Chapter 979

Lena: “Who said that just because someone delivers vegetables, the garden is guaranteed to have a bountiful harvest?”

She glanced at Ron, silently signaling for help. He immediately understood—but instead of refusing on her behalf, he reached out, took her hand, and assisted his grandmother in slipping the bracelet onto her wrist.

Lena: “…”

She had wanted him to help her reject it! Why was he helping her wear it instead?

“If you don’t accept it, my grandma will think you don’t like me and will scold me,” Ron whispered, his fingers gently pressing against her hand. Then he lowered his voice even more and added, “Be good.”

His words weren’t loud, but they were just enough for everyone to hear.

Lena shuddered. The sheer cheesiness of it sent a wave of goosebumps across her skin. Left with no other choice, she forced out a polite, “Thank you, Grandpa and Grandma.”

As she spoke, she unintentionally lifted her gaze—and locked eyes with Aaron. Bright sunlight streamed in from the windows, but his deep-set eyes held a darkness that seemed untouched by the light, as if they were soaked in the color of night. The intensity of his stare sent an involuntary shiver down her spine.

Her nerves tensed in an instant. She quickly averted her gaze, lowering her eyes to avoid looking at him.

Meanwhile, Ron’s grandfather had struck up a conversation with Aaron, discussing current affairs and business insights. Lena, feeling uncomfortable in the situation, found an excuse to slip away.

“Lena, let me show you around,” Xandra offered warmly, playing the role of a gracious host.

It would have been impolite to refuse, so Lena let her lead the way out of the hall, breathing a sigh of relief the moment they stepped outside.

“You look like you just escaped from something,” Xandra teased with a smile.

Lena hesitated, then decided that since Xandra and Aaron seemed to be getting along so well, there was no harm in telling her the truth. She admitted that her relationship with Ron was fake.

Xandra looked at her thoughtfully before testing the waters. “You know, my cousin is actually a great guy. Being his real girlfriend would definitely make you happy.”

“He is a good person,” Lena agreed. “But there’s no spark between us. When we’re together, it feels more like hanging out with a buddy.”

Then, as if recalling something, she quickly added, “Don’t go spilling this in front of your grandparents, okay?”

Xandra chuckled. “Do you like someone else, then?”

Lena tilted her head back, gazing at the endless blue sky. “Yeah.”

“Then why aren’t you with him?” Xandra asked, her tone calm and unhurried.

Lena smiled faintly at the sky before closing her eyes. “Because we can’t be together.”

Xandra didn’t press further. The two of them simply stood there, basking in the warm sunlight. The quiet moment stretched on until Lena’s neck grew sore from looking up. She finally let her head drop back down only to find Aaron standing nearby.

When had he gotten there? The man moved like a ghost.

“Uncle Aaron,” she greeted stiffly.

“If you don’t want something, just refuse it. Return it later,” he said coldly, his gaze falling on the bracelet wrapped around her wrist.

Did he think she wouldn’t? Of course, she planned to give it back. But the way he ordered her around irritated her.

“Uncle Aaron, I’m not a child anymore. I know what I’m doing,” Lena reminded him, her tone firm. “You don’t need to worry about me—worry about your own girlfriend instead.”

Aaron’s eyes darkened a few shades. “I am worried about you.”

His possessiveness struck a nerve. Lena bristled. “And what gives you the right?”

Aaron’s jaw tensed, his Adam’s apple moving as he swallowed. He didn’t answer. Instead, he took a step closer, narrowing the space between them—until only a single fist’s width remained.