Chapter 81
Jackson’s kick, fueled by personal animosity, sent Zion Jenkins flying.
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Ethan and Ryan managed to catch Zion before he hit the ground, but the momentum sent all three stumbling backward.
Humiliated in front of everyone, Zion’s face burned with rage. “You…!” he roared.
“What about us?”
Jackson crossed his arms, his icy gaze fixed on Zion. An aura of power, the mark of the Moore family patriarch, radiated from him.
I’ve been too lenient, Jackson thought, ‘letting these pests think they can act up in my presence.
Under Jackson’s stare, Zion’s voice caught in his throat.
He was being intimidated, again, by Janie and Jackson!
Ryan frowned. “Mr. Moore, you’ve gone too far.”
Jackson scoffed. “Too far? I let him walk away without a scratch, and that’s being generous. You should be thanking me, not complaining.”
His arrogance was breathtaking. Zion sputtered, “You…!”
“Me? What about me? You’re too stupid to even talk to me,” Jackson’s voice dripped with disdain.
Zion gritted his teeth. “How dare you act so high and mighty! It’s Janie who’s in the wrong!”
He spat out, “Even if she had a problem with Xena, she shouldn’t have…”
The crowd
Though Janie w
the only one present when they arrived, suspicions had already begun to form. Zion’s blunt accusation solidified their fears.
They eyed Janie with a mixture of apprehension and disgust.
‘How vicious!‘
Ryan and Ethan exchanged uneasy glances.
Jackson’s voice dripped with disdain. “Calling you an idiot would be an insult to idiots. Xena? She’s nothing compared to Janie. She was the one provoking us, not the other way around. But of course, a moron like you wouldn’t understand.”
Zion gritted his teeth. “You’re blindly defending her! As her brother, shouldn’t you teach her some manners? She’s capable of…”
He didn’t get to finish. Jackson’s boot connected with his gut, sending him sprawling.
Fists followed, a controlled barrage that kept Zion from fighting back. He felt like a punching bag, utterly helpless.
Ethan and Ryan jumped in, only to receive a beating of their own.
The crowd watched in stunned silence.
Jackson had wanted to do this for a long time.
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Chapter 81
Only a sliver of restraint kept him from doing real damage.
Who did they think they were, insulting Janie again and again?
Kathy Jenkins, who had been fretting over Xena, nearly fainted at the sight.
“Stop! What are you doing?” she shrieked.
The Smiths, unable to remain passive, intervened, pulling Jackson away while others restrained the Jenkins brothers.
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Jackson, breathing heavily, leaned in close to the three brothers, his voice low and menacing. “Insult Janie again, and I’ll end you.”
The Jenkins brothers were stunned.
Jackson’s words sounded like a genuine death threat.
‘What a psycho! How could Janie stand being around someone like that?‘
Kathy wailed, tears streaming down her face. “How can you just stand there and watch him beat them?”
Janie glanced at her, her eyes devoid of emotion. “Yeah, got a problem with that?”
Any remaining maternal bond between them snapped. Kathy was taken aback by Janie’s coldness.
It hadn’t always been this way. Five years ago, though distant, Janie hadn’t been completely indifferent towards her.
‘Something’s changed, Kathy thought, bewildered.
“I… I…” Kathy stammered.
“She’s up!”
Xena, a strong swimmer and prepared for her little stunt, was quickly pulled from the water.
Despite her planning, she’d still swallowed a fair amount of water.
‘Worth it, Xena thought, feigning unconsciousness.
Kathy rushed to Xena’s side, forgetting Janie entirely. “My baby!” she cried, abandoned her usual composure.
The Jenkins brothers, despite their aches and pains, limped over to check on their sister.
Tyler, emerging from the crowd, hovered anxiously.
Xena remained pale and still.
“Anyone know CPR?” Kathy asked frantically.
Xena held her breath, hoping Tyler would volunteer.
“I do!” a burly man boomed, stepping forward.
Xena’s hopes were dashed. The world spun, and then she coughed up some water, blinking as she came to.
“Mom? Ryan? Tyler?”
Kathy embraced her dramatically. “Xena! You scared me to death! What happened?”
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Chapter 81
Xena shot a fearful glance at Janie before quickly looking down. “I’m fine. I just slipped. It was my fault..
Her words and actions directed everyone’s attention to Janic
Janie remained unfazed,
Jackson scoffed, “See? Too clumsy for her own good, prancing around on a yacht. Serves her right
David barely suppressed a laugh.
The Smiths didn’t believe Janie had harmed Xena, Janie was on a whole other level.
Even Mr. Smith treated Janie with deference,
The incident, however, had occurred in a blind spot, leaving them with no evidence.
“What if Miss Janie gets upset with us because of this?‘ they worried.
Zion, watching Xena, thought he understood everything.
自
He glared at Janie, but instinctively flinched when he saw Jackson, his voice softening. “Janie, do you have anything to say for yourself?”
Though framed as a question, it lacked the force Xena expected.
She looked at Zion, disappointed, assuming he still cared for his sister.
‘I have to fight for my place in this family, Xena thought, more determined than ever.
Janie crossed her arms. “Oh? What am I supposed to say? This has nothing to do with me. I’m just a bystander.”
