Miranda was almost unable to hold Isaac from staggering back on the chair. “I swear you’re going to pay for this! How dare you barge in here to interrupt us?”
“Mira..” Hot tears filled Jackson’s eyes, his heart hurting. “Why’re you doing this?”
“Come in!” Isaac spoke into the intercom.
Immediately two burly men burst in, grabbing Jackson’s arms from behind. They started punching and hitting him, but a punch from Jackson sent them sprawling across the room.
Before Isaac could give another order, Jackson dashed out of the office. He quickly got into a taxi and hurried home. It was already late and he had nowhere to go, he had to stay the night at the Wilson’s residence.
Jackson got into the helper’s quarters and hid in a cupboard. Like he predicted, some men were sent by the matriarch to come search for him.
Miranda had arrived home and reported what happened to her grandmother. The matriarch had never really liked him from the start.
Luckily, the men didn’t look in the cupboard, so Jackson was able to spend the night there. He tossed and turned, as images of Miranda and Isaac kissing kept floating around his head.
His heart hurt like hell.
.
The next morning, Jackson was about to sneak into Miranda’s bedroom to get his things when he bumped into Kate, the Wilson’s housekeeper.
“What is Jackson doing sneaking around the Mistress’ room?” Kate refused to call him Master like everyone else. “What’re you doing here?” She yelled again.
Jackson gritted his teeth. It was obvious she was trying to gather attention. “I need to get my things, Kate. Let go!”
“You cannot, Mistress has a visitor!”
Anger surged through Jackson’s veins.
Miranda had the audacity to bring Isaac over to their matrimonial bedroom before they even got divorced? This was cheating of the highest order!
“You cannot!” Kate tried to stop him, but a kick sent her flying off.
The sight of Miranda lying in the man’s arms sent so much rage to his head that he suddenly rushed in to grab a pillow.
“What’re you doing?” Miranda’s voice stopped his hands mid-air.
“How could you be so shameless?” Jackson sent her a murderous glare. She left no dignity for him as a man!
“You bastard? After all I’ve done for you and your wretched grandmother?” Miranda jumped off the bed. “How dare you call me shameless? Is it because I choose to no longer be a pillar of money for you? Or because you’re going to return to the slums you came from?”
“You’re so useless, Jackson Ryder! Get lost! I never want to see you again!” Miranda’s shouting was so loud that some helpers rushed in with panic.
“Take him away!”
Jackson was dragged to the sitting room where the matriarch and every member of the family was already waiting.
Kate had gone to call them but the others had been awoken by Miranda’s shrill voice.
“It is the good-for-nothing again?” The matriarch, Anna Wilson spoke, throwing a glance of disgust at him. “Why do you always cause trouble and give this old woman a headache. Pft! It would be better if you just dropped dead!”
“I wonder how sister has been able to endure such a miserable person. You’re literally just a stain on her noble reputation!” Debra sneered.
Miranda’s mother got up, coming forward to push him, hatred in her eyes. “Do you think that by refusing to sign the divorce agreement, Miranda wouldn’t be able to marry someone else? Never in this life! I will chase and haunt you until you come begging to be spared!”
“Humph. So useless!” Her cousin also scoffed.
Jackson stared at all the members of the Wilson family. He couldn’t believe he’d endured this sort of humiliation and hatred for 5 years.
If not that he caught Miranda cheating, he would be willing to keep enduring!
“Do you think you have a chance to stand beside Isaac Moore even in your next life?” Miranda arrived right beside Isaac, throwing him a hateful glare.
"Having Mr Moore on my sister’s side is only her good fortune. Being the General Manager of Hutton Group, securing the Axel Deal for her company would be a piece of cake.” Debra added. “But what have you ever done to help her company?”
Jackson suddenly let out a low laughter. Did they really think she got to where she was on her own? If it were not for him...
"Ah, your poor face." Debra sighed and everyone turned to look at the slight bruise where Jackson had hit Isaac.
"What're you doing still standing there?" Anna slammed her walking stick in anger. "Come and kowtow to Mr Moore, he might be benevolent enough to let you go without breaking your bones!"
"Why should I bow to him?” Jackson hissed in disdain. “Apart from the general manager of a mere subsidiary company, what else does he have?"
"You!" Isaac hollered, his face red.
Anna was totally pissed. "You rascal! It seems I've been too lenient with you. How dare you speak to our guest like that?"
"Grandma, this idiot needs some discipline before he's thrown out." Debra rushed forward to slap him on the face.
