After Rebirth, I Accept The Arranged Marriage-Chapter 101: Husband and Wife

Mochi and Bella told Jessie Sterling about the incident, hoping to convince her not to go head-to-head with Shawn Stuart.

Who knew what other despicable things he was capable of.

"That whole incident is pretty much over now," Bella said. "Since you never responded online, Shawn Stuart didn’t have anyone to play off of. He can’t keep a one-man show going forever. If you say a single word to him, you’ll just be giving him the attention he wants."

Jessie Sterling let out a small "Ah," but she was still angry.

’She was a little curious. If Shawn Stuart had known she was Little Squid, would he still have tried to hit on her?’

"Alright, let’s stop talking about such an unpleasant guy. It’s ruining the mood." Mochi, thinking she had successfully talked Jessie out of a confrontation, smiled and looked at the ring on Jessie’s hand. "That ring is gorgeous."

Hearing this, Jessie Sterling’s eyes crinkled with delight.

’Of course! You dress up for other girls to see! Only another girl can appreciate the effort you put in. What do men know?’

The lingering annoyance from her encounter with Shawn Stuart instantly vanished at Mochi’s words.

Jessie Sterling nodded gleefully. "I love it too!"

"Where’d you buy it? Do you have a link?" Mochi asked.

Even though she was deep in the world of anime and comics, what girl doesn’t love sparkly things?

The question almost stumped Jessie Sterling.

"...Um, no. My husband bought it for me," Jessie said.

Victor Morgan had likely bought the raw stone at an auction years ago, then had it custom cut and set into a ring before their engagement.

Completely custom-made.

In that instant, Mochi’s attention was completely diverted.

"Huh? Your husband?" Mochi blinked, staring at Jessie Sterling in disbelief.

Before Jessie could say anything, she pointed to Bella. "Do you mean a ’wife’ like how Bella and I are ’wives’?"

Jessie: "...More like the legally-binding kind you can look up in the official government records?"

Mochi and Bella’s jaws dropped in unison.

No way.

Seeing their shocked expressions, Jessie Sterling couldn’t help but laugh. "What is it?"

"You... have you even graduated from college yet?" Mochi blurted out.

Jessie looked like she was only in her early twenties.

Jessie nodded.

"You just graduated, right?"

"Mhm, I graduated a little over a year ago," Jessie said.

Mochi sucked in a sharp breath. "You got married only a year after graduating?! That’s marrying way too young! Which guy lucked out so hard?!"

She looked utterly heartbroken, as if her own prized cabbage had been eaten by some pig.

Jessie was amused by her reaction.

’I have to tell Victor what she said when I get home tonight.’

"How about I bring him over to meet you sometime?" Jessie teased.

Mochi, not knowing that Jessie actually lived in Aethelburg, assumed she was just joking and nodded. "Sure, why not."

"He’s picking me up this afternoon. How about I introduce you then?" Jessie said.

Mochi: "???"

Bella: "???"

What?

"This afternoon?" Mochi’s eyes widened. It quickly dawned on her. "Are you from Aethelburg?"

Jessie thought for a moment before shaking her head. "I’m from Southaven, but my husband is from Aethelburg, so we’re living here now."

Mochi let out a dry laugh, feeling like she’d been posturing too much.

’How am I supposed to back out of this now?’

Fortunately, Jessie didn’t seem too insistent on them meeting her husband that afternoon, and Mochi breathed a secret sigh of relief.

"You’re not staying at the hotel tonight?" Mochi asked.

Jessie shook her head. "It’s more convenient for me to stay at home."

After they chatted for a little longer, Yvonne Rhodes returned from talking with an editor.

Seeing two more of the website’s artists gathered around Jessie, Yvonne raised an eyebrow slightly. She then joined the group and suggested they go try the website’s festival-style mini-games.

The mini-games all had prizes, and the events were creative and a lot of fun.

The morning flew by. When noon arrived, Manhui had booked half of the restaurant on the second floor.

"I heard from my editor that the big boss originally wanted to book the entire restaurant floor," Yvonne Rhodes whispered conspiratorially to Jessie. "But as soon as the finance department asked the Sanctum for the price, they immediately dropped the idea."

"Booking even half the restaurant is a pretty big splurge for our site," Mochi added. "I’ve seen people online showing off that they’re having afternoon tea at the Sanctum. It’s super high-class."

The group laughed. Getting a free feast was definitely something to be happy about.

Jessie was happy, too. ’It’s free food, so why not enjoy it?’

Jessie just never expected that when it was time for lunch, Shawn Stuart would actually end up at their table.

"Tsk," Mochi was the first to whisper in Bella’s ear. "He couldn’t be interested in Little Squid, could he?"

Over the course of the morning, they had gotten to know Jessie quite well and had learned she was a year younger than them. They didn’t care that she was married; they still saw her as the little sister of the group who needed looking after.

Bella’s expression became indescribably grim. "It sounds like you’re telling a horror story..."

But their table was filled with Manhui’s veteran artists. They had all seen each other countless times at other events and company parties, but never once had Shawn Stuart tried to cozy up to their group.

Jessie was actually quite a picky eater. She’d been to the Sanctum’s restaurants quite a few times and was very familiar with the head chef’s specialties.

"Their black truffle langoustine is excellent," Jessie explained to her friends as the dishes arrived. "The langoustine is incredibly fresh and has a great bouncy texture, like it’s about to burst with juice. They have a whole series of dishes featuring what they claim is the finest black truffle. This crab meat is also great—it’s very sweet. They guarantee the crabs are alive right up until they’re cooked."

Mochi was amazed. "Wow, you’re an expert!"

Jessie laughed, a little embarrassed. "Maybe it’s just because I really like to eat?"

"Any other recommendations?" Yvonne Rhodes asked.

Jessie thought for a moment. "That’s it. This restaurant isn’t really to my taste, so I only like these few dishes."

"You’ve been here before?" The question came from Shawn Stuart. For whatever reason, he had chosen the seat directly across from Jessie.

Jessie nodded, showing no interest in talking with him further.

But Shawn Stuart, seemingly oblivious to her cold shoulder, just smiled. "What a coincidence. I’ve been here a few times myself and agree the food isn’t that great. Why don’t you recommend a few other places? Maybe we have similar tastes."

As Shawn Stuart said this, the few people around him started egging him on, looking at Jessie.

Meanwhile, the faces of Mochi and Bella, who were sitting beside Jessie, darkened.

Yvonne Rhodes was about to say something to help Jessie, but before she could speak, she felt a small, soft hand gently squeeze her wrist on the table.

Jessie was stopping her.

Yvonne turned back, surprised.