It took quite a while for the crafts to be arranged properly.
Jason Carter invited Jin and Elsa to stay for dinner at his villa.
The family chef prepared a lavish meal — roasted lamb with herb sauce, creamy mashed potatoes, and aged red wine. For Emma and Lily, who had never dined in such luxury, it was like stepping into another world.
As the meal wrapped up, Jason's phone buzzed.
He glanced at the screen — someone had added him on Messenger, with a note that read:
"Jason, please come save me!"
Jason frowned slightly.
"Save her?" he muttered, opening the message request anyway.
The moment he accepted, more messages came flooding in:
"Jason, I'm Shenna Reeves from Cresthill University of Business and Economics. I'm also part of the Stray Cat Rescue Association — the one you founded."
"I found a weak kitten and need assistance!"
Jason blinked, completely thrown off.
Stray Cat Rescue Association? Founded by him?
Since when had he done that?
He couldn't help but chuckle. "Save a life," huh? So this was about rescuing kittens?
The name Shenna Reeves did sound familiar, though.
Right — she was one of the people Olivia had been trying to build connections with. If he remembered correctly, her beauty rating was an impressive 9.3, making her the second woman to surpass 9 points — right after Olivia herself.
Jason turned his phone toward Olivia, who sat nearby, a faint smirk on her lips.
"What's this about?" he asked.
Olivia leaned in close, her perfume drifting faintly around him as she whispered an explanation.
Jason finally got it.
Turns out, Olivia had set up the "Stray Cat Rescue Association" purely as a way to appeal to Shenna's soft-hearted nature. The organization wasn't much more than a social group with a noble-sounding cause.
Still, Shenna had taken it seriously — she'd even donated over a million dollars to support it.
Jason tapped out a reply:
"Where are you?"
Her answer came almost instantly.
"The Grand Hall....., Ballroom 512."
Jason's eyebrows lifted slightly.
What a coincidence.
Then again, maybe not. If Shenna could casually donate that much, she was obviously from a wealthy family. Hosting a banquet at the city's most prestigious hotel was exactly what you'd expect.
"Wait a moment, I'll be right there," Jason texted back.
He could've just sent Olivia or a driver, but something about Shenna's earnest tone made him decide to go himself. Besides, helping someone who loved animals wasn't a bad way to earn goodwill.
"You two enjoy yourselves," Jason said, rising from the table. "I've got something to take care of."
Emma and Lily nodded, still a bit dazed by the luxurious dinner.
Jason left with Olivia and one of his drivers, leaving the other behind so the girls could get home later.
The drive to Crescent Tower didn't take long.
As the owner of several luxury establishments in the city, Jason didn't need an appointment. The hotel staff recognized him immediately. Managers, security, and attendants all greeted him with deep respect, escorting him swiftly to Ballroom 512.
The moment he stepped inside, he spotted her.
A tall woman, over 5'8", stood near the banquet table, her long black coat draping elegantly over her shoulders. She was politely nodding to a graceful, middle-aged woman but kept glancing toward the entrance as if waiting for someone.
When Shenna saw him, her eyes lit up — a subtle sparkle of relief and excitement flashing within them.
She moved gracefully toward him, every step confident yet refined, the kind of poise that came naturally to someone raised in privilege.
Jason met her halfway, his sharp blue eyes catching the soft gleam of the chandelier above.
Even though Jason Carter had met plenty of stunning women in the past month, he couldn't help the quickened thump of his heartbeat as he looked at the woman before him.
His breath hitched for half a second.Only one word echoed in his mind—goddess.
Her long legs carried her with the kind of grace that seemed effortless, her silky black hair flowing down her back like a cascade of midnight water.
She wasn't wearing any designer labels or flashy jewelry, yet she radiated a quiet nobility—an aura that said she didn't need luxury to look expensive.
And her face...It was almost otherworldly.Every line and curve seemed sculpted by a divine hand, without a single flaw—like a masterpiece signed by the heavens themselves.
Shenna Reeves.
Jason inhaled deeply, forcing himself to calm down, and schooled his expression into neutrality.He told himself, Get a grip. Don't act like a fool just because she's beautiful.
Even if she was a 9.3 out of 10 in his system's beauty rating, he needed to stay composed.
There was no doubt now—the woman before him was Shenna Reeves.
Then he suddenly remembered—where was that kitten she'd mentioned?
Shenna approached him with quiet urgency and, without warning, opened her long wool coat.
Jason's eyes widened slightly. Beneath it, she wore a fitted black sweater that outlined every perfect curve of her chest and waist. For a brief, dangerous moment, his breath hitched again.
But before his imagination could run wild, Shenna discreetly pulled out a tiny calico kitten from under her coat and whispered, "I'll leave him with you, Jason. Please—don't let my parents see him."
Her eyes darted around the room anxiously. In an instant, the elegant goddess aura vanished, replaced by the nervous, sneaky energy of a guilty schoolgirl.
Jason almost laughed at how completely her vibe changed. But before he could say anything, a commanding voice cut through the air.
A refined, beautiful middle-aged woman strode toward them, her expression sharp as glass.
The startled kitten mewled and squirmed, retreating back into Shenna's coat.
"Shenna Reeves," the woman snapped, "don't tell me you're hiding another stray cat again? Have you forgotten what happened last time? Fleas, allergies—such disgraceful behavior for a young lady! You're supposed to be hosting your grandfather's birthday, not sneaking around with filthy animals!"
Her voice carried the tone of someone used to obedience.
Across the room, two handsome young men—likely rich family friends—quickly approached but didn't dare interfere. They admired Shenna with quiet devotion but were far too terrified of her mother's wrath to open their mouths.
Jason, however, stepped forward and positioned himself slightly in front of Shenna.
The woman narrowed her eyes. "And who might you be? Step aside, young man."
Jason didn't flinch. His tone was calm, steady. "Give me the kitten," he said quietly to Shenna.
For a moment, she just stared at him—taken aback by how confidently he stood there, shielding her without hesitation.
Then, biting her lip, she nodded and gently handed the small kitten over to him.
Shenna Reeves — Affection +10.
Jason held the trembling kitten with surprising gentleness. "Where did you find this little guy? Were there others?"
"In the flower bed at the hotel entrance," Shenna whispered. "I didn't get to check for more."
Jason nodded and turned to Olivia, who stood nearby with that ever-calm look of quiet competence.
"Go search the flower bed," he instructed. "If there are others, they won't survive alone. Bring them all back and have the Rescue Association handle them."
"On it," Olivia replied, already heading out.
Shenna watched, eyes wide with admiration.
She'd always been the type to yield under pressure—especially with her strict parents around—but Jason seemed completely fearless, commanding even her mother's presence without hesitation.
To her, it was the kind of confidence that could only come from strength.
Shenna Reeves — Affection +5.
The elegant middle-aged woman seemed ready to explode, but seeing the kitten now out of sight, she managed to restrain herself.
"Shenna," she said coldly, "go change your clothes. Now."
Shenna nodded quickly. The kitten had been saved, and pushing further would only make things worse.
As she brushed past Jason, she leaned close and whispered, her voice soft and fragrant with the scent of vanilla and jasmine.
"This is my grandpa's birthday banquet," she said. "Since you're already here, you should stay. Help yourself to some food, don't be shy. My grandpa's really kind — I'll be back soon. I also want to know if Olivia finds any other kittens."
Her words were simple, but her tone carried warmth that made it impossible to refuse.
Jason hesitated only a moment, then smiled faintly.
She gave him a sense of ease — a mix of grace and sincerity he rarely found.
And besides, staying here would only help strengthen their connection.
So Jason decided to stay.
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