“I have tea imported directly from China. Maybe not an expensive one but, I think it's pretty good," Ashley said again, smiling meaningfully."Okay. A cup of tea would be nice,” replied Jack.He followed Ashley into her apartment. The apartment is tiny but very neat and well appointed."I thought you were staying with your family because your mother was sick?" he asked.“Ah no… I've been living alone for a long time. My mother lives with my younger siblings. I often came home late from work, so I decided to live alone and come to my mom's place every weekend, or whenever I could find time,” Ashley replied."I see," replied Jack as he sat down on Ashley's tiny sofa."I'll get the tea in a moment," Ashley replied as she walked into the kitchen.Jack smiled and nodded. He waited while looking around the room. There were pictures of Ashley at graduation, some family photos, and a few other items in the room. Jack didn't see any pictures of Ashley with her friends, they were all just famil
In the morning, Jack woke up because his stomach was hungry. He woken up later today because he was very tired. It's Sunday after all. Jack wants to enjoy all of his present wealth by living in his luxurious mansion. When he came down to the dining room, all the maids were ready to serve him food and drink. This is the life that once existed only in his dreams.Jack sat sipping his coffee and reading the paper. Apparently, word of his new business made it to the local news that morning. "The Langham family property office has been sold on a whim to a new entrepreneur named Ashworth." That's the headline. Jack smiled reading the news. This is just the beginning of it all.Jack then read another column on business and property news. He was interested in the news about the new apartment which was claimed to be the biggest apartment in Lumina City. The apartment will be a center for business, residence, and entertainment. In addition, there will be strategic transportation access in that
Jack and Ashley were already in the car when Suzzane was really crying in the cafe. Jack glanced at Ashley and smiled.“You are a good role player, Ashley. Thanks for helping me today,” said Jack.“No need to thank. All of this is my job as your personal assistant,” Ashley replied.Jack smiled because he chose the right personal assistant. Ashley is reliable in every way and also in bed. Maybe they can do it again someday. Jack could still remember how beautiful Ashley's body without anything covered."So, where are we going now?" she asked."I heard Diana Buchanan used to be in one of the cafes on Avenue Square," Jack said.“Diana Buchanan? The richest building contractor in Lumina City?” she asked."Correct. I overheard a conversation on Jamie Cowell's birthday. Diana Buchanan must be a contractor who has business with the Hawthorne family, I mean the Green Diamond Village apartments,” Jack said."You want to see her?" she asked."Yes, I'd like to see her," Jack replied with a smile
Gordon Hawthorne stepped into the club that night. Enough of all the trouble he's been in lately because of that damn Jack Ashworth. Tonight he will have fun with the beautiful women in the club. The damn Suzzane who always stuck to him is now gone. Gordon didn't want to see that slut again. Because of Suzzane, Gordon became increasingly bullied by his friends. Gordon is accused of taking Jack Ashworth's "leftovers". It indeed hurt Gordon's pride.However, once Gordon arrived at the club, it turned out that his friends were there too. This is indeed the favorite club of conglomerates.“Hey, Gordons! Come join us,” said Jordan Michel.Gordon didn't really want to see them, but he had no choice. With a stiff, forced smile, Gordon greeted them. He then walked towards them and sat down on the long sofa. Loud music shook the room and everyone was seen shaking their heads or bodies. The waitresses dressed sexy milling about with drinks."Hey, handsome. Haven't seen you here in a long time,"
"You mean you only provide services for big projects like Green Diamond Village?" he asked."Green Diamond Village is one of them," answered Diana."What if I offer more than the Hawthorne Group?" asked Jack with a confident smile.Diana now looked at Jack with slight surprise. Now he was beginning to realize what Jack wanted. Rumors circulated among the elite that Jack Ashworth and Gordon Hawthorne did not get along. However, it turns out that Jack Ashworth is not who she thought he was.“Mr. Ashworth—”"Just call me Jack," interrupted Jack."All right, Jack. You see… The Hawthorne family had several big businesses and they were a big company. You only have one real estate business and I'm sorry if I'm being too direct, but I know how the business you just bought has performed in the last two years. How can you possibly offer more than they offer?” asked Diana, getting to the point."Just give me the number and we'll see if I can offer more," Jack said.Diana fell silent. She saw suc
The fight was fierce in the dark alley. The two men who had threatened Jack with knives tried to attack him aggressively, but Jack dodged each of their attacks with incredible agility. He makes use of his martial skills, being able to see the gaps between enemy attacks and deliver precise counterpunches. However, one of the men managed to hit Jack's arm with his knife. Blood dripped out onto Jack's arm."Go!" one of the masked men exclaimed.Jack knew he wouldn't win empty-handed like this."System, exchange 1 point for a martial art," Jack said in a low voice."What? What do you say?" asked one of them. They looked at each other in confusion.[Welcome, user Jack Ashworth. Exchanging 1 point for martial arts skills has been successful.]"I said, I'm going to beat you both up," Jack said."Damn it!" they shouted.The exchange of blows and quick movements made the atmosphere even more tense. Both seem well-trained, but Jack has the upper hand with his careful mix of physical strength an
