Chapter 73 A Hedge Between Keeps Friendship Green
James was exchanging jokes with those around him when Ken called him. Instantly, he became nervous but then said, "It was a coincidence."
"I ask you again. Who asked you to bring her here?" Ken said, not smiling.
If you say he was unhappy, that was not true, but anyone could see from his face that he was serious.
People around the table suddenly fell silent. James took a glimpse of Jane sitting next to Ken but saw an expressionless face, then he cursed inwardly, "A Siren."
After hesitating for a few moments, he smiled apologetically, "Okay, okay, I admit that it was I who brought Miss Cooper here on purpose, but I really didn't think that much. I simply wanted to create a lively atmosphere for everyone."
Emotionless, Ken said, "You acted first and reported afterward, making me unwelcome on both sides. Those who don't know the truth will think that it was I who asked you to do so."
James immediately stood up and picked up his wine glass, saying to Jane, "Sorry, Miss Cooper, it's really my fault. This has nothing to do with Ken. He didn't know anything. It was I who made the decision. If you're angry, I'll apologize to you."
Jane had not expected Ken to speak it in front of everyone. Although she was dissatisfied that she had been cheated, she couldn't afford to see James stand up to apologize. On such an occasion, she knew what she should do.
"It's nothing. I'm not angry."
"Don't blame Ken. He's the poorest scapegoat. Today is his birthday. Let everyone be happy. To punish me, I'll gulp down the glass of wine," James said with a smile.
He drank the glass of wine. This was the excuse he found to free himself from embarrassment.
Someone around the table tried to ease the atmosphere, calling on the people present to give Ken a toast together. Jane picked up her glass as all others did. Seeing it, Ken had an obvious smile.
After putting down his wine glass, he leaned to Jane and asked in a whisper, "What trick did he use to bring you here?"
To tell the truth, even now Jane was still not absolutely sure if this trap was deliberately set by Ken or what had just happened was the smaller trick in the bigger one. She couldn't help it. She was born suspicious of things, and it was hard for her to believe those she didn't know so well.
"He's the elder brother of my new student," she answered with a normal expression.
"He's the only child of his family. How could he have a sister?" Ken raised his eyebrows and said.
Jane was silent, but she thought of Mary. If Mary had not built the ties, she would not have come here for the appointment so easily.
"It's all right. I'll call him over and ask him in a while," Ken said as he willed to.
Jane was still silent. Ken stared at her for a few seconds and suddenly said without knowing whether to laugh or cry, "What does your expression mean? You still think I plotted it, eh?"
"Mr. Garcia, I've done nothing for you, so I can't accept your kindness. You don't have to care for me so much," Jane said calmly.
"You're my sister. I should take care of you," Ken replied.
"My family name is not Garcia. The two are different," Jane said.
"Why are you so serious? You make me uneasy," Ken asked with a smile.
"Your action makes me even more uneasy," Jane answered.
"I've done nothing to you. Why are you afraid?" Ken asked, his eyes full of mischief.
"I'm used to being rewarded because of what I've done. I don't dare to accept free lunch," Jane said.
"I asked you to come and work for me, but you're unwilling. I think we're friends. It is normal for friends to help each other, isn't it?" Ken uttered.
Jane was still calm. "Thank you for your appreciation, Mr. Garcia. I know where I stand. I don't deserve to be your friend. If you really want me to do something, if I can, I'll definitely do it."
Staring at Jane's absolutely prudent face, Ken chuckled, "You're the first one who has refused to be my friend. I haven't committed any crimes, and I'm not a villain, so how could I end up on your black list?"
"A hedge between keeps friendship green," Jane answered.
Caught off guard, Ken immediately burst out laughing.
"Surely, your words are not sincere. I guess..."
Ken looked at Jane with great interest from the corner of his eye. Three seconds later, he said, "You are suspicious of my intention."
Jane's attitude was unclear. She was not suspicious of it. Instead, she was alert and nervous. Fortunately, she had a trained eternally undisturbed face. If someone else in her position was forced when in a panic, they must have long exposed themselves.
The more Ken looked at her, the more he thought this was interesting. Then he even tilted his head and said in a very low voice, "Actually, it's very simple. I just want to prove that I'm easier to get along with than Edward. He must have spoken ill of me in front of you behind my back."
"No," Jane denied.
"You're lying. He told you to stay away from me, right?" Ken asked with ridicule in his eyes.
Jane lowered her eyes, and Ken said, "I won't force you. You decide whether I am a bad guy or he is, but do careful thinking."
Jane muttered in her mind, "I'm not interested in either of you." She was thinking about leaving here before others. Before she said it, Ken's mobile phone rang. He took it out, glanced at it, swiped to the answer button, and called, "Aiden."
Jane didn't realize it until Ken then said, "You don't have to explain it. I know you're in Y City."
"Y City? Is Aiden... Aiden Cater?" she wondered.
Jane glanced at Ken and saw that he was full of smiles, and she also heard him say, "My birthday happens every year. Even though you missed it this time, it doesn't matter. When will you come back to S City after finishing your work?"
Jane couldn't hear the words of the caller. She could only hear Ken say "Ha, I'm easygoing anyway. As for the birthday present, when your business is successfully done, just allow me to buy in as a partner."
A woman's intuition assured her that the one at the other end of the line was Aiden Cater.
"It turns out that Ken also knows Aiden Cater. He even has such social relationships!" she muttered in her head.
Jane remembered the chat between Edward Smith and Vincent Perez at the dining table that day. The Smith family and Aiden Cater were competitors. S City was so big, but all these people were connected this way or that. This looked like a coincidence, but after thinking about it, she realized that Aiden Cater had not been ordinary since a long time ago. As one of the Six Landscapes of S City and one of the Three Gods of S City, it seemed quite normal for him to have connections with people like Edward Smith and Ken Garcia.
Ken and Aiden chatted for almost five minutes with both business and jokes covered, which meant that they were very good friends. In the interim, Jane received a text message from Mary: "Miss Cooper, I was in a terrible traffic jam, and I also received a call from a student's parent, who asked me to handle something urgent, so I have to say sorry to you. You meet Eloise's family first. If there's anything, call me anytime."
She was expressionless when she saw it, because she had long expected it. Even if Ken was not among this trap's setters, Mary must have been involved.
Bringing her mobile phone, Jane rose to her feet, went out of the private room, and stood at the door. She didn't immediately call Mary, but waited a while. Ken went out after her and looking at her, asked, "What's wrong?"
"My colleague called me for something," Jane lied as if she were telling the truth.
"Is it urgent?" Ken asked.
She nodded.
"Go in and cut a piece of cake. After you eat it, I'll ask someone to drive you back."
His expression showed that he didn't hide anything, and he even looked sincere. Jane opened her handbag, took out a pen, and handed it to him, saying, "I didn't expect that I would be here, so I didn't prepare any gifts. If you don't mind, please accept this."