Chapter 35 Rumors
A black Maybach approached the villa slowly.
Juniper quickly got to her feet, ready to greet Magnus with all due respect.
The rear passenger door opened, and he stepped out, striding towards her. He was dressed in an exquisite black shirt and trousers, his suit jacket draped over his left arm, tie loosened, the top three buttons of his shirt undone, revealing his collarbone.
The usually reserved Magnus appeared more relaxed and casually wild at that moment.
As he reached Juniper, she could detect the scent of alcohol on him—not strong but undeniably present.
"Have you been waiting long?" he asked.
From seven in the evening until past one in the morning—nearly seven hours.
But Juniper dared not complain, smiling instead and responding, "Not too long."
He glanced at her with a probing gaze that made her involuntarily ponder herself.
Had she upset him again?
Magnus walked past her, using his fingerprint to unlock the door and said, "The passcode is 07102018; next time, feel free to come right in."
July 10, 2018, was the day Juniper testified against him in court.
Juniper was stunned, managing a wry smile, "I'm sorry for making that day such an awful memory for you."
It was her fault.
"I made this my password as a constant reminder that you're my adversary. As for memories, the ones we share—apart from your testimony against me—I've mostly forgotten," Magnus said, his handsome face shrouded in the dim light, his voice devoid of emotion.
A warmth tinged Juniper's eyes. She forced a smile and said, "Maybe it's for the best."
Magnus's life was meant for boundless promise and vigor, not to be tarnished by a disgraceful past.
She felt like nothing more than the mud stuck to the sole of his shoes, easily wiped away.
The doors to the villa swung open, and Juniper followed Magnus inside.
Tonight, Magnus seemed exhausted, tearing off his tie and leaning back on the couch to rest as soon as they entered.
Juniper clutched a gift bag, uncertain whether to place it on the table or mention it to him.
Magnus obviously noticed, his brow furrowing slightly. "What's that in your hand?"
"I... When I was shopping with Ophelia, I stumbled upon this and thought you might find it useful, so I bought it," Juniper stammered. "It's an aromatic wood strip. The sales associate told me it’s supposed to have a soothing effect when used with a cigarette. You could try it, and if you don't like it, toss it. But if you do..."
"You bought it for me?"
"Uh?" Juniper faltered, taking a few seconds to reply.
Magnus probably didn't appreciate her presumptuousness.
She quickly added, "If Mr. Blackwood finds it useful, you could buy it yourself or have Miss Sinclair..."
"Why suddenly give me a gift?"
Magnus's questioning manner was that of an interrogator, especially relaxed in his seat, making Juniper stand rigidly.
Feeling the pressure, she explained thoroughly, "Ophelia told me that when Mr. Blackwood learned Christopher and Boris conspired to steal my work, you had HR fire them immediately—that was helping me. And last time, regardless of the reason, Mr. Blackwood saved me. This gift isn't expensive; it's just a small token of my gratitude."
"Dismissing Christopher and Boris was merely housecleaning for the corporation; it had nothing to do with you."
Juniper nodded with a slight droop in her aqua eyes, "Yeah, I know. I won't overstep."
She was almost too well-behaved.
As if nothing he did could ever upset her.
But the more passive she became, the more it irritated him.
His imposing silhouette engulfed her.
Only a dim nightlight illuminated the room as Magnus stood before her, his voice cutting through the shadows, "If you really want to thank me, you should know that such trivial gifts won't suffice."
"And how does Mr. Blackwood wish to be thanked?" she asked.
Magnus didn't respond.
But in the next instant, Juniper found herself pushed onto the couch.
Magnus loomed over her, his long legs flanking her sides, pinning her down, "Kiss me."
His dark, intense eyes were icy and unfathomable as they bore into her, void of affection. Yet, the words he uttered set her heart racing and her cheeks ablaze.
Juniper's face warmed as she leaned in and lifted her head, her lips meeting his.
Her movements were tentative, a stark contrast to the passion of their past kisses, barely grazing his lips.
But that skimming touch was like a deliberate provocation.
Magnus's hand delved into her thick hair, seizing the back of her head as he dove in, turning the tables with a deep kiss.
Lips and tongues entwined.
Against Magnus, Juniper never stood a chance.
She always found herself helplessly lost in him.
Knowing well there was no future...
As they kissed, a warm tear slipped from the corner of her eye.
Feeling a sudden weightlessness, she realized Magnus was carrying her to the bedroom.
Last time, they had been together in a haze, but this time she was fully aware.
A maelstrom of emotions built up at her heart, threatening to erupt.
Tears of restraint or heartache wet her temples.
But Magnus misunderstood, "Feeling like you're selling yourself? That it's demeaning? Reluctant?"
She had never imagined that their intimate connection would one day be reduced to a transaction.
She felt like the seller, and he, the buyer.
Magnus's movements were rough, almost forceful.
He said, "Ten thousand a time. Don't give me that look."
The look of unwillingness.
It made him feel as if he, Magnus, had resorted to coercing a woman who was reluctant to stay with him — a woman who was his enemy.
He was being a jerk, time and time again.
Juniper curled the corners of her lips, trying to muster a smile for him.
But as her eyes fell upon the prominent scar over his left chest, the smile just wouldn't come.
That was the scar from the stabbing that nearly hit his heart in prison.
She reached out slowly, her hand gently tracing the mark as she buried her face in Magnus’s shoulder, tears flowing freely...
No matter how many times she said "I’m sorry," it all seemed so futile and pale in comparison.
...
The episode had ended, and it was now well past midnight.
Magnus had drunk too much that evening, and his stomach was in severe pain.
Juniper slipped on her clothes and went downstairs to the kitchen to prepare some honey water for him.
Magnus leaned against the headboard, regulating his breath, trying to ease the stomachache.
Suddenly, his cell phone rang with an unfamiliar number.
He didn't want to answer, cutting off the call once.
But a second later, the phone rang again.
The man frowned slightly and picked up, his voice rough with irritation, "Who's this?"
But the voice on the other end was soft and warm, "Sir, it's me! Jennifer! Why are you so gruff?"
...
Magnus felt a mix of helplessness and at a loss for words.
Why was this young girl calling him in the middle of the night?
"Why aren't you asleep?"
Though slightly impatient, Magnus’s tone was much softer than before.
On the other end, the young girl let out a sigh, "I was asleep, but I had a nightmare and woke up! My mom's not home, she's still at work and I didn’t want to disturb her. But I was scared, so I thought I’d call you. Looks like we're both night owls!"
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