"Didn't I mention before-when I was in Cabinda, I met the young head of the Green family?"
It took Henrietta a moment to remember. "The Green family? They're way out of our league. How on earth did you meet someone like him?”
"Well, I was looking for a special gift. I'd heard Dane recently landed this incredible gemstone, so I decided to check out the jewelry company run by the Green Group."
"Luckily, I went with Wade. He said that unless you have real connections, you won't even get a peek at their top-tier jade, let alone be able to buy any."
"He helped me get an introduction. That's how I met Dane."
“Dane really is something—a young man with a bright future. If our family's roots were in Cabinda, I'd honestly be tempted to marry Mabel off to him."
As Keen recalled Dane's striking looks, he couldn't help but admit they were extraordinary. And then there was the Green family's jaw-dropping fortune.
"Don't get carried away,” Henrietta chided. "I'd never feel right about Mabel being that far away from us."
Even if it meant she married into a less illustrious family, she wasn't willing to let her daughter live so far from home.
So what if the Green heir was an outstanding catch?
With his vast experience, that kind of man had probably seen it all. It wasn't likely that someone like him would fall for her daughter.
Besides, Cabinda-wasn't it full of remarkable girls? Why should he notice Mabel?
"I know, I know. I'm just talking," Keen shrugged. "But you have to admit, compared to Dane, Lance just doesn't measure up."
Henrietta rolled her eyes. "Frankly, the James family's boy isn't that bad. There are really only a handful of promising young men in all of Apex."
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Lance was seized by a sneezing fit.
"Too bad his heart's set somewhere else, and he and Mabel just don't have chemistry."
Keen snorted. "When did my daughter become someone others get to pass over?"
He had absolutely no idea how to reach out to Mabel, let alone ask her family to help his through this rough patch.
Keen and Henrietta? Not exactly approachable. Mabel? No fool, either.
Lending a hand now might earn him some gratitude, but in the end, it was always the helper who lost out.
If Mabel actually liked him, it would be fine. But she didn't.
What on earth could he say to win her over?
Lance racked his brain, then finally sent Mabel a message.
Just a basic, casual greeting.
Mabel, lounging in her home theater with a movie, was momentarily surprised when his text arrived.
She sent back a reply that was polite, yet carefully detached.
"I heard you were into cosplay. What do you think of this new outfit?" Lance followed up with a photo.
He'd asked around, searched online-outfits like this were hot commodities, usually limited to three sets worldwide.
He figured maybe Mabel didn't have it yet.
Sure enough, Mabel immediately recognized the latest release. She hadn't
managed to snag one before they sold out.
With only three ever made, if you missed out, that was that.
"I don't have this one yet. Why? You know someone who can get it?”
Lance exhaled in relief. Looked like his first move hit the mark.
"I have a friend at Noble Stitch. I asked her to set one aside for you, so I think it's doable."
This "connection" was actually a girl
who'd been a few years behind him
in college, now working in the
industry. It had taken some digging on Lance's part just to get close enough to ask.
But Mabel was sharp.
"People don't give gifts for no reason, Lance. You must want something from me?"
"Could we meet tomorrow and talk it
over?" Lance thought some one
just needed to be handled
face-to-face you couldn't negotiate over the phone content
The truth was, he felt like a product
up for barter, not even
the
upper hand in his own negotiations
He had zero confidence.
Mabel paused, then simply called.
Lance picked up. "Hey?"