Chapter 981
Carol was utterly taken aback, her tears suddenly ceasing. “He’s your husband?” she exclaimed. The man’s striking good looks were undeniable. His extraordinary appearance and charisma made him stand out in a crowd. It was almost surreal to think he was Imogen’s husband. Gregory, too, was momentarily stunned, and his surprise evident in his expression. Quickly composing himself, he said, “Ash, please come in and have a seat.”
“Thank you,” Jasper replied, placing his suitcase down before settling into a chair. As he took in the shabby interior of the house, a sense of unease crept over him.
With a swift effort to regain her composure, Carol brushed away her tears and hurried off to brew some coffee. As Jasper settled into his seat, Gregory’s scrutiny intensified, his gaze holding a mysterious depth.
Jasper’s palms grew clammy, his back stiffening as he felt the weight of Gregory’s stare. His eyes flitted around nervously, unable to settle on a reassuring focal point.
Under Gregory’s intense gaze, Jasper found himself at a loss for suitable conversation topics. Meeting Imogen’s parents for the first time proved to be far more daunting than Jasper had imagined.
Suddenly, Gregory exclaimed, “Ash, my boy! You remind me of an old supervisor I had. He was quite remarkable, always radiating confidence.” Jasper’s hands grew restless, his nerves intensifying. Was Gregory onto him?
Politely, Jasper asked, “Dad, where did you work before?”
With a solemn sigh, Gregory waved his hand dismissively. “Oh, that’s all in the past now. Let’s not dwell on it,” he muttered.
Imogen delicately accepted the coffee Carol had prepared and approached Jasper, offering it to him.
Taking it with both hands, Jasper expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you.”
Imogen’s smile softened as she said, “My father is a retired soldier. He was a veteran who served at the border and was honorably discharged due to an injury.”
Jasper feigned surprise, replying, “Oh, I had no idea!”
But unbeknownst to them, Jasper had long been aware of this information. Nevertheless, he felt compelled to keep up the facade.
Soon, Imogen settled beside Jasper. Prompted by Gregory, she leaned closer, her eyes examining Jasper with curiosity.
Feeling the weight of her gaze, Jasper tensed inexplicably. He reached for his glass of water, using it to momentarily divert the attention away from him.
Imogen couldn’t resist asking, “Dad, who does he remind you of?”
“General Thornton,” Gregory replied.
Upon hearing this, Jasper suddenly choked, narrowly avoiding a coughing fit. Imogen promptly handed him a tissue. “Be careful with your water,” she advised.
At that moment, Carol arrived with a platter of freshly cut fruits, her face now glowing with a smile that contrasted sharply with the tension from the recent ordeal.
“Here you are, Ash. Help yourself to some fruit,” she offered.
“Thank you.”
As he laid eyes on the fruit, Jasper’s memory was jogged, reminding him of the presents he had brought. He swiftly made his way to his suitcase, unzipping it to reveal three
meticulously prepared gifts.
“Well, since this is our first meeting, I’ve brought a little something for each of you. Please, Mom, Dad, and Imogen accept these gifts with my warmest regards,” Jasper expressed.
With that, he approached them, extending the presents. The trio couldn’t help but exchange surprised glances as they admired the elegantly wrapped packages.
With a bright smile, Carol eagerly unwrapped her gift. “You’ve brought presents as well? Ash, you’re incredibly thoughtful. Thank you!” Imogen’s eyes sparkled with delight. “I can’t believe I received one too!”
Meanwhile, Gregory’s lips instinctively curved into a smile, unable to conceal his pleasure. “Thank you, Ash. But honestly, we’re all family now. There’s no need for such generosity.”
As they unraveled the gifts, astonishment painted their faces.
Their eyes widened in shock as they stole glances at each other’s gifts, then back at their own, struggling to comprehend the reality of the items before them.
Gregory’s gift was a Rolex watch, elegantly embellished with a gold border Meanwhile, Carol’s present was a breathtaking set of ruby jewelry, each piece meticulously crafted and radiating beauty.
On the other hand, Imogen’s gift consisted of a dazzling array of diamond accessories-rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and a headpiece.
A profound silence settled over
them, with none of them daring to
l
break it with words. Was there a chance that these gifts were counterfeit? But what would be the estimated value of these items if they were confirmed to be genuine?
With anticipation bubbling, Jasper observed their reactions intently.
These gifts had been carefully curated through discreet consultations with a few married women in his office, striving for the utmost thoughtfulness in each selection.
However, Jasper couldn’t help but wonder if the trio’s stunned silence indicated their disapproval.
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