His Contractual Mistress

It surprised Gideon to learn this. He asked, "When did you have good terms with Rob Dawson?" 

They were operating in T Country for many years now. Dawson is the most influential family because of its political connections. However, no one got too close to them as they were cautious who to be friends with and not let anyone take advantage of them. 

So that moment, Gideon felt admiration toward his son. He softened his gaze, and a faint smile appeared on his lips. He queried, "Is your friend willing to help you with the matter?" 

John sneered inwardly. He saw the sudden changes in his father after he learned he had a powerful man that could back them up. 

"Vincent promised to lend his hand every time J Group was in trouble. Now, your Samuel Miller exposed his own illegal business and used us as his scapegoat by pointing the crime at us. Is that even a smart move?" 

Gideon did not reply to his son but let him continue. 

"Do you know that Samuel Miller is only digging his own grave, dad? So which side are you taking at this moment? Dad?" 

It takes several moments before Gideon has decided. He mused, 'Maybe it is the best idea to cut ties with Huo Holdings.'

"What are you planning?" He asked John. 

"I have something I want you to do for the company while I am in T Country, dad." 

At that moment, John felt the triumph to push his dad to yield to him. It was a great feeling. Thanks to Vincent, the plan of provoking Samuel Miller was working. 

Vincent had already predicted that Samuel would not sit idly but plan out how he'll bring J Group down to the mud. 

No one has thought he would choose to expose the illegal activities that he, who handles them. It is one thing that John had hated his dad to have a partnership with Samuel Miller because of the illegal activities they did within their branch offices. 

But now? He will put an end to it. 

'He is a funny guy.' John shook his head, referring to Samuel Miller. 

That same day, John flew to T Country and met with Rob later in the evening at a restaurant. 

"You're finally here!" 

"Mikael? Why were you here too?" 

"Hey! Are you not happy to see me?" The guy sounded hurt. But John only rolled his eyes. Mikael is laughing and dragging John to the dining table in the middle of that private room. 

"I just saw you the other week hanging out with Rob. Now you are still around, Rob. If you are not married and a father now, I would think that you are in love with this guy." 

"You bastard!" Mikael spat. He throws a light punch on John's shoulder. 

"Hey, John!" 

Someone at the door called out to him. John got up from the chair when he recognized the man.

"Brent Morris... I'm surprised you were also here." He stretched his arm and offered a handshake to the guy. 

"I was assigned to oversee the affairs of your company." 

"You mean, the association would like to be involved in this?" John didn't know what to say further. 'Is this the help Vincent has said on the phone?' 

On his way here in T Country, he and Vincent had a long conversation over the phone. Now he'd remembered that Brent Morris was there when the Huo cousins, Liam and Galvin, were apprehended.

Brent replied, "Yes. Master Shun called me after Vincent asked him a favor." 

'Wow.' John had rendered speechless. Even the emperor is backing up Vincent. 

"Hey, Rob! Food is ready!" 

A beautiful woman walked into the private room, followed by two waiters, pushing a cart filled with dishes. 

Upon laying his eyes on the woman, John could not take his eyes off her. He felt like he was star-struck the moment his eyes lay on her. But she called Rob just now. John wondered what relationship they have. 

"Finally! I am starving!" Mikael groaned. He sighs with relief when the food is served on the table. 

John shook his head, watching Mikael fill his plate, and began stuffing his mouth. The guy looks like he doesn't own a resort and restaurants with the table manners he is showing. 

John moved his gaze toward the woman, who continued placing more dishes on the table. 

"They all look delicious." John could not help speaking to get the woman's attention. He was curious to know her name, but no one remembered to introduce them to each other. 

So he was thinking of making a move to introduce himself. It worries him that she might be Rob's girlfriend. With that thought, John felt the pain in his heart. 

'What's wrong with me? Why am I feeling this way?' 

John was in a trance when the woman's voice snapped him back to the present. 

"I hope you like it. My brother didn't tell me he had more friends to come over. I should have cooked more dishes." 

