Don't Mess with the Girl with Candy novel Chapter 1075

"Exactly," Juniper nodded, her voice crisp and pleasant. "My patience has its limits. When dealing with absolute societal trash that’s beyond saving, it’s best to just rip them out by the roots."

Shanley let out a low, velvet chuckle. He snapped the folder shut and gently stroked her cheek. "As long as you're happy, you can play however you want."

Juniper didn't reply. Instead, she straddled his lap and looped her arms loosely around his neck.

"What's this?" Shanley leaned back against the sofa, resting his hands casually on her waist. He wasn't taking the bait.

He'd played this teasing game too many times to fall for it. He knew damn well that the second he got worked up, this little menace would wriggle out of his grasp and bolt.

Not this time.

Instead of fleeing, Juniper leaned in and pecked his lips. "Go ahead," she demanded with the haughty confidence of a queen. "I won't run this time."

"Are you serious?" Shanley’s eyes snapped open, blazing with sudden intensity as he stared at her.

"If you don't want to, then forget it." She shot him a glare and made a move to slide off his lap.

Shanley instantly locked his arms around her, pulling her flush against his chest. As his mouth crashed down on hers with overwhelming tenderness, a raspy, desperate plea vibrated against her lips.

"Baby, hurry up and marry me."

—

The Global Securities Summit.

The venue was packed with elite financiers, tech moguls, and industry titans from around the globe. Luxury cars clogged the drop-off lane.

Since Shanley Schwartz, the head of Schwartz Group, had unexpectedly invited several top-tier journalists at the last minute, the media presence was explosive. The energy in the hall was electric.

The Yardley family had also secured an invitation.

"Mr. Yardley has arrived."

All eyes turned as Sheryl Yardley glided into the hall, clinging to her father's arm. She was wearing a dazzling, rhinestone-encrusted mermaid gown, her hair styled in perfect Hollywood waves, projecting an air of absolute superiority.

"The Yardley girl is quite a catch. Gorgeous, highly educated... I wonder which family she'll end up marrying into."

As he adjusted his cuffs, his sleeve hitched up just enough to reveal a simple red sandalwood bracelet—the handmade birthday gift Juniper had given him.

With his striking features and an aura of effortless, predatory dominance, he commanded the room the second he entered.

Every woman in the hall visibly swooned.

But... he had walked in alone.

Attending an event of this magnitude without a plus-one? It meant his fiancée either couldn't make it, or he was embarrassed to be seen with her in public.

This supposed future Mrs. Schwartz had trended online a few times, but the articles were always scrubbed within hours. Now, it was impossible to find a single photo or detail about her anywhere. No one even knew what she looked like anymore.

"There’s a reason he didn't bring her," Sheryl whispered loudly, flipping her hair. "Men get bored easily."

"What?" The women around her gasped, leaning in like vultures. "Are you saying Mr. Schwartz has a side piece?"

"Is it a man or a woman?!"