LM
CHAPTERS 799 - 808
799
"You haven't seen it but you already like it?" Edwin raised his eyebrows and asked faintly.
He arranged all of these for her. His purpose was to make his daughter happy, so that she could live in a foreign country as freely as she lived in her home.
But his daughter didn't even look at the room yet and already said that she liked it... This made him doubt whether his daughter really liked his arrangements or not.
Janell Joy hugged his father and said sweetly, "Dad, as long as you're the one who prepared it for me, I will definitely like it."
Her father had never let her down since she was a child. He knew her own preferences better than she did. This was her father... he was cold in the eyes of outsiders, but he was always gentle and considerate towards her.
"Okay, if you don't like it, I could get someone to change it." Edwin gently rubbed his daughter's head and looked at her with a loving gaze.
"Dad, I love you!" Janell Joy grew up in New York and had grown up to be expressive. She was comfortable to express her love for her family.
"Okay." Edwin replied indifferently. He put on a poker face on the outside, but his heart was melting on the inside.
"That's all you have to say?" Looking at Edwin's cold response, Jane Ronan teased him. Edwin was speechless.
"Mom, it doesn't matter if Dad doesn't say that he loves me. I know that he does and that's enough." Janell Joy quickly spoke for her father.
"Okay, it's good that you know then." Jane replied as she walked to the kitchen. She was cooking some meat dishes, and she was almost done.
Smelling the aroma coming from the kitchen, Janell Joy was so hungry that she almost drooled. She touched her flat stomach and said, "Mom, I'm hungry. Can we eat yet?"
Jane looked up at the clock on the wall and said, "Let's wait a little longer. Your brother should be arriving soon. Let's wait for him to eat together."
As she heard that Andrew Carter was also coming, Janell Joy's face turned dark, and she muttered, "He's coming too?"
"Janell, he's your brother, and he's also Julien's brother. You two should love him as much as you love us," Jane said.
"I don't want to love him." She thought that everything Andrew does was to oppose her, which made her hate him.
"Little Precious, can you call your brother and ask him where he is?" As soon as Jane spoke, the doorbell rang.
Julien immediately ran to the door and saw Andrew through the surveillance camera. He immediately opened the door and said, "Brother, everyone is waiting for you."
Julien was cold to others, but he was very respectful to his elder brother. At such a young age, he knew who treated him well and would treat them well too.
"Hello, I haven't seen you for a long time, Julien." Andrew touched Julien's head playfully, who was only as tall as his waist.
He then greeted his parents as soon as he entered the house, "Dad, Mom..." After a while, he looked at Janell Joy and said, "Janell."
"Brother..." Janell Joy was very unwilling to call Andrew "Brother" but she did not want to make things difficult for her parents, so she decided to just put on a show.
"You're right on time. Let's eat." Jane was almost done with preparing lunch.
During these years, whenever the family got together, Jane always liked to cook by herself. She wanted her husband and children to eat the food she cooked, as this could strengthen family bond.
"Mom, let me help you." Since she did not want to see Andrew, Janell Joy hid in the kitchen to prepare food with her mother.
"Janell, just wait outside. I don't need your help." Jane didn't want her daughter smelling like oil and smoke.
"Mom, I'm a grown-up now. I should learn how to cook." After learning, she would be able to cook for Brother Lucas in the future. Thinking about it made her happy.
"Mom, is there anything I can help you with?" Andrew also entered the kitchen, but his eyes were fixed on Janell Joy.
She had spent the entire night alone with Nathaniel last night. Did anything happen between them?
Andrew really wanted to know, but he could not ask Janell Joy directly. He could only try to find some clues from her.
"Andrew, go spend some time with your father. Food will be ready soon." Jane was busy cooking the last dish and she spoke without looking back.
"Oh, okay." Andrew replied, but he did not want to leave the kitchen. His eyes were still fixed on Janell Joy.
Today, she was wearing her favorite pairing, which was a white T-shirt and denim jeans. Her hair was tied into a casual ponytail.
Although she dressed simple, but she looked extremely fresh and clean. Perhaps it was the taste of youth and vigor that was unique to her at her age.
"Mom told you to go out. Didn't you hear that?" He was staring at her again. What was he looking at? Was there something to look at?
For some unknown reason, Janell Joy did not like the way Andrew looked at her. Janell Joy thought that he looked at her like how a predator would look at its prey. It was as if he could attack her anytime.
"Okay." Andrew took back his gaze, quietly hiding the unwillingness in his eyes. His eyes moved away from her, but his mind was still on her. It seemed that a movie was playing in his mind, and everything in his mind was about her.
He knew that she was his sister and he should not have had any special feelings for her, but he just couldn't control his heart.
He did not just want to be her brother anymore. He wanted more as he watched her grow up and she became a tall and beautiful young lady.
But he also knew that this girl, who was pampered and loved by the entire family, would never belong to him. She could never be his. Never.
But they were still young. No one knew what would happen in the future, and no one knew if their future were absolute. He had always believed that it was possible as long as he worked hard!
"Andrew..." Edwin called for him. Andrew was immersed in his own thoughts and did not hear that he was being summoned.
"Andrew, come along with me to meet someone tonight." Edwin spoke quite sternly.
Edwin saw how Andrew looked at Janell Joy earlier in the kitchen. It seemed that what he said the last time was not clear enough. He had to do something more, as he had to let him know that he was only Janell Joy's brother.
"Okay." Andrew came back to his senses and nodded. Their father's eyes were especially sharp. He didn't want his thoughts to be exposed in front of his father's eyes.
"Alright, don't just stand there, let's eat." Janell Joy and her mother served the dishes to the table.
Although the dishes looked simple, but Jane cooked them according to her family's preferences, and these were their favourite dishes. It had been a long time since the family ate a meal together, so everyone was in a joyful mood.
"Mom, have some more." The adorable little Julien placed some food to his mother's plate. He was a very sensible, little, precious boy
"Thank you, my Little Precious."
Because her son was exactly the same as Edwin, when she looked at the little one, she would always think of Edwin.
When Edwin was as young as he was, he probably acted like this too.
800
With a cute face, Julien Glover Carter said seriously, "Mom, I'm not..."
"Little Precious, Little Precious, Little Precious..." Julien had not yet finished his words but Janell Joy Carter continuously teased him with his nickname. Julien had no choice but to lower his head and eat obediently.
As the saying goes, women are hard to get along with. The two women in the family took advantage of his father's love for them and ran amok every day. No one could afford to offend them.
……
At the end of September, the temperature in Coast City was getting colder. It was especially cold at night.
With the whistling of the cold wind, it meant that winter was arriving. But the cold did not appear to affect some people, and they could continue with their daily routine like normal.
For instance, Edwin Carter was one of them. He had other matters to attend to tonight, so he left to the dinner meeting with his adopted son, Andrew Carter, and Luis George.
When he went out, he put on Jane Ronan's favourite outfit - a white dress shirt and a pair of black trousers. Although he dressed his usual style tonight, everyone else felt that he still looked different tonight.
He sat in the car without saying a word. He was a very cold person, but today, he seemed to be serious and a little anxious, which was unusual.
"Chairman Carter, we're here!" Luis announced promptly as he parked the car, and he had been working as his chauffeur for the past few days.
However, Edwin didn't hear anything. He was in a daze, and Luis thought that this was unusual too despite working for him for decades.
"Chairman Carter..." Luis tried to get his attention gently.
"Luis, am I overdoing it?" Edwin suddenly asked.
He listened to Jane's advices and understood that he should let his children handle their own personal affairs. It was none of the adults' businesses, but he still couldn't help but to intervene.
Janell Joy was his daughter, and the only daughter in his life. He could not watch his daughter fall in love with another man so hopelessly without doing anything.
"Chairman Carter, you're already here, aren't you?" Since their Chairman Carter had already made up his mind, Luis didn't dare to persuade him any further.
