Chapter 2 I Do Not Want Any Surprises

• Juliette remembered everything from last night. He'd made love to her six times in a row. It had nearly been too much for her.
• Jackson's eyes burned with anger as he glared at her, her teasing tone and casual demeanor fueling his frustration. Without a word, he tossed a check for millions onto the table between them. His voice was cold, each word carefully measured.
• “Remember to take the pill. I don't want any surprises.”
• Surprises? One time, three years ago, had already been more than enough.
• Without another glance in her direction, Jackson turned and walked out, his departure as brisk and unfeeling as his words had been.
• Juliette watched him go, her lips twisting into a faint smile. “Of course,” she muttered to herself, “with all that money, I'll have to make sure everything goes smoothly.”
• But as soon as the door clicked shut, the tension she'd held in finally started to unravel. Her hands clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms as her gaze fell to the check.
• Ten million was not nearly enough.
• The Tillman family needed one billion, not a paltry sum like this.
• After Jackson left, Juliette hoped to finally get some sleep, but even after lying down for hours, she remained wide awake. Sighing, she ignored the soreness in her body and dressed quickly. There was no time to waste. She needed to act fast.
• She hailed a cab and made her way to Prestige Group's headquarters. But as soon as she arrived, she was stopped by the receptionist at the entrance.
• The receptionist, a young woman with a polished smile, eyed Juliette's disheveled appearance with thinly veiled contempt. “Can I help you?” she asked, voice laced with professional politeness.
• Juliette, despite her less-than-perfect state, smiled back with elegance. “I'm here to see Jackson.”
• The receptionist's eyes flickered with disdain. She'd seen women try to get close to Jackson before, but none were bold enough to call him by name.
• “Do you have an appointment?” the receptionist asked, her voice now cooler. “What's your name? I'll have to see if you're on the list.”
• “Juliette Tillman. Sorry, I don't have an appointment,” Juliette replied.
• Upon hearing Juliette's name, the receptionist snapped her book shut, her expression hardening with disdain. “Mr. Fairchild won't see you. Please leave,” she said sharply, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.
• She added, “Mr. Fairchild specifically instructed that if you were to show up, he would not meet with you.”
• Though the receptionist had only been with Prestige Group for a year, she had seen many women try to catch Jackson's attention. She had blocked her share of advances on his behalf. But this was the first time he had ever given direct orders not to meet a specific individual.
• When Jackson had arrived at the office earlier that morning, his mood had been notably foul, which had only confirmed to the receptionist that her dismissal of Juliette was warranted.
• “All right,” Juliette murmured softly, her lips pressing into a thin line as she acknowledged the determined attitude of the receptionist. Without argument, she nodded slightly. Her expression remained composed, even though she wasn't surprised by the rejection.
• It was clear that any further attempt to push her way in would only fuel the gossip and turn her into a laughingstock.
• Meanwhile, in the CEO's office, Jackson sat before a sleek computer screen. His tall, slender figure was bathed in the dim light of the high-definition display, which showed the live feed from the building's entrance.
• The surveillance cameras captured everything—the forlorn figure of Juliette as she walked away, her steps slow and seemingly dispirited. His face remained impassive, as still and unreadable as water in a windless pond.
• As soon as Juliette had left, the receptionist couldn't resist gossiping. Her voice carried a tone of contempt as she spoke to a colleague. “Did you see her clothes? She looked so disheveled. She even had the nerve to try and get to Mr. Fairchild. Who does she think she is? She should really take a good look at herself.”
• Each word reached Jackson's ears, thanks to the office's extensive surveillance system.
• His expression darkened as he listened, and a biting coldness settled into his eyes. Without hesitation, he picked up the phone and dialed the HR manager. “Fire the receptionist. Have her pack her things and leave immediately.”