Quinn's pupils reflexively dilated. "How do you know that?"
"I also know that twelve years ago, there was a female junior trainer who was said to be the best warrior in history, but a few days before her birthday, she disappeared, and then no one knew her whereabouts."
Two eyes that were almost the same color stared intently at each other for a long moment. Quinn swallowed hard. She couldn't read Jacob's thoughts. "What do you want?"
"Nothing, I just want you to be part of my big family." Jacob leaned back comfortably. "Your uncle's business is going downhill, people are starting to talk about you, and they're also starting to ostracize your uncle. Did you know that I'm one of your uncle's business investors? I just need to make a small move and I'm sure the entire business he's built will fall." He said it very casually, as if someone's life was just a game to him.
Quinn held back her hand to prevent her from hitting the person in front of her. "Why don't you want to be part of my big family? I'm sure you won't cause your uncle any harm, right? As long as you're not tied to any family, I'm free to propose to you."
Jacob hadn't touched his drink since he arrived, he immediately stood up and straightened his clothes. "You're a smart woman, Miss Flos. You'll know what to do." And then the man walked away, Quinn stared at his back until he disappeared behind the door.
…
"I will accept Jacob Pan's proposal."
"Are you crazy? That man is a psychopath!"
Yes, she already knew because she had met Jacob Pan and spoken to him privately. "I'm going to visit today, I'll discuss this with my uncle." Quinn didn't want to argue with her aunt over a private call. She then turned off her communication device and took a deep breath, but, as time passed, her breathing became heavier. Her chest became very tight and heavy. She tried to inhale and exhale slowly, but her heartbeat accelerated. Hastily, she opened a desk drawer and took out a syringe and filled it with a blue liquid before injecting it into her arm.
She could feel the liquid flowing through her veins. Quinn took another deep breath, counting one, two, three over and over.
After calming down, Quinn called one of the employees—Nian, who was soon in front of her. "Boss, you look pale, are you feeling sick again?" Nian immediately checked on her. Quinn shook her head. "I'm fine, can you bring me some Lotus Night? I need it now." Although Nian still looked at Quinn with a bit of doubt, she immediately rushed to get what Quinn wanted.
Huh... this uncomfortable feeling. They'll take her to rehab again if the pain doesn't go away.
From her room, Quinn could see and hear a hologram showing a news story outside the two-way mirror,
[After many years, the Knox family finally announced that it would hold an election.] Said the female host, her eyes sparkling, her tone also sounding excited.
[If I'm not mistaken, the Knox family only has one unmarried member.]
[You're right, after leaving so suddenly last month, it seems the Knox family is eager to find a companion for the General.]
[This is no ordinary election! This will be the most highlighted election of the year! Madam Reigna, can I also get an invitation to the election? I also want to be General Xavier's future wife!] The two presenters laughed at the same time.
"Wow, the General's election. Who do you think got the invitation?" Asked one of the employees who was also watching the event, just as Quinn was leaving her office.
"Whoever it is, they'll have to work hard to be chosen. The Knox family is very selective when it comes to choosing partners for their family. Not to mention the General's strict and rigid grandmother and mother, and they'll also have to put up with the General's personality." Another chimed in, brushing off the blooming leaves of the Golden Bell.
"Oh yeah, do you remember his comment from the last interview? 'Right now my top priority is protecting Soul Planet.' He deflected the question so well, maybe he's married to his job."
"Oh, but I also heard that he was in a relationship with one of his subordinates, if I'm not mistaken that woman is also a member of the Eagle Sky Legion."
"Hmm… I doubt that. I thought General Xavier was a professional. If he had a girlfriend, why would his family hold an election?"
"Formality? Let's see! If one of his subordinates is a seed in the Knox family election, you'll have to treat me to lunch for a whole month."
Quinn only heard the conversation briefly, and she also didn't care about what her employees were talking about. With her light voice, Quinn said goodbye to them all and rushed towards her uncle's residence.
It was like déjà vu. Just a few days ago, Quinn had been in the same position as she was now, with her aunt and uncle sitting across from her, and her uncle's expression looking far worse than the last time they'd seen each other. That had been just a few days ago.
"Uncle, aunt, I have decided. I will accept Jacob Pan's proposal." The uncle looked increasingly pale, the circles under his eyes looked darker and bigger. "Don't talk nonsense, I won't allow you." Quinn was sure that the uncle would reject her decision, she also knew that Jacob's reputation was very bad, being part of his family, she not only had to face Jacob, but also his wife and concubines, it was no secret that they all hated each other and Jacob's legal wife had a very arrogant attitude.
Of course, she had doubts. This was her life, her future, but after seeing her uncle today, she erased all doubts. If it weren't for her uncle, she might have given up long ago. She didn't want to cause trouble for this small family.
Yuer snorted in disapproval, her arms folded across her chest and the aura surrounding her telling her she was holding back her emotions. "I knew you meeting Jacob wasn't a good idea. He must have said something to you, right?" Yuer's guess was spot on. Jacob had many tricks up his sleeve; he got what he wanted, but once he got what he wanted, he would soon get bored and throw it away like a toy.
Yuer threw another envelope onto the table, it was gold and looked very elegant. Quinn didn't take it. "I can read what's in your mind Quinn, I don't care who you marry, however, I have to agree with your uncle. Marrying Jacob is the last option, now I give you another option." Yuer gestured for Quinn to open the envelope.
There was a chrysanthemum seal on the envelope she was holding, at a glance, she could already guess what the letter contained.
"I tried hard to get that invitation."
"Auntie—"
"There's no denying it. At least this way you can buy some time. We'll think of another way to avoid Jacob in the future, for now, you must participate in the Knox family election. The election for General Xavier."
Right, for now all she had to do was avoid Jacob. This was just another election like any other.
Meeting Jacob for the first time reminded her of the trauma she'd been trying to heal. If she fell back into depression, she would bring worry to her uncle, aunt, even Cyan and everyone around.
It was just an election. She'd come, and once the Knox family chose a wife for the General, Quinn would be free, as usual. She hoped Jacob wouldn't bother her anymore after this election was over, so she could go back to enjoying her life as usual.
The Knox family wouldn't have chosen her anyway, since the flower on her temple was gray.
........