"Let's go." Edwin got off the car, and Andrew walked ahead of him.
"Dad, who are we going to meet?" Andrew had already guessed who they were going to meet, but he needed some assurance.
If their father was willing to meet that person, it would mean that he had compromised and supported Janell Joy's decision.
"You'll know when you see him." Edwin took the lead in walking towards the guild hall, with Andrew and Luis following closely behind him.
"Mr. President, Mr. Carter is here." Jason Lesley saw Edwin's group of three and reported immediately.
Having turned down all his other schedules tonight, Nathaniel Cooper, the President of the country, had already reached half an hour before scheduled time.
He had never been as nervous as he was now. Even when he was waiting for the election results, he was not this nervous that his palms were sweating. Because the person he was going to meet tonight was the girl's father whom he cared about.
"Uncle Edwin, nice to meet you!" Nathaniel took a deep breath and hurried to greet him.
In the past, Nathaniel had been with the Carter family for some time under another identity. In order to keep his true identity a secret, he had never spoken to Edwin during that period of time.
As such, he had never greeted Edwin before. Today, when Edwin invited him to meet up, he seriously thought about how to address him. He knew that he needed to respect the generation gap and address him like his senior.
This was because Nathaniel knew that Edwin's appointment with him today had something to do with his precious daughter.
Edwin looked at the young man in front of him. He thought that Nathaniel had a strong aura and a heroic vibe. He maintained appropriate eye contact and appeared confident. Edwin could see himself in this man.
"Hello." Edwin answered very minimally.
"Uncle Edwin, this way please." Nathaniel led Edwin into the private room that he had booked.
Edwin did not bother to act polite with him. He stepped forward and walked in front of Nathaniel. Andrew and Luis naturally followed closely behind him, leaving Nathaniel behind all of them.
"Have a seat." Edwin sat down first and pointed to the seat opposite him. His expression was calm as usual and no one could see through what he was thinking.
Nathaniel nodded and sat opposite Edwin. Andrew sat on Edwin's left, while Luis stood behind Edwin.
"Mr. President, you should know why Chairman Carter asked you to meet him, right?" As soon as he sat down, Luis spoke on Edwin's behalf.
"Yes, I know," Nathaniel answered calmly.
In the past, Janell Joy was still very young and did not remember what he looked like. However, the seniors of the Carter family did not forget about him. Furthermore, Edwin had always known about his true identity.
"Since you know, then I'll get straight to the point." Of course, it was Luis who spoke on behalf of the cold and aloof Edwin.
"Please, go ahead." Nathaniel said politely. Today, he wanted to meet Janell Joy's father sincerely, and not as the President of Country A.
"What kind of feelings do you have with our Miss Carter?" Luis directly asked the question that his master wanted to know.
"I like her, and I want to keep her by my side. That's what I feel." Since he liked her, he did not want to conceal it too. Nathaniel answered directly and didn't beat around the bush.
"You like her and want to keep her by your side, but you can't even tell her your true identity." The person who said this sentence was Edwin.
His tone was heavy, and his gaze was fiery. He stared at the man in front of him, and he wanted to read through his subtle expressions.
If Nathaniel had any concealment or other intentions, even if Janell Joy hated his guts, Edwin would bring her back to New York forcefully.
"I will tell her the truth at the right time." This matter was the greatest helplessness that Nathaniel had ever felt in his life.
Edwin asked Andrew to check up on Nathaniel before, and he knew that Nathaniel did this to protect Janell Joy. Today, he just wanted to see Nathaniel's attitude and behavior.
"Is a year's time enough?" Edwin asked in such a cold tone. He asked vaguely, but Nathaniel understood what he meant.
He originally thought that Edwin had come to stop Janell Joy from being with him, but now he took the initiative to give him a chance and time. It might not be easy to deal with everything within a year. But in order to be with Janell Joy as soon as possible, he would try his best to do it anyway.
"What's wrong? Is one year not enough?" Edwin continued to ask as Nathaniel did not answer him.
The expression in his eyes darkened under his golden framed glasses; he was obviously dissatisfied.
"Enough." He answered him very seriously, as if he was speaking to himself too.
Edwin frowned, "You don't have anything else to say?"
Nathaniel was also someone who wasn't very good with sweet talking. Rather than making false promises, it would be better to use his actions to show his sincerity.
Therefore, he shook his head immediately and said, "Uncle Edwin, I have nothing else to say."
Edwin was even more dissatisfied. He sneered and said, "Is there really nothing you want to say to me?"
Nathaniel understood Edwin's intention and knew that he was worried about his daughter. So even if he didn't want to say some pleasant words, he still said them anyway, "I will handle my affairs well, and I will never let her down in my whole life."
"Is that enough?" Edwin raised his eyebrows. The more he looked at the man, the more dissatisfied he was.
He came to find him in person, yet he still acted coldly. Was he trying to act as the President in front of him?
801
Nathaniel Cooper did not answer. Edwin Carter added, "My daughter has always been a treasure in our family ever since she was young and she was never once mistreated or hurt before. Besides not letting her down, you need to hold her in your arms and care for her like we always do."
This was the first time that Edwin spoke so much to an outsider, and it was not even related to work. Although he knew that he was being a little demanding to request that Nathaniel should treat Janell Joy like how their family did, Edwin would never hand his daughter over if he couldn't achieve this.
Nathaniel knew what Edwin wanted very well, but he couldn't say anything nice to him, so he only kept silent. He knew very well that in his life, besides being loyal to Janell Joy, he needed to provide her the care and freedom of a princess.
He had to be her strongest support, so that she would be as happy as she used to be when she was a child. Since Nathaniel said nothing, Edwin was getting more agitated with him. He was only here because he knew how much her daughter liked him.
"Mr. President, yes, you are the leader of the country. The Carter family may not be as powerful as you, but Miss Carter is a child that we love very much. If you're not completely devoted to her, or if you're up to something else, then Chairman Carter will definitely not have mercy on you. There was once a very clueless and bold kid, who wanted to win the favor of our Miss Carter, so that Shengtian would provide funding for them. But guess what was the result?" Luis spoke up on behalf of Edwin again.
Nathaniel was the President of a country, but he had just taken the position and had a lot of people who did not like him. He was now in a precarious situation, and any slight carelessness could lead to his downfall.
The Carter family did not have the power that Nathaniel had, but Edwin had been running Shengtian for decades. He owned a strong business empire, and no one could overtake his success.
Luis's words seemed to be very tactful and polite, but every word hit through Nathaniel's heart like a sharp knife.
"Mr. George, what do you mean by that?" If Luis could speak up for his master, the loyal Jason Lesley wanted to speak up for Nathaniel too, as he could not take how the other parties were belittling his master.
"What do I mean? I'm sure Mr. President understood my words very well," Luis said.
"Do you mean to say that Mr. President wanted the help of the Carter family? Bullshit!" As he saw how his master, the President of a country, was satirized by the Carter Family, Jason was extremely angry.
"Jason, back off!" Nathaniel yelled out loud.
"Mr. President, I..." Jason wanted to say something more, but when he saw the fierce look in Nathaniel's eyes, he had to back down.
After Jason left, Nathaniel looked at Edwin and saw that his expression remained cold. It was as if he was still waiting for his response.
"Mr. Carter, I, Nathaniel, have never thought of getting any help from a girl before. I can assure that Janell is the girl that I want to protect in my life. I have something to attend to unfortunately, so I'm sorry, I'll have to leave first." Nathaniel spoke sternly and confidently.
After that, he bowed to Edwin and turned around to leave. He admitted that Janell Joy had compromised a lot for him, but he would never let others think that he wanted to take advantage of her.
Over the years, he had paid attention to her every move and even sent people to be close to her and protect her. He just wanted to know about some of her updates and know that she was growing up healthily.
"Chairman Carter, he.." Luis had been by Edwin's side for many years. This was the first person who spoke so sternly with him and even walked away before he did.
