Chapter 35
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Jared was holding a large white plush dog in his arms. The dog’s pocket was stuffed with the chocolates Yvonne used to love.
“Yvvy, this plush dog is made to look like Juno. I know you’ve always missed her, and now she’s back with you.”
Yvonne stood there, taking deep breaths. Juno was a Samoyed her family had owned when she was young. She’d been so adorable and fluffy, like a cotton ball.
When Juno passed away, Yvonne had cried for a long time and decided never to have a dog again.
Her eyes lingered on the dog, and for a moment, she seemed lost in thought.
“yvvy, Juno is a gift from Jared. You should accept it.” Just then, Ian appeared from behind the crowd. He was in his school uniform and sitting in a wheelchair, still wearing the youthful smile of a teenager.
It seemed everyone around was touched by the surprise. But there was no smile on Yvonne’s face.
“Ian, are you okay? Why did you leave school early?”
“I’m fine. Jared said he was preparing a surprise for you, so I came to help,” Ian said, his innocent smile still on his face.
“Yvvy, do you like the surprise I prepared for you today?” Jared asked, clearly pleased with his arrangement.
In truth, it had been a long time since he’d tried to win her over.
Since they hadn’t broken up after the Jamison family’s downfall, he often heard people praise his loyalty. For a while, he’d even taken her for granted and expected heremotional investment.
For the three years since he’d taken over Ford Corporation, Yvonne had been by his side, working as his secretary. He hadn’t had the time or the desire to care for her properly, so he’d forgotten her birthdays and their anniversaries.
To him, Yvonne was easy to please. He just needed to be with her and buy her designer gifts.
Jared walked up to Yvonne with a confident smile on his face.
“Yvvy, I admit that I neglected your feelings. The hydrangeas here and Juno’s plush doll are all things you love. I haven’t forgotten.”
This was the first time Jared had ever apologized to her.
Ian, unaware of what had happened between them, thought they must have had an argument, which was why he’d helped arrange the surprise. “Yvvy, just forgive Jared,” he said.
The restaurant’s staff was still cheering them on. Yvonne let out a cold laugh. She steadied her breathing, but her eyes remained emotionless.
“Yvvy, take my gift and come back to me,” Jared said, thinking his gesture was romantic. He was almost moved by his own actions. The next second, he opened his anns to embrace Yvonne.
But her gaze grew cold, and she sharply pushed his hands away. “Are you out of your mind?”
Jared was caught off guard as Yvonne pushed him back. The plush dog fell from his arms and hit the ground. At once, the entire room fell into silence.
Yvonne’s gaze was like a sharp blade, unyielding as she stared at Jared, whose shocked expression quickly turned to one of anger.
“I thought you’d thought things through and wouldn’t do this kind of dramatic nonsense again. To me, this isn’t a surprise. It’s a burden, a form of harassment.”
“What?” Jared clearly didn’t expect Yvonne’s reaction. He suddenly felt embarrassed.
The restaurant’s staff, who’d been watching the scene with admiration, now looked uncomfortable.
The piano music had stopped, and the whole ambiance, which was meant to be romantic, was now filled with an undeniable awkwardness.
Ian was equally shocked by Yvonne’s response and didn’t dare to speak.
The silence around them only fueled Jared’s growing rage.
