chapter 29 What's wrong with you?

"Manager Alaia, President Violet asked me to come and collect some documents," Jackson said. Alaia nodded in response. Violet had already called her about this. However, what struck Alaia as odd was Violet's voice on the phone—it was somehow peculiar. Alaia couldn't pinpoint exactly what was different about it, it just wasn't her usual tone. What puzzled Alaia even more was why Violet would send Jackson to fetch the documents instead of asking her secretary. Why Jackson? Alaia was a person of meticulous logic, which was why she was managing an important department at such a young age. She was adept at observing the bigger picture from minor details. Moreover, Violet was Alaia's close friend. Alaia knew Violet better than anyone else. A man like Jackson, capable yet ostentatious, was not someone Violet would normally regard highly. Yet, contrary to her usual behaviour, Violet had sent Jackson to collect the documents. Was this signalling something? Alaia took a folder from the drawer and handed it to Jackson, "Take it." Having said that, her gaze shifted back to her computer. She had thought seeing Jackson might capture her interest for a bit longer, but he turned out to be just another common man. Such a man would never impress Violet, and as her close friend, Alaia felt the same way. Jackson, after receiving the documents, did not leave the office immediately. Instead, he stood there, his gaze unabashedly sweeping over Alaia. His eyes were intense, as if he was trying to devour her. Eventually, Alaia couldn't bear it anymore and coldly raised her head, "Have you seen enough?" "Enough," Jackson sat down. He clasped his hands together, still looking intently at Alaia, then tentatively asked, "Manager Alaia, may I ask you a bold question?" "Go ahead," Alaia's eyes remained on her screen. "Do you... are you ill?" Jackson asked abruptly. Alaia's actions halted abruptly, and the atmosphere froze in an instant. "Mr. Jackson, what do you mean by that?" Alaia's gaze was coldly fixed on Jackson. An invisible chill burst forth from her body, even causing the office temperature to drop several degrees. Realizing Alaia misunderstood him, Jackson hurriedly explained, "Manager Alaia, don't get me wrong, I'm not insulting you. I mean a physical illness." "I'm not sick," Alaia said expressionlessly. "How can you not be sick? My judgment is always accurate, and I'm sure I'm not wrong this time," Jackson muttered under his breath. He was initially clueless about medicine, but after escaping from the Origin of Everything three years ago, the S virus in his body remained uncured. As the saying goes, illness leads to expertise. Coupled with guidance from a renowned doctor, he gradually approached the threshold of becoming a doctor. Although he wasn't highly professional, he could still somewhat discern physical ailments. Alaia's physical condition was clearly abnormal. At first, Jackson wasn't sure, but after observing more, he was almost certain. "You're the one who's sick! Get out!" Although Alaia was usually composed, no one would be pleased to be randomly accused of being sick. Her last bit of patience with Jackson had run out. "Manager Alaia, believe me, you are really sick. If you don't believe me, let me take your pulse," Jackson said earnestly. He stood up and walked towards Alaia, extending his hand to take her pulse. Alaia thought Jackson was acting on lustful intentions and tried to take advantage of her. Her face turned cold, and she stood up quickly, pushing away his arm. "Ah!" Because she was wearing high heels and got up too hastily, Alaia lost her balance. The heel of her shoe twisted, and she lost her footing, crying out as she fell to the ground. Thud! Alaia thought she would fall hard but unexpectedly landed in a strong, sturdy embrace. Feeling Alaia's soft body in his arms, Jackson internally lamented. Although she was cold like a block of ice, difficult to approach, her body was as soft as any normal woman. "Let go!" Held by Jackson, Alaia felt no gratitude, her voice even colder. Jackson never took advantage of women for no reason. Hearing her words, he immediately let go, though he felt a bit disappointed. A few more seconds would have been nice. "Manager Alaia, I really mean no harm. I just want to take your pulse. If there's nothing wrong, great. If there is, then you can get timely treatment. There's nothing inappropriate about that," Jackson said helplessly. "You, get out!" Alaia was furious. She was someone who rarely lost her temper, but this time, she couldn't help it. She couldn't understand why Chairman Apollo valued him! Knowing that persisting would be futile, Jackson quickly said, "Don't be angry. Manager Alaia, if you can't accept the fact that you're sick right now, that's okay. I understand your feelings. Consider this a warning. When you calm down and feel something's wrong with your body, contact me immediately." After writing down his contact information, Jackson left the office. "This jerk!" "You're the one who's sick, your whole family is sick!" Even after Jackson left the office, Alaia couldn't calm down. Her