Chapter 181 New York. (1/2)
Jack, returning to his room after a long day, noticed Amanda sitting there, waiting for him. Something about her seemed off—she wasn't acting like herself, and her usually composed demeanor appeared to be unraveling.
"Amanda, how are you?" Jack asked, his voice laced with concern. Slowly, he removed his brown overcoat, careful not to rush, and placed it neatly on the chair by the side. His movements were calm, but his eyes stayed fixed on her, trying to gauge what was wrong.
"Jack, you wanted to know about my father's secret… do you know it now?" Amanda asked suddenly. Her tone was shaky, and she seemed to be struggling to focus, as if trying to steady her mind amidst a storm.
Jack shook his head slightly, his worry growing. "It's alright. I don't want to know about it anymore. Are you okay there?" he asked gently, stepping closer. His mind couldn't help but think about Mr. Smith—Amanda's father—whom Jack considered a reckless, brainless fool. The man had been making impulsive and nonsensical decisions, which seemed to be taking a toll on Amanda.
"I'm trying… I'm trying not to sleep," Amanda murmured weakly. Her voice trailed off as she opened her eyes wide in an attempt to stay awake, but the effort was fleeting. Before long, her eyelids drooped again, returning to their half-closed state, betraying her exhaustion.
Jack stepped closer to Amanda, his concern deepening. He gently checked her pulse and, as he had suspected, detected traces of drugs in her system. Her intoxication was severe, and it was clear she needed immediate attention. Without wasting a moment, Jack retrieved his medical equipment and began examining her condition further. Her body showed clear signs of being overwhelmed by the substances.
Sighing, Jack nodded his head gently, a mixture of frustration and determination crossing his face. Leaving Amanda to rest, he quietly exited the room and made his way directly to the kitchen. The kitchen staff, busy with their routine tasks, were startled to see him enter so suddenly.
"I need some fruits—apples, oranges, and lemons—along with some coffee beans," Jack requested with a calm smile, though his urgency was unmistakable.
The large kitchen, bustling with twenty staff members, fell silent for a brief moment. Everyone exchanged puzzled glances but quickly sprang into action. Within moments, they handed Jack everything he had asked for, responding almost instantly to his commanding yet composed presence.
Jack, holding everything he had requested, didn't leave the kitchen immediately. Instead, he smiled warmly at the staff and politely asked for one more item—a blender. The kitchen staff, still intrigued by his unusual request, quickly handed it over without hesitation.
With all the items in hand, Jack returned to his room. His movements were purposeful and precise as he set up the blender and began preparing a remedy. With the skill of someone who could easily be considered a divine-level doctor, he blended the fruits and coffee beans into a perfect mixture. The result was a small, potent liquid that shimmered faintly, a testament to his expertise.
Jack carefully brought the concoction over to Amanda. Supporting her gently, he fed the liquid to her, letting it slowly slide into her mouth. Miraculously, despite her intoxicated state, Amanda managed to gulp it down entirely, her body instinctively responding to its healing properties.
Satisfied, Jack stepped into the washroom to clean his hands. When he returned, he noticed a visible change in Amanda. Her eyes, previously dull and heavy, now appeared much brighter, and a faint smile had begun to form on her lips.
"Your father is an asshole," Jack said bluntly, his voice carrying a mixture of frustration and truth. He wasn't one to mince words, especially when it came to the injustice Amanda had suffered. Who could do something as cruel as drugging their own daughter?
"My... my mother," Amanda began weakly, her voice still slow but gaining clarity. "He made her a crazy woman too… by drugging her." Each word she spoke carried the weight of her pain, but there was a growing strength in her tone.
"I know," Jack replied, his voice soft yet resolute. "Don't worry, I'll see to it." He smiled reassuringly and handed her a glass of water.
Amanda took the glass and drank deeply. For the first time in what felt like forever, the water tasted incredibly refreshing, as though it was washing away more than just her thirst—it was reviving her spirit.
