Chapter 888
Lillian's whole body tensed up. It was Oberon's voice.
How could she have forgotten that Oberon's study window faced this way?
Feeling a bit annoyed, Lillian was about to push Jackson away and look up at the window when Jackson turned around, his large hand pressing the back of her head, holding her tightly in his arms.
At the same time, Lillian heard a dull thud, as if something had fallen and hit Jackson on the head.
Panicking, Lillian looked down and saw an apple rolling to the flower bed nearby, already smashed into pieces.
She quickly pushed Jackson away. "Where did it hit you? Let me see."
Jackson didn't seem to be in pain. He smiled reassuringly. "It's nothing, it didn't hit me."
"You're lying. I heard the sound. Where did it hit you?"
Lillian had clearly heard the thud. She stood on tiptoe, cupping Jackson's face, searching for any signs of swelling.
Her eyes and mind were entirely focused on him, completely forgetting about the observer upstairs.
Jackson could sense another apple was on its way.
He quickly grasped Lillian's wrist gently, speaking softly. "It just grazed the back of my head. It doesn't hurt. Grandpa is still watching."
Lillian suddenly remembered Oberon upstairs. She paused and looked up.
Meeting Oberon's complex gaze, Lillian silently withdrew her hand. "Grandpa."
Oberon closed the window and disappeared from view.
Five minutes later, in the study.
Lillian and Jackson stood side by side in front of Oberon's desk, like two children waiting to be scolded.
Oberon, with a stern face, couldn't bring himself to reprimand his own child, so his anger was directed at Jackson.
"Mr. Frane, quite the skill you have. How did you get in?"
Unlike the tense Lillian, Jackson remained calm, smiling. "Mr. Kelly, I walked in, of course."
Oberon spoke in a low voice, "Don't joke with me. We're not that close."
Oberon never spared Jackson any dignity.
Lillian had never seen anyone treat Jackson this way. Even Lyra would choose her words carefully when speaking to him.
She was always on edge, fearing they might start arguing, but Jackson remained calm throughout and showed no impatience.
No matter how Oberon acted, Jackson seemed to understand."You may not be familiar with me, but I am with you. How about a drink of water? Let Lillian go rest; she's still recovering. Then you can take your time scolding me."
Jackson stepped forward, pushing the glass of water towards Oberon.
He didn't want Lillian to suffer alongside him.
This was between him and Oberon; there was no need for Lillian to endure it. He cared for her.
Lillian, hearing this, didn't move. She looked up and said, "I'm not leaving. I made a mistake too. Grandpa, I let him in to shower and change. If you're angry and want to punish someone, punish us both."
Jackson sighed, pulling her gently, not wanting her to have a falling out with her family because of him.
Lillian's expression was stubborn as she looked directly at Oberon.
Oberon frowned. "Are you blaming Grandpa?"
Since Lillian returned to the Kelly family, Oberon had never been harsh or lost his temper with her.
They felt sorry for her, having grown up outside, experiencing the world's hardships, and they doted on her.
This was the first time Oberon spoke to Lillian in such a tone.
Lillian's eyes reddened, feeling both wronged and guilty.
She had just checked Jackson's head, and the apple had left a small red bump.
Lillian bit her lip and said weakly, "I'm not blaming Grandpa. It was my fault for letting him in without your permission. But you can't just throw things at people."
Her voice grew smaller, and Oberon snorted.
"Still blaming Grandpa?"
Lillian whispered, "No, I just..."
Before she could finish, Jackson interrupted. "Mr. Kelly, she's just tired. I'll take her out to rest."
Without waiting for a response, he took Lillian's hand and led her to the door.
Opening the door, Jackson gently pushed Lillian out and followed, closing the door behind them.
"You're really worried about me, huh? Arguing with Grandpa for my sake?"
Lillian glared at him. "Yes! Because of you, I'm becoming an ungrateful brat, and you're still laughing!"
Jackson's smile widened, and he playfully tapped her head. "Be brave, but a bit silly, Lillian."
Lillian gritted her teeth, glaring at him.
"The more you argue with Grandpa for me, the angrier he'll get, thinking I'm a bad influence. If he gets really upset, you'll feel guilty."
Lillian knew this, but she felt Grandpa had gone too far.
This time it was an apple; what if next time it was an ashtray? She couldn't bear the consequences.
She frowned slightly. "Grandpa won't really be mad at me, will he?"
Thinking of Oberon's angry face, Lillian felt regret and worry. She stepped forward, wanting to check on him.
Jackson blocked her. "Alright, go rest. Let me talk to Grandpa. It'll be fine."
Lillian was still worried. "What if Grandpa hits you again?"
"Why? Are you afraid I'll hit back?"
"Don't you dare!"
Jackson laughed. "You're already mad. Grandpa won't hit me again. Once he calms down, you can apologize."
Seeing his confident and relaxed expression, Lillian, though still worried, didn't insist. She left, looking back with every step.
Watching her disappear down the hallway, Jackson turned and re-entered the study.
Oberon was no longer behind the desk but standing by the window.
The window was open, and the cool breeze from Seaspring Valley City blew in.
Jackson walked over and closed the window.
Oberon looked at him. "Open it! Do you really think this is your home?"
Jackson didn't get angry. He thought all elderly people were like children, and Oberon was no different from his own family.
They were all tough on the outside but soft on the inside.
