The woman was caught off guard by how fast Jace’s mood shifted.
But a man like him wasn’t someone she could afford to mess with, let alone argue.
Everyone knew how ruthless he was in their circle, not to mention the fact that he was from the Whitmore family in Northveil City — that name alone could crush people.
Best to stay far away from that kind of guy, or you wouldn’t even know how you ended up buried.
So with a hint of defeat, she got out and walked off.
Jace spun the wheel with a sharp turn and circled back, finally parking next to the bus stop.
And sure enough, there Nerissa was, still standing all alone, quietly waiting for the next bus.
“Get in,” he rolled down the window, voice flat.
Nerissa blinked in surprise when she saw him, then peered into his car.
The passenger seat was empty.
So that woman from earlier was gone?
What, he swapped her out that fast?
Nerissa instantly didn’t want any part of it and shook her head.
“I’ll take the bus.”
Jace didn’t budge.
“Get in, I’ve got something to ask you.”
What could he possibly have to say to her now?
Nerissa wasn’t buying his act for a second.
She backed away two steps, clearly showing she had zero intention of getting into his car.
Jace was already losing his patience.
“Nerissa, am I not speaking clear enough for you?”
She pressed her lips together, leaning against the bus stop sign without moving an inch.
Silent.
Stubborn.
He wouldn’t leave, and she wouldn’t get in.
They just stood there, locked in an awkward standoff.
Soon, the drivers behind started getting fed up.
Horns blared behind them, loud and impatient.
But it was like Jace was completely deaf to it all.
He didn’t even flinch, still waiting her out like he had all the time in the world.
“Hey girl, just get in already!
If you two gotta argue, do it somewhere else and stop blocking the road.”
“Seriously, some people just don’t have any sense.”
The honking and yelling turned into a whole choir of complaints from the drivers behind.
Nerissa’s face went red with embarrassment.
She wasn’t thick-skinned enough to keep holding out under all that pressure.
Left with no choice, she yanked the car door open and got in.
She had been planning to sit in the back, but after struggling with the door for a bit, she gave up and slid into the passenger seat instead.
“Buckle up,” Jace reminded her.
She grabbed the seatbelt and clicked it in.
The Range Rover pulled out from the bus stop in one smooth move.
After crossing an intersection and waiting at the light, Jace suddenly threw a question at her.
“So, what’s going on between you and Quentin?”
Nerissa blinked, totally caught off guard.
“Huh?”
He scoffed.
“Maison Céliane?
That place costs more than half your monthly pay for just one meal.
You really think Quentin treats everyone that nicely?”
Nerissa frowned and tried to explain, “He said I’m his student.
That’s why he looks out for me more.”
Like that kind of excuse could fool anyone but a naive college kid.
Jace tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, voice low and cold.
“I’m warning you again.
Stay away from him.”
“Why?” Nerissa looked at him like he’d lost it.
Whatever was between her and Quentin had zero to do with him.
Their so-called ‘deal’ was already over, so why was he poking his nose into her business like this?
“He’s not nearly as innocent as you think.
And since we’ve slept together — twice — I figured I’d do you a favor and give you a heads-up.
Don’t be stubborn, Nerissa.”
His brows drew together, tension written all over his face.
Nerissa really didn’t have the energy to argue anymore.
He wouldn’t listen anyway, and trying to explain was pointless.
She shut her mouth and just stared ahead.
Forget it.
So what if they’d slept together twice?
At the end of the day, she was just another name on his block list.
The light turned green, and the Range Rover rolled forward.
Neither of them spoke.
Jace had a vague feeling — this woman might look all obedient on the surface, but deep down, she was stubborn as hell.
She didn’t blow up easily.
Quiet rebellion was more her thing.
He rubbed his temple with one hand and switched the subject.
“Where are you living now?”
Nerissa tensed.
“Why do you care?”
“To drop you off,” Jace glanced at her, sounding a bit resigned.
She looked out the window.
They were already on the overpass — too late to turn back.
So she just told him, “Watersend Court.”
Jace tapped it into navigation, then frowned as he remembered — nothing fancy, just an old relocation complex full of subdivided apartments, all kinds of people packed in there.
Usually a mess.
He didn’t expect her to be renting in a place like that.
Once the GPS was set, he headed toward it.
Forty minutes later, the SUV pulled up in front of her building.
Night was just kicking off.
Outside, food stalls lined the street, the air heavy with the scent of fried snacks and spices.
Vendors shouted over one another, trying to snag passing customers.
The neighborhood was buzzing — people were out eating food, drinking, loud and chatty.
Jace’s Land Rover looked way out of place here.
Nerissa didn’t let him drive into the complex — too crowded, the road inside was narrow and full of people.
One wrong turn and someone would get bumped.
“Thanks for the ride.
See you,” she said politely, reaching for the door handle.
But just as she touched it, a loud “click” — the doors locked.
Her head snapped toward him, confusion written all over her face.
“I’m saying it one more time — stay away from Quentin.
Keep your guard up, got it?”
He’d already said it more than once, and now Nerissa was clearly annoyed.
She took a breath, then turned to him with a frown.
“Dr.
Whitmore, who I see or don’t see is up to me.
Just because we’ve slept together twice doesn’t mean you get a say in my personal life.
You’re overstepping — don’t you see that?”