Chapter 2

Cole invested most of the Jackman Group’s funds into newly developed real‑estate projects. If I withdrew my investment, the company’s financial chain would snap, and bankruptcy would be inevitable.

Harry had asked me to invest the same way eight years ago. He hoped I could save the legacy built by three generations of the Jackman family.

I knelt in the family hall for three days, broke ties with my own family, and married Cole. I ignored my brother Emilio Darcy’s warnings and poured my entire dowry into the Jackman Group. Even my last remaining relative grew disappointed in me for it.

And what did I receive in return?

I stood up with Oliver in my arms and said calmly, “Cole saved me from drowning ten years ago. I repaid that debt. Now that Oliver is gone, I have no reason to stay in the Jackman family.”

Harry bent over, looking as though he had aged ten years in an instant. “I’ll call Cole right now. You can deal with him however you want. Just… give him a chance to make up for this.”

It took Harry dozens of calls before Cole finally answered.

Cole’s cold voice came through the speaker. “Grandpa, I already married Nicola like you wanted. What more do you want from me.”

Harry shouted, “You said you loved her! Why did you hurt her and Oliver?”

Cole replied with irritation, “Nicola hired someone to run me over and then pretended to save me. She tricked me into loving her, so she deserves karma. I only made Oliver pray and fast for a few days. Is that worth getting angry about? Ashley hasn’t been eating well, so I need to take care of her. Tell Nicola to stop causing trouble.”

Starve for a few days? Even a healthy adult would be in trouble if they starved for seven days, let alone Oliver, who had a heart condition and whose legs were worn down to the bone.

Harry coughed violently, blood staining his lips, before collapsing. “The Jackman family is doomed…”

He was rushed to the hospital, and I took Oliver home. I needed to change his clothes before sending him off.

The housekeepers in the yard looked at Oliver in my arms with horror.

"He's covered in blood. He’s so thin… it’s frightening.”

"Thankfully, Ms. White is pregnant with Mr. Jackman's child."

“We must take good care of Ms. White now. She’s the real mistress of this house.”

Entering the living room, Ashley was startled by the sight of us. She raised an eyebrow at Oliver before throwing herself into Cole's arms. "Nicola just can't stand me and wants to scare me to death! I'm haunted by Oliver's malevolent aura, having nightmares day and night. Why doesn't Nicola feel any remorse?"

Cole frowned, carefully holding her in his arms. He sneered and kicked me away violently. "Ashley has a poor appetite, so I'm taking her out for French food. You've corrupted our son. He would even fake his death!"

I fell to the ground, Oliver's lifeless body slamming onto the floor from my arms.

I quickly pulled him into my arms. "Don't be afraid. Oliver, don't be afraid."

Cole kicked him lightly with irritation. “Enough pretending. Get up. Ms. White still isn’t feeling well. Were you unwilling to kneel? Or did you sneak food?”

When Oliver did not move, Cole grabbed my chin harshly. “He’s just like you, always lying. You two are such good actors. I should send you both to a film studio. If you can’t discipline him, I’ll find him a new mother. Ashley will take that role from now on. When I get home, I expect him to serve her respectfully.”