"What are we doing here?" Serenity asked, feeling puzzled. Jackson pursed his lips tightly, looking at the view of Solaria through the window glass.The young Jackson had come here with his father once. His father had brought him here and told him, "Jack, you know what? You'll understand what it means to be unstoppable only when you're high standing. You often have no control over your own destiny unless you have enough power."If one wanted to be truly in control of his own destiny, he would have to keep climbing higher and higher!Whenever Jackson was frustrated, he would come here and look out over this view of Solaria. He had told himself that one day, only he could control his own destiny. He had not been here for a long time since he had taken over the Valor Group and yet, he was here again. How long had it been?The last time he was here, he thought he was finally in complete control of his own destiny. He would no longer be at the mercy of anyone. However, he had come her

Why? Must she tell him the answer to that? Jackson seemed like he clearly needed an answer from her."Hey, tell me. Why? Why won't you have a crush on Lucas?" Jackson urged.Serenity's face turned slightly pink. Even so, she stated clearly, "Because you're the one who makes my heart beat. I don't want you to get the wrong idea, Jack. There's really nothing between Lucas and me. "Was it really nothing?Jackson's eyes darkened. The photo of Lucas embracing Serenity in his computer's mailbox seemed to flash before his eyes again. There were also photos of Lucas in tears in front of Serenity.Those photos seemed like a silent irony to him. Despite all his efforts, he could not break the bond between Serenity and Lucas."Is it really nothing? You're not hiding anything from me?" Jackson asked in a low voice."I've told you everything between Lucas and I." Serenity thought Jackson was asking about today."So... Serenity, how much do you love me?" Jackson's breath was on her face, hi

Serenity was stunned. Prove it? How could she prove it to him?! She was a little unsure of how to respond initially but suddenly understood something, seeing how he stared at her.Serenity hesitated. Then, she raised her arms and wrapped them around Jackson's neck. She tilted her jaw up slightly and pressed a gentle kiss against his mouth.Jackson's lips were soft, and his cool lips and scent made her feel at ease. It was just a touch of lips, but the kiss was her initiative.Serenity brushed her lips against his with love. It was her way of proving how much she loved him, but this kiss alone was not enough for him.When she was about to withdraw eventually, Jackson abruptly cradled the back of her head, his lips devouring hers gently yet firm and slightly dominantly.She jolted at the suddenly intense kiss, only to drown in it the next moment. Did Jack know what this kiss meant to her? This kiss made her realize her heart and her feelings for him even better.Unsure how long the

Serenity caught her breath. There seemed to be a dangerous aura around him. She instinctively tried to push him away, but his hand would not move."Serenity, I love you!" Jackson murmured softly, "Not just how cute you are. Only I can see the many faces of you."Jackson straightened up and gazed down at her. "So don't ever fall for someone else. Don't even try to think about it."He wanted her to be only his. He wanted to be absolutely sure that she was his. He wanted to have her all to himself and eliminate any of the remaining uncertainties that might make things go wrong.Was this love? Though his love had become fear, he wanted all of her. Had his father loved his mother the same way? That was why his father had lost the will to live after his mother had left.Jackson had thought that he would never love anyone in his life. Even if he got married and had children, his only goal was to leave the Valor family with an heir. However, Serenity was like a brand in his heart. Her imp

"Jack... Jack..." 'It's her. She's calling for me again... But why does it sound like a choked sob? Is she... crying?' Jackson's mind finally focused again, his eyes meeting Serenity's tear-stained face.'Serenity? Is she crying?! Did I hurt her?!'Yes. Serenity was suffering because Jackson had almost lost his mind.Seeing the tears on her face and the fear in her eyes made his heart ache terribly. It was the deepest blow to him.What had he... Was Serenity afraid of him?Jackson had lost the sanity he had always prided himself on because of what had happened between Serenity and Lucas!"Are you... Afraid of me?" Jackson murmured, his voice hoarse. All he wanted was to see her smile! Seeing how her smile lit up her face and calling him 'Jack' in her soft voice made him feel alive.Perhaps the last thing he wanted to see was her fear. However, he had unintentionally scared her this time. Serenity trembled slightly. Afraid of him? Yes, a little. No matter how hard she had r

