Chapter 23

Chapter 23

“The posts have long been deleted,” said Michael. “You already know how anything regarding the Yanceys becomes gossip fodder for the masses. Some memories can’t be erased. The rumors will keep circulating. Humans are curious beings.”

Jack did not reply. There was a cold glint in his deep eyes.

After a while, Michael continued saying, “Mr. Yancey, you don’t have to worry about this. The old Yancey manor is built on a lone island, entry is forbidden and it is very well guarded. There’s no wonder that it has a mysterious reputation. The most mundane things about the Yanceys have made headlines before. The more successful you are, the more accepting you’ll have to be when it comes to being in the spotlight.”

Michael had taken on the role of a consoling friend.

“My grandfather will go home for frequent stays so you’ll have to send some of our men there. His protection must be foolproof,” Jack instructed.

“Do you suspect…” Michael seemed to have read his mind.

“There are many people who want me dead,” Jack spoke indifferently. “But there’s only one who wants me dead the most.”

“Understood.”

“The person I care about the most in the world is my grandfather. But it’s impossible for him to live here. The old manor is our roots and houses his memories. The older one gets, the harder it is to leave.”

“She can’t harm your grandfather no matter how daring she gets, would she?” Michael asked in alarm, “She isn’t that powerful.”

“Don’t make any rash decisions. I have bigger fish to dry.” Jack took a sip of tea. His eyes were deep and obscure. “We have to be constantly vigilant. She may not dare to, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to.”

“Understood. I’ll get Zephyr and Dustin to stick to your grandfather.”

“Right.” Jack had almost forgotten. His facial features were like deeply chiseled marble under the bright lights. “Send a warning to Theo Yeager for me. I don’t want bodies dropping dead so soon after the wedding fiasco. I won’t hold back if he dares to attack the girl again.”

Michael was astonished. Was Jack being protective of Violet?

“Understood.”

“Rest well.”

“You too.”

The phone call ended.

Jack sat on the couch under the bright lights. He picked up the teacup again and carefully inspected the intricate patterns on it. He had a striking face; the thin lips under his high nose parted slightly. “Scu ms. I’ll clean you all up one day. Just wait for it.”

The night deepened.

Jack took a bath and had turned the lights off for bed.

Meanwhile, Violet lay on the unfamiliar bed in the adjacent room. Every toss and turn caused her so much pain that she had to bite her lip. Images of her life with her mother flashed through her mind every time she closed her eyes.

Without realizing it, she slipped into sleep and began dreaming.

The next morning.

Thud thud thud!

Violet was awakened rudely by the sound of someone knocking on the door. Both her head and body felt heavy.

Thud thud thud!

The knocking became faster. This was not a dream.

“Come in.” Violet’s morning voice was raspy after such a long sleep.

Violet opened her eyes to see the doors open.

Zoey appeared at the foot of her bed soon after. “Miss Yeager, Mr. Yancey has already gotten out of bed. Aren’t you going downstairs for breakfast?”

11:14

Chapter 23

“Yes, getting up now.” Violet had no strength. The bones in her body felt as though they had been dispersed. Even getting up was a difficult task for her.

Zoey looked at her indifferently and without the slightest bit of sympathy. She did not offer help. After all, this girl had been too arrogant at the wedding and had completely disrespected Mr. Yancey.

Violet closed her eyes and took a deep breath before exerting herself again. She finally managed to prop her body and sit

up.

She was a tenacious girl.

“How is his mood?” Violet looked up and inquired sleepily while sitting on the side of the bed.

Zoey did not answer.

“Did he send you to wake me up?” Violet began putting her shoes on. She remembered what he had said the night before: When the day broke, leave immediately.

Zoey still did not reply.

Violet stood up and looked at her. Weird. The Yanceys were weird. She turned away and headed for the bathroom. After about 5 minutes, Violet came out to see Zoey still standing at the bed, which had just been made. “Zoey, you don’t really like me, do you?” Before leaving, Violet could not help guessing. “It is because of how I embarrassed Jack at the wedding? Have you ever thought about whether he’d be happy if I had really married him?”

Zoey’s eyes flashed.

As Violet was about to head downstairs, she smiled and said nonchalantly, “My existence would have forever been a torture to him. Do you want him to suffer for the rest of his life?”

“You overestimate yourself.”

A frosty voice spoke behind her. There was a hint of laziness in it.

Violet’s chest tightened. She stopped in her tracks and turned around to a daunting but handsome face.