Jack watched her for a moment, then spoke again. "I'll take you to New York after I settle the serum business here. But I don't like this place, so I'm leaving for New York now. I'll return when that general calls me." His words were steady and determined as he slowly stood up, ready to act on his plans.
"C… Can I go with you?" Amanda asked hesitantly, her voice carrying a note of desperation. She couldn't bear the thought of staying in this place any longer.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
"Sure, you can," Jack said with a kind smile, his tone reassuring. He moved to the side, pulling out his bag, already preparing for their departure.
"Let me make a call," Jack said as he stepped outside, pulling out his phone. His expression turned serious as he dialed Clark's number, the weight of the situation pressing on his mind.
After a few rings, Clark answered, his voice sounding tired and slightly out of breath. "Doctor, you didn't have to call me. I was just about to come. I've decided to marry this woman—she has the best pussy ever," Clark said bluntly, his tone carrying a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction.
Jack sighed, his jaw tightening at Clark's casual and reckless attitude. "Clark, my brother, listen to me," Jack said, his voice calm but firm. "Come back. We're going to New York. Do you remember your daughter? We're going to fix her up." Jack's tone grew sharper, laced with an edge of suspicion.
As he spoke, Jack's mind couldn't help but wander to Mr. Smith. Narrowing his eyes, he wondered if Mr. Smith's manipulative hand was involved in that women too.
"Yes, sir, I will come right away," Clark said, his tone shifting as he began to sober up from his trance-like state.
"Also, buy a car while you're at it," Jack added, his voice steady and calculated. "It has to be big, fast, and capable of taking lots of fuel." Jack's mind drifted to their last car journey, where the thrill of fighting with guns while on the move had been unexpectedly exhilarating. He was already anticipating something similar this time.
"Alright, don't worry. Your money is with me," Clark replied confidently, a slight smirk evident in his tone.
"Alright, I'll see you in two hours," Jack said before ending the phone call without waiting for a response.
Clark, still lying down with a woman by his side, stared at his phone with a puzzled expression. The timeline Jack had given him felt absurdly tight. It would take him at least half an hour just to reach the villa, leaving him with only an hour and a half to find, purchase, and bring back a car that met Jack's specific requirements. The thought made him sigh, but he knew better than to question Jack's demands.
Jack then sat on the couch, his posture relaxed but commanding. Amanda, still seated across from him, couldn't take her eyes off him. Her gaze was unwavering, and there was a playful glint in her eyes—the look of a naughty girl.
Jack, perceptive as always, immediately knew what she wanted. After all, he had eaten the Pill of Satisfaction, which made him more attuned to such things. However, now was not the time to indulge in such distractions.
In his pocket, Jack could feel the outline of the System Card. It held within it an Aston Martin, a car that most could only dream of owning. Yet, despite its allure, Jack had no intention of using it right now.
"Go pack your bags," Jack said, breaking the silence. His voice was calm but firm, carrying a sense of authority that was hard to ignore. "You may never return here. After completing my work in New York, I'll be heading to India again. I have an island there, and I'm building a city on it. Once it's complete, I'll give you one of the houses there." His words were accompanied by a warm smile, and before Amanda could respond, he playfully winked at her.
Amanda's face lit up with excitement. "Alright, I'll go pack my bags!" she exclaimed. Although a hint of disappointment lingered in her expression—likely because she had hoped for more attention from Jack—her enthusiasm quickly overtook her. The thought of leaving this place and being part of Jack's grand plans filled her with energy as she ran out of the room to prepare.
Jack then slowly bought the Pendant from the System. He hadn't purchased it earlier because, at the time, the General had been almost upon him.
As a Level 150 Raid Boss, Jack could sense powerful individuals in his vicinity, and that General was no ordinary opponent. The aura the General carried made Jack's instincts scream. He could feel it in his bones—if he dared to fight, defeat would be inevitable.