Chapter 781
Chapter 781:
There, Vernon was sipping his drink while exchanging playful banter with a few flight attendants.
“Aiden! What are you doing here?” Vernon left the girls beside him and approached Aiden. “If you wanted water, you could’ve just asked one of them to fetch it for you.”
Aiden spared him nothing more than a cold, disinterested glance.
Feeling the icy edge of that look, Vernon let out an awkward chuckle. “With that face? Did you have a fight with Janice?”
Aiden scoffed. “Do you think that’s even possible?” He took a sip of water, the coolness easing some of his frustration.
“Right. You and Janice are practically inseparable. No way you’d…”
“Whenever I’m with her, she’s the one in charge, and I listen to her.”
“What?” Vernon gawked at Aiden in disbelief.
Wait. Was this really the Aiden he knew?
The same ruthless powerhouse who ruled the business world with an iron grip, leaving fear and respect in his wake? And yet, here he stood, looking like a wounded man, waiting—no, craving—a shred of affection.
“Vernon, why do you think Janice won’t accept me?” Aiden’s voice was low, contemplative, as if he were speaking more to himself than to Vernon. “I’d give her everything. And yet, she still won’t let her guard down.”
“Have you ever considered that maybe…” Vernon rubbed the bridge of his nose, subtly signaling the flight attendants to clear the area.
“Maybe what?”
“Maybe it’s not that she doesn’t want to, but that she’s afraid?”
“Afraid?” Aiden frowned, clearly thrown off by the statement.
Vernon exhaled and poured himself a glass of water, as if bracing for the conversation ahead. “Leah told me something once—Janice has always longed for family. She’s worked tirelessly her whole life, driven by that need, shaping her success in pursuit of belonging. Then she became part of the Edwards family. She poured her heart into them for an entire year, only to be left hurt and broken. When even family—something that was supposed to be unconditional—proved so fragile, how could she possibly place blind faith in love?”
𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚 𝙘𝗵𝙚𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙 ⟦gⲁ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⫸𝓬𝓸𝗺
Silence settled between them for a while before he gave Aiden’s shoulder a firm pat. “Give her time. I can tell she has feelings for you. That’s why she’s holding back.”
Aiden’s eyes lit up, and just like that, the frustration in his chest melted. “I see now. I know what to do.”
He finished his water and poured a fresh glass—for Janice.
Vernon watched him walk away, a smirk playing at his lips. Who would’ve thought that Aiden would turn to him for love advice? If this got out, the whole world would be in for a shock.
“Janice, here’s some water.” With an easy smile, Aiden extended the glass towards Janice.
She turned to face him, her gaze locking onto his clear, bright eyes. There was something different about him.
“Thanks.” She accepted the glass, then narrowed her eyes at him. “But why do you look different? All you did was get a glass of water.”
“Really? Do I look more handsome?” Aiden joked with a slight smile.
Janice rolled her eyes, unimpressed. “No, just more shameless.”
“If that’s what you like, I can be that too,” Aiden teased, completely unfazed by her jab. His sudden change in mood only deepened Janice’s curiosity. How could fetching a simple glass of water lift his spirits so much?
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