Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Seeing the World

Lynn Jennings rested one hand on Jessie Sterling’s shoulder and used the other to tilt up her chin. “How is this my fault? You’re just too inexperienced.”

Jessie Sterling had a crush on Julian Grant in high school, so she never really had the chance to notice anyone else. Later, even when she went abroad, parties and galas were nothing more than fashion shows to her.

She loved attending parties and galas—any occasion where she could put on her favorite jewelry and a beautiful gown.

But her enjoyment was limited to wearing her favorite clothes and gorgeous, expensive jewelry while she ate and drank, like a proud little peacock determined to show off her feathers to the world.

As for what came after the parties and banquets, Jessie Sterling was never interested.

Rather than having a one-night stand with some random handsome guy, she much preferred sleeping in her own familiar king-sized bed, snuggled up in her soft, high-quality sheets, drifting off to sleep in her own space.

How could sleeping with someone else possibly be more comfortable than having a double bed all to herself?

Lynn Jennings had teased Jessie Sterling before, saying her time studying abroad was like that of a grade-schooler. Even without her parents around, she was still such a good girl.

“Come on. Tonight, I’m going to show you a thing or two,” Lynn Jennings said with a grin.

Jessie Sterling’s first instinct was to refuse. She shook off Lynn Jennings’ arm. “You’re being too clingy,” she said. “I’m not going.”

“Oh, come on.” Lynn Jennings paid no mind to Jessie’s rejection and continued to tempt her. “Don’t you know? A little white rabbit like you is just the kind of prey a big bad wolf loves to gobble up in one bite.”

Jessie: “???”

“If you try a few big bad wolves, you’ll be able to tell if the one that ’gobbles you up’ is any good or not,” Lynn Jennings whispered mysteriously in Jessie’s ear, wiggling her eyebrows.

When Jessie finally processed what “any good or not” actually meant, she let out a shriek and instinctively tried to shove Lynn Jennings away.

“Lynn Jennings, what kind of trash do you have rattling around in your head all day!”

Jessie’s face flushed crimson. She felt like she could die of embarrassment just from listening to Lynn’s words.

Lynn Jennings: “So, are you going or not?”

Jessie: “…”

“If you don’t go, it’s not my loss.”

Jessie: “…”

After a moment of internal struggle, Jessie had to admit that deep down, she was just a little bit tempted by Lynn’s proposal.

「As night fell」

Jessie Sterling, having just returned to Southaven, found herself in Lynn Jennings’s flashy sports car.

Solara Avenue was lined with bars from one end to the other. By day, it was as deserted as an abandoned road, but once night fell, it came alive with dazzling lights and boisterous energy.

All kinds of cars were parked along the curb, with no shortage of luxury vehicles among them.

Lynn Jennings picked a bar she knew well and pulled up to the entrance. Getting out of the driver’s seat, she tossed her keys to the valet, who had appeared beside the car at some point.

Tonight, she wore a trendy silk scarf top. After getting out, she rounded the hood, went to the passenger’s side, and yanked open the door, pulling out Jessie, who was still dawdling inside.

“Are you planning to sit in the car all night?” Lynn Jennings asked with a sigh.

The valet stood politely to the side, waiting for the passenger to exit the vehicle.

Lynn Jennings grabbed Jessie by the wrist, pulling her from the car.

As if unable to stand Lynn’s rough handling, she pouted and complained, “You’re so rough!”

Lynn Jennings: “???”

Jessie thrust her wrist in front of Lynn’s face, her eyes full of accusation. “Look, it’s already red!”

Lynn Jennings: “…”

Seeing the faint red mark on that porcelain-white wrist, she sighed. “You’re so delicate. My fault, okay?”

Jessie didn’t care whether Lynn’s apology was sincere. All that mattered was that the outcome was to her satisfaction, and she couldn’t quite suppress a smile.

The valet froze for a second after Jessie stepped out of the passenger seat. He quickly snapped out of it and slid into the car.

He had worked on Solara Avenue for several years and was used to seeing the rich young men and women who came here for a good time.

’But someone like the one I just caught a glimpse of…’ the valet thought. ’In all my years here, I’ve probably only ever seen one.’

You could tell at a glance that she came from a privileged background, but also that she wasn’t the type to frequent a place like this. She’d clearly been dragged here by her friend and looked completely out of her element.

Jessie still felt a little uneasy as Lynn pulled her toward the entrance of the bar.

She tugged at the front of her dress and pouted, showing her disapproval of Lynn’s taste in fashion.

“What did you make me wear? This is so uncomfortable.”

Lynn had picked her up that afternoon, taken her to her apartment, and made her change into it.

It was a charcoal-gray, strapless mini dress with a plunging V-neck.

The dress had been custom-made to Lynn’s measurements. Lynn was three or four centimeters taller than Jessie, but she looked much slimmer overall. While Jessie looked very slender at first glance, those close to her knew that all her curves were in exactly the right places.

So now, wearing Lynn’s clubbing dress, Jessie’s chest felt constricted. The small sequins along the V-neck were scratching her skin, making her uncomfortable.

Lynn “tsked,” her eyes landing on Jessie. “You really are so delicate. Want me to rub it for you?”

As she spoke, Lynn made a show of reaching for Jessie’s chest.

There was no way Jessie was going to let her get away with that.

“Lynn Jennings!” Jessie hissed, raising a hand to unceremoniously swat Lynn’s away.

Lynn laughed and grabbed Jessie’s hand, which was clutching her chest. “It looks so good! Even I can’t stop staring! Look around, isn’t this how everyone dresses? Don’t be such a sheltered little grade-schooler.”

The so-called grade-schooler: “…”

’Who’s the sheltered one here?!’

Clearly indignant at this verdict, Jessie immediately squared her shoulders, lifted her chin, and stalked into the bar on her eight-centimeter stilettos.

Lynn, left a step behind: “…”

She couldn’t help but shake her head and press her palm to her forehead. With the way Jessie was marching in so valiantly, anyone who didn’t know better would think she was here to wreck the place.

And yet, the would-be troublemaker wasn’t stopped at the door. Lynn suspected it was because the bouncers saw the young lady dripping with jewels. After all, your average person didn’t show up to trash a club while wearing millions in jewelry.

She quickened her pace to catch up to Jessie, wrapping an arm around her waist. ’This is the Sterling family’s precious treasure,’ she thought. ’Since I’m the one who brought her here tonight, I have to keep a close eye on her.’

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