Chapter 5 The Matchmaking Session
Josephine sat on the floor with a frown.
The necklace was a token of recognition between them. She couldn’t lose it.
Right!
A sudden idea sparked in Josephine’s mind.
Michael is scheduled to visit the Sommer family tomorrow. Everyone is busy preparing for his reception, leaving no time to attend to me.
I should be able to seize an opportunity to sneak out, quickly inquire in the nearby alley, and see if I could gather any information about the man in the mask to retrieve my necklace.
I have no desire to marry into the Jaywalker family, anyway. Whether I’m present or not doesn’t matter.
The following day, the Sommer residence buzzed with anticipation. Early in the morning, Eunice had risen to instruct the housekeepers in their cleaning duties, all in preparation for the Jaywalker family’s visit for the matchmaking session.
Winry had also meticulously dressed herself up, donning the Ocean’s Heart around her neck. She kept examining herself in the mirror, exuding an air of determination and confidence.
The Sommer family’s eldest daughter, Yves, was supposed to attend the matchmaking session as well. However, as a model, she had a contract with a foreign fashion company. Due to her hectic schedule over the past few days, she couldn’t make it back in time. Since breaking the contract was not an option, she could only let Michael see her photos instead.
With Yves absent, Winry felt a secret delight. This was truly a godsent opportunity.
She was determined to capture Michael’s heart and become the lady of the Jaywalker family.
After getting herself all dolled up, Winry noticed everyone in the house was busy. She quietly made her way to the basement door to eavesdrop.
There was no movement inside.
That fool is probably still sleeping.
Winry took advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention to lock the basement door from the outside.
Today was her day, and she certainly didn’t want Josephine to ruin things.
Josephine might be a fool, but she was undeniably beautiful. Her face was a blend of innocence and allure, further accentuated by her slightly upturned, almond-shaped eyes that radiated an air of innocence. These features were enough to stir a hundred percent affection in any man. When she didn’t speak, her foolishness was almost imperceptible.
Winry had always been envious of Josephine’s beauty. If Josephine were present, she would be outshone.
At that moment, Caiden’s voice came from outside the door, summoning her to the entrance to welcome Michael.
“Coming!” Winry exclaimed. After securing an additional lock on the basement door, she turned and sprinted off.
The basement door was soundproofed. Even if Josephine screamed her lungs out inside, no one would hear her.
Once she caught Michael’s eye, she reckoned Caiden wouldn’t hold her accountable later on.
Dressed in a brand-new suit, Caiden stood outside the mansion with Eunice. When he saw Winry running out alone, he asked, “Where’s Josephine?”
Winry pretended to be surprised. “I just saw her running out. Didn’t you see her?”
“She ran out?” Eunice glanced at her and instantly caught the hint in her eyes. “Josie must have gone out to play.”
She knew that Josephine was naturally beautiful. Even if Winry dressed up meticulously, Josephine, without even a touch of makeup, would still outshine her, making Winry look like just another face in the crowd.
Eunice also didn’t want Josephine to be present.
If Yves was around, she wouldn’t have had to worry like this.
Caiden’s face fell instantly. “That fool is always causing trouble!”
The Jaywalker family was almost there. It would be too late to send someone to find Josephine.
Eunice reassured, “Don’t worry, I’ll send someone to find Josephine immediately. We’ll explain everything to Mr. Jaywalker once he arrives.”
Caiden nodded solemnly, thinking that Michael would never marry a fool anyway.
Eunice summoned a housekeeper and whispered a few instructions, then dismissed her with a wave of her hand.
She didn’t actually send the housekeeper to look for Josephine. Instead, she instructed her to spend three hours at the supermarket before returning.
In the basement, Josephine casually slipped into a white dress, her face devoid of any makeup. She hadn’t even considered dressing up or applying cosmetics.
She didn’t want to get married.
Seeing that Michael would be arriving soon and assuming there was likely no one else in the mansion, Josephine planned to sneak out.
She walked up to the door and gave it a forceful yank.
It remained utterly still.
Josephine furrowed her brows.
The door has been locked from the outside.
She tried again, but the door remained immovable.
Yes, it’s locked.
Josephine stood by the door.
Winry has always been envious of my looks. She must have deliberately locked me in the basement, preventing me from seeing Michael, fearing that I might steal the limelight.
The basement is located beneath the staircase, and the door is soundproof. Even if I pound on it and scream, there’s no guarantee that anyone outside will hear me.
I don’t want to meet Michael; I want to visit the alley nearby to inquire about the masked man.
But I just can’t open the door.
The more time passes, the less information I can gather about the masked man.
What should I do?
At the entrance of the mansion, a procession of about a dozen black luxury cars slowly made their way forward, lining up one after the other as they came to a stop.
The bodyguard was the first to jump out of the car. He pulled open the door of the leading Rolls-Royce Phantom and bowed in respect.
“Mr. Jaywalker has arrived!”
Invigorated, Caiden quickened his pace to meet him.
A black leather shoe emerged from the car, followed by Michael, who was dressed in a bespoke black suit and matching black shirt. He alighted from the vehicle without glancing to either side.
His features were strikingly handsome, almost perfect, yet devoid of any softness. The moment he stepped out of the car, he radiated an air of aloof nobility, as if he were a born ruler.
Winry’s heart raced with excitement. As she locked her eyes on his handsome, refined face, her cheeks grew warm.
I can’t believe Mr. Jaywalker is even more handsome than he appears in the magazines!
It will be great to have such a husband!
As Michael stepped out of the car, he didn’t see Josephine. Instead, his gaze landed on Winry’s neck, causing his face to darken.
He had taken Josephine’s necklace, and the night before, he had personally chosen the Ocean’s Heart for her. Yet, to his astonishment, it had ended up on another woman.
Noticing Michael’s gaze fixated on her chest, Winry paused in surprise and was secretly thrilled.
Thank God I wore this low-cut dress!
She simply wanted to catch Michael’s attention.
Winry deliberately thrust out her chest, swaying her slender waist as she approached. In a sweet, coquettish voice, she called out, “Mr. Jaywalker—”
“Strip it off!” Michael coldly interrupted.