Chapter 900
The focus of this medical research project was on Flora's illness.
Ever since Flora got sick, Oberon had been tirelessly searching for treatments for her, both locally and abroad.
Any new developments in the field of her illness, Oberon would be the first to know.
Because the Kelly family had invested heavily in Flora's treatment, Flora, although she had forgotten many things and her mind had regressed to that of a child, had never reached the point where she couldn't recognize people around her.
Saul was the top expert in the country researching this illness.
Last year, Saul's team developed a new drug aimed at controlling the progression of this type of illness.
Oberon immediately sent Ambrose to learn more about it, investing in the research regardless of its authenticity.
However, when Ambrose finally managed to meet Saul and explain his intentions, Saul refused.
It turned out that someone else had already invested in the project. Ambrose tried to find out who it was, but Saul only mentioned that it was someone from Miracalia, whose family also had a similar patient.
Oberon had instructed Ambrose to secure the project by any means necessary, but upon hearing that the other investor also had a sick family member, he let Ambrose return.
Oberon didn't think much of it at the time.
However, over the past six months, Saul had been calling with updates on the research progress, detailing every advancement as if reporting to a superior. The project had already reached phase three clinical trials.
Oberon used to think Saul was just a kind and enthusiastic person, but now, looking at Jackson, he realized that the Miracalia investor was likely Jackson.
When Jackson didn't deny it, Oberon scoffed.
"You're pretty good at sucking up."
Jackson's eyes darkened slightly. "Mr. Kelly, how do you know I'm not sincere?"
Oberon laughed. "If we're talking about sincerity, your true intention is to win over Lilian."
Jackson nodded.
Oberon was momentarily speechless, feeling annoyed just looking at him, and waved his hand dismissively.
Out of sight, out of mind.
But he clearly wasn't asking Jackson to leave.
Jackson poured a glass of water for both Oberon and Flora, placing them on the coffee table before heading to the kitchen.
Flora had mentioned wanting cookies last night, and Lilian had already asked the staff to prepare the ingredients.
When Jackson entered, Lilian was quietly mixing the batter, looking rather downcast.
The staff nearby were tidying up quietly, not daring to speak.
Seeing Jackson enter, Gia, one of the staff, was about to alert Lilian, but Jackson motioned for her to stay silent and leave.
Gia, a long-time employee of the Kelly Manor, knew that Oberon and Flora were not pleased with Jackson.
Yesterday, when Jackson entered the manor, Oberon had been so angry that he threw something at Jackson's head.
Later, Lilian had asked Gia to fetch some ointment for the bruise. Now, seeing Jackson walk in so boldly, Gia was a bit taken aback.
But Jackson had an imposing presence that rivaled Oberon's, and Gia instinctively put down her cloth and walked out.
After a few steps, Gia realized something was off.
She wondered if Jackson had sneaked in again. If Oberon got angry later, she couldn't bear the consequences.
Gia stopped and turned back.
She saw Jackson already behind Lilian, wrapping his arms around her from behind.
He bent slightly, resting his handsome face on Lilian's right shoulder. Lilian, just realizing what was happening, turned her head, and Jackson kissed her.
The couple looked like a pair of lovebirds, entwined and affectionate.
Gia's heart raced, and she quickly left the kitchen.
This Jackson from Miracalia seemed cold and reserved, but he was actually quite passionate.
How could Oberon possibly guard against that?
In the kitchen, Lilian hadn't expected Jackson to come in.
She turned and was met with Jackson's intense presence.
The passionate kiss easily dispelled Lilian's bad mood.
The kiss didn't last long, as if Jackson just wanted to pull her out of her low spirits.
When he let go, a beam of bright sunlight hit his deep eyes, turning them a warm amber, filled with tenderness.
"I want to make cookies too."
Jackson said, taking the whisk and bowl from her hands, wrapping his arms around her from behind, and whispered in her ear.
"Will you teach me?"
Lilian, encircled in his arms, suddenly remembered where they were.
She struggled a bit, looking around. "Stop it, what if the staff sees us?"
"So what if they do?" Jackson raised an eyebrow.
Lilian felt Jackson was getting bolder. Oberon had only shown a slight sign of acceptance, and Jackson was already acting like he was part of the Kelly family.
She smirked. "Mr. Frane, are you feeling a bit smug today?"
Despite her words, Lilian still held Jackson's hand, guiding him to whisk the batter.
Jackson glanced at her. "You gave me the confidence last night."
Lilian blinked. "Did I?"
She didn't remember giving him any reason to act so boldly in the Kelly Manor.
Jackson's lips curved meaningfully as he whispered in her ear.
"Who was it last night that wouldn't let go of me, saying they only wanted me?"
Jackson's husky voice brought back memories of the previous night for Lilian.
It was clearly his persistence that wore her down, making her say things to please him just to get him to stop.
How did it turn into her clinging to him and professing her love?
Lilian stared at Jackson, who looked back at her.
"What? Didn't you say it? I even recorded it."
Lilian was even more shocked. "You recorded it? Seriously?"
Jackson smirked. "When have I ever lied to you?"
Lilian's face turned red, and she struggled in his arms.
"Why would you record that? Delete it now!"
She turned to search for Jackson's phone.
Jackson watched her frantic movements, his voice rising slightly.
"Why delete it? I can listen to it when I'm free, especially when it's late at night and you're not by my side."
Lilian's face burned with embarrassment, the heat spreading through her entire body.
She had said those things in the heat of the moment, so did he record the entire thing? And he planned to listen to it from time to time?
