Chapter 22: Riley Definitely Cares
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Jake emerged from a boardroom meeting to find a WhatsApp message from George. Their last conversation had been two years ago, the day of their fight. He couldn’t quite remember the details, only that George had left the country afterward.
Sitting in his executive chair, Jake reminisced about their college days. Their families were neighbors, their mothers were best friends, and they’d been childhood buddies. Their friendship had fractured, however, over Riley. A classic, cliché love triangle.
Suddenly, his office door opened.
“Brother,” Ethan announced,
Jake looked
a
sycophantic smile
up, his gaze cool and assessing.“What do you want?”
plastered on his face.
Ethan grinned, a little too smoothly.“You called me this morning?”
Jake nodded.
Ethan leaned closer.“Because of Riley? Don’t thank me; it’s what little brothers are for.”
Jake frowned.“Riley? What about her?”
Ethan froze.“What do you mean ‘what about her? Brother, don’t be such a jerk!”
Jake’s
flared.“What are you talking about? Explain yourself.”
impatience
“Last night, you were drunk, and I asked Riley to take care of don’t even remember!”
Jake cut him off before he could finish.“What did you say?”
Ethan rolled his eyes.“I said you’re ungrateful.”
“The sentence before that.”
you.
Now you’re acting like you
Ethan thought for a moment, repeating his earlier statement. Seeing Jake’s surprised expression he probed, “Brother, you don’t remember, do you?”
“It really was her?”
Ethan nodded.“Yeah, the call logs are still there.” He pulled out his phone, showed Jake the call log with Riley from the previous night.
Jake saw the time:9 PM.
It wasn’t a dream. It was really Riley.
She obviously still cared.
A
smug smile touched his lips.
Ethan, seeing him spaced out, waved a hand in front of his face.“Brother, snap out of it.”
Jake returned to the present, saying flatly, “Well done.”
Ethan was
stunned. His usually overbearing cousin “Brother, did someone possess you?”
was…
praising
him?
Jake looked
looked disgusted.“Pathetic. Don’t call me ‘brother‘ when you’re outside.”
Ethan breathed a sigh of relief. That
tone, that look–that
was
his cousin.
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Chapter 22: Riley Definitely Cares
Jake asked, “It’s lunchtime. What are you doing here?”
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Ethan finally remembered his purpose. He grinned, “Brother, help me out, please!” Jake eyed him skeptically. “What? Did your parents cut you off?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
‘Ethan stammered, “Can I borrow some money?”
Jake leaned back, his gaze sharp.“How much?”
“Not much, two million.”
Jake’s brow furrowed.“What for? Did you go gambling?”
No way! I don’t gamble.”
Jake said nothing, just stared.
Ethan caved. He knew he had no secrets from his cousin. He mumbled, “There’s an auction at the Fowler family tomorrow… I have a girlfriend, and I want to buy her some jewelry.”
“Girlfriend? I thought you’re still in high school. Early romance?”
Ethan waved his hands frantically.“No, not yet. I plan to confess after the exams.”
Jake clicked his tongue, mockingly. “You’re certainly generous.”
Ethan didn’t catch the sarcasm. He chuckled, “I like her, so I want to treat her well. What if I don’t, and she runs off with someone else?”
Jake looked utterly unimpressed.“You’re so pathetic.”
Ethan continued pleading, “Brother, please.”
“Fine, I’ll have my accounts transfer
transfer some money from my personal account, Ethan beamed.“Thanks, brother! I’ll head back to school. Remember to transfer the money tomorrow, don’t forget!”
“Get out.”
With his mission accomplished, Ethan happily left.
Jake leaned back, pondering Ethan’s words. Riley really *did* care.
Whatever. She’d made the first move. As long as she behaved, he didn’t care about her motives. He had plenty of money; if she liked money, she could have it.
Feeling significantly better, Jake picked
his phone and up
called Mark.
“Mark, how do you usually coax your girlfriend?”
Mark exploded.“I don’t have a girlfriend!”
1 Jake paused, then drawled, “Oh, right. You’re a lonely dog.”
Mark:“…”
“Are you deliberately trying to annoy me, Lao Pei?”
Jake lit
a cigarette, taking a slow drag.“Who’s annoying you? I’m just asking.”
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Chapter 22: Riley Definitely Cares
“With all the girlfriends you’ve had, you wouldn’t know? Did you fight with and want to make up with her?”
Jake mumbled, “No.”
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your
little girlfriend
Mark paused. “Then who are you trying to coax? Wait, you didn’t find another one, did you?”
“No.”
Mark was confused.“Then who?”
Jake said, frustrated, “Who else? Riley.”
Mark was silent.
Jake continued, “Say something! How do I coax her?”
Mark finally spoke, unimpressed.“Riley? She’s shameless enough to need you to coax her? Just Buy her a gift, whatever you usually buy her.”
“What should I buy?”
“Whatever you usually buy.” Mark’s tone was impatient.
Jake stopped. He realized he’d never bought Riley anything. He was a cheapskate.
Peter’s words echoed in his mind.
Damn it. He wasn’t cheap!
Mark, sensing his silence, asked cautiously, “You’ve never bought her anything before, have you?” Jake snapped, “Buy what? I don’t even know what she likes!”
Tsk tsk tsk, Jake, no wonder she’s so clear–headed about things.”
Jake’s face darkened.“What do you mean by that?”
“What do I mean? Take Ava, for example. You bought her tons of luxury goods. But you’re so stingy with Riley. And you claimed she’s after your money? Dude, we’re done, if you’re this cheap.”
“If
you can’t speak properly, donate your tongue.” Jake said angrily.
Mark laughed.“I’m just joking. Don’t worry, Riley loves you so much; even if you don’t coax her, she’ll be all over you again soon enough. Just wait.”
Jake smirked, self–satisfied.“Exactly. She can’t live without me. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have secretly come to take care of me last night.”