After a brief pause, Serenity parted her lips. "If you really insist... If that's the only way to prove how much I love you, then... Okay."Serenity was unwilling to do this. They might get found out, and it would be extremely embarrassing. Despite that, if it was what he truly wanted, she was totally willing to give it to him. All she wanted was to ease his fear of vulnerability and take care of him.Jackson looked at Serenity in a daze. Her familiar voice rang in his ears, but it sounded like a stranger.What did she say? She had said okay. Serenity was still shaking in fear. Even so, for him... She was willing to do anything for him.Contentment flowed over him, making him feel a little overwhelmed. Despite that, it somehow soothed all his worries. The coldness in him seemed to be gradually fading.Serenity Lewis, the woman he loved...There was a long silence. After that, Jackson let out a slow breath and draped his suit over her body to cover her."Sorry... I wasn't being

"I'll... Let me do it myself," Serenity said, her face red.After a short silence, Jackson handed her the clothes in his hand and turned his back. Serenity's cheeks were burning. She hurriedly changed her clothes, not noticing that Jackson had his hands clenched into fists. Even the sound of her changing clothes seemed very stimulating to him.Serenity had been the only one who had ever made his heart flutter, his love for her becoming stronger as time went on.A sense of crisis arose maybe because of her interaction with Lucas. The beast in him was rising up to demand full control of her, not wanting anyone else to have a chance with her.However, Jackson did not want to scare her again. He did not want to see the fear in her eyes directed at him. He did not want to lose his mind again and hurt her uncontrollably.Jackson waited until Serenity was dressed and turned around.Serenity had changed into a long yellow dress, leaving the damaged floral dress lying on the ground.Ja

Later, in Jackson's study. Jackson looked at the photo of Lucas embracing Serenity on the computer screen and pinned his gaze to it. In the end, he had not said anything about this. He did not ask Serenity why she had not told him about that day—about why Lucas had hugged her and even cried in front of her.Was he afraid that her answer might be something he never wanted to hear?A bitter smile spread on his lips at the thought of this. He wondered when he had become so timid.Earlier, he could not help shaking when he saw Lucas hugging Serenity in the clothing store. He trembled as he listened to the words coming out of Lucas' mouth. The last thing he wanted was for Lucas to realize that Serenity was the little girl he had been searching for.Having known Lucas for years, Jackson knew how obsessed Lucas was with the little girl in his memory. He was so obsessed with finding her that he was almost crazy!Jackson was afraid because he cared. His father's voice seemed to ring in

"She's really a bit of an eyesore. Since she likes the news media so much, let's give her thorough exposure," Jackson ordered coldly."Yes," Connor responded. Just by Mr. Valor's voice alone, he could tell that Mr. Valor was totally pissed off!Aria should not have gotten into trouble with Mr. Valor. She would be in deep trouble, especially now that she had broken up with Mr. Gomez. No one in Solaria would protect her!Connor could almost foresee a bad end for Aria.Meanwhile, on the other side, in Lucas' residence. Lucas was standing in his studio, staring at his painting of the little girl carrying the little boy down the hill.Lucas had drawn the same painting over and over again, year after year. This image was the one that stuck in his mind the most.The number of paintings with the same scene would increase every year. His painting skills had also improved over time. Eventually, the figure and appearance of the little girl in the paintings became more and more like the girl

Aria ended the call with mixed feelings. 'To meet Mr. Parker at the hotel...' Aria was not naive. She had been in the entertainment industry for several years and knew what it meant to meet in a hotel. Unfortunately, it was her only way out.Aria was Lucas' ex-girlfriend. Many might be interested in her for this. Also, Mr. Parker was a big name in the circle. Just because she was blacklisted in the industry did not mean she would not have a chance to make a comeback.She would not mind if anyone like Mr. Parker offered her some bar gigs and behind-the-scenes work. She would wait until Lucas forgot about her. She still had a chance to make a name for herself. Thinking of this, Aria made up her mind. Mr. Parker was already in his forties and married. She could blackmail him while he tried to bed her. Aria decided to videotape the sex in secret. She would have proof, so Mr. Parker would have no choice but to oblige to her demands.Aria had plans with Mr. Parker. She would force him