Chapter 7
As Irene headed downstairs, she ran into a young boy in a blazer standing in the second–floor hallway.
He looked about twelve or thirteen and bore a striking resemblance to her.
The moment he saw her, the boy sneered, clearly enjoying himself. “Irene, did you just get smacked upstairs?”
That boy was her younger brother, Lucas Jackson. Shelby and Henry had placed hope on him.
Irene didn’t bother responding. She walked past him, ready to head downstairs.
Lucas suddenly spread his arms and blocked her path.
With a scowl, Lucas demanded, “Did you ask Dad for money today? I’m telling you, Mom and Dad already made their will. Everything they have is mine.”
Still, Irene showed no reaction.
Seeing her so unfazed, Lucas raised his left wrist and shook it.
Only then did Irene notice the brand–new watch on his wrist–an Audemars Piguet, the kind that went for over 100 thousand dollars.
That much money was enough to buy a small apartment in a county town.
Lucas wore a dramatic, boastful grin. “See this? Birthday present from Mom and Dad.”
He mocked again. “Irene, you’re like some desperate little mutt, begging Dad for money, and he still won’t give you a dime.
“But me? I don’t even have to say a word–he gives me the best of everything. So what are you even doing back here, Irene? You’re just embarrassing yourself.
Irene looked him straight in the eye and called him by his full name. “Lucas Jackson.”
Lucas lifted his chin like some arrogant little prince. “What?”
“How old are you this year?” Irene asked.
“Thirteen!” Lucas snapped without thinking.
Irene studied the bratty, arrogant boy in front of her. Her tone was unreadable. “You’re not some cute toddler, and you’re not a playful little kid either! No one’s told you yet? Talking crap like that’s a good way to get slapped.”
“What?” Lucas had barely processed the words before Irene tucked her clutch under her left arm, freeing her right hand.
Without warning. Irene slapped him. Twice. His face instantly swelled up, nose bruised and eyes spinning.
Before he could react, Irene grabbed him by the tie and dragged him into the shared bathroom on the second floor.
Then Irene pumped some hand soap into her palm and smeared it straight onto his mouth, scrubbing hard and rough.
Lucas tried to fight back, but her strength was surprisingly strong. He couldn’t find a chance to resist at all.
Grabbing the pull–out faucet, Irene turned on the water full blast and sprayed his face while saying coldly. “If your mouth’s filthy, we’ll clean it.”
“And if it still stinks, I’ll use a knife to cut the gerins right off.”
Only after that did Irene shut off the faucet. She stared at him without a flicker of emotion and warned, Try disrespecting me again, and I’ll have Dorian hire some underage kid to kill you.
“There are a lot of runaway teens out there, you know. Dangerous ones. Give them some money, and they’ll do whatever they’re told.
“Dorian wants you dead, it’s about as easy as squashing an ant.”
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Chapter 7
Using Dorian as a shield came as naturally as breathing for Irene.
Lucas turned pale. He knew how easily Dorian could get rid of him–and he knew Irene wasn’t bluffing
Lucas thought, I’m underage, protected by the law. But Irene? She can just hire some underage thug and make it all disappear.
Lucas was so terrified his knees were shaking-
Meanwhile, Irene glanced at his trembling legs and let out a short, cold laugh before walking out of the bathroom, calm as
ever.
Among the Jackson brothers, Lucas was the softest.
In the previous life, after Austin and the others died one after another in strange accidents, Shelby sensed trouble coming. She fled with the family fortune and took Lucas with her in the middle of the night.