"Good! He will definitely be humiliated this time!” cried Gordon happily.“Don't get excited just yet, Gordon. You still have to do what I ask,” said Liam, who had been watching Gordon and Louis Lerroy plotting revenge on Jack Ashworth."Take it easy, Liam. Gordon will definitely give you what you want. Isn't that right, Gordon?" asked Jordan Michel, who had just been sitting beside Gordon sipping his orange juice."Of course! The woman will definitely come. If I had called her, she would have come like an obedient dog,” replied Gordon with a smile."That's great, Gordon," Liam says.Moments later, the door to the Hawthorne home opened. Gordon was indeed waiting for someone to arrive and now the woman had gone inside, escorted by the house maid. Suzzane walked in with a smile on her face because she thought Gordon was sorry he broke things off with her. She let her blonde hair down beautifully and in waves. She wore miniskirts, high heels, sleeveless shirts, and the most expensive per
"Welcome, Jack," said Louis Leroy as the host.Jack shook his hand and brought red wine as a gift.“High quality wine! Thank you, Jack," said Louis pretending to be friendly.“You are very welcome,” said Jack.Jack entered Louis Lerroy's house and immediately chatted with the guests present. The party that was held that evening was specifically for relaxing and chatting. There weren't too many guests and it was mostly men. Diana Buchanan wasn't here, just a few businesswomen present. For some reason Jack had been secretly expecting Diana to be here. There has been no word from Diana after their meeting yesterday.“So Jack, what about the business you bought from the Langhams? I heard that the profit has decreased in the last two years," said Jordan.“I'm working on it. I'm sure the profits will increase again in my hands, "Jack replied."I like your confidence, Jack," Jordan said, tapping Jack on the shoulder.However, the atmosphere at the party suddenly became tense when Gordon Hawt
As the smoke began to dissipate, revealing the chaos of the decimated lab, Jack's enhanced vision honed in on Patrick, a formidable figure even in his wounded state. Blood trickled down Patrick's forehead, mixing with the grim determination and seething anger in his eyes. His breath came in ragged gasps, a testament to the intensity of their struggle."You think you can defeat me like this?" Patrick's voice reverberated through the chamber, his words dripping with contempt as he advanced towards Jack. "I won't let you win, Jack!"With a sudden burst of speed, Patrick lunged forward, his armored form hurtling towards Jack with frightening velocity. Jack barely had time to react, his instincts kicking in as he braced himself for the impact.The clash was thunderous, the force of Patrick's charge slamming into Jack like a battering ram. They grappled fiercely, each trying to gain the upper hand in the brutal melee. Jack's muscles strained against the weight of Patrick's armor, his mind r
Jack's situation was dire. He lay on the cold floor, pain radiating through his body, Ashley's bloodied form just out of reach. His vision blurred and darkened at the edges, but he wasn't ready to give up. He knew he had one last trick up his sleeve.With a barely noticeable movement, he activated the communication implant Jill had embedded in his arm. It was a last-resort device, meant for emergencies only. Jack whispered urgently, his voice barely a breath, "Jill, now!"Even though it looked like he was talking to himself, he knew Jill was listening. His eyes briefly met Patrick's smug gaze before he summoned all his remaining strength. With a sudden, almost inhuman burst of energy, Jack leaped high into the air, his body propelled by the advanced tech Jill had provided.He soared upwards, smashing through the ceiling and creating a gaping hole. Dust and debris rained down as the astonished guards and Patrick stared up, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief. The room fell s
Patrick, sensing a slight tremor of control slipping from his grasp, attempted to regain his dominance with a sneer. "You think you're clever, don't you, Jack?" he jeered, his voice echoing off the cold, stone walls of the lair. "But you're just bluffing. We both know what happened the last time you tried to fight alone. You lost, and you lost badly. Look around you. My men guard every corner of this place with the highest vigilance. There's no help coming from Jill or anyone else. You think you can fool me? I anticipated your move, and I've made sure it won't happen."Jack's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing as he fixed Patrick with a steely glare. "You talk too much, Patrick," he retorted, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. His confidence was unwavering, a stark contrast to the villain's bluster.Without another word, Jack launched himself into action with a burst of explosive energy. His movements were a blur, honed by years of training and battle-hardened experience. He b
