Chapter 24 The sports car stopped outside the restaurant . Jesse unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to Shirley in the passenger seat . " Shirley , I did so well today . Don't I deserve a reward ? " Shirley closed the file in her hands , raising an eyebrow . " Why should I reward you ? " " I played the role of your fiancé perfectly and successfully drove your ex - husband away . " " You actually investigated me ? " Shirley pretended to be angry . After working with Jesse several times , their interactions had gradually become more relaxed . Yet seeing him recognize Timothy's identity so quickly , she couldn't help but ask . " Your background is common knowledge . Can't blame me for that . " Jesse pouted . " But even if I didn't accomplish much , I still worked hard today , right ? " Shirley , long accustomed to his antics , couldn't help but smile . " Fine , what do you want ? " " Buy me dinner! At this new restaurant . " 0.00 % 00 34 Chapter 24 288 Vouchers Jesse had already pushed open the car door , circled around to her side , and opened it for her , extending his hand politely . Shirley hadn't expected his request to be so simple . She promptly agreed to follow his suggestion for dinner . Jesse suddenly put down his fork , looking at Shirley with unusual seriousness . " Actually , today's my birthday . " Shirley paused . " Why didn't you say so earlier ? I didn't have time to prepare a gift . " " It's fine . " Jesse cut her off . " But since it's my birthday , could you grant me one wish ? " Seeing his uncharacteristically earnest expression , Shirley found herself nodding before she knew it . " Okay . " Jesse took a deep breath , his gaze softening with determination . " Shirley , I like you . From the first moment I saw you at the airport to getting to know you since , I've grown more certain of these feelings . " " So will you be my girlfriend ? I want to stand by your side openly . " Shirley froze , her eyes stinging at Jesse's sincerity . For three years , she'd felt worthless in relationships yet never received such a passionate confession . 24.03 % 的 NOG D 00:34 Chapter 24 288 Vouchers Now this man before her was healing her wounds in his own way . " Yes . " She whispered , a genuine smile spreading across her lips for the first time in ages . A year later , Shirley saw Timothy's news on television . Timothy sold all his possessions and became a monk at the old church . Patricia was taken by police for falsifying accounts , facing indefinite legal sanctions . After Patricia's downfall , her parents came by once , hoping to reconcile with Shirley . But Shirley refused outright . She could accept Timothy loving Patricia , but her own parents not loving their biological daughter- that was something Shirley could never wrap her head around . She did keep the bank card they offered , though . " Between Timothy and me , who's better looking ? " Seeing his childish pout , Shirley couldn't resist teasing him . " Well … he might be slightly more handsome . " Jesse's eyes widened instantly , disbelief flooding his face . " What ? No way ! I lost to him ? " Watching him flare up , Shirley finally burst into laughter . Sunlight streamed through the floor - to - ceiling windows , bathing them in warm , radiant light . She snuggled into Jesse's embrace , thinking every second of this moment deserved to be treasured . Past wounds had long healed . From now on , she would take their time walking down life's path with the right person . 79.40 % NDO GR N