Don't Mess with the Girl with Candy novel Chapter 25

A boyfriend? Juniper was stumped. What in the world was that?

"If you don't, would you consider my grandson?" the old woman asked, gripping Juniper's hand as if to prevent her escape. She launched into her sales pitch. "He's been a perfect gentleman his whole life, handsome, in great shape, and he makes a ton of money."

"But most importantly, we have a wonderful family dynamic. The women in our family are treated like queens!"

The first rule of the Schwartz Group's family creed was: Listen to your wife, spoil your wife, and you will prosper. It was the reason the Schwartz Group had endured for centuries, growing ever more powerful and wealthy.

Juniper finally understood. The old woman was trying to set her up.

"I—" Juniper started to refuse, but was immediately cut off.

"Don't answer just yet! Look at a picture first, then decide." The old woman hurried off to find the photos, as if a second's delay might mean her grandson would be left on the shelf for good. Shanley might be a little old, but he was certainly handsome, and years of exercise had kept him in excellent shape. She hoped his looks or his money could seal the deal.

...

Juniper waited for a while, but the old woman didn't return. Instead, she got a call from Luella. "Shanley's people have contacted the J-Five design department again. It sounds urgent," Luella said. "The meeting is in fifteen minutes. I'm leaving the pricing to you."

"Okay."

With time running out, Juniper had no choice but to leave a farewell note. Her original reason for staying in Eclara City was to fulfill her grandfather's last wish. Once she graduated, she would return to Australis. It was probably for the best that she hadn't rejected the old woman to her face. If things went as planned, they would never meet again.

...

Hannah rummaged through her drawers, carefully selecting the perfect photo. She finally found one of Shanley with his collar slightly open, hinting at the abs beneath. She'd heard young girls were into that sort of thing.

"Found it! My dear—" She emerged triumphantly, only to find the living room empty. Seeing the note, Hannah froze, the feeling of a prized treasure slipping through her fingers washing over her. All that effort for nothing.

In his car, Shanley had just finished his meeting when he heard that Hannah was on a rampage, having destroyed the entire vegetable garden. Kent, not daring to confront his wife, had called Shanley instead, warning him to get home immediately and smooth things over.

Shanley's head throbbed. He had never seen his grandmother react so strongly. What kind of girl could have provoked such a response?

"Back to the manor," he said, settling into his seat and loosening the top two buttons of his shirt. "And contact J-Five."

Hannah would not be easily appeased this time. He would have to resort to a grand gesture. Otherwise, their relationship might truly be on the rocks.

The car had not been driving for long when Flint's voice broke the silence. "Sir, I think that's Ms. Payne."

At the sound of her name, Shanley, who had been resting, snapped his eyes open and looked out the window.