Serenity paused in her steps and slowly turned around, watching as the departing car gradually turned into a tiny black dot in the distance.Perhaps there would never be another man like Peter who truly cared for her. He didn't even mind her past as a convict, but... she didn't want to burden him.When the car was out of her sight, Serenity turned around and walked slowly into the residential area.At that moment, she didn't notice a black Bentley parked not too far away on the side of the road. A man lazily glanced out the window from inside with a faint smile on the corner of his lips as if he had just witnessed something amusing.However, Connor, who was sitting in the front, trembled in fear as he studied his boss through the rearview mirror.That look on Jackson's face... was like he was about to explode in anger!Connor couldn't help but put the blame on Serenity for the situation he was in right now. She should have just returned home on her own instead of letting a man es

Jackson slowly leaned down, his face approaching hers, then gently rubbed his cheek against hers as if his actions were filled with boundless affection.However, his words that were softly uttered next sent shivers down her spine."None of my business, hmm? But if I want to know something, I'll find out for sure. Tell me, if something happened to him, wouldn't I know where he truly stands in your heart, then?"Serenity trembled violently at the underlying threat in his words as she glared at Jackson."What do you want? We're just colleagues, nothing more!""But he likes you, doesn't he?" Jackson murmured as his thumb lightly grazed her soft lips."D-don't do anything to him," Serenity said, her lips quivering slightly."So, you care about him, Sis?" Jackson's voice when he spoke was as soothing as a summer's breeze, almost as if it could lower anyone's guard when they heard him.However, there was a hint of steel in his gaze."N-no..." Serenity stuttered, trying to avoid his

"Understood," Connor replied as he glanced cautiously at the two people in the backseat through the rearview mirror.Serenity had her head lowered, and he was unable to see her expression, but Jackson's mood seemed to have improved compared to when they had first entered the residential area.'Well, that's a good thing, I guess,' Connor thought.The Royal Court restaurant was a well-known establishment in the city which specialized in luxurious cuisine. Naturally, the prices there were high, and those who dined there were either wealthy or influential. It was impossible for ordinary people to go there.When the car stopped before the entrance of the restaurant, Jackson took Serenity's hand after they got out of the car.She instinctively wanted to pull her hand away, but Jackson held on tightly."Don't move, Sis, or I can't guarantee the methods I'll use to get you inside," Jackson said casually.Serenity froze and stopped struggling.He led her into the restaurant where the st

But more than this disgusting feeling, what Amanda feared the most was not being able to live a successful life from now on. She was stressed that she would have to work hard from nine to five like an ordinary person, scrimping and saving for a long time just to buy a designer bag.The thought of such a life scared her.In Amanda's imagination, she should be looking down on Serenity from her high and mighty position. But now, Serenity had seen her fawning over a chubby and unattractive person. So, it was only natural that she was furious."Amanda, do you know her?" The short and fat middle-aged man standing next to Amanda asked."Yeah. She just got out of prison not too long ago, and she's now a street sweeper!" Amanda maliciously exposed Serenity's background and then looked at the manager standing nearby. "Did the Royal Court drop standards? How can even a street sweeper afford to come in now?"Because Jackson was currently facing away from Amanda, she didn't see his face...Ho

As clueless as Amanda was, even she knew when she had run into a brick wall.When had Serenity met such a good-looking and wealthy man? A hint of jealousy rose in Amanda's heart before she realized the man's face seemed familiar as if she had seen him somewhere.Suddenly, Amanda's eyes lit up, and she blurted out, "Aren't you... Serenity's boytoy from back then?"As soon as the words left her mouth, the manager's face instantly changed, and Mr. Crouch barely stopped himself from falling to the ground.He wished he had never met someone like Amanda!Who the hell would dare speak about Jackson like this in the entire city?!Jackson looked at Amanda with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes and an icy-cold glare."Amanda, what nonsense are you talking about?! This is Jackson, the CEO of the Valor Group!" Mr. Crouch hurriedly explained.Amanda stared at him, her eyes filled with disbelief.This man... was actually Jackson Valor?!How was that possible?! How could Jackson be

