Chapter 37 Parent-Child Activities
Something didn't sit right with Robert, and then it hit him like a flash of lightning. "Is this a gift from Juniper? I remember now, yesterday Ophelia dragged Juniper to the mall to pick up some cigars for my dad. She must have bought the incense then, right?"
With his face tense, Magnus denied it, a flat "No, you are overthinking it."
"Come on, if it's a no, then it's a no. Why so serious?" he quipped, leaning back against the wall. "You've always been stubborn, but don't let your guard down just because she tosses a trinket your way. A smoking habit? Maybe you get hooked. But love? Once it grabs you, it's downright bewitching."
To Magnus, Juniper was a poison that seeped into his veins.
Robert feared he would fall into old patterns, never to recover.
With a stoic expression, Magnus replied coolly, "I won't step in the same river twice. I'm not that forgetful, and Juniper doesn't hold that kind of sway over me."
Robert smirked with a hint of mischief. "To me, Juniper's allure is negligible, but whether you've truly learned your lesson—that's questionable!"
Back in grad school, who didn't know about Magnus's fling with a girl five years his junior? So smitten he was, he even quit smoking, all because Juniper detested the smell.
Magnus's pockets were constantly stuffed with the peppermint candies that Juniper gave him.
Back then, just on the cusp of his doctoral graduation, Magnus’s bright future was almost wrecked—all thanks to Juniper.
Sometimes Robert truly couldn't fathom what was so special about Juniper, something so compelling that Magnus couldn't shake her from his mind, clinging to memories steeped in six years of resentment.
"By the way, our company's 6th anniversary is coming up in a few days. What are your plans for the celebration?"
"Whatever you and Michael think is best. Just coordinate with the planning department. I'm easy."
The anniversary fell on June 6th, marking not just six years since the founding of their firm but also... Juniper's birthday.
Starting this company had been his grand gesture for Juniper’s 18th birthday—a blueprint for their future together.
That bright future had once cast Juniper in the role of its leading lady.
But ironically, the night of June 6th became a stain on his life, all thanks to Juniper.
...
Sales Office.
Bathroom interior.
"Our company's big sixth-anniversary celebration is just around the corner. This sales event is gonna be off the charts—double sixes, on June 6th! If I had the cash, I'd jump at the chance this time!"
Rumors had been swirling about Mr. Blackwood, the story went that he once had a girlfriend back in his grad school days. The reason Sycamore Group was founded on June 6th was because that date was Mr. Blackwood's gift to his first love on her birthday.
"Holy smokes, that's so romantic! This is news to me! She must have been his first love like from novels. But what a blind first love to let go of such an outstanding and devoted man!"
"Tell me about it. If that first love hadn't let go of our Mr. Blackwood, there would be no room for a Mary!"
Patricia was washing her hands in the restroom, overhearing this gossip, and she was fuming.
As soon as the two gossips emerged, Patricia cornered them.
"You think it's okay to chit-chat about Mr. Blackwood's personal life? I've recorded your conversation. If you want to keep your jobs at the group, you'd better keep your mouths shut from now on!"
The two female employees were at a loss for words.
"Look, colleague, we were just joking around. Why are you making such a big deal about it?"
"Exactly, what workplace doesn't have its gossip or buzz? Why can't you just fit in?"
Patricia was stern, "I don't care about other companies, but here at Sycamore Group, where I'm part of the planning department, we're at a sales office. If a client heard your chat, that would be bad news! Zip it! And, Mr. Blackwood doesn't have any first love, stop making up stories!"
Realizing Patricia was a busybody, the two women muttered curses under their breath and left quickly.
"Is she crazy? What's it to her!"
Patricia dried her hands and dialed Matthew's number.
"Have you arrived?"
"I'm here, about to do some charming, gotta go."
Patricia glanced at herself in the mirror, a sly smile hinting at malice.
First love, eh?
What if his first love wasn't as innocent as he thought?
...
In the sales center lobby, Juniper was showing Matthew some properties.
After listening for some time, Matthew scratched his head over his sunglasses and said, "Listen, honey, all this talk isn't helping me see anything. If I'm buying, I need to see the real deal."
Her request was perfectly reasonable.
"Well then, Mr. White, let me take you to our model unit to have a look."
"Let's go!"
Since the project was pre-construction, the model unit was complete while many others were still under construction.
Upon arriving at the location, Juniper introduced the property to Matthew, "Even though it's not entirely complete yet, most of the units have sold. The one Mr. White just looked at—1,940 square feet—there are only three left. If you're satisfied, Mr. White, I'd suggest acting quickly. They should be ready to move in by the end of the year."
"Sounds good. If I buy a place from you, what's your commission rate?"
Juniper was upfront, replying with openness, "Two percent."
"So, just a few thousand? Must be tough, selling houses, right?"
"It's not too bad, actually. I can handle the hard work."
They entered the model unit.
As Juniper switched on the lights, Matthew, who was behind her, suddenly twisted his ankle.
"Ouch!"
Juniper turned around swiftly, rushing to his aid, "Mr. White, what happened?"
Matthew grimaced with pain, "Tripped over the doorstep and twisted my ankle, it's really hurting."
"What should we do? Let me help you to that chair over there. I'm so sorry, is the pain bad? Maybe I should take you to the hospital?"
Matthew, feeling how concerned she was, thought she was falling for his ruse.
He spun around, suddenly cornering her against the wall.
Juniper was startled, "Mr. White, your foot's better?"
Matthew looked down at her, his eyes filled with an intense gaze, "Look at you, sweating from showing houses in this heat. Let me help you with that."
Reaching for a tissue, Matthew was about to dab at her forehead.
Juniper was quick, grabbing the tissue from him, "I've got it!"
Then his hand moved to push back a stray strand of hair from her face.
Juniper slipped out from under his arm in fear.
"Mr. White, what do you think of this model unit? Does it meet your expectations?"
Juniper continued to play it cool.
She was eager to close the deal with Matthew—Jennifer's surgery couldn't be postponed any longer.
Matthew glanced around nonchalantly, finally resting his eyes upon her pretty, clean-cut face, "Miss Beaumont, you're too pretty for just an ordinary sales job. It's a waste. Selling houses is tough, and a face as pretty as yours is a rare asset; the return on investment for you in real estate is too low—it's a loss."
Juniper played dumb, "Mr. White, there are plenty of people prettier than me. I'm nothing special. Besides, I quite like selling houses. So, are you interested in buying this one?"
Matthew slid out a business card and a hotel key card from his wallet and handed them to her. "Tonight, meet me at the Banyan Tree Hotel with the contract. Two percent commission—that's nothing. Put in a bit more effort and you might just make ten percent in one night."
She remained silent.
Seeing her quiet, Matthew leaned in closer, his voice taking on a suggestive tone: "Ms. Beaumont, the pencil skirt you're wearing is quite fetching—suits you well for a professional look. No need to change after work; come to see me just like this."
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