Don't Mess with the Girl with Candy novel Chapter 282

Jimmie’s head was ringing. With a roar of frustration, he swung his fist, landing a solid punch on Shanley’s jaw. The newly formed scab on Shanley's lip split open again.

Seeing the fresh wound on his face, Juniper frowned. If this kept up, he’d be scarred, and that would ruin his good looks.

“My feelings for Juniper are serious. I’m thinking about marriage,” Shanley said, casually wiping the blood from his mouth. He stood tall, his voice firm and resolute. “For the rest of my life, she’s the one.”

Marriage? Jimmie’s frown deepened in surprise. He had known Shanley for a long time, and it was precisely because he knew his character that the phrase “she’s the one” was so shocking. Jimmie had once suspected Shanley would die alone. Now, it seemed his feelings for Juniper were genuine.

“How far have things gone between you?” Jimmie asked, taking a deep breath to steady himself, though his fist remained clenched. His sister was only eighteen. If Shanley had crossed any lines… he would never forgive him.

“We haven’t even started,” Shanley replied, glancing at Juniper with a helpless twist of his lips. His voice was magnetic. “I originally planned to wait until she started college to confess my feelings, but then—”

He shot a deliberate look at Melvin. If it hadn't been for Melvin's appearance, he wouldn’t have felt such a sense of crisis and sped up his timeline. But at least he now knew for certain that the girl had feelings for him, too.

“Really?” Melvin wasn’t convinced. He walked over to Juniper and said in a grave tone, “Juniper, is this Schwartz fellow threatening you? Is he using some kind of trick to force you to stay with him? Don’t be afraid. Just tell me, and I’ll take care of it for you.”

“No,” Juniper said, her pink lips parting slightly. “He’s been very good to me, and he’s never done anything inappropriate. Also…”

Also what? Three pairs of eyes were fixed on her, waiting for the rest of her sentence.

A sharp pain lanced through Melvin’s heart. He couldn’t accept that the sister he’d just found after fifteen years was already being stolen away.

“Juniper…” Shanley was both moved and terrified that she would get caught in the crossfire. “It’s okay. Go stand over there.”

He was prepared to accept whatever her brothers dished out. But giving up on Juniper was impossible.

Juniper didn’t move, making it clear she intended to protect him.

The three siblings stared at one another. In the end, Jimmie and Melvin were the first to back down. Who could possibly resist such an adorable sister?