"Let him go." Edwin waved his hand to stop Luis, and a faint smile appeared on his face. What he wanted to see was a young man with grit and courage, and the ability to protect his daughter.
"Yes." Luis closed his mouth.
"Andrew, what do you think of this Nathaniel? Is he worthy of our Janell?" Edwin suddenly changed the topic and looked at Andrew, who was sitting next to him and had not said a word since they sat.
Even though he was adopted, Andrew had been able to gain Edwin's trust for so many years. He never interrupted in Edwin's conversations because he was very cautious.
To tell the truth, when he heard Edwin say that he would give Nathaniel a year's time, Edwin's words were like a bucket of cold water splashing onto his heart.
Giving Nathaniel time to deal with matters meant that Edwin would give Nathaniel a chance to be together with Janell Joy. Now that Nathaniel had an opportunity, what about Andrew? Will he never get a chance?
"Dad, to be honest, I don't know much about Nathaniel. I don't know if he is worthy of Janell either. But I believe in your judgement, Dad. If he's worthy of you, then I think he's not too bad too." Andrew spoke so carefully that he pushed the authority and decision back to his father.
"Perhaps your mother was right. As my children, you should handle your own affairs." Edwin paused for a moment before continuing, "You're Janell's older brother. In the future, you have to help her take note of Nathaniel. You can't watch Janell suffer any injustice."
"Dad, I will." Andrew nodded. He was always willing to help Janell Joy.
During these years, he had loved her as an older brother. Now that she grew up, he still had to help her watch over her potential partner. This was the first time that he hated his status as an adopted son of the Carter family very much.
However, if he was not an adopted son of the Carter family, would he have the rights to pursue her like other men?
As the night went on, the wind seemed to blow stronger, and the temperature turned colder. Outside the restaurant, Edwin didn't expect to see his daughter's slender figure.
She was only wearing a thin T-shirt and denim jeans. She stood still in the cold wind and looked at him with an extremely down look.
"Why are you here?" Edwin instinctively wanted to take off his jacket and put it on for his daughter. However, he realized that he was not wearing a jacket.
Janell Joy did not answer him, but she just looked at him quietly.
"Luis, turn on the heater." After giving instructions to Luis, Edwin wanted to bring Janell Joy into the car, but Janell Joy avoided his hand.
Her face and nose were red and she sniffled, "Dad, do you still remember what you said to me?"
"Of course. Let's get in the car first."
Edwin already knew why she was here. Before he left the house, he deliberately avoided her. How did she still manage to come here?
"Dad, I can't remember clearly what happened when I was a child, but I always remember that Brother Lucas saved me when I was carried away by bad people."
As she said this, Janell Joy suddenly burst into tears. She wiped her tears and continued, "I remember that Brother Lucas once said that he would protect me for the rest of my life. Perhaps in the eyes of you adults, these were all lies casually made between children. But these words were embedded in my heart since such a young age."
If Brother Lucas had ulterior motives for treating her well and wanted to use the power of the Carter family, then why didn't he look for her before his big election?
He had encountered so many obstacles in the process of being elected as the President, and he had even experienced an assassination attempt from the opposing party before, but he never once tried to find her.
Even when she found him, he only met up with her quietly. He didn't want to use his real identity to reconcile with her. She thought that he only did this to protect her identity, and he didn't want her to help him with her family's status.
This was her Brother Lucas, who silently protected her and almost lost his life for her. Why was her dear father doubting him?
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"Janell, come into the car with me first." Upon seeing his daughter cry, Edwin Carter's heart felt as though someone was stabbing it mercilessly. He felt that he was suffocating.
"Dad, I know that you did this because you love me, you don't want to see me hurt. But I am already 18 years old, and I am an adult. I know what I am doing."
Janell Joy bit her lip and added,"Brother Lucas is the person I chose. I trust him, so please trust me, okay?"
Janell Joy spoke very gently, as if she was begging her father, and yet you could hear a hint of pain and desperation in her voice.
Brother Lucas was the person she chose to like and trust. She also hoped that her family could trust him like she did.
Just now, she eavesdropped on their conversation and heard Brother Lucas addressed her father as Mr. Carter instead of a casual Uncle Edwin, like he did when he first greeted him.
She also saw the desolate expression on Brother Lucas's face after being satirized when he walked out. Of course, since he became the leader of a country, he had heard a lot of criticisms about him.
However, this time, it was different. Because the person who had said those words to him was not just an average Joe, it was her own father, and he cared about him a lot.
Brother Lucas must have felt very sad at that time. She watched him walk away sadly, and she really wanted to rush to him and hug him. She wanted to console him, but she couldn't.
He still didn't know that she already learnt his identity. She had to pretend that she didn't know yet, so that he could handle his affairs well.
"Janell, I don't want you to be hurt. I'm not forbidding you to be with him." Edwin explained.
"Dad, both you and Mom have told me that life would never go as smoothly as we wished, and everyone will experience different types of twists and turns in life. I know that in my path, I may encounter setbacks, but please let me face them anyway, and maybe you could see how much I'll grow."
Choosing this life was her own choice. Perhaps the result would not turn out as she wished, but she would definitely not regret it anyway.
Janell Joy understood her father's worries, but if she didn't try, she would hide under her parents' wings for her whole life. She would be protected by them, and be a child who couldn't stand up to any hardships. Would they really like to see that?
She believed that her father did not want her to be such a weak and incompetent child. There was a reason why Edwin enrolled her in prestigious schools, plenty of after school activities, and provided her the freedom to do whatever she wanted.
"Okay," Edwin replied in a deep voice. She said that she wanted to get out there and not hide under her parents' wings, so he needed to let her go freely.
He just wanted her to know that no matter what happened outside, she still had a home, and her family who loved her.
"Dad, thank you!" After her father heard her out, her tears fell even harder.
"Silly child, you are my daughter." Edwin held the little girl in his arms and patted her back gently. He wanted to see her happy more than anyone else.
……….
"Mr. President, don't take what the Carter family said to heart." Jason Lesley, who drove Nathaniel Cooper to the residences on Donder Street, finally broke the silence and spoke up.
"Are the documents for the meeting tomorrow morning ready?" Nathaniel completely ignored him and talked about something else.
He didn't intend to talk about the evening at all. Edwin loved his daughter and it was normal for him to confront Nathaniel. If he was in Edwin's shoes, he would do the same thing too.
"Mr. President..."
"I've asked a question."
"It's ready." Jason did not probe further.
"Go back early and rest up," Nathaniel reminded gently. Then, he turned around and entered his house. The house was still the same as before, but tonight, he felt that it was particularly empty.
The house was empty, and his heart was also empty. Perhaps it was because she had been here last night. There was her cheerful laughter in the house, and her lively figure.
Today, he came back here again, and the girl who stayed here last night disappeared. What happened last night was just like the dream he often had before, so he felt very lonely.
When he was thinking about her, Nathaniel's personal phone vibrated. He picked it up and saw that it was a message from Janell Joy.
"Brother Lucas, my father came to Coast City and took me away early this morning. If you got home and didn't see me around, don't be sad. The weather is cold, so please remember to add an extra layer of clothing. Don't catch a cold. If you catch a cold, I will be worried."
This girl's message came so timely, as if she knew that he was thinking about her. It was a very long text message. Nathaniel read it over and over again. It was as if he could see that the little girl was making ugly faces at him through the phone.
"Silly girl, you also have to take good care of yourself. Don't let those who care about you worry about you." Nathaniel quickly replied to her message.
"Brother Lucas, I know that you were definitely disappointed as you couldn't see me after you got home. I'll send you a photo to lift your spirits up."
Soon, Nathaniel received Janell Joy's short reply, as well as a selfie that she had just taken.
He clicked on the photo and a wide smile appeared on his face, "You are so cute, I really want to eat you."
