Chapter 296: Jennie Stays, and Fourth Master Manoban Confesses
Jennie said, “No.”
Lisa's eyes moved slightly.
“Feelings can be developed on the basis of mutual affection. I don’t have feelings for you—I’m very sure that I have no feelings for Fourth Master.”
“Is that so?”
“I left seven years ago and left without saying goodbye today. I thought you understood, Fourth Master.” Jennie was very straightforward.
At this moment, Lisa nodded slightly.
Jennie thought that he understood. She said, “I’ve let you down. I’m very sorry—”
“I like you,” Lisa suddenly said.
Jennie did not finish her sentence.
She looked at Fourth Master Manoban.
It was as if…
She could feel that Fourth Master Manoban liked her.
Nonetheless, she did not think that those words would come out of Fourth Master Manoban's mouth.
She had always thought that he was a person who cared about his face.
After being rejected to such an extent, he would no longer reveal his emotions.
Jennie was not the only one who was surprised. Jae Hyun was also surprised.
Jae Hyun had always felt that it was impossible for Fourth Master Manoban to say something like that in his entire life. Who knew, when he was rejected by Jennie, he said it.
However, why did it feel so sad?
Jae Hyun could not bear it anymore, but…
“I don’t like you,” Jennie responded.
There was one more word, but the meaning became completely different.
Lisa's eyes moved slightly.
He seemed to be digesting it.
“I’m sorry,” Jennie apologized.
There was no need to apologize.
Apologizing would make it seem as if the other party appeared to be having wishful thinking.
“Fourth Master, you deserve better.” Jennie looked at Lisa. “Although the distinguished third princess of the Sanders isn’t a good match for you, the people of Harken are outstanding. There are so many young ladies here. You’ll find someone suitable for you, so you don’t need to waste your feelings on me.”
“They’re my feelings.” Lisa was cold.
“Yes, I’m in no place to say anything about your feelings.” Jennie nodded. She continued, “Thanks for taking care of me during this time. I’ll bring Liam—”
“Why do you want to leave just like that?” Lisa interrupted her.
Jennie was stunned.
“Answer my question, and I’ll let you leave.” Lisa stared at her.
Jennie pursed her lips.
Actually, it was no surprise that Fourth Master Manoban would ask her this.
Anyone would be curious.
Why did she want to leave just like that?
She left just like that and did not plan on returning.
Jennie did not understand either.
She did not know why Taehyung did not tell her anything.
Most of the time, Taehyung would not tell her so much.
She could only rely on herself to figure it out. Afterward, she answered honestly, “Because I offended the Sanders.”
Lisa's eyes moved.
“Elizabeth's death scared me.” Jennie was straightforward. “So, I want to leave this country that’s controlled by the Sanders. I want to ensure my absolute safety.”
“If I say that I can protect you—”
“No.” Jennie refused. “In this world, other than myself, I only trust Taehyung.”
Lisa's expression changed.
“Actually, the most important thing is not that you can’t bring me a sense of security; I have no attachment to the people in this country and city. So, when faced with danger, there’s no reason for me to take risks.” Jennie had said everything very bluntly.
At this point, if Fourth Master Manoban would still stay her by his side without caring about anything else…
Jennie would not know how else she could escape from Fourth Master Manoban in one piece.
She looked closely at Fourth Master Manoban.
She was a little afraid that she would fail to negotiate.
Although Jennie thought of the perfect scenario when she returned, she felt that with Fourth Master Manoban's status and mighty attitude, it was impossible for him to keep her by his side as if nothing had happened.
All men had their pride.
Even if it was just a decision made in a moment of desperation.
Jennie only needed a little time.
As long as she could leave right under Fourth Master Manoban's nose, she would be able to leave completely.
She unconsciously bit her lip.
As she was nervous, she made some unnatural movements.
Lisa, who was in front of her, saw it very clearly.
He knew very clearly how afraid the woman in front of her was that he would forcefully bring her to his side.
