Mysterious Mrs. Pansy

Jane’s response was sharp and uncompromising. “Patrick, enough! Release my hand! Who is this Candy?”

Her stern words acted as a cold shower, abruptly extinguishing Patrick’s fervor. It was clear she wasn’t the person he had mistaken for Candy. The real Candy wouldn’t resist him like this.

Patrick reluctantly let go of her hand and composed himself. His countenance returned to its typical cold and aloof demeanor as he picked up the button, asking, “How did my button end up in your possession?”

Jane, still nursing her aching hand, replied indignantly, “You were incredibly drunk last night, sprawled on the floor, refusing to get up. I must have accidentally torn the button off when I was helping you upstairs.”

Patrick arched an eyebrow, his interest piqued. “So, you’re the one who brought me to my room last night?”

“Yes. However, Melissa later insisted on helping you. You two appear to be quite close,” Jane remarked with a sly undertone, hoping to provoke a reaction from Patrick.

Patrick, however, only had thoughts of Candy on his mind. He viewed Melissa as nothing more than a cousin, ignorant of her deeper feelings. Consequently, Jane’s insinuations failed to register with him.

What kept resurfacing in his mind was the vivid memory of the previous night. He knew he had seen Candy, despite his inebriation. He had held her hand and exchanged words with her. The events were real, yet Jane claimed she had been the one to assist him the previous night. It dawned on him that the person he had seen wasn’t Candy. But why did she stir the same emotions in him as Candy did?

Suddenly, Patrick rose to his feet with excitement, closing the distance between himself and Jane. With a faint smile, he inquired, “Jane, have you ever been kidnapped before?”

He had never seen such tenderness in his eyes before, and his voice held a bewitching allure. However, despite the unusual change in Patrick’s demeanor, Jane remained wary. This was the second time he had posed the question, and she was determined to uncover the reason behind his fascination with her kidnapping history.

Nonetheless, Patrick’s question prompted a hint of irritation. Jane replied resolutely, “Patrick, I don’t understand why you keep asking me this. I’ll answer one more time: I’ve never been kidnapped.”

Patrick gazed deeply into her eyes, probing for any hint of falsehood. Jane responded earnestly, making it clear that her words couldn’t be fabricated.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

With disappointment etched on his face, Patrick’s enthusiasm waned. Jane seized the opportunity to learn more. “Who is Candy, Patrick? Is she the girl you love?”

“A very important person to me,” Patrick responded after a brief pause. He couldn’t bring himself to admit his feelings for Candy.

“Alright,” Jane conceded, sensing Patrick’s reluctance to reveal more.

Perceiving Jane’s indifference, Patrick suddenly posed a question, “Are you jealous?”

Her reaction was indignant. Jane found Patrick’s presumption about her jealousy utterly arrogant. She had no interest in flattering him like countless other women might. Gritting her teeth, she snapped, “Patrick, don’t be so full of yourself. I couldn’t care less about your romantic interests. Just remember, we have a three-month contractual relationship. In fact, less than three months now. When the contract expires, we’ll be strangers. Understand?”

The word “strangers” appeared to strike a nerve with Patrick. It puzzled him why he cared so much about this particular aspect. Their engagement had been arranged by their grandfathers, and they held no genuine affection for one another. Yet he regarded her as a friend, while she seemed to view him as a stranger.

“Jane, am I truly just a meaningless stranger to you?” Patrick inquired, seizing her arm.

Confounded by his question, Jane retorted with a shrug, “What else would you be?”

However, when she noticed that Patrick didn’t intend to let go of her, her annoyance deepened. “You’re hurting me, Patrick. Release your grip!”

But Patrick remained undeterred, clamping his fingers around her arm. His expression grew more complex, revealing an amalgamation of emotions.

Startled by the intrusion, a female voice disrupted the room’s silence. Jane and Patrick turned their attention to the newcomer-Florence.

As Jane glanced at Florence, she detected a tinge of jealousy in the other woman’s eyes. Florence, displeased with the situation, inquired, “What are you doing, Jane?”

In a deliberate display of affection, Jane snuggled up to Patrick, addressing him endearingly. “What my fiancé and I are doing is none of your business.”

She turned her gaze to Patrick, assuming an affectionate tone. “Darling, do you agree?”

The moniker “babe” had a charming quality. Patrick’s previously stoic expression softened slightly, though Florence was visibly incensed. Her face reddened with anger as she confronted Jane, while Morton, who stood by her side, shifted nervously.

Morton felt compelled to clarify the situation to his boss. “Mr. Pansy, I apologize. I informed Miss Doyle that you were busy, but she insisted on entering.”

Patrick, renowned for his indifference, was known to have no tolerance for women intruding on his personal space. He rarely engaged in public displays of affection, and such moments were exceedingly rare. Morton, thus, sought to escape the uncomfortable situation as swiftly as possible.

Nevertheless, Patrick issued a brief wave, signaling for Morton to leave, freeing Jane and Florence to carry on.

Florence took the opportunity to present a matter to Patrick. She moved closer to him with a smile, her voice gentle and inviting. “Patrick, we’ve prepared an initial prospectus for the partnership between Pansy Group and Doyle Group. I’ve brought it for your review.”

Patrick regarded her with a furrowed brow. “Aren’t you aware that my brother is overseeing this partnership?”

Florence blushed, explaining, “He couldn’t make it today, so he asked me to bring it instead.”

In truth, her motive for visiting Patrick was not solely to discuss business. She was elated that he had spoken to Jane in such a manner and had sought an opportunity to meet with him.