2025-04-11 18:16:34Jackson extended his hand politely to greet Claire, but she didn’t even bother to look at him.
Instead, she simply turned back to her drink, taking a slow sip as if he didn’t exist.
Jackson’s hand hung in the air for a few seconds before he withdrew it. His chest tightened, but he masked his feelings well. This wasn’t the first time someone treated him like he was invisible.
Nancy wasn’t surprised. She knew Claire well—if she was interested in a guy, she would talk to him; otherwise, she ignored them completely.
Jackson didn’t say a word. He simply found a spot with James, Andrew, and the other guys in their circle, settling into the lounge.
The music pulsed in the background. The dim lighting of the club cast long shadows, flickering across the luxurious decor. Everything about this place screamed wealth, status, and privilege—everything Jackson didn’t have.
But he didn’t care. Not really.
Then, Jonah’s voice cut through the music.
“So, Jackson… What did you get Nancy for her birthday?”
The question hung in the air.
James and Andrew exchanged glances—they already knew where this was going.
Jonah was at it again.
Jackson ignored him.
But Jonah wasn’t the type to let things go. He leaned forward, his sharp gaze settling on the black nylon bag Jackson had placed on the table beside him. His smirk widened.
“Is that it? In the nylon bag?”
The mockery in his tone was obvious.
James finally had enough.
“Dude, what the hell is your problem? Why are you always picking on Jackson?”
Jonah just laughed, completely unfazed.
He thrived on this. On humiliating others. On making himself look superior.
Instead of answering, he reached under the table and pulled out a carefully wrapped designer bag, Chanel Black—a statement of wealth and taste. He held it up for everyone to see.
“Here’s my gift for Nancy,” he said smugly.
Gasps rippled through the girls at the table.
Claire and her dormitory friends instantly perked up, eyes gleaming with admiration.
One of the girls leaned in, whispering excitedly, “That’s Chanel’s newest collection!”
Another added, “The market price for that bag is at least $15,000!”
Claire, who had previously given Jonah little attention, now looked at him with interest.
Jonah smirked at her reaction and played it off with false humility.
“Actually, I got it for $14,500 thanks to my dad’s connections,” he said, shrugging. “These things are nearly impossible to get otherwise.”
The admiration in Claire’s eyes deepened.
Even though she knew Jonah had a reputation as a playboy, she found herself impressed. He wasn’t just wealthy—he was generous and bold.
Jonah turned to her with a knowing smile. “What do you think?”
Claire exhaled, slightly envious. “I’ve always wanted one, but the price is above my budget.”
Jonah’s grin widened.
“Tell you what,” he said smoothly, leaning in. “I’ll buy one for you on your birthday.”
Claire blinked, genuinely taken aback.
Her friends squealed with excitement.
“Wow, Claire, you’re so lucky!” One of them gushed.
“You’d be a fool to turn him down,” another whispered.
Claire hesitated. She had never really considered Jonah seriously, but this was… interesting.
She smiled—just a little.
Jonah basked in the attention.
Nancy, meanwhile, sat quietly. She hated Jonah, but she accepted the gift without a word.
Jonah wasn’t done, though. His gaze slid back to Jackson.
“So, Jackson,” he drawled, tilting his head. “Aren’t you going to show us what you got Nancy?”
James clenched his fists. “Enough, man.”
Nancy, tired of Jonah’s antics, turned to Jackson and smiled warmly.
“I’ll be happy with whatever he got me,” she said firmly.
But her eyes held a trace of doubt.
She had expected something small but thoughtful—maybe a book, a watch, or even a favorite snack. Not… whatever was inside that nylon bag.
Jackson regretted not waiting for the luxury packaging. He had prioritized getting to the party on time over presentation.
Now, that decision was costing him.
Taking a deep breath, Jackson reached into the black nylon and pulled out the bag.
The moment it was visible, Claire’s expression shifted.
She froze.
Jonah, however, burst into mocking laughter.
“Wait—” he gasped between laughs. “Did you just buy a Birkin bag?!”
His voice dripped with sarcasm.
The girls around Claire burst into giggles.
Claire herself looked at Jackson like he had just embarrassed himself beyond repair.
