Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion
Just as Danika was about to close the door, Max showed up with Jade beside him.
“Hey! Fancy seeing you here~”
Max cooed, no longer that cold, distant man Danika first knew him as.
It looked like love could really change a person.
Danika ignored him, turning to Jade instead.
“What are you doing here, Jade?”
“I didn’t plan to.He dragged me over, saying something like the more, the merrier.”
Jade shrugged awkwardly, especially feeling embarrassed with Max holding her hand.
She had long lost the innocent hope she had in love up until Max came into her life and swept her off her feet again.
“Are you sure it’s okay if we join you guys? This isn’t your place after all,” Jade asked worriedly.
“Of course, it is.You’re Danika’s friend, so you’re mine too.Happy New Year’s Eve,” Eustace said before Danika could.
“Looks like you do know how to socialize!” Max scoffed.
Eustace ignored him and let the two inside.
Danika was feeling embarrassed, however.
“Don’t say it like that. They’ll misunderstand.”
“”Misunderstand what?”
Danika bit her lip, saying nothing, so Eustace said, “I meant what I said.Mi casa es su casa.If you want to, you can even live here for the rest of your life.”
“Like hell, I would.”
Danika rolled her eyes and left for the living room.
Eustace chuckled, amused.He rarely saw Danika so flustered out in the open.
Everyone Knows
When Stephanie arrived, the sight of the house so packed with people took her by surprise.
“Uh…”
Danika squinted at Leonard, who was standing behind Stephanie.
Stephanie didn’t bring him here to get back at Paul, did she? As if anticipating Danika’s thoughts, Stephanie shook her head.
“He came to find me right before I left, so I figured I might as well bring him along.You don’t mind, do you?”
“Is that so?” Danika asked, not buying her words whatsoever.
Stephanie rolled her eyes.
“What do I get from lying to you, huh?”
Danika huffed but let the two inside the house.
Melanie, Jade, and Janet were already getting along in the living room while the rest of the men were huddled around playing cards.
The atmosphere was delightfully cheery.
“Steph!”
Melanie waved happily when she spotted Stephanie, gesturing for her to head over.That call instantly invited Paul’s attention, who then noticed Leonard by Stephanie’s side.His expression turned stormy in a split second.
Stephanie was about to ask if Leonard wanted to go with her when the man said, “Go ahead.I’ll go join the cards table.”
That was exactly what Stephanie was worried about because Paul was right among the group of men in the corner, eyeing both of them.
“Don’t worry about me,” Leonard assured her, even patting her gently on the head in an intimate gesture.
Stephanie blushed, then hurried over to Melanie.
Seeing that, Danika grew amused.
She said to Leonard, “Go on.Holler if you need help.”
“Do you underestimate me, Miss Zellweger?” Leonard smiled.
It wouldn’t come to that extent, would it? Danika grinned.
“You can’t promise anything on New Year’s Eve.”
“Don’t worry.I won’t hurt anyone even if they throw the first punch.”
He was a police officer.
Getting involved in fights was not part of his discipline.
Provided they didn’t cross any lines, of course.
Danika nodded and watched as Leonard went over to the cards table.
The moment he sat down, Max turned to gaze curiously at him.
“Have we met, stranger?”
“It’s possible.I’ve arrested a few Pearsons before.”
Leonard grinned.It made Max snicker fondly.
So this was the city’s new Deputy Commissioner.
Max’s men had gotten into trouble because of him before.
Alfred reached out a hand to Leonard.
“Nice to meet you in person, Deputy Sullivan.”
“Mr.Quincey.”
Leonard nodded, returning the handshake.
“Ah, don’t need to be so formal.Just call me Alfred.”
Alfred shrugged, wanting to build a connection with Leonard as well.
“Then you should drop the Deputy too.Just Leonard is fine.”
Just then, Paul scoffed.
“Trying to climb your way up, Deputy?”
Everyone turned to look at him, most knowing why he was so pissy already.
It came as no surprise, of course, as Stephanie had come there with Leonard.
“You have a wild imagination, Mr.Wagner.
There is no difference in ups or downs here—just ensuring everyone gets what they want in the end,”
Leonard casually responded, having already known the man and what went on between Stephanie and him.
There was no way he’d let her get back with Paul now.
On the Same Level
“You have a quick wit,” Paul scowled, glaring at Leonard.
The latter smiled but said nothing.He knew Paul didn’t like him, but that didn’t change the fact that he didn’t care.
On the other hand, the women were getting along fairly well.
Stephanie was excitedly listening to Jade talk about her relationship with Max, deeply admiring it.
“I’d heard of him back in Parrington, but the rumors and tabloids only spoke about how much of a womanizer he was.I never expected him to change so drastically!” Stephanie said in awe.
Love really could change someone! Jade was blushing.
“It’s not that big of a change.He’s still as silly as before.”
The real change was probably how clingy Max could be.
The man had insisted on going to the New Year’s Eve gathering with her earlier, and he usually stayed glued to her everyday too, as if he had nothing better to do.
“Someone’s shy,” Stephanie teased.
