Read Novel Full Chapter 615: Deal-2
Chapter 615: Chapter 615: Deal-2
Jade remembered her words clearly, echoing in his mind as if they had been carved into him.
"If Silas never returns... or if he dies... I’ll stay single. For the rest of my life."
Those words had shattered any lingering hope he had held.
’There was never a place for me,’ he accepted, bitterness and peace intertwining within him.
And so... he let go. It had hurt more than anything, but he had accepted a simple truth.
A person cannot have everything. Lifting his gaze, Jade looked at Frank, his expression firm now, resolved.
"I can get you out," he said.
Frank’s head snapped up, his eyes widening in shock.
"But there are conditions."
The moment those words left Jade’s mouth, a chill ran down Frank’s spine. ’No ...’
Horror crept into his expression as realization dawned.
His son... was sacrificing something.
"I won’t accept it!" Frank burst out, shaking his head frantically. "No... whatever it is, I won’t..."
Jade cut him off, his voice turning sharp, unwavering. "Listen first."
The firmness in his tone froze Frank mid-sentence.
"The conditions are simple," Jade continued, his gaze piercing. "You will never start another rebellion. You will never go against Ivy. And from now on... you will live quietly, in the shadows."
Silence followed. Heavy. Suffocating. Frank stared at him, his chest rising and falling unevenly, remorse flooding his eyes.
"What... did you give up?" he asked hoarsely, his voice trembling despite himself. "For this... what did you pay?"
Because he knew. Whatever it was... It had to be something tied to Ivy.
Otherwise, she would never have been kind enough to let him off so easily.
Jade let out a faint, bitter smile, the corners of his lips trembling ever so slightly. His voice came out low, almost hoarse, "I’ve already made my choice... and that choice is you."
His eyes flickered toward Frank for just a second before he looked away again, as if even that brief glance weighed too much on him.
"So don’t ask me anything more," he continued quietly. "Just... let me believe I did the right thing by choosing you... and letting go."
Those words fell like stones.
Frank’s body stiffened, and slowly, as if the weight of them pressed him down, he closed his eyes.
His head dropped forward, his shoulders trembling faintly. Tears slipped past his tightly shut lids, tracing uneven lines down his worn face.
"I’m sorry... I’m sorry... I’m so sorry ..."
His voice cracked, breaking apart as he repeated the words again and again, each apology sounding more desperate than the last.
Jade stood there in silence.
’I don’t know... if I’ll resent you for this,’ he admitted inwardly, his fingers curling faintly at his sides. ’And I don’t know if I’ll regret saving you... or regret not letting you rot here instead.’
After a long pause, Jade lifted his gaze again. "Will you keep your word?"
Frank nodded immediately, once, twice, then again and again, as if afraid that a single nod wouldn’t be enough. By now, he was sobbing openly, his breath uneven, his chest heaving.
For the first time in his life, Jade saw his father like this... broken, stripped of all pride. And somehow... that hurt more.
Taking a slow, steady breath, Jade straightened his posture. "I’ll come for you tonight," he said.
That was all. No comfort. No reassurance. No gentle lie to ease the pain. Because the truth was... even he didn’t know if this decision would haunt him later.
Without another word, he turned and walked away.
.............................
When Jade returned to Ivy, her sharp eyes immediately lifted to meet his.
He stopped in front of her, his expression serious, his voice firm despite the storm inside him. "I promise you... my father won’t start another rebellion."
Ivy tilted her head slightly, a faint, lopsided smile forming on her lips. There was no warmth in it, only quiet reasoning.
"Promises don’t work that way," she said softly. "A person might mean it today because they feel remorse... but what about tomorrow?"
Her gaze sharpened slightly. "When that remorse fades... what’s stopping him from doing it all over again?"
Jade’s fists clenched tightly at his sides, his nails digging faintly into his palms. ’She’s right ...’
He inhaled slowly, forcing himself to stay calm. "Then... is there another way?"
Ivy nodded without hesitation. "There is."
She stepped a little closer, her voice lowering just enough to feel heavier. "If you allow it... we can place a psychological trigger in his mind."
Jade’s brows furrowed.
Ivy continued, "The moment he even thinks about rebelling... he won’t be able to hide it. He’ll confess it himself, to Martha, or anyone overseeing the military matters."
Silence stretched between them. Jade’s jaw tightened. It was cruel. But it was also... the safest solution.
After a long moment, he finally nodded.
Ivy’s lips curved into a small, satisfied smile. "Good," she murmured. "Then we have a deal."
It didn’t take long.
Under dim lighting, Ivy’s people worked with precise, unsettling calm. Eric, responsible for the psychological imprint, stepped forward, his eyes sharp, his movements deliberate.
Frank barely resisted. Perhaps... he no longer had the right to. Moments later, it was done.
A subtle command, buried deep within his mind, silent, invisible, yet unbreakable.
Whenever rebellion crossed his thoughts... he would expose himself.
Eric stepped back and gave a slight nod toward Ivy.
Ivy returned it before turning her gaze to Jade. "You can take him now," she said evenly. "But remember... I won’t tolerate even the smallest scheme."
Jade gave a short nod.
Then, after a brief pause, he added, "The soulmate ball... I’ll need two days before I can give it to you."
Ivy’s curiosity flickered for a moment. "What’s the process?"
Jade’s gaze shifted away almost immediately, his voice turning distant. "Don’t ask questions that could harm you."
Ivy blinked, a faint crease forming between her brows. ’Harm me...?’
The words felt strange, but after a moment, she simply nodded and let it go.
After all... his sacrifices were none of her concern.
Her only concern... was Silas.