Ice and Fire

Chapter 407 Protect His Woman (Part One)

Selina and Cherry had just sat down when Jackson and Derek walked through the door.

When Selina saw them, she smiled and said in a teasing manner, "Wow, you two arriving on time, this

is a pleasant surprise."

Jackson ignored Selina's jabs, and headed straight to Cherry, sitting in the chair nearest her.

"We are always punctual for appointments, right Jackson?" Derek said as he sat in another nearby

seat.

Cherry gazed lovingly at Jackson and in a sweet, soft voice she told him, "Wilson offered to pick Joe up

at school; they should be here shortly. Do you mind if we wait here a little while?"

"No, that's fine, " Jackson said nodding as he pulled Cherry gently until she was on his lap, and

snuggled in his arms.

Derek and Selina were so used to the intimate displays of attention between them, that they didn't

seem to notice the lovebirds.

"Cherry, how is work going over at the H king Group? Are you familiar with things there?" asked Derek.

"Oh yes, I understand the office and workload there. If I have any questions though, Wilson is right

there too, " replied Cherry smiling happily.

"It appears the H King Group will grow as well as the JS Group, " added Selina.

"Selina?" called Jackson.

"Yes? What is it?" Selina asked, giving Jackson a solemn look. She wondered what he was going to

ask.

"What is going on over at the ZM Group recently?" Jackson inquired lightly.

Hearing Jackson's question, Derek and Cherry's smile vanished too, and they all looked serious. They

knew Jackson actually wanted to know what Mond was up to, and not the ZM Group.

Selina responded, "There's nothing out of the ordinary. Everything is business as usual, except.…"

"Except, what?" Derek asked hurriedly.

"The relative calmness won't last long, " Selina looked at Jackson and continued with a professional

clip in her voice, "Mond was focused on Grandpa Andrew's dealings and had paid little time to focus on

the JS Group. Now, things are back to normal, and it's believed that Mond will come at the JS Group,

soon."

Jackson sat silently lost in thought.

Derek thought a few minutes before angrily asked, "What the hell does he think he is doing? We're

definitely not letting him off after what he did to Grandpa Chu. If he dares take action against the JS

Group, it'll be even worse.

Cherry looked at Jackson expectantly, while she waited to hear his thoughts. Nobody could guess what

Jackson was even thinking about though, as he sat there wearing a poker face.

Jackson's behavior confused Cherry slightly. It was apparent how much Mond hated Jackson and went

out of his way to destroy the Chu Family. Jackson wouldn't be able to forgive him for any of it, but

especially considering what he did to Andrew. Yet, he sat here, looking so calm. Cherry could not tell if

Jackson hated Mond or not from his expression. She thought, 'Why is he so serene looking? Shouldn't

he be furious? I can still remember how angry he was last time we saw Mond. I can't figure this man

out sometimes.'

Selina looked at Jackson with a puzzled look, and asked, "Jackson, shouldn't we do something? We

can't just sit around doing nothing."

Jackson looked over at Selina and asked, "Did you get in touch with the foreign clients yet?"

Selina nodded as she informed him, "Yes. I got in touch with them, and everything is proceeding,

smoothly as planned."

"Is the JS Group expanding to foreign countries?" Cherry was surprised; she hadn't heard anything

about plans.

"Oh! Cherry…I.." Selina wasn't sure what to say. She hadn't told Cherry about it, and was a little

embarrassed now.

Jackson looked Cherry in the eyes, and explained tenderly, " Babe, don't blame Selina, I asked her not

to tell you."

"Why didn't you want me to know?" Cherry felt slightly irritated. She asked Selina, "Selina, were you

contacting foreign clients while I was still working at the JS Group?"

"Well, umm...I…" Selina stammered, scrambling to think of how to respond without getting Cherry

angrier. She looked at Jackson silently begging for help.

Jackson put his hands on Cherry's shoulders and looked in her eyes, "Babe, it's okay, Selina was

merely doing what she had been instructed to do. Please, calm down."

"But? Why didn't YOU tell me? Why am I being treated like an outsider? All of you knew about this, NôvelDrama.Org content.

except me!" Cherry's voice grew louder, angrier with each word, and she turned glancing at Selina,

then Derek and finally Jackson. As she glared at her husband, he saw a flicker of pain behind her fury.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Babe. Please, forgive me this time?" Jackson hurriedly apologized. He didn't

want her angry or hurt, at all. He loved her so much, and when she was unhappy, it cut him to the

quick.

Cherry was stunned and remained quiet as she stared at Jackson scowling.

"Cherry?" Derek piped up defending Jackson, "You shouldn't blame Jackson. He had no choice in the

matter. The fewer people who knew about this, the better. Plus, at the time, Mond had turned his

attention to you, so…"

Cherry's lips were pursed, and she still wouldn't say anything. When Derek finished, she lowered her

head.

Jackson wanted to talk to Cherry alone, he turned, first addressing Derek, "Derek, can you get us all

some coffee?" He looked at Selina after, "Can you get me the JS Group's financial statements, please,

Selina? I want to look them over."

The two of them understood his intentions and headed off to the tasks assigned so Jackson could be

alone with his wife.

Jackson turned to a still irate Cherry with an apologetic look on his face.

"Babe? Come on, please, don't be angry with me anymore? I wasn't hiding it from you, I wanted to

protect you." cooed Jackson.

Cherry peered up into Jackson's dark, soft eyes and seeing only love and openness there, she nodded.

Cherry contemplated, 'I shouldn't doubt the man in front of me; instead, I should have faith that he has

my best interests at heart, and no matter what he does, there is always a good reason.'

"Well, okay then, I believe you." Cherry said accepting his apology.