Chapter 469 The True Purpose of Deborah's Return
Deborah glanced at her phone, her face shifting briefly before settling back. "Yeah, it's kinda childish."
Jasmine nodded. "But I like it."
Ethan shared her Facebook post and commented: [I'm honored to be your sun, my girl. You're my only pure white rose.]
Ethan had screenshotted the negative comments under Jasmine's post and shared them in their group chat. Soon enough, Jasmine's brothers and Richard jumped in to help.
Nolan used the Cunningham Group's official account to tag Jasmine and posted: [Our only little princess, officially certified.]
The Cunningham Group also shared their marriage certificate with the caption: [Congrats to Jasmine and Ethan on their legal union.]
Edward shared Jasmine's post with his verified account and offered a wedding gift of one million dollars: [Congratulations to Jasmine for finding her Prince Charming.]
Edgar posted with a hint of jealousy: [Jasmine's taken by you. If anyone messes with her, they'll have to deal with me.]
Richard, being more low-key, shared her post using his online alias and commented: [ Jasmine deserves the best.]
Jasmine was deeply moved, her eyes welling up.
Even though Deborah called it childish, it was the love and support Jasmine had dreamed of for six years.
"Do you think having the Cunningham family backing you and a fancy background will get you everything? You still need your capabilities," Deborah said with a smile as she stood up to leave.
Jasmine smiled back. "For six years, people told me I was delusional, talking about harsh realities and social status. Now that I have these things, they say I still can't keep what I want."
Jasmine looked up at Deborah, her attitude firm. "I have four brothers, Ethan's unconditional support, a marriage, a family, and confidence in my capabilities."
"Are you really that confident?" Deborah asked, seeing through Jasmine's facade. "I've known Ethan for years..."
"He's my husband," Jasmine interrupted.
Deborah continued, "Ethan once said he would—"
"He's my husband," Jasmine cut her off again.
"The Hawthorne family isn't much different from the Cunningham family," Deborah said, smiling.
"I have four brothers," Jasmine replied calmly.
Deborah's fingers tightened, and she laughed so hard her stomach hurt. "Alright, keep at it. I'm used to fighting alone."
"You're capable, so don't be foolish. You have a bright future. Don't compromise your morals," Jasmine reminded Deborah.
But to Deborah, it seemed like Jasmine was scared.
Watching Deborah leave, Jasmine slowly exhaled.
As Jasmine walked out of the school building, she saw a black car parked nearby. Ethan was leaning against the door while Deborah stood in front of him, chatting and laughing.
It was Deborah chatting and laughing; Ethan's expression was sour.
"I didn't expect it to be misunderstood. I met Mr. Brooks yesterday. I need to know the company's management and partners first," Deborah said.
"Jasmine's out now. Let's leave it for tomorrow. Goodbye," Ethan said, walking towards Jasmine.
Jasmine stood still, watching Ethan approach, and smiled.
Ethan would always come to her if she stood still.
But even Jasmine knew that; she still smiled and ran a few steps, throwing herself into Ethan's arms. "Why are you here?"
"It's getting chilly. I'm here to warm you up," Ethan said, wrapping Jasmine in his coat.
"Okay," Jasmine said, feeling a bit happy. "Is it okay to announce all that online?"
"Who announced it?" Ethan asked proudly.
Jasmine laughed. "I did."
"So, can the princess, protected by so many brothers, go home with her Prince Charming?" Ethan looked down at Jasmine, the height difference between them adding a touch of romance.
Deborah stood by the car, watching the two of them, and let out a light laugh before turning to leave.
Love was just a part of her life, but it was also the part she most desired.
Ethan was the man she adored. Over the span of ten years, from her initial discovery of love to the present moment, her heart had been dedicated to him.
She really felt a bit unwilling to give it up.
"She's left," Jasmine whispered, nestled in Ethan's arms.
"Yeah." Ethan nodded, opening the car door for Jasmine. "Deborah knows when to back off. She won't stick around for long."
Jasmine nodded. "I hope she can cut her losses in time."
She and Ethan had made their stance very clear. If Deborah was truly sensible, she should retreat in the face of difficulty.
Not like Annabelle, who entangled herself and harmed both others and herself.
But Deborah was smarter than Annabelle. She would most likely have a fallback plan for anything she did.
"Deborah isn't all about love. Her return this time isn't just to help me," Ethan said while ruffling Jasmine's hair. "The Hawthorne family is about to undergo significant changes. We need to avoid it as much as possible."
After all, the Douglas family was in chaos, too.
He didn't want Jasmine to get entangled again.
At Sunshine Restaurant.
Connor sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching Deborah approach. "You've been back for so many days, and only now do you meet me. Am I, Connor, not even one-tenth as important as Ethan in your eyes?"
Deborah sat opposite Connor playfully. "Connor, you are the most important."
Connor snorted.
"I heard Grandpa's health is poor, and he's already in the ICU. The situation in the Hawthorne family is a bit tense. Avery and Quentin won't think I'm back to fight for the inheritance, will they?" Deborah smiled meaningfully.
Connor looked at her. "Owen has already publicly acknowledged that you have the same inheritance rights in the Hawthorne family. Why are you afraid of them?"
"I want to know, will you always stand by my side?" Deborah looked at Connor with anticipation.
Connor said nothing. Both of them had many schemes and were testing each other.
Connor squinted his eyes and then smiled. "I doubt if you really came back just to help Ethan."
Deborah returned partly because Jasmine's appearance had given her a sense of crisis. She wanted to win Ethan, but that was definitely not her main purpose.
She had heard the news of Mr. Hawthorne's serious illness.
She was back to compete with Avery and the others for the family inheritance.
"Connor, you're not interested in the family business. I believe you'd rather keep your distance, but my dad doesn't believe that. He's already made a move against you, hasn't he?" Deborah looked worried. "I didn't come back just for Ethan."
"I came back for you," Deborah said sincerely.
Connor looked at her and smiled. "Then I'm truly comforted."
"Let's cooperate." Deborah extended her hand to Connor. "Only when everything in the Hawthorne family is in our hands can we be at ease."
She continued, "After all, survival of the fittest. We need to be the evolved species that adapts to survive, not the ones eliminated."
Deborah knew Avery would be her most competitive opponent in the Hawthorne family.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
