Both the butler and Sally reflected on Mond's words.
The butler stared at Mond and said, "Maybe he loves Cherry, so he can't lie to her."
This made Mond feel uncomfortable.
"I have been living with the Chu Family for many years, and I can see that Jackson loves Cherry. However, because of you, I saw Jackson hurt Cherry. Jackson must have felt really awful, " said the butler. He stopped for a moment and added, "This time he almost killed her. I can tell, by the looks of Jackson, that he was feeling sick at heart. I have never seen him so angry and cruel toward Cherry. And to make this worse is having Andrew passed out when he heard your name. Probably he made a confession to Cherry for the sake of her safety."
Mond looked at the butler in surprise, "He hit Cherry, because of me?"
The butler nodded. "It was at the party last night, " he added.
Mond felt miserable. He had thought Cherry was doing well with the Chu Family, and here was a shocking news. Cherry was being physically abused by Jackson because of him. 'Oh! Cherry, why are you enduring this pain for me? Nobody has ever done such a thing for me, ' he said to himself.
Sally turned her gaze towards Mond and said, "Mond, it seems that you're causing a disturbance inside the Chu Family. Your behavior is creating a gap between Cherry and Jackson's marriage. So why don't you take Cherry safely away from Jackson, and leave Jackson to me?"
Mond gazed blankly ahead and remained silent.
Jean stood nearby watching them outline their plans.
There was a long silence before Mond spoke and asked the butler, "Have you found that thing?"
The butler shook his head helplessly, and answered, "No, I haven't. I was with Andrew all the time. I never had the chance to look for it."
"You have been with him for so many years. You manage all his financial affairs, how come he hasn't told you the where-about of that thing?" Mond stopped for a few moments and went on, "I must have it. That's the most important thing for me."
"We all know its importance. Besides, Andrew is a very shrewd person, and he cherishes that thing more than anything else in the world. He would even give up his life to protect it. How could he give it to me easily?" answered the butler. "I guess even Jackson doesn't know its existence. It's the biggest secret of the Chu Family."
"Impossible, " said Mond sternly, with the light of hatred shining in his eyes. "I bet Jackson must know it. It's impossible that Andrew hasn't told his dear grandson about it."
The butler contemplated Mond's words and answered, "I don't think so. First, Jackson himself is well-connected enough. Second, he doesn't give a shit about his grandfather's power and influences. Even when he mobilized Bobby and the gangsters, he did it only to find Cherry."
Mond and Sally looked at each other and remained silent. Both of them knew the importance of Cherry to Jackson. Otherwise, Bobby wouldn't have been summoned at all.
"Mond, we had better act ahead of our schedule, " Sally proposed. She had been waiting for so long for a chance to win Jackson's heart again. She had established a comparable relationship with him in those past five years until Cherry appeared unexpectedly again. Her life and future had been ruined by her. So, she had had enough of waiting. She must act now to get Jackson back.
Mond didn't give an answer. He thought silently and looked at the butler, " How much time does Andrew have?" asked him.
"I'm not sure, perhaps several more years, if he lives a quiet life. Much shorter if he is stressed out, " answered the butler.
"Are you trying to get rid of Andrew first?" asked Sally, shocked by what she was hearing from Mond. In her mind, Mond should prioritize dealing with Cherry and her kid, after all, they were the most important people to Jackson. In addition, if Cherry and her kid disappeared, she could have Jackson's attention all to herself and when that time came Andrew would be in no position to interfere with her relationship with Jackson. He was getting old and weak, consequently, he had started to lose control on so many things.
Mond shook his head. He looked away from Sally and answered, "My only enemy is Jackson. He must disappear."
Both the butler and Sally looked at him and stayed silent.
Selina and Jackson sat at Selina's office at the JS Group building. Both were trying to control their own angry emotions and in no mood to speak.
Outside, the elevator door opened, Derek walked out heading straight into Selina's office.
He went inside and saw Selina and Jackson sitting on the couch and the room's atmosphere was unwelcoming.
"What's wrong?" he asked. Derek was surprised when he received Selina's call, her voice reflected the fury boiling inside her. She asked him to come over immediately. Before Derek could ask why she had hung up the phone. He felt worried and rushed over.
Selina expected Jackson to speak first now that Derek had arrived, but, he remained silent.
"Jackson can tell you why you're needed here." Selina replied coldly.
Derek looked at Selina inquiringly. Then, he turned his gaze towards Jackson, and said, "Enlighten me, bro."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Ice and Fire