He pursed his lips.
His thin and cold lips were pursed into a stiff arc.
The space fell into a dead silence.
‘At this point, is he still not going to let me go?!’
Jennie's emotions and persistence were slowly collapsing.
‘Is it going to be a life or death struggle? Am I really going to need to threaten him…?’
“Can you develop some feelings for me?” Lisa suddenly broke the silence.
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Chapter 297: Jennie Stays, and Fourth Master Manoban Confesses
Jennie was stunned.
Jae Hyun also thought that he had heard wrongly.
He always felt that with Fourth Master Manoban's temper, he could either tell Jennie to scram or make her die.
Lisa would definitely not try to persuade Jennie to stay.
“If you haven’t tried, how do you know that feelings can’t be developed?” Lisa said calmly.
No other emotions could be seen on his calm face.
“Fourth Master, don’t you have any pride?” Jennie tore through his disguise.
“I don’t need to have any pride in front of you, Ms. Kim.”
“Didn’t I make myself clear just now? Feelings need to be built on the basis of mutual affection...”
“I only need you for a week.”
Jennie was stunned.
“If you still insist on leaving after a week, Ms. Kim, I’ll let you go.”
Jennie frowned.
She did not agree immediately.
The condition was very tempting.
However...
How could Jennie guarantee that he would not go back on his word?
“Jae Hyun,” Lisa called out to the onlooker at the side.
Jae Hyun was a little overwhelmed by the sudden summon. He quickly walked over.
“I’ll use Jae Hyun as collateral.” Lisa was straightforward.
‘What?!’
Jae Hyun’s eyes were about to pop out!
Jennie was also... dumbfounded.
“Jimin is one of yours?” Lisa asked.
“Yes.”
“He’s now in my custody. I’ll let him out and let him detain Jae Hyun. If I go back on my word a week later, you can exchange Jae Hyun with me,” Lisa said clearly.
Jae Hyun was about to explode. “Fourth Master Manoban, am I not your bro?”
‘Am I not your bro who risks his life for you?!’
“He’s the most important and most suitable person I can think of.” Lisa ignored Jae Hyun and spoke directly to Jennie.
Jae Hyun’s heart moved, and he could not help but smile.
‘The most important person?!
‘What did Fourth Master Manoban say? He said that I’m the most important person around him.
‘He suddenly became so corny
‘Well!
‘I’ve always been a loyal person. As a bro, I would do anything!’
Jennie was a little quiet.
She knew very well that this was Fourth Master Manoban's bottom line. She could not negotiate any more terms with him.
Jennie said, “Okay.”
She agreed to it.
Not to mention a week.
Even if it was a month, a year, ten years…
What could not be changed could not be changed.
“Felix.” Fourth Master Manoban's voice was a little loud.
Actually, he had noticed that Felix had been secretly watching them from the guardrail on the second floor.
Felix was summoned.
He was shocked, but he hurriedly ran downstairs.
“Let Jimin out,” Fourth Master Manoban ordered.
Felix quickly ran to the other side.
Then, he brought Jimin out.
Jimin looked at Jennie in surprise.
They looked at each other.
They did not say anything.
Lisa said, “I’ll leave Jae Hyun to you.”
Jimin was confused.
‘Is he in a daze?!
‘Is he sleepwalking?’
Jae Hyun took the initiative and walked toward Jimin. “You should feel extremely honored to be able to take me as your hostage.”
“...” was even more confused.
Jennie walked toward Jimin.
If it was anyone else, they would feel that this was a little unbelievable.
Jennie briefly told Jimin what happened.
Jimin looked at Jennie in disbelief.
Jennie also felt that it was unbelievable.
That said, it was the truth.
Jennie said, “Thank you for the trouble.”
Jimin calmed himself down and nodded.
The moment he nodded, he restrained Jae Hyun with his hands.
“Fuck, be gentle,” Jae Hyun shouted.
He was restrained by Jae Hyun and left Bamboo Garden.
