A chandelier hovered over the lobby, laced in gold, looking down on those beneath it. Its steady light shone in every corner. Red carpets and black glistening marble decorated the floor.

The panic ensued by Jackson’s phone call trampled through the tranquil atmosphere in seconds.

The crowd murmured about the mysterious person with such an enormous power. The two youngsters of the Adams family looked at each other with visible horror in their eyes. Naomi shared the same expression on her face. She knew what he was capable of, but her measly family’s restaurant was nothing compared to the prestigious Jade Palace.

“Oh, my! Who might you be?”

The crowd became silent as a couple approached them. Jackson recognized them. How could he not? They were Hannah Kraft’s parents, his parents-in-law.

Jackson swallowed his pride and anger. 

“Good evening, madam!”

She tried to maintain her manners in front of the young man who bought the Jade Palace with a dollar. Even though she wore a mask, she still covered her mouth, as if she was trying to appear elegant in his eyes. 

But Jackson spotted the greed in her eyes which oozed out of the sockets. Swiftly, he put his hand around Naomi’s waist, forcing a rose blush on the girl’s cheeks.

Lady Kraft couldn’t ignore what had just happened in front of her. Scornful eyes rained down on Naomi as she uttered in a condescending tone.

“Ah, yes. The Walker girl. So sorry to hear about what happened between you and my son-in-law!”

Naomi trembled, but confidence built up inside her when she felt Jackson’s gentle touch caressing her back.

Jackson chuckled, “I’m afraid it’s too early to call him your son-in-law!”

“What…?!”

Mrs. Kraft’s fury met an abrupt end when a shout echoed in the lobby.

“Get out!”

Everyone’s eyes turned to the sudden scream coming from the reception hall. Jackson nonchalantly caressed Naomi’s slender waist, getting her attention.

“The fun part’s about to start!”

Without putting the Kraft couple in his eyes, he walked past them. Mrs Kraft cursed at him internally and shoved her nails in her husband’s arm to the point blood spilled out. 

Naomi watched him getting further away. While everyone’s attention turned to the heavy footprints coming from the hall, Jackson made his way through the crowd. Soon after, a young man in a tuxedo pushed the door open and connected the hall with the lobby.

Behind him, a woman in a stunning red dress that showcased her alluring body tagged along.

“Never show your face in front of me. Trash!”

The people present watched in awe. “Isn’t that the young master of the Adams family?”

“Then, that’s Hannah Kraft?”

The glamorous night of champagne and bragging didn’t last long. Naomi clenched her fists when she saw them. The insult and humiliation she suffered invaded her aching heart.

“This wedding is off!”

Deafening silence followed. Jackson jumped in front of the soon to be ex groom.

“Yo, Adams Family successor! Trouble in paradise?”

The young man, unaware of who this person was, shoved him to the side. “Back off, peasant!”

Jackson felt a jolt in his head, which made him flinch. He didn’t expect that and tripped on the carpet. He fell on the table with the hors d’oeuvre.

What no one expected was what happened after. Naomi stepped up and slapped him. “Don’t you dare touch him!”

“Bitch!”

The young man from the Adams Family snapped at Naomi. Blood filled his head and in a fit of rage, grabbed her hand and pulled her away from Jackson. Just as he was about to slap her, his cousins ran by his side.

They stuttered until they got the words out. “Cousin Rake, our family’s legacy… He made that happen… Don’t make it worse…!”

He felt the ground vanishing from under his feet. Make it worse? He almost slapped that man’s date. His mind went blank as he stared into nothingness. With weakened knees, he dropped to the ground, despite the support from his cousins.

Jackson brushed off any remnants of food from his suit and approached the young Lord of the Adams family. "Such a wonderful opportunity. It's a shame to let it go to waste!"

The people at the reception, including Rake Adams, looked at Jackson, confused by his words.

A loud gasp by everyone present filled the room with silence when Jackson stepped on his face.

Hannah Kraft shouted. “You are still here?”

Jackson grinned when she got closer. He looked at her with disdain.

“Good timing, dear!”

Hannah barely spared a second to look in Jackson's direction before brushing him off.

“So cold, missus of the Kraft Family!” Jackson removed his mask. His icy eyes sent chills down their spines.

“I know it’s hardly been a day, but don’t you recognize your fiancé’s face?”

Everyone’s mouth dropped when they heard his words. Naomi’s face distorted with confusion. The Kraft family in the back looked at each other, confused.

Hannah Kraft looked at him for several seconds. When she recognized him through the cheap suit, she brushed off her lush blonde hair and uttered with contempt.

“Jackson? What are you talking about? I dumped you last night…”

She put force on her fragile hand to push him away and walked past him, towards the young man from the Adams Family.

Jackson grabbed her shoulder and squeezed enough for her to shriek.

“Don’t be like that, after so long… Besides, I don’t remember signing any papers back then!”

“Don’t touch me, trash. I didn’t want to do this in front of so many people, but you dared touch me.”

Everyone gasped. Including Hannah’s parents. 

Jackson sighed and shook his head. He grabbed Naomi’s hand and pulled her close. He whispered in a barely audible soft voice, tickling her ear.

“My principles forbid me from slapping women. You may have the pleasure!”

Naomi couldn’t believe what she heard. 

“What? You already slapped him. You can have her too…”

Hannah took a step back with widened eyes. “How dare you…”

The next second, a slap by Naomi left a crimson handprint on her cheek. With welled eyes, Hannah dropped to the cold floor.

Jackson got on one knee and glared at the pampered princess. With a sneer, he uttered.

“Our families arranged it and signed the papers for our marriage. Since we were underage, five years ago, we never signed the annulment, therefore, dear, we are still engaged!”

Hannah’s shock became visible to everyone present. She looked over at her parents.

“W-What is this trash talking about?”

Jackson glared at them coldly and waved. “Hi, parents-in-law!”

Jackson then pulled an envelope out of his jacket and looked around.

“Anyone’s got a pen?”

Naomi pulled out a pen and handed it to Jackson. “Here!”

“Thanks!” 

He looked at everyone straight in the eyes and smiled.

“I, Jackson, solemnly sign these papers of annulment of marriage between myself and Hannah Kraft!”

He passed the papers to her and smiled. 

“There! Now! It’s off!”