The enthusiastic cheers from the residents echoed through the air, bringing a smile to Jack's face. Someone even shouted "Long live Young Master Jack," which made him chuckle inside.
Raising both hands slightly, he signaled for silence. The crowd quieted almost instantly.
"Everyone, please start packing up and get your contracts signed. Once that's done, the money will be transferred to your accounts immediately, and the construction work will begin soon. For your safety, we ask that you leave as soon as possible."
"Yes, right away!"
"No one can go wrong listening to Mr. Jack!"
The residents scrambled to sign their agreements, filled with joy and gratitude. They were so caught up in the excitement that they completely forgot about Jasper White, who was still lying on the ground groaning.
Jack glanced over at Jasper White with a frown and turned to Black Dragon.
"What happened here?"
Black Dragon quickly filled Jack in on everything—how Jasper White had come looking for trouble, tried to cause a scene, and how they had handled him with restraint throughout.
Jack gave Jasper White another look. His injuries were all superficial—nothing serious—just enough to make a point. Black Dragon and his men had been very controlled. Jack simply waved his hand and said casually, "Just compensate him a little for medical expenses."
Standing nearby, Samantha looked at Jack with admiration sparkling in her eyes. The way he resolved the issue so quickly and efficiently made her heart skip a beat.
Her mother, Ms. Morgan, was equally impressed. The more she observed Jack, the more she liked him as a son-in-law. In fact, she was already imagining when they could start planning the wedding and looking forward to holding her first grandchild—if that happened, her daughter's position in the family would be rock solid.
Meanwhile, Black Dragon kicked Jasper White gently with his boot and said loudly, "You dead yet?"
"Please, sir, have mercy! I won't cause trouble again, I swear!" Jasper White trembled and pleaded.
He had laughed off rumors of underworld influence in Riverton City when he first returned. But now that he had personally experienced it, he was genuinely terrified. He feared that if he didn't beg for mercy, he'd end up floating in the Riverton River.
"Get up already," Black Dragon snapped impatiently. "If it weren't for your idiocy, I would've been sipping wine with Samantha by now."
"Yes, yes, I'm up!" Jasper White scrambled to his feet, not daring to make another sound.
Black Dragon pulled out two hundred dollars from his bag and shoved it into Jasper White's hands. His gaze was sharp and cold.
"Take this and get your wounds treated. Don't make me see your face again."
Jasper White took the money gratefully, bowing nonstop. "Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir!"
"Now get lost."
"Yes, sir!" Jasper White hobbled away without even looking back, too scared to say goodbye to Samantha. He just wanted to disappear as quickly as possible.
...
Later that day, Jack drove Samantha and Ms. Morgan back to their apartment complex—Fortune Heights.
"Jack, I truly don't know how to thank you. If it weren't for you, things could've ended very badly today." Ms. Morgan said sincerely, looking at her potential son-in-law with heartfelt appreciation. She still shuddered thinking about how dangerous it could have been.
"Ms. Morgan, this is what I should do," Jack replied modestly and glanced at Samantha beside him.
"Jack, why don't you stay for lunch? Let me cook you something," Ms. Morgan said warmly.
"I'd be honored to try your cooking." Jack grinned.
"You two go relax in the room for now. I'll call you when the food's ready," Ms. Morgan said with a knowing look, sneaking a glance at her daughter.
"Looking forward to it," Jack chuckled.
Ms. Morgan headed to the kitchen while Samantha shyly led Jack to her room.
To Jack's surprise, Samantha's room was decorated in a pink, girlish theme—it screamed youthful innocence. It seemed that no matter how mature a woman was, there was always a part of her that longed for sweet simplicity.
Jack flopped down onto her bed and bounced slightly. "Nice bed. Pretty soft."
Samantha stood by the door, head slightly lowered, her fingers fidgeting. Her heart was pounding. What if he tries something? Should I stop him? Or... not?
Jack noticed her unease and patted the empty space beside him. "Come sit."
Samantha looked at him for a second and then walked over, sitting gently at the edge of the bed.
Jack reached out and gently held her delicate hand. She instinctively tried to pull away, but he held on firmly.
"Would you be mine?" Jack asked softly, his voice unusually serious.
He wasn't playing around. Samantha was the first woman he'd met after waking up in this world, and he felt a unique connection to her.
Samantha blushed, lowered her head, and whispered, "Mm-hmm."
That was all Jack needed to hear. A smile spread across his face as he gently cupped her face and placed a tender kiss on her lips.
"Stop it..." Samantha murmured, gently pushing him away and stealing a nervous glance toward the door, afraid her mother might suddenly walk in.
Jack immediately understood. He stood, walked to the door, and locked it.
With a mischievous grin, he turned back toward Samantha.
"Now we don't have to worry about any unexpected interruptions."
He sat back down and pulled her into his lap. His fingers ran through her silky hair as he brought a lock to his nose.
"Mmm... You smell amazing."
Samantha squirmed slightly, trying to get up, but Jack held her close.
"Did you miss me?" he whispered into her ear.
"Mmhmm..." she replied again, this time barely audible.
Jack pressed a kiss to her earlobe. She trembled slightly.
"I missed you too."
Samantha looked up at him with eyes full of affection. "Really?"
"More real than pure gold," Jack said, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
They stayed like that for a while—cuddled up, wrapped in quiet intimacy. Samantha began sharing little stories from her past, and Jack just listened, smiling, absorbing every word. For once, he wasn't the hero or the decision-maker—he was simply a listener.
Eventually, Ms. Morgan knocked on the door, calling them out for lunch.
At the table, a homemade meal awaited—four dishes and a soup.
"Jack, try this. Let's see if my cooking suits your taste," Ms. Morgan said warmly.
Samantha picked up a piece of sweet-and-sour pork rib and placed it in Jack's bowl.
Jack took a bite and savored it. Within moments, the piece was gone.
"Delicious! Ms. Morgan, your cooking is out of this world. The ribs are sweet, tender, and just perfect!" he said with a big thumbs-up.
Ms. Morgan beamed with pride. "I'm glad you like it. Eat more, Jack."
"Don't worry, I will—even if you didn't ask!" Jack laughed, helping himself to more food.
Watching Jack eat with such delight, Ms. Morgan felt even more satisfied. This boy is definitely the right one for my daughter.
After the meal, Jack offered to help clean up, but Ms. Morgan scolded him gently and told Samantha to do it instead. Jack had no choice but to retreat to the living room and watch TV.
From the kitchen, the sound of dishes clinking and quiet laughter drifted out, wrapping the home in a gentle warmth.
For Jack, it was a moment of rare peace—and maybe, just maybe, the start of something more permanent.