When Jae Hyun left, he did not forget to shout at the people inside, “Fourth Master Manoban, I have sacrificed so much for you. You have to work harder!”
“...”
Jae Hyun and Jimin left.
Only Lisa, Jennie, and Liam were left in the hall.
Felix could be ignored.
At this moment, he had tactfully returned to his room.
Suddenly, only Lisa, Jennie, and Liam were left.
Jennie did not know how to face Fourth Master Manoban for a second.
She heard him say, “It’s getting late. Bring Liam back to his room to rest.”
Jennie looked at him.
After saying that, Liam turned around and went upstairs.
Jennie frowned.
‘Isn’t he afraid that I would leave with Liam?!’
On second thought, since Fourth Master Manoban was able to leave like this, he could definitely guarantee that Jennie would not be able to leave.
Moreover, it was only a week.
Jennie did not have the habit of going back on her word.
She lowered her head to look at Liam.
Liam looked up at her too.
Jennie smiled. “Just for a week.”
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Chapter 298: Jennie Stays, and Fourth Master Manoban Confesses
Jennie seemed to be comforting Liam.
Liam nodded obediently.
Jennie patted Liam’s little head and brought him upstairs, returning to the room where he had been sleeping.
Lying on the bed, Jennie could not sleep.
On the other hand, Liam was a child.
His sleepiness kicked in very quickly.
Very soon, Jennie heard the sound of him snoring.
She smiled.
Sometimes, she really envied how young and ignorant he was.
…
The next day, Jennie woke up naturally.
It was 11:00 am when she woke up.
It had been a long day.
Jennie also had insomnia for a long time.
When she opened her eyes, Liam was not by her side.
She frowned.
Logically, Liam would wake her up when he woke up.
Jennie hurriedly got out of bed because she felt uneasy.
She hurriedly went downstairs.
In the empty hall, there was no sign of Liam, nor was there any sign of Fourth Master Manoban.
“Ms. Kim,” Felix suddenly called out to her.
Jennie hurriedly turned her head.
“Little Master Kim is over here,” Felix said.
Jennie followed Felix to the back garden.
In the back garden, in a huge open-air swimming pool.
Jennie watched Fourth Master Manoban and Liam swimming in the pool.
It was early autumn, so it was not too hot or cold.
“Ms. Kim, don’t worry. The pool has a constant temperature,” Felix quickly said.
Jennie pursed her lips.
She just watched as Fourth Master Manoban taught Liam to swim.
Liam was weak in sports.
In fact, it was not that his body was not coordinated; it was that he was not interested in sports.
Taehyung had once thought of letting Liam go through a series of training, but Jennie refused.
At least until Liam was 10 years old, he should give Liam a childhood that he liked.
Hence...
Liam could not swim.
At this moment, he was forced to swim, and he looked unhappy.
Even so, Fourth Master Manoban could not see it, and he patiently taught George to hold his breath.
The adult and the child swan in the pool.
“Ms. Kim, do you want to go over—” Felix did not get to finish his sentence.
Jennie had turned around and left.
There were some things that she was not interested in.
Lisa saw her leave.
He turned his eyes.
After she disappeared, he looked back at Liam, who was staring at him with his eyes wide open.
Liam was obviously unhappy.
He was unhappy that Lisa had forced him out of bed early in the morning and thrown him into the pool.
He did not like swimming.
Despite that, Fourth Master Manoban insisted on making him swim.
Liam was about to break down.
He said, “I can’t learn it.”
“Mm,” Lisa replied.
“I’m going up.”
“Out of all the sports, I like swimming the most,” Lisa suddenly said.
Liam frowned.
“I thought you would like it too.” Lisa smiled.
‘You like it? Why must I like it too?!’
Liam was displeased.
“Since you don’t like it, come up.” Fourth Master Manoban went up from the pool.
In fact, Liam often felt that Fourth Master Manoban was very... baffling.
He followed him out of the pool.
Felix hurriedly handed over their bathrobes.