As Jack's cries of anguish reverberated through the glass chamber, something within him snapped. A surge of adrenaline and sheer willpower coursed through his veins. His eyes, still wet with tears, hardened with a new determination. He strained against the metal restraints with every ounce of strength he possessed, the cords of his muscles standing out in stark relief against his skin.The glass walls seemed to close in on him, but Jack refused to accept defeat. With a roar of pure rage, he wrenched his arm free from one of the metal bindings, the steel groaning under the force of his fury. The other restraints seemed to tighten in response, but Jack was beyond pain now. He tore at the remaining bonds, his breath coming in ragged gasps.The guards outside the chamber stared in shock, their initial disbelief giving way to alarm. The sight of Jack breaking free sent a wave of panic through them."What's happening?" one of the guards shouted, his voice tinged with fear.Patrick's smug ex
Jack watched intently as the guards began to unfasten the restraints binding Ashley to the chair. Every movement seemed to drag in slow motion, his heart hammering in his chest. Despite her weakened state, Ashley managed to shake her head weakly, her voice a mere whisper, carrying the weight of her desperation. "No, Jack," she pleaded, her eyes wide and glistening with tears. "Please, just go. Leave me."Jack’s determination was unshakeable. He shook his head firmly, his jaw set in a hard line. "Ashley, you have to go now," he insisted, his voice steady and resolute, cutting through the tense atmosphere like a blade. He knew there was no other option if she were to have any chance at freedom.Ashley remained in the iron grip of the guards, her strength all but spent. Her eyes, though filled with despair, still bore into Jack’s with a silent plea, a plea he could not heed. She understood the depth of his resolve but felt the crushing weight of helplessness. Her body slumped slightly as
As Jack was escorted further into the heart of The Golden Apple's new stronghold, the dimly lit corridors seemed to close in around him, suffocating him with their oppressive atmosphere. The guards flanked him on either side, their eyes boring into him with a mixture of suspicion and contempt.Patrick stood at the end of the hallway, his presence commanding and his demeanor oozing with arrogance. His arms were crossed over his chest, and a smug smirk played at the corners of his lips as Jack was brought before him."Well, well, if it isn't our obedient little errand boy," Patrick sneered, his voice laced with disdain as he regarded Jack. "Coming here unarmed, all for the sake of the traitor who betrayed you. How noble of you, Jack."Jack's fists clenched at his sides, his nails digging into his palms as he struggled to contain his rising anger. He knew Patrick was trying to provoke him, but he refused to take the bait. Instead, he focused on the urgency of the situation at hand."Wher
As Ashley teetered on the brink of consciousness, her senses dulled by the relentless onslaught of pain and exhaustion, she felt as though she were adrift in a sea of torment. Every breath was a struggle, each heartbeat a painful reminder of the ordeal she had endured. Her body felt heavy, weighed down by the bruises that marred her skin and the ache that permeated every fiber of her being.The dim light in the room seemed to flicker and dance before her eyes, casting eerie shadows that danced across the walls like specters of her own despair. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and blood, mingling with the metallic tang of fear that clung to her like a suffocating shroud.The henchman of Patrick's approached with an air of calculated menace, his footsteps echoing ominously in the dimly lit room. Ashley strained to lift her head, her muscles protesting against the effort as she braced herself for whatever news he bore.With a glance over his shoulder to ensure they were alone, t
Jack's heart skipped a beat as his phone vibrated, signaling an incoming message. With a sense of urgency, he glanced at the screen, his eyes widening in shock at the sight before him. It was a video, sent from an unknown number, and as Jack tapped to play it, his blood ran cold.The video opened to a chilling scene. A dimly lit room filled the screen, casting long shadows that danced across the walls. In the center of the frame sat a wooden chair, its surface worn and weathered, and bound to it was Ashley. Her hands were tied behind her back, and her eyes were filled with a mixture of fear and defiance.“Ashley?” Jack breathed, his voice barely a whisper as he struggled to comprehend the gravity of the situation.“What? What happened?” Jill's voice crackled with concern, her eyes widening as she leaned in closer to see the screen of Jack's phone.For a moment, Jack's mind reeled in disbelief. It took several seconds for the reality of the situation to sink in—that the woman in the vi
The soft hum of machinery filled the air as Jack slowly emerged from his slumber, the gentle rhythm of Jill's movements resonating in the laboratory. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, he turned his gaze towards Jill, who was already engrossed in her work, her movements fluid and purposeful."Rise and shine, sleepyhead. It's time for you to join the land of the living," Jill greeted him with a playful smirk, her eyes sparkling with determination. "I need your help with some brainstorming."Jack yawned and stretched, feeling the weight of the impending tasks settling upon him like a heavy cloak. "What's the plan?" he asked, his voice still tinged with drowsiness as he sat up and gave Jill his full attention.Jill's eyes gleamed with determination as she launched into an explanation of the necessity for a tracker device that could evade detection by their adversaries. "Jack, we need a failsafe in case things go south. We can't risk you getting caught or lost in the chaos," she began,