Be My Man, Mr. Jenkins By Flora Julius

Chapter 27

Helen and Margaret’s relationship was not as bad as others thought.

Margaret had dreamt of marrying Hendrix to live a wealthy life. That was the reason why she kept the baby she conceived secretly. However, she had underestimated Jenkins.

Albert and even Hendrix did not care about the baby she conceived, whether the baby was a boy or a girl. They insisted and forced her to abort it.

When the baby’s life was at stake, Helen saved Margaret and the baby’s life. She helped Margaret after Margaret gave birth to the baby by persuading Albert to let Margaret and her baby boy stay in Jenkins’ manor.

Helen was the only one who protected Margaret and her son when others hated them and wanted the mother and son to be gone. She even gave Margaret money each month to spend because it would be difficult for a mother with a baby to find a job.

Margaret had been hostile towards Helen in the beginning. But her perception towards Helen changed over the years, and she was grateful because Helen gave her and her son a better life. Twenty years had passed, and Margaret was used to living a wealthy life with the money Helen gave her. She had no university degree and no working experience. It would be a disaster if Margaret had to live alone one day. There was no doubt that she might die out of hunger or beg on the streets if Jenkins banished her from Jenkins’ manor.

In addition to Margaret’s old age and lacking beauty, Hendrix had no interest in her anymore. So, Margaret had to put all her hope on Helen, who supported her.

To Helen, Margaret was only a tool. Margaret was like a pet to her. A pet that obeyed her order and needed her to survive.

Albert had been a widower for years since his wife died. So, as the wife of Albert’s eldest son, Hendrix, Helen’s status was as the mistress of the manor.

Most of Jenkins would obey her as they obey Albert.

Helen had to sacrifice as much as she gained to be in that position.

For example, Helen wished that Arthur was dead, but she could not say it or let anyone know her intention. Margaret could see through Helen’s thoughts. That was why she scolded Adriane and Arthur only when no one was around.

Helen smiled and did not interrupt her.

Margaret rolled her eyes, “Look at the clothes she wore. The shorts she wore revealed most of her legs. It is a disgrace to even look at that. What a

shameless girl!”

The anger rolling in Helen slowly dissipated when she heard Margaret condemning Adriane. A faint smile appeared on her delicate face as she said, “Don’t condemn them next time. That isn’t very nice, and it might offend Arthur if he hears that. Arthur is Hendrix’s brother, after all. We don’t want to see them quarrel or hate each other because of this, do we?”

Helen knew that Albert would not be able to protect Arthur forever. She had all the patience in the world to wait for the day when no one could back Arthur up anymore. After all, she had used up 20 years to keep her husband’s mistress and her son by their side, turning them into useless people who could not even take care of themselves

As for Adriane, Helen thought an 18-year-old teenager who only knew how to rely on her fiance was not a threat to her.

Adriane kept what happened in Albert’s mansion a secret from Arthur because she did not want him to worry.

A sudden sadness surged in Adriane when the thought of having no one supporting her struck her. At least Arthur had his father backing him up no matter what. It made Adriane wonder, “Who do I have to back me up? My mother had passed away years ago.”

Suddenly, something struck her. She opened the drawer in her room and took out the tiny box she took back from the Stewarts’ mansion. There should be a photo of her mother with a badge made from some unknown material in the box.

Opening the box, Adriane found out both the items were gone. Only a few pieces of jade were in the box instead.

Anxiously, Adriane rummaged through the box as frustration grew in her. She regretted not checking carefully before leaving the Stewarts’ mansion.

Chapter 27

She kept those two things untouched for eight years. So, she took it for granted that it would be there forever.

Her gaze turned cold as she dialed Rebel’s number.

“Hello, Adria?”

Adriane suspected there was something that her birth mother did not tell her about her family background. She would investigate it sooner or later, but she should not let the Stewarts know about it.

After all, Adriane knew that she was someone the Stewarts adopted to keep Juliette alive.

Holding back her anger as much as she could, Adriane asked, “Mother, I have a little box, and something in it is missing.”

“Oh, the blue one?” Rebel smiled and said, “I bought some jade and put it in the box for you. As for the things in it, I’m keeping it for you.”

As expected, it was Rebel who took those things.

“Can I have it back?”

“I know it belongs to your mother, Adria. It would be terrible if you lost such an important thing in Jenkins Family if you took it with you. Don’t worry. I’ll keep it in a safe place for you.”

Noticing that there was dead silence from Adriane’s side, Rebel tried to convince Adriane with a gentle voice, “When you were ten years old, your birth mother died, and you had to stay in an orphanage. You suffered a lot of injustice. I buried your birth mother and gave you a home. For years I have given you anything you asked for, and have I ever mistreated you?”

“No.”

“That’s it, then. Mother knows what is best for you. You’ll understand it when you are older.”

Adriane knew that the Stewarts wanted her to marry Arthur to bring them some benefit, but at the same time, they did not want to lose her. They wanted to fly her like a kite, keeping the string in their hands.

The Stewarts would use other things to threaten Adriane even if they did not have her mother’s photo. Adriane knew it was impossible to get back her things or get their whereabouts from Rebel that day.

Afraid that Rebel would destroy the photo and the badge again, Adriane could only choose to pretend to be a good kid, “Okay, mother. I understand.”

It lightened Rebel’s mood that Adriane let the matter pass and so she said, “Good girl. It’s getting late. Go to bed early!”

“Yes, mother. Goodnight.”

Adrina’s gaze was cold and murderous after hanging up the phone. She had to take back the things her mom left for her from Rebel.

“The most suitable moment to do that is at Juliette’s birthday party,” thought Adriane..

However, Adriane knew that she needed to carefully plan how to get it back.

The following day, Adriane got up early and jogged around the mansion. She noticed Arthur was in the living room when she was about to have breakfast after taking a bath.

The pantryman placed the breakfast on the table when he saw Adriane walking down the stairs.

Surprised, Adriane approached Arthur and asked, “Artie, why are you in the living room?”

Adriane knew that Arthur usually ate his breakfast in his room.

As usual, Arthur wore dark clothes like always. His face was pale. However, his gaze was sharp.

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Chapte? 27

Tue, 4

He was in a wheelchair, but his temperament was not of a man who was ill, as he replied, “This is my house.”

Arthur meant that he could be anywhere he wished to be.

It left Adriane with nothing to say. She nodded as she thought, “Well, whatever you say, sir.”

E

Adriane felt refreshed and had a big appetite after jogging. She ate a croissant and a sandwich for breakfast and even drank a bowl of mushroom soup.

Arthur, who had no appetite that morning, drank up the half bowl of broth when he saw Adriane eat up all her breakfast as though it was very delicious.

While eating quietly, he recalled the taste of the food Adriane made for him to increase his appetite.

After breakfast, Adriane saw that it was perfect weather for a walk. So, she suggested taking Arthur on a walk outdoors. But he stopped her.

“Wait,” Arthur continued with lips pursed, “What did father say to you during dinner yesterday?”

Adriane subconsciously denied, “He didn’t say anything. We just had a simple dinner.”

Arthur seemed displeased with Adriane’s answer, “Don’t lie.”

Adriane played with her fingers and muttered, “It seems like you already know about it. Why are you asking me then?”

Arthur saw Adriane’s pouted lips and thought helplessly, “I am not blaming her for it.”

However, he said, “You can retort anyone in Jenkins’ manor who offended you except father. Don’t worry about provoking them.”

Adriane was stunned, “Really? Anyone?”