He thought of sending this out, but he didn't dare to, because that little girl might misinterpret his words. It was clear that she was in the same city as him, and they were breathing in the same air, but he could not see her.
After not seeing her for just a day, he began to miss her. It was more intense than ever before. When he thought of her, his fingertips uncontrollably dialed her phone number.
Immediately after, Janell Joy picked up the phone, "Brother Lucas..."
Just by hearing her voice, Nathaniel instantly felt better. "Janell..."
"Brother Lucas , you're thinking about me, aren't you? Don't deny it. I know you must be thinking about me." Janell Joy's soft voice came from the phone.
"Yes, I miss you very much." Last night, she was here in his arms. He could touch her and feel her breath.
"Brother Lucas..." Janell Joy sniffled. "Actually, I miss you so much that I wish that you could hug me and I could listen to your voice."
"Janell..."
"Brother Lucas..."
They just called each other and no one spoke anything more. They were satisfied just by hearing each other's breathing.
After a long, long time, Janell Joy broke the silence. "Brother Lucas, when you miss me in the future, we can try video calling each other."
If it was inconvenient to see her in person, but it would be nice to see her through video call every day.
"Alright, I'll listen to you." Nathaniel smiled gently. Many times, he could not help but feel happy when he saw how happy she was.
"Brother Lucas, it's getting late. Let's rest early. Wait for me tomorrow night."
"Alright."
"Good night, Brother Lucas!"
"Janell, good night!"
After saying goodnight to Brother Lucas, Janell Joy hung up the phone. After hanging up the phone, she still stuck the phone tightly to her ear, as if she could still hear his voice.
Janell Joy was talking inside her room, not knowing that there was a person standing outside the door and listening for a long time. He didn't leave until she hung up the phone.
803
"Young Master, I have something very important to talk to you about. I wonder if you can meet me in person?" After returning to the room, Andrew Elias Carter received a short message from an unknown phone number.
He hadn't been in Country A for too long, and only a few people knew him. Only a few people knew his phone number and knew who he was.
Who could be the person and why did he send him the message so late at night? What did he want to do?
Just as Andrew was deep in thought, his phone received another message. It read, "Young Master Andrew, if you are interested, you can find me at No. 28 Coast City Ocean Road. I will be waiting for you whenever you're ready."
Andrew was very curious. Andrew sneered and thought, "No matter who this was, I might go and have a look."
He turned around, picked up his coat, and left. Anyway, it was bound to be another sleepless night tonight. He decided that he rather spend his time to meet this mysterious man instead.
Andrew left the house and shut the door, and Jane Ronan walked out of her room as she looked at the direction of the door in a daze.
"What's wrong?" Edwin Carter's magnetic voice came from behind her.
"Edwin, I'm a little worried." Jane returned to the room and gently closed the door. "Maybe Andrew hasn't understood what you meant."
"Andrew is a smart child. He will understand."
Edwin held Jane in his arms and patted her on the back. "It's you who told me that the children should deal with their own personal matters. You don't have to worry about them."
"But..." Jane looked up from his arms and said, "Edwin, I meant what I said, but you just saw it too... What if Andrew..."
They adopted Andrew when he was young. Over these years, they had been raising him as their own.
Looking at the grown-up child, they certainly believed in the child's character, but what they saw was still worrying. Love could turn a bad person into a good person, it could also turn a good person into a bad person.
"He won't hurt our daughter." Edwin said with certainty. He knew exactly what kind of person he raised.
Jane said with concern, "But Edwin..."
"There's no 'but'." Edwin interrupted her and reached out his hand to press her lips to stop her from continuing.
She couldn't speak and could only look at him with that pair of clear and bright eyes. As soon as his eyes met her bright eyes, Edwin's heart throbbed again and he couldn't help but to lower his head to kiss her.
"Edwin, come on." Jane pushed him. The more he pushed the man, the tighter he hugged her. At the same time, he deepened the kiss.
This man acted like this all these years. As long as he wanted her to stop speaking, he would use this way to render her helpless.
After a long time, Edwin finally let her go and looked at her very attentively. Jane gave him a harsh glare and said, "You're already so old, yet you're still acting so frivolously."
"Old? Frivolous?" Edwin repeated the words Jane said with a faint, evil smile on his lips.
Jane murmured, "Isn't that so?"
Edwin raised his eyebrows and asked, "How am I old?"
"You..." Jane was speechless. After so many years, this man did appear more mature and charming, so she really couldn't say that he looked old.
Edwin continued to ask, "What did I do?"
"Fine, I'm the old one then." She didn't know why, but every time he bullied her, she always couldn't defeat him. Alright, she admitted defeat this time!
"How are you old?" Edwin looked at her and raised his hand to gently stroke her face. Even though he had seen her face for nearly twenty years, it was still so beautiful in his eyes. He would lose himself around her and he would go mad for her.
Jane stared at him and said, "It's none of your business."
"You're my wife. If it's none of my business, then whose business was it?" He said seriously, but a faint smile appeared on his face.
"You are talking nonsense with me again." She looked at him with her sad, little eyes and said, "I want to talk to you about our children."
"I'll take care of the children's affairs." He took her back to bed. "Alright, let's go to sleep now. Don't think about anything else."
"I don't want to..." This man was too much. He was old, yet he always wanted to do "that thing". Wasn't he ashamed?
"What do you mean?" Edwin knew what she was talking about, but he teased her anyway. "You don't want to sleep, do you mean you want to go out?"
Jane was stunned by his remarks. Most of the time, she really hated him and wanted to kick him off the bed.
"Alright, go to sleep." For a long time, he had not been a man of desire, so he would not force her to do anything she was unwilling to do.
"Mm." Jane gave a light snort and burrowed back into his embrace. After a night, the weather suddenly changed, and the weather became a lot colder. It seemed that winter was approaching early in Coast City
After having a good conversation with her father last night, the conflicts were finally resolved. Janell Joy felt relieved. She slept very well all night and slept until daybreak.
When she woke up, she smelled the aroma of food. She smelled them and knew that these dishes were prepared for her by her dear mother.
Janell Joy stretched her body lazily i in bed, then she got up in her pajamas and went to the kitchen.
She hugged her busy mother from behind and said, "Mom, I love you so much."
Jane said softly, "Lazy pig, I know that you love me, but it's already so late. Go wash your face, brush your teeth, and get ready for lunch."
"Yes, mother!" Janell Joy rubbed her face on her mother's back, and then she walked out of the kitchen.
Coming out of the kitchen, she saw her Little Precious sitting upright in the living room with a book in his hands. He seemed to be engrossed in the book.
This little one was only eight years old, and boys of this age should be playful and naughty. However, her younger brother just couldn't play with his peers well.
He acted like a little old man instead. When the little one was alone, he didn't have any mood for entertainment, except for reading books.
Janell Joy walked over, grabbed the book in her brother's hands, threw it away, and then she caressed his face.
"Little Precious, stop reading books. Come and help me choose a dress."
Just as Julien was enjoying his personal time, the book was suddenly taken away. Initially, he was full of anger, but when he saw his sister, his anger subsided naturally.
He replied gloomily, "Okay."
Janell Joy took him back to her room and opened her wardrobe. "Little Precious, you are a boy, and you should know a man's taste. Let me know what I would look good in."
"Sister, you look good no matter what you wear." Julien said in a serious tone.
"Little Precious, are you complimenting me?"
Her younger brother had never complimented her before and this was the first time. Janell Joy was so happy that she hugged him and kissed him.
"Sister, you haven't washed your face and brushed your teeth yet." Julien wiped the saliva marks on his face in disgust.
"If I didn't wash my face and brush my teeth, I'm not your sister anymore?" Janell Joy hugged him and kissed his tender face a few more times, "Little Precious, do you think that your sister would kiss anyone else simply.
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Julien did not want to argue anymore. Did his sister want him to thank her for leaving disgusting saliva marks all over his face?
