Chapter 534 Jessica's Memory (Part 3)
Clayton didn't have beef with Jessica; it was just that he was getting up there in age. If the Murphy family wanted to keep their swag or even level up in the future, it was all on Jasper to make that happen.
Jasper had the weight of the Murphy family's future on his shoulders, plus the mission of tracking down Elodie and Harper. Once they found Elodie and Harper, the Murphy family had to be strong enough to make sure nothing like that ever went down again.
So, teaming up with a powerful ally was Jasper's fate. It wasn't that Jessica was bad; she just didn't make the cut. Even if Clayton felt bad for her and let Jasper marry her, if the Murphy family ever tanked, Clayton didn't want to see the Miller family tragedy play out again. So, for Jessica's sake, Clayton hoped she could marry into a similar family and live a chill and happy life.
Clayton looked at Jessica's pale fingers and sighed, "In the end, it's the Murphy family that owes you. Jasper suggested compensating you, and I think it's a good idea. Better yourself, and in the future, find a man who loves you and live a peaceful and happy life. The Murphy family will always have your back."
The warm yellow light in the study made Jessica's face look even more pale and fragile. She asked, "Mr. Murphy, is it Mr. Jasper Murphy's idea for me to study abroad in Novaria?"
Clayton nodded slightly.
Jessica's body swayed a bit, feeling super bitter inside. Clayton saw this and felt helpless. He knew Jasper well; like him, Jasper was slow on the uptake when it came to love. Jessica had clearly been into Jasper for a long time, but he hadn't noticed at all.
This should have been nipped in the bud ages ago. Clayton had to play the bad guy.
Clayton's voice was gentle, "Jessica, I know you're good. I hope you understand that I have my selfish reasons. You and Jasper just aren't a good match."
Jessica felt super embarrassed. Honestly, it was all her wishful thinking. Clayton could have just ignored her and called her out for being shameless. But he was classy, never speaking too harshly, taking the blame on himself, which made her feel even more ashamed.
With things laid out like this, if Jessica didn't accept Clayton's kindness, she'd come off as ungrateful and annoying.
Jessica forced a stiff smile, her eyes particularly bright, seeing through people's hearts. "I get it. Don't worry, I... I'll go."
Clayton was very satisfied, "I knew you were understanding. If there's nothing else, you can go about your business."
Jessica didn't leave right away; she called softly, "Mr. Murphy."
Clayton lifted his eyelids and looked at her. Jessica had already masked her emotions and said softly, "I have one more favor to ask."
"What is it?"
"I hope you don't tell my mom about this. I don't want her to worry."
Clayton frowned slightly. Actually, if Jessica hadn't mentioned it, he had planned to inform Zoey. He had no beef with Zoey; she was meticulous in her work and was someone Elodie had chosen, so she must be good. Jessica was, after all, Zoey's kid. She had a thing with Jasper, and out of respect, he should let Zoey know.
Jessica thought Clayton's silence meant he was worried she still had feelings for his son, so she quickly explained, "Mr. Murphy, don't stress. What went down at the bar was a total accident. I had a part in it too. It's not all Mr. Jasper Murphy's fault. It won't happen again."
Seeing that Jessica really didn't want Zoey to know, Clayton had to agree, "Alright, I won't tell her. Sorry for letting you shoulder it alone."
Jessica shook her head, "Mr. Murphy, don't sweat it. You've been so good to us and taken care of my mom. I shouldn't have had such thoughts. It's on me."
Clayton didn't expect Jessica to be so young yet so sharp. She could read people like a book. Talking to someone that smart saved a lot of hassle.
Jessica took the black card Clayton had given her from the file bag and respectfully handed it over with both hands. "Mr. Murphy, I've already saved up for my tuition, and I can do some part-time jobs during college to support myself, so please take this money back."
Clayton frowned, "Keep the card. It's a small token from me."
Jessica was about to refuse when she heard Clayton say, "Jessica, I don't like owing people. If you accept this money, I can be at ease."
Deep down, Clayton still didn't trust her to live alone.
Jessica thought about it and accepted the card to put Clayton at ease. However, she wouldn't use the money and would return it at a suitable time in the future.
The next day, Jessica told Zoey about her plan to study abroad in Novaria. Zoey was super surprised, "Jessica, didn't you say you were going to college locally? Why are you going so far away?"
Jessica massaged Zoey's shoulders and smiled, "Mom, it's different. The school in Novaria is more famous for fashion and jewelry design. Since I'm going to college, I might as well go for the best. I like this university more."
Zoey was reluctant to let her go, her voice choked, "But it's so far away."
"It's not that far." Jessica pretended to be cheerful, hiding her emotions well, "Four years will fly by. And Mr. Murphy is so kind, giving you a month's vacation every year. I can bring you to Novaria to see different cultures. Wouldn't that be cool?"
Jessica was perceptive, and Zoey rubbed her hands together, feeling uneasy, "Jessica, is it because of the time I scold you? Are you still holding a grudge? I..."
Zoey's throat choked, "I had no choice. Mrs. Murphy has been so good to us. Our family really doesn't match her son. I know what I said last time hurt your pride, but Mr. Jasper Murphy is indeed different from us. I apologize. Please understand me, okay?"
Clayton's words echoed in her mind. Everyone wanted Jessica to understand them, but no one ever thought to understand her.
Jessica never had the intention of seducing Jasper; she just didn't expect that simply giving herself to Jasper could make them afraid. If she had known earlier, she wouldn't have made such a big mistake.
