Chapter 135

When Jack and Sherry arrived home, night had already fallen.

"Mr. Carter."

The moment they stepped out of the car, a man with East Asian features approached them.

He wore a perfectly tailored dark suit, his slender frame upright. He bowed slightly, his movements impeccable and courteous.

"And you are?"

Jack frowned slightly at the stranger.

"My employer wishes to see you," the man said respectfully.

Jack's expression darkened instantly. He didn't answer right away. Instead, he instinctively stepped forward, positioning himself squarely between the stranger and Sherry.

"Your employer?" Jack's voice was ice-cold, his eyes making no effort to hide his displeasure.

"Who?"

The man remained unfazed by Jack's cold demeanor.

"My employer's surname is Lawson," he replied politely.

"Lawson?"

Jack froze.

His eyes narrowed the next moment.

Avalonian.

Surnamed Lawson.

Someone from the Igaru faction.

"Fine."

Jack understood immediately who had sent this man.

"Jack."

Sherry's worried voice came from behind as she clutched his arm.

Feeling her hand tremble against his sleeve, Jack's tense jawline relaxed slightly. He covered her hand with his own, his thumb brushing soothingly across her knuckles. "It's fine. I'll be right back. Wait for me at home," he said quietly.

Hearing this, Sherry slowly released his arm and nodded obediently.

In the eyes of others, she was the powerful Director of Military Supplies, someone whose word was law. But with Jack, she was simply a woman who trusted him completely.

Whatever Jack did, she wouldn't stand in his way.

"Okay."

As she spoke, she shot the stranger a sharp glance before turning toward the house.

Her eyes carried a clear threat: if anything happened to Jack, she would make this man pay.

"Let's go."

After Sherry went inside, Jack turned to the man.

"Please."

The man stepped aside, gesturing toward the car behind him.

Jack glanced at the vehicle, then strode toward the back seat on his long legs.

The man opened the door with impeccable timing, waiting until Jack was settled before closing it soundlessly. Then he slipped into the passenger seat.

---

The low rumble of the engine echoed through the empty street as the black sedan glided into the thick darkness like a phantom.

Inside, the silence was oppressive, broken only by the faint hum of tires against pavement.

Jack leaned back with his eyes half-closed, feigning rest.

The car drove on.

Time seemed to blur.

Eventually, it stopped in front of a building.

Unlike most mansions or castles, this structure was distinctly Avalonian in style, surrounded by cherry blossom trees.

A path paved with smooth river stones led to the entrance.

"Mr. Carter, we've arrived."

The man respectfully brought the car to a halt and opened Jack's door.

Jack pushed the door open and stepped out.

"Mr. Carter, this way please."

The man had already moved to his side, gesturing with that same flawless courtesy, his smile still perfectly polite.

Jack withdrew his gaze, his expression settling back into the cold composure of someone who'd seen countless battlefields. He adjusted his cuffs and began walking down the stone path toward the main building, where warm light glowed from within.

The pebbles crunched softly beneath his shoes, the sound unnaturally loud in the stillness of the night.

As he drew closer, the building's full appearance came into view.

It was a traditional Avalonian structure—dark wood beams, a roof covered in blue-gray tiles, with eaves that curved upward at the corners.

A cool night breeze stirred, lifting a few stray cherry blossom petals from the ground. They spiraled through the air before landing silently near the edge of his shoes.

The air carried a faint, cold fragrance of plants mixed with the damp scent of earth. In the quiet depths of night, it felt almost otherworldly.

Jack nodded and followed the man's lead.

After entering the building and navigating several turns, the man led him to a wooden structure.

"Mr. Carter, my employer is waiting inside."

The man bowed deeply, then retreated backward until he disappeared from view.

In an instant, Jack stood alone before the wooden house.

He turned his attention to the building in front of him—an extremely simple Avalonian cottage. No unnecessary decorations, just dark brown timber and yellowed shoji screens. The door was half-open, white mist seeping through the gap.

Jack's brow furrowed slightly as he reached out and pulled it open gently.

---

The old wooden door slid open smoothly under his touch.

Inside, the lighting was dim. A paper lantern sat on the low table in the center of the room, its glow too weak to illuminate the entire space. Behind the table hung a long curtain.

From behind it came the sound of running water.

Perhaps hearing the door open, the water stopped momentarily.

Then a low, languid voice—tinged with a hint of seduction—drifted through the thin curtain.

"Mr. Carter, you're even more punctual than I expected."

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried a strange penetrating quality that seemed to echo in the small room.

Next came rustling sounds.

Water splashing. The sound of someone dressing.

About two minutes later, a delicate white foot stepped onto the tatami mat. Then a slender hand slowly drew back the long curtain.

A woman emerged, dressed in a pure white silk robe.

Her long hair wasn't fully dry yet. A few damp black strands clung lazily to her slender neck, droplets of water sliding down the ends and disappearing into the slightly open neckline of her robe.

The exquisite silk garment was loosely tied, outlining her curvaceous figure in a way that was both revealing and concealing. As she moved, the hem swayed gently, exuding an undisguised mature allure.

Her features were classically East Asian—long, narrow eyes with upturned corners that gave her a naturally seductive air. Her lips were painted a vivid red, standing out especially in the dim glow of the paper lantern.

She walked barefoot, soundlessly approaching the other side of the table before gracefully kneeling. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes—seemingly brimming with spring water—meeting Jack's directly as a faint smile played at the corners of her mouth.

"Mr. Carter, please sit."

The woman extended one hand in a graceful gesture, inviting Jack to take a seat.

Jack looked at her, his frown deepening slightly, but he walked over and sat down across from her.

With elegant movements, the woman lifted the teapot from the table and poured Jack a cup of hot tea. "This is the finest tea from Thalassia. Mr. Carter, please have a taste."