She couldn’t believe it.
“A Birkin?” she said, her tone sharp. “You’re joking, right?”
Jackson furrowed his brows.
“What’s funny?” he asked, confused.
Claire scoffed.
“You really don’t know, do you?” she said. “Birkin bags are one of the rarest luxury items in the world. Only 999 are made each year. They sell for $75,000—and even then, only people with the right connections can get them.”
She eyed the bag suspiciously.
“There are too many fakes in circulation,” she continued. “No one in this room could possibly get a real Birkin.”
Jonah grinned, feeding off the moment.
“Damn, Jackson,” he said. “Which market did you get this from? Downtown? Some back-alley seller?”
The girls laughed harder.
Claire shook her head.
“If you can’t afford something, just don’t buy it.” Her voice was cold. “Carrying a fake Birkin is more embarrassing than not having one at all.”
Jackson finally understood.
They thought it was fake.
And the way they were treating him…
It wasn’t just about the bag.
It was about him.
Jackson wanted to explain—wanted to tell them that this was the real deal. That Mr. Copper had arranged for it. That his late father’s connections had made it possible.
But he knew the truth.
No one here would believe him.
And explaining himself would just make him look even more pathetic.
Nancy, though disappointed, still smiled gently.
“Jackson, you didn’t have to spend that much,” she said kindly. “Even a hundred dollars is too much for you.”
Jackson felt a sharp sting.
She wasn’t mocking him, but her words still cut deep.
A hundred dollars.
That’s what she thought it was worth.
Claire, however, was done with him.
She turned to Nancy.
“Why are you even friends with him?” She asked, disgust in her voice. “He’s so… unreliable.”
Nancy felt torn. She hated that Claire was putting Jackson on the spot, but she also didn’t want to lose face in front of her friends.
She sighed and changed the subject.
“Let’s toast,” she said, raising her glass.
The others followed suit, but the tension in the air remained.
Jonah and his friends sneered at Jackson.
Claire barely looked at him.
The other ladies were disgusted.
And Jackson?
He had seen enough.
He stood up.
“Nancy,” he said quietly.
She turned to him, sensing something was wrong.
“Happy birthday,” he said. “I have something to take care of. I’ll see you later.”
Nancy blinked.
“Jackson—wait.”
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
Chapter 526: Mother And Daughter!
Elara stood in the doorway, her posture uncertain, her hands clasped in front of her. She looked older than the last time Jackson had seen her. As a matter of fact, she was looking more worn, and more fragile. Her eyes swept the room, taking in Ruth, Jackson, Jacqueline, the others.And then her gaze landed on Celestine.The room stilled.The air, which had been warm with reunion, turned cold. The chatter died. Even Miles, hanging Eleanor's portrait, paused and looked up.Celestine stood by the window, her back half-turned, as if she had been trying to disappear into the light. But now she was frozen, caught in her mother's gaze.Elara took a step forward. "Celestine."The name hung in the air like a challenge, a plea, a prayer.Elara took a step forward. "Celestine."The name hung in the air like a challenge, a plea, a prayer.Celestine didn't move. Her hands were at her sides, clenched into fists. Her breathing was shallow, controlled.The room watched, breath held. Jackson exchange
Chapter 525: Back At Sky Tower!
Helen sat beside Bella's bed long after the tea had gone cold, watching her daughter shiver beneath the mound of blankets. The fever had climbed again to104, then 105. She had given her medicine, cooled her with damp cloths, wrapped her in every blanket in the house. Nothing helped.She picked up her phone for the tenth time that hour, her thumb hovering over Jackson's name. She had called him twice already. Twice to voicemail.But Bella needed him. Needed the boy who had looked at her daughter like she was the only light in the darkness. Needed the man who had promised, over and over, to protect her.Helen pressed the call button.It rang once, twice and then three times.But at the end of it all, it still went to voicemail.She waited for the beep, her voice tight with fear and frustration."Jackson, it's Helen. Bella's mother. Bella is sick. Something is wrong. She's been burning up for two days, and nothing I do helps. She calls for you in her sleep. Please—please call back. She n
Chapter 524: Bella's Fever!
