Chapter 892
"Since the word's already out, trying to take it back now would be useless and might even make things worse. Just stick to the plan."
Jackson finished organizing his clothes, glaring at the too-short sleeves and pants of the suit. Anger surged through him.
He and Ambrose were about the same height, so Ambrose's clothes should've fit him okay, even if not perfectly. The fact that they were so short could only mean one thing: Ambrose had given him an ill-fitting suit on purpose.
Jackson let out a bitter laugh, picked up his phone, and gave his final instruction.
"Keep a close eye on the Price family."
With that, he hung up.
Meanwhile, at the Price Mansion...
In the study, Star and Dominic were also monitoring the online developments.
Dominic's face was grim, while Star's cheeks were visibly swollen, marked with handprints.
She was kneeling on the marble floor in front of the desk, clearly having been there for a long time, with beads of cold sweat dotting her forehead.
Since returning from the hospital that day, Star had been in high spirits.
She had thought Lillian was in a coma and would never wake up again. She had even dreamed of attending Lillian's funeral, waking up with a smile on her face.
But to her shock, she saw news this morning of Lillian appearing in Seaspring Valley City, accompanying Oberon to the Kelly Group's shareholders' meeting.
When she saw the news, Star was stunned, unable to believe her eyes and ears.
How could Lillian not be in a coma?
How could Lillian still be the Kelly family's precious daughter?
In her rage, she had thrown her phone and started smashing everything in her room.
Just then, the door was kicked open.
She looked up to see Dominic standing at the doorway, his face grim, staring at her with icy eyes.
Terrified, she dropped what she was holding and instinctively tried to run to the bathroom.
But she didn't get far before Dominic grabbed her.
He yanked her by the hair and slammed her head against the wall.
Star collapsed to the floor, clutching her injured head.
But Dominic wasn't done. He crouched down and slapped her several times.
"Useless! You're nothing but a waste. I didn't bring you back to enjoy luxury. Do you really think you're the princess of the Price family? You couldn't even seduce Jackson! And if that wasn't bad enough, you brought back false information, swearing up and down that Lillian would never wake up!"
Dominic was furious, his mind unsettled by the news footage of Ruby being taken away.
He slapped Star again, making her ears ring and her head spin. She clung to his leg, crying.
"Dad, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I was deceived too. I didn't expect Lillian to be perfectly fine. When I visited her, she was pale and motionless, and Jackson looked devastated, his eyes red from crying. I didn't think they could act so well and fool me like that. Please, give me another chance..."
Before she could finish, Dominic stood up and started kicking her again.
After venting his anger, he left the room.
Star lay on the floor, bruised and battered. The servants didn't dare to check on her.
She lay there, not caring that no one was coming to help.
It took her half an hour to gather enough strength to get up and clean herself up a bit.
Then she was summoned to the study, where she knelt again.
Her legs felt like they were about to break, but under Dominic's watchful eye, she didn't dare move.
She feared that any movement would provoke Dominic's wrath and another beating.
"Mr. Price, the online opinion is still very favorable to us," the assistant reported.
Dominic glanced at the screen, his expression softening slightly. He gave an order.
"Are the old photos ready?"
The assistant nodded. "Yes, and we also have some childhood footage of Ms. Price and Mr. Price."
Dominic rubbed his temples and tapped the desk.
"Good. Release them through foreign channels at the right time, and make sure there's no trace back to the Price family."
The assistant acknowledged and left, as Dominic had no further instructions.
Dominic closed his eyes to rest for a moment, and Star shifted her numb legs slightly. But as soon as she moved, Dominic's eyes snapped open.
Star's face turned pale with fear, and she swallowed hard.
"Dad."
Her expression was pitiful, and Dominic's face softened a bit. He sighed.
"Stand up."
"Thank you, Dad."
Star's eyes reddened as she slowly pushed herself up, her legs numb and her body aching.
Once she was standing, Dominic called her over.
"Come here."
Star lowered her eyes and obediently walked over.
She stood in front of the desk, and Dominic gestured for her to come closer.
"Over here."
Star, tense and nervous, slowly walked around the desk to stand in front of Dominic.
He frowned at her swollen face, sighed, and reached out to touch her cheek.
"Does it still hurt?"
Before his hand could touch her, Star flinched.
Dominic's face fell, and Star quickly leaned into his hand, nuzzling it like a compliant kitten.
"It doesn't hurt anymore. I'm sorry for making you angry."
Dominic's expression softened. He took her hand, running his thumb over her missing finger.
"Don't blame me. I'm just disappointed. Star, you've endured so much to come back. If you can't get Jackson to marry you, all your suffering will be for nothing."
Star felt like a snake was coiling around her as he held her hand. She bit her cheek to keep from crying out, nodding meekly.
"You're right, Dad. I'm sorry for disappointing you."
Dominic patted her hand and continued.
"The public opinion is in our favor. If Jackson and the Frane family don't want to be seen as ungrateful and dishonorable, they'll have to take responsibility for you. You know what to say to the media, right?"
"I understand, Dad." Star nodded obediently.