The adult and the child walked into the hall.
They went upstairs.
Before they went their separate ways, Lisa said, “After you shower, ask your mom to come downstairs for lunch.”
Liam did not answer and walked straight into his room.
Jennie had washed up. She sat on the sofa in the room and held her phone. She seemed to be hesitating whether she should send a message to Taehyung or not.
She should have angered Taehyung very much yesterday.
It would take a week before Jennie could go back.
Jennie did not know if she should tell Taehyung about her situation.
“Mom,” Liam called out to her.
Jennie came back to her senses.
When she returned to her senses, she put down her phone.
It was better for her to go back directly.
What should she say to Taehyung at this moment? He was probably furious.
She turned around and looked at Liam, who was drenched. “Didn’t you say that you don’t like sports?”
“Fourth Master Manoban forced me.”
Jennie smiled.
She said, “We’re living under someone else’s roof now.”
“That’s why I didn’t resist,” Liam said.
Jennie nodded.
Liam walked into the bathroom and took a shower by himself.
After taking a shower, he changed into a set of dry clothes.
Jennie blew Liam’s hair.
“Fourth Master Manoban asked me yesterday if I was born with curly hair.” Liam suddenly asked.
Jennie paused what she was doing. “How did you answer him?”
“I didn’t answer him.”
Jennie smiled.
Liam was indeed a reliable and talented child.
Jennie dried his hair, then brought him downstairs.
Downstairs, Fourth Master Manoban was sitting elegantly in the living room.
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Chapter 299: Jennie Stays, and Fourth Master Manoban Confesses
Seeing Jennie and Liam come down, Lisa stood up and walked directly toward them, saying, “Let’s have lunch.”
Then the three of them sat at the huge dining table in Bamboo Garden.
There were many dishes.
It was not like two days ago when it was just Lisa and Jennie eating.
No one spoke at the dining table either.
It was just so silent as if they were strangers.
Sometimes, Jennie did not understand Fourth Master Manoban.
She thought that Fourth Master Manoban would at least do something through the week that she would be staying. Nonetheless, from the looks of it now, he would not do anything.
Were they simply going to spend a week together?!
Jennie did not ask about it.
In any case, to her, it was just spending a week here.
No matter how she spent it, it would not matter.
After lunch, Liam cleared the dining table very consciously.
Jennie frowned slightly.
No matter how much Liam took care of himself since he was young, she would not go so far as to abuse him to do these things.
She did not look good.
“He has to learn to do things within his capability.”
“I don’t think that washing the dishes is something that he can do...”
“Obviously, he can do it,” Lisa said bluntly.
At that moment, he glanced to the side.
Jennie also looked over and was surprised to find that Liam could do it.
She pursed her lips and did not say anything more.
In any case, they were staying at Lisa's place.
After lunch, Jennie had nothing to do. She sat on the sofa and waited for Liam to finish washing the dishes.
Once Liam was done washing the dishes, he did not return to Jennie's side. Instead, he was taken away by Fourth Master Manoban.
Jennie pursed her lips.
In the end, she did not say anything.
She did not say anything.
In any case, she did not feel that what she would say would be useful.
After waiting for about an hour, Fourth Master Manoban and Liam were still not back.
Jennie could not hold it in any longer.
In the end, she got up and went to look for them.
After looking around, in the laundry room, she saw Fourth Master Manoban supervising Liam in washing clothes.
Jennie was furious.
‘Did he want us to stay so that he can torture Liam?!’
Obviously, Lisa saw her at this moment.
That said, he had no reactions.
Jennie gritted her teeth, turned around, and left.
Fourth Master Manoban had a habit of abusing children. She could only endure it.
On this day.
On the first day of the seven days, Fourth Master Manoban forced Liam to do housework.
Nevertheless, it was not just the first day.
It was the same every day.
Jennie did not believe it.
Five of such boring and monotonous days passed by.