But Jackson caught her wrist on time, twisting sharply. "How about you take that discipline and tame that wild tongue of yours?"
"Let go of her, you animal!" Janet rushed forward as her daughter shrieked in pain.
Jackson pushed her roughly, dragging Debra to the matriarch. "Before you try to discipline me, first take care of this unruly granddaughter of yours!" He pushed Debra into the woman's face and both of them crashed back into the seat almost tumbling backwards.
The murderous glare on his face sent the matriarch’s retort back up her throat. The lowly son-in-law they always bullied suddenly seemed mysteriously dangerous!
"All of you, listen!" Jackson boomed in a loud authoritative voice. "I'm done with playing the slave and kickass! I’ve endured 5 good years with this wretched family just to be cheated on by that whore!" He glared at Miranda.
Her face paled with anger. "Why don’t you sign the divorce agreement and get this over with?"
"Yes!" Janet was back on her feet, but she didn't dare come close to him. "Why were you hesitant to signing the papers? My daughter has always taken care of you and your wretched grandmother, now that she's asking for a divorce, you’re scared you've lost access to all the free money!"
"You wish! What money does she have?" Jackson laughed.
"What does a fool know? Ever since your useless father disappeared, have your family been able to make a come-back? Even in your next lifetime, we can buy the entire of your generations!" Anna gritted.
A nerve ticked in Jackson's jaw, and he sent her an evil glare. "I just hope you don't come begging me in the future, then I wouldn’t spare you!"
Jackson grabbed the paper and pen, signed it and threw it at her. "I'm better off alone than with a woman like you."
"Pft!" Miranda was shocked that he suddenly agreed.
Wasn't he the one begging her last night?
Jackson turned around to leave when a voice came up. "Who said you could leave?"
Isaac Moore walked up to face him. "You still have to kowtow to me 10 times!"
"Hurry up and do it, you piece of trash!" Janet jumped in.
Jackson only pushed them off. At the door, ten men suddenly surrounded him and attacked. But within a minute, his powerful punches and kicks sent them flying off in separate directions.
"Mark my words, you Wilsons. You're going to pay for every humiliation I have suffered!" Jackson hollered before leaving.
Outside the gates, he felt a pounding headache immediately he entered the sun. He had no money and nowhere to go.
Jackson took a seat on the bench at the park, wiping sweat off his head. He regretted the 5 years he spent at the Wilsons residence, for the fact that Miranda betrayed his love! Anger brimming in his heart, he retrieved a small burner phone, turned it on and dialed a certain number. "Hello, Mr Ryder." A voice replied on the other end. "I am done with the mission, what is next?" The next words the person spoke from the other line sent shock waves of anger into Jackson’s blood. "You bastard!" he screamed, throwing the phone into the grass in front of him.What exactly did they take him for? Jackson laid back on the bench, watching as people went back and forth having a good time. When his stomach started rumbling, a man walked up to hand him a plate of food.Soon, it was evening.Jackson got up, heading to OrangeLit, a luxurious bar in the city center. He ordered some beers, awaiting the person that was to meet him. On his way to a table, someone bumped into him making his bottl
Kenneth squinted his gaze. "Paul Ryder died in a house fire and was buried 2 years ago."Jackson’s heart broke in grief and sadness.His father had been his role model when he was young, taking him everywhere, teaching him all sorts of things before he suddenly disappeared. Turns out he’d been alive all this while, but only just died 2 years ago."It was due to my careless mistake, Master Jackson.” Kenneth lowered his head. “We discovered that the accident was actually set up by some of his long-time enemies, but before we could discover, it was too late! Till now, we haven’t been able to find proper evidence, we hope that with Master’s return. His father’s passing wouldn’t be in vain.”“You have a suspect?” Jackson was shocked. “Yes,” His eyes glinted with fury. “An old-time friend of Master Paul.”Jackson’s memories could only conjure up one face- Luka Wilson, Miranda’s father, and once his father’s business partner.Suspiciously, Luka had also gone missing around the same time his
Jackson's ears perked up. Did that old hag follow him here?Shit! What if she had discovered who he was?"No." Slade read through his thoughts. “The woman seems to have a back injury, and she's swearing not to leave until she meets Doctor Jack.” Jackson clenched his teeth in frustration. News of his exceptional medical abilities had spread across the city. Almost every day someone would barge in, demanding to see him at all costs. "What should we do, Boss? She's throwing a very loud tantrum." Slade asked again. Jackson cracked his brain. Then he thought of something. "Get me the mask, my kit and some anesthetic needles." He grabbed his coat, just as Slade returned with the instruments. Jackson made his way into the guest sitting room. Anna Wilson was still screaming in a livid voice. "I need to see Doctor Jack! My back really hurts since I had an accident this morning, I can barely manage to stand. Please help me. I'll pay any amount!""Ma'am, you have to understand, the Doctor
