Ashton instantly paled at Jennie's question.
No, it was not even a question. It was a bold statement.
"I'm sorry? I think I heard it wrong..."
"You heard me right... Ashton." Once again, she gave him a smile, something that looks amiable. However, Ashton knew that the gleam in her eyes was the exact opposite of that.
"I want the Kim Empire!"
"Miss Kim... you must be joking.. Please, don't say such things... this..." Ashton was forced to swallow the words that he wanted to say when he saw the serious look on both Jennie and Lisa's faces. "You are serious..." he stated.
"Yes, we are." Lisa said. "Since you don't want the Kim Empire and want to have a safe life with your daughter and wife, then..." he did not continue his words as he stared intently at Ashton.
Ashton instantly felt discomfort from Lisa's stare and Jennie's smile as sweat started to drench his back. He wondered if they know the problems that he encountered recently from the people who wanted to take over the Kim Empire in the underworld.
"Ashton... Since you showed up to talk to me, I always wondered why a capable heir like you would come and ask for my protection." she started. "I made a thorough research about your background. Then, I found out the true reason..."
"I... Miss Kim, I did not lie to you."
"Of course, you did not. You just withhold a small part of the information... No big deal." She shrugged. "I understand that you have offended a lot of people in the underworld. Now that the Kim Family is close to nonexistent, it will be normal for them to look for you and want your head. After all, no one is backing you now."
"I want to acquire the Kim Empire's operations in the underworld. Think about it. I am doing this to help you and your family out. After taking over, I will make sure that you and your family are safe. I can give you a new life, new identity, new job. You can live in peace, while I deal with your family business. Isn't it a great deal?"
"Miss... Kim... I..." Ashton lowered his head in contemplation. Was this the reason Jennie did not want the throne? Because she wanted to become the Queen of the underworld instead? Wasn't that... too... courageous of her? After all, she was still a woman. And the underworld was a place where women were mostly underestimated.
Of course, with the exception of the lady of the Vercello Family, as she was known to rule the biggest Criminal Organization in the West.
However, now that Ashton thought about it, ruling a criminal group as a woman should not be that hard. Moreover, Jennie was fully capable of doing that. She was not only talented but very smart as well. With her outstanding skills and wits, it was not really impossible for her to run a criminal group as big as the Kim Empire.
"So?" she asked, her eyes turning crescent. The longer Ashton watched her smile, the more suffocated he felt. There was no threat in her words, yet there was something different in her eyes. As if... there was a barrier... something that was blocking him from seeing Jennie's real thoughts.
her smile was the exact opposite of Lisa's chilly one. In fact, people could even call her smile warm and welcoming. But he still couldn't help but feel danger coming from her.
Of course, Ashton was not aware of the betrayal that had happened inside the bunker that day. Though Jennie was not really that emotionally hurt because of Gideon's actions, she also could not deny the fact that it totally changed her perspective as an individual.
For Jennie, no one... except Lisa was worthy of her trust anymore. The changes that had happened in her state of mind were not something that she had achieved just overnight. It was something that took her some time to analyze.
She realized that in a world where money and power were the only motivation, betrayal was a usual phenomenon. And the only person whom she could trust was the person who was willing to beat death and come back, just to let her know how much he loved her. Of course, Jennie was fully aware that the man next to her could also betray her anytime, but she still chose to trust him.
You may ask why?!
Because for her it was better to trust one person now and regret it later than to not trust anyone and be wary even during her sleep. For her, it was better to have, at least, one company with whom she could be herself, eat and sleep without worry. And most importantly someone, whom she could show her weakness.
After all, Jennie might not be a damsel in distress, but she was still human. She might not need someone's protection but her heart still longed for love and affection.
Some people in this world might call that weakness, but for her, it was a strength.
A strength, to face her emotions and fears.
....
