A Warm Marriage After Rebirth

Calling this a 360-degree turnaround for Zoe Jennings would be an understatement; it was more like a 720. Her ability to flip on a dime like that was a talent in itself.

"Seraphina, Zoe actually has a point. You should really think it through before deciding whether to skip grades! Please don’t be like my brother. He always thought he was so smart and kept skipping grades, assuming the college entrance exam would be a breeze. But who would’ve guessed? He totally bombed it and didn’t even make the cutoff for a top-tier university! That’s the price of overconfidence!"

Quinn Jennings, who had been quiet until then, chuckled, easing the stiff, awkward atmosphere in the living room. Having been made an example of, Leo Jennings finally clammed up. He definitely didn’t want his sister dredging up his embarrassing past for sport—especially not in front of all these girls.

’Unlike Leo Jennings, Seraphina Sterling found herself quite fond of Quinn Jennings’s personality. She wasn’t competitive or attention-seeking, preferring to sit quietly off to the side. But the moment you had a problem, she’d be the first one there to help. Who wouldn’t like a girl like that?’

"Quinn, that’s where you’re wrong. If Leo hadn’t failed the college entrance exam from skipping all those grades, would he ever have been accepted to Yale University? You know what they say: when one door closes, another one opens. It’s often true. Your brother lost the chance to attend a university domestically, but in exchange, he gained admission to an even more prestigious institution. That’s not an opportunity everyone gets!"

Seraphina Sterling walked over to Leo Jennings. "Yale isn’t your average university. You’d better be prepared before you go. Otherwise, you never know what’s waiting for you. Since you’re family, here’s a friendly tip: once you get to Yale University, drop that high-and-mighty attitude. No one there is a pushover. Be careful, or you’ll get put in your place so hard you won’t even be able to keep up with your classes."

"Listen to you, acting like you know so much. Seraphina Sterling, what gives you the right to lecture Leo Jennings? Aren’t you a little full of yourself! His father is a renowned entrepreneur, and even he hasn’t said a word. Yet here you are, some little brat who knows nothing, trying to school everyone! Think about it—a man as smart as his father would never let his own son get into trouble, would he?"

Ivy Cheney quickly changed the subject, doubling down on the flattery. "Leo is so smart; he must have inherited Mr. Jennings’s brilliant genes! If only some of that could rub off on our Zoe, then studying for her college entrance exams wouldn’t be such a struggle! But since you’re planning to settle down in town, Mr. Jennings, our two families should get together more often. Especially the children. That way, they can help each other out!"

’After all that beating around the bush, Ivy Cheney finally revealed her true objective. It was exhausting just listening to her! Successful entrepreneur? He was just a glorified contractor! And Ivy Cheney was desperate to cling to even that tenuous connection.’

’She could lay on the flattery all day, but that didn’t mean he was buying any of it.’

Elias Jennings’s brow furrowed. He’d never met someone so thoroughly irritating. "Leo and Quinn both have their own work to do. They’re usually wrapped up in their own projects—busier than I am, and I’m their boss. Frankly, unless it’s urgent, even I, their own father, hesitate to interrupt them. If you show up while they’re in the middle of something, they definitely won’t give you a warm welcome."

"That’s no problem! If I happen to go looking for him and he’s in a terrible mood, I won’t mind at all. Everyone has bad days! Even people as incredible as Leo and Quinn are no exception! If something like that does happen, I can help talk them through it!"