?


    Jasper''s eyes gleamed with anticipation as he eagerly nodded. ''Sure, Mom. What''s your n?"


    First, you should start dating." M suggested with a faint smile.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    Jasper was baffled. After a pause, he responded indifferently, "Mom, it seems you''re just nudging me to get a girlfriend. Don''t use helping Uncle Elio and Candice as an excuse."


    M sounded mildly dismayed. "At 26, isn''t it normal to be curious about romance? Why aren''t you interested? Haven''t you met anyone who interests you?"


    ''There are attractive women out there, but none captivated me. They all seem rather dull," Jasper sighed wearily. "That''s why I''m not eager to get to know thern."


    "That sounds like an excuse," M snorted.


    "Whatever," Jasper muttered, clearly exasperated.


    Half an hourter, they pulled up to Hillside Vi. As the car pulled into the driveway, Candice heard the noise and rushed out, surprised to see M and Jasper stepping out.


    "Aunt Chubs, Jasper, what brings you here?" Candice asked.


    Jasper headed to the back seat and opened the door to help Elio, who appeared


    unconscious, out of the car. Candice hurried over to offer help. "How did Elio get so drunk?" she asked.


    "He''s not drunk. He''s ''Jasper began, but M interrupted sharply, "Jasper."


    Jasper quickly grasped M''s signal for him to keep quiet. Alongside Candice, he helped Elio into the house and settled him in his room.


    Afterward, they descended to the living room where M was waiting. A maid brought refreshments as they entered.


    "Aunt Chubs, when did you return? Candice asked.


    "I returned as soon as I heard about Jasper''s grandma''s injury, M replied gently.


    Candice''s face creased with worry. "Her injury''s bad. She can''t walk at all right now."


    Mi scooted closer to Candice, gently held her hand, and spoke eamestly, "Candice, you and Leo should go ahead and get married. You don''t have to wait for my mother''s approvall. From what I know of her, she rarely changes her mind once she''s decided against something."


    Candice voiced her concerns. "But if she never epts me as part of the family, our life together will be challenging."


    M shook her head. "No, even if she doesn''t approve of you and Leo, she won''t resort to maniptive tactics to separate you or make your lives difficult.


    ''But


    You and Leo can build your life together without her interference. At her age, she doesn''t


    have the energy to meddle in your marriage." M reassured her.


    ''Do you think she''d be so furious that she''d have a meltdown if I married Elic?" Candice asked.


    Jasper interjected. "You''re underestimating my grandma''s resilience. A minor thing like a marriage wouldn''t deeply upset her. She might be annoyed for a few days at most."


    "But she favors Josie, and-"


    M cut her off. "Now that I''m back, you can put your worries about Josie aside. Give it some time, and I''ll make sure her true colors are revealed."


    Relieved, Candice smiled and nodded, humming in agreement.


    M couldn''t resist adding, "Are there singledies among your friends or acquaintances? Maybe you could introduce them to Jasper. He-


    Jasper interrupted with irritation. "Mom, enough. Can you please stop?"


    There was a brief pause before Candice asked, "Aunt Chubs, isn''t Jasper gay?"


    M was taken aback.


    Growing exasperated, Jasper responded sharply, "Candice, when did I ever say I was gay? Don''t spread rumors. I''ll sue you for defamation even though we''re family."


    ''But that''s what all your friends say," Candice replied with a cheerful smile.


    Jasper was left seething, pointing a finger at Candice as if to scold her. However, he found himself unable to reprimand her. He ended up swallowing his anger like trying to choke down a cactus.