Chapter 4: Jane's Puzzlement

Words : 2558 Updated : May 7th, 2025

"Jane." Cecelia hurried forward. "Thank goodness, I always knew my daughter had a guardian angel watching over her." Silas was equally thrilled, immediately pulling out his phone to contact their private doctor. Martha and Linus shared in the joy, their faces lighting up with smiles. In stark contrast, Gina and her daughter looked like they'd tasted something bitter. Soon, several medical professionals arrived with equipment to thoroughly examine Jane. "Doctor, how is she?" Cecelia asked anxiously. "Ma'am, the young lady is in good health, just a bit weak," the doctor replied, astonished. As the Jackman family's private doctor, he regularly checked Jane's condition. Her brain activity fluctuated slightly days ago, and multiple muscles were atrophied. Now, not only had she miraculously awakened, but the atrophied muscles had also returned to normal. It was truly unbelievable. Silas laughed. "Haha, it must be our ancestors looking out for us." With his daughter's awakening, the gloom that had clouded his heart vanished completely. Cecelia, however, couldn't help but glance at Terry, her mind drifting to the earlier events. Could it really just be a coincidence? She couldn't dwell on it now, instead directing a smug look at Gina. "Oh dear, Gina, look at that, my son-in-law is truly a bringer of fortune. As soon as he arrives, Jane wakes up." "With Terry, our family is bound to prosper, while your branch should be careful not to lose the CEO title you lucked into." Gina's face turned pale, completely taken aback by the sudden turn of events. "Hmph, he's just an ex-convict. It's nothing to be proud of," she retorted angrily, glaring at Cecelia before leaving with her daughter in tow. The doctors followed suit, taking their leave. Once everyone had departed, Cecelia approached Terry eagerly. "You're truly our family's lucky star. I believe Jane will be happy with you." She was increasingly pleased with Terry as her son-in-law. Silas frowned. "Cecelia, now that Jane is awake, I think this farce of a marriage should end." He was never fond of Terry. Now that Jane was awake, it was even more unimaginable for him to like Terry. Jane was renowned as a great beauty in Jenos City, with top-notch charm, intelligence, and family background. Countless young suitors vied for her attention. There was no way he would allow his beloved daughter to marry an ex-convict. Cecelia's temper flared. "Silas Jackman, what do you mean by this? Are you tossing him away now that his use is over?" "Without Terry, would Jane have woken up?" Silas replied coldly, "Jane waking up was her blessing, and our ancestors watching over us. It has nothing to do with this man. Do you seriously believe in such superstitious nonsense?" "Is that so? Then explain why Jane woke up just as Terry arrived?" Cecelia countered with a frosty glare. "And have you forgotten what just happened?" "Hmph, it's just a coincidence." Silas scoffed. "Do you really believe this man, who has been to prison, knows..." Cecelia erupted in anger, "Silas, Terry is my son-in-law. I'll never forgive you if you dare bring up his past again." Silas couldn't believe his wife was defending a newcomer so fiercely. His temper flared. "Cecelia, I can concede on other matters, but not this. He must divorce Jane." "Have you lost your mind, daring to raise your voice at me?" As the argument escalated, Jane spoke from her bed. "Dad, Mom, please stop fighting. I want some peace." Both parents immediately quieted, Cecelia glaring at Silas before turning to Jane. "Jane, you rest well. I'll make you some nourishing soup," she said, leaving the room. Silas shot Terry a glance that said, "You'd better divorce willingly," before exiting. The maid and butler didn't dare linger. Terry was about to leave when Jane called out to him. "Wait, I have something to say to you." Terry turned, looking at the stunning woman on the bed. Her eyes were captivating, like black gems, yet they held a cold pride and a profound depth. Jane propped herself up against the headboard, giving Terry a calm look. "I've roughly understood the situation. My mother was overly worried, which led to the absurd act of marrying you for good fortune." "We are strangers, and marriage is too much of a stretch. However, you gave my mother hope during her despair." "As thanks, I can offer you a million dollars as compensation." Terry sneered inwardly. A million dollars? Who did she think she was dealing with? "So, what exactly do you want to say?" he asked. Jane was slightly taken aback. The man showed no change of expression upon hearing the offer of a million dollars. For most people, that was no small sum. Jane said, "Let's arrange a time to get divorced. We're from different worlds, and forcing this doesn't add up." Her voice was calm and composed, without arrogance or condescension. But it was this calmness that truly betrayed the pride she had. Perhaps in Jane's eyes, Terry was nothing more than an ant, and she was a phoenix