Chapter 6
The next day, after learning that Chad loved eating fish, Jenna went to her family’s fish pond, intending to catch a few fish to practice her cooking skills
She wanted to prepare something special for him in the future.
As she picked out a few fish, she suddenly turned around and saw Xena walking toward her, looking as if she had somehow entered without anyone noticing.
She was twisting her fingers nervously, wearing an expression of pitiful innocence,
Miss Hall, you must be angry because Charlie got hurt while protecting me, right? It’s all my fault. If you want to blame someone, blame me. I know I’m just a servant’s daughter, not worthy of him caring so much…”
Xena’s tone dripped with false sweetness, her words almost dripping with insincerity.
Jenna frowned at her manipulative words, intending to turn and leave without saying a word.
But before she could, Xena grabbed her hand, and with a sly smile, she gave her a defiant look.
Jenna didn’t understand what was happening when Xena suddenly raised her hand and slapped her hard across the face, immediately bursting into tears like a broken doll.
“Miss Hall, I’ll accept any punishment you give me. I just beg you, please don’t be angry with Charlie. If you go and see him. I’ll accept anything you do to me. I won’t resist.”
The sudden change in Xena’s demeanor made Jenna’s heart twitch in suspicion.
Before she could pull her hand away, she saw Charlie storming in, his face livid with anger, followed by a group of people who surrounded them.
“Jenna! Why did you slap Xena? I already promised to hold the wedding! Don’t be ungrateful!” His voice was sharp, his eyes filled with fury.
Jenna’s face was cold, and her voice was steady. “I didn’t slap her. There’s surveillance footage over there. Go check it yourself.”
She was about to leave when Charlie, his anger blinding him, glared at her as though he hadn’t heard a word. His tone was frigid.
“I used to think you were just spoiled and arrogant, but now, I can see you’re beyond help.”
Without waiting for a response, he ordered his men to hold Jenna down and pulled Xena’s hand.
“Xena, I won’t allow you to suffer any injustice. If she hits you, hit her back!”
Xena initially hesitated, saying she didn’t dare, but when the crowd rallied behind her, she no longer played the
Chapter 6
victim. With all her might, she slapped Jenna again.
The loud smack echoed in the air, Jenna’s face swelled instantly, and blood began to seep from the wound on her “forehead that hadn’t fully healed. The sharp sting sent a ringing in her ears, making everything blur with pain.
Taking advantage of Jenna’s dazed state, Xena quickly shoved her into the pond, then pretended to jump in to
rescue her.
Charlie barely spared her a glance, turning to leave with Xena, saying coldly, “Don’t worry, the water is shallow. She won’t drown.”
Jenna struggled in the water for a long time, exhausted, until someone finally noticed and pulled her out.
Back at home that night, she spiked a fever, her body burning with heat, and her condition worsened the following
day.
During her feverish delirium, she muttered incoherently, tears streaming down her face as she called out weakly, “I’m so uncomfortable… Charlie, didn’t you buy me red bean pastries? Why aren’t you back yet?”
“I was wrong. I’m sorry, Charlie, I promise I won’t hide any more love letters from other girls…”
The door creaked open, and Charlie entered, taken aback by her words. He paused, recalling the times when she would follow him like a little sister, and he would indulge her every whim. A moment of softness flickered in his
heart.
“Why are you making such a scene? If you didn’t force the marriage, I would’ve treated you like a sister for the rest of my life.”
Jenna, barely aware of what he was saying, woke up to the sound of his voice. She blinked in confusion and met his
gaze.
But the moment she opened her eyes, Charlie’s expression hardened, and his voice returned to its usual indifference.
“Old Master heard you were sick and insisted I come check on you. Don’t get any ideas–I’m only here because I have no choice. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be here!”
Before she could respond, Xena timidly entered the room, awkwardly apologizing.
“Miss Hall, I’m really sorry for what happened yesterday. It was all my fault. Please forgive me.”
Jenna had been slapped for no reason and pushed into a pond, but now that she was finally recovering, she didn’t have the strength to argue.
She could barely sit up, but when she saw Xena staring at her neck with a fixed gaze, she instinctively reached up and touched the necklace she was wearing. It was the one Charlie had given her on her coming–of–age day.
Charlie noticed it too, his expression darkening when he saw it. He knew how much that necklace meant to her. His voice softened, but he quickly changed his tone.
“Xena, I’ll get a new one made for you when I get back…”
Chapter G
Before he could finish his sentence, Jenna, her face cold, yanked the necklace off and threw it at him.
She then staggered to her feet, grabbing the suitcase she had packed earlier and dragging it to him.
With a calm but resolute gesture, she shoved it into his arms.
“Since we’re getting married, I don’t want you to misunderstand when you see these things later. Charlie, I’m returning everything to you. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other.”
A cold shiver ran through Charlie as he watched her indifference. His heart tightened. “What does this mean?”
Without answering him directly, Jenna forcefully emptied the contents of the suitcase and coldly glared at him.
“What, you still don’t get it? You were the one who caused all of this. You still don’t believe it, do you? You’re the one who started all this mess, yet you have the nerve to keep playing these games with me?”
Jenna didn’t respond. She simply picked up the pieces and said softly, “Take all this junk and throw it in the trash.”
Charlie, his anger boiling over, pulled Xena away, his face dark and his steps heavy.
Jenna watched them leave, a strange, almost hollow smile curling on her lips as she turned and ordered, “Take all this crap and throw it away. It’s useless now.”
The day before the wedding, Jenna received a text message.
It contained only one sentence: “I’m back. See you tomorrow.”
No name, no details, but she knew who it was.
Chad.
Her restless heart suddenly found peace, and she had a good night’s sleep.
