Chapter 144

"Thanks for this," Jack said, looking at Sherry with genuine gratitude.

Sherry smiled softly at his words.

She stepped forward and gave Jack a lingering kiss, then said, "Don't forget to eat breakfast."

"I'll get that search warrant as fast as I can."

With that, she turned and walked toward the door, her heels clicking a sharp rhythm against the floor.

The door closed softly.

Jack stood there, raising his hand to touch his own lips.

The softness and warmth of Sherry's kiss still lingered there, along with a faint hint of milk.

He glanced down at the breakfast on the table. The milk had stopped steaming, and the bread had cooled slightly.

But he walked over anyway and took a bite.

The dry texture spread through his mouth, yet somehow it felt more grounding than anything had in a long time.

After finishing breakfast, Jack was about to clean up when the doorbell rang.

Jack frowned slightly.

He walked out.

The door opened with a crisp click.

Outside stood a woman dripping in jewels.

The woman was in her fifties. Though time had etched fine lines at the corners of her eyes, it hadn't diminished the calculating sharpness in her bones. She wore an impeccably tailored Chanel tweed jacket, a heavy pearl necklace at her throat, and diamond earrings that glinted harshly under the hallway lights.

She carried a Hermès Birkin bag, her chin tilted upward as she looked Jack up and down with a scrutinizing, condescending gaze.

"Where's Sherry?"

The woman's tone was clipped.

"She went to work."

Jack had already guessed who she was—this had to be Sherry's mother.

Jack didn't know much about Sherry's family.

But back at the academy, he'd heard that Sherry had a terrible relationship with her mother, who was apparently extremely controlling.

The woman let out a cold snort and pushed past Jack without hesitation, striding directly into the apartment.

She swept her gaze over the modest space, her brow furrowing. Sherry had chosen to escape her control by renting her own place rather than living at home.

Then she walked to the table, carelessly dropping her Hermès Birkin onto a chair. Turning around, she spoke to Jack in a commanding tone. "Sit down."

Jack didn't move. He simply stood by the door, hands in his coat pockets, watching her calmly.

"I'll stand."

The woman narrowed her eyes, clearly displeased by Jack's resistance. She walked over to the couch and sat down, crossing her legs with elegant yet oppressive authority.

"I'm Helen," she said, meeting Jack's eyes with the kind of authority that came from years in power. "Sherry's mother."

Jack gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

Helen's gaze cut over Jack like a scalpel, dissecting him without mercy. She took in his slightly worn coat, his impassive expression, and her frown deepened.

"Sherry told me she's with you now. That's why she doesn't want to marry Tyler." Helen's voice was as cold and hard as ice. "Mr. Carter, I want to know—what exactly do you do?"

Jack looked at this controlling woman, remembering the complicated look in Sherry's eyes whenever she'd mentioned Helen back at the academy.

"Enough."

Before Jack could answer, Helen waved her hand dismissively. "I don't actually care what you do."

"What I want to say is this."

Helen let out a cold laugh, glancing at Jack with eyes full of mockery. "Sherry is now the Quartermaster General of Imperial City. Her position, her status—not just anyone can get close to her."

She leaned forward slightly, her gaze sharpening.

"I don't care who you are. I'm warning you—don't drag her into your filthy mess. She's my daughter. Her future won't be ruined by anyone."

Jack listened to her rapid-fire interrogation, his expression unchanged.

He simply looked at Helen calmly.

"Ma'am."

Jack's voice was low and steady. "Sherry is an adult. She can make her own decisions. And what makes you so certain that being with me would drag her into the gutter?"

Helen's expression flickered. She clearly hadn't expected Jack to push back.

Then Helen let out a cold laugh.

"Isn't it obvious?"

"What can you possibly do for her?"

"You're nothing but a 'toy boy'!"

"I have no idea what Sherry sees in you!"

"How are you better than Tyler in any way?"

"His family is one of the Big Four in Imperial City—they have power in both military and political circles!"

Helen's tone dripped with undisguised arrogance and contempt. She looked at Jack as if he were some delusional clown.

"Tyler can give Sherry the best life, top-tier resources, the most secure political alliance. And you? What can you possibly give her?"

Jack listened quietly, his face showing no trace of humiliated anger. He didn't even raise an eyebrow.

He simply watched Helen until she finished her final taunt, until the room fell silent again.

Then he stepped forward with long strides, walked to the armchair across from Helen, and slowly sat down.

His movements were unhurried, as if the woman across from him wasn't an aggressive socialite but an irrelevant wisp of air.

"Are you finished?" Jack's voice was low and even, devoid of emotion.

Helen was infuriated by his near-dismissive attitude. She shot to her feet, pointing a finger at Jack's face. "You—"

"Ma'am." Jack looked at Helen, his tone flat. "I think you don't really understand your daughter. What she wants isn't top-tier resources or the best life… it's—"

"Shut up!"

Helen cut Jack off again.

She stared at him coldly, her features sharp and calculating despite their refinement.

"I'm Sherry's mother."

"I will not allow her to be with someone like you—a nobody. You have no power, no influence. You're not worthy of her!"

"I won't waste any more words."

"This is five million dollars!"

Helen pulled out a check and pushed it toward Jack like a handout.

"Take this money, leave my daughter, and never—never—come back!"

Jack's gaze dropped to the check. He didn't even reach for it.

He simply looked at Helen, his eyes filled with something almost like pity.

"Five million dollars." He repeated the amount quietly, his tone as flat as if he were commenting on the weather.

Helen watched his reaction, her frown deepening. She'd expected this nobody to show at least a flicker of hesitation or greed when he saw that kind of money.

But Jack showed nothing.

"What? Not enough?" Helen's voice grew sharper with irritation. "Do you have any idea how many people could never make five million dollars in their entire lives?"