He pursed his lips, "It's getting late, Stellan, shall I take you home?"
Stellan Quinn, taking advantage of the slight drunkenness, sat directly on the edge of the bed, supporting himself with his hands behind, and looked up at him, "Jacob Green, sit down, I have something to tell you."
Jacob Green was about to sit on the sofa when she patted the spot beside her, "Sit here."
He came forward and sat beside her, "What do you want to say?"
Stellan looked at him, suddenly reached out and hugged his neck. Jacob Green was clearly uncomfortable, his brow furrowed slightly, "Stellan, you're drunk."
"Do you like me hugging you like this?"
He didn't want to answer. As he was about to get up, Stellan forcefully pressed him onto the bed; she was being proactive.
As her face slowly approached his, he shivered and instinctively pushed her away and stood up.
Stellan, slightly sobered by the alcohol, was embarrassed and angry, "Jacob Green, you..."
Jacob Green didn't know what was going on, he didn't want to explain anything, "I'll take you home."
"No need!" Stellan felt humiliated; she had been so forward, and yet he didn't appreciate it, "I'll leave on my own."
Seeing her storm out, Jacob Green chased after her.
Lucy Eaton saw the two of them leave the bedroom before she entered the room. She let out a long sigh.
After pouring herself a cup of tea, she sat on the edge of the bed and drank slowly. Before finishing the tea, he returned.
"Aren't you going to take Miss Quinn home?"
"I let Al tell take her."
"Why didn't you take her yourself?"
"She doesn't need me."
Jacob Green loosened his tie and casually hung the clothes on a hanger.
Lucy Eaton placed the teacup down and lay obediently on the inner side of the bed.
After several seconds of silence, she said, "You really like her, don't you? Tonight was a great opportunity and you let it slip by. I think that being with someone you love, even if it means ending our relationship automatically, is worth it for you."
"But I wouldn't want you witnessing such a scene from the balcony."
Lucy smiled at him, "I was late in leaving. When you notified me, I had quickly tidied up, and just as I finished organizing my things, you reached the door."
Meanwhile, Stellan Quinn went home fuming, determined never to be proactive again; it was too embarrassing.
The feedback from her daughter made Autumn Fletcher increasingly anxious.
"Go on a blind date tomorrow, I don't believe he won't be anxious!"
Stellan Quinn was surprised, "Mom, with whom are you arranging a blind date?"
"It's not really a blind date; it's an act for Jacob to see. Tomorrow, mom will arrange for a man to meet you in a coffee shop, and you pretend to date. Then mom will get the media to expose the news, and he'll surely get anxious. It's called provocation."
Stellan Quinn found it feasible, "Alright, mom, let's do as you say."
Mother and daughter discussed it and decided to implement it the next day.
...
The next morning at nine, Stellan Quinn was elegantly dressed and met the charming young man arranged by Autumn Fletcher in the cafe.
By nine-thirty, the news was already out.
With Autumn Fletcher's meticulous planning, it quickly became a hot topic across various news outlets online.
She couldn't believe Jacob Green hadn't seen it.
In fact, Jacob Green, busy with meetings, really hadn't seen the news.
It was only during lunch when Lily Green brought coffee to his office to remind him about it, did Jacob learn of the matter.
"The Quinn family sees you hesitating to respond, so they're starting an offensive. Just by looking at the photo, you can tell this guy isn't wealthy. How could he ever become a candidate for the Quinn family's son-in-law?"
Jacob Green closed the webpage and continued eating unfazed. During busy times at the company, he often ate there instead of going home.
Lily Green pulled a chair opposite the desk and sat, "Jacob, your reaction seems unusual?"
"What reaction should I have?"
"Immediately call Stellan Quinn to inquire about the situation, show concern for her, and wish to marry her soon to prevent other men from coveting."
"I won't make that call. Since the Quinn family wants me to see this news, calling them would only fulfill their wishes."
Lily Green looked at him thoughtfully, "Aren't you worried about Stellan Quinn marrying someone else?"
"If I say I'm not worried, would you believe me?"
"If you're not worried at all, either you're extremely confident and feel she's under your control, or you've stopped liking her."
Jacob Green looked up at her, "I have always thought it's extraordinarily challenging to stop liking someone you've liked for so long. Only now do I realize, heartache doesn't come slowly, but with a single moment when it breaks off entirely. I wasn't sure if I liked her anymore until last night when I suddenly became clear. It turns out, ever since she let me know she doesn't understand or trust me at all, I was completely disheartened. Recent events were merely fleeting moments, a facade."
Last night, when Stellan Quinn tried to kiss him, the rejection at that moment made him recognize this fact clearly.
Lily Green smiled, "I'm relieved. Now I don't have to worry about dealing with her long-term in the future. Eldest brother is expected to arrive at the airport at three this afternoon; shall we go pick him up together?"
"Sure."
Even though John hasn't returned in eight years, that doesn't mean the three siblings haven't met abroad. They also frequently have video chats online. They share a strong bond, and the Green family is eagerly anticipating John's return this time.