"Little Precious, lighten up. I kissed you. Shouldn't you be touched and honored?" As if he had seen through Julien's thoughts, Janell Joy blinked her eyes and said slyly.
Julien still did not answer. It appeared his hypothesis was right. His Little Aunt was a proud and arrogant woman, and his sister seemed to be the same. Did his family only raise this sort of woman?
Janell Joy came close to him and asked, "Little Precious, it's your first time in Coast City, isn't it? I'll take you out to play today, okay?"
"No!" Julien rejected straightforwardly.
"Little Precious, I sincerely just want to bring you out today. Why don't you want to go?" Janell Joy would never give up until she took Little Precious out for a walk.
Julien said with a serious expression, "I want to study."
Karen Joy pinched his face again and said, "Little Precious, other 8-year-olds are only in their second year of elementary school, but you are already studying fifth-year syllabus. Can you live a life you're supposed to live at your age?"
Julien remained austere as he said, "I like studying."
"Little Precious, sit down. Let me have a good talk with you." She sat beside Julien and held his face so he would look at her. "Little Precious, studying is something you can do your whole life. But playing, that's kind of just limited to your younger years. And when you get older, things are going to be different too. Do you understand?"
Julien remained unbothered and said, "Sister, studying is the happiest thing in this world."
"Alright, I can't win. I admit defeat." Her younger brother seemed to be aloof and dull, but he was very clear-minded. Many times, Janell Joy would beat around the bush when she spoke with him, but he still understood her words.
While speaking, Janell Joy caught a glimpse of a tall figure standing outside the door from the corner of her eyes. She didn't have to turn around to know who he was. Because the gaze that fell on her was different from that of her father when he looked at her.
"Brother, you're back." Julien was trying to get rid of his sister's "evil claws", and his savior came in time.
"Yeah, I'm back." Andrew took a step forward and stroked Little Precious' head.
"Julien, I have something to say to your sister. You can head downstairs first."
"What do you want to say? I have nothing to say to you." Janell Joy didn't want to be alone with him at all.
Julien still chose to listen to his brother's words. He left the room obediently and closed the door.
"Janell..." Andrew approached Janell Joy.
"If you have something to say, say it quickly." Janell Joy did not want to look at him directly.
Andrew suddenly stretched out his hand and grabbed Janell Joy's shoulder. He said in a deep voice, "Since you already know the true identity of your Brother Lucas, then you should be clear that he has a fiance."
Janell Joy broke away from him. "So what?"
"So what?" Andrew repeated her words, "Don't forget your roots. You are the almighty Miss Carter of Shengtian, do you really want to be a homewrecking mistress who destroys relationships?"
"Yes, I want to be a mistress who destroys relationships. What does it have to do with you?" Janell Joy gritted her teeth and said fiercely.
That piece of information was like a thorn stuck in Janell Joy's throat. She felt very terrible, but she couldn't back down no matter how terrible she felt.
If she backed down, what would Brother Lucas do? Would he still be able to stand at the top and endure the horrible loneliness alone? She couldn't do it!
"Janell Joy, are you that much of a loser?" Andrew spoke very emotionally, "Yes, it's none of my business if you want to be someone's mistress. But have you ever thought about your Mom and Dad? Do you want them to spent their entire lives being accused of their daughter being a mistress?"
"Andrew, what are you thinking about?" Janell Joy rebutted, "You can't bear to see me live a good life, is that it? If you hadn't burned Brother Lucas's picture, would I have waited so long to come to him now?"
Perhaps if she came earlier, and Brother Lucas was still an average citizen, not the high and mighty President, then he would not have a fiance by his side. However, she arrived too late, because she didn't know where Brother Lucas was and forgot how does he look like. There were too few things that she could remember from the past.
"I am your brother, and I'm doing this for your own good." Andrew spoke sternly, and it was also the first time in so many years that he had been so angry with her.
"Do you really only regard me as your sister?" Janell Joy asked.
It was true that she was young, but she was not stupid. She knew what Andrew was thinking.
"Then what do you think I regard you as? Do you think I could turn a blind eye as you make a ton of mistakes?" After, Andrew suddenly fell silent and looked at Janell Joy with a cold and stern look.
"You want me to sit idly by as you go over to another man's house and spend the night?"
"Andrew, I know what I am doing. Besides, Dad approved of my relationship with Brother Lucas. What right do you have to control me?"
She went to Brother Lucas's house, so what? There was nothing between them and nothing happened.
Andrew added, "Dad approved of you and that Cooper guy? Do you know how much pain he felt in his heart? You are his daughter, and he loves you, so he was willing to compromise a lot. But have you ever thought of their feelings, even just for once?"
"I..." Janell Joy was speechless. Andrew was right. She only wanted to find Brother Lucas, and only wanted to be with Brother Lucas. She had never thought about her parents' true feelings or think from their perspectives.
Perhaps her father really didn't want her to be with Brother Lucas, but just because her father loved her, so he just let her be.
"You were still young in the past, so it's normal to not think about them. But in the future, you have to think about them no matter what you do. Our parents are the ones who love you the most in the world, not the man who even conceals his real identity from you."
Andrew turned around and left immediately after speaking, leaving Janell Joy alone in the room. Looking at the closed door, thinking of what Andrew had just said and thinking of her parents, Janell Joy felt so sad that she could not breathe.
Of course, she knew that her parents loved her the most, but it was impossible for her to spend the rest of her life with her parents. She still had her own life, and she wanted to live her life.
Being so stubborn and self-willed, did she really do something wrong? No, she was not wrong. She would show her parents that she could live her life well and they could trust her.
Brother Lucas was the best decision she made in her life. Yes, she firmly believed that Brother Lucas would never let her down.
"Janell, have you washed your face? We're eating soon!" She heard her mother's gentle voice.
When Jane Joy looked up, her mother already opened the door and came into her room. Seeing that there was something wrong with Janell Joy's expression, Jane quickly stepped forward and touched her head, "Baby, tell me quickly, what's wrong?"
"Mom, I'm sorry! I'm really sorry!" Janell Joy hugged her mother tightly. Then, she took a breath and said, "I know that my decisions may make you worry about me, but please trust me and trust Brother Lucas, okay?"
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"Baby, of course I trust you." Jane Ronan patted Janell Joy Carter's back lightly and comforted her.
"As long as it's the road you choose, just go ahead boldly. Your father, your grandparents, our Little Precious and your big brother will support you regardless."
"Thank you, Mom!" Thanks to her mother's support, she could embark on the journey to search for Brother Lucas without any hesitation.
"Silly child, don't forget that you are our baby. If you're happy, we will be happy too." Jane held Janell Joy's face and gently stroked it.
This might be the voice of every parent who loved their children. They worked hard to raise their children, and they did not ask for anything in return. As long as the children were happy, it would be the best gift for their parents.
"Okay, I won't forget that." Janell Joy's face broke into a bright smile. "Mom, I will definitely make myself happy."
Jane smiled softly and said, "That's right. Go and wash up. Everyone is waiting for you to have lunch."
"Mom, I love you!" Janell Joy kissed her mother's face and smiled at her wittily. Then, she turned and went to the bathroom.
Looking at Janell Joy's thin figure, Jane's heart ached. Their daughter had always been proud and confident since she was young. She had never been like this before.
As people say, love is a drug. Once you get addicted to it, you'd find it hard to get out of it. She only hoped that the man that was in Janell Joy's mind since she was a child could share the same sentiments with her as well.
When Janell Joy came out of the bathroom, everyone was waiting for her. "Dad, Mom, I'm done."
"Okay, let's eat." Jane gathered the family together, and Edwin looked cold and stern as usual.
Janell Joy sat next to Little Precious and habitually pinched his face. "Little Precious, don't learn from Dad. Why won't you listen to me? Will I hurt you?"
"Sister, you can't just pinch a boy's face like that!!" Julien lost count of the amount of times he had to tell his sister off. But no matter how many times he said it, he could not escape the tragic fate of being pinched by her. He disliked this very much!
