Just as Jessica was explaining her identity to Deanna, Dayton rushed in from outside and saw the scene.
He glared angrily at Jessica. "What are you doing here?!"
"If I hadn't come, I wouldn't have known about the huge mess you're making behind your parents' backs."
Jessica wasn't afraid of Dayton's questioning. She stared back seriously. "Do you realize how much trouble you're causing for them?"
"This is my family's business. It's none of your concern. You busybody, you haven't changed a bit in all these years."
Dayton spoke impatiently, then warned, "I'm telling you, you better not leak anything about her being here, or else I'll post all those embarrassing childhood photos of you!"
Both Deanna and Jessica were speechless at this moment.
Jessica gritted her teeth. "Go ahead and post them. I won't help you hide this!"
She then turned to Deanna, her tone softening. "It seems we can't chat today. I'll head back now. Let's meet another day."
"Alright, take care."
Deanna nodded and smiled at her.
Seeing the two women ignoring him and talking amongst themselves, Dayton stepped forward to block Jessica's way. "If you don't agree to my demands, I won't let you leave!"
"If you don't let me go, do you know the consequences? My parents know I'm here to see you."
Jessica looked at him calmly, not worried at all.
Dayton stiffened his neck. "So what? I'll just say I didn't see you."
Hearing this, Jessica laughed outright.
Deanna, sitting on the sofa, watched the two with interest.
"What's so funny?"
Dayton was momentarily dazed by Jessica's charming smile.
Jessica chuckled. "I'm laughing at how clueless you are about the consequences. Even if you say you didn't see me, can you keep me locked up forever? If not, once I'm out, I'll tell my parents that you kept me here and did bad things to me. To protect my reputation, they'll make you marry me."
"Fine, you win!"
Dayton glared at the woman in front of him but eventually gave up blocking her.
He didn't want to marry Jessica.
Jessica noticed this too. Her smile faded, and a hint of bitterness appeared in her eyes.
Deanna shook her head as she watched from the side.
She couldn't understand what Jessica saw in Dayton; they were clearly not on the same level.
Soon, Jessica left.
Only Deanna and Dayton remained in the living room.
Deanna couldn't help but gossip. "Why don't you want to marry Miss Hill? I heard your families were discussing an alliance. Honestly, Miss Hill marrying you is like a flower stuck in cow dung."
"Hey, what do you mean by that? Am I that bad?"
Dayton exploded in anger.
Deanna nodded seriously. "Yes, you're quite bad. You're dumb, have a bad temper, and are petty. Miss Hill, though I've just met her, is leagues above you in both demeanor and temperament."
Heartbroken, bro.
Dayton was left speechless and could only glare angrily.
Seeing him like this, Deanna stood up in a good mood and said slowly, "I think I'll be leaving soon. I'll go pack my things."
Dayton watched helplessly as Deanna went upstairs.
When she was almost at the second floor, Deanna turned around with a smile and said to Dayton, "Since you've been nice to me these days, let me give you a kind reminder: go explain everything to your parents quickly. If Mr. and Mrs. Poole find out later, you'll be in big trouble."
With that, she glanced mischievously at Dayton and disappeared down the hallway.
The next second, Dayton's furious voice echoed through the air.
"Ahhh! You wicked woman! Just as bad as Lance! Why did I even save you?!"
Dayton was genuinely scared now and regretted hiding Deanna.
He had intended to make Lance a laughingstock but ended up in trouble himself.
Thinking of his parents' fiery tempers and his mother's strength, Dayton chickened out.
He decided to delay the matter as long as possible.
If he confessed now, he'd surely get beaten badly.
But when it eventually came out, he doubted his parents would beat him in front of others to save face.
Running away wasn't an option either; he knew the consequences would be even worse.
On the other side, after leaving the villa, Jessica immediately asked her friends in Cloudmere to help find Lance's contact information.
Her friend was efficient and got the contact details by that evening.