"Brother?" John was still dazed when he uttered this. "Who's your brother?" 

"Have you not recognized Carmen?" Mikael spoke between, stuffing his mouth. 

John racked his head, recounting his memories. Carmen smiled shyly at him, and by what she did, suddenly something occurred to him. 

"Carmen Dawson!" After he exclaimed, he turned his head in Rob's direction and asked. "Is she really your little sister, Rob?" 

"What kind of reaction is that?" Rob raised his eyebrow upon seeing the shock on John's face. 

"Hey. I was just stunned that your sister grew this beautiful now. I mean, of course, she was cute back then. But look at her now. She's finally grown into a woman!" 

Rob shoots a warning stare at John. "Hey! I'm a guy. So I understand what you were muttering about. Even what you were thinking." 

"I'm just complimenting your sister," John explained. He glanced at Carmen and smiled sweetly at her. The woman also smiled back then offered the dishes in her hand. 

"Why are you serving the food? Why don't you take a seat and join us?" It made John wonder that a princess like Carmen was serving them as a waitress. 

"Hey, man! Carmen owned this restaurant!" 

"Oh, really?" 

"John, you were so focused on your company that you seem forgotten. Isn't Carmen went to the same college as you are?" 

"Really?" John was surprised to hear this. He tried to dig into his memory only to get disappointed in himself. 

Back then, the only woman in his eyes was the one who didn't love him back. He only sees her and no one else. Now that he woke up from his foolishness. He realizes that he actually missed so many things in his youthful days. 

"I'm sorry, Carmen if I remember nothing. I am so focused on achieving the highest recognition in college, so I am not friendly around." Unlike Jay, his twin brother has many friends because he didn't give effort in his study but spent most of his time outdoors. 

"It's okay, senior! You were always with your twin brother and his girlfriend so I always see you around." 

"Humm… why senior?" John didn't understand. But he suddenly felt uncomfortable upon mentioning the two people he wanted to forget in his life. 

"I was a freshman when I enrolled at Northern University. Then you are in your last year." 

"Oh. I see. Then you spoke to my brother, too?" It was because Jay was easy to talk with, so many people wanted to be his friends. 

"Not really. I never talk to your brother." Carmen shook her head. 

"Really?" John pursed his lips into a tender smile. Then he noticed the blush on her cheeks. He thought, 'Is she feeling shy because of me?' 

John was regretful that he didn't pay attention to other things during college. On the other hand, Carmen had the opposite in her mind. 

She badly wanted to approach John, but she was too shy to talk to him. Besides, she had a look of a nerd back then, and she could tell that John liked his brother's girlfriend. 

Like her, it was a one-sided love… 

*

Meanwhile, back in Northern Australia... 

Gideon Jackson is seated anxiously on his leather chair while waiting for Samuel to answer his call. 

After the five rings, finally, the man picked up his phone. 

"Hello?" 

"Director Miller, it's me, Chairman Jackson." 

"I could see that it was you, Chairman Jackson. Now, what do you want from me?" 

Gideon swallowed his pride along with the lump in his throat. 

"Director Miller, I have a proposition with you. I am getting old, and I just wanted to enjoy my retirement. So I want to sell all of my shares to you." 

"Are you sure about that, Chairman Jackson? How about your son?" 

Gideon twitches his mouth after hearing his son's name. His face darkened as he answered Samuel. 

"It was my blood and sweat that I invested in that company. It's up to me what I will do about it. I will buy a yacht and travel around the world with my wife. My son can have three percent shares in the company. You will get at least forty percent, so it is up to you which department you will demote my son to." 

Samuel Miller contracted his pupils while listening to Gideon's blabbed. 'What a selfish father!' 

He really hates a man like Gideon Jackson, who would abandon his family for money. 

"Alright. I will come to Australia." 

Finally, Samuel agreed to meet up with Gideon to sign the documents. 

'Poor John. He does not know what his father plotted against him.' 

Samuel felt pity for him. At that moment, memories of his painful past flash in his mind. 

'Gideon Jackson deserves to disappear in this world,' he thought.