Ice and Fire novel Chapter 330

"Did you tell Selina?" asked Derek.

"No, I didn't. I don't want her know, she's innocent, " explained Jackson.

Derek stared straight ahead.

After a long silence, Derek replied, "Okay, I understand."

At the time, the elevator stopped at the office floor. Selina stepped off the elevator with documents in her hands. Walking into the room, she glanced at Jackson and Derek silently. As she handed the papers to Derek, she said, "Here are the reports you asked for."

Derek could tell Selina was angry as he took the papers from her. He scanned the forms and handed them to Jackson.

Derek looked at Selina as he said, "Selina, Jackson and I had a discussion while you were gone, and we believe it's in Cherry best interests if she stops working here."

"Why do you agree with Jackson that Cherry shouldn't work here any more?" asked Selina.

Derek nodded and continued, "Selina, I believe you are quite capable of doing exemplary work, with or without Cherry."

"But Cherry is good at her job, and I don't want to lose her!" pleaded Selina.

"Selina, do you wish to put Cherry in danger?" Derek asked impatiently.

"What do you mean?" asked Selina furrowing her brows.

Jackson was concerned, and wondered if Derek had decided to tell Selina some of the details of what was going on.

Derek held Selina's gaze as he explained, "You know the ZM Group's target is JS Group, right? Mond Xu wants the ZM Group to surpass the JS Group."

Selina nodded and answered, "Yes, I know that, but what does that have to do with Cherry?"

Derek told Selina in a serious tone, "If I were to tell you Cherry is Mond Xu's target, would you believe me?"

Selina hadn't considered Cherry as the actual target nor taken time to mull over the facts in her head.

Derek knew Selina was contemplating the information, so he continued, "You are aware of Cherry's excellent work ethics. You should also understand other people would know it too, including Mond Xu. Therefore, since he regarded Cherry as his enemy, he would do harm to her and try to have her removed from the JS Group. You don't want the situation to turn sour, do you?"

Derek knew Selina well, and even though she was considerate; she wasn't as innocent as Jackson believed. She would know what course of action was the best.

Selina was still lost in thought and didn't say anything.

"Do you understand now why Jackson doesn't want Cherry to work here any more?" asked Derek, "Jackson wants to protect Cherry because he loves her deeply. If Mond Xu were to try and harm Cherry while Jackson was away, would you be able to protect her well?"

"I, " Selina paused, unsure of how to answer Derek's question. She couldn't protect Cherry well for any length of time. Selina wanted Cherry to accompany her, and provide assistance, but hadn't thought much about what could happen to Cherry if she did. She couldn't ignore the threat Mond Xu posed though; because of him, she had to grow the business abroad. If he honestly intended harm to Cherry, then maybe Cherry leaving the company was the best way to protect her.

Jackson watched Selina as she stood there thinking things through. He was neither furious nor worried anymore, because he could tell that Selina would agree with him. After all, wise as Selina was, she understood what the best option was in this case.

"Selina, what do you think the best choice is now?" Derek studied Selina's face as he asked.

Selina nodded and she looked from Derek to Jackson apologetically, "Jackson, I am sorry for what I said to you earlier."

Jackson didn't reply.

Derek smiled, "Selina, Jackson hadn't given you a reason for why he had made that decision, so he wouldn't have blamed you for it. You know he doesn't give much information. But I know you understand his choice is correct and you be affected negatively."

"Okay, " Selina nodded her head. She went and sat next to Jackson. Acting like a spoiled child, She grabbed Jackson's arms, pouting, "Brother, please not be angry with me? I promise, I will talk to Cherry, and she will not to work here anymore, and I will handle the business myself. I am sure I can manage everything here at the JS Group well. So, please, don't worry."

Selina knew Jackson had invested in the company, and it was her responsibility to improve the development of the company. Not only for Jackson's backing but how well she reflected on her abilities too, and she was determined that the company would be a success.

Jackson told Selina, "Don't be so hard on yourself, I don't blame you."

Derek relaxed a bit at Jackson's thoughtful words, and he said, "Since it isn't a big deal, let's forget it." He looked to Selina, "Hey! Jackson and I are guests here, why haven't you offered us any coffee or tea?"

"Oh really? You are guests here? "Let's not forget the building belongs to Jackson and you, " Selina said smiling as she stood and went to the employee kitchen.

