Chapter 110
When everyone thought he was trapped in a desperate situation—some watching from the sidelines, some kicking him while he was down, some eagerly jumping out to grab power—she chose the most dangerous path and came to his side.
This kind of unwavering commitment that emerges in desperate situations, this kind of dedication without any calculation, was something he had never obtained, or even dared to hope for, in this cold, bloody world full of betrayal.
The shadow of the truth about his father's death still hung over him, like a thorn stuck deep in his heart.
But at this moment, the pain from that thorn seemed to be drowned out and suppressed by another emotion—more overwhelming, more burning, and more unfamiliar.
He suddenly reached out his hand, not to restrain her aggressively like before, but rather stiffly grasping Elizabeth's wrist.
Her wrist was slender, her skin slightly cool.
Elizabeth froze slightly, looking up at him.
In the darkness, Jacob's eyes were unfathomably deep, churning with intense emotions she couldn't understand.
His Adam's apple bobbed, his voice even more hoarse than before, yet carrying an unwavering determination, "Elizabeth, let's get married."
Such a brief declaration, as if this was the only thing he could grasp, the only thing he could be certain of after careful consideration.
Elizabeth was completely stunned.
Marriage?
At a time like this?
Was he acting on impulse because of what she did tonight, or was it something else?
"Mr. Smith," Elizabeth tried to pull her hand back, but he held it tight, "now isn't the time to talk about this. There are still many things outside that need your attention, the Smith Family..."
"I'll handle the Smith Family matters," Jacob interrupted her, his tone brooking no argument. "The wedding—start preparing immediately. This month."
He seemed eager to lock down their relationship through legal and contractual means, as if afraid she would disappear the next second, or change her mind.
Elizabeth looked at the unmistakable seriousness in his eyes and his almost obsessive possessiveness, her heart filled with mixed feelings.
She could sense that tonight's events seemed to have touched some corner deep in his heart—a place of extreme insecurity that even he himself had never noticed.
Her coming to him had become the last straw that broke through his rational defenses, making him selectively ignore the huge obstacles between them, wanting only to use marriage as a net to keep her firmly by his side.
This was dangerous.
For her, for him, both.
But given Jacob's personality, once he decided something, it was hard to change.
Refusing might anger him and make their already complicated relationship even harder to control.
Countless thoughts flashed through Elizabeth's mind.
Finally, she lowered her eyes, avoiding his too-intense gaze, and said softly, "Okay."
Her words didn't sound particularly joyful, but that single word of agreement made Jacob's tense body relax imperceptibly.
He held her hand, easing his grip slightly, but still didn't let go.
"Let's go," he said in a low voice. "Leave here first."
He led her, starting to climb back.
This time, his movements were no longer as swift and silent as when they came, but deliberately slower, as if accommodating her, and as if enjoying this strange experience.
Their journey together through the filthy pipeline.
Elizabeth followed behind him, looking at his broad back covered in dust and blood, feeling the burning warmth from his palm on her wrist, and the still lake in her heart was finally completely stirred.
The night of bloodshed and purging at Golden Pit Casino finally settled into a heart-stopping calm as dawn broke.
Jacob's methods were ruthless. He not only eliminated the internal rebels led by Richard and Dave, but also completely uprooted the external forces that had taken advantage of the chaos to infiltrate.
Richard's broken leg hadn't yet healed, and he had suffered a new injury. Lying in the hospital bed, his face was ashen, and there was no trace of ambition left in his eyes—only the fear of death and a deep trembling at Jacob's methods.
Dave had shrunk into himself, his old face full of pleading.
The other family elders who had participated in or tacitly approved the rebellion all knelt begging for mercy, incoherently pleading, swearing they would never have second thoughts again.
Jacob stood in the casino hall, which was filled with faint gunpowder smoke and the smell of blood, looking at these people who had once opposed him openly or secretly but were now groveling, his eyes cold without a trace of warmth.
He didn't choose to kill them all.
Not out of soft-heartedness, but because it was the optimal solution after weighing the pros and cons.
Richard and Dave were, after all, direct members of the Smith Family, with certain foundations and influence within the family. Killing them all might be satisfying, but it would also cause the Smith Group's stock price to plummet, create panic, and give competitors an opportunity.
What he needed was stability and absolute control, not a family falling apart with everyone living in fear.
So he gave them a choice: use the interests, resources, and connections they still controlled, along with their absolute loyalty and obedience in the future, to buy a chance to live.
Handed over part of their shares in the Smith Family business, withdraw from competition for key positions, provided all information they knew about external collusion, and sign a series of harsh agreements that stripped them of almost all their rights.
Richard and the others, as if grasping at a lifeline, didn't dare to haggle. They immediately signed and sealed the documents, handing over everything they could, just hoping to keep their lives, even if it meant becoming dogs at Jacob's feet from now on.
Jacob looked at the stacks of signed documents and transfer agreements, a trace of cold satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
This fishing operation not only cleaned out internal threats and struck at external enemies, but also allowed him to legitimately collect a large amount of previously scattered power and wealth. The Smith Family's authority had never been so concentrated in one person's hands.
He kept his promise and didn't take their lives, only completely dismantled their respective forces and put them under strict surveillance, ensuring they could never stir up any trouble again.
Smith Manor.
After a day of cleaning and reorganization, the manor had superficially restored its usual order, though the air still carried a hint of tension.
Tina brought Jack back from the secret safe house.
As soon as Jack saw Elizabeth standing at the door, his eyes lit up immediately. He broke free from Tina's hand and ran toward Elizabeth on his short little legs, burying himself in her arms, his small arms tightly wrapped around her waist, his voice muffled with a sob, "Mommy, where did you go? I was scared."
Elizabeth's heart softened. She crouched down, gently patting his back, softly comforting him, "Don't be afraid, Jack. Mommy is here. Daddy had important things to do, and Mommy went to help. See, everything's fine now, isn't it?"
Jack nuzzled against her, lifted his small face with red eyes, but obediently nodded.
He clung to Elizabeth dependently, burying his small face in the crook of her neck, as if only this way could he draw enough sense of security.
When Jacob finished handling the last bit of business and walked out of the study, this was the scene he saw.