Lilian glared at him, both embarrassed and annoyed. "You're such a pervert! Where's your phone?"
Her embarrassment grew, and she frantically searched for his phone.
Her hand slipped into Jackson's suit pocket, but instead of finding the phone, she touched something she shouldn't have.
Her fingertips felt like they were on fire, and she quickly withdrew her hand.
She looked up and glared at Jackson again, but he remained calm, his Adam's apple bobbing as he spoke.
"Did you find it?"
Lilian bit her lip and called him a "pervert!"
Jackson chuckled. "I was talking about the phone. What were you talking about?"
Lilian was speechless, her face turning red.
Jackson wasn't about to let her off the hook. He stepped closer, wrapping an arm around her waist, and Lilian backed up until her lower back hit the edge of the counter, her heart racing.
"How am I the pervert? You're the one getting handsy."
Lilian was at a loss for words.
She was enveloped in his presence, pressed against him, her hands instinctively resting on his chest.
Under her palms, she could feel Jackson's strong, steady heartbeat, just like she had felt last night when he was beneath her, intense and fiery.
Her fingertips tingled, and she was at a loss for what to do when Gia suddenly coughed from outside the kitchen.
Startled, Lilian pushed Jackson away.
Gia entered, and before she could speak, Lilian, feeling guilty, quickly said, "Is Grandma in a hurry? I'll have the cookies ready for the oven soon."
Gia glanced at Lilian's flushed face and quickly looked away. "No, Mr. Kelly asked me to tell you that Mrs. Kelly is tired and has fallen asleep. Mr. Kelly said you don't need to rush."
Lilian was surprised to hear that Flora was already resting. She nodded. "Okay, I understand."
She turned to Jackson. "Hurry up and whisk it clockwise until it looks like cream."
Jackson's lips twitched as he nodded. "Yes, Ms. Kelly."
Gia left, and Jackson teased, "Do you want to keep searching?"
Lilian, now standing a good nine feet away from him, fiddled with the cookie cutters. "No! Just make sure you delete it later, okay?"
Jackson found her avoidance amusing. "No way. It's evidence of you taking advantage of me. I need to keep it in case you deny it later."
Lilian was speechless.
He was becoming more and more shameless, saying whatever came to mind.
She didn't want to continue the conversation, knowing it would only get worse.
She changed the subject. "What were you talking about with my grandpa in the living room?"
She was worried that Jackson and Oberon might not get along, so she had been listening for any signs of trouble.
She had heard them talking but couldn't make out the details.
But she felt they must have discussed something significant, or Oberon wouldn't have allowed Jackson into the kitchen.
Just yesterday, Oberon wouldn't even let him in the house.
Jackson didn't hide it. "We were talking about a new drug for treating Grandma's illness."
"A new drug? What new drug? How come I didn't know about it?"
Lilian was always up-to-date on new treatments for Flora's illness, but she hadn't heard of any new drugs recently.
She grabbed her phone, thinking there might have been a new release while she was dealing with her issues.
Jackson explained, "It's not on the market yet, but it's in phase three clinical trials. The results are far better than any drugs currently available. If the trials go well, I'll get the drug for Grandma."
Lilian was stunned. "How did you get access to an unlisted drug?"
She paused, realizing, "Did you invest in this drug's development?"
Jackson nodded slightly, and Lilian's eyes softened.
"When did this happen? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Last year, about a month after you returned to Seaspring Valley City. I found out about the breakthrough by chance and decided to invest. It wasn't entirely for anyone specific, so I didn't think it was necessary to tell you."
Jackson leaned against the counter, casually whisking the batter, as if it were no big deal.
But Lilian's heart was touched. She knew he had been keeping an eye on such developments, investing specifically for Flora.
She walked over, wrapped her arms around his lean waist, and stood on tiptoe to kiss his lips. "Thank you."
"Between us, saying thank you is too formal. I don't like it. Say something else."
Jackson looked down at her, giving her a hint.
"Like three words."
Lilian smiled, pretending not to understand. "Three words? What are they?"
Jackson's gaze deepened.
Lilian poked his waist with her finger. "Tell me, and I'll say them to you."
Her voice was soft, with a hint of playful teasing.
Jackson's breath hitched, and he grabbed her mischievous hand, guiding her. "I love you."
Lilian's heart skipped a beat, her eyes crinkling with a smile. "Got it."
Jackson, however, was slightly annoyed. He set the bowl down and grabbed her waist, lifting her onto the counter. He leaned in, hands on either side of her hips, staring her down.
"Are you playing with me?"
Lilian blinked innocently, still smiling. "You said three words. I got it."
Jackson, seeing her refusal to say the words he longed to hear, was both frustrated and amused by her playful demeanor.
He pressed his tongue against his cheek, nodding with a hint of exasperation. "Fine! I'll make you say it willingly one day."
Lilian smiled, nodding as well, and asked, "Are you hiding anything else from me?"
Jackson raised an eyebrow. "I secretly convinced Beck to come over for acupuncture. Grandpa will be able to get treatment soon. Does that count?"
Lilian had asked casually, not expecting such a pleasant surprise.
She and Jackson had previously learned that Beck would attend Ezra Green's birthday party.
Lilian had agreed to go with Jackson to the Green family's party to wish Ezra a happy birthday and to persuade Beck to treat Oberon's headaches.
But she had missed the opportunity because she was unconscious after being pushed into the water.
Since waking up, she had regretted missing the chance, knowing Beck didn't see patients often.
She hadn't expected Jackson to have already taken care of it.
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