The Rose He Showed Off Is Putting Down Roots in a Garden of Her Own novel Chapter 20

Jasper returned, confirming that President Vance was indeed Elara.

"I told them you're buying. Dinner's at the Lexington Avenue restaurant," Jasper said, then offered a cheeky grin. "Should I order flowers?"

"Don't be ridiculous, it's a business meeting," Zane snapped. But a second later, he subtly sniffed his collar, instantly regretting his earlier cigarette.

Zane left for home to shower and change, leaving Jasper utterly speechless.

He strongly suspected his former brother-in-law was...

In love.

No, wait, it had to be a rebound. He'd been practically glued to Vivian all week.

Just days ago, Jocelyn had almost murdered him over it, and Jasper had caught the collateral damage.

-

Back at his penthouse, Zane stood in front of his closet, tossing aside shirt after shirt. Everything felt either too casual or painfully overdressed. He finally settled on his standard dress shirt and slacks, paired with a dark overcoat.

Staring in the mirror, he frowned. The dark coat looked too severe, lacking warmth. It aged him. He ditched the coat, opting for a sharply tailored navy suit jacket instead.

He glanced at his tie. Too formal. He ripped it off and finally headed downstairs.

Down in the parking garage, Jasper was losing his mind waiting. Seeing Zane emerge in just a shirt and jacket without a winter coat, he rolled his eyes. Was the old peacock trying to strut?

"Boss, aren't you freezing?"

"You're too old to be choosing fashion over frostbite. With your creaky joints, you're going to catch pneumonia."

"Shut up and drive."

Jasper silently fumed. It wasn't his fault Zane spent an hour playing dress-up.

-

Dinner was at one of the Whitaker Group's flagship restaurants.

By the time Elara arrived, Zane was already waiting in the private dining room.

He hadn't seen her in professional attire in years. The last time had been before her wedding, back when she was shadowing her father at Vance Group.

Zane stood up and extended his hand.

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