Chapter 135

“So what if that’s so? As long as I wish it, I can make her the equal of any notable lady in the city!” Jason retorted.

“Don’t forget how your father died!” Mr. Reed spat, his teeth clenched.

Jason’s gaze darkened. “I haven’t forgotten. Even if I want to be with her, it doesn’t mean I’ll give my life for her. I’m not my father. I won’t die or live for a woman, let alone be controlled by one!”

“I’m always the one in control!” Mr. Reed huffed coldly. “You came to see me today just to say that?”

“No,” Jason replied. “I want you to stay away from her!”

Mr. Reed narrowed his eyes, maintaining a straight face as he angrily asked, “What do you mean by that? Are you threatening your grandfather? Is this woman more important than I am?”

“Grandpa, I’m just telling you. It’s not a threat,” Jason said with a light chuckle. “Stay away from her. Regardless of our relationship, you are to stay away from her. I don’t know how I’d react if you laid a finger on her. Why don’t you try?”

Mr. Reed’s expression shifted subtly; a tremor of fear ran through him.

“This is the heir I’ve cultivated. He’s turned out as I expected, perhaps even beyond, but he’s also… increasingly uncontrollable!”

“What do you like about Grace?” he couldn’t help asking. “There are so many eligible young ladies in Emerald City. Many are beautiful and intelligent, from respectable families, some even multi-talented, yet you only have eyes for a woman who’s been to prison.”

“Maybe because she’s a little stupid,” Jason muttered.

“Stupid enough to bring me back to the rental apartment. Stupid enough to speak honestly to a stranger. Stupid enough for me to love her dearly.”

“This woman was imprisoned for three years, yet she hasn’t become any smarter. But she said my eyes were pretty and clean. She didn’t look at them with the Old Master’s disgust, nor was she infatuated like other women. She had an appreciation, a protectiveness. She said she wanted to protect the cleanliness in my eyes. But does she know that no one has ever used ‘clean’ to describe me? I’m an executioner in the eyes of many, achieving my goals by any means. How can someone like me be clean?!”

“All right, Grandpa. I won’t disturb your rest.” Jason smiled, rising to leave.

Mr. Reed stared at the closing door, a complex expression on his face, lost in thought.

When Jason returned to the patient ward, Grace was asleep. He walked to her bedside, avoiding the light switch. He used the moonlight to study her sleeping face. Obvious tear stains marred her cheeks. He raised a hand and gently stroked her cheek. “Did she cry when I left? How many tears did she shed? She’s not one to cry easily. She’s so calm with me, resigned to hardship, and yet she cries when her back is turned. What did she cry over? The lie? That I’m Jason? Or perhaps…”

“Grace…” Jason mumbled. “Since you’ve made me fall for you, then you should stay by my side, right?”