Goodbye, Mr. Regret

A shadow flickered in Timothy's eyes-cold, impenetrable.

No wonder Jessica had said she refused to attend anything related to him, even if it involved his family.

His voice was low and unyielding as it cut through the stagnant air. "The Gilded Whisper Estates is my private property. From now on, you'd better not show up uninvited. Sallie, take Grandpa home."

Without another word, Timothy rose from his seat and strode toward the master bedroom.

"Timothy!" Sallie called after him, hoping to stop him, but he didn't break his stride, disappearing behind the bedroom door.

Phelps gave Sallie a subtle shake of his head, signaling her to let it go. He stayed to chat with Henry for a few minutes before quietly taking his leave from the Gilded Whisper Estates.

Sallie was still fuming. "Grandpa, did you see the way Timothy spoke to you? Absolutely infuriating."

But Phelps just chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Didn't you notice? He actually cares about Jessica. If he's willing to stand up for her, what's there for me to be angry about? I'm glad, honestly."

Meanwhile, Jessica was at a real estate agency.

Living alone, she didn't have high expectations. It didn't take her long to purchase

a cozy, move-in-ready apartment-nothing fancy, just over a million.

move in

in her mind, going over the seven conditions she'd insisted on. None of them required

could endure another month at the Gilded Whisper Estates, living quietly

money was in her hands, her first instinct was

there was nothing he

she'd stop by the Lawson Group to collect the notarized receipt-once that was done, she'd never set foot in

sum of cash at home, so

a delighted smile, pulling her straight

coming to town the day after tomorrow. He reached out to me-he wants to

box and quickly signed,

me down, but I never said no to Mr. Smith. Listen, he's got a role he's been searching everywhere to fill. He's a perfectionist, impossible to please, but after seeing your work,

hesitated, unsure

no way she could commit to an

a pang of regret in her chest. "Ines, the truth is, I have something very important to take care of in six months. I'll need to be away for a while. That's

eyes grew wide. "That's why you

Jessica nodded.

not big. If things go smoothly, you could finish in three months-six at the most. And if you work with Director Smith this time, there'll be so many more opportunities in the future. He's in town to handle some business and scout out new talent.