Chapter 878
"How's she doing?"
"She's in a deep coma. The brain damage has left her in a vegetative state."
Dominic's words made Ruby's eyes flicker, a slight smirk forming on her lips. She cautiously continued, "Did she really see it clearly? But if Lillian's been in a coma all this time, why has Jackson been stopping me from seeing her?"
"He thinks Anouk was acting on your orders, so naturally, he wouldn't let you see her. It's not surprising." Dominic's tone was calm.
Ruby finally breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. "Thanks for bringing the good news, Mr. White."
Dominic simply nodded back at Ruby and said, "The Kelly Group will soon fall into the hands of the Lawson family. Just don't forget our agreement."
Dominic had known Ruby for many years, but they had only been acquaintances. It wasn't until after Susan's death that Ruby called him late one night. That was when Dominic learned that Lillian was the lost child of the Kelly family, and from then on, he began collaborating with Ruby. After all, their goals aligned.
If it weren't for their collusion, how else could Ruby, who was in Seaspring Valley City at the time, have known all of Lillian's movements so well?
The night of Lillian's difficult labor was a scheme orchestrated by Ruby and Dominic, with Bob and Star merely being pawns in their game. Ruby wanted Lillian dead, while Dominic wanted Jackson to lose his beloved forever.
This time, with the Lawson family swallowing up the Kelly family, they would share the spoils with Dominic once their goals were achieved. Lillian's accident would undoubtedly devastate Jackson, ideally leaving him in ruins, allowing Dominic to seize some of Star Group's projects and markets.
If there were progress on the Star front, that would be even better.
At the hospital.
Logan slept peacefully in Lillian's arms. She placed him gently on the hospital bed and lay down beside him. Even in his sleep, Logan's little face nuzzled into Lillian's embrace, his cheeks rosy.
Jackson had a crib brought in and was assembling it by the bed. Lillian lay on her side, holding Logan, one hand gently patting his back, the other propping up her head as she watched Jackson work with a smile.
Jackson had taken off his suit jacket, his blue shirt sleeves rolled up to his forearms, revealing strong, sinewy arms with faint veins. Despite his privileged background, he showed no awkwardness in handling a screwdriver to assemble the crib.
In no time, the crib was assembled. Lillian pointed to the side of the bed, her voice soft. "Place it right next to the bed. It'll be easier to take care of him. Add an extra mattress; it feels a bit hard."
Following Lillian's instructions, Jackson set up the crib and went to the cabinet to find more bedding. After finally making the crib comfortable, Lillian touched the small pillow and said, "Isn't this pillow too high? It feels higher than mine. The baby won't be comfortable. Jackson, can you find another pillow?"
Jackson tucked in the edges of the mattress to ensure Logan wouldn't be exposed to drafts or get squished. "I didn't see any others. Let him use this for now. I'll have someone buy a couple more."
He bent down to pick up Logan from the bed. But Logan, seemingly attached to Lillian's embrace, burrowed deeper into her arms as soon as he felt someone touching him, his little hand clutching Lillian's hospital gown, leaving Jackson with a view of his tiny backside.
Jackson tried to figure out how to pick him up without disturbing him. But he was annoyed that Logan was monopolizing Lillian without even acknowledging him. Jackson reached under Logan's legs, but before he could lift him, Logan kicked him in protest, slipping out of his grasp.
Jackson chuckled in exasperation. He had been running around for Logan, and this was the thanks he got. Not only did Logan not appreciate it, but he also hogged Lillian and even kicked him.
Jackson laughed out of anger. Just as he was about to take more forceful action, Lillian, holding the child, said, "Let him sleep here for now. I haven't seen him in days, and I missed him."
Jackson's lips tightened, his expression growing colder. The next moment, he ignored everyone's wishes and forcibly pulled Logan from Lillian's soft embrace.
Logan, eyes tightly shut, clung to Lillian's shirt even in his sleep, resisting with all his might.
"What are you doing? Don't wake him up."
Lillian, seeing Jackson prying Logan's fingers off, felt a headache coming on. She sat up to stop him, but Jackson had already deftly freed Logan's hand and taken him away.
Logan, now in Jackson's arms, wrinkled his little face, his nose twitching like a puppy sniffing for a familiar scent. Not finding the scent he craved, Logan pouted, looking both aggrieved and disdainful.
But he was too tired. After a moment, his head drooped, and he nestled into Jackson's chest, though his little brow remained furrowed, as if he were cursing Jackson in his dreams.
Jackson raised an eyebrow, gently patted Logan's bottom, and placed him in the crib.
The next second, Jackson swung his long legs over the bed and lay down, pulling Lillian into his arms.
"You really are something... How old are you, competing with Logan for space?"
Lillian couldn't help but laugh.
Jackson held her tighter, burying his face in her chest and taking a deep breath. He looked up, his eyes smiling. "No wonder Logan didn't want to move. My wife is so soft and fragrant, perfect for hugging."
Lillian chuckled, "Who said I'm your wife? Watch your words."
Jackson lightly kissed her red lips, then moved to the corners of her mouth, giving them a peck as well. "You let me kiss you, and you still say you're not my wife?"
He deepened the kiss, his hand tangling in her hair.
Lillian, mindful of the sleeping child nearby, couldn't fully engage, resulting in Jackson playfully biting her tongue as a light punishment.
The slight pain made her open her eyes, and Jackson released her, his eyes gleaming with a satisfied smile as he saw her watery eyes and slightly furrowed brows. "You're ignoring me because he's here."
"I'm not."
"You were distracted even while kissing me. Isn't that worth a punishment?"
He spoke as if she had committed a grave, unforgivable mistake.
Lillian couldn't help but laugh, though she felt a sweet warmth in her heart. She reached up to rub Jackson's face. "Alright, alright, I'll reflect and repent."
Jackson smirked, releasing her and rolling onto his back, hands lazily behind his head, watching her with a teasing look. "And what about your actions after reflecting and repenting?"
He was relentless. Lillian sighed, giving in. She swung her leg over and straddled Jackson.
Immediately, she felt the tension in his abs tighten beneath her. Her cheeks flushed as she leaned down to meet his gaze. Jackson's eyes lost their casualness, becoming dark and intense, as if something was igniting in the air between them.
Lillian brushed her hair over her right shoulder, smiled, and slowly bent down, inching closer.
Jackson's breath hitched, his large hand instinctively gripping her waist, his Adam's apple bobbing. His eyes were fixed on her approaching lips, their breaths mingling.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and Harry's tall figure barged in, his loud voice following. "That bastard Dominic... Oh, something got in my eye. Hey, someone come help me blow it out!"
Halfway through his sentence, Harry's tone shifted dramatically. He rubbed his eyes, pretending not to see anything, and quickly backed out, closing the door behind him.
Lillian, who had finally taken the initiative, was now blushing furiously. She tried to jump off the bed, but Jackson's hand was still firmly on her waist, causing her to fall back onto him, accidentally touching something she shouldn't have.
She glared at him, but Jackson looked innocent and unbothered. "He said he didn't see anything. Come on, let's continue." He coaxed her.
Lillian, both embarrassed and annoyed, pinched Jackson's cheek. "I'm not shameless like you. Besides, Harry clearly has something important to say about Dominic. You need to let go."
Jackson sighed internally, feeling a wave of frustration and helplessness. How many times had this happened? Every time he tried to get close to Lillian, someone interrupted.
He was growing increasingly impatient with the Lawson family's inefficiency. The sooner they were dealt with, the sooner he could take Lillian home.
Reluctantly, Jackson stroked Lillian's back, gave her a couple of firm kisses, and got off the bed. He straightened himself and went to open the door.
Outside, Harry was talking quietly with a bodyguard. Hearing the door open, Harry immediately resumed his act, tilting his head and squinting. "Blow it again, I still can't see clearly!"
If it weren't for the crucial information he had, Harry wouldn't have barged in like that. The bodyguard pretended to blow into Harry's eye while Jackson watched their amateur performance with a cold expression. "Come here, I'll help you."
Harry felt a chill, knowing he had seen something he shouldn't have. He quickly straightened up. "No need, it's fine now. Wouldn't dare trouble you."
Jackson chuckled, turning back. "Don't let it happen again."
Harry swallowed hard. Even if Jackson hadn't said anything, he wouldn't dare burst in unannounced again. Who knew what he might see next time?
They entered the room, and Lillian, feeling her face grow warmer, cleared her throat and pointed to the crib. "Harry, keep your voice down."
Harry nodded and stepped forward. "You were right. Dominic and Ruby have been secretly colluding for a while."
Lillian was slightly shocked. She and Jackson had suspected Dominic and Ruby's alliance during her difficult labor, but they had no proof. Now, Harry's words confirmed their suspicions.
"What did you find?" Lillian asked.
Harry nodded. "Just now, Dominic and Ruby met in private."
He showed them photos on his phone, taken from a distance but clear enough to see Dominic and Ruby standing together in a secluded area, clearly conspiring and signing some agreement.
Lillian's fingers tightened around the phone, her anger rising. How could she not be furious? These two had orchestrated the events that led to Taylor's death.
Her gaze fixed on Ruby's face, who was smiling contentedly while shaking hands with Dominic. Ruby was truly a venomous snake, greedy and selfish.
"Alright, alright," Jackson said, taking the phone from her trembling hand and holding her tightly. Lillian leaned into his embrace, taking deep breaths to calm down.
"She may have donated a kidney to my mother, but the Kelly family treated her well. That doesn't justify her trying to take over the entire family."
Jackson squeezed her hand. "Of course not. Her greed and selfishness were evident from the start. She never willingly donated that kidney; it was all part of her scheme."
Lillian nodded, sighing. "Grandpa must be heartbroken."
Oberon had treated Ruby like a daughter, trusting and caring for her. Even after she married Kenneth, which initially angered Oberon, he eventually accepted it and continued to support her. Yet, Ruby had betrayed that trust, nearly killing Lillian and causing Taylor's death.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
