Chapter 8

The next morning.

Sunlight filtered through the thin curtains, casting dappled patterns on the soft bed. Sophia's long lashes fluttered slightly as she slowly opened her eyes.

The unfamiliar ceiling, the unfamiliar room—for a moment, she felt disoriented.

But soon, memories of last night came flooding back like a tide.

The person she'd been thinking about day and night had returned.

Sophia rushed out of her room, and immediately the rich aroma of bacon and fried eggs hit her.

In the dining room, Jack was taking off his apron and placing two beautifully prepared breakfasts on the table.

He wore a simple white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing his well-defined forearms. The morning light fell on his chiseled profile, giving him a gentle yet steady appearance.

"You're up? Come have breakfast."

Jack turned around, saw Sophia standing in the doorway, and his lips curved slightly into a soft smile.

The little girl from his memory had completely grown up now—he almost didn't recognize her.

Sophia wore an oversized white nightgown, slightly open at the collar, revealing her delicate collarbone and smooth skin. She had fully grown into this figure—a slender waist, soft curves, with that subtle fullness of a girl gradually becoming a woman.

She had golden hair like a waterfall, casually draped over her shoulders, shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight.

Her blue eyes were like the deepest ocean water, clear yet melancholic. Below her elegant nose were lips as red as cherries.

She was now breathtakingly beautiful, with both a girl's innocence and a woman's charm.

"Why are you spacing out? Eat up before it gets cold." Jack looked away and pulled out a chair, his tone gentle.

Sophia sat down somewhat awkwardly. Looking at the hearty breakfast before her, her eyes reddened again.

"Jack, did you make all this?"

"Yes, haven't cooked in a while." Jack smiled faintly and transferred a piece of fried egg from his plate to hers. "Try it and see if it tastes good."

Sophia lowered her head, eating her breakfast in small bites as tears silently fell onto her plate.

This was the warmest meal she'd had since her father died.

After breakfast.

The black armored sedan stopped once again at the entrance of St. Catherine's School.

"Go on, study hard." Jack straightened Sophia's collar, his eyes firm. "Remember, no one will dare bully you again. If they do, tell Jack. I'll make them regret being born."

Sophia nodded hard, then reluctantly got out of the car.

Watching Sophia's figure disappear through the entrance, the warmth on Jack's face vanished instantly, replaced by his usual cold expression.

He got back in the car, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag.

"Joseph."

"General." Joseph immediately responded.

"The people protecting Sophia in secret—are they arranged?"

Jack blew out a smoke ring, his eyes looking coldly out the window through his sunglasses.

Sophia was now his only family. He absolutely wouldn't allow anything to happen to her.

"Yes, General, they're arranged."

"I personally selected them. They're all the best soldiers, protecting Ms. Carter around the clock in secret. Nothing will go wrong."

"Good."

Jack stubbed out his cigarette, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes.

Then he pulled out a document.

At the top was a name.

Martin Watson.

He used to be William's subordinate and also William's friend.

After William died, Martin immediately cut ties with him. Not only that, but some of William's assets were transferred to Martin's name.

This made Jack suspect that Martin was involved in William's death.

So he planned to pay a visit to this old friend of his father's.

"To the Watson Mansion."

Jack flipped through the document and said calmly.

"Yes."

Joseph nodded respectfully and started the car.

The scenery outside the window flew backward rapidly. Jack sat in the back seat, his fingertips lightly tapping the document on his knee. He knew that file on Martin by heart.

After William died, Martin not only quickly cut ties but also took over large amounts of questionable assets under William's name. The shadiness of it all made Jack suspicious of him.

"General, we'll be there after this street." Joseph, who was driving, suddenly said.

Jack nodded slightly and was about to speak when something unexpected happened!

A sharp screeching of brakes pierced the air.

Two heavy dump trucks suddenly shot out from both sides, charging at Jack's vehicle with crushing force.

"Attack!"

Joseph's eyes turned cold. He jerked the steering wheel hard, and the car drifted skillfully, barely avoiding the collision with the two dump trucks. But the rear was still hit hard, causing the entire car to spin out of control before finally crashing into the roadside guardrail.

"Kill!"

With a violent shout, dozens of dark figures instantly emerged from the surrounding darkness. Armed with blades, moving efficiently with fierce eyes, they charged toward Jack's position.

"Seeking death."

Joseph's face was cold.

He calmly unbuckled his seatbelt, then like a tiger pouncing, instantly rushed into the crowd.

Cold light flashed.

A tactical knife appeared in Joseph's hand.

Joseph reached the person in front, and before they could react, the knife had already sliced across their throat.

One hit, one kill.

Joseph didn't pause. His body moved like a ghost, dodging another person's attack while simultaneously stabbing the knife into that person's heart.

Blood splattered.

Someone fell every second.

And they couldn't even touch the corner of Joseph's clothes.

This was no longer an assassination—it was a slaughter!

A one-sided massacre!

In the car.

Jack's eyes narrowed slightly, his slender fingers tapping lightly, showing no sign of tension.

Soon.

The large group of people was whittled down to just one person, who looked at Joseph in sheer terror, as if seeing a demon. He was now trembling with fear. He was about to turn and run when Joseph was already in front of him.

The knife pierced through his chest.

He instantly fell to the ground.

Silence returned to the surroundings, though the strong smell of blood proved what had just happened.

Joseph walked back to the car and bowed respectfully to Jack. "General, all twenty assassins have been eliminated."

The car window lowered.

Jack glanced at Joseph and raised his hand, showing his black watch, his tone flat.

"Twenty people. It took you thirty seconds."

Joseph's body trembled violently, and he bowed his head as cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

"A year ago, you would have only needed fifteen seconds." Jack's voice was calm but carried a chilling authority. "Joseph, you've gotten slack."

"I accept my punishment!" Joseph knelt on one knee, his voice trembling.

"When you get back, step up your training." Jack looked away and said flatly, not even glancing at the assassins lying on the ground.

"Yes!" Joseph nodded respectfully.

"Let's go."

The two of them got back into the car. The sedan rolled over the bloodstains on the ground and slowly drove toward the Watson Mansion.