Dominic finally released her, nodding. "Good. Make sure to apply some ointment and cover up those bruises. We don't want anyone to notice."
Star knew he was referring to the injuries she had sustained. She nodded again, then left Dominic's study.
Dominic watched her leave, then glanced at the online discussions, his brow furrowing.
Ruby's incident worried him, fearing it might implicate him. But with the public opinion favoring him, everyone knew Dominic's daughter had suffered greatly to save Jackson. For the sake of his reputation, Jackson wouldn't dare to easily confront the Price family, even if he didn't marry Star.
Seaspring Valley City.
Night had fallen, and Oberon and Flora had retired early, leading the Kelly Manor to settle into a quiet sleep.
Lillian had spent another hour practicing her dance routines in the studio, returning to her room drenched in sweat.
She was about to head to the bathroom for a shower when her phone, lying on the bed, began to vibrate incessantly.
Lillian turned back, picked up the phone, and saw "Jealous King" flashing on the screen. A smile crept into her eyes.
She swiped to answer, and Jackson's deep, magnetic voice, tinged with a hint of seduction, greeted her.
"Baby, I've been waiting for you. When are you coming to meet me?"
Lillian was speechless.
She hadn't forgotten her promise to Jackson to sneak out and meet him tonight. But it wasn't even nine o'clock yet, and he was already impatient.
Where had the calm, composed Jackson gone?
Lillian sighed. "My grandparents haven't gone to bed yet, you..."
Before she could finish, Jackson interrupted, sounding somewhat dejected and accusing.
"They're asleep."
"What?"
Lillian was momentarily confused, and Jackson sighed.
"Your grandparents are already asleep, Lillian. Are you trying to break your promise by lying?"
Lillian was speechless again, blinking in surprise.
"How do you know my grandparents are asleep?"
"Come to the balcony."
Jackson's voice was serious, and Lillian's heart skipped a beat.
Could it be...
She walked to the balcony, opened the door, and stepped outside, looking towards the road.
In the darkness, a spark of light suddenly flashed, illuminating the night and revealing Jackson's tall figure.
Jackson must have driven himself here; his black Maybach parked quietly under the shadowy trees.
Leaning against the car, Jackson held a sparkler, drawing shapes in the dark.
Following the sparkler's trail, Lillian saw he had drawn a heart for her.
Lillian couldn't help but laugh softly, speaking into the phone.
"What are you doing?"
So high-profile, wasn't he afraid of being discovered?
Jackson clicked his tongue. "Trying to lure a girl to sneak out and elope with me. It has to be romantic, right? Don't you like it?"
Lillian quickly said, "I like it, I like it. Get back in the car."
Jackson raised an eyebrow. "Why, are you worried about me?"
Lillian huffed. "Of course, I'm afraid you'll be discovered. Grandpa might set the dogs on you!"
Jackson chuckled. "Aren't you worried that if I'm discovered, we won't be able to elope?"
"I am not!" Lillian retorted.
Jackson didn't tease her further, falling silent for a moment before speaking softly as the sparkler burned out.
"I'll wait for you."
Lillian's ears inexplicably warmed, and she responded quietly before hanging up and returning to her bedroom.
She entered the bathroom, thinking about Jackson waiting outside, and hurried through her shower.
After finishing, she turned off the shower, but then blushed and went back to rinse herself again, wanting to be thorough.
An hour later, Lillian was ready, sneaking out of her room.
She peeked out, finding the hallway quiet and empty.
Lillian tiptoed downstairs, through the courtyard, and bent low to avoid the security guards' view as she reached the gate.
After waiting for a moment, she found an opportunity to slip out of Kelly Manor unnoticed.
Just as she stepped outside, she turned and bumped into Jackson's familiar, broad chest.
She had no idea when he had come over to wait for her, and she was startled, nearly crying out.
Jackson covered her mouth, took her bag, and then bent down to lift her, striding towards his car.
The back door opened, and Jackson gently placed Lillian inside.
As she sank into the leather seat, Jackson climbed in after her.
Before the door could close, Jackson's passionate kiss descended on Lillian's lips like a storm.
Her lips were ravaged, even lightly bitten by Jackson, making her feel overwhelmed by just one kiss.
He was clearly determined tonight.
With her last bit of rationality, Lillian pushed him away, gasping.
"We need to go."
Knowing Oberon and Flora's bedroom faced this direction, and hearing the security guards' voices nearby, Lillian's scalp tingled.
If anyone came out and looked, they would see the car door open, with Jackson pressing her down inside.
Lillian's body heated up, and in the dim light of the car, Jackson met her pleading, soft gaze.
His breath grew hotter.
He climbed fully into the car, closing the door.
The sound of the door closing seemed to reverberate in her heart.
Before she could react, Jackson lifted her onto his lap.
"Why rush? Are you afraid your family will see me? Am I not good enough? Little liar, you said you'd do whatever I wanted today, but you just wanted me to leave, right?"
Lillian was speechless.
Jackson's voice was husky, and he kissed her again.
Lillian, now more alert, glanced outside.
Her nervous glance revealed someone emerging from the villa's entrance, making her freeze in fear.
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