The aura surrounding Jasper at that moment was already beyond what Penelope could fathom. However, she could tell that Jasper’s outfit was an expensive one. The man’s every move and even the simplest glance was filled with the prestige and aura of somebody of high-society.
In comparison, Penelope felt like a speck of dust in the mud while Jasper was a prince that towered over her.
There was nothing to compare between the two.
No one could possibly imagine that they had been a couple talking about wedding plans just a year ago.
Penelope shuddered slightly, but she did not know if she was shaking with resentment or regret.
Jasper lamented at the sight of Penelope, now as despondent as a beggar on the streets.
There were definitely no more romantic feelings between them.
Yet, the hatred he harbored for her seemed to have faded as well.
Jasper had once imagined that he would feel very proud as he stood before Penelope after he had finally made a name before himself. He wondered how it would feel to mock Penelope for looking down at him in the beginning, only to end up losing such a gem of a man.
However, even as all this was finally happening, Jasper did not feel even the slightest urge to mock her anymore.
He merely marveled at how fast the world could change.
“Take it.”
A wad of cash appeared before Penelope.
It came to total of around one to two thousand bucks.
“That’s all I have on me now. Go get nice clothes for you and your mom, and use the rest for Christmas presents. Regardless, things will get better next year.”
Jasper paused for a bit then continued, “John Jackson, the Vice President of the ICBS City Branch, is a friend of mine. He got promoted from Faith County, so he should still have a few contacts here and there. I could contact him when I get back to ask if he could assign you some temporary work at ICBS.
“But you’ve got to work hard for it as well. Study hard and pass the test. The ICBS has an internal test before hiring any employees, but John will help prepare a path for you if you pass the test. That should give you a steady job.”
Seeing Penelope standing blankly in front of him, Jasper replied, “Then find someone nice and live a happy life.”
Jasper placed the money in Penelope’s hands and turned to leave.
Penelope stared at the banknotes in her hand, then looked up, only to see Jasper’s figure walking away.
It was a crowded street, with people bustling around her, ready to celebrate the joy of Christmas. Penelope watched as Jasper’s figure vanished before she suddenly mustered the courage she did not even know she had to run after him.
“Wait!”
Jasper turned around and frowned upon seeing Penelope panting hard from the run.
‘What more does this woman want? She can’t be so deluded to think that we’d get back together, right?’
Jasper did not say anything, instead waiting patiently for her to speak first.
“I’m not here for anything else. I just wanted to tell you, that when I was stea… I mean, buying things this morning, I heard two young men, who I think are brothers, talk about something. I think one of them was called Terence or something.
“The Terence guy was trying to prove something to the other, and claimed that some bigshot was going to come after you, and as such, he was asking the other man to join in as well.
“I don’t know exactly what they said, but I heard them say your name so I jotted it down… but then again, they might also just be talking about another ‘Jasper’ so…”
Penelope then bowed deeply to Jasper, then turned to run.
Jasper furrowed his brows slightly as he watched Penelope’s figure disappear into the crowd. Instantly, he fell deep in thought.
Penelope turned at the corner of the street and stopped to catch her breath, when she suddenly bent down to wail.
Whether she was crying out of regret or something else was probably something only Penelope would know.
Even so, Jasper and Penelope were both very well aware of the current situation.
That the two of them were complete strangers now. The last contact they would ever have had come to an end with this helping hand Jasper had extended her.
