“Don’t worry. Mr. Jackson. I’ve already taken care of Miss Jackson’s injury,” Hazel said.
“Okay. Hazel, please prepare my bedroom for Camila to stay in. She shouldn’t stay in the storage room anymore, Harry sad
Harel paused on the other end of the line, then cheerfully agreed, “Of course, Mr. Jackson. I’ll get on it right away. Miss Jackson has certainly been through a lot these past few days, so it’s time she had a better place to stay.”
Harry gave a quiet “Okay,” then ended the call.
He was her older brother, and no matter how much she might act out, their bond was something that couldn’t be broken Now, he thought, ‘Surely Camila would feel my concern, wouldn’t she?
He could already picture the surprised and touched look on her face when she saw her new room. A warm feeling spread through his chest, and he began to anticipate her reaction when she returned home.
He thought, ‘Maybe, if she is in a good mood, she will even bring me lunch again, just like she used to: A smile unconsciously tugged at the corners of his lips, and the heaviness on his face began to lift.
Finally, after what seemed like an endless day, work was over. Employees filed out, clocking out one by one, their footsteps and conversations slowly fading down the hallway.
Sebastian knocked lightly and entered, placing a stack of documents on the desk. “Mr. Jackson, it’s after hours. Aren’t you going to eat?”
Harry smiled faintly. “Camila is bringing me lunch later.”
“Must be nice to have a sister who dotes on you. I’m not so lucky, Sebastian teased, then left.
The smile on Harry’s face widened.
Minutes passed, and as the workday started again, employees began filing in. But Harry hadn’t seen a glimpse of Camila.
He wondered, Did something happen to her on the way? He quickly grabbed his phone and dialed the house.
The phone rang several times before Hazel answered. Harry immediately asked, “Hazel, how long has Camila been out of the house?”
Hazel seemed confused. “Mr. Jackson, Miss Jackson hasn’t left the house. She’s still here
Harry’s grip on the phone tightened. He thought, ‘She hasn’t left? She didn’t bring me lunch? She used to love bringing me lunch. Why hasn’t she done it today?
He had already tried to make things right, even going out of his way to show kindness. He wondered, ‘Why is she still acting
like this?
Then it hit him–his expectations had been nothing more than a fantasy. He thought, “Why have I assumed so confidently that Camila would forgive me and return to her old, caring self, bringing me lunch with a smile*
Hazel, noticing the silence, carefully asked, “Mr. Jackson, do you need something from Miss Jackson? Should I have her come to the phone?”
Snapping back to reality. Harry replied, “No, it’s fine.”
After hanging up, his mood sank even further,
Chapter 25
Just then, Sebastian entered, oblivious to the situation. “Mr. Jackson, did Miss Jackson bring you anything today?”
He looked around the office, noticing the absence of the food box. “Where’s the food box?
Harry shot him a cold glare, his eyes as sharp as an icy winter’s day. Sebastian immediately felt a chill run down his spine.
Realizing his mistake, Sebastian awkwardly chuckled and quickly changed the subject. “Mr. Jackson, here’s the document you requested on the eastern suburbs land. I’ve heard reliable sources say it will be up for auction in two weeks,”
“Okay, just leave it
Once Sebastian left, Harry sat still for a long time, his mind drifting, before he finally forced himself to focus on the work at hand.
The policy in place would turn the eastern suburbs into a commercial district. As long as the policy remained unchanged, securing that land was a guaranteed, profitable deal
However, it was not just the Jackson Group eyeing the land–the Connor Group was also interested. It seemed even people from Northeville were showing interest.
With Agnes engaged to William, a joint development project between the two families would be a win–win. What was uncertain at the moment was Northeville’s stance.
As the capital of Laystoland, Northeville’s powerful families had far more resources and influence than either the Jackson Group or Connor Group. If Northeville decided to claim the land for themselves, both families could be shut out.
With things not going well at work and the family situation no better, Harry felt like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders
He worked late into the night before finally leaving the office. But his mind was too restless to go home, so he drove to Reagon Bar instead.
The bar was dimly lit, with soft, flickering lights casting shadows on the dance floor, where men and women swayed to the music in an almost hypnotic rhythm.
Harry entered, walking straight to the bar, where he found an empty seat. He signaled the bartender to bring him something strong
The bartender gave him a quick look, then immediately prepared the drink and placed it in front of him.
Harry picked up the glass and drank it all in one go. The sharp burn of the alcohol slid down his throat, making him wince- slightly, but it felt like a release from the tension building inside him.
He kept drinking, one glass after another, his gaze becoming more unfocused with each sip.
He thought, “Damn Camila. Her temper’s only getting worse. She wasn’t like this five years ago. It’s just five years in prison. Does she really need to act like this every single day, with that attitude?
‘She’s the one who pushed Emily down the stairs, turning her into a vegetable. Going to prison was her choice. It’s not like I’ve wronged her.
If she weren’t Jackson family, with the Connor family’s power, she’d still be rotting in prison, not just for five years but far longer. She’s so ungrateful–completely heartless.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Another gulp of liquor. The alcohol’s effects intensified.
The bartender set another drink down on the counter, and just as Harry reached for it, a large hand grabbed the glass before
he could.
Chapter 25
Annoyed, Harry turned to face the person, his eyes full of anger and impatience. “Who the hell are you?”
The man didn’t respond. Instead, he tilted his head back and drank the liquor in one smooth motion.
Harry shook his head, trying to clear his mind. That was when he saw the man–William.
It was bad enough that he hadn’t seen him, but now that he did, his anger flared even more.
The strong scent of alcohol was still on William’s breath as Harry jabbed his finger at him. “You’re the one who beat my sister until her head was bloody, and you still think you’re a man?”
Without thinking, he staggered forward and threw a punch at William.
William’s face hardened with irritation. He didn’t want to waste time on a drunk, so he shifted slightly, easily dodging the punch.
Harry, off–balance, missed completely and crashed into the bar, spilling drinks everywhere.
His eyes burning with rage, Harry glared at William and tried to throw another punch.
William grabbed his wrist and slammed his hand down on the bar. “If you want to go crazy, go home. Don’t do it in my bar.”
“You bastard! You beat my sister like that, and now you have the nerve to act like you’re in the right?”
William’s expression turned ice–cold. “Listen up, Harry. First, I never laid a hand on her. Second, even if I did, she deserved it. She owes Emily that much.”
