Chapter 17
288 Vouchers
Jennifer truly held no resentment.
After all, without the Hill family, she wouldn’t be who she was today. Back in middle school, her parents would’ve dragged her home-seduced by a dowry they couldn’t refuse-forcing her to marry an old stranger she’d never met.
The Hills saved her life. Everything she did back then was just repaying that debt.
She had once developed feelings for Kevin. When Mrs. Hill suggested she become her daughter-in-law, Jennifer hadn’t been without joy. And later, hearing Kevin declare he only saw her as a sister? That genuinely hurt.
But all of that had long been buried in the past by her when Kevin drew a clear line in their relationship.
“I just see them as benefactors, that’s all.”
The two walked and talked, unaware of the figure trailing behind them, hearing every word clearly.
Then upon hearing this, the figure froze completely on the spot.
Just benefactors, that’s all.
Kevin suddenly recalled three years ago, when friends threw a banquet celebrating his recovery. At the banquet, they spoke of how Jennifer had cared for her all those years,
“Now that Kevin’s fully recovered, Jennifer’s hardships have finally paid off. She’s seeing the light at last.”
“Kevin, when are you marrying her?”
Hearing this, his expression instantly turned icy. “Stop the nonsense. I only see her as a sister.”
Now thinking back, not long after he said those words, Jennifer pushed the door open and walked in-likely having overheard that remark.
Back then, he only felt those years of paralysis had made him appear too wretched, too pitiful.
He believed he ought to be a dazzling star, someone admired by all, someone who should bear no blemish.
So he desperately avoided any mention of his paralyzed years and deliberately distanced himself from Jennifer, who was inextricably tied to that period.
Arrogantly, he thought that as long as he remembered her kindness, giving her ample money and respect, Jennifer should accept it with gratitude.
At that time, he casually spoke those words, never imagining how deeply they would wound her heart.
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Chapter 17
Until this very moment, when she heard echoes of that same sentiment.
I only saw them as benefactors.
How is this not tit for tat?
288 Vouchers.
He lowered his head with a bitter smile, pulling a square velvet box from his trench coat pocket. With a soft click, the box revealed its contents.
A diamond ring, centered with a 5-carat pink diamond flanked by pavé letters:
“K&J”
Carefully lifting the ring, he traced the raised letters with his thumb.
Kevin and Jennifer.
This engagement ring had been custom-made after he’d realized his feelings.
Not knowing when he’d see Jennifer again, he’d carried it daily, hoping to someday slip it onto her ring finger.
He finally got to see her again, but never had the chance to take out this ring.
Jennifer and Kyle’s wedding invitation arrived at Hill group three days later. Larry and the others happened to be
there when it was delivered.
The assistant took the invitation upstairs. Pushing the door open, he only saw Larry and his friends. After a brief pause, he handed them the invitation, asking them to pass it along.
Staring at the red card, they exchanged glances before giving in to curiosity and opening it.
They silently reassured themselves,
“It’s just an invitation, not classified documents.”
But when they saw the name inside, everyone present gasped.
Jennifer?
Was it the Jennifer they were thinking of?
Just then, a voice suddenly rang out, “What’s everyone crowding around for?”