Jennie had always thought that Fourth Master Manoban had kept them here because he wanted to develop a relationship with her instead of putting all his energy into Liam.
Fourth Master Manoban was also not taking the opportunity to fawn over Liam.
He was just asking Liam to do things he hated.
To be honest, Jennie did not quite understand Fourth Master Manoban.
She felt that he was... unusual.
At night, Jennie lay on the bed with Liam beside her.
Perhaps Liam had done too many things in one day, so he fell asleep very quickly.
On the other hand, Jennie seemed to have insomnia every night.
She probably had too much free time these few days.
Two more days—two more days and she would be able to leave.
Time passed faster than she thought…
Jennie suddenly sat up from the bed.
She could not sleep.
She lifted the blanket and got out of bed.
She went downstairs to the back garden for a walk. Perhaps she would be able to sleep well after walking around for a while.
That was what Jennie thought.
As soon as she walked into the back garden, she heard the sound of splashes in the pool.
From a distance, she could see water splashing in the pool.
It was very late at night.
She did not expect that Fourth Master Manoban had not slept either.
He had not slept and was still swimming here.
Did he like swimming so much?!
After hesitating for a moment, Jennie still walked over.
After spending the past few days together, she felt that Fourth Master Manoban was not that annoying. He also did not do things to make her stay. Other than being unfriendly to Liam, Jennie felt that Fourth Master Manoban had been exceptionally good these past few days.
Therefore, she was not against approaching him at this moment.
Jennie went over and sat on a comfortable recliner beside the swimming pool.
She just watched Fourth Master Manoban swim in the swimming pool non-stop.
He swam many, many laps.
Jennie did not disturb him.
She just sat by the side and watched indifferently.
At night, there was only the sound of water splashing.
No one knew how much time had passed.
Most likely, Lisa was tired from swimming.
He stopped and came out of the pool.
When he came out, he did not find it strange to see Jennie there.
He had probably noticed her long ago.
Lisa casually picked up the bathrobe at the side and covered his body. He was only wearing swimming trunks. “Ms. Kim, you’re still awake?”
“So are you.”
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Chapter 300: Jennie Stays, and Fourth Master Manoban Confesses
“I thought that you wouldn’t suffer from insomnia like me, Ms. Kim.” Lisa picked up a dry towel at the side and dried his slightly long hair.
Lisa's hair was usually slicked back.
It looked very imposing.
Once it was wet, his hair would naturally fall on his forehead. It looked less aggressive, but he seemed to be more handsome.
Jennie's eyes turned slightly.
Lisa did not wait for Jennie's reply.
He walked toward the hall by himself.
Jennie watched him leave.
She had a feeling that she could not understand this man.
She would never know what his point was.
She would never know why he made her stay for a week.
Was it to... spend a few more days with Liam?!
After all, Fourth Master Manoban had spent all his energy on Liam these few days even though it was a little... ‘brutal’.
Jennie's heart moved.
There were some things that they would never talk about even if they knew very well.
Jennie sat by the pool for quite a while before she got up and returned to the hall.
In the hall, the lights were very bright.
She watched from afar as the Fourth Master Manoban sat at the bar counter in a corner of the hall, drinking.
The smell of alcohol was very strong.
Even from so far away, Jennie seemed to have smelled it.
She did not have much emotion and directly walked upstairs.
“Ms. Kim,” Fourth Master Manoban suddenly called out to her.
Jennie paused.
“Let’s drink together.” He was inviting her.
Jennie did not have a good tolerance for alcohol.
Most of the time, she would even get drunk as soon as she drank.
In front of outsiders, she rarely drank.
At this moment, she still went over.
Jennie went over and sat on the bar seat opposite Fourth Master Manoban.
She did not know how much Fourth Master Manoban had drunk.
The smell of alcohol on him was very strong, but he did not look drunk at all.
Fourth Master Manoban poured half a cup of alcohol for Jennie.
Jennie took it and drank a mouthful of it.
It tasted really good.
Even though Jennie could not hold her liquor well, she was still good at tasting wine.
