Three days later, Jackson’s meeting finally concluded.
He rubbed his throbbing temples and turned on his phone, which had been off for days.
A flood of notifications came through–Lily had sent 99+ messages, while Scarlett had sent just one.
He instinctively opened Scarlett’s conversation first–it was a transfer notification:
Transfer: $500,000]
Note: Two weeks‘ rent + medical expenses]
Nothing else. Even not a single word.
[ackson’s brow furrowed deeply, almost laughing from disbelief.
His long fingers typed quickly on the screen.
[Do you think I need this money? What kind of relationship do we have that you’re settling accounts so precisely?]
After sending it, he stared at the screen for ten minutes.
In the past, whenever he messaged her, Scarlett would respond instantly.
But this time, the chat remained disturbingly silent.
He dialed her number directly.
‘Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently switched off…”
The mechanical female voice came through the receiver.
Jackson paused, momentarily confused–perhaps she was still asleep?
His mind conjured an image of Scarlett sleeping: those thick lashes casting a small shadow on her face, her red lips slightly parted, occasionally snuggling closer to him unconsciously.
The thought brought an involuntary upward curve to his lips.
He clicked on Scarlett’s profile picture–a proud, elegant Ragdoll cat with piercing blue eyes that seemed to look down on the world, much like Scarlett herself.
His finger unconsciously traced the screen before he sent one last message: [I’m returning tomorrow night. Come pick me up.]
20:57
Dumped the les Calder
Chapter 11
The message continued to sit unread.
Jackson set down his phone and called his assistant: “Did you find out about what I asked?”
“Mr. Blackwell, it’s confirmed. That pearl necklace will be featured at the Christie’s Geneva auction tonight. It’s definitely the one Miss Devereaux’s mother wore.”
“Arrange a car.”
Half an hour later, Jackson appeared at the auction venue. Dressed in an impeccable black suit, his cold gaze behind those gold–rimmed glasses kept several socialites at bay despite their attempts to engage him.
When the pearl necklace was presented, the crowd murmured in excitement.
“Starting bid: one hundred million!”
“One hundred and ten million!”
“One hundred and twenty million!”
The price climbed steadily, yet Jackson didn’t raise his paddle.
Only when the bidding reached two hundred million did he finally lift his hand: “Five hundred million.”
The hall fell silent.
In the end, the necklace went to Jackson Blackwell for an astronomical sum.
On the drive back, his assistant finally ventured: “Mr. Blackwell, when you refused to lend Miss Devereaux money to bid on that necklace, she seemed deeply hurt… If she knew how hard you worked to find the real heirloom and how much you paid for it, she’d be overjoyed.“.
Jackson caressed the velvet box, his mind conjuring Scarlett’s radiant face. “Would she be happy?”
“Of course!” The assistant said enthusiastically. “Miss Devereaux wears her emotions on her sleeve. She might be a bit spoiled, but she has such a kind heart. Remember when that new intern spilled coffee, and everyone was about to scold him? She just said, ‘Perfect timing, I wanted to change my dress anyway‘…”
As he spoke, the assistant suddenly felt the temperature in the car plummet.
In the rearview mirror, Jackson’s expression had turned frighteningly dark.
The assistant immediately fell silent. “I’m sorry, Mr. Blackwell. I spoke out of turn.”
“You’re attracted to her?” Jackson’s voice was cold as ice.
The assistant’s hands jerked on the steering wheel, nearly crashing into the guardrail.
20:57
Dumbed the Ice Cold CEO for the Fake Dying Billionaire. Revenge is Sweet!
Chapter 11
“I…”
“Tell me the truth.”
The assistant took a deep breath: “How could anyone not be attracted to someone like Miss Devereaux? But don’t
worry, I know her heart belongs only to you…”
He smiled bitterly. “So I just… admire her from afar. I’ve never acted on it.”
Jackson’s expression eased slightly.
But the assistant unexpectedly continued with newfound courage: “Though I do wish you’d treat her better.”
‘Don’t be affectionate with Miss Bennett one moment and then kind to Miss Devereaux the next. She deserves
someone’s complete devotion!”
‘Affectionate with Lily one moment and kind to Scarlett the next?” Jackson narrowed his eyes. “What exactly are you implying?”
Having already started, the assistant decided to go all in.
‘Exactly what it sounds like! Mr. Blackwell, I’ve always wanted to ask–do you actually love Miss Bennett or Miss
Devereaux?”
20:57
