A Spoonful of Sugar: Don't Beg for Love

"Sorry, I need to take this call," Hestia said, grateful for the timely interruption. However, as she answered the phone, her smile quickly faded, and she furrowed her brows. "What? I'll head back now." Hestia hung up the call and turned around to Nathaniel. "Something happened to Jessie. I need to get back now, so I'm afraid I can't keep you company anymore."

"Don't worry," Nathaniel replied with a sigh, watching Hestia's receding figure until she disappeared from sight. As petals slowly drifted down from the sky, he caught one in his hand and then fell silent.

*

Hestia had predicted that Zikmund would quickly discover that Jessie was with her, but she never imagined that he would brazenly bring people to surround Jessie. When she returned, Zikmund was already waiting for her.

"Ms. Rivera," Zikmund said, as though he had anticipated her arrival. "This is a private matter between Jess and me. I hope you won't interfere."

"Jess?" Hestia sneered, scrutinizing Zikmund before her. "I had no idea that Jessie had such an intimate family member. Mr. Gunther, don't you think you've gone a little bit too far bringing people to my doorstep like this?"

The man before her appeared gaunt and haggard. He was nothing like the talkative playboy she had read about in the files.

"Let me see Jessie." Zikmund sensed the hostility in Hestia's voice, but he forced himself to calm down. "Ms. Rivera, Jessie has signed a contract with me, so she must fulfill her obligations. I've already given her an extension."

'Contract? What contract?'

Hestia had not heard Jessie mention anything about a contract. The two of them looked at each other silently when the door suddenly opened from within.

"Guys, I think you should come in," Jessie said, looking at the Duval mansion next door. Hesper had already done enough for her, and she did not want to bring any more trouble to her. Her gaze lingered on Zikmund's face for a few seconds before sliding past him.

Hestia did not make any comment anymore since Jessie had said so. She turned around and walked into the room. As for Zikmund, his gaze was fixed on Jessie's face the moment she appeared. Then, he entered the house as well.

"Alright. If you have anything to say, say it here."

As soon as they arrived in the living room, Jessie turned around and stood still, her gaze sliding over Zikmund's face. It was unclear how he had transformed into his current appearance in such a brief period, but it was not her concern.

"Come back with me," Zikmund said flatly. Jessie looked at him blankly for a moment, then smiled.

"Hestia might be fooled by the contract you talked about, but I won't." Jessie narrowed her eyes, but her smile did not reach his eyes. "You want me to go back and marry you so that you can be with that woman? Don't even think about it."