The ambiguous way in which Jackson treated Serenity shocked the restaurant's manager and Mr. Crouch.It was said that Jackson had no interest in women. Even when he was with his former fiancée, the two always maintained a respectful distance. When had anyone ever seen him being so close to a woman, especially in such a public setting, and even demanding justice for her?Amanda knelt and trembled as she apologized, "Serenity... It was all my fault. I shouldn't have spoken to you that way. I-I won't do it again. Please forgive me!"Serenity looked at Amanda without a shred of sympathy. After all, Amanda had never shown any sympathy toward her. She wasn't a saint who would sympathize with someone who only knew how to ridicule and mock her.However, she didn't appreciate this kind of gesture either. She felt no satisfaction whatsoever even as Amanda knelt before her."Sis, do you think you should forgive her?" Jackson whispered as if he was offering her a chance to decide."It's up

Jackson Valor was already standing up for Serenity Lewis even back then!Serenity followed Jackson into the private room. After they sat down, Jackson told the manager to bring over some appetizers."Come, eat something first while we wait for the food. The appetizers here are pretty good," he said as he picked up a piece of tart and handed it to her.Serenity hesitated for a moment before accepting the tart. She took a few small bites.Jackson placed the menu in front of Serenity. "Take a look and see what you’d like to order.""It's okay, just order me anything," said Serenity. Even though she was eating an exquisite-looking tart, it felt tasteless to her. She felt like she was chewing wax.Jackson's eyes narrowed slightly.The air around them instantly felt a bit colder.The manager held his breath. He was afraid that Jackson might fly into a rage.Luckily, a smile appeared on Jackson's face. "Okay, I'll order for you then."He ordered a few things. The manager jotted the

Her body became even stiffer. She looked away almost subconsciously, not wanting him to see the look in her eyes."Did it ever cross your mind that it's exactly because I'm Jackson Valor that I could make your ex-classmate who insulted you get on her knees to apologize to you? From now on, you no longer have to care about what other people think. I can make anyone who looks down on you bow down to you," he said calmly."So? They would bow down to me because of you, not because of me," she said."What's wrong with that? You can borrow my power, what do you think?” He leaned back lazily on the chair and asked her casually, as if he was discussing something very ordinary.Serenity looked at him in confusion. She went to beg him the other day and was met with his refusal, so she thought he was done with her. She thought they would go their separate ways from then on.After all, how could a proud man like him take it well when he gets rejected by a woman?But to her surprise, he sudde

Suddenly, a knock came from the door.Jackson said nonchalantly, "Come in."The door opened. It was the manager. He came in with some waiters to serve the food Jackson ordered. Serenity consciously tried to pull her hands back, but Jackson held onto them and said, "Don't move, they're still cold."The manager and the waiters immediately looked at their hands. Serenity's face turned red.However, Jackson kept warming Serenity's hands as if no one was watching.Was that really... Jackson Valor? The legendary Jackson Valor who would strip the women who tried to seduce him naked and throw them onto the street?It was said that Jackson Valor did not care much for women, but right now, he was treating a very ordinary looking woman... very lovingly!It was unbelievable!The manager was the first to react. He quickly cleared his throat and told the waiters to serve the food and wine. After that, they withdrew from the private room. The manager carefully closed the door behind him."Ma

"Until I'm satisfied," he said.She bit her lip and stared at the glass of wine in his hand. With the light in the room illuminating her face, her slightly trembling eyelashes looked strangely beautiful."Are you afraid that I'd take advantage of you when you're drunk?" he said, as if he could read her mind, "If I really want a woman, I have plenty of ways to get her. I wouldn't have to go through so much trouble. Even if I force myself on you right now, no one would stop me."That's true, Serenity laughed to herself. She was overthinking it.She took the glass of wine and drank it all in one go.The wine that slid down her throat was both bitter and sweet.She was not much of a drinker. Even in the past, when she had to socialize because of work, she would only drink some champagne.At the time, she was Zeke Shaw's girlfriend, so no one would force her to drink more.Jackson filled the glass with more wine. She drank her second glass.And just like that, she drank one glass a