The black SUVs arrived at the cottage fifteen minutes after the convoy disappeared down the winding mountain road. They came in force, six vehicles, twelve men, all in tactical gear, their weapons drawn and ready.The lead operative named Cross who had been with Don Lewis for years, gave the signal. His team fanned out around the perimeter, moving with practiced efficiency. Breach. Clear. Secure.The front door was unlocked.Cross pushed it open, his weapon raised, his eyes scanning the empty room. The cottage was silent and still. A fire had burned down to ash in the hearth. The kitchen counter still held a plate of half-eaten cinnamon rolls.But no people. No Harts. No one."Clear," one of his men called from the bedroom."Clear," another echoed from the kitchen.Cross lowered his weapon, his jaw tightening. He moved through the cottage slowly, taking in the bare walls, the empty bookshelves, the places where frames had hung for decades, leaving only ghost outlines in the dust."The
Chapter 523: We'll Build You A New Home!
Whitaker's fingers flew across his phone screen, his heart pounding as he typed the message that would change everything.Chen is Lewis's mole. She knows about the cottage. Evacuate everyone. Now.He hit send and watched the message disappear into the ether, praying Copper would check his phone in time.***At the cottage, Copper's phone buzzed on the kitchen table.He was in the middle of a conversation with James about the next steps when the vibration cut through his thoughts. He glanced at the screen, and the color drained from his face."Everyone, listen to me!" Copper's voice cut through the easy morning chatter like a blade. The room fell silent, all eyes turning to him. "We have to leave. Now."Andrew set down his coffee cup. "What's going on?"Copper held up his phone, his hand steady despite the urgency in his voice. "Whitaker found the mole. It's Deputy Director Chen. She's been feeding information to Don Lewis. He knows where we are."The silence that followed was absolute
Chapter 522: A Mole Within The CIA!
The drive to CIA headquarters was long, giving Whitaker too much time to think. About Samantha's recovery. About the Harts' bond. About the looming threat of Don Lewis and the Phoenix. About Copper's warning that Peniel's betrayal might not be isolated.He parked in his designated spot and made his way through security, nodding to familiar faces. But something felt off. The glances from passing agents were too quick, too careful. The whispers stopped when he approached.By the time he reached his office, he knew something was wrong."Director Whitaker."The voice came from behind him. He turned to find Deputy Director Margaret Chen standing in his doorway, her expression cold and professional. She was a sharp woman, early fifties, with the kind of eyes that missed nothing and the kind of smile that never reached them."Deputy Director Chen." Whitaker kept his voice neutral. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"Chen stepped into his office, closing the door behind her. "We need to talk ab
Chapter 521: That Won't Change, Miles!
The evening unfolded like a gentle dream.After the cinnamon rolls were devoured and the kitchen cleaned, everyone drifted into the main room of the cottage. Andrew found an old guitar in the corner and, after some prodding, played a few chords—badly, according to Hailey, who then took it from him and played beautifully. "Where did you learn to play like that?" Andrew asked, genuine awe in his voice.Hailey shrugged, a modest smile playing on her lips. "Music lessons as a kid. Self-taught, mostly."Andrew shook his head slowly, then a mischievous grin spread across his face. "You know, I have to give you your flowers."Hailey raised an eyebrow, still playing. "My flowers?""Yeah." Andrew leaned back, crossing his arms with exaggerated smugness. "Here I was, heroically attempting to entertain everyone with my terrible guitar skills, and you just casually sit there and show me up like it's nothing."Hailey laughed, the sound bright and genuine, mingling with the last notes of her song.
You may also like
Son-in-Law: A Commoner's Path to Revenge
Naughty Snail123.0K viewsUnexpected Trillionaire.
Max Luthor91.9K viewsSon-in-law: The Billionaire's Reign
Deliaha Shine108.6K viewsThe Ultimate Commander Cassian
AFM31158.3K viewsRISE OF THE FALLEN HEIR
Angela Dunlap624 viewsThe Rejected Live-in Husband Returns
The Phenomenal 862 viewsThe Invisible Tycoon
Papilora431 viewsThe Forgotten Hilton
Freezy-Grip470 views