Chapter 42: Intervene

"Iron Hand, why are you stopping us? This guy is so ungrateful!" The others, still seething with anger, couldn't understand why Iron Hand was holding them back. Iron Hand approached Jackson with a wry smile. "I should've known better. If you could handle me so easily, there was no way the Iron Sand Palm's third form would faze you." "But this guy didn't have to be so ruthless!" one of the men shouted. "Yeah, Iron Hand even showed him leniency, but he exploited it and went straight for Iron Hand's internal organs!" another chimed in, their frustration clear. Jackson let out a mocking laugh. "You find that funny? Let me break it down for you. First, why should I owe Iron Hand any favors? Second, he came at me, and I defended myself. If I were the one on the ground, would you be saying it's his fault? Third, when you're in a one-on-one fight, holding back is disrespectful. Iron Hand decided to pull his punches, and I responded accordingly. If he's unhappy with that, he can get up and continue fighting. His so-called 'leniency' was nothing but disrespect." His words silenced the group, though their eyes still burned with anger. "And if anyone has a problem with what I said," Jackson continued, "then step forward. I'm right here, and we can settle this now." The henchmen, already furious, rolled up their sleeves, ready for a brawl. "Enough!" Iron Hand barked, stepping between them. He turned to Jackson with a tired smile. "Ms. Jackson, you're right. I apologize. This was all for Miss Amira's safety, so I Hope you won't hold a grudge." "You keep bringing up Miss Amira's safety. Are you all her bodyguards?" Jackson asked, his curiosity piqued. "She's just here to study in Jimstantham. Why all the theatrics?" Iron Hand hesitated, then sighed. "Ms. Jackson, there are... certain confidential matters involved. I can't discuss them, unfortunately." "Fair enough," Jackson shrugged. "But you can at least tell me her family's background, right?" "She's from the Almond Family in Yash City," Iron Hand replied quietly. "Got it." Jackson nodded thoughtfully before turning and getting into his car. With a final glance, he hit the gas and sped away. As Jackson's car disappeared into the distance, Iron Hand shook his head in admiration. "He's something else." One of the men muttered, "Yeah, Iron Hand couldn't handle him, so we'd have been no match." "Exactly. We would've just been beaten up for nothing." Iron Hand's expression grew serious. "I stopped you not because you couldn't win—although you wouldn't have. What made me hesitate was how much this Jackson reminds me of someone." "Who?" they asked eagerly. "White Hound, the captain of the Blade Squad in the Land of the Red Dragon," Iron Hand said gravely. The group fell silent. White Hound's name was legendary. "No way..." one of them finally whispered. "White Hound led the Blade Squad to one impossible victory after another. He's a living legend." "Even the new special forces teams can't compare to the Blade Squad's legacy." Another man hesitated. "You don't think... Jackson is White Hound?" Iron Hand shook his head. "No, he's not. I've seen White Hound in person before, and Jackson only vaguely resembles him. But White Hound was someone I deeply respected, and although many believe he betrayed the country, I refuse to believe that." "Still," Iron Hand continued, "this Jackson... he's a lot like him." ... After leaving Amira's place, Jackson headed straight for the Griffith Group. It was quitting time, and to everyone's surprise, Jackson openly walked in and took Violet away. "What the hell?" "Did I see that right? Jackson... with Ms. Violet?" The employees were dumbfounded. The business department, however, remained calm. They had long suspected Jackson and Violet were "cousins." They quickly dispelled the rumors, easing everyone's confusion. "So they're cousins!" "Man, Jackson's got some serious connections. No wonder he isn't afraid of Jett." "I need to stay on his good side." As the chatter spread, Jackson became the talk of the company. That night, the Griffith Family gathered for dinner. "Jackson, you're quite the celebrity now," Violet teased, handing him her phone. Jackson glanced at the screen but continued eating. "You're not going to address this?" Violet asked, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Address what?" Violet nearly rolled her eyes but softened her tone. "You need an identity, right? Since everyone thinks you're my cousin now, why don't we drop the whole pretending-to-be-a-couple act and just go with cousins? It's easier." Jackson smirked. "Alright, big cousin." Violet's eyes lit up, and she grinned. "Big cousin!" Apollo, sitting nearby, frowned. "Violet, stop fooling around. Jackson is a rare talent. You shouldn't dismiss him so lightly." "I'm not dismissing him! I just think pretending to be a couple is awkward. Being cousins is much simpler." Apollo shook his head. "No, pretending to be his fiancée is better. It'll keep unwanted admirers away. You don't like those suitors, do you?" Violet wanted to protest but couldn't find a flaw in her father's logic. The tension hung in the air until Jackson, sensing the unease, shifted the topic. "Violet, you're close with Amira, right? What's her story?" Violet's expression turned serious. "Why the sudden interest? Did something happen with Amira today?" "Nothing Major," Jackson shrugged. "But I can't shake the feeling she's troubled. People like her, who hide their pain behind a smile, often struggle with depression. If we don't help her soon, it could get worse." "Do you really think she's at risk of depression?" Violet asked, concerned. Jackson nodded. "I'm not saying she'll definitely hurt herself, but depression can be dangerous. If we don't address it, who knows?" Violet exchanged a worried glance with her father before speaking. "Jackson, have you ever heard of the Almond Family in Yash City?" "I've heard of them. Pretty powerful," Jackson replied. After Iron Hand's mention of them, he had done some research, though the information was sparse. "The Almond Family is very powerful," Violet explained. "Amira is their direct descendant. She could've had a comfortable life, but tragedy struck." "Her parents died in a car accident," Violet continued, her voice heavy. "After that, her status in the family fell, and by the time she was 18, they arranged a marriage for her—without her consent." "She came to Jimstantham to study, but really, it was to escape." "And when she finishes university, she'll have to go back and face that arranged marriage," Violet added, her sadness evident. "Those bodyguards aren't just for her protection. They're there to make sure she doesn't run." Jackson's fists clenched. "That's outrageous! Completely unacceptable!" Apollo sighed. "Jackson, don't get involved. the Almond Family isn't someone you can mess with." Jackson's eyes narrowed. "Don't worry. I'm not reckless. But let me be clear. I'm taking responsibility for Amira's situation. If the Almond Family wants her, they'll have to get through me first."