Chapter 669

Ronnie actually showed up.

Everyone was floored, thinking they must've had one too many drinks.

But nope, it was really him.

"Mr. Woods?" Juniper squinted. "What are you doing here?" She knew he was clingy, but this was next-level.

"Just happened to be around for a social thing and heard your voice. Don't you think we have a special connection, babe?" Ronnie leaned in for a cheek kiss, but Juniper dodged it like a pro.

Juniper thought, 'Is it just me, or does Anthony look super pissed right now?'

But she didn't dare to meet his eyes. Just a hunch.

"Still shy?" Ronnie brushed her cheek.

A guy with that look wasn't just messing around. Was he for real? Was he actually dating Juniper?

Everyone was secretly shocked, and the booze seemed to wear off a bit.

They were green with envy.

It wasn't that they didn't believe in real-life Cinderellas, but they didn't want to admit that Cinderella was Juniper, not them.

Sure, if a girl was hot, rich guys would chase her.

But Ronnie had dated girls hotter than Juniper. Why her? It had been over a week, right?

"Thanks for looking after our Juniper. Dinner's on me tonight," Ronnie said, playing the perfect boyfriend.

Everyone got even more jealous.

Juniper didn't know how to deny their "relationship." Maybe she shouldn't and just let Anthony think it was real.

Anthony had a girlfriend, and Juniper had a fake boyfriend. This would cut their ties for good, and she wouldn't be hung up on him anymore.

Using one lie to end another was kinda crazy, but sometimes people did that, like her.

Right then, Juniper decided to let the lie roll.

Her eyes flickered, and Ronnie saw right through her. He smiled and tightened his grip on her shoulder.

"No need. This is a company thing," Anthony said coldly. "The Eilish Group doesn't need outsiders to pay for us."

"I'm not an outsider, I'm Juniper's boyfriend, so I'm part of the crew." Ronnie held Juniper's shoulder, his eyes both playful and serious.

Terry noticed both guys liked Juniper, making things tense.

Even though Terry knew Anthony wouldn't throw punches, it was still dicey.

Before Anthony could say anything, Terry stood up. "Mr. Eilish, I'll go settle the bill."

"I already did," Ronnie said casually.

Anthony frowned.

The vibe was super tense.

Juniper felt the pressure in the air.

Everyone else looked a bit on edge too.

Anthony pulled out a card and tossed it in front of Ronnie.

Ronnie glanced at it and smirked. "I pay for my own girl. No need for another guy to cover it. Right, babe?"

Juniper knew Ronnie was putting her on the spot, making her show her stance to Anthony and end things for good.

Ronnie was a sneaky guy, pushing her to the edge.

But maybe that wasn't so bad. She wanted to end things but never could.

'Toughen up, Juniper. Don't be a wimp. That's not you,' she told herself.

She gave a small smile. "Mr. Eilish and all my colleagues have been great to me, so this meal's on us."

With that, she pushed the card back to Anthony.

Anthony felt like he'd been hit with a cold shower, but was burning with anger.

'Juniper just said she and Ronnie are a 'we.' Didn't she deny liking him before, saying it was all a misunderstanding? And now, in just a few days, it's public? Was she lying to me? Is she playing both sides?' He'd denied it to himself a million times, but now Anthony couldn't help but think, 'Did I overestimate her? Is she really that casual about relationships? But whatever, I wasn't planning to start anything with her anyway.'

Ronnie looked at Anthony with a smug smile.

Anthony's jaw clenched, and he walked away from the table without a word.

Juniper's heart felt like it was being stabbed, and she didn't dare to look at his retreating back.

The whole gathering was a bust. Not long after Anthony left, Juniper made an excuse to leave too.

On the way back, Ronnie tried talking to her a few times, but she stayed silent.

When the car stopped in front of Cooper Villa, Juniper finally spoke. "You shouldn't have come."

Ronnie smiled. "I was right to come. You know it too."

"I don't know what's right or wrong anymore." She felt exhausted, lost.

Maybe getting involved with Anthony was a mistake from the start, but matters of the heart and fate were unavoidable. What was meant to happen would happen.

There was no escaping it.

She could only force herself to let go.

"Am I wrong, dear girlfriend?"

"I'm not your girlfriend," Juniper snapped.

Ronnie reminded her, "You don't want to be, but everyone else thinks so."

"I don't care what they think. I'm not your girlfriend." Juniper denied it fiercely.

She didn't want it, period.

"Then what now? You don't want to be, but you already are. You can't escape. Since you and Anthony are done, then I..."

Juniper glared at him and deliberately provoked, "This isn't a competition, nor a substitute. Do you think you're a candidate for my partner?"

But Ronnie smiled calmly. "Nothing's set in stone. Think about it, I'm more suitable for you than he is. You made the right choice."

Juniper shot back, "You will never be the right choice."

"Why are you so sure?"

"Because you're a jerk. Isn't that obvious?" Juniper, holding back her anger, couldn't help but vent, "You're slick, glib, a playboy, the type I hate the most. Choosing you would be self-harm. I was just using you earlier, and you know that."

"Yeah, I know. See, since you're not a good person, and I'm not a good person either, aren't we a perfect match?"

Juniper held her forehead. "I've said what I needed to say, can't you just..."

"No." Ronnie grabbed her hand. "I can't make you like me, just like you can't make me give up on you. So let's stop trying to convince each other and leave it to time. Not all princes ride white horses. Sometimes the one who seems annoying is the real prince. Juniper, I have a feeling our entanglement will last a long, long time. If you don't believe it, I have plenty of patience for you."