Chapter 1253

Jimmie had always been the composed, steady type. Even in high-stakes situations, he remained unshakeable.

But around Luella, it was like he was a completely different person.

And Luella—out of all the people here, why did she single him out to torment?!

***

Dinner began.

The family gathered around the massive table. Kent Schwartz served his wife. Hayden Schwartz made sure Miranda's plate was full, and Silas Blackwood doted on Theia.

As for Juniper, it went without saying.

From start to finish, Shanley attended to her every need.

"Ebony, thanks for teaching me boxing lately. You've been working hard." Kurt Schwartz dropped a chicken drumstick into Ebony Fox's bowl, smiling like an absolute idiot.

"Not bad, you know how to respect your elders," his grandmother nodded in approval. "Ebony, this boy has a terrible temper. Please don't hold back on setting him straight."

*Elders?*

Hearing that word, Kurt's smile vanished.

"Don't worry, ma'am," Ebony smiled faintly, her tone perfectly respectful. "If he makes a mistake, I'll beat him within an inch of his life."

Kurt winced, burying his face in his bowl.

At this rate, the food was eating him.

Shanley raised an eyebrow, shaking his head in amusement.

Ebony's romantic radar seemed even more broken than Juniper's.

If Kurt actually wanted to pursue her, he might just end up half-dead before he ever got a date.

"Janet, those dishes are a bit far from you. I'll get them for you."

Melvin Steele took every opportunity to pile food onto Janet Wilcox's plate.

Soon enough.

Her small bowl was overflowing. Her face flushed a deep red as she softly thanked him.

Meanwhile, on Luella and Jimmie's side of the table...

Jimmie picked up a piece of chicken. Just as he was about to put it in his bowl, Luella's fork swooped in and snatched it away.

"Grandma said to respect the young," Luella announced smoothly. "You have to take care of me."

Theia couldn't help but laugh, gesturing to Jimmie. "Let Luella have it."

Juniper had already told her a bit about this "boy's" background.

A missing mother, a father who didn't care... Growing up in a harsh environment without any family warmth...

It was a tragic story.

"Go ahead," Jimmie sighed, already drained of any fight by Luella's antics.

"By the way."

Theia's gaze swept across the table, finally landing on Harold Houston.

"Harold, didn't you say you were married? When are you going to bring the girl home for us to meet?"

Suddenly, the food tasted like ash. Harold's expression stiffened.

He hadn't told his family about the impending divorce yet.

"Maybe in a while," Harold deflected smoothly. "I'm just too busy with work right now to make the trip."

Honestly, whenever he had the time to finalize the divorce, he found himself hesitating.

He was just dragging it out one day at a time.

***

After dinner.

The younger generation relocated to the garden to chat.

Jimmie mentioned that he had to fly

next week and would hot

a two-day layover in Stellara

Country overe

"What a coincidence!"

Luella immediately slid over next to him, beaming. "I actually have some

business in Stellara. Can I hiter oper

ride on your private jet?"

Stellara was incredibly far.

A commercial flight took over ten hours, and even first-class couldn't beat the comfort of a private jet.

"Sure."

Jimmie swirled the wine in his glass, slowly turning his head to look at her, his voice lazy. "Beg me."

Luella's smile froze.

Wow. Petty revenge, huh?

"What, you won't—"

Jimmie guessed she'd refuse and was just about to mock her, when she suddenly leaned right into his personal space Her long lashes fluttered, her large, bright eyes fixing on him as she dragged out her words.

"Alright, alright. I'm begging you."

She was flexible; pride was the cheapest thing in the world anyway.

"I'm beg, beg, begging you!"

She was so close that Jimmie could see every flawless detail of her radiant complexion.

He could catch that faint, crisp scent of her.

A hint of smoke mixed with something clean and undeniably appealing.

Looking up, he met her eyes.

It only took a second.

His heart suddenly kicked into a faster gear.

*Thump. Thump. Thump.*

It was racing.