Chapter 114: Where is His Juniper?
Ophelia hadn't reacted yet. Michael had already stood up, embracing the woman who had just entered, and introduced her to everyone.
"Her name is Sinclair Cross. We're engaged and planning to have the wedding next month."
The couple wore platinum engagement rings on their intertwined fingers.
"Sinclair, these two are my best friends, Magnus and Robert."
Sinclair greeted them with a smile. "Hello."
Magnus's sharp gaze briefly swept over Sinclair before quickly retracting, his dark eyes revealing no emotions.
With everyone gathered, the food was served quickly. Jennifer, sitting beside Magnus, ate while staring at the woman next to Michael.
Why did she dress so much like Mom?
Jennifer murmured softly to Magnus, "Dad, don't you think she looks a bit like Mom?" Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, audible only to Magnus.
Magnus placed a piece of rib on the little girl's plate and casually said, "No, don't say that."
"Oh, okay." Jennifer quietly picked up the rib and nibbled on it, keeping her mouth shut. She didn't say anything more.
Jennifer soon lost interest, but Ophelia, on the other hand, was curious. She looked at Sinclair's face, trying to understand.
Although Sinclair's appearance was sweet and gentle, upon closer inspection, it was quite different from Juniper's. However, her attire was remarkably similar to Juniper's, almost as if she was deliberately imitating her.
Could it be that Michael had this peculiar preference? Had he secretly been admiring a friend's woman this whole time?
Ophelia poured a glass of wine, stood up, and clinked glasses with Michael and Sinclair. "Here's to you, Sinclair. I wish you both a happy engagement."
Sinclair raised her glass promptly, "Thank you."
She tilted her head back and drank it all in one go. Ophelia watched her, smiling. What was she thinking? How could Sinclair be Juniper? Juniper wouldn't drink like that. Besides, Juniper didn't look like her at all.
Ophelia finished her drink.
Meanwhile, Michael was concerned. "Just a few sips will do. If you drink like this, you'll get drunk."
"I'm not a lightweight; it's fine. I was late earlier, and we agreed on a penalty drink that I haven't had yet."
Sinclair was about to pour herself another drink. Michael took the bottle directly, "No, I don't know how much you can drink."
Robert teased, "You're already doting on her so much and you're not even married yet."
Ophelia spoke up in Sinclair's defense. "Michael, don't show her up. Sinclair said she can handle it. Come on, Sinclair, let's have another drink."
Sinclair didn't notice Michael's shift in expression. She poured another drink and drank with Ophelia.
Ophelia looked at her and chuckled. "Michael, you said you weren't sure how much she could drink, but look at her. A few glasses down and her face hasn't changed a bit. Sinclair reminds me of someone, but that person can't handle alcohol; she breaks out in hives. Before drinking, she has to take antihistamines."
As she spoke, Ophelia kept eyeing Michael.
Sinclair was curious, "Is there really someone allergic to alcohol? Who is it, a friend of yours?"
"So Michael never told you about that person, huh? I thought you would have heard about her from Michael."
So, Sinclair knew nothing. But Ophelia was certain of one thing: this Sinclair was being treated as Juniper's substitute by Michael.
Michael's expression changed slightly, but he pretended not to notice and changed the subject. "The fish at this restaurant is excellent, wild-caught with tender meat. You should all try it."
Magnus, who had been silent all this while, finally spoke up when Sinclair offered him a toast.
"A toast to Magnus!"
Magnus raised his eyes slightly, his clear black gaze passing indifferently over her attire, and his voice turned cold, "This outfit doesn't suit you."
Michael's hand holding the fork tightened gradually.
Perplexed, Sinclair asked, "Is it not appropriate?"
Magnus didn't respond to her, bowing his head to serve Jennifer some food.
Sinclair stood there awkwardly with her glass, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Halfway through the meal, Magnus hadn't touched his drink. He asked the little girl beside him, "Are you full?"
Jennifer nodded. "Yes, I'm full."
"Take a piece of watermelon and we can go."
Jennifer loved watermelon, so she reached out and grabbed a slice.
Magnus stood up, "Jennifer's tired, so I'll take her home. You guys enjoy your meal."
Just as Magnus and Jennifer reached the car, Michael followed them out.
Magnus instructed Jennifer, "Get in the car first, Dad will talk to Michael for a moment and then come over."
"Okay." Jennifer obediently climbed into the car. She closed the door.
The two men stood not far away. Michael said, "Magnus, it's not what you think with Sinclair."
"If it's not what I think, why bother explaining it to me?"
"I..."
"Sinclair is Sinclair, Juniper is Juniper. I hope you can tell the difference."
Michael sighed. "Sinclair just happens to dress a bit like Juniper, but I've said it before, I've never had feelings for Juniper."
Magnus lightly tugged at his thin lips, seemingly indifferent to Michael's explanation. "If you need help with your business, let me know. If you want to return to SY, just tell me."
"Magnus..."
"Get back inside, they're all waiting for you."
"Will you be there on our wedding day?"
"We'll see. I can't stand weddings right now, you know, I'll be envious," Magnus said. His voice was light, sounding like a joke, yet Michael knew he was serious.
Michael comforted him, "Magnus, if it's too much, just let it go."
The words "let it go" sounded easy, but how could he control such turbulent emotions?
Magnus got into the car. Jennifer suddenly asked from the back seat, "Dad, does Michael like Mom too?"
Magnus paused slightly as he gripped the steering wheel. "Don't ask such questions in the future."
"Why?"
"Because you won't get an answer from me."
Jennifer, still holding the piece of watermelon she had taken a bite of, froze.
Back at Royal View, after putting Jennifer to bed, Magnus returned to the study. He opened the old black phone, browsed through the gallery, and looked at Juniper's photos for a while.
Suddenly, he remembered Sinclair.
Magnus smiled at the photo. Not at all alike. How could she compare to his Juniper? He stared at the photo for a long time.
He glanced at the calendar on the table. There was a red circle marking tomorrow, Juniper's memorial day. He had placed Juniper's grave at the Southern Cemetery, right next to Lyra's.
He called Joseph. "I won't be at the office tomorrow; reschedule all my meetings."
"Understood, Magnus."
After hanging up the phone, he rubbed his fingers against the photo. It had been a while since he visited her. Lately, with Jennifer in school, he was always busy attending various parent-teacher meetings. He looked at her photo, then lowered his head and kissed the silver ring on his ring finger.
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