Jessica's nose felt sour, and she took a deep breath, forcing a smile, "Mom, really, it's not that. I genuinely want to go to the university in Novaria."
Since it was about Jessica's future, Zoey naturally wanted the best for her and didn't stop her.
Zoey sighed and muttered, "Jessica, you've made up your mind. I can't control you. Just take care of yourself."
Jessica's eyes welled up, "Mom, you take care of yourself too. I'll grow to be your support."
A few days later, Clayton had already set everything up for Jessica, and she was ready to bounce soon. Jessica said goodbye to her close friends and had dinner out, coming home super late. Seeing that Zoey hadn't gone to her room yet, she went to find her as usual to see if there was anything she needed help with.
When she got there, she saw Jasper, whom she hadn't seen in days. He was sitting on the sofa, looking a bit worn out, like he had been drinking again.
As Jessica passed by the sofa, she didn't stop and kept walking. She no longer had the right to care about him. Jasper's way of compensating her was to send her to another country, which showed he really didn't want to see her.
So many days had passed, and compared to the initial gut-wrenching pain, she could now hide her feelings well.
Jessica had grown up in a tough environment and had lived a nomadic life with Zoey, making her much more resilient than most people. These experiences had also made her very proud, sensitive, and mature for her age. She was very afraid of being looked down upon, so she would never overstep her bounds again and would walk her own path.
Clayton's words made her understand one thing: class is insurmountable, invisible yet present.
In the kitchen, not finding Zoey, Jessica decided to leave. After taking a few steps, she saw Jasper leaning back on the sofa, his throat moving uncomfortably.
Jessica knew that every time he drank, his throat would hurt. After a few moments of hesitation, she went back to the kitchen and made a glass of lemon water as usual. After all, she was leaving tomorrow, and this would be the last time she made lemon water for him.
Once it was ready, Jessica quietly placed it on the table in front of Jasper without him noticing. After taking one last deep look at him, she turned and left.
Jasper, who had chronic throat pain since childhood, felt very uncomfortable after drinking. He opened his eyes, wanting to get some water. Just as he was about to get up, he saw the glass in front of him. He picked it up and took a sip, then another big gulp, feeling much better.
Thinking carefully, he realized he hadn't seen Jessica in many days because he had been so busy.
Of course, the reason he didn't see her wasn't just because of this. After the incident, Jasper kept dreaming about that scene. Jessica's pain and her whimpers made him react inappropriately in his dreams.
Before this, Jasper never knew he had such strong desires. Jasper thought it was because he had experienced it once that he couldn't stop thinking about it. But in the bar, when those women approached him, he felt nothing but disgust, let alone having the desire to start a relationship with them.
Jasper's mind was in turmoil. On one hand, he felt like a jerk for dreaming about sleeping with Jessica. On the other hand, he couldn't understand his own feelings. Why did he only have these thoughts about Jessica, someone he had watched grow up like a sister? This made him feel guilty and like a complete jerk.
Jasper put down the glass and took out a four-leaf clover necklace from his pocket, which a friend had persuaded him to buy, saying that girls loved jewelry.
Jasper immediately liked this red necklace when he saw it, which symbolized happiness. The necklace had been with him for days, and he had always wanted to give it to Jessica but couldn't find an excuse.
Jasper finished the water in the glass, thinking that tomorrow, he would definitely give it to her.
The next day, after finishing his work at the company, Jasper called Jessica. The sound of a disconnected number made him frown.
Not believing it, he dialed again, but it was still disconnected. Opening his messages, he thought for a moment and sent a question mark.
Jasper never thought he would be blocked by Jessica one day. He recalled the past few days, realizing he hadn't done anything wrong. To prevent awkwardness, he had even deliberately avoided her.
The red four-leaf clover necklace lay in a beautiful gift box on the table. Jasper stared at it for a moment, then slammed the lid shut and threw it into the trash can. He really didn't have time to guess a young girl's thoughts. If that was how it was, so be it.
As he got up to attend a meeting, he glanced at the gift box in the trash can and suddenly bent down to pick it up. After all, it was the first necklace he had ever bought. Jasper put it in the farthest corner of his drawer and stopped thinking about it.
A big project came up, and he was busy for nearly twenty days, rarely at home. When the project was done, the company held a celebration party, and he drank quite a bit.
After getting in the car, he felt utterly exhausted. The driver asked, "Mr. Murphy, to the apartment or somewhere else?"
Jasper rubbed his head, his throat slightly aching, making him miss the taste of lemon water. He said softly, "Back to the Murphy Mansion."
The car drove to the Murphy Mansion. Jasper stepped inside, finding the living room unchanged. He threw off his suit and collapsed on the sofa. In the middle of the night, his throat hurt badly. Reaching out, he found a glass of cold water on the table. Without looking up, he drank it, but the taste was off.
He then realized that it was a glass of plain ice water, not lemon water.
He sat up and saw a servant passing by, so he called out. "Where's Jessica?"
The servant was stunned for a moment, then recalled that he hadn't been home for a while and replied, "Mr. Murphy, Jessica went to study a long time ago."
Jasper, drunk, didn't react immediately. Then he remembered she had gone to college. He asked, "Doesn't she come back on weekends?"
The servant looked at Jasper incredulously and said, "Mr. Murphy, are you joking? Jessica went to a university in Novaria. It takes a day and a half to get there, and two days aren't enough for a round trip."
Jasper was suddenly stunned. A few seconds later, the glass in his hand fell onto the carpet, luckily not breaking.
Jasper repeated in disbelief, "She went to Novaria for college?"
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