Chapter 43 Exciting, isn't it, Juniper?
A twitch tugged at the corner of her lips.
She forced a smile, "Is this supposed to be an invitation, Mr. Robert?"
"So what if it is? Are you going to sue me or something?"
"I couldn't beat Mr. Robert in a lawsuit."
She wouldn't bother with such pettiness over a dance.
Robert, always sharp-tongued, said, "At least you're aware of that."
Juniper glanced at Magnus and Ophelia across the room, her lips curling with insinuation. "Are you jealous Ophelia's dancing with someone else, Mr. Robert?"
"You wouldn't find it odd that your best friend is dancing with your ex?"
"Dancing with the best friend of my ex and the husband of my best friend—isn’t that odd, too?"
Robert had never liked Juniper, not since their college days. "You've gone to great lengths to get into Sycamore Group. You're not hoping to get back together with Magnus, are you?"
"Mr. Robert, you referred to it as a shattered mirror. Even if pieced back together, the cracks will remain, it can never be as it was before."
"Good that you understand. Six years ago, Magnus nearly got stabbed in the heart in prison. I had to pull strings to get him to a hospital. He was covered in blood, barely conscious, close to death, yet he was still calling out your name. Juniper, while this man was wholeheartedly planning your future together, you mercilessly betrayed him. You should realize you're the last person who has any right to be by Magnus's side or talk to him about feelings."
Juniper's lashes trembled fiercely, and for a moment, even her heart seemed to stop.
Back then, she had already betrayed him, sending him into the clutches of prison with her own hands, yet in his darkest times, he held her in his thoughts…
Her eyes were misty with tears she fought to hold back.
Just as Juniper was lost in her reverie, her arm was suddenly yanked to the side with a quick tug.
Ophelia, twirling in the waltz with her skirt billowing, winked at Juniper as if signaling a secret.
Before Juniper could fully grasp what was happening, she and Ophelia had switched places, swapping dance partners.
Her steps were clumsy, and she stumbled into a familiar chest.
Lifting her head, their eyes met.
Her eyes, clear and frantic, met his, which were deep and composed.
Unperturbed, he wrapped his large hand around her waist, took her hand, and continued the dance.
Juniper's eyes reddened, the same redness that had flushed her cheeks when Robert had revealed that news to her.
The man's cold voice sliced through the air, "Is dancing with me that unbearable?"
Looking up at him, Juniper shook her head, "No, it was while dancing with Mr. Robert that I felt like crying."
A faint smile flickered across Magnus's lips.
This wasn't the first time Juniper had waltzed with Magnus.
In college, she was dragged to a mixer by Ophelia. Upon finding out, Magnus had rushed to the event.
When Magnus arrived, a fellow student had just asked Juniper to dance.
As Juniper was about to decline, Magnus assertively stepped in.
He stood by Juniper's side, offering no quarter. His face stern, he said, "Juniper won't be dancing with you."
The confused classmate asked who he was and what right he had to make decisions for Juniper.
Magnus's domineering reply came, "I'm her boyfriend. As for my right to decide for her, you can ask Juniper herself."
All she remembered was nodding vigorously, fearful of angering Magnus.
Then, she was swiftly pulled by Magnus into the whirl of dancers.
Throughout the dance, Magnus's expression was dark, seemingly still upset that she had come to the mixer.
Until Juniper tiptoed and planted a soft kiss on his lips, coaxing him with a whisper, "Don't be mad, okay?"
Magnus held her waist tightly. "From now on, you dance only with a man named Magnus."
His words were commanding, one by one.
At the time, Juniper didn't just agree; she twirled in his arms, then hugged his neck and joked—
"Look, back in your arms again, Magnus."
"The waltz is also known as a round dance. Do you know the meaning behind it?"
"It's about two people in love. Even if they're briefly apart, they'll come back together, meet again, and their hearts will flutter, finally forming a complete circle."
"Magnus, I love you, always."
To the Magnus of today, these sweet nothings were nothing but empty words from Juniper's past.
Not a single one was true.
She pledged eternal love, then turned around and betrayed him.
Traitors should go to hell.
The music stopped.
The good times remained in the past.
Magnus released her hand coldly. "Using your best friend to snag the opening dance spot, another trick of yours to hook me, Juniper?"
"If you insist on seeing it that way, Mr. Blackwood, I have nothing to say."
Indeed, she was the "beneficiary" of the situation, not innocent.
Standing amidst the crowd, Juniper watched the retreating figure of Magnus, a silent tear falling from her right eye.
She lifted her head, wiping it away with her fingertip.
The venue was bustling, but to Juniper, it felt suffocating.
Gathering up her dress, she quietly left the main hall, heading to the terrace on this floor for a breath of fresh air.
But as she passed by the fire escape, she suddenly saw Mary happily chatting with a pretty boy!
Instinctively stepping back, she bumped into a broad chest.
Turning around, she saw Magnus staring down at her with cold eyes.
Without thinking, Juniper covered his eyes with her hands. "Don't look!"
He frowned slightly. "What's this trick now?"
Juniper bit her lip, making up an excuse. "Guess who."
...
Did she really think he was blind? But then again, he had been blind in a sense, otherwise how could he have been so thoroughly deceived by her?
As these thoughts rushed through his mind, Magnus grew increasingly impatient. He was just about to pull away Juniper's hand when a warmth brushed his lips.
Her soft lips pressed against his.
"Close your eyes," she murmured with the fragrance of an orchid.
She didn't want Magnus to witness Mary's betrayal firsthand.
Six years ago, Magnus had already endured a profound betrayal. Juniper dared not contemplate what might happen if he faced such treachery again.
With all her might, she tried to pull Magnus away from that place.
As Juniper kissed him, attempting to lead him away, he suddenly pinned her against the wall of the fire escape, flipping the script. His breath was hot as it fell upon her ear, "Juniper, you find it amusing to keep tempting me?"
"Ah, you little troublemaker!" Suddenly, Mary's voice echoed through the stairwell.
"Mary, you've got some nerve. This is Mr. Blackwood's territory. Aren't you scared he'll catch us?"
"Magnus is not capable! Why would I fear him? Being engaged to him is no different from being a widow."
Juniper's face turned ghostly pale, and she quickly looked at Magnus, "Shall we go?"
She wanted to take him away.
The man remained composed as he glanced inside, his gaze cool and detached.
He looked down at Juniper, his lips curling with a chilly amusement, "So you think getting cozy here is thrilling?"
"I just didn't want you to see..."
"See what? Mary's infidelity?"
Juniper never imagined Magnus could remain so calm.
He seemed completely indifferent to Mary's betrayal.
His breath enveloped her, his voice deep and resonant, "What did she just say? That I'm not capable?"
She knew he was more than capable.
Magnus usually exuded an ascetic restraint like an iceberg, but when he stepped out of line, no one was more excessive.
He whispered against her ear, nipping gently, "Mary is cheating in there, we're out here doing the same. Is this exciting for you, Juniper?"
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