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“Frederick knew?” she asked, bewildered. “But why…?”
“You know, we always take notice of anyone marrying into our circle, but the fact that it’s you and himagainis mind-boggling. You’re a Hennessy, and he’s become one of the most influential businessmen of his time.” Penelope gave her a considering look. “I never pictured you with the strong, silent type. He’s… intimidating, to say the least.”
“You’ve met him?”
Penelope smacked her arm. “Of course. He works with Frederick. I’ve met him on several occasions. I never brought up that we knew one another, of course, but now…” Penelope’s eyes bugged out playfully. “I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other. Yippee!”
Roth worked with Frederick Baldacci? The Davies and Baldaccis came from old money and had spotless reputations. They weren’t snobs, but they did business with a selected few. Her and Penny’s grandfathers had been friends, which carried onto their fathers, and now her and Penny. How did Roth breach years of tradition and start doing business with an affluent family that had such close ties to her father?
“Jas?”
She focused on Penelope. “Sorry. What were you saying?”
“You two need to come to Abby’s wedding.”
She found herself copying Penelope by widening her eyes.
“Little Abby’s getting married? To whom?” she asked, grateful for the change in subject as she dug into a spinach salad with almonds and chicken.
“My sister isn’t so little anymore. She towers over me. Her fiancé’s name is Jin. He’s from Hong Kong. A distant relation to Daiyu.”
“You’re going to be related to Dai? Good luck.”
Penelope laughed. “I love her.”
“So do I,” she muttered.
“Abby saw your dress and called Dai immediately.”
Her attention wandered as a server dropped off an assortment of pastries. She immediately forked up a piece of chocolate cake as Penelope talked about her sister’s upcoming wedding, which was going to be an extravagant affair.
“We were going to invite Roth since he’s a partner of Frederick’s,” Penelope rattled on, “but he always declines. It would be a giant coup to have him attend. You too, of course.”
“You know I’m not one for public—”
“You grew up in it, Jas. You can do this in your sleep,” Penelope chided.
“But I don’t want to.” She sounded childish, but she didn’t care. Penelope had no idea what it was like to be on the receiving end of the overwhelming censure and condemnation she received after the scandal broke all those years ago. Roth’s rise in status made their union more respectable this time around, but that didn’t change their past. She was sure there would still be snide remarks and whispers. She’d had enough of that to last her a lifetime. The less they were seen together, the better. Attending Abby’s high-profile wedding was a recipe for disaster. Once their year was up, that’s all anyone would ask her about—the man she divorced twice.
“You know how important these gatherings are to build rapport between colleagues.” Penelope giggled as Jasmine made a face. “You haven’t changed.”
“Do you blame me?”
“No, but no one would dare slight you with him at your side.”
She ate as Penelope tried to persuade her to commit to a list of upcoming events she wanted no part of. She kept her mouth full, so she wouldn’t have to answer, but when pressed, she lobbed the ball in Roth’s court.
“No one can make him do anything he doesn’t want to,” she said.
“But he’s in love with you. He’ll do anything you…” Penelope clapped her on the back. “Jas? Are you okay?”
“That went down the wrong pipe,” she wheezed as she reached for a glass of water.
Even her friends who should know better were buying into the romantic fanfare in the press. Not only did Penelope know Roth, she also knew how common marriages of convenience were in their circles, yet even she had been fooled into thinking this was a love match. And why wouldn’t she? Roth had gone above and beyond to broadcast their union and fool everyone into thinking he was on good terms with her family. No one would believe he was using their marriage as a front to punish everyone who had wronged him, including her.
She ate as Penelope launched into an accounting of mutual friends she had lost touch with. As Penelope listed marriages, divorces, bankruptcies, business mergers, and deaths, Jasmine updated the massive network in her mind.
As she took in Penelope’s animated face and exaggerated hand movements, a trait she retained from childhood, she tried to remember the last time they crossed paths. It was shortly after she got engaged to Ford. That was before Roth, before her family turned their backs on her, and before she became a divorcee. Penelope had been newly married, and they sat at a table, planned to have kids around the same age that could grow up together like they had. She tossed back the last of her drink, which dulled her clamoring senses, but not enough. She’d been so hopeful for the future, so bright and shiny, with no idea that in a few months, her life would change for all time.
