No one answered him in the room.Jackson spun around and headed straight to his room instead. He then entered Serenity's room through the inner door that connected the two rooms.Serenity's room was dark, and the lights were off. Jackson glanced around in the semi-darkness, relying on the faint sunlight shining through the curtains. Although dim, it did not affect his vision.Jackson soon found Serenity in the corner of the room, sitting curled up. She had wrapped her arms around her knees and buried her face in it. She seemed like she was trying to curl into a ball.Jackson vaguely remembered seeing her hiding in a corner with a similar posture some time ago. At the thought of this, a sudden pain stabbed at him, just below his heart. The scenario from the video he had seen just moments before flashed across his mind.In the video, Serenity had gotten slapped in the face and then escorted out of the mall. The video had been recorded from a distance, too far away to hear the conver
"Don't worry. I've already had the video deleted. The video hasn't been on the internet for long. It won't resurface again," Jackson promised, his finger tracing the swollen bruise on her cheek.Serenity let out a whimper and drew in a sharp gasp.Jackson's face grew colder. "I'll get the doctor here.""It's fine. I'll get a cold compress to treat it later," Serenity refused."Don't make me worry. Let the doctor take a look at it," Jackson urged. "Alright, I’ve decided. Did the security guards at the mall hurt you? Are you hurt?""I'm fine. I didn't get hurt elsewhere," Serenity tried to play it down, not wanting Jackson to worry. "Oh, right. By the way, I-I'm visiting Granny tomorrow. I went out to get something for Granny, but I couldn't buy anything. Why don't you come shopping with me after dinner tonight?" Serenity deliberately changed the topic.Jackson gave her a deep look. A long moment later, he finally responded with a single syllable, "Sure."Just then, there was a kn
Quinton and Demetria Hall had completely lost the previous haughtiness they had displayed with Serenity when they acted as if they could easily step all over her.But now, it was their turn to be the worthless bugs!Jenny, being a professional actress, was now the one who could best conceal her real feelings among the three of them. She put on a guilty look and said, "Jackson, my parents bumped into Seren–Miss Lewis at the mall today, and they lost their temper and treated her a little too aggressively, so we came here to apologize to her and ask for her forgiveness in person."It was hard for Jenny to utter the words "Miss Lewis". After all, she had always despised that woman. Serenity was as worthless to her, yet she had to force herself to address this woman respectfully now. It felt as if her dignity was being trampled on!"Really?" asked Jackson calmly. His deep dark eyes were unfathomable. No one could tell what he was really feeling inside. "They lost their temper, huh? Why
Regardless, Quinton remained composed and hid his true feelings."That's unnecessary," Jackson said in a flat voice. "I don't think she has any desire to see you."Jenny and Demetria instantly sighed in relief. To them, not having to apologize to that woman in person would mean that they were spared a humiliating situation. After all, how could they accept being forced to apologize to a woman they regarded as nothing more than a dirty bug? Especially since she was a murderer in their eyes, and to Jenny, she was even once a love rival to her.However, Quinton did not seem to feel relieved at all. In fact, he frowned even more. An ominous premonition arose in his heart. He feared that this matter was not as simple as he thought. "In that case," said Quinton, "we won't be disturbing you anymore. It's time for us to leave."He then gave his wife a look to urge her that it was time to go. Only then did Demetria get up to get ready to leave, but they were soon interrupted by Jackson's
Demetria thought of how she had always been highly regarded in the elite circle. She had never been treated with such ridicule before."I won't let this slide," she declared. "I must teach that woman, Serenity Lewis, a lesson! She must've run to Jackson and whispered horrible things about me in his ear! He has never treated me this way before!"Demetria was determined to push all blame on Serenity."That's enough!" Quinton reminded her. "From now on, don't ever mess with Serenity Lewis again! Let it end here and now!"Demetria stared at her husband in disbelief."What?! But that woman is the murderer that killed our daughter!"A look of conflicted feelings flashed across Quinton's eyes. He turned away as if deliberately avoiding his wife's eye contact."If you don't want the whole Hall family to follow Mira into the grave, just do as I say!"Demetria seemed to have more to say, but Jenny pulled her aside and told her, "Just listen to Dad this time, Mom. At the very least, we sh
The more dependent on him she got, the more likely it was that it might slowly and gradually become a habit of hers to always rely on him...He leaned down and gently kissed her red and swollen face. The kiss was so soft and tender that it felt like a feather playfully tickling her face."Just rely on me, then," he murmured. "I want nothing more than for you to be dependent on me."How he wished that she would always depend on him so much that she could never leave him...About half an hour later, the Valor family doctor arrived at the Valor Residence. After examining the reddened bruises on Serenity's face, he prescribed some medicine to reduce the swelling.After the doctor had left, Serenity was just about to apply the medicine, but Jackson quickly snatched it before she could and said, "Let me help you.""Okay," she replied briefly.He then dipped his long fingers in the ointment and gently spread it on her face. His gentle touch was followed by the cool feeling left by the
"No... It’s nothing. I just realized that I haven't bought the things I wanted to bring with me when I visit Grandma tomorrow."In truth, she had already bought the pastries, but they had been thrown into the trash by the Hall family's people."Oh," he said, "I've bought it for you. It's on the coffee table."She turned to the coffee table in the room and saw a familiar shopping bag. Was that... The shopping bag from the pastry shop in the mall that she had gone to earlier that day? Could it be that he... had bought exactly the same things she had for her?"Are those the same things I bought today?""Yeah," he replied. "I also added some other items.""But how did you... uh, how did you know what I bought?"Even if he had seen her through the security cameras, at most, he could only have seen the shopping bag, right?"I just went through the transaction statements in the mall and figured out what you bought."Serenity finally understood. For other people, this was not such a d
But to her surprise, what she saw next was Jackson ordering his driver to bring over his own car which was worth less than fifty thousand dollars. This startled Serenity."Didn't you say you wanted a humble car?" Jackson asked."Well, yeah... I just wanted a more humble car so that it won't attract too much attention when we get there. It's a really small town, and I don't want anyone to spread any rumors. I'm worried that Grandma will get worried when she hears it. But are you seriously going to drive this car there?""Why not?" Jackson smiled. "Come on, hop in."It was only when she got into the car that Serenity realized the driver had been ordered to get out because Jackson was going to be driving it himself."You're driving?" she asked."Uh-huh," he replied, speaking as he started the engine. "It's not that far, anyway. If you're feeling sleepy, go ahead and take a nap. I know the way."She pursed her lips without realizing it as she watched him drive. It would take more th