Evan smiled and said, "Not if we give them enough benefits."

Avery said, "Then Gabrielle..."

Evan said, "Do you want them to stay together?"

Avery answered, "Not really. I don't think Jackson is right for her. But..."Avery could tell Gabrielle liked Jackson. So she couldn't bear to keep them apart.

Evan said, "O's Clam is not a good place. It's best we stay away from it."He carried her to take one step after another. He thought if he was in Jackson's shoes and Avery in Gabrielle's shoes, what would he do?

The more in love Jackson was, the more scared he was to let Gabrielle take any risks.

Actually, when Evan's grandfather used the kid in Avery's belly as the leverage, he compromised too. He cared too much.

Evan's grandfather was a difficult man to deal with. And O's Clam had more than Jackson's grandfather. Every member of the gang was a tough ass witnessing many cruel things.

For example, Phantom from O's Clam has killed more than he could count. He did a lot of dark things to climb to the top.

Jackson couldn't protect himself in O's Clam, let alone Gabrielle, who wasn't strong enough to protect herself.

No wonder Jackson loved to mislead others to think he didn't pay attention to business and wouldn't take over O's Clam.

Avery listened quietly as Evan talked. Her phone in the pocket suddenly rang. She patted Evan's shoulder and said, "Put me down. My phone is ringing."

Evan said, "Just answer the phone."

Evan had no intention to let her down. So Avery took out her phone, and it was a strange number calling.

"Avery, it's Jessica Clifford."

"Jessica?" Avery was shocked. It was usually Jamie Winter who told her about Jessica's things.

Jessica said, "I'm calling to ask, did James kill my grandpa?'

Avery asked, "Do you recall everything?"She knew she was at James's place. And the phone must be given to her by the maid working for Avery.

Jessica said, "No. I was told."The volume of her voice got smaller. She sounded uncertain.

Avery said, "Who told you?"She could hear Jessica's nervous breath.

Jessica was silent for a moment and said, "Jamie told me. And Erin Darling. I want to know your answer."

Erin Darling?

Wherever James was involved, so was Erin Darling.

Avery knew Jessica could easily trust one man. But she didn't want to rely solely on what Jamie told her. So Jessica went to Avery.

Maybe Jessica was not willing to believe it.

Avery said, "Yes." She couldn't twist the truth. Jessica had to make the decision on her own.

Jessica suddenly turned quite. Avery couldn't hear her breathing. Avery didn't say anything as well. She knew Gabrielle needed time to digest. After all, the answer wasn't what she expected to hear.

After a long time, Avery heard Jessica's voice again, "Help me, Avery. I want to get out of here."

Avery wasn't surprised at all that she made the decision. She told her several things calmly and hung up.

Evan carried her to walk in front of a stone with a weird shape. He put her down on a smooth stone and knelt in front of her, helping her with her hair. He said, "Are you involved in Jessica's thing?"

Avery said, "Andrew's last wish was to have Jessica taken good care. Jessica has decided to leave James. Even without my help, she'd think of something. But with my help, it's better than she jumped out of the balcony last time."

Avery was so worried for Jessica, knowing she jumped out of the balcony last time. If anything happened to Jessica, Avery would fail Andrew. As for James, she heard he was quite popular among B Country citizens. More supported him to take over the presidency than she did.

Avery didn't want to take over anyway. Evan was less interested. They have gone through a lot and couldn't care less about fame and fortune. Avery would rather trade the rest of her life for lovely moments with Evan than she had right now.

Evan said, "Aren't you afraid James will not let you go?"

Avery said, "Will you let him?"

Evan said, "No."

Avery pulled down Evan's hands, playing her hair and held hands with him, saying, "What do I have to worry about?"

Evan pinched Avery's jaw lovingly, "Hon, you always look out for others. When do you start thinking about us?'

Avery looked away and leaned backward, saying, "What about us?"

Evan loved how cocky she was, pretending to not know what he was talking about. Evan, out of her surprise, put her gently down on the stone. In case she wasn't comfortable, he put his arms around her head and got on top of her.

Evan said, "I don't mind doing it here."

Avery said, "Stop this! Get up! I don't like it..."They were on the open beach. Avery looked around with frustration. It was in the night, and she could vaguely see things.

Unfortunately, Avery wasn't into this kind of thing or had the idea of going after thrill.

Evan smiled dangerously, "But I do."He kissed Avery and stopped her from making further protests. The sound of kissing was blown away as the sea wave hit the shore.

What was left was delicate moaning.

***

Gabrielle woke up with a sour body. Her delicate and tender skin was covered in hickeys. After the sex, she fell asleep.

She woke up, not knowing what time it was.

She blinked her long eyelashes and opened her eyes. The sunshine came in through the broken window.

Gabrielle sat up, and the white blanket fell down. She looked next to her, and the spot on the bed was empty.

Gabrielle sat on the bed for a while until the knocking on the door alarmed her.

Gabrielle put on her clothes and opened the door. It was Ivan Hill.

"Miss Gabrielle, "Ivan held a bowl of noodles," Mr. Oliver left last night. He asked me to bring this after you wake up."

Hearing Jackson left, Gabrielle almost lost her balance, but she stood up soon. She walked aside to let Ivan in and watched as he put the noodle on the broken square dining table. On it was another unwashed bowl.

Gabrielle cooked him noodles yesterday. But the master of the village asked them over before Jackson finished it.

When they came back, the bowl of noodles was still there. But it got cold.

But the bowl was empty now.

Gabrielle asked, "Did you throw away the noodles I made yesterday?"

Ivan froze for a second, shook his head and said, "No. Mr. Oliver ate it this morning.

Ivan felt this strange too. It looked terrible, but Jackson ate it all anyway.

Gabrielle bit her lips. She suddenly felt sour in the eyes. She walked in front of the table and stared at the noodles. Her mind was brought back to the day when Jackson cooked for her in the mansion. She started getting teary.

Even if Ivan didn't know Gabrielle, the scene he saw would move him.

And they were Jackson and Gabrielle, people he was familiar with.

Ivan stood next to Gabrielle silently and didn't know what to say.

Ivan watched as Gabrielle ate all the noodles, including the soup. He remembered Jackson did the same this morning before he left.

Ivan sighed in his mind.

Gabrielle finished eating and put down the fork. She looked up and realized Ivan hadn't gone. She sniffed and asked, "Ivan, why haven't you gone?"