"I apologize for disturbing you, Master Hughes, at such a late hour." Zachary Price spoke politely, his tone respectful.
"Never mind. I'm sure you have good reason," Frank replied.
Zachary knew that Frank preferred to get straight to the point, without beating around the bush, so the next thing he said was, "It's all because of that trouble with my daughter, which forced young Jasper to turn on me. After years of devoted service to him as his personal aide... one day, she made one tiny, insignificant little blunder, and he had her sent straight to jail? For a term of five years, so I've heard!" "What?!" Frank gaped in shock at this news.
He knew well how Edith had joined the army together with Jasper-a delicate young lass like her-and had served dutifully for three years straight! When Jasper left the army, she'd followed along after him, claiming a position by his side, as his personal aide.
Frank had spoken to her about this before, inquired about her devotion to Jasper.
Innocent and pure, her eyes radiating determination and resolve, she answered straight from the heart, "I love him. I'm aware that he doesn't feel the same way towards me at least, not right now-but I haven't yet given up hope!"
At the time, Frank Hughes had been bound by his promise to the former director of Anderson Corporation to have Jasper engaged to marry Yelena Anderson. Therefore, he hadn't made Edith Price any promises. Jasper had been twenty-three at the time, while Yelena had also come of age. Frank had even made a phone call to the Anderson Corporation director to bring up that promise they'd made before, to have their children married.
Instead, the other man had claimed not to remember making any promises like that! Oh, but they'd shared so many conversations, about so many things... how was a man expected to hold on to one small detail out of all that mess?
In other words, one of them had taken the matter seriously; the other had treated it as a meaningless lark. Frank's counterpart had also gone on to confirm that he had no real intention of giving Yelena to Jasper Hughes.
Frank had gotten the message, loud and clear.
As for Edith Price, although Frank had rejected her request to become Jasper's aide, the young lady had surprised him with her persistence, visiting him at home several days in a row, pleading to be assigned to her desired position by the side of the man she loved.
Frank had been moved by her sheer strength of will. Anyway, Anderson Corporation's director had made it clear that they weren't interested in such an alliance with Hughes Corporation.
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Since Jasper was no longer promised to anyone, what harm was there in allowing Edith the opportunity to get closer to him?
And so, Frank had acceded to her request, and appointed Edith as Jasper's personal aide.
She'd served in that capacity for all of seven years!
However, Edith's love remained unrequited. Jasper only saw her as a comrade-in-arms, never developing any romantic feelings towards her.
Frank had begun to suspect that Jasper might perhaps be gay.
Just a few days ago, Yelena
Anderson had paid him a personal visit, saying that she'd always been saving herself for Jasper, because she'd grown up hearing that she was meant to be his bride one day. Now, she'd finally come to fulfill that promise made between their grandfathers, so long ago... and be wedded to Jasper Hughes.
By that point, Frank had already become seriously worried about Jasper's lack of interest in women. Perhaps a sweet thing like Yelena could succeed where Edith had failed and win Jasper's heart at last? If things went well between them, Frank wouldn't have hesitated to bless their marriage, and look forward to some
great-grandchildren.noveldrama
Frank had been willing to overlook his past disappointment, and honor that old promise after all, summoning Jasper home to make the acquaintance of this Yelena girl.
To think that she hadn't been anywhere near the unsullied maiden she'd claimed to be! In fact, she'd already been through multiple boyfriends!
In comparison, Edith had been fully devoted to her job as Jasper's aide, time and again proving herself to be responsible and capable, carrying out all her tasks without fault.
And now, the very first time she'd slipped up, Jasper had thrown her straight into jail?
"Exactly what in the world happened? Tell me everything!" Frank demanded to know.
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