She's Too Busy Winning to Watch Him Cry novel Chapter 177

A soft knock echoed against the office door before Caleb walked in. Having just returned to the corporate headquarters from the manufacturing plant, he had already caught wind of Elara's stunt. He pulled the door shut behind him.

"I heard what happened out there."

He approached Lyra's desk. "You're my sister, and I shouldn't pry into your personal life. But look at this."

"You need to find a guy who outshines Rowan... Well, admittedly, that's a tough order to fill, but you can't just let them rub this in your face forever. You're incredible. Is no one asking you out?"

Caleb picked up his mug, recalling another rumor he'd heard. "Didn't Waylon Grayson drive you home a few nights ago? What do you think of him?"

"Not an option," Lyra said, shaking her head. "He's into a married woman."

Caleb, who had just taken a sip of coffee to soothe his frustration, nearly choked, coughing as he swallowed. "Wow, didn't see that coming."

"It's fine. I've got this guy I met online. We're friends now, but who knows, maybe he'll end up as my husband. Whenever he drops by Fairchild Holdings, I'll introduce you." Lyra flashed him a breezy smile, then went right back to her screen.

Caleb stared at her, stunned for a second, before nodding slowly. "You've really got it all figured out, huh? Guess I don't need to worry about you."

He studied Lyra's utterly indifferent expression. Something about it felt entirely off.

He turned to leave with his mug in hand, reached the door, and pivoted back. "But do you even like him?"

His sister felt like a completely different person.

The girl who could never hide her feelings was now disturbingly calm, as if she could swallow down any slight and accept whatever life threw at her.

Lyra looked up, her tone as detached as if she were discussing the weather. "Isn't the 'marriage of convenience' trope all the rage right now?"

"Obsessing over love is for teenagers. As adults, it's about compatibility. You and Kayla practically did the same thing, didn't you?"

Having literally died in her past life, she had long abandoned the luxury of demanding romance.

What good was love anyway? It only left you burned to the ground.

Caleb was caught off guard by her blunt logic, but he nodded again.

Around noon, while Jasmine was home changing her outfit, she received an international call from California.

Tabitha, still absolutely furious over the Aura Beauty fiasco, had complained to her septuagenarian mother about how ruthless the Fairchild family was.

Agnes Townsend had called Jasmine directly regarding the drama. Since it was her beloved grandmother, Jasmine dutifully picked up the phone, despite being in a rush to leave.

Grandma Townsend, an esteemed university professor in California, delivered her lecture with practiced authority. "From now on, you must rely on your own judgment. Never give anyone an opening to tear you down. People are complex, and their motives are treacherous. You can be gentle, but never be gullible. And absolutely do not surrender what is rightfully yours out of some misplaced sense of pity."

"I understand, Grandma," Jasmine said, nodding obediently. She had always valued her grandmother's wisdom.

This recent setback was a harsh reminder that she was still too green.

Compared to Rowan's sharp foresight, ruthless decision-making, and iron-fisted tactics, she had miles of growing up to do.

"Thank goodness you have Rowan backing you up," Grandma Townsend continued. "You need to make sure you show him your appreciation properly..."