Jack let the warm water soak into his bones, trying to find some enjoyment in the warm touch. However, despite the steam and peace of the morning in the bathroom, the memory of that bitter night still haunted her. How he ran hard, without stopping, across the dark streets to the hospital. It was as if his entire life depended on a faint sliver of hope. But when he finally arrives, a cruel reality drags him down a dark abyss. His mother had abandoned him, meeting his end without a miracle of salvation.A burning grudge, like a burning red ember, had been fueling his heart for years. The memory of the Hawthorne family's treatment of him was etched into every fiber of his soul. They not only deprived her of her mother, but they also refused her help in complete denial. They considered him lowly and worthless, simply because he did not have as much power or wealth as they did. Now, the fire of revenge is growing, ready to scorch everything that is a silent witness to his suffering.Jack d
Jack drives Ashley home after a vital meeting with shareholders of the Hawthorne family business. During the trip, Ashley couldn't help but feel curious."What are your plans next, Jack? The situation in Green Diamond Village is getting worse," she asked, trying to read Jack's expression.Jack smiled and turned to her. "Don't worry, Ash. I have a plan."However, on the way, Ashley received a phone call that sounded a bit confidential. Jack glanced at Ashley's cellphone screen and knew that it was a call from Brandon. Jack couldn't help feeling a little jealous. Even though he knew that he had no right to feel that way, it still bothered him. But he chose to remain silent.“Just pick it up, it's okay,” said Jack.Ashley nodded and then picked up the phone.“Hello, Brandon. Yes, I'm on my way home. Oh no, you're not bothering me, but I'll call you back later,” Ashley said, quickly ending the phone call.Jack was just silent because his suspicions were right, Brandon really liked Ashley.
"Dylan, come on. Swearing at your own son won't solve the problem," said Rita."How can we have a successor company if our only son doesn't understand anything about business!" Dylan exclaimed in frustration.Rita couldn't bear to see her son being reprimanded. Rita immediately stepped forward, defending Gordon."Dylan, this is enough. Don't yell at Gordon again," she demanded in a firm voice.Dylan's eyes flashed with reluctance, but in the end, he relented.“Okay… okay… Our troubles just ended. Tomorrow we will face a new problem. Rest early today," Dylan finally said.The next morning, the atmosphere at the Hawthorne house was anything but ordinary. Dylan and Rita were getting ready to head to the office, but before they could leave, they were stopped in their tracks by an unexpected presence: Gordon.With a more serious look than usual, Gordon approached his parents. "Mom, Dad, are you going to work?" he asked, his voice full of desire to engage."Yes. What's wrong, honey?" she as
“This is impossible! The shares were spread over several people who—”"Who sold me their shares," continued Jack.Dylan was shaking because of the immense anger inside him. Rita snatched the document from Dylan's hand, her eyes widened when she saw the numbers listed. Gordon looked along, and looks of shock crossed their faces. Now, 60% of the shares of the business unit are in Jack's hands.Dylan was shaking because of the immense anger inside him. He couldn't accept this reality. "This is not possible!""The reality is like that," continued Jack calmly, interrupting Dylan's words.Dylan felt as if the ground was shaking beneath his feet. Rita and Gordon looked at the document like they were witnessing a miracle or even a never-ending nightmare.But Dylan didn't want to just give up. He pounded the table angrily. "You're cheating! You're definitely cheating in this!"Jack looked at him calmly, "There is no fraud here, Dylan. All of these transactions were carried out legally and offi
"Darn it!" Dylan exclaimed, his anger still rising."Really he wants to destroy us!" Rita exclaimed, her voice full of frustration.Gordon tightened his fists tightly. "I won't just leave it like that!"The employees outside the director's room heard their angry screams, so the atmosphere in the office became tense.Rita supported her head which felt heavy. "You sold too much stock, Dylan.""We didn't have a choice at that time! If I didn't sell it, we wouldn't have enough capital to continue operating this business. All this because you couldn't educate your son properly!" Dylan exclaimed, blaming Rita."My son? He's your son too!" Rita snapped."That's it! Stop it!" Gordon shouted loudly.Dylan and Rita stopped, looking at their son with faces full of confusion."Mom, Dad, it's Jack's fault! It's all Jack's fault. Stop blaming each other, please!" Gordon cried, his voice pleading."Gordon is right, Dylan," Rita said in a soft voice."I don't really understand business, but I'm sure
"So, you came here about licensing some of the land that I had rejected for Green Diamond Village, didn't you, Mr. Ashworth?”“That's right, Miss Thompson. I want to negotiate about that," answered Jack.“I heard from the news that Green Diamond Village does have a new owner, but sorry, my decision is made up. Whoever owns it, I will not change my decision," she said firmly.“Ms. Thompson—”“I know you have bought the land but the residents still don't want to move from there. Purchasing land is one thing, but developing land into a commercial housing project is another. I, as the authority, will not issue permits to build housing on that land," Alice said firmly, interrupting Jack's words.Jack sat in a calm manner, eyes fixed on Alice. "Miss Thompson, I really understand your concerns regarding land eviction for the Green Diamond Village project. However, I believe I have a solution that can benefit all parties."Alice listened seriously, her gaze remaining focused on Jack. "I'm gla
A moment later, it felt as if Jack's legs were no longer obeying him. He was holding on to the sink, his breathing was labored, and his body was shaking uncontrollably. A spasm swept through his muscles, making him almost fall to the cold tile floor. His face was pale, and cold sweat was dripping down his forehead."What do you mean about my identity?" Jack asked in a trembling voice, trying to understand what the system had just revealed.[User Jack Ashworth is not Dorothy Ashworth's biological son.]Jack's head felt like it was spinning, as if the world around him was spinning at high speed. He tried to understand the meaning of these words, but everything felt so blurry and vague."That's not possible!" Jack exclaimed while enduring the pain that pierced his body. It was as if fire rays were spreading through his flesh and bones.Ding![2nd mission obtained. Find your true identity and prove that you are worthy of the system.]"What? The first mission wasn't declared successful, bu
Jack looked at Diana with eyes full of confidence. "There is always a choice, Diana. There is always a way out," he said as he sipped his drink, trying to encourage the woman in front of him.Diana looked at Jack with a gentle smile, but deep confusion flashed in her eyes. "You always sound positive, Jack. But in this situation, I don't know what to do. I never wanted to marry just to secure business. I know who Daniel is and I don't want to marry him," said Diana in a careful voice, as if sharing the burden of her thoughts.Jack smiled steadily, looking at her with determination. "You have helped me seize the Hawthorne family business, now I will keep my promise to help you not marry Daniel," he stressed, ensuring that he would be by Diana's side in every decision that would be taken.Diana didn't say anything, but her own expression conveyed deep gratitude and appreciation. Jack always looks so strong and optimistic. However, Diana was not fully aware of the big problem that was hau
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,