Chapter 257

"Ambulance, call an ambulance!" Jack screamed at the top of his lungs.

But no one around did as Jack said; instead, they started pointing and whispering.

"Why would someone so young want to die for love?"

"I heard it's because the guy was irresponsible, so the girl couldn't take it and wanted to jump."

"He looks so refined, like an educated person. How could he do something so shameless?"

"Such a good girl, why did she have to fall for this guy?"

"Maybe he has someone else outside. Otherwise, why wouldn't he want such a good girl?"

Listening to these words, Jack felt as if he were on the verge of losing his mind.

"It's not like that. Shut up! All of you shut up!" Jack shouted.

But those people didn't listen to him at all and continued their gossip. The chaotic remarks were unbearable.

Jack tried to carry Kelsey away, but they blocked his path.

"Come clean! Do you have someone else outside?"

"Did you get another woman pregnant? How could you hurt such a good girl? Are you even human?"

"She jumped for you. Why don't you tell the truth?"

"Or maybe this girl isn't a good person either, and you caught her cheating?"

"Birds of a feather flock together. I don't think this girl is good either."

Jack was about to go mad. He shouted, "No, she's a good girl. It's me. I'm not good enough for her!

"I come from a humble background; we're not from the same world. How could I drag her into the mud?"

Jack thought that by mercilessly driving Kelsey away, everything would be fine, but he didn't expect Kelsey to jump!

"Are you regretting it now?"

"If you had another chance, would you still drive her away?"

Jack cried bitterly. "No, I wouldn't."

Jack clutched Kelsey tightly, his chest heaving with an anguish he'd never felt before. Waves of pain surged from deep within his heart, as if it were trying to tear him apart.

As Jack sobbed uncontrollably, he glanced down and saw Kelsey grinning up at him.

Jack wiped away his tears, trying to clear his vision.

Kelsey was alive.

Right there in his arms, she was laughing and wriggling with joy.

Jack was stunned.

Kelsey reached up, wrapped her arms around his neck, and planted a kiss on his lips. "Here's your chance, but no cheating!"

The crowd erupted in applause. The same people who had earlier berated Jack were now beaming with smiles, surrounding him and Kelsey with congratulations and cheers.

Jack watched, realization dawning on him.

It was all a setup. Kelsey had staged the entire scene!

And she was enjoying it the most.

Snapping out of his daze, Jack pushed Kelsey away and started to walk back.

Kelsey's voice called out from behind him. "Jack, aren't you afraid I'll really jump this time?"

Jack didn't turn around or stop.

Kelsey stomped her foot in frustration. "If I jump again, it'll be for real. You'll regret it, but there won't be a second chance!"

Jack took a few more steps but finally halted.

He turned around and walked back toward Kelsey.

Standing in front of her, Jack stared at her, catching his breath. Then, bending down, he swept her up in his arms and carried her home