Jepherson didn't leave instantly but stood there while Stuart cleaned up and gazed at the flushing Lucy; their clothes were no longer wearable.
Stuart made a call to have someone send two sets of clothes over. Subsequently, they put them on and left.
Getting out of the car, Stuart took Lucy to rendezvous with Jepherson. Raeleigh and Jepherson had also just entered their room when a knock came at their door.
Raeleigh answered it and saw Stuart holding Lucy's hand, standing in front of her.
Lucy kept her head bowed, embarrassed; Stuart insisted on bringing her here.
"Come on in."
Raeleigh moved aside and let them in, only for Stuart to let go of Lucy's hand.
"Wait for me outside."
"Okay."
Stuart instructed before he entered the room. Raeleigh then closed the door.
Entering, Stuart made his way to Jepherson.
"Mr. Jepherson."
Stuart stood in front of Jepherson, who twiddled his potted plant.
"What's the matter?"
"Didn't you ask me over, Mr. Jepherson?" Stuart asked.
Jepherson's eyes landed thoughtfully on Stuart, "I did, didn't I? But I've forgotten what for. Why don't you jog my memory?"
Stuart darted a glance at Raeleigh before answering, "I want to marry Lucy."
Jepherson turned to stare at Stuart. "You're not joking with me, are you?"
"No, sir." Stuart's tone was resolute.
Jepherson said, "I've already given you a chance, but you're being erratic. What if you tell me later that you want a divorce?"
Stuart shook his head: "I won't."
"But I've already made up my mind, and I've promised the jewelry businessman I'll introduce you to his daughter. You should know that he has intended to take you in as his son-in-law since forever and that you have long since caught his daughter's fancy. This is why I called you over."
Stumped, Stuart recalled his evening and asked, "You were there when I was at the bar, weren't you, Mr. Jepherson?"
Jepherson did not conceal anything. "I saw you."
Stuart thought for a while and concluded, "You deliberately had the manager ask Lucy to go there?"
Jepherson replied, "Since you didn't end it cleanly with her, why should you be afraid of me?"
"What if something really happened to her?"
Jepherson quirked his eyebrow and looked into Stuart's eyes. "Do you think I would let anything happen to her?"
Jepherson spoke with a deadpan tone, but the coldness in his eyes was rather apparent.
Growing agitated, Stuart was silent for some time. "What are you trying to say, Mr. Jepherson?"
"I've told you to mull it over carefully, but you didn't. You can't blame me now, can you?"
Jepherson's seemingly callous comment astonished Raeleigh fairly.
Raeleigh couldn't think of another reason other than he was trying to provoke Stuart.
Stuart didn't answer, only staring at Jepherson.
Jepherson said, "Leave my side and take Lucy with you, or stay here and accept my arrangement. There are only two options for you. Make your decision."
Stuart stood there briefly and looked back at Raeleigh before his eyes fell on Jepherson. "Take care, Mr. Jepherson."
With that, Stuart headed for the door when Jepherson called out to him, "Stuart."
At the door, Stuart turned to look at Jepherson, who then asked, "Why?"
Stuart answered, "Without me, Mr. Jepherson, you'll still have plenty more Stuarts and Jareds, but there isn't another Stuart for Lucy."
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