"Whatever happens, you can’t go back on your word!" Jackson warned. Isaac smirked cruelly. "In a few minutes, you’ll be the one kowtowing and begging me to spare your life!" For the sake of Miranda, he'd bribed some core officials at Hutton Group and they’d drafted out the contract with her name already. The stakeholders meeting was just mere formality. Miranda nudged Isaac, trying to warn him to be careful.Jackson didn't seem like the reserved man that used to be her husband, he now had a cold, domineering aura that sends chills down her spine. They all turned their gazes to the TV as a reporter live at the conference hall spoke.He began with the History of the Hutton Group, what the Axel Contract was all about, several companies that had won in the past, and the several benefits the winning company would enjoy. Debra's palm started to itch with excitement. She couldn't help but stare at Isaac in awe and admiration. A loud voice came from the door, stunning everyone away from
"Not good! Not good!" Jackson kept muttering as he got into a taxi.According to the reports Kenneth sent him, Morgan was abroad settling the differences between two conflicting subsidiary company. This was something expected to take him a month or two.Why was he returning now? Something was fishy. Jackson hurried the driver along, trying to play out several scenarios in his mind. And soon, they arrived at the entrance of Hotel De Lux. This Hotel was one of the most luxurious 5-stars in the whole of Chicago with nice terrains, gardens, swimming pools, tennis court and even a golf field.Jackson didn't have time to admire all that, he just dashed to the entrance, trying to make his way in when he was stopped by a security guard. "Hey, where are you going?" he frowned, gawking condescendingly at his poor clothes."I'm here to see Mr Kenneth." Jackson replied in a haste. The guard scoffed. "How could someone like you meet Mr Kenneth?”“Even the CEO of Hotel De Lux very rarely sees h
The footsteps approaching pulled up dread in Jackson’s heart, but he managed to keep his stoic expression. "Mr. Robins has arrived with a companion." A guard announced at the door before the two men stepped in. Jackson didn't miss the sudden drain of color on Kenneth’s face. He got up, eyes on the first man that stepped in. "Y. . .You're here?""Of course, I should. Didn't think you could leave me out, did you?" The tall man replied, before striding forward to stop in front of Jackson. Jet-black hair, strong jawline and small sunken eyes that scrutinized Jackson’s entire outfit before coming back up to his face. "You sure look like a Ryder. I'm Owen Robins, a current shareholder at the Hutton Group, and one of your father’s confidant. Nice to meet you."Jackson accepted the handshake, a strange feeling twirling in the pit of his stomach.Owen exchanged another glance with Kenneth before taking his seat. "What're you still doing there standing by the door?" He squinted at a young
The following morning, Jackson got up early to prepare for work.Kenneth had assured him that he could get any job at the Hutton Group. He needed to start getting himself familiar with his father's company. He quickly had his bath, and headed down for breakfast where Slade was already waiting. "Any update?""Apart from the brief conversation Morgan had with his father last night, we tracked him to his apartment in Cooles Estate, that's all.""Hmm." Jackson picked up his fork as Slade re-played the recording. Morgan's conversation with his father was nothing special, it only helped to confirm that Luka Wilson was still alive. All through the night, Jackson had replayed the day's events in his head.Why exactly did Kenneth lie about Luka's death? No matter how he tried to think about it, all the story didn't match up. He couldn't trust anything the man said again. "Boss, what do we do about the Wilson's matriarch? She hasn't still woken up."A small smirk tugged at the corner of J
Jackson watched the secretary carry out the last boxes belonging to Emerald. He was finally here, in his father's company, and he didn't even know how to feel about it. Happy that he was finally taking his place? Or sad that he had missed out on a lot for so long? Jackson relaxed back on his swivel chair, picking up a page from the report Kenneth had mailed to him. It was the annual report detailing the income, expenses and financial position of Wil-Ryder Enterprises. Arriving here for the first time, he had to do a financial audit, to make sure he was starting on the right foot. Jackson was totally immersed in his work when a knock sounded on his door.It was his new secretary, Carmen. "Sir, I forgot to inform you earlier. There is a board meeting holding in the next 20 minutes, and since you just arrived, Mr Xander wants you to introduce yourself to the board of directors."Jackson could sense the motive behind Xander's suggestion. For him to face the board members and answer