Arthur looked at Jethro, surprised. "A talent you personally headhunted?" If someone could catch his eldest grandson's eye and make him personally headhunt, that person had to be exceptional. Someone like that should've already become his eldest grandson's right-hand man. Unless— Arthur, no stranger to power plays, instantly guessed another possibility. Could it be that Jethro intentionally planted someone? Jethro set down his fork and wiped his mouth. "I did recruit that person personally, yes. Experience and skills like that don't come around often. Sometimes, as a manager, listening to advice really matters." With that, he stood up. "Grandpa, I've finished. If there's nothing else, I should get back to work."Arthur was taken aback. He'd clearly caught the whiff of tension between Jethro and Jasper. He sighed inwardly and gestured to the butler. "Pack up the pastries the kitchen specially made and send them with that brat." Jethro had barely eaten anything. After Jethro left, Jasper stayed to finish dinner with Arthur, then played a round of chess with him. Several times, he almost broached the subject of Arthur's attitude towards the child, but each time, the words died on his lips. Night sank deep. Jasper drove from the Blackwood Manor to a hotel. When Annie saw it was him, she was momentarily stunned. "You're back so soon?" It had been Annie's idea for him to go to the Blackwood Manor tonight. Somehow, she'd found out Jethro would be there and had called Jasper, urging him to go as well to see Arthur's attitude toward Jett. And now he was back this early... A sense of foreboding gripped her. She frowned. "Your grandpa didn't say anything about acknowledging Jett as part of the family?" Jasper pressed his lips together. "No." "And what about Jethro? What did he say?" "He said... to leave things as they are for now." Annie's heart plummeted. " 'Leave things as they are'? He has no intention of claiming the child?" Jasper shook his head, then, as if unable to bear her distress, added softly, "It's probably just temporary." Annie gritted her teeth, her eyes welling up. "He's so cruel to me. Even a child can't make him change his mind." Jasper glanced at the little boy playing with toys on the floor. He walked over and scooped him up. "Jett, it's getting late. How about I take you to bed?" Jett nodded obediently. "Okay!" Ms. Roby said the guy we met days ago—the one I'm supposed to call "Dad"—and this gentleman are brothers. But that dad looked downright terrifying. This one's way better; he seems so warm and easygoing. I like him better. After getting the boy settled in bed, Jasper closed the bedroom door and came out. Annie was still standing frozen in the living room. Jasper walked over and put an arm around her shoulders. "Annie, let him go. There are plenty of good men in this world. I'll prove to you with my actions that I can treat you better than he ever did. A hundred times better." From the moment he first saw Annie at the Blackwood Manor years ago, Jasper had been drawn to her. But her eyes had only ever been for his cousin. Jasper, secretly competitive, had vowed to himself that he would surpass Jethro. Yet his cousin had still won. Annie and Jethro had started dating the summer after high school graduation. From that day on, Jasper felt plunged into endless darkness. But soon, an opportunity arose. Because of the kidnapping, Annie and Jethro were forced to break up. Later, Annie went abroad. So did Jasper. Through his own efforts, he managed to reconnect with her overseas, their relationship progressing from acquaintances to confidants who leaned on each other. Yet, all these years, he had never truly entered her heart. He'd thought he had all the time in the world to prove who loved her most. But Annie's voice broke, raw and fierce. "No! I won't give up! I can't accept it! Jethro can only be mine!"Jasper was startled by her sudden outburst. "Annie, calm down! Where are your pills? Let me get them for you!" At the word "pills," Annie's agitated state subsided slightly. She bit her lip hard. "No! I'm not sick! I don't need medication!" Jasper's heart ached. He gently wiped the trace of blood from her lip. "Annie, you have bipolar disorder. You have to take your medication. Please, tell me where they are." "You're lying! I don't!" She shoved him away, muttering, "I'm not sick! I'm healthy! He doesn't like it when I'm sick. I'm not sick, I'm perfectly healthy, not sick, not sick..." Stumbling, she tried to walk towards the master bedroom. Jasper caught her, holding her tightly, his own eyes reddening with anguish. His heart was breaking. "Annie, if getting back with my cousin is your obsession, I will help you, no matter the cost." If it would make her happy, he was willing to do anything. Time passed, and summer began to wane.As the oppressive heat gradually lessened day by day, Arthur decided to visit the cemetery to pay his respects to his two sons and his late wife.