chest heaved like ocean waves, undulating continuously. The more she thought about it, the angrier Alaia became. She quickly dialled Violet's number and said angrily, "Violet, what exactly is your relationship with the Griffith Family and this person named Jackson?" "Alaia, what outrageous thing did Jackson do to make you so upset?" Violet asked after a moment of silence. After careful thought, Alaia realized something was amiss, as Jackson hadn't really done anything outrageous. Her anger stemmed from Jackson, a stranger, telling her she was ill and then enthusiastically offering to take her pulse. This was something anyone would find unacceptable. Alaia got up from her seat but nearly fell, and it was Jackson who caught her. He didn't take advantage of the situation. When she asked him to let go, he immediately complied. As Alaia gradually calmed down, she even began to see Jackson's actions as somewhat well-intentioned. "It's nothing, just that Jackson is too flamboyant for my liking!" Alaia changed her tone. Violet then breathed a sigh of relief. She wouldn't have been happy if Jackson had caused trouble for her, and even less so if he troubled her best friend. Her disdain for Jackson's character would be complete, and she would refuse to pretend to be his girlfriend. "He's always like that, Alaia. Don't mind him. Next time, I'll treat you to a movie and hotpot as compensation, okay?" Violet said with a light laugh. "Deal." Alaia ended the call with a smile, but soon her expression turned solemn. Picking up a piece of paper from her desk with contact information, Alaia couldn't help but wonder, Could I really be sick? ... After leaving the manager's office, Jackson was about to leave when he noticed something off about the atmosphere on the HR department floor. In the office area, almost everyone had stopped working and were looking strangely at Jackson as he came out of the manager's office, especially the male employees, who looked at him with hostility. Earlier, Jackson had a conflict with Alaia in the office. It was brief, but everyone heard it. The HR department was not large in numbers but was definitely important. The employees there were considered the cream of the crop. Alaia, the HR manager, was young and highly capable, and also very beautiful, winning the affection of her colleagues. Now that their goddess was harassed by Jackson, the employees were unhappy. However, everyone was just showing their anger superficially and didn’t dare to take physical action. Jackson's recent rumours and the Chairman's support were well known. Who would dare to provoke him? Bang! Suddenly, a fat middle-aged man slammed his hand on the desk! Nobody dares to provoke Jackson? He dares! Seeing the middle-aged man, everyone realized something. Although Jackson had the Chairman's support, he was nothing compared to this man! "Deputy Manager Jett is indeed angry!" "Of course, Deputy Manager Jett has long been an admirer of Manager Alaia." "Although Jackson has the Chairman’s support, our Deputy Manager Jett is not to be underestimated. He’s an in-law of the Griffith Family, with a name found in their family tree!" The employees whispered among themselves. Yes, Jett Griffith was filled with rage. Alaia had been his target for a long time. If not for coveting this "prey", hoping to win her over by proximity, he would have never condescended to be a deputy manager in HR. In terms of seniority, he and Apollo were of the same generation. Even Violet had to politely call him Uncle. What was Jackson compared to him? How dare he snatch his prey? He must be tired of living! "From now on, you’re not allowed in the HR department, or I'll have you thrown out of the company. Got it?" Jett threatened. Although Jackson had pulled off a big deal a few days ago and had the Chairman’s support, these were nothing to Jett. He was an in-law of the Griffith Family, and decades ago, they were of the same main branch. It was only later that they became a side branch. A youngster favoured by his cousin was nothing compared to him, an in-law. If Jackson didn’t know better, Jett believed his cousin would side with him and fire Jackson, which was just a word away. "I’d like to see how you plan to throw me out of the company," Jackson retorted, his temper rising. "Young man, there aren’t many left in the company who dare to talk to me like this!" Seeing Jackson’s defiance, Jett's face darkened. "Fatso, in this world, there aren't many who dare to threaten me either!" Jackson replied without mincing words. Had this been abroad, Jett would have become a dead man the moment he uttered the first threat. However, Jackson’s main goal in returning to his home country was to find a cure for the S virus, and he intended to keep a low profile if possible. Jett was an in-law of the Griffith Family, and killing him would embarrass them. Plus, Jackson’s temper had improved recently, which was why he didn’t strike immediately. Truth be told, Jackson thought Jett should be grateful he didn't meet the old him. If it had been the old days, someone like Jett daring to offend him would have been dead meat already!