Derek turned to Jackson and said in a low voice, "Was that a good reason to give?"

Jackson nodded to Derek and said, "Yes, well done!"

That afternoon when Joe got home from school he entered the living room and saw his grandpa and the butler. He ran to his grandpa happily calling out, "Grandpa, grandpa! I am home from school!"

"My dearest Joe, " responded Andrew grinning. He held Joe in his arms and asked, "Did your Daddy drive you home?"

"No, dad didn't. Uncle Bill brought me home, " Joe told him smiling. He looked around noticing no one else was home except Lily, who was busy in the kitchen.

"Grandpa, where're daddy and mommy?" Joe asked curiously. His parents were always there by the time he got home from school. Today was a little strange, because neither of his parents were home. Did they go out?

Andrew pondered a bit before telling him, "Well, your dad went to deal with some business."

"What about mommy? Hasn't she gotten off work?" asked Joe.

"Well, " Andrew hesitated but finally said, "Your mother is upstairs."

Grandpa's tone gave Joe the feeling that something was going on, but he didn't ask.

Instead, he said, "Grandpa, I'm going to go upstairs to do my homework." Actually, he was worried about his mom, plus he missed her and wanted to go see her right away.

Andrew nodded, "Okay."

Joe didn't say anything more. He climbed out of grandpa's arms and ran upstairs. His one thought was seeing his mom.

As Joe dashed up the stairs, Andrew was a little worried Joe would find out what had happened.

The butler stood to the side, "Joe is closer to Cherry, after all, she raised him alone for five years. It's perfectly natural that he must run off to see her."

Andrew sighed. There was something heavy weighing on his heart, but he couldn't bring himself to say anything.

When Joe got upstairs, he went to his mom's room instead of going to his.

As Joe stood in the doorway of his mom's room, he saw her sitting on the ground near the windows, with her head bent and hair a mess. The way she looked sitting there made him sad.

"Mommy, I'm home, " said Joe gently as he walked up to his mommy.

Hearing Joe's voice, Cherry raised her head immediately and ran her fingers through her hair to smooth it. She turned to Joe and said, "Joe, my son, you're home!"

Joe stood in front of his mom, silently seething when he saw her red-rimmed eyes. He asked, "Mommy, what happened?"

"Well, " Cherry hurriedly dabbed her eyes while she tried to calm herself down, and then she continued, "It's nothing terrible."

When she went to stand up, Joe crouched down. He looked her in the eyes and said in a serious manner, "Mom, don't keep it from me. What did daddy do?"

"Joe, you are too young to meddle in the affairs of adults, " said Cherry. She had never thought Joe should protect her. It was her duty, as his mother, to safeguard him. Joe was of the utmost importance to her, and she keep him from harm at all costs.

Joe piped up suddenly, "I understand the situation." He looked at his mom as he went on, "Mommy, why do you have to pretend to be strong?" Here, at home, nobody dare to bully you, except daddy. You live for daddy, and cater to him though, so, why does he have to treat you so terribly? Why does he treat you this way?"

Joe was heartbroken seeing his mom in despair, and his heart filled with sadness. She raised him for many years all alone, and during that time she must have suffered a lot. That was what Grandma and his uncle told him. Now, seeing her upset like this tugged at his heartstrings. She must be heartbroken, or she wouldn't be so glum.

Cherry knew that she wouldn't be able to dissuade Joe from questioning her, and she would need to come to a compromise with him. His character was so much like Jackson's, and he was clever beyond her expectation. Seeing him so worried about her, moved Cherry, because it gave her a glimpse at how much her son loved and cherished her.

Cherry said in a steady voice, "Joe, the matter between us can't be resolved easily. We have different personalities, so, sometimes we do disagree, and argue."

"But why did he treat you so terribly?" "You're his wife, he shouldn't treat you like this, " reasoned Joe, pouting. He looked at his mom questioning, "Did he hit you again?"

"No! No, he didn't, " Cherry said defensively as she turned away, not wanting Joe to see her face.

Joe saw the mark on Cherry's neck, which looked like someone had wrung her neck, and determined his dad must had choked her, because only his dad would dare to.

Joe jumped to his feet angrily and pulled Cherry up with him saying, "Mom, please stand up."

Cherry gave Joe a confused look when they were up, "What's wrong?"

"I want to leave. We can ask uncle to find a house for you and I to live in together, " exclaimed Joe.