I’ll Marry His Rival and Burn His Empire to Ash Chapter 06

I’ll Marry His Rival and Burn His Empire to Ash Chapter 06

After Chloe’s condition stabilized, Jackson spirited Savannah-Claire away from the city, far from the hospital and the whispers.

That day happened to be Savannah-Claire’s birthday.

He threw her a party at one of the most expensive restaurants in downtown Charleston.

Inside the private room, light from a crystal chandelier flowed over dark wood paneling. The atmosphere was loud and ostentatious. Jackson held Savannah-Claire by the waist and announced to the circle of old-money heirs around him:

“Everyone, remember this face. Savannah-Claire is my woman. From now on, no one gives her any trouble.”

Someone immediately raised a glass.

“Don’t worry, Jack. No one will dare touch her.”

“It’s Savannah-Claire’s birthday! Order whatever you want, it’s on me!”

“Of course we won’t bother her,” said a man in a pale blue seersucker suit, glancing toward a nearby corner. “But some other people might be a different story.”

That was the corner booth with the best view in the restaurant. At the moment, it was empty.

Someone quickly realized Ava, who usually sat there, was absent.

“Jack, I heard you taught Ava’s best friend quite a lesson to avenge Savannah-Claire?”

“That bar owner, Chloe, right? She’s always been Ava’s most loyal attack dog.”

“That was ruthless. And brilliant. Hurting the friend hurts Ava more than hurting Ava herself.”

“Don’t mention her tonight.”

Jackson cut them off and sat down with his whiskey.

Savannah-Claire leaned obediently against him, but his gaze drifted uncontrollably to the empty seats nearby.

Ava hadn’t come.

Neither had Chloe.

Ever since Ava had woken up from the car accident, she had changed.

Before, no matter how late he came home from parties, a lamp was always left on for him in the living room.

Whenever he returned from his morning run, she would have his black coffee ready, the temperature just right.

When he got up, his ironed shirt and matched tie were always laid out at the foot of the bed.

But after she woke up this time, she had stopped caring about any of it.

She no longer waited for him to come home.

She no longer prepared his coffee.

She no longer chose his clothes.

Once, she had even walked in on him with Savannah-Claire in their bedroom, and not a single flicker of emotion had crossed her face.

He had finally cornered her, demanding an explanation.

“What is this act, Ava? If you’re unhappy, just say it. Don’t disgust me with this performance.”

At the time, she had only smiled. Polite and distant.

“I’m not unhappy. I was unconscious. Life had to go on.”

“You found someone new. I don’t blame you.”

She said it so lightly.

But Jackson didn’t feel light at all.

“Jack, what are you thinking about?”

Savannah-Claire noticed his distraction, and the smile on her face stiffened.

“Nothing. The cake is here.”

Jackson set down his glass and had someone light the candles.

Savannah-Claire closed her eyes, folded her hands, and began to make a wish.

Someone immediately started teasing.

“Savannah-Claire, what did you wish for?”

“Isn’t it obvious? To be with Jack forever, of course!”

“Does she even need to wish for that? Becoming Mrs. Devereaux is practically a sure thing.”

The noise from their table drew glances from around the room.

Not far away, Ava’s friends, all dressed with the refined precision that always set them apart from Jackson’s circle, clicked toward them in their high heels.