"She pinches you because she likes you and she wants to have fun with you." It was Andrew who spoke up.
It was not difficult to hear some envy in his tone. He wanted Janell Joy to kiss him, and wanted her to act coquettishly in his presence, but she would never do so. Whenever she saw him, she would always stay away from him as if he was poison.
"Brother, how can you side with her?" Julien felt a little lost. Although he was the youngest child of the family, but all of them spoiled his sister the most
"Because she is the only girl in our family." Andrew stretched out his hand and stroked Julien's head.
"Dad always tells us that we boys should protect the girls in our family. Isn't that right, Julien?"
Julien nodded in a cute manner. In fact, he loved his sister very much. When he heard that his parents would come to Coast City this time, he put his studies aside and tagged along just because he missed his sister.
However, his character was similar to his father's. His appearance was aloof, and he wasn't very good at speaking nicely. He could only put on a cool look.
"There's no need for someone to speak up for me." Janell Joy cast a glance at Andrew and saw that he could still put on a calm expression, as if nothing had happened earlier.
Seeing him like this, Janell Joy hated him even more. Why was he able to hurt her, then acted so calm after? He made her sad, and now he said such pleasant words in front of the family. He was deliberately putting on a show for their parents to see.
"Alright, alright, it's time to eat." As she saw how tensed the communication had gotten, Jane quickly diverted everyone's attention.
Edwin and Jane tried not to butt in the arguments between their children. They would let them deal with it by themselves. Even when Janell Joy was provoking Andrew earlier, they did not mind it, because they really regarded Andrew as their own child.
Janell Joy and Andrew always had conflicts, but the sensible Janell Joy would try not to intensify or magnify these conflicts. The small disturbance passed just like that, and the family had lunch together happily.
After the meal, the family cleaned up together. They did the dishes and cleaned up the table. Soon, they cleaned up the house too.
In fact, these things could be done by their helpers, but they didn't want others to disturb them when they were together, so they decided to just do their own chores.
"Janell." After packing up, Jane sat in the living room with Janell Joy. "The 3 of us will head back to New York first. You have to take good care of yourself in the future. If anything happens, remember to ask your brother for help."
"Mom, you guys are going back so soon?" She was annoyed that her favourite people were heading back instead of Andrew.
Janell Joy turned her head and glared at Andrew. It seemed like she was saying, "Do you still want to stay here to ruin my life? Do you still want to make things more difficult for me?"
Jane explained, "Well, Dad has work to do, and I have some pending work in my studio, and our Little Precious also has to go to school, so yes, we'd have to go back first."
"Okay, I'll bring you guys to the airport later." Janell Joy was really reluctant to see her father and mother leave so soon after they arrived.
However, she was already an adult, and she had to be independent. She had to walk her path no matter how hard things would be in the future. However...
"Mom, why is he not going back?" Janell Joy did not want to mention Andrew's name, so she just moved her eyes slightly to show her mother who she was referring to.
"Recently, there are a few Shengtian projects based in Coast City. Your brother is the person in charge here." Edwin replied Janell Joy instead.
When Janell Joy heard this, her heart sank. Why did Shengtian choose Coast City out of all the other places in the world?
Shengtian has so many projects in many places around the world. She did not mind that her father wanted to expand the business in Shengtian, but why did he put Andrew in charge?
In other words, during her remaining days in Country A, she needed to encounter Andrew from time to time. This person might try to put her in a bad spot.
"Come in." Edwin spoke again. After that, two similar- looking men and a middle aged woman walked into their house.
"Chairman Carter!" The three of them greeted at the same time, and they appeared very respectful.
"Mm." Edwin nodded and said, "Would the three of you please introduce yourselves?"
The woman stepped forward first and said respectfully, "Hello, Miss. I'm Fanny White, a local from Coast City. If you need anything in Country A, you can let us know."
"Hello, Auntie Fanny!" Janell Joy looked at Fanny attentively. She had a gut feeling that this woman should not be an ordinary person.
She appeared very confidently and had a strong aura with her. Judging from Janell Joy's experience in Taekwondo when she was a child, and the psychology knowledge she secretly learned from her uncle, Janell Joy was sure that this woman was definitely not an ordinary person.
The woman nodded and returned to the group of three without saying anything else.
Another man stepped forward and said respectfully, "Miss, my name is Blake White and I'll work for you in the future."
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"You want to work for me? What would you do?" This man looked like he was not much older than she was. She wondered why her father arranged for him to work for her.
"...."
The man blushed and touched his head awkwardly. It was really hard to answer this question.
"Alright, what about you? You two look so alike. You must be twins." Janell Joy turned to ask the other man.
The other man stepped forward and answered respectfully, "Miss, my name is Brock White. I'll work for you in the future too. Blake and I are twins." He pointed to the woman next to him and said, "This is our mother."
"Ah, thank you then. But..." Janell Joy Carter looked at Edwin Carter, "Dad, but I don't need the help." She was here for Brother Lucas, not for war. Why would she need so many people to help her?
"The family of three lives in Coast City. You can look for them when you need them." This family consisted of people Edwin trusted very much. Since he could not be around his daughter, he had to let them take care of her here, so that he could rest assured.
Janell Joy didn't want to bother others, and she always felt that these people were like her father's spies around her. It would not be convenient for her to do things she wanted to do freely. "Dad..."
"Janell, listen to your father. You are living alone outside, and it's not like being at home. It's good to have someone to help you when you need help." Jane Ronan then looked at the family of three and said, "Mrs. White, thank you so much for this."
"Madam, you're welcome. It's our honor to take care of her," answered the woman calmly.
If it weren't for Edwin, the three of them wouldn't have survived until now. After waiting for so many years, there was finally a chance to repay Edwin for saving their lives that year. They were so happy that they didn't mind helping at all.
"Alright, you guys have already met. You can go back first. Just carry on with your daily lives. You don't have to worry about this child all the time."
Even if these three people were his subordinates, Edwin still spoke politely to them.
"Yes, Chairman Carter." The three of them quietly left.
"Dad, you really didn't need to arrange so many things for me." She already had a house and a car, and now he arranged for his subordinates to serve her. It was as if her parents wanted to help her settle down here.
"Janell, if your father doesn't help you, do you think he will leave you here alone with a peace of mind?" Jane helped Edwin out of the predicament, worrying that he would be soft-hearted to his daughter and couldn't stand her dawdling.
"Then, thank you, Mom and Dad!" Although Janell Joy didn't like the company of others, in order to reassure her father, she couldn't refuse this help.
After helping his daughter out, Edwin returned to New York with his wife and son. Their two children who stayed back in Coast City brought them to the airport.
Janell Joy's heart ached as she watched her parents fly away on their private plane. She waved towards the sky and muttered, "Dad, Mom, don't worry. I will definitely take good care of myself and not let you worry."
"Let's go back." Andrew's voice came from behind her.
"You go your way, I'll go mine. Please don't worry about me in the future. Let's not meddle in each other's affairs." She walked far away as she talked to him.
When they were with their parents earlier, this guy didn't say a word at all. He acted like he was invisible, and now he suddenly spoke up.
"If our parents didn't ask me to take care of you, do you think I would meddle in your affairs?" Andrew snorted coldly.
"I don't need you to take care of me. I have Brother Lucas to take care of me. I really don't need you to take care of me." Janell Joy gave him a glance before turning around to leave.
However, as soon as she took a step, she was pulled back by Andrew. She lost her balance and she fell onto his sturdy chest.
She immediately wanted to back off, but Andrew took the opportunity to hold her in his arms. She found it hard to struggle away from his embrace.
Janell Joy pushed him hard, but after all, he was a strong man who had practiced martial arts since he was young, so his physical strength was much better than hers. She couldn't move at all.
Since Janell Joy couldn't push him away, she lifted her foot and wanted to step on him hard, but he just moved his foot slightly and successfully dodged her attack.