soaring in the skies. Once divorced, their paths would never cross again. She didn't even bother to use her status to pressure him. After all, a phoenix wouldn't concern itself with an ant. Terry found it amusing and asked, "How do you know we're not from the same world? Do you know anything about me?" Jane massaged her temples. "I don't like people who cling on. I hope you have some self-awareness." Even though this was their first meeting, Jane had gleaned enough from her parents' conversation. An ex-convict who married in for good fortune. Such a person was too ordinary, entirely unsuitable for her. With her words so clear, Terry didn't want to be a fool clinging to a cold shoulder. While he needed the Phoenix Vessel to suppress the Wyrm's Wrath within him, he also had his pride. If the Phoenix Vessel weren't available, he would find another way. He wouldn't grovel to anyone. "I don't have any objections, as long as your parents agree," he replied. He didn't burn bridges because he genuinely liked Cecelia as a mother-in-law. After losing his mother, Cecelia provided him with a renewed sense of maternal warmth. "I'll speak to Mom," Jane said, lying back down. "You can leave now, I'd like to rest." As Terry left, Jane sighed softly. Though her actions might seem unfair, her unique status meant Terry would inevitably be caught up in trouble if he stayed with her. Terry went downstairs, where Cecelia was busy in the kitchen. She quickly prepared a table full of delicious dishes. Meanwhile, Martha helped the still-weak Jane downstairs. "Jane, come sit. I've made your favorite chicken soup," Cecelia called. The family sat down, ready to eat, when Jane addressed her mother. "Mom, I spoke with Terry. We're not suited for each other, and I plan to divorce." Cecelia's smile froze. Silas laughed heartily. "Haha, Jane agrees with me. This boy is indeed unsuitable for her. Let's go to the civil affairs bureau after dinner." Bang! Cecelia slammed her chopsticks on the table, "Don't you dare. Jane, you can't be ungrateful. I won't agree to this." "After you became a vegetable, your suitors scattered like the wind. No one wanted to marry into our family." "But Terry stepped up in our time of need, and you woke up right after he came." "He's your lucky star, and he's a good person. What are you dissatisfied with?" She fired off a barrage of words, all praising Terry, clearly very satisfied with him as a son-in-law. Silas sneered. "A good person would never end up in jail." Cecelia glared at him. "You know nothing. I investigated. Terry took the fall for his brother back then. He also sacrificed himself for the family just after getting out. If that doesn't show good character, what does?" Silas was left speechless, muttering, "But he's still an illegitimate child. How is he worthy of Jane?" "Shut up." Cecelia scolded, then turned to Jane. "Listen up. If you dare divorce Terry, I won't consider you my daughter." With that, she stormed upstairs in anger. Jane rubbed her temples, knowing her mother was irate. She decided to give it some time. Silas turned to his daughter. "Jane, I support you." Jane said nothing, finished her meal, and headed upstairs. Terry volunteered to help clear the table. Silas watched, frustrated by this meek son-in-law, and left the villa. Terry didn't mind. He took a bowl of food to Cecelia upstairs. "Mom, don't go hungry. Your health matters." Cecelia accepted the food, her satisfaction with Terry growing. "Terry, don't worry. That stubborn girl won't be able to divorce you with me around. Terry nodded with a smile, not wanting the divorce either. Jane heard it all in the neighboring room and felt a headache coming on. She picked up her phone and dialed a number. When the call connected, a voice filled with surprise came through. "Ms. Jackman, you're awake?" "Snow, investigate the car accident," Jane instructed. "Jane, it's been clear for a while. It was Abel and the others." The voice on the phone was full of resentment. "Ms. Jackman, should I send someone to deal with them?" Though she had anticipated it, hearing it confirmed left Jane momentarily stunned. They truly had no regard for family ties. Alright then, she wouldn't hold back any longer. "Not for now. What's the situation with the Hemingbrough family?" she asked. "They've successfully settled in Jenos City, but recently had some friction with the White Wolf Society over a demolition." "What happened?" "Apparently, they couldn't agree on a price." Jane frowned. "The White Wolf Society, huh. They're tough to deal with. Keep an eye on Southia, and contact me with any news." She was about to hang up, but remembered something. "By the way, I need you to investigate someone." After hanging up, Jane sat cross-legged on her bed, feeling the changes within her. Moments later, her eyes revealed shock and confusion. "Strange, why has the Netherlily Poison weakened so much?" "Could something have happened while I was unconscious?"

Chapter 4: Jane's Puzzlement

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