Hi Ex, Your Uncle Is My Hubby Now - Chapter 27: Chapter 27

The matsutake had been delivered.
She'd seen him.
She'd even managed to snag dinner.
If she didn't leave now, it would be obvious to anyone what she was really up to.
But right now, she was still supposed to be Dorian's devoted girlfriend. She couldn't afford to let anyone catch even a hint of her real intentions toward Jeremy.
This was going to take time.
If Dorian was a snake, then Jeremy was an endless marsh—quiet, deep, and full of hidden dangers. He could grow a field of flowers, or just as easily breed a nest of vipers.
He was more complex, more calculating, and far harder to deal with than Dorian.
If she wanted his genes, she'd have to play the long game. Carefully. Strategically.
As soon as dinner ended, Irene stood up and smiled politely. "Thank you for the meal, Uncle Jeremy. It's getting late—I should be heading back."
Jeremy gestured toward the kitchen. "Aiden, walk Miss Jackson out."
"No need, I drove myself."
"Then walk her to the parking lot," he replied, dabbing his mouth with a napkin—leaving her no room to refuse. He was already heading upstairs.
Aiden still had half a cigarette left when he heard the call. He stubbed it out, rose quickly, and walked Irene out.
At Silvergrove Park's parking lot, just as Irene was about to get in her car, something occurred to her.
She turned back and asked, "Aiden, the calming aromatherapy oil Mr. Tucker uses—does it have any side effects?"
Aiden looked surprised.
But when he saw the genuine concern in her eyes—nothing fake, nothing scheming—he answered honestly. "It's made from traditional herbs. Helpful, yes, but not without drawbacks.
"It helps Mr. Tucker sleep for two, maybe three hours a night. But it's also affected his appetite.
"This is already the mildest blend we could find. Without it, he can't sleep at all—unless he turns to medication, which he won't do."
Irene nodded silently, said nothing more, and got into her car.
Aiden watched her drive off before turning back toward the villa.
He went straight up to the third floor.
In the study, Jeremy—fresh out of the shower—sat in a robe, reviewing documents. He didn't look up when Aiden came in.
Standing beside the desk, Aiden gave a brief report. "Miss Jackson's left. Before she did, she asked if the aromatherapy oil had any side effects.
"I told her it's affecting your appetite."
For once, Jeremy looked genuinely puzzled.
He glanced up at Aiden. "What do you think she meant by that?"
Aiden shook his head. "No idea. I don't know her well enough."
Jeremy turned to the window.
From here, you could see the wetlands and lake in the distance, the setting sun turning the water a brilliant gold.
But what filled his mind wasn't the view—it was the memory of Irene's bright, clever, cat-like eyes.
"She's not as simple as she looks," he murmured.
Aiden scratched his nose. "I don't know... I think she seems like a good kid. Those wild matsutake were top-shelf, and instead of using them to impress the Barnes family, she brought them here. That kind of thoughtfulness is rare."
Jeremy was quiet for a moment, then said, "No one gives without wanting something in return. When someone's overly nice for no reason, it usually means they want something—or they've already taken it."
Aiden was speechless.
"Sir, you don't like her?" That was rare. Jeremy was a gentleman—he almost never commented on young women, let alone with such skepticism.
But it was clear he wasn't particularly fond of this one.
Jeremy didn't answer.