After her favorable impression of Jason had risen sharply, Shenna couldn't help but feel a ripple of worry for him.She had no idea what her mother might do next.
Without realizing it, she shifted her chair just a little closer to Jason, a quiet, protective gesture. Though she was somewhat afraid of defying her mother, she couldn't just stand by after Jason had spoken up for her so confidently.
However, to her surprise, while Victoria's eyes burned with a faint spark of anger, she didn't lash out. Perhaps Jason's words had been too calm, too precise — leaving her no ground to strike back.
And though she was a powerful woman, she wasn't an unreasonable one. If the logic was sound, even Victoria Reeves wouldn't scold someone without reason.
Finally, she exhaled slowly, crossing her arms. "You certainly have a sharp tongue, Mr. Carter. But let's see if your eloquence still holds weight once you've actually accomplished something."
With that, she turned and walked away.
Shenna blinked, dumbfounded. Her mother backed off?
She'd seen her mother silence politicians, CEOs, and old family patriarchs — but this time, she actually retreated.Maybe not completely convinced, but at least… softened.
Turning to Jason, she asked with genuine curiosity, "Jason, why weren't you afraid of my mother at all?"
Jason looked at her with that easy smirk of his. "Does your mom bite? Why would I be afraid?"Then, with a casual shrug, he added, "Honestly, I think your mom's kinda cute."
Shenna froze. Cute?
That her mother was beautiful was undeniable — she'd heard that all her life. But cute? That word had never once been used by anyone, not even her own father.
And now, this man — a few years older than her — had said it so naturally, so unbothered, as if he didn't even realize how audacious it sounded.
Of course, Jason couldn't say what was really on his mind:First off, she's your mom, not mine. Second, even if your family runs Reeves Capital, it's a baby compared to what I control. Third, if things got physical — well, let's just say your mom's boardroom temper isn't exactly battlefield material.
So really, why should he be afraid?
"Thanks for helping me out, Jason. You really saved me back there — and somehow even managed to convince my mom." Shenna smiled sincerely, her earlier nerves melting away. "Is there anything you want to eat? My grandpa's got a tray of cookies made by one of the top pastry chefs in New York — I can grab a few for you!"
Jason didn't hesitate. "Sure. Bring two. I'll try them."
He said it so naturally, as if it was the most ordinary request in the world.
Many guys — the typical nice guys — would've waved their hands, insisting they didn't need anything. But Jason wasn't one of them.He understood something most men didn't:When a girl does something for you, she invests — and investment creates attachment.
If you treat a woman like a goddess, she'll always stay on the pedestal.But if you treat her like a woman — real, ordinary, human — that's when you draw her closer.
A few of the young men nearby were practically seething with jealousy. Shenna, the elegant socialite from one of the East Coast's most powerful families, had never shown such warmth to anyone before. And now she was smiling at Jason, fetching him food like a personal assistant?
Who the hell does this guy think he is?!
Meanwhile, Shenna made her way to her grandfather, Arthur Reeves, the evening's guest of honor. He was surrounded by relatives and business allies, his laughter booming through the room.
Trying not to attract attention, she reached for a cookie from the silver tray — one, then another, then a third. Arthur noticed and raised an eyebrow, a knowing grin forming on his face. Then, chuckling softly, he handed her the whole tray.
"Go on," he said indulgently. "If it's for that boy, take them all."
Her cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn't argue. She carried the plate back and placed it in front of Jason like a hostess serving royalty.
Jason picked one up, bit into it, and nodded approvingly. "Not bad. Definitely master-level."
His tone was casual — but Shenna's heart was anything but.
The calm, confident man before her had just challenged her mother, charmed her family, and made her laugh — all in one evening.
Shenna: Affection +10.
And Jason?He just leaned back in his chair, perfectly composed, as if everything that happened had been part of his quiet, calculated rhythm all along.
Shenna's face brightened as if she had just been complimented herself."I told you they were good," she said proudly, a light laugh escaping her lips. "I tried them earlier—they're my favorite."
Jason pushed the plate slightly toward her, his tone relaxed."Then let's eat together. I can't finish them all myself."
Shenna didn't show the slightest hesitation. She sat down beside him, graceful yet natural, and picked up a cookie. She nibbled delicately, savoring each bite. Maybe because it was sweet, she told herself she shouldn't eat too much—but it was too good to resist.
Between bites, she occasionally glanced at her mother across the hall, then at Jason beside her. Somehow, sitting next to him made her feel... safe. Confident, even.
Jason, however, found the chatter around them too noisy. He reached into his jacket pocket, took out his sleek wireless earbuds, and put one in.
At such a high-profile birthday banquet, no young guest would dare do that—at least, not with all the older relatives and big-name investors nearby. Normally, they'd be scolded for being "disrespectful" or "immature."
But Jason didn't care. He didn't need to impress anyone here. Networking? He had use for that, but only when he wants.
He paired his earbuds via Bluetooth, then casually offered the second one to Shenna."Do you listen to pop music or piano?"
The question caught her off guard. She blinked, thinking for a moment."Piano, I guess."
"Alright then." Jason placed the earbud gently in her hand and tapped his phone.
Shenna looked down at it, frozen for a moment. Sharing earbuds… wasn't that a bit too intimate?
Only now did she realize what she'd agreed to so quickly. Why did I say piano? she thought, feeling her heart race.
But as soon as the soft notes of Für Elise filled her ear, her doubts faded. The world around her seemed to quiet down, replaced by that serene melody.
She smiled unconsciously, her eyes curving into delicate crescents, her mood visibly softening.
Shenna: Affection +3.
She didn't even realize that Jason had subtly guided her into this moment using what psychologists called an assumed close.
A clever salesman doesn't ask, "Do you want to add an egg?"He asks, "Would you like one egg or two?"
Both sound like choices—but the latter assumes the decision's already made.
Jason hadn't asked, "Do you want to listen to music?"He'd asked, "Pop or piano?"
By skipping the yes-or-no question, he'd made the connection seem natural—inevitable, even.
And that only worked because Jason didn't treat Shenna like a goddess.If he had, he would've been too nervous, too deferential.
He treated her like any other woman—a person he could talk to, tease, and lead the rhythm with confidence.
Across the room, Josh and Mike were on the verge of losing it.
A few minutes ago, Shenna had been politely distant, the untouchable "princess" of the Reeves family.Now she was sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with Jason, sharing cookies and a pair of earbuds like they'd known each other for years.
What the hell?!
They watched, mouths dry, as Shenna leaned slightly closer, brushing her hair aside so the wire wouldn't tangle, her focus entirely on the music.
The goddess they had admired for years was now quietly listening to piano music—with another man.
That's it. We've lost.
Meanwhile, Jason just leaned back, half-smiling, the glow of the chandelier reflecting in his eyes.The music continued to play—smooth, elegant, timeless.
And though no one said a word, the connection between them had already begun to shift.
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