Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

Chapter 701 A Token of Gratitude

If Mandy didn't get the hint now, she'd be downright foolish.

"Got it, thank you, sir. I'll find a chance to thank him later," she said, turning to leave.

The driver watched her walk away, muttering to himself, "Kids with a sense of gratitude like that are rare these days. Hey, wait, your cigarettes!" But it was too late-Mandy was already gone.

It was close to midnight.

Jasper, holding his jacket in one hand and a cigarette in the other, made his way downstairs.

Mandy glanced up and saw him approaching.

He didn't notice her, though.

She couldn't help but stare at him as he passed.

Jasper was tall, easily over six feet. His hair was slightly curled, styled back in a way that highlighted his sharp, clean-cut features.

On most men, this kind of hairstyle would have looked messy, but not on him. He carried an air of rebelliousness, the image of a carefree rogue.

It wasn't until he disappeared from her view that Mandy snapped out of it. She quickly followed him outside.

Just as Jasper was about to get into his car, a clear voice called out behind him, "Excuse me."

He paused, phone in hand, and turned around, blowing out a thin stream of smoke.

eyes landed on

the staff you helped last time at Mystique. You left too quickly before I could thank you properly, so I came to thank you now." Jasper raised an eyebrow puzzledly. He had no memory of

Had I helped someone?

it clearly wasn't important

okay. I do," Mandy said with a small

seem to

connected, and without giving her another glance, he turned and

shot a quick look at Mandy before

at not getting a response, but she brushed it off and went

and leaned

soon arrived at the Weekleys

the driver handed him a box of

this?" Jasper asked, glancing at the

gratitude from that girl," the driver

"A token of gratitude?"

lips curled in amusement as he

carton of cigarettes,

"I only like

hesitation, he handed it back to the

keep it," he

he walked into the villa without looking

...

observing her from a small

few things had happened since