Empire 20

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“Hello.” Jacklyn cast a glance at Liam. She hesitated for a moment before saying in a low voice, “The price you’re offering is much higher than the market price. Are you sure about that?” 

Jacklyn needed money. However, she had no intention of earning more than what she deserved. 

The young man smiled and nodded. He had a firm look in his eyes. “Yes, I am.” 

Jacklyn wanted to advise him to reconsider his offer, but the man cut her off with another remark, “I don’t think it’s a waste spending a lot of money on something you truly like.” 

There was nothing else Jackie could say sirice the man had made his stance fairly clear. She replied, “In that case, let’s proceed with signing the contract.” 

The young man signed the document right away. Then, he produced a check and handed it to Jacklyn. “It was a pleasure doing business with you.” 

“Thank you.” 

After they had settled the transaction, Jacklyn stared at the man’s receding figure pensively. 

Liam had remained silent all this time as he sat opposite her. He said jokingly, “You should treat me to a nice meal since you just made quite a lot of money.” 

Jacklyn responded instantly, “You can pick whichever restaurant you like.” 

Liam was the one who had helped her with the sale of her yacht. Without him, Jacklyn would probably never be able to sell off the yacht. Considering all that, it was only right for her to treat him to some good food. 

Liam paused briefly. Then, he straightened his back and grinned, looking intrigued. “I want to eat something. that’s a bit more unique.” 

“What do you mean?” 

With an unreadable expression, Liam got up. “Follow me.” 

He drove Jacklyn to a place. After passing through a line of shops with neon light signs, he pulled up the car in front of a shop. 

Jacklyn glanced out of the car window and noticed the word “Street Food” on the sign of the shop. Her eyes rounded with surprise. 

Liam, a member of the Robertson family, came to a restaurant serving street food instead of choosing to dine at a high–end restaurant? 

Without explaining much, Liam naturally led Jacklyn to a table next to the window. He seemed like a regular here. 

After they had taken their seats, she asked, “Why did you pick this place?” 

Liam was wiping the cutlery with a napkin. His eyes crinkled. “I like it here.” 

Jacklyn thought Liam had deliberately given her a vague response and was about to stop talking. However, he continued, “When I was still in college, I enjoyed eating the street food sold in the shops located opposite my college. I would have my meals there pretty much every day” 

Jacklyn furrowed her brows. She lowered her gaze and recalled some of her past memories. “I’ve frequented those shops, too. However, I didn’t just go to those places because their food tasted good. I also went there for the…” 

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Chapter 20 

Liam grinned. “For the gossip. I know about that as well. Also…” 

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It was the first time Jacklyn felt like there was a lot she could talk about as she reminisced about those days. 

She was getting more and more engrossed in the conversation when a deep voice rang above her head, “Jackie, what are you doing here?” 

The smile on Jacklyn’s face froze. 

She turned around and saw that Eugene was staring at her with a dark look on his face. 

“Liam and I are having a meal together.” Jacklyn remained impassive. She lifted her gaze and asked nonchalantly, “What are you doing here?” 

Eugene replied in a low voice, “I called you multiple times, but you didn’t pick up your phone. You even turned it off. So, I ended up searching the entire city for you.” 

A deep frown creased his forehead. He took a glance at the food on their table before grabbing onto Jacklyn’s wrist. “I’ve asked the maids to prepare food for us. Follow me home now!” 

Jacklyn pushed his hand away. “I’ll go home once I finish eating here.” 

Eugene stared at his empty hand. He glanced at Liam and said in a harsh tone, “You wouldn’t follow your husband, who came here to bring you home. Instead, you’re having a meal with another man. Do you think that’s proper?” 

Liam could not stand to hear the rest of it. 

He scoffed. “Your wife fell into the pool and ended up in a miserable state during the banquet. If I remembered things correctly, you completely disregarded your wife and went to help her sister instead. Did you think you were being proper with what you did back then?” 

He wanted to stay out of the couple’s quarrel initially. Yet, Eugene had dragged him into it. 

Eugene was rendered speechless. He had not expected Liam would bring up the incident. 

A brief moment later, he still could not come up with a convincing excuse to explain what happened back then. Eugene blurted out, “This is between me and Jackie. An outsider like you should not meddle in our personal affairs!” 

Even if he was at fault, Eugene did not want to lose to Liam 

Out of the corners of her eyes, Jacklyn noticed that more and more people were looking their way. Some even took out their phones to record what was happening. 

Eugene seized her by the wrist and snapped, “Come home with me now!” 

He added more force to his grip this time. 

Jacklyn winced in pain. Since a crowd was slowly forming around them, she looked toward Liam. “I’ll treat you to 

a meal next time.” 

Liam’s gaze fell on the red marks on her wrist. He said in a low voice, “It’s fine.” 

Eugene had his grip around Jacklyn’s wrist the entire time until they reached Lloyd Manor. Once they were inside, Jacklyn went up to her room without sparing Eugene another glance, 

Eugene was aware that he had overreacted today. He followed quietly behind Jacklyn and went upstairs, too. 

After entering her room, Eugene crouched down, faced Jacklyn, and gently rubbed her hands. His tone changed 

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Chapter 20 

from one of skepticism to incredible tenderness. 

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“Jackie, I’m sorry. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have raised my voice at you in public. I didn’t do it on purpose. I only spoke so harshly because I was agitated. Can you please forgive me, Jackie?” 

He needed to appease Jacklyn since he had upset her. 

Jacklyn lowered her head and suppressed the feelings of disgust rising within her. She pulled her hands free discreetly. “It’s alright. I’m not mad. You should go back to your room now. I want to take a shower.” 

Eugene showed no signs of leaving the room. He held Jacklyn’s hand and kissed the back of her hand. “It’s been some time since we’ve last taken a bath together. I want to join you in the bathroom.”