Serenity was in her bedroom getting changed to pick up her two children from kindergarten when Jackson came home, much to her surprise."Why are you home so early?" she asked, buttoning up her blouse."I didn't have much to do at work today, so I decided to come home early," Jackson replied, stepping closer to help with the buttons she was doing up. "Let me help you."Her face reddened slightly from his attention. Even though he had often helped her change her clothes lately, his intent gaze never failed to stir her heartbeat and make her blush.He admired the bloom in her cheeks - a reaction he alone could elicit.His long fingers deftly fastened each button as he enquired casually, "What did you do today?""I went to the hospital," Serenity answered. "Zeke Shaw's mother was hospitalized for a kidney problem. She already accrued over $3000 in medical bills and needs $15,000 more for further treatment. I transferred the money into her account.""I see," Jackson replied with his
It must have been a flashback of Jackson triggering the device.Master Zack's recording clearly stated that once the device was pressed, it would explode when time ran out, but Jackson focused solely on comforting her despite imminent danger to himself."I will handle any matters regarding Zeke Shaw from now on, so please don't contact or see him and his family again," Jackson said between gentle kisses to her lips.Still lost in recollection, Serenity was jolted back by a sting on her neck. Beneath Jackson's sea-like gaze, she grew self-conscious. "What are you thinking about?" he looked right into her eyes and asked, noting that she was clearly lost in thought.He mentioned Zeke Shaw just now, so was she dwelling on her earlier conversation with him? Was she reminiscing about their past?"Nothing," she assured him hastily. "I'm just thinking that you're right. If you were there, you would have fought to protect me.""Then, can you promise not to meet with Zeke Shaw or anyon
Fortunately, Jacqueline didn't ask further, and instead turned her head to whisper with Micah.Serenity noticed that the two siblings had often spoken in hushed tones like this for the past week, as if they had little secrets. However, she didn't mind it. After all, siblings sharing secrets meant that they're bonding well. She was initially afraid that they wouldn't get along since they had been apart since infancy.Moreover, Micah wasn't a very friendly kid.It warmed Serenity's heart to see the two children get along."Do you really not feel hot?" Jackson's voice sounded in Serenity's ear. She turned her head, and her lips almost brushed against his cheek.Embarrassed, she insisted "I... I don't!" Right now, they were standing so close that Serenity could clearly see his every eyelash and the reflection of herself in his pupils. Their breaths mingled as one."Really?" he smiled knowingly. She cleared her throat and reminded him meaningfully, "Next time, um... be more careful.
When the performance came to an end, many people around them applauded. But Jacquelin looked at the little boy with confusion. She approached him, asking, "Why did you play bad on purpose when you can clearly play well?"This remark immediately drew the attention of the adults nearby, one of whom said, "What are you saying, little girl? He played beautifully!""That's right, he played well. This is a difficult piece. Even those who have practiced for many years would still find it hard to play it that well!""But he clearly played poorly on purpose," insisted Jacqueline. She stared right at the little boy, intent on discerning the truth.The boy ignored her, preparing to leave. Swiftly, Jacqueline grabbed his hand and pleaded, "Can you play it again? This time, play it properly. Don't play poorly on purpose."He scowled, wishing to pull away, but Jacqueline held on tight.Serenity was about to ask her daughter to let go when another tiny figure sprinted towards Jacqueline and th
"Hey, is this really alright? Are they really going to let her play? That piano's worth millions. If she damages it, the repair cost would be pretty costly."Sure enough, a staff member barred her way. "Why can he play but not me?" Jacqueline asked, perplexed by the difference in treatment."He's different," the staff member replied."What's different about him?" Jacqueline asked.Then, another staff member whispered in the first staff member's ear. The staff member who stopped Jacqueline immediately changed his attitude and stepped aside respectfully. "I'm sorry, young lady... You can play the piano."Jacqueline sat down, ignorant of the reason for the change in his attitude. Serenity turned to Jackson and asked curiously, "What happened? Did someone recognize you?" Jackson shrugged nonchalantly. "Maybe," he answered.The crowd was ready to see Jacqueline make a fool of herself.Serenity, Jackson, and Micah, on the other hand, were not worried at all. After all, they were
Anna suddenly rushed forward and accused Jacqueline, "You didn't really play just now, did you? You played a recording to fool us!"That had to be what happened. She had seen it before on TV, people lip-syncing to songs and pretending they were the ones singing!Jacqueline must have done the same thing. There's no way she could have played such a piece.The boy remarked coldly, "Fool." Anna flushed red as crimson roses.Jacqueline, meanwhile, took the boy's hand again and said, "I want to hear you play for real. It must be beautiful. We can even play a duet together. It's boring to duet with adults like Mr. Big Beard. We're about the same age, so it would be fun to play together!"The little boy's gaze returned to Jacqueline's face. Play together with her...?Meanwhile, Anna turned around in embarrassment and threw herself into Gwen's arms. "Mommy, let's go home, let's go home! I don't want to stay here anymore!"She would only feel more embarrassed if she stayed.Gwen consoled
Gwen flashed a smile for the viewers, artfully posing as her broadcast began. But inwardly she calculated, awaiting the moment.As the crowd that had gathered around to watch the children play the piano earlier was dispersing, a voice suddenly cried out, "Clear my name, you corrupt lawyer!"A plain-clothed man held high a banner reading "Unethical lawyer Serenity Lewis ruined my life!""Serenity Lewis, you conspired with your famous mentor to destroy my life, but you're protected by your powerful husband, Jackson Valor of the Valor Group, so an ordinary guy like me can't do anything to you. However, I refuse to believe that justice cannot prevail!" Lark Jefferson approached Serenity and Jackson while shouting his accusation, hoping to draw the onlookers' attention.And indeed, many people around stopped in their tracks and turned their gaze to him.Jackson pursed his lips with a scowl as he moved Serenity and the two children behind him. His bodyguards emerged silently and shielde
"You...!" Lark stammered, rattled by her calm rebuttal. "You're a lawyer, so I know I'm no match for you in an argument, but I have proof that you and your mentor have an inappropriate relationship!"Lark took out a large stack of photos from his pocket and scattered them around. These photos showed Serenity and Mr. Klein in intimate poses. Because the photos were scattered around, a lot of people in the vicinity picked them up and inspected them.They immediately looked at Serenity in a different light.Gwen was secretly pleased. Even if it was later discovered that these photos were fake, so what? The rumors would have already spread. Who would believe that the photos were fake? People would only think that the Valor family was covering up the truth by claiming the photos were fabricated.Anna squatted down, picked up a photo, looked at it, and then asked Gwen, "Mommy, is this Jacqueline's Mommy? Is she a bad woman?"There was an air of excitement in her voice. Children wouldn't