Jessie Sterling wasn't very interested in the weekend banquet. Even when Lynn Jennings had someone send over a photo of Victor Morgan from Port Caldoria the other day, she'd remained unenthusiastic.
By noon on the day of the banquet, when Quincy Sterling came home from working overtime and went upstairs to find her, he discovered Jessie Sterling was still drawing on her tablet.
Jessie Sterling had majored in art in college.
But rather than spending days and nights in an art studio, she preferred cuddling up with her tablet or drawing pad to sketch manga-style characters or cute, chibi-style doodles.
"You haven't gotten ready yet?" Quincy Sterling asked in surprise as he walked in. "I thought you were getting a facial this morning."
Jessie Sterling was lying on her stomach on the bed, her smooth calves kicked up, even swinging them in the air. "It's not like I'm meeting anyone important. Why would I need a facial?"
"You're meeting your brother-in-law tonight," Quincy said.
Jessie Sterling suddenly scrambled up from the bed, her face flushed red. Flustered and exasperated, she tried to cover Quincy Sterling's mouth. "Quincy Sterling! You're so annoying! Don't call him that!"
Quincy Sterling: "..."
The single phrase "brother-in-law" was enough to make Jessie squeal and fuss. He was a little worried about her married life.
'Can elementary schoolers get married?'
'I don't think so, right?'
"What are you drawing?" Quincy wisely decided to distract Jessie, looking at the fluffy little fox and a small bear on her tablet.
Jessie hummed. "Just some cute little things. I want to make them into a profile picture."
She had an account where she'd uploaded some cute hand-drawn illustrations before. Although she didn't have many followers, they were all very sweet, and the comment section was always harmonious.
Jessie shared her hand-drawn art for free in her spare time, and it made her happy when people liked it.
Later on, an editor actually found her online, said they loved her art style, and asked if she wanted to publish an art book.
Jessie had never tried something like that before, so she was hesitant.
Later, when Julian Grant found out, he just said that sort of thing was time-consuming and didn't make much money, telling her not to waste her energy.
On top of that, due to external factors like going abroad and the time difference making communication with the editor back home difficult, Jessie ultimately couldn't accept the editor's offer.
Now, hearing Quincy's voice beside her saying, "This little bear is so cute, I want it," she couldn't help but let her eyes curve into a smile. Quincy's current WeChat profile picture was a little pig she had drawn. "Alright, alright, I'll send it to you in a bit." 'If I had another chance,' she thought, 'I wouldn't turn down that editor's offer again.'
Although Jessie wasn't very enthusiastic about the banquet, when she left that evening, she was dressed in a blue satin Vinnie gown and wore a vintage thirteen-carat blue diamond necklace. The ensemble made her skin look as white as snow, like an elegant noble lady from a bygone century.
"Now *this* is the Jessie Sterling I know," Quincy said, standing by the rear door of the Rolls-Royce and proactively opening it for her.
Jessie lifted her chin slightly, looking quite proud.
Tonight, the Sterling and Morgan families were meeting at the sky restaurant of the Elysian Grand Hotel. It was a scenic restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a panoramic view of Southaven's nightscape and even the distant coastline.
Jessie had just stepped out of the elevator with her parents when she looked up and saw the man standing at the entrance to the private room.
His presence was simply too powerful to ignore.
He was even taller and more austere in person than in the photo. His brows were as sharp as if carved by a knife, and his narrow eyes seemed profound and bottomless. When Jessie met his gaze, she couldn't shake the feeling of being scrutinized.
It made her a little uncomfortable, but not wanting to show weakness, she stared right back at him.
Unfortunately, the man's gaze seemed to only rest on her for a fleeting moment before moving away. He then took two steps forward to greet her parents.
She had to admit, to any outsider, his words and actions were exceptionally polite and well-mannered, impossible to find fault with.
"...Miss Sterling. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Just as Jessie's mind was drifting, a slightly deep voice sounded by her ear.
Jessie looked at the large, clean hand extended in front of her and pouted internally. 'How old-fashioned! A handshake?'
But in the end, she still put her hand out, giving the man's large hand a light shake before quickly letting go.
"Mr. Morgan." Jessie wore a faint smile, her posture elegant and proper.
Seth Sterling saw that his daughter and Victor Morgan seemed to be making a decent first impression and smiled with satisfaction. "Come, come, let's go in and sit down."
Mr. and Mrs. Morgan had come to Southaven together. Since the two families were planning an engagement, it was natural for the groom's side to be more enthusiastic, to show their sincerity in asking for the other's daughter's hand in marriage.
At the banquet, it could be said that both the hosts and guests had a pleasant time.
"Jessie," Mrs. Sterling suddenly said at the dinner table, noticing that the two young people had more or less finished eating. "I hear there's a sky garden on the top floor of the Elysian Grand, and it's become a must-see spot in Southaven. Vic, you've probably only been to Southaven on business trips and haven't had a chance to really look around, right? Why don't you let Jessie take you to see our city's night view?"
The smile on Jessie's face almost faltered.
A moment later, Jessie stood up. "Oh, okay."
Victor Morgan readily agreed. "I'd appreciate that."
Jessie glanced in Quincy Sterling's direction. She really didn't want to be alone with Victor Morgan.
At the dinner table, she could tell her parents were very satisfied with Victor Morgan. And how could they not be? Although Mr. Morgan hadn't fully retired yet, almost all of the group's major and minor affairs were already in Victor Morgan's hands.
The man was the quintessential "perfect child" that elders always compared their own kids to.
'A man who fastens even the top button of his shirt and wears his tie impeccably... he's a total stick-in-the-mud. What could I possibly have to talk about with someone like that?'
But now, Quincy Sterling had "betrayed" Jessie without hesitation, completely ignoring the pleading look she sent his way.
Once Jessie and Victor Morgan were inside the elevator, her sense of unease became even more pronounced in the small, enclosed space.
A crisp, refreshing scent of pine resin seemed to hang in the air.
Victor Morgan had known who Jessie Sterling was for a while. He had recognized her that day at the private kitchen when she accidentally bumped into him.
He hadn't revealed his identity because he himself wasn't sure if the marriage alliance with the Sterling family would actually happen. If it didn't, there was no need to point out such a minor incident.
Now, Victor Morgan could see that the woman in front of him probably hadn't recognized him at all.
When he had left the room, he had grabbed a bag from the sofa. Now that it was just the two of them, and noticing Jessie's somewhat avoidant posture, Victor Morgan proactively held out the gift bag.
"A gift for our first meeting," Victor Morgan said.
The moment he spoke, Jessie looked up in surprise. "For me?" She hadn't expected someone who seemed like such an old fogey to actually prepare a gift.
Victor Morgan nodded.
Jessie wasn't one to be overly polite, so she took the unbranded bag from his hand.
"Can I see what it is now?" Jessie asked.
She loved receiving gifts, but she was very skeptical about what Victor Morgan would give her. 'What would an old stick-in-the-mud even give as a gift?'