Jack Hardy The Legacy Returns

011 The Eligible Bachelor

Juliet paced her bedroom in a loose silk robe, waiting for the call to be received. Click!

"Morning, darling," Jack's lazy voice came through as he had just woken up. "Are you missing your husband already? Did the bed feel empty without me?"

Juliet's cheeks burned at his words. "Stop talking nonsense. I just woke up and saw something on social media. Explain yourself."

She forwarded Selena Hart's selfie to him. "Is that you riding the bike? How do you know Selena Hart?"

Jack paused for a moment and chuckled. That little minx somehow managed to sneak a selfie. Was she really that popular that even Juliet knew her? Anyway, admitting that he met a celebrity would raise a lot of questions.

"What if it is me? Are you jealous?"

"I am not your wife yet, and definitely not jealous! Just answer the question."

"Relax," he replied, still sounding amused. "That guy could be anybody. My T-shirts cost five bucks a piece at the mall. Probably half the city's men own one."

Juliet stopped in front of her mirror, glaring at her own reflection. She may have overthought this one. There was no way a common war veteran like Jack would know Selena Hart.

"Fine. I just called to tell you that since you quit without signing the marriage agreement, I'm not giving you a single penny. Consider last night's allowance canceled."

"When did I quit?" Jack retorted.

"Huh? Then why did you leave?"

"Ah. I was just hungry, and then I got lost and fell asleep at the beach. I'll be back as soon as I can find my pants. Scout's honor."

Juliet rubbed her temple in annoyance. What sort of homeless bum had she gotten herself involved with? The man fought assassins like they were mosquitoes, fixed a billion-dollar crisis with a snap of his fingers, and now he was sleeping on beaches?

"Why are you even helping me?" she asked. "With your fighting skills, you could get hired as a mercenary anywhere and make a lot more money. The marriage agreement removes you from Forbes's inheritance. So what's your purpose?"

Jack laughed aloud. "I don't care about money. What I need is just one thing. A wife. You agreed to fulfill my wish, didn't you?"

Juliet's heart gave a single hard throb. She pressed a hand to her chest, annoyed at how his words landed. "Fine. I'll give you another chance to prove yourself worthy. But from now on, you can't leave without my permission, and you have to stay within my eyesight at all times."

"Does that apply to the shower too?" Jack asked innocently.

"Stop talking nonsense!" Juliet snapped, her cheeks flaming again. "From today, you will be my driver and errand boy. Get ready and come to the mansion garage as soon as you can. And wear something decent for once."

Half an hour later, Juliet descended the grand staircase in a dark corporate suit and a pencil skirt.

Jack was already waiting by the garage, leaning against the Bentley in a simple black coat thrown over his T-shirt and dark jeans. The coat made him look anything but professional.

"I have never seen a hotter CEO," he said with a smack, opening the rear door with a flourish.

Juliet frowned at him but slid into the back seat without comment. "We're going to the Forbes Consortium headquarters."

Angel Skincare was only one subsidiary under the vast Forbes Consortium umbrella—her grandfather's empire that spanned real estate, tech, and luxury goods.

Today, Juliet had to submit her annual report in person. At the towering glass building of the Consortium, Juliet stepped out first. She turned to Jack and glared at him.

"Inside, you are merely my driver and security guard. Nothing more. You must behave. Understood?"

Jack gave a mock salute. "Yes, ma'am."

They were about to enter the revolving doors when commotion erupted at the main entrance. Reporters swarmed in like bees, their cameras flashing.

Security tried to hold them back but failed. They were crowding around a sleek black Rolls-Royce Phantom that had just pulled up. The door opened, and a handsome man in a tailored navy suit stepped out.

David Cross was the most eligible bachelor in the city. He was back after a year overseas, closing a massive international merger that had made headlines worldwide. Women across the city had been waiting for this moment. He was twenty-nine, sharp-jawed, with piercing blue eyes and a charming smile.

David's gaze locked on Juliet instantly, and he strode forward almost heroically, ignoring the reporters. As he reached the Forbes heiress, the reporters thrust their microphones towards him.

"Juliet Forbes," he said confidently. "I am here today to propose marriage to you. Marry me, and together we will unite the Forbes and Cross empires."