Jack returned to Skyview Villa No. 1 and found Emily curled up on the couch, watching TV, her eyes red and glistening with tears.
Jack only caught a glimpse of the melodrama before frowning."How can women cry over this kind of stuff?" he muttered, walking over.
He sat down beside her, gently wrapping an arm around her slender waist."If you keep crying, you won't look pretty anymore," he teased softly.
Emily sniffled and instantly stopped crying. She glanced at him with a slight pout, narrowed her brows, then leaned in closer and sniffed again."There's another woman's scent on you."
Jack chuckled and gave her nose a playful squeeze."Sharp nose you got there."
He didn't deny it—Emily wasn't the jealous type. She was considerate and always gave him space, which made being with her relaxing.
"Hmph, of course."She tossed her head proudly, but after a moment, turned to him and asked with suspicion,"You had dinner… with a woman. Don't tell me she was some escort?"
Her expression turned into mock disgust as she made to push him away.
Jack flicked her forehead gently."Do I look like someone that desperate?"
"She's actually a small-time celebrity. Her name's Zhao Xiuning—Samantha. She's very principled."
Emily paused while rubbing her forehead, now genuinely curious.Jack gave her a brief overview of what had happened earlier that day.
"She sounds like a really independent woman," Emily remarked, then her voice softened as she lowered her head.
Jack noticed and asked gently,"What's wrong?"
Emily's tone was a little downcast."Other women have careers… and here I am, doing nothing. I feel kind of useless."
Jack took her hand and asked,"Then what kind of work do you want to do?"
"I don't know… as long as I can help you, I'll be happy."She looked into his eyes seriously.
Jack was touched by her words. After thinking for a moment, he suddenly remembered—he had just acquired the Golden Pinnacle Hotel. Whether it made money or not didn't matter. What mattered was giving Emily something that made her feel fulfilled.
"I have a hotel," he said, smiling, "You could be the general manager and run it."
Her eyes instantly lit up."Seriously? That's amazing!"
Jack nodded."Yeah. The Golden Pinnacle Hotel."
"A five-star hotel?"Emily gasped in delight, but then seemed to hesitate."You're really putting me in charge of something so big? What if I screw it up?"
Jack waved his hand nonchalantly."Doesn't matter. Just do your best. Worst-case scenario, it's just a little hotel—treat it as training."
Emily knew Jack wasn't short on money, but still, she was confident she wouldn't mess it up. She was already imagining her new identity as a businesswoman. Beaming with excitement, she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.
"Ew! Go take a shower! The thought that I just kissed someone who kissed another woman is disgusting."
She mock-spat and waved him off like she was trying to chase away bad energy.
Jack burst out laughing at her cuteness and headed upstairs.
When he came back down, freshly showered, Emily was already waiting for him.
"So… when do I start?" she asked eagerly.
Jack chuckled as he dried his hair."When you want to start."
"Tomorrow! I can't stand another day stuck at home."
She took the hairdryer from him and helped him blow dry his hair.
"Alright, I'll call the hotel's execs. We'll go over in the morning and hold a meeting."
"Perfect!"She kissed him again in excitement.
Jack set down the hairdryer, turned to scoop her up bridal-style, and tossed her onto the bed.
Then, shedding the towel from his waist, he dove in after her like a hungry wolf.
"You sure you still have energy after hanging out with another woman?"Emily teased, giggling.
"There's only one way to find out."
Jack replied, and with that, the night was filled with primal passion.
An hour later.
Emily lay on the bed, wiping the sweat from her forehead with a tissue, glaring at Jack.
"Don't you ever get tired?"
She had assumed he'd be worn out today—but no. He was still as fierce as ever.
"How about round two?" Jack said, grinning.
"You trying to kill me? That old saying about the ox being worked to death—clearly made-up nonsense."
Jack chuckled and pinched her nose."There's no such thing as an overworked field, only an overused ox."
"Hmph. Well, this 'field' feels totally plowed through by you."Emily groaned and turned away, hiding her smile.
Jack wrapped an arm around her and gently caressed her smooth back.The rest of the night passed peacefully.
The next morning.
After breakfast, Jack and Emily hopped into the Venom and sped off toward the Golden Pinnacle Hotel.
Outside the hotel, all the senior executives were already waiting in a neat line.
The roar of the Venom's engine turned heads as Jack parked at the front entrance.
He stepped out with Emily at his side.
"Good morning, Mr. Booth!"The executives bowed respectfully in unison.
Jack waved casually."Morning, everyone. Let's go inside."
Soon, they gathered at the hotel's top-floor conference room.
"I called everyone here today to announce that from now on, Ms. Emily Carter will be the General Manager of the Golden Pinnacle Hotel," Jack stated clearly.
"Understood, Mr. Booth. We'll fully support Ms. Carter in her work."
"Yes, sir. Understood!"
"Congratulations, Ms. Carter!"
Jack nodded, pleased by their cooperation. He turned to Emily with a smile."Everything's yours now. I'll leave the rest to you."
Emily nodded confidently."Don't worry. I've got this."
With a few quick words to the staff, Jack turned and walked out.
"Safe journey, Mr. Booth!""Take care, sir!"
Just as Jack stepped out of the hotel, his phone rang. The caller ID surprised him—it was Samantha.
The image of her sweet, elegant smile popped into his head. He smiled subconsciously and answered the call.
"Samantha, miss me already?" he joked.
But her panicked voice snapped him to attention."Jack… help me!"
Jack's expression turned serious."Where are you?"
"I'm… I'm in the old town district. I'm really scared…"
Her voice was trembling.
"Hang tight. I'm coming."
Jack ended the call, jumped into the Venom, and gunned the engine.With a roar, the car shot down the street toward the old neighborhood—like a black lightning bolt.