Jack Hardy The Legacy Returns

007 Meeting the Forbes

Juliet's Bentley slipped through the massive gates of the Forbes estate and halted beside a beautiful fountain. She glanced sideways at Jack, expecting him to be overwhelmed by the sheer scale of her home.

Jack stepped out beside her, scanning the mansion like he was observing the weather. Inside his head, he almost chuckled. 

The young man owned dozens of lands much grander than this—a plot in the Alps, islands in Greece, and even a castle in the Scottish highlands. Every one of them made the Forbes estate look like a fancy barn. Not to mention his inheritance—the royal Cromwell empire, waiting for him in Springfield.

Juliet cleared her throat, acting like she was doing Jack a favor by bringing him home. “Wait in the staircase hall. I’ll freshen up and then we can discuss the marriage contract terms properly and get it signed and notarized.”

Jack gave her a lazy salute, but as soon as she was gone, he wandered off, exploring the hallways, until he pushed through glass doors and exited into a sunbath garden.

Two women were stretched out on lounges, sipping mocktails. The older one, Lydia, looked like she was in her early forties but dressed like a Queen. The younger one, Cathy, resembled Juliet a bit, with her hazel eyes and sharp cheekbones, dressed in tiny shorts and a crop top.

Jack assumed they were her mother and sister. As soon as he arrived, Lydia sat bolt upright, her eyes widening at his imposing physique. “Who the hell are you? We have an intruder! Someone help!”

Cathy also began screaming and pointed at him energetically. She picked up a dog whistle lying on the table and blew on it.

Three massive Dobermans scampered into the garden, their canine muscles rippling, and their teeth bared in vicious snarls. They charged straight at Jack, growling like feral monsters. "Get him!" both women commanded in unison.

Jack didn’t run. He planted his feet wide, and locked eyes with the lead dog. As soon as the animal came close, Jack let out a low, rumbling growl that came from deep in his chest.

The dogs skidded to a halt inches from his legs. They flattened their ears, and tucked their tails, whimpering like puppies.

As the young man took one step forward, they backed up, whining in fear as if faced with a predator in the wild jungle. He crouched on the ground and patted the biggest one on the head. “Good boy. Easy now.”

The dogs barked obediently, wagging their tails, and licking his fingers. Lydia and Cathy stared at the scene in stunned silence, their mouths hanging open.

Those Dobermans had ripped an intruder thief to shreds just last month. Now they were rolling over for this stranger like he was their new master. For Jack, this wasn't an enormous feat. As a hobby, he had trained man-eater blood hounds thrice their size.

Hearing the commotion, Juliet burst through the garden doors. Her hair was still damp from the shower, and she wore a pink designer silk robe. Jack let out a low whistle on seeing her in this desirable avatar.

"What is going on? I heard barking—" Juliet began. She stopped dead at the sight of the Dobermans happily licking Jack’s hands.

The young man stood up, brushing dirt from his palms. "Your family set your dogs on me. But they're too tiny to scare me.”

Juliet’s eyes flicked between the two of them. “Mom? Cathy? What happened here?"

Lydia crossed her arms grumpily and spoke up. "This homeless man just strolled into our private garden without an invitation. We thought he was an intruder.”

Juliet pinched the bridge of her nose. “Everyone calm down. This is Jack Hardy. My fiancé. We’re signing the marriage agreement tonight to satisfy Grandpa’s conditions.”

Her mother stood so abruptly, her lounge seat toppled over. "Are you out of your mind, Juliet? You want to marry a commoner bum? Look at him, dressed like a wage laborer. We wouldn't even hire him as a gardener!"

Cathy folded her arms, sneering at Jack. "Yeah, sis. I used to think you had great taste. Why would you choose such a pathetic man? Do you want to sink the Forbes family?"