Ice and Fire novel Chapter 329

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."

Derek sat down beside him waiting for his answer.

Jackson looked out of the window, still not answering.

The silence in the office was so deafening that every movement could be easily heard.

Selina, losing her patience, started complaining to her brother. "Jackson has forbidden Cherry from working here any longer." Selina said angrily.

"Why?" asked Derek in surprise.

"Jackson can tell you why, " said Selina, her eyes throwing daggers at him. In the past, she had always listened to Jackson. But now, he had prevented Cherry from coming to work with no justifiable reason. Selina had always admired Cherry's commitment to work, her capabilities, and the fact that she was a very sensible woman and had contributed a great deal in the development of the company. However, some of Cherry's business activities involved dealing with Mond. If Cherry left, a lot of the business dealings that she was involved might fail. If that happened, Mond would take advantage of those failures, and the JS Group would suffer big losses.

Derek gazed at Jackson's serious expression. Jackson had been silent ever since he entered the office. Did he really do that to Cherry? Was Selina telling the truth?

Derek and Jackson grew up together and were very close. He knew him better than anyone else. Jackson must be in trouble and had to do that. Derek thought to himself.

Then, Derek turned to Selina and said, "Sis, can you please go to the financial department downstairs and grab the financial statements for this half of year. Jackson and I may need to review them."

"Now? Don't be ridiculous." said Selina in bewilderment. She needed Derek to talk some sense into Jackson. What did the financial statements have anything to do with it?

"Jackson is angry now. Besides, although you're running this company, Jackson's its largest shareholder. He has a right to review the financial statements. Just do it, " said Derek. He wasn't sure if this reason would be enough to persuade Selina to leave the room and give him and Jackson a time to talk privately.

"I'm fine with you two guys reviewing those damned financial statements. But, right now, I'm talking about Cherry and her work. I'm the boss and Cherry works for me. I will never allow one of my best employees to resign without any good reason. Without my consent, she's not leaving." Selina argued stubbornly, she was known for her stubbornness. Whenever she put her mind to it, she would often get the result that she wanted. If she wanted Cherry to stay with JS Group, she must talk Jackson into giving up his stupid idea.

Derek suddenly glowered at Selina and shouted, "Go away! Get out of this room."

Selina, shocked by Derek's sudden outburst, shifted her gaze towards Jackson who still said nothing.

Helpless, she surrendered and walked out of her office.

Once Selina was inside the elevator, Derek stood up and closed the office door. Then, he looked at Jackson and asked, "what's wrong? You know you can trust me. Please explain."

"She saw Mond, " answered Jackson at last.

"Are you sure?" asked Derek. This didn't come as a great surprise to Derek. He had seen this coming.

"Yes, Mond drove his car, with Cherry sitting on the passenger seat, " answered Jackson. Whenever he recalled what he saw at the parking lot of JS Group, he couldn't help but feel his anger rise. Why did Cherry meet Mond, why was she so friendly towards him? he thought bitterly.

"Did Mond tell her anything?" asked Derek anxiously.

"Yes. He told her my history with Sally, " answered Jackson.

"Anything else?" asked Derek curiously, trying to figure out what had happened. "I don't think Mond has told Cherry everything." He added.

"Perhaps you are right, " said Jackson trying to calm his emotion.

Jackson's answers silenced Derek. He thought, 'Fortunately, the situation hasn't turned for the worse. Mond has just told Cherry things about Sally.'

"Cherry knows what happened to Sally's Family. I wasn't aware of it until she mentioned Sally's name, " Jackson said.

"Don't tell me you..." Derek trailed off.

He knew that Jackson slapped Cherry on the face last time they had a fight. If he got angry again, would he lose his control and hit her once more? Derek wondered.

Jackson looked distressed. He didn't answer Derek's question. Helpless, he said, "I don't want Cherry to have anything to do with Mond. I know he's dangerous. He aims to ruin me, the Chu Family and everyone I love."

Derek nodded in consent. He knew why Jackson was worried. The existence of Mond posted a great threat, and would certainly produce some dangerous uncertainties for Jackson and his family. The pained look on Jackson's face was evident when he saw Cherry together with Mond. Derek was afraid that Jackson might lose control again. Cherry meant everything to Jackson. For her sake, he was willing to do anything and make unimaginable sacrifices.

"I see. You told Selina to fire Cherry to protect her and prevent her from meeting Mond again, " said Derek. Seeing Jackson's facial expression, Derek knew that he had guessed it right.

"Well, Derek. I'm ready to take the consequences for what happened to Mond in the past, but, nobody can hurt Cherry and Joe, " said Jackson with a determined voice.