?Chapter 2158


    Jameson had witnessed brutal fights and seen the darkest aspects of humanity right here in Kontina. Without these experiences, he might never have realized that the country''s picturesquendscapes masked the dangers of a ruthless, dog-eat-dog world.


    Had things been different, he might have considered this ce his true home, where he could have run a regr business and lived peacefully with his mother, Lily.


    Today was a rainy day. Holding a ck umbre, Jameson arrived alone at Rose Nursing Home to visit Lily.


    Across Kontina, every ce he had invested in or had financial influence bore the name ''rose "It was his way of reassuring himself and keeping the memory of his distant love alive.


    "How are you feeling today, Mom?"


    Lily sat under the awning, staring nkly at the falling rain. Jameson gently held her hand as he sat beside her.


    Her hands were just skin and bones, devoid of vitality.


    With her mouth slightly agape, Lily''s expression appeared nk. She didn''t seem to have heard what Jameson said.


    "I''m Jimmy, Morn. Do you still recognize me?" Jameson reminded her of who he was tirelessly.


    *J-J-Jimmy... Jimmy!"


    There were brief moments each day when Lily seemed more energetic, though her mind remained clouded.


    ''Jimmy, where''s Lyse? It''s been a while since she came over to y. Why is that? You two mustn''t quarrel. You don''t make friends easily, and it wasn''t easy to befriend someone as nice as Lyse. You need to appreciate her.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    "You are a man, so you should alwayspromise and give in to her... You must stay together for a long time!"


    ''Soon, Lyse will no longer be my friend, Mom. Jameson gently adjusted Lily''s nket. With concem in her voice, Lily asked, "Why is that?"


    "She will soon be your daughter-inw."


    A blissful expression crossed Jameson''s face, so sincere that he nearly believed his own lie. She has agreed to marry me."


    *Really? Lyse is going to be my daughter-inw?"


    Lily was moved to tears. "That''s great... That''s wonderful! I have a pair of emerald bracelets in my box. Your father gave them to me when we got married. I couldn''t bear to wear them all this while. Bring them here. You can give them to Lyse.


    "As her future mother-inw, it''s embarrassing that I don''t have much to offer her. Jimmy,


    you must prepare generous wedding gifts for Lyse. You have to do right by her!


    ''You should give them to her personally when shees." Jameson''s eyes reflected a steely determination. Choking up, he added, "I''ll have here meet you soon enough."


    After lunch with Lily, the gloomy skies unexpectedly cleared.


    While Lily slept in her room, Jameson stepped out onto the balcony. He took out a cigarette, lit it, and held it between his fingers.


    He didn''t smoke it. He simply watched the cigarette burn down to its end. Then, he dialed a number.


    A momentter, the call was answered. A crisp, charming voice came through the line." Who''s this?"


    ''It''s an incredible feeling to be on the phone with you, Mr. Axel," Jameson remarked, his posture straightening as his eyes narrowed in a rxed manner.


    Suddenly, there was silence on the other end of the line, as if time and space had reached a standstill.


    "Why aren''t you saying anything?" Jameson scoffed softly, "You fell in love with the woman crafted and groomed. I was the one who brought you two together. Shouldn''t you be thanking me for that?


    ''It''s just that you fell in love with a woman who looks like your younger sister. Should I call you perverted or inhuman?"