This time, Serenity didn't call for a driver but drove herself to the destination.As she arrived, Jackson's men seemed quite surprised to see her. "Madam, what brings you here?" one of them questioned."I've come to check on Edward and Mary. Is there a problem?" Serenity countered."But, Sir...""If Jack hadn't told me that Edward and Mary were here, how could I have found this place? Step aside!" Serenity snapped.Knowing Serenity's significance in Jackson's heart, the men didn't dare say much and moved aside.After entering the rundown apartment, Serenity found Edward sitting on a chair by the bed, holding Mary's hand tightly. His head bobbed up and down with obvious signs of exhaustion.Mary lay on the shabby bed. She seemed asleep but was clearly restless. Her face was flushed, and she was breathing heavily. Her forehead was also covered in sweat.Serenity quickly reached out to touch Mary's forehead, feeling the alarming heat. Her action startled Edward, who woke up abr
"Mary, you need to go to the hospital first. After you recover from your fever, you can ask him yourself," Serenity advised."Okay, okay, I... I'll ask him myself after I get better!" Mary mumbled before passing out again.Serenity and Edward exchanged glances, then carefully carried Mary out of the apartment.However, as soon as they stepped outside, the guards assigned to watch Mary stopped them."Mrs. Valor, Mr. Klein can leave anytime, but Mr. Valor did not give permission for, um... for his wife to leave!" one of the guards said."I'm taking Mary to the hospital right now. Step aside, all of you!" Serenity insisted."I'm sorry, but we cannot let you pass," the guard insisted.Serenity took a determined step forward. "Mrs. Valor, please don't make this difficult," the guard warned."I'm Mrs. Valor, the mistress of the Valor family, and I'm taking her away. If anything happens, I will take full responsibility. But if you continue to hinder us and if anything happens to Mar
Her hands tightly gripped the steering wheel, her palms growing sweaty. It had been a while since she felt this level of anxiety while driving. Her heart raced, and a constant unease lingered within her.Would Jack forgive her?He had always said that anyone could betray him, but not her.And yet, she had betrayed him. For Mary's sake, she actually... The images of him savoring the vegetable beef soup she made, and of him sleeping soundly in bed surfaced in Serenity's mind, causing a pang in her heart.Stop dwelling on it, she silently admonished herself. The most important thing now was to get Edward and Mary out of Solaria.Once they reached the highway entrance, she could pass Edward and Mary onto the person who helped her locate Mary. Everything would be alright then.As the car gradually approached the highway entrance, Serenity could already make out the familiar sign up ahead.However, as they drew closer, she froze. Her foot slowly released the accelerator, and her han
"No, that's not it, I did it because..." She attempted to explain, but he gently pressed his finger against her lips, silencing her.Her eyes widened as she watched him retrieve a talisman and a bottle of pills from his pocket.The talisman was the one Lucas gave her. The address on it helped her find Edward and Mary. The bottle contained the sleeping pills she used to drug the vegetable beef soup. But he was supposed to be asleep. Why was he standing in front of her right now?"For Mary, you sought help from Lucas' contact and drugged me. Is this how you love me?" He toyed with the two items in his hand.Serenity's face turned pale, and her throat felt constricted. So he knew everything! Or perhaps, everything was under his control all along?"I replaced the pills in this bottle with regular vitamins, so naturally, I didn't fall asleep as you intended. As for the person helping you..." Jackson's gaze shifted to the side, and it was then that Serenity noticed the person who was su
This was the biggest compromise he could make. Serenity bit her lip tightly, then asked, "What if... I choose not to go back with you?"His eyes darkened, and his voice grew colder. "Are you sure you want to do this?""Jack, Mary's fever can’t be ignored any longer. She has to return to Latveria or she will die! I can't just watch her die!" she expressed in anguish."So you choose to continue hurting me?" he asked softly."I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..." Those were the only words she could offer at the moment. Not daring to meet his gaze again, she turned around, rushed back to the car, and started the engine.She had to take Mary back to Latveria; she couldn't let her die!"Can we leave, Serenity?" Edward asked anxiously."I'll give it a try," Serenity replied, although she wasn't entirely confident. Ahead, at the highway entrance, stood Jack, and roadblocks had been set up behind him. Could she really break through the roadblocks?Jackson remained motionless, observing Serenity
He... moved aside?! Serenity was astonished. After that, his subordinates also removed the roadblocks, clearing the way to Latveria.She couldn't believe her eyes. She slowly turned to Jackson, who was standing to the side now.There was no expression on his face, and even when he looked into her eyes, his gaze seemed devoid of any emotion.It pained Serenity, and she silently mouthed, "Jack, I'm sorry!"She stepped on the accelerator, and the car entered the highway!Jackson coldly watched the car disappear into the distance. After a long while, his hand slowly rose and touched his chest.It... hurt so much!So this was what it felt like to be betrayed by the person you love most?In the past, his father was betrayed by his mother, and now, he was betrayed by Serenity!Serenity numbly drove towards Latveria. All along the way, she couldn't help recalling Jack's icy gaze as he watched her drive away. He looked extremely hurt.Jack, just this once! Just this once, okay?! Sh
"Mr. Valor is in the memorial hall. He's been in there for a few hours now," Mr. Knot said with concern. "Madam, what happened between you and Mr. Valor?"Serenity didn't know what to tell him and could only say, "I'll go talk to him!" She rushed to the memorial hall.Mr. Knot was about to tell her that Mr. Valor had instructed not to let anyone into the memorial hall, but the words never left his mouth. After all, whenever Mr. Valor gave an instruction, he would always make an exception for his wife! And if something really did happen between the two of them, then maybe everything would be fine once they talked it out, Mr. Knot optimistically thought to himself.Serenity hurried to the memorial hall. She saw Jackson in front of his father's portrait, standing as still as a statue.The soft light in the room fell on him, giving off an indescribable coldness."Jack..." Serenity softly called out, her voice dry and hoarse. Since she left the Valor Residence early this morning, she
"Serenity, do you really think that you can hurt me whenever you want because I love you?" he questioned. "Do you understand that you're the first person who has ever drugged me and is able to stand before me unharmed afterwards?"His words filled her with immense embarrassment. "I... I admit that I did make use of your love for me, but I only did it because I didn't want things to escalate to the point of no return. I don't want you to do something that you would regret afterwards. Jack, do you genuinely think that causing the death of your own mother would punish her for her past actions and bring you happiness?"He suddenly pushed her into a nearby wall and leaned in close, his breath brushing against her face."What makes you so sure that I would regret it? Just because you're a long-time lawyer, you think of yourself as an apostle of justice? How are you so sure that it wouldn't bring me happiness?" he asked with a sneer.She didn't know what to say."Do you have any idea how