Chapter 2

Jack was momentarily lost in thought.

Annie's eyes dimmed. So much had happened these past few days, and she was physically and mentally exhausted. If today's meeting also fell through, she really wouldn't know what to do.

"Is there any other entrance I can use? I need to pick up someone very important."

"I'm sorry, ma'am, all flights have been canceled today. The airport is only for the Ellis family."

"Are you sure your fiancé is landing at this airport?" Jack turned to Annie and asked, "He should know about this, right?"

Annie thought carefully, then forced an awkward, bitter smile and spoke with difficulty.

"Henry Group is powerful and influential in Philadelphia. When the Ellis family comes to Philadelphia, all the important figures in the city come to greet them. He must know about it."

Jack said angrily, "Then what's he playing at? Is he deliberately messing with you?"

Annie nodded. "My family business is on the verge of bankruptcy. Only Henry Group can resolve this crisis. If we want them to help, there must be conditions."

Hearing this, Jack was stunned. He hadn't expected that Philadelphia's largest real estate group was already in such danger. No wonder she'd been in such bad shape these days.

Jack asked, "Should we go back then?"

But Annie's eyes were determined. "No! I need to beg him. He's the only one who can save our family."

With that, Annie picked up her phone and dialed a number.

An elegant male voice came from the other end.

"Beautiful Ms. Simmons, there's still half an hour until our agreed time. Don't be late."

Annie replied bluntly, "Thierry, stop pretending. Tell me, what do you really want!"

Thierry remained unfazed, speaking softly, "Ms. Simmons, drop that proud attitude. What do I want? I just want you to behave and do as you're told."

Annie pleaded, "Thierry, I'm begging you. As long as you can help our family get through this crisis, I'll do whatever you want."

"Come to the parking lot. I've arranged a wonderful task for you."

With that, Thierry hung up.

Looking at Annie's worried face, Jack clenched his fists tightly and couldn't help saying, "Your fiancé is a real bastard. Are we really going to the parking lot to find him?"

Annie nodded. "He's the only one who can help me."

"Actually, I can help you too," Jack answered seriously.

Annie laughed. "What can you do besides fight? Jack, not everything in this world can be solved with fists."

Jack understood that Annie had misunderstood him, but he couldn't explain.

There were some things he couldn't say.

As soon as Annie and Jack entered the garage, they heard a Rolls-Royce honking a few times in the distance. Next to it was a Bentley with someone inside.

An elegant, gentlemanly man opened the car door, got out, and extended his right hand to Annie.

"Welcome, beautiful Ms. Simmons."

They shook hands, and Annie immediately said respectfully, "Mr. Henry, what can I do for you?"

Thierry chuckled.

"Listen, the Ellis family heir came to Philadelphia today. You're going to deal with her driver for me. What I need you to do is strip naked and please him like a bitch. He likes kinky stuff."

"Thierry! I'm your fiancée," Annie said angrily.

"Can't help it. That old guy has his eye on you. You please him for me, and once he's happy, he'll agree to help me get an introduction to the Ellis family heir," Thierry said indifferently.

"Bastard!"

Hearing this, Jack couldn't contain his anger anymore. He stepped forward and lifted Thierry up with one hand.

Just as he was about to punch him in the face, he heard Annie say, "Stop! Jack, you can't afford to mess with him. He's the heir to Henry Group."

Thierry was shocked by Jack. He hadn't expected this bodyguard to be so strong, lifting him up with one hand.

But having been arrogant his whole life, Thierry quickly recovered. He sneered at Jack.

"What kind of idiot are you? Do you know who I am? One word from me and I can make you disappear."

But Jack showed no fear, raising his fist threateningly. "I can make you die right now!"

Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, Annie quickly stepped forward to separate them.

"Jack, fists won't solve the problem," Annie said helplessly.

Thierry wouldn't let it go, saying through gritted teeth, "Boy, I'll remember you. You just wait."

He then turned his gaze to Annie with a sleazy smile.

"You bitch, you didn't really think I'd marry you, did you? I just wanted to have some fun with you. If you want Henry Group to help you, get in that Bentley next door. The old man's waiting for you. Too bad I won't get to have you."

Annie couldn't believe it. These past days she'd been struggling to support the entire family. She'd finally found Henry Group, but never expected that Thierry, who had seemed so gentlemanly, was actually a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Looking at the Bentley next door, there was a fat old man sitting inside.

Seeing Annie look at him, the old man even threw her a disgusting wink.

Should she really get in the car?

But if she didn't, what about the family? There were so many people who needed to be supported. She was the family's only hope.

Jack reached out and grabbed Annie. "Annie, don't listen to him. I have a way to help you."

"Jack, thank you for your kindness, but you have no idea how much money our family needs. You couldn't save that much working as a bodyguard for hundreds of years."

Annie felt dead inside. She turned to Thierry and said firmly.

"Thierry! You beast in gentleman's clothing. From today on, our engagement is canceled."

With that, she took Jack's hand and left, unwilling to look at Thierry again.

Only after their figures completely disappeared from the garage did Thierry quickly run to the Bentley and say, "Don't worry, this girl can't escape our grasp. I still have dirt on her."

The old man chuckled wickedly. "Mr. Henry, even if I sleep with this woman, I can't guarantee Ms. Ellis will see you. I've been driving for the Ellis family for over 10 years, but I can't decide what those big shots do."

Thierry didn't care. "Don't sell yourself short, sir. Being able to drive for Ms. Ellis is no small thing."

Obviously pleased by Thierry's flattery, the old man boldly revealed a secret. "I'll tell you quietly—Ms. Ellis came specifically to find someone this time, an important person she met in Afghanistan."

After leaving the parking lot, Annie complained as she walked, "Men really can't be trusted!"

Jack protested, "What about me? I'm not like that bastard. I'll always be by your side."

Annie laughed. "Jack, thank you for all your care, but if our family can't get through this crisis, I won't be able to keep employing you."

Jack immediately answered, "I don't need money. I'll always protect you."

"Before long, I'll be bankrupt. I won't even be able to support myself. If you stay with me, do you want to starve together?"

Jack softly comforted her, "Don't worry, I'll help you."

Annie didn't like men who talked big. She spoke sharply, "With what? How will you help me? Our family needs two billion dollars. You couldn't save that much even working as a bodyguard for ten lifetimes."

Jack was left speechless. He didn't know how to explain.

Seeing Jack's silence, Annie pressed on. "Don't think that just because we slept together once, I'm your woman. Jack, we're not from the same world."

"Even if I was crazy enough to marry you, what would you support me with? By working as someone's bodyguard?"

Just as they were arguing intensely, a gentle female voice came from behind.

"Mr. Caldwell?"