Chapter 346 Cooperation
Rafael looked all awkward and let out this fake laugh. "I mean, like, a serious thing, aiming for marriage, not just some casual fling."
I was totally not buying it and made sure he knew where I stood. "Sorry, dude, I've got a boyfriend, and we're rock solid. No way I'm changing that. I'm loyal, and unless Brad dumps me, nothing's coming between us, especially not you."
Rafael, still not convinced, started circling me. "Are you dumb? What's so special about Brad? He's totally wrong for you. Living with him will bore you to death. Look at me—young, hot, loaded, and caring. That's what a boyfriend should be."
"Who says I'm not right for her? You?" Brad walked over, looking all intimidating.
"It's not your call; it's Jane's. So, what do you say, Janie? I'm all ears." Rafael, seeing Brad approach, instantly hid behind me.
Rafael was really asking for it. That nickname he used was so annoying.
I couldn't tell if he was playing dumb or just didn't get it, or maybe he thought I hadn't been clear enough.
Just as I was about to repeat myself, I saw Brad cross his arms and crack his knuckles loudly. "Rafael, if you want a beating, just say so."
Rafael didn't dare say anything and bolted.
I thought, 'With such little guts, he still tries to tempt me; it's hilarious.'
I said, "Brad, he seems pretty scared of you."
Brad said, "Yeah, a few years ago he mouthed off to Professor Evans, and I beat him up. Guess it left a mark."
I remembered Brad's fighting skills when he took down John at the Northern Institute of the Arts. John was tough, but Brad still whooped him. Rafael must've gotten it even worse.
"Brad, you always bully me. Jane, I won't give up." Rafael shouted defiantly from a safe distance.
Brad sneered. "Lunatic! Ignore him."
I said, "Yeah, I know."
I stuffed myself with delicious food and had a couple of glasses of fruit wine, feeling pretty full, then I needed to hit the restroom.
The hotel was huge. Outside the banquet hall was this small botanical garden with all kinds of exotic plants. Beyond the garden was the restroom.
I always loved checking out plants and animals, storing their details in my mind. When I painted, I could easily pull from these memories, making my art super lifelike.
I had to thank my family for the memory training they gave me. While it might be a stretch to say I had a photographic memory, the stuff I observed carefully was clearly recorded in my brain.
So, I walked along the winding path of the botanical garden, identifying the trees one by one.
There was a small artificial rock formation in the center of the garden. As I got closer, I heard voices. It was a guy and a girl.
Jenny asked, "You like Jane?"
Jenny? Didn't she leave? When did she come back? Or was her so-called departure just a trick to fool Brad and me? What was she planning with such a lie?
"Get to the point." The guy's voice sounded impatient.
Jenny said, "You want Jane, and I want Brad. Why don't we team up?"
"Oh?" Rafael chuckled lightly. "That guy's always so cold, yet so many people are into him."
Jenny stayed quiet.
Rafael said, "What kind of plan are we talking about? Drug Brad so he ends up with you, or get Jane drunk so I can have my way with her?"
Jenny said, "Rafael, you're sharp. These tricks might be old, but they work. If we use both, wouldn't the result be even sweeter? We both get what we want, so why not?"
I wanted to jump out and call Jenny out, to rip off her fake mask.
But I held back my anger, wanting to hear more. I was curious to see how Rafael, who I just turned down, would react to this temptation. His response would decide if he was a friend or foe.
Rafael said, "I'm straightforward and won't stoop to such dirty tricks. I suggest you drop these bad ideas. If you hurt Jane or Brad, I won't let it slide."
I nodded. Rafael might seem unreliable, but he had a good heart. No wonder he was Professor Evans' son.
Jenny said, "Rafael, think it over. This is a win-win for both of us."
Rafael said, "I'm warning you, don't hurt them, and don't come to me with this again, or you'll regret it."
Jenny said, "Are you really that useless?"
Rafael said, "Fuck! I do like Jane, but I won't use such scummy methods to get her. I can compete with Brad fair and square, but I won't play dirty. Get lost before I lose my temper. You better hope I don't find out who you are, or you'll regret it."
The conversation ended there. Shortly after, Rafael stormed out angrily. I quickly hid behind a bush, watching him walk past me and leave. Then I walked over to the other side of the rock formation.
Sure enough, it was Jenny. She sat stiffly in her wheelchair, gripping the armrest so tightly her knuckles were pale. Rafael's last words had clearly hit her hard.
"I told you not to bother me; get lost." Jenny's voice was harsh, no longer the gentle and elegant image I had of her.
Turns out everyone has multiple sides, but most people show the one that others like the most. And Jenny, this was her third side.
"Who has the guts to offend you, Jenny? Do they have a death wish?" I mocked, cleverly using the words her lackey had used to threaten us at the birthday party.
Jenny turned around in shock. Seeing it was me, her expression changed, but she quickly calmed down when she realized I was alone, a disdainful smile tugging at her lips.
Jenny asked, "You heard everything?"
I nodded, saying, "Not everything, but I did catch parts of it. Starting from the discussion about the collaboration."
Jenny's face looked ugly. "You think you've won? Don't get too cocky; I won't give up."
"Why bother? You know Brad is tough, yet you still want to try, hurting others and yourself. What's the point?" I sighed, trying to persuade her, "There are so many good men in the world, Jenny. Why not choose someone who likes you and whom you like too?"
Jenny asked, "Are you scared?"
I shook my head. Brad and I were tightly bound together; no one could separate us. What was there to fear?
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