"Forget it, Justin. There's no need to argue with someone like that. Didn't you say you were going to Osmanthus Garden with your friend? How about taking Queenie for a walk instead?" Marcia said.
Justin had been about to vent his anger on John, but Marcia interrupted him.
Justin came from a well-to-do family and had once studied abroad. Nick and his wife were hoping to introduce Queenie to him. After dinner, they intended to step away and leave the two some time to get to know each other.
In fact, it was Nick and his wife who had suggested the walk in Osmanthus Garden. That was why Justin had made plans with his friends in advance.
But they hadn't anticipated John's presence.
Queenie forced a smile. "No, thanks. I don't—"
"Queenie, I bet Osmanthus Garden is a beautiful place," John said casually. "Let's take a walk there."
Hearing this, Queenie nodded. She took John's arm and said, "But you have to come with me."
Mr. and Mrs. Yeats's faces darkened.
Justin wore a sour expression as well. Left with no choice, he made a phone call to his friends, telling them he'd be out soon.
Osmanthus Garden was a free scenic spot. It was currently the season for osmanthus trees to bloom, and their fragrance wafted along the roads.
The garden wasn't far—only a ten-minute walk from there.
A group of well-dressed young men and women were already gathered by the gate. Judging by their appearance, they were clearly from wealthy families.
A trust fund baby named Levi Morgan came forward and greeted Justin with a hug, laughing. "Mr. Bush, you're such a big shot. Made us wait so long!"
Obviously, he was joking.
Justin didn't take offense. He smiled and replied, "I've brought a friend I'd like you all to meet. This is Queenie Yeats."
He acted as if he and Queenie were quite close.
"What a beauty!"
Levi and the others had already noticed Queenie. Their hearts skipped a beat at the sight of her stunning face. Now, learning her name, they offered sincere praise.
Then their eyes landed on John, standing next to her.
"Who's this?" one of them asked.
"Someone insignificant," Justin replied coldly.
He didn't want to waste time on John. "Let's head inside."
Levi shot John a tacit glance but said nothing as the group passed through the gate.
"Osmanthus is one of the ten traditional flower species in the country. It has many varieties. The most iconic are golden osmanthus and silver osmanthus. Its fragrance carries far, which is why it's also known as the 'Sweet Flower'..." Justin explained as they walked along a path lined with blooming trees on both sides, clearly enjoying the scenery as he spoke.
Several young women nearby listened in admiration, clearly impressed by his depth of knowledge.
But Justin wasn't paying them any attention. His gaze was fixed firmly on Queenie, hoping for praise—or at least an encouraging glance.
He received neither.
Queenie's cold, aloof expression doused the fire in his chest in an instant.
"Doctor Lopez, you're here to enjoy the osmanthus too?"
A pleasant voice sounded from behind. A tall, beautiful girl came running up to John with delight.
It was Emily.
John smiled. "Hey, Emily. I'm just walking around after lunch with my elder sister."
"She's your sister?" Emily sounded relieved. Then she turned to Queenie with a smile. "I'm Emily Wood. Nice to meet you."
"Queenie Yeats. John's god sister," Queenie said coolly.
Whether intentionally or not, she emphasized the word god. As she spoke, she clutched John's arm even tighter.
Emily hesitated for just a second before she latched onto John's other arm, smiling sweetly. "Doctor Lopez, may I join you?"
John smiled bitterly. "With you holding my arm like that, how could I say no?"
"Alright!" Emily beamed and clung to his arm without a hint of letting go.
Her bold display stunned Levi and the other young elites.
Emily, like them, came from the upper crust. Many of them had tried pursuing her before, but she had always been aloof—arrogant, even.
But now…
What they were witnessing changed their entire perspective.
Emily's aloofness wasn't universal—it just meant she didn't like them. Clearly, when it came to someone she was interested in, her attitude softened.
Even knowing that John already had a gorgeous woman at his side, she still warmed up to him.
Levi and the others couldn't help but examine John more closely. Who the hell is this guy? Emily had called him "Doctor Lopez." Was he really a doctor?
Levi considered asking Justin, but when he turned and saw the gloomy look on Justin's face, he decided against it.
Justin was clearly pissed.
None of them were in the mood to admire flowers anymore. Watching John walk between two stunning women while they were left behind with their own frustrations was downright depressing.
But then they smiled again.
Because they spotted a man—Andy.
Andy was from the Brown family of New York State. His father, Alan Brown, was known for being ruthless.
Even more alarming, Andy was a martial artist.
Everyone in their circle knew Andy had been pursuing Emily, the heiress of the Wood family.
Which meant John was his rival in love.
And Emily was currently clinging to John's arm.
If Andy saw this, a confrontation was inevitable.