Chapter 250: My Girlfriend, Hope
On the phone just now, Jerry’s meaning was clear: he had a girlfriend!
Who could this fortunate beauty be, capturing Jerry’s heart and securing his devotion? It didn't matter much. Ever since the unfortunate events two years ago, all their friends had longed for Jerry to let go of the past and embrace a new chapter of his life. Now, their fervent wishes seemed to have been fulfilled.
Jared swore to clear all obstacles for Jerry's girlfriend to prevent any misunderstandings because of Hope!
Elissa's reaction betrayed both disbelief and excitement. "What did you say? He has a girlfriend?"
Just half an hour ago, Hope had asked her to bring Nolan over first, while she stayed behind with Jerry at Tranquil Haven. Yet now, Jared was telling her that Jerry had a girlfriend. What else could it be? Jerry must have won Hope over! Elissa smirked, marveling at Jerry’s impeccable timing.
Seeing Elissa’s reaction, Jared felt even more self-assured. "Surprised? I’m telling you, you better take the kid and leave, so you don’t embarrass yourself later."
"I can leave, but…" Elissa glanced at Jared as if he were missing something obvious and pointed at Nolan. "He has to leave too?"
Francis, who had been engrossed in his phone, looked up nonchalantly. "Jared, wait until Jerry gets here."
Jared shook his head firmly. "If we wait for Jerry, it’ll be too late to explain!"
After all, Jerry’s girlfriend would likely show up, too. Jared looked at Elissa and nodded decisively. "Otherwise? Leave a kid here, and how are we going to explain to Jerry’s girlfriend later? Should we say he's Jerry’s cousin?”
Elissa, feeling a mix of satisfaction and vengefulness, smiled coyly. "Are you sure? What if he really is Jerry’s cousin?"
Nolan, sitting quietly on the couch, blinked his big eyes and swung his little legs, unaware of the adult drama unfolding around him.
Jared rolled his eyes. "Impossible. Jerry hates kids. He would never bring a cousin around. If you’re going to lie, at least make it believable."
"Alright," Elissa replied, still amused by Jared’s stubbornness. "Anything else? Should I tell my friend not to come to this birthday party?”
Jared’s eyes widened in nervous anticipation. "She’s coming too?"
He remembered seeing Hope at Kimberly's birthday party. Her features, while not exceptionally stunning, combined into a captivating and cool demeanor. Any man with such a first love would waver under her charm.
Elissa nodded, her smile mischievous. "Yes. Should I call her and tell her not to come?"
Jared didn't hesitate. "You better call her right away."
Francis glanced at Elissa and then at Jared, lightly reminding him, "Have you ever thought that Jerry's girlfriend might be Hope?"
Jared looked puzzled. He had never considered that possibility. The abandonment two years ago had, in his mind, severed all ties. Jerry, with his proud nature, would never return to a woman who had betrayed him. Besides, when Jared visited Jerry's house yesterday, Jerry hadn't mentioned anything about being involved with Hope again.
After sorting through his thoughts, Jared shook his head firmly. "No way. Francis, you really don't understand Jerry."
Francis didn't bother to argue further. He knew exactly what Jerry was thinking. Jerry could wait for someone for over twenty years without any apparent hope; he wouldn't easily shift his focus.
Moreover, since Elissa, Hope's friend, had already arrived in Maple Valley, Hope was likely there, too. But when Jerry heard that Elissa was in Maple Valley yesterday, he hadn’t shown any surprise at all.
What did that mean? It meant he already knew and was still persistent about Hope, which also meant Jared was indeed in trouble.
Elissa found Jared adorably foolish and relished the drama. "How about we make a bet?"
Jared asked, "What kind of bet?"
Elissa sneered, "Bet on whether Jerry's girlfriend is Hope."
"Okay." Jared nodded and suddenly asked, "Wait, do you know something? Did Jerry really fall into your friend's trap?"
Elissa shrugged, "What do you mean? You better watch your words, or you'll embarrass yourself when the truth comes out."
Jared shrugged. "Of course, it's a trap. For Jerry to pursue her again, your friend must have cried her heart out begging Jerry."
At that moment, Jerry and I walked to the private room door. As he pushed it open, I heard Jared's last sentence. I was momentarily stunned, while Jerry looked at Jared with a smile. "Let me introduce my girlfriend—Hope."
Jared was completely dumbfounded. His eyes widened, darting back and forth between Jerry and me, finally landing on our clasped hands. He looked like he had been struck by lightning.
In the next moment, he slapped his thigh, stood up abruptly, and smiled like a blooming flower. "Hope, I'm Jared Blake; you can call me Jared. So Jerry's girlfriend is you! I knew it; only you are worthy of Jerry! Jerry is lucky to be with you!"
I smiled slightly. "Hello, I'm Hope Royston."
Jared's mouth was full of compliments. "Hope, no wonder Jerry has been thinking about you all these years. You two are a perfect match, a match made in heaven!"
Elissa shook her head repeatedly. "Jared, that's not what you said earlier..."
Jared quickly turned to Elissa. "Elissa! Didn't you want a store? Tomorrow, you will have one! Even if I have to pay a penalty to make other brands move out, I'll get it for you."
Elissa asked, "Really?"
"I swear," Jared promised.
Elissa raised an eyebrow. "Alright, since you're so nice. I can be forgetful for once."
Jerry pulled out a chair for me, and after I sat down, he sat next to me. Nolan slid off the couch and ran over with his little legs. "Hope! Are you going to be Jerry's girlfriend from now on?"
I picked Nolan up and looked at Jerry with a smile. "Well...That depends on how Jerry behaves."
Hearing this, Nolan looked at Jerry seriously. "Jerry! You have to work hard!"
"Working on it." Jerry smiled, his long arm draped over my shoulder, his smile a bit seductive. "Never worked this hard before."
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