.
He was aware that Jaquan didn’t respect Draven at all.
Draven, on the other hand, was the most composed among them, withdrawing his hand as if nothing had happened and flashing a faint smile on his handsome face.
“It’s understandable that you have some prejudices against me, and I’m aware that I’ve done some things wrong. I came prepared to face the consequences before I arrived, and I’m here to apologize. But as the old saying goes, it’s good to be amiable to guests, and Mr. Dunphy, you’re also a master of strategy in the business world. You wouldn’t want to hurt a potential partner’s feelings, would you?”
Jaquan didn’t hear the apology in Draven’s words, although he could detect a hint of willingness to make amends. However, he wasn’t in the mood to shake hands and make
peace.
He looked at Draven provocatively.
“It’s a pity that I’m not that kind of person. Being friendly may be a good thing, but the Dunphy family has no interest in going down the same road as you. You and I won’t get along well with each other, actually; What’s the point of being amiable to you?”
Jaquan just wanted Draven to fuck off immediately.
Draven didn’t seem to understand the underlying message in his words and continued to speak politely, “Even if we have no common interests, making a friend is better than having an enemy, isn’t it?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Jaquan sneered.
He didn’t hold back his laughter, and it was impolite, but he couldn’t help himself.
The Dunphy family already considered the Fu family as their enemy ever since he found out about the mistreatment Cierra had endured in New York, so there was no need for
him to remind them.
It was ridiculous for Draven’s attempts to make peace with him.
Draven furrowed his brow slightly, and after recalling Belle’s previous words, he began to suspect that Jaquan harbored ill will towards him.
If Cierra truly was the Dunphy family’s daughter, then it made sense for Jaquan to feel that way as her brother.
It was really ridiculous for him to try to make friends with Jaquan.
Although Jaquan and Draven were locked in a silent struggle, it didn’t mean that
everyone knew what was going on.
Belle didn’t understand why Draven, who had traveled all the way from New York to visit them with a gift, was being treated this way. They didn’t even offer him a drink of water, let alone hospitality.
She then raised her voice. “Jaquan, I don’t mean to criticize you, but you’re usually such a headstrong kid. How come you can’t distinguish right from wrong today? Mr. Trevino is our guest, no matter how you look at it. Why are you talking to him like that?”
Jaquan gave Belle a disdainful look, but Belle felt confident that she was right.
“Alright, it’s getting late, and if you two businessmen have any misunderstandings, you shouldn’t discuss them here. Why don’t you both take a step back and talk after dinner? By the way, did your family hire a new chef? It smells delicious.”
As she spoke, she sniffed the air.
Just then, a sweet voice came from behind the trees.
“Jaquan, did you say you had a guest? Why are you still standing there?”