Chapter 8: The Best Supplier in New York

"Bad news, boss!"

Amy rushed into Serenity's office, waving a tablet frantically. "The supplier from South Africa just cancelled our diamond shipment! They said they ran out of stock."

"What?" Serenity frowned, putting down her pencil. "We signed a contract! Without those rough diamonds, I can't finish the Spring Collection."

"I tried calling other suppliers," Amy looked like she was about to cry. "But... it's weird. All the major jewelry raw material suppliers in New York suddenly refuse to work with us. It's like someone ordered a blacklist."

Serenity’s heart sank. She didn't need to guess.

In New York, there was only one man with the power to control the entire market overnight.

"Jackson Sterling," she whispered the name with hatred.

Just then, her office phone rang.

"Miss Vera," the receptionist said nervously. "Mr. Sterling is here again. He says... he is here to deliver raw materials."

Serenity clenched her fists. "Let him in."

A minute later, Jackson walked in. But this time, he looked different.

He wasn't angry. He wasn't aggressive. He was wearing a fresh dark blue suit, his hair perfectly styled, holding a bouquet of white lilies in one hand and a shiny briefcase in the other.

He looked... charming. Dangerously charming.

"Get out," Serenity said coldly, not looking at the flowers. "And take your monopoly tactics with you. Are you trying to bankrupt me?"

"On the contrary," Jackson smiled, placing the flowers on her desk. He ignored her hostility and sat down on the sofa opposite her.

He opened the briefcase. It was filled with dazzling, high-grade rough diamonds.

"I bought the mines in South Africa this morning," Jackson said casually, as if he just bought a cup of coffee. "I heard you needed materials. These are the best quality in the market. And I'm willing to give them to you for 30% below the market price."

Serenity was stunned.

She looked at the diamonds. They were perfect. With these, her new collection would crush the competitors.

But... 30% discount? Was he crazy?

"What's the catch?" Serenity asked guardedly. "You never do charity."

Jackson leaned forward, his dark eyes locking onto hers. The playfulness vanished, replaced by a deep intensity.

"I know, Serenity."

The room went silent.

Serenity's breath hitched. She knew what he was talking about. Not the diamonds.

"The test results came back an hour ago," Jackson said softly. "Alex. Mia. They are mine."

Serenity jumped up, knocking over her chair. Panic exploded in her chest. "They are my children! I raised them! You have no right to take them away!"

"I'm not taking them away," Jackson raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Relax, Serenity."

"I talked to my lawyers," he lied smoothly. "I decided not to sue for custody."

"You... you won't?" Serenity blinked, confused. She expected a war. She didn't expect surrender.

"No. Because children need their mother," Jackson stood up and walked slowly towards her. He stopped a safe distance away.

"But they also need a father."

He pulled a contract from his jacket pocket and placed it next to the diamonds.

"This is a partnership agreement. The Sterling Group invests 50 million dollars in your studio. I become your exclusive supplier. In exchange... I get visitation rights. I want to see the kids. Not as a stranger, but as their father."

Serenity stared at the contract.

This was a trap. A beautiful, golden trap.

If she signed, her business would soar. She would have endless resources. But she would also let the devil back into her life.

If she refused, he would continue to block her suppliers. Her studio would fail, and she couldn't support the kids comfortably.

"You are despicable," Serenity hissed. "Using business to blackmail me?"

"I am a businessman, Serenity. I use whatever leverage I have," Jackson said, his voice dropping to a seductive whisper.

"Sign it. For the sake of your company. And for the sake of... giving Alex and Mia a complete family."

Serenity bit her lip until it almost bled. She looked at the door to the playroom where the kids were hiding.

Alex needed better education resources. Mia kept asking about her daddy. And her studio needed these diamonds.

She took a deep breath.

"Fine," she grabbed a pen. "I will sign. But listen to me, Jackson. You can see them, but if you make them cry, I will kill you."

"Deal," Jackson smirked.

Serenity angrily signed her name: Vera (Serenity Lewis).

As soon as she finished, Jackson took the contract. He looked satisfied.

"Oh, by the way," Jackson turned to the playroom door. "You two can come out now. I know you are eavesdropping."

The door creaked open. Alex and Mia walked out. Mia looked curious, Alex looked wary.

Jackson walked over to them. He knelt down on one knee—a posture of submission he had never shown to anyone.

He pulled two small boxes from his pocket.

"For Mia," he opened the first box. It was a limited edition diamond tiara, small enough for a child.

"Wow! Shiny!" Mia’s eyes widened. She couldn't resist shiny things.

"And for you, Alex," Jackson opened the second box.

It wasn't jewelry. It was a black key card.

"This is the Master Key to the Sterling Group's Supercomputer Lab," Jackson looked at his son with respect. "Since you like hacking, why play with toys? I'll let you play with the real beast."

Alex's eyes lit up instantly. He tried to hide it, but the temptation was too strong. The most powerful computer in New York...

Serenity watched from the side, speechless.

This man... he is buying them!

He wasn't just using money on her. He was bribing the children with exactly what they wanted.

Jackson looked up at Serenity, a winning smile on his face.

Game on, ex-wife.

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