eyes sparkling with a hint o

and she couldn't help but be swept up in the excitement of it all. She took a d

, all of whom seemed to be staring at her with varying degrees of curiosity and suspicio

ing attention and respect. She clung to Gerald's arm, her fing

ping Jojo in a sense of welcome. Her eyes twinkled with a hint of mis

d, her gaze shifting to Gerald. Her voice was laced wit

And I actually didn't think you'd invite them over, Madam Helena," he sho

re of curiosity and apprehension. As Jojo stepped into the room, her breath caught in her throat. There, seated gracefully on the couch, was the renowne

, the one person he had never wanted to encounter. "You called her here?"

a replied, her tone

ald's father, interjected, his voice steady and authoritat

the tension, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she turne

ker of annoyance crossing his face. Just as he ope

on," she said, offe

tending her hand in a friendly gesture. Jojo accepted

y. "This is Gerald's father," she said, gesturing toward a distinguished man, then swiftl

ho regarded Jojo with a look of barely concealed disdain. "And thi

mblance to Gerald, his features more rugged and weathered. Finally, Barbara introduced Geral

jo closer to her, Gerald swiftly intervened, taking Jojo's hand and guiding her to a seat he had pulled out just for her. A ripple o

ing a sense of calm that she desperately tried to absorb. As the housemaids began serving an array of exquisite dishes, Jojo couldn't shake the flutter of nerves

regarded Jojo with a curious expression. "So, Jojo, was it?" he began, his brow f

er mouth to respond. But before she could utter a word,

rk playing on his lips. "You know, the one w

ted a chorus of mocking laughter from Francine and Calista

oked by the exchange. Jojo, however, maintained a fo

onto Jojo. "So, Jojo, when did you and my nephew start

y, his low, husky voice laced with tensio

w, when did you fall in love with her? The last time I checked, you weren't ove

tion. Mr. Perfect was in love with Calista Anderson? He seemed

her attention to Jojo. "Didn't he tell you about his relationship with Calista?" Her tone dripped with m

er voice barely above a whisper, tryi

egarding Calista, hoping to unravel her relationship with Gerald. She snorted softly to herself, amused by the irony. If only

marked, her tone dripping with confidence. "I'm just surprised that you brought up his past relationship at all." She leaned in slightly, her eyes sparkling. "

nged knowing smiles at Jojo's bold res

wave of satisfaction washing over him. Her attempts to undermine Jojo were

, his curiosity evident. "So, J

oluntarily tighten around Gerald's hand, a flicker of u

his voice sharp and protective. "What her f

Elora, Gerald's stepmother, admonishe

Mr. Sullivan asked, his to

p, husky voice cutting through the air. "I know exactly what

her voice tinged with exasperation. "I can't believ

ion, a heavy silence settling over

sently as she contemplated the chaotic family dynamic she had un

ent. "Anyways, I'm so happy Gerald finally found love again," she declared, her voice bright with enthusiasm. She

dripping with sarcasm. "But I guess that's not going to happen, since we all know h

she couldn't fathom why the sharp-tongued Mr. Perfect remained silent in the fac

cine," Mabel interjected,

cine shot back, her defi

awing the attention of everyone in the room. He turned to Jojo, who was in the midst of sp

lips. "We are getting married." The declaration hung in the