“Fourth Master, why did you suddenly think of drinking alone?” Jennie asked casually.
She felt that it would be a little awkward if it was just two of them
Due to Fourth Master Manoban's performance these few days, or more accurately, his lack of performance, Jennie lowered her guard.
“It wasn’t sudden.” Lisa sipped on his alcohol. “I drink every night. It’s just that you don’t know about it.”
Jennie's eyes moved slightly.
At this moment, she did not know what to say.
Lisa changed the topic. “How’s your alcohol tolerance?”
“Not good,” Jennie said, “Actually, I get drunk as soon as I drink.”
“Do you get drunk from one glass?” Lisa asked.
“One glass of this is fine,” Jennie responded, “But I’ll get drunk after two glasses.”
Lisa nodded.
Jennie finished half of her glass. She put down her glass. “I won’t bother you anymore.”
“I heard that you haven’t had a man for a long time,” Lisa suddenly said.
Jennie's expression was a little stiff.
“Last time when you were drunk, you said it while you were in Taehyung's arms,” Lisa reminded her.
He did not reveal any emotions.
Jennie bit her lip.
She knew.
Liam had kindly reminded her of it.
Jennie smiled. “I was probably blabbering as I was drunk. Fourth Master, don’t take it to heart.”
“So it hasn’t been a long time since you had a man?” Fourth Master Manoban asked.
Jennie looked at Fourth Master Manoban.
She did not know if seven years was considered long.
She did not answer.
Some topics were not suitable for deep discussion.
Jennie stood up and prepared to leave.
At this moment, she heard Fourth Master Manoban say, “It’s been seven years for me.”
Jennie frowned.
She did not react.
Lisa said to her, “It’s been seven years since I’ve had a woman.”
Jennie pursed her lips.
Her heart was beating uncontrollably.
‘Seven years ago…
‘Is he referring to me?!’
Jennie had heard that Fourth Master Manoban was cold and that no woman could get close to him. However, ever since she easily climbed into his bed seven years ago, she had started to doubt the authenticity of the rumors. Perhaps it was because of his noble status that outsiders felt that he had never had a relationship with a woman.
In fact, all men had needs.
Jennie had confirmed that Fourth Master Manoban had no problem in that aspect, so she felt that even if no woman had ever gotten close to him in public, someone might have gotten close to him in private.
It was not her fault for misunderstanding men.
Taehyung had told her so.
He said that he did not need to get married in his lifetime, but it was impossible for him to not have women.
Taehyung had a lot of women.
They were all young ladies who threw themselves at him.
Foreign countries were more open-minded. The women there were not as reserved as the women in Harken. Therefore, Taehyung had a lot of relationships with many women.
Sometimes, Jennie always wondered if Somi would be jealous… or if she could only endure it.
Jennie's thoughts seemed to have drifted far away.
It was not her fault for always thinking of Taehyung.
After all, Taehyung gave her a ray of hope to live on during her most difficult time.
Jennie's eyes moved slightly.
She just looked at Fourth Master Manoban in front of her.
He did not say anything else.
It was as if he was telling her a fact.
It made her not leave immediately.
Jennie just looked at him and watched as he poured another glass of wine.
A full bottle of wine was finished just like that.
Jennie knew that the alcohol content of foreign wine was not as high as that of the white wine in South Hampton City, but she had only helped Lisa drink half a glass from that bottle. Lisa still had too much of it.
She watched as Fourth Master Manoban drank his last glass of wine.
“Fourth Master.” Jennie suddenly held his hand.
She stopped him from drinking.
Fourth Master Manoban looked at her.
“Do you want me to sleep with you?” Jennie asked.
Fourth Master Manoban's eyes moved slightly.
“I’ve told you that whether you want money or my body, I’ll give it all,” Jennie said straightforwardly.
She admitted that she felt somewhat guilty toward Fourth Master Manoban.
If she could repay him with her body, she felt that it was reasonable.
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