The Real Heiress's New Family Adored By All novel Chapter 42

Chapter 42 An Unexpected Reunion

Finished

Feeling her gaze, Jet curved his lips into a soft smile, his eyes crinkling with amusement.

“Maybe some other time. I’ve all been swamped lately, and Zora’s starting school tomorrow anyway.”

Jensen didn’t press him for more details after Jett brushed the topic off. His gaze drifted to Zora sitting beside them, his expression softening gently.

“Mr. Pierce, Mr. Marlow and his group are just ahead. You can head straight over.”

As they talked, the restaurant host noticed the new guest walking in.

“Hey, Leigh.”

Jett glanced back and let out a quiet laugh the moment he saw Leighton strolling over, twirling his car key casually in one hand.

“Ugh, don’t call me that.”

Leighton frowned, his slanted eyes narrowing slightly as he shot Jett a lazy glare.

He wore a loose black button-up shirt with the collar undone, revealing his defined collarbone. His long, vein-lined fingers toyed idly with his car key.

Zora stared at him in surprise.

She never expected it to be him.

Was he also one of Jensen’s close friends?

Zora had spotted Leighton, but he hadn’t noticed her-Jett was standing right in the way, blocking her from view.

“Well, look who finally showed up,” Jett grinned. “We were just talking about you, and here you come out of nowhere.”

“Obviously I came because I heard Jensen suddenly got himself a little cousin,” Leighton drawled, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he walked closer. “Had to come see what all the fuss is about.”

But as he stepped nearer and caught sight of the quiet young girl beside Jensen, the smile on Leighton’s face froze completely.

Why is it her?!

Zora listened quietly to his rambling.

Why did he have to be so frivolous and unserious?

How could someone as thoughtful and steady as Jensen have such a silly friend?

She hoped he was only Jett’s friend, not Jensen’s-otherwise she’d start doubting how mature her cousin

1/3

3:51 pm

Chapter 42-Afr Unexpected Reunion

Finished

really was.

Zora saw Jensen as earnest, sharp, and genuinely kind. It baffled her that he’d keep company with someone so foolish.

She wanted to think of him as simply being unreliable, but her mentor had always taught her to be polite, so she settled on a milder thought: foolish

Tall enough to see past everyone, Leighton caught the clear look of disdain flickering in Zora’s eyes again.

Once more, he was being looked down upon by this girl.

He prayed silently that Jensen’s new little cousin wasn’t this exact girl.

The embarrassment would be unbearable.

“What are you standing there spacing out for?” Jett waved him over, noticing how stiff and distant he’d gone all of a sudden. “Didn’t you want to meet Jensen’s cousin? She’s right here. Her name’s Zora.”

“Leighton?” Jensen called out as well.

“I’m coming.”

Leighton straightened himself up, his easy grin fading into a calm, composed expression that only heightened his striking good looks.

He stepped forward, doing his best to ignore the pair of wide, innocent eyes fixed squarely on him-eyes that were clearly judging him without a single word.

‘Zora, this is another good friend of mine, Leighton Pierce. You can call him Leighton,” Jensen introduced them gently. “Leighton, this is my cousin, Zora.”

…Leighton.”

…Zora.”

Neither of them got the silent wish they’d been hoping for.

After a brief, awkward pause, they both spoke up.

Zora pressed her lips together quietly.

Great. So this really was one of Jensen’s friends.

Her amazing cousin actually had such a foolish acquaintance.

She even found herself wondering if she could somehow help him become more sensible.

“Nice to meet you, Zora,” Leighton said, forcing a relaxed tone. “Never thought we’d run into each other again so soon.”

He took a quiet breath to steady himself.

2/3

3:51 pm P PTM

Chapter 42 Ar Unexpected Reunion

Calm down. That was just an accident last time, nothing but an accident!

It’s not embarrassing at att

It’s just that this girl looks so blank and clueless, it makes me flustered for no reason

There was nothing funny about what happened before. Accidents happen all the time.

Forget it, just forget it. I’ve already put that whole incident out of my mind.

Repeating that thought to himself, he let a lazy, charming smile tug at his lips.

Finished

Zora lifted her gaze and stared straight at the man sitting across from her. She pressed her lips together, unsure what to say in reply.

There was something smooth and overly suave about the way he spoke, every sentence laced with a teasing undertone.

He reminded her of the big golden retriever raised by a neighbor back in Maplewood.

Every time she walked by, the dog would brush its tail lightly against her legs.

When Leighton spoke just now, it felt exactly like that dog puzzling up to her, making her want to reach out and scratch its chin.

The man was undeniably handsome, with sun-kissed skin and sharp, chiseled features. His eyes were deep yet soft, his nose tall and straight, marked with a faint, tiny red mole that added a hint of sensual charm.

He had warm amber eyes. The overhead restaurant lights spilled into his eyes, the upturned corners glinting like flowing sunlight-stunning to look at.

Zora even found herself wishing she could tuck those eyes away in a box and keep them safe, like something precious.

There it was again. That strange feeling was back.

Leighton suddenly felt an odd twinge in his eyes.

す

The girl just kept staring at him without a word. Unlike other young women who’d grow shy and flustered looking at a handsome man, she held his gaze steady and unblinking-and it was making him feel strangely flustered and guilty.

30

1

3/3

51 pm P

The Real Heness 3 New Family Adored by All