Chapter 125

“My sister is quite independent; she doesn’t need much looking after,” Jimmie explained, toying with his wine glass. “I’m just worried about her getting into a relationship and letting it affect her studies.”
“Dating too young?” Shanley lifted his gaze, a wicked curve to his lips. “No, a young lady certainly shouldn’t be doing that.”
“Exactly,” Jimmie nodded. “She’s young, beautiful, and delicate. She’s already attracting attention. I just haven’t figured out what kind of trash is circling her yet.”
If he let his sister get snatched away by some ill-intentioned jerk, he was pretty sure his family would have his head.
“Ordinarily, it wouldn’t be a problem,” Shanley said, leaning back in his chair and crossing his long legs elegantly, his expression serious. “But she’s a young woman now. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to personally look after her, would it?”
“How about this,” Shanley paused for a moment before continuing, “let your sister stay at your place, and I’ll send Dana over to take care of her.”
Dana was his personal housekeeper, who had looked after him since he was a child and was very experienced.
“I’ll keep a close eye on her schoolwork and well-being to make sure no punks lead her astray. What do you think?”
Young women could be difficult to handle; he was still figuring out how to manage the one who held his heart. He wasn’t keen on getting too close to other girls, especially not one who was practically an adult.
Jimmie considered it. Juniper might not agree to live with him anyway. Having a female housekeeper would certainly be more convenient.
“That could work,” Jimmie agreed, raising his glass to clink with Shanley’s. A smile touched his lips. “I’ll be relying on you for the next little while, then.”
“Don’t mention it.” Shanley’s lips curved into a faint, impossibly charming smile. “Your sister is my sister, isn’t she?”
He would definitely treat her as his own.
After they’d settled things, Jimmie noticed his sister still hadn’t arrived. He pulled out his phone to check on her.
Juniper replied: [At the elevator.]
“My sister’s here. I’ll go meet her.” With that, Jimmie stood and walked out.
His sister was here, but where was Juniper?
Shanley took out his own phone and texted her, quickly receiving a reply: [Almost there.]
Almost there? Could she be arriving at the same time as Jimmie’s sister? That girl was her fan; he hoped she wouldn’t get too excited and scare anyone.
After a moment’s hesitation, Shanley also stood up. Just as he was about to head out, the door to the private room swung open. Jimmie walked in, carrying a black backpack.
That backpack it looked familiar, a lot like Juniper’s.
Shanley frowned, his deep-set eyes fixed on the backpack as he fell into a brief, thoughtful silence.
Before he could process it, a tall, slender figure emerged from behind Jimmie. The girl was dressed in a simple white t-shirt, black pants, and a black baseball cap. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, and beneath the brim of her cap was a delicate, stunningly beautiful face.
Juniper?
Shanley’s brain shut down. His body went rigid. How could she be with Jimmie?
Unless…
“Juniper, this is the friend I told you about. The President of Schwartz Group, Shanley,” Jimmie said, completely oblivious to Shanley’s reaction. “From now on, you can just call him bro.”
“Bro?” Juniper took off her cap, casually twirling it in her hands. Her bright, starlit eyes gazed with amusement at the astonished man before her.
“That’s right,” Jimmie said, leading his sister to the table. “Mr. Schwartz said he wants to treat you like his own dear sister.”
So, of course, she should call him brother.
Dear sister? The words hit Shanley like a ton of bricks. He felt like he’d just dug his own grave.