"Andrew, let go of me right now, or I will show you no mercy." Janell Joy gritted her teeth and warned in a cold voice.
"Show me no mercy?" Andrew let go of her and smiled bitterly. "Since when have you shown me mercy?"
Since they were young, she always treated him like he was an outsider, because he came to this family out of nowhere, so she didn't like him.
"I asked you to let me go." Instead, he held her even tighter and pressed her head against his chest. He held her so tight that Janell Joy could not breathe smoothly.
"Andrew, are you deaf? Or are you crazy?" This person was so scary. As soon as their parents left, he showed his true colors.
"Janell Joy..." Andrew let go of her and held her shoulder. He moved closer to her and said, "Let me tell you, if I go crazy one day, you are the one to be blamed!"
"Lunatic! You're a freak!" Janell Joy finally got rid of him, and she turned around and ran away.
Looking at her running away, she seemed so eager to stay far away from him. She was so disgusted with him and hated him…
A bitter smile appeared on his lips. He muttered to himself, "Janell, do you know how much I like you?"
She definitely did not know that. She would only think that he was an outsider, a madman. She had never once considered his existence, and how he was always right behind her...
Out of the airport, Janell Joy got into a taxi and asked the driver to drive away quickly. The car drove for a distance already, yet her heart was still thumping fast, especially when she thought of Andrew's expression just now. He was as scary as a vampire.
Buzz, buzz-
Her phone suddenly vibrated, which frightened Janell Joy so much that she almost threw it away. When had she ever been so timid? To be in that state, she was really frightened by Andrew's expression.
Seeing the words "Brother Lucas" displayed on the phone screen, Janell Joy's heart suddenly became calmer, as if Brother Lucas was next to her.
Just like when she was a child, Brother Lucas would always appear at her side just in time and help her drive away all the bad guys who wanted to bully her.
"Brother Lucas..." She adjusted her breathing before picking up the phone.
"Janell, look to the left." Nathaniel Cooper spoke so gently
"Ah?" Janell Joy didn't know why Brother Lucas suddenly asked her to look to her left, but she obediently turned her head to look anyway
She saw a car right next to the taxi she was in. The window of the back seat was wound down, and she could see Brother Lucas with his make up on. Brother Lucas was really a hero sent by heavens, wasn't he?
Brother Lucas must be her hero, that was why he would appear in front of her every time when she needed him the most.
"Brother Lucas, you..." When she called out the words Brother Lucas again, Janell Joy's nose suddenly twitched, and two drops of tears slipped from the corner of her eyes inadvertently.
Karen Joy's tears welled up at the corner of her eyes. Seeing this, Nathaniel felt his heart ached so much.
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"Janell, please ask the driver to stop the car." As he saw her cry, Nathaniel Cooper instinctively wanted to reach out to wipe her tears, but he couldn't. He felt helpless.
"Excuse me, could you please stop the car in front? I'll get out of the car here," Janell Joy Carter said eagerly.
She wanted to throw herself into Brother Lucas's arms. She really wanted to. She couldn't wait any longer. The driver quickly pulled over and Janell Joy got off from the car happily.
Brother Lucas's car stopped behind her taxi. She quickly got into his car and threw herself into his arms, "Brother Lucas!"
It was so good to have Brother Lucas by her side. The panic she had just experienced from the incident with Andrew Elias Carter earlier dissipated completely at that moment. She had always known that Brother Lucas would give her a strong sense of security.
"Janell, don't be afraid!" Just like before, Nathaniel patted her on the back and comforted her softly.
"Brother Lucas, why are you here too?" She rubbed herself against his chest and asked softly.
"I was on my way to some place and I saw you in the car." Actually, he followed her here when he heard that Janell Joy's father was going back to New York.
He knew that her father didn't want to see him, so he didn't show up. When he saw her running out of the airport, he followed closely.
"Hehe... Brother Lucas, you're definitely sent from heaven to protect me. You always appear by my side when I need you most." Janell Joy would not doubt his words when he said it was merely a coincidence.
"Yes." Nathaniel tightened his grip on her slightly.
Bang-
All of a sudden, there was a loud noise. It was the sound of the tyre being blown up. The car shook violently, and then it slammed to the right.
Janell Joy still hadn't realized what was going on. Almost immediately, Nathaniel held her tightly in his arms. He used his body to press her down onto the seat.
She was protected by him, she could not struggle and see what had happened clearly. She could only feel that the car lost control like a wild horse, and it banged into something. She could feel the hard hits and slams, and she felt that she couldn't feel her body during the crisis.
Even while she was protected by Brother Lucas, she could even sense a powerful force of impact. But what about Brother Lucas who was protecting her? What was he experiencing?
Janell Joy wanted to turn over to protect Brother Lucas. But she knew if she moved, it was very likely that she could not help Brother Lucas and they would both get hurt at the same time.
Therefore, she could not move. She had to clench her teeth and hold her breath, praying that Brother Lucas would not be in trouble.
After a long time, the car slowly stopped, but Janell Joy's body was still against his body. After a few seconds, perhaps after he confirmed that the car was alright, he slowly moved away.
"Brother Lucas, are you alright?" Janell Joy wanted to sit up but she was hugged tightly by Nathaniel instead.
He said, "Janell, it's alright. Don't be afraid."
"Brother Lucas, I'm not afraid. Are you alright?" She had Brother Lucas by her side. Even at such a dangerous moment, she was not afraid at all.
However, she was worried that Brother Lucas would be injured.
"I'm fine," he said. His tone was heavy, but still sounded as pleasant as usual, but Janell Joy could smell blood.
"Brother Lucas..." Janell Joy suddenly recalled many things that had happened in the past.
When Brother Lucas rescued her from the hands of the bad people, she did not suffer any injuries on her body. However, Brother Lucas had wounds and cuts all over his body.
And now, history was repeating itself. He said that he was fine, but he was obviously bleeding, so how could he be fine?
"Brother Lucas, can you not hide it from me? I'm not afraid, but I'll be worried about you," she said pitifully.
"I'm a man. Even if I get a little hurt and bleed a little, what does it matter?" Nathaniel said while stroking her head.
"Are you made of steel? Don't you feel pain?" How could this man be so stubborn and refused her care?
Nathaniel did not admit that he was injured, but Janell Joy took off his clothes anyway. Almost immediately, when Janell Joy unintentionally touched his back, she felt something sticky and wet on her hands.
She drew her hand back and looked at it. There was blood all over her palm. It was his blood...
"Janell, don't look. It's alright. It's just a small wound. I'll go to the hospital to deal with it later." Nathaniel grabbed her hand and forbade her to move.
"How can that be alright? Do you still think I am a four-year-old child?" She was really angry with this man.
"Mr. Lucas , how are you?" The driver was Nathaniel's most trusted private bodyguard, Horatio. He was also injured and his legs were still bleeding, but he didn't care about himself.
After coming back to his senses, he immediately got off the car to check on his master's condition.
"I'm fine," said Nathaniel solemnly.
"What do you mean you're fine?" Janell Joy gave Nathaniel a fierce glare. "We need to change the car and go to the hospital immediately. You two should be attended to properly."
Horatio was quiet. This little girl had the guts to shout at Mr. President. She was really bold.
"Okay, let's go to the private hospital." If they didn't go to the hospital and made sure that he was fine, that little girl will surely be worried.
…..
At the private hospital. There was a huge, bloody wound that extended from Nathaniel's back to his lower rib cage. The doctor was treating it carefully but the bleeding still hadn't stopped.
On his side, Janell Joy was so sad that her heart was almost numb. If he did not protect her at the time, he wouldn't have such a big wound on his back. She turned her back and quietly wiped away the tears that flowed down her face.
Nathaniel replied, "It's alright."
Janell Joy said fiercely, "Shut up! I dare you to say that one more time!" If he dared to talk nonsense again, she would not talk to him anymore.
Nathaniel shut his mouth obediently. When did his lovely Baby Janell become so fierce? She really changed a lot.
"Doctor, please be gentle. Don't hurt him." Janell Joy was fierce to Nathaniel, but her attitude toward the doctor was very nice.
"Don't worry, Miss Carter. It'll be fine." The doctor was Nathaniel's subordinate, and of course, he was also helping him.
"You two must take good care of yourself and watch the wounds." Since the doctor already said so, what else could Janell Joy say?
At this time, Aaron Paul rushed over. Seeing that Janell Joy was also here, he unconsciously frowned and then he looked at Nathaniel. "Mr. Lucas, we have investigated the matter earlier."
"It was just a blown tire. Do we need to talk about such a small thing now?"
In fact, Nathaniel also knew that this matter was definitely not as simple as a blown tire, but he did not want Janell Joy to know the background story.
This car was his private car. Except for his trusted subordinates, no one else knew about it. When he would deal with his private affairs, he always asked Horatio to drive with him. He didn't expect that there would be an accident today...
"Alright, do you need me to send Miss Carter back?" Aaron took the initiative to offer to send Janell Joy back. Obviously, he didn't want her to stay with Nathaniel.
Today, Janell Joy had encountered such a dangerous situation by his side, and Nathaniel was also worried that he was risking Janell Joy's life, so he nodded and said, "You must escort her back personally."
"Brother Lucas, I don't want to go back," Janell Joy pleaded. He was still injured, how could she leave without worry?
"Hush, don't speak. I'll get someone to send you back first." Nathaniel interrupted Janell Joy and smiled gently at her.
"Silly girl, don't worry. I would still want to be with you for the rest of my life."
808
"But... okay!" Janell Joy Carter did not want to make things difficult for Brother Lucas. If he asked her to go back first, she should abide.
As the President of the country, Brother Lucas was guarded and watched by so many people, so he would not be in trouble. There was nothing she could do to help him. It was better to leave early and not let him worry about her.
"Miss Carter, this way please!" Aaron Paul stepped back and spoke to her respectfully.
Janell Joy glanced at Nathaniel Cooper and wanted to say something, but she swallowed her words back. Then she turned around and left with Aaron.
"Janell..."
Just as she was about to walk to the door, she heard Brother Lucas's voice. Janell Joy was suddenly delighted as she turned her head to look at him with a smile.
"Brother Lucas, you don't want me to leave?"
"I just want to say that I will be fine. Don't worry!" Nathaniel assured.
She hadn't left yet but he already began to miss her. He wanted for her to stay with him, but it was too dangerous to be around him.
"Alright, I know." Janell Joy still smiled brightly, but there was a slight look of disappointment in her eyes.
"Miss Carter, do you know who I am?" Walking out of the hospital, Aaron looked at Janell Joy and said this immediately.
"Just say what you want to say." Janell Joy looked up at the sky. The sky was gloomy and looked like it was going to rain.
Aaron smiled and said, "It's so much easier to speak to a smart person. Since you know that I have something to say, I'll say it directly."
Janell Joy looked at Aaron and said sweetly, "Mr. Perth, if you want to say that you want me to leave Brother Lucas, I'd advise you to stop thinking about it, because that's absolutely impossible."
Her voice was crisp and sweet, with a childish tone, but you could hear her adamance.
"You are indeed smart. I haven't said it out, but you have already guessed what I want to say." Aaron had been in the political scene for many years, and he wouldn't just give up after hearing Janell Joy's words.
He smiled and added, "I know that a smart person like you surely knows of your Brother Lucas's true identity."
"So what if I know? So what if I don't?" Janell Joy licked her lips and smiled more cutely and innocently. "Even if he is the President of the country and has a fiance, as long as he doesn't want me to leave, I will never leave."
Not giving Aaron the chance to speak, Janell Joy continued happily, "Mr. Paul, maybe you will say that it is very dangerous to stay with him. His life may be in danger at any time. For example, something like today could happen again at any time."
This girl was really smart. She had already said all his lines before he even spoke. This was the first time he had met such a smart and bold young girl after being a politician for so many years.
Yes, she was smart, bold, and sensible. He also admired this kind of woman, but it was purely admiration. He could not allow Mr. President to succumb to her.
Aaron added, "Then you must also know that Mr. President was injured because of you today. If you weren't by his side, he would be perfectly fine even in a dangerous incident like today."
Janell Joy smiled and said firmly, "Yes, I admit it. But please stop talking. I have made up my mind. Nothing can change my decision."
This little girl cut him off again, and Aaron kept quiet as he looked at her attentively.
She was beautiful and cute. She looked like a weak girl, but behind that innocent look, she was a strong and decisive person.
Janell Joy raised her head again to look at the dark sky and said, "Mr. Perth, it's going to rain. Rather than arguing with me, it's better to go home early to bring your clothes into the house."
Aaron was a little annoyed. "You..."
"Mr. Paul, I'll go back myself. You don't have to see me off. Goodbye!" Janell Joy showed a big, cute smile and waved at him. "Oh, don't let me see you again. I hate people who are fake."
She remembered how they cheated her about the last time and made her mistake Dominic Cooper as her Brother Lucas. She did not forget about that.
Aaron subconsciously clenched his fists. "Miss Carter, what I said to you today is for your own good. After you go home, think about my words carefully."
"Mr. Paul, the only person who I would listen to in this life other than my family, is Brother Lucas." After responding, Janell Joy turned around and left happily.
Aaron shouted, "Little girl, you will regret it."
She heard his words, but Janell Joy turned a deaf ear to it. Regret? No, this was the path she chose, and Brother Lucas was also her choice. No matter what would happen in the future, she would never regret it.
Yes, Brother Lucas was injured because of her today. Was she going to leave him just like that?
No, that would be a wrong idea. The right thing to do was to make herself stronger. If something dangerous happened in the future, not only would she protect Brother Lucas, or at the very least, she would not need Brother Lucas to protect her.
In front of her family, under the protection of her family, she was still like a child who had not grown up. However, once she stepped out of the house, and when faced with hardships, she was much stronger than she thought.
Sure enough, Janell Joy read the weather very accurately. Before she could hail a taxi, it was already drizzling. She didn't like rainy weather like this.
This kind of weather would make people feel depressed and put people in a gloomy mood.
She didn't want to go home either. Both her mother and Little Precious had gone home. The house that her father had prepared for her was empty. Maybe she could find out who did something to Brother Lucas's car today and learn their intention?
……..
North Palace, the President's Office Jason Lesley handed a document to Mr. President and said, "Mr. President, we have found out the cause of the blown tire. We found evidences of foul play."
"Find the person out by tomorrow afternoon. Masterminds, executors, I want all of them," Nathaniel spoke strictly while narrowing his eyes slightly. His tone was soft, but it could make people shudder.
"Yes." Jason nodded and said, "Mr. President, you'd better arrange more bodyguards when you go out in the future, in case..."
"In case I will be killed by those people?" Nathaniel chuckled. "Then let's see who would die first. Those people have been hiding behind the scenes for decades. It's time to put an end to this."
Jason was worried, "Mr. President, those people are all outlaws who don't care about their own lives. They..."
Nathaniel waved his hand and interrupted him. "Send more people to protect the little girl. We mustn't let any harm come to her."
Jason said, "Mr. President, her father secretly.arranged a lot of people to protect her already. According to the information received, the untouchable White family in Coast City are also her protectors."
"Them?" Nathaniel asked curiously.
The White family was well-known in Coast City. However, they rarely showed their faces, so few people really knew about them.
Many people wanted to ask them for help, but no one knew where to find them. There were also some people who knew them, but none of them could get closer with the mother and the two sons.
Edwin had arranged for them to protect Janell Joy, which made Nathaniel respect him even more. It seemed that the influence of Shengtian went beyond business and politics, and only the leader of Shengtian would truly understand his own power and influences.
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