"If you catch a cold, Lillian will think it's my fault. Don't try to blame me."
Jackson said, locking the window.
Oberon chuckled, walked back to his desk, and sat down, looking at Jackson. "Do you know why you're still standing here and haven't been kicked out?"
Jackson's lips curved slightly. "Because deep down, you don't really hate me that much. You actually approve of me, right?"
Oberon scoffed. "You're quite the optimist."
Jackson's smile faded a bit. "It's not optimism. It's just that I've decided Lillian is the one for me, and I'm willing to fight for her, no matter what."
Oberon stared intently at Jackson, who met his gaze without flinching, his eyes unwavering and sincere.
Oberon's chest rose and fell slightly before he spoke. "If your first reaction hadn't been to protect Lillian, I wouldn't have given you the chance to walk through that door."
Jackson was momentarily taken aback.
He had thought Oberon threw the apple out of sheer anger. He hadn't realized it was a test.
But his instinctive reaction had been to shield Lillian, so he wasn't afraid of such tests from Oberon.
He sighed helplessly. "Mr. Kelly, you're not young anymore. Next time, don't play such risky games. If my reaction had been a bit slower, wouldn't you have hit your precious granddaughter instead?"
Oberon didn't respond.
If Jackson's reaction had been that slow, unable to protect Lillian, it would have shown he was just pretending and didn't truly care.
In moments of crisis, the body's reactions didn't lie.
"You might have some genuine feelings for Lillian, but you two are not suitable for each other. I won't agree to you being together."
Oberon spoke firmly, still opposed.
Jackson hadn't expected Oberon to agree easily. He smiled calmly. "Tell me, why are we not suitable?"
Oberon looked deeply at Jackson. "Do I really need to spell out the problems between you and Lillian?"
If Jackson couldn't see the issues himself, it only proved that Lillian being with him was a complete mistake.
Jackson's lips pressed into a thin line. "If you're referring to my parents, I don't think it's an unsolvable problem."
Oberon indeed worried about this.
He said coldly, "How will you solve it? Can you lock up your mother forever? If I'm not mistaken, your father doesn't like Lillian either, right?"
A woman married into a family, not just the man. Jackson had his issues, but his parents were even worse.
If it weren't for Daisy's maliciousness, Lillian might not have lost her child.
Now Jackson hated Daisy and had her locked up, but could she be locked up forever?
It was unrealistic. Eventually, for his brother's sake, Daisy would be released.
And then, who could guarantee Daisy wouldn't go even crazier, hating Lillian more and doing something even more terrible?
He only had one granddaughter and couldn't bear any more harm or accidents.
Jackson understood Oberon's concerns. He stood up solemnly. "Mr. Kelly, the future is long. I can't promise to keep my mother locked up forever, but I can guarantee she won't have any chance to harm Lillian again. Even if she's not in a mental institution, she'll be sent abroad, never to have contact with Lillian again."
Oberon's old eyes fixed on Jackson.
Oberon wouldn't believe that Jackson promised never to release Daisy."As for my father not liking Lillian, you can rest assured."
A hint of self-mockery and sarcasm flashed in Jackson's eyes. "Knowing Lillian is the Kelly family's heiress, my father would be even more eager for me to win her back."
Though it was ironic to speak of his father this way, Martin was indeed that kind of person.
Martin's previous disdain for Lillian was due to her background. He was truly cold and selfish, always putting his interests first.
Oberon chuckled. "Your parents are like that. Growing up in such an environment, it's hard not to be influenced. I don't trust you."
Jackson felt a bit helpless. No matter what he said, past events had left Oberon with deep resentment and distrust.
This wasn't something that could be changed with a few words.
Jackson nodded. "Then take your time to observe and evaluate me. You can't deny me any chance, can you?"
Oberon didn't want to give him any chance.
In his eyes, just the marriage issue was enough to disqualify Jackson forever.
Not to mention, Jackson had done more than one despicable thing.
But Lillian only had eyes for him.
Oberon, despite his reluctance, had to compromise.
He couldn't disregard Lillian's wishes and happiness, leaving her lonely at home forever.
Oberon stared at Jackson. "Deal with the Price family first, then come talk to me."
This time, Ruby's arrest would expose her collusion with Dominic. The Price family's deeds would be easier to pursue once a crack was opened.
"Understood." Jackson's lips curved slightly.
He could hear the hint of concession in Oberon's words.
Though he had always been determined to win Lillian back, he feared not gaining the Kelly family's approval, feeling uncertain and worried.
He wasn't as confident and composed as he appeared. At this moment, Jackson's tightly clenched hands on his knees slowly relaxed.
His palms were sweaty.
Lillian was worried about sudden arguments or fights in the study.
She had been eavesdropping.
So, when she heard the study door open, she quickly ran out.
Seeing Jackson emerge from the study, her eyes brightened.
She jogged over, looking him up and down. "How did it go?"
Jackson's expression was serious, his brows slightly furrowed.
Lillian sensed the conversation with her grandfather hadn't gone well.
Jackson sighed and shook his head. "Your grandfather is very stubborn and deeply biased against me."
Lillian lowered her head, biting her lip.
She had been prepared for this outcome, knowing Oberon had been unhappy and opposed from the start.
He had even thrown an apple at Jackson's head in anger.
Still, she felt disappointed and hurt.
Just then, Jackson's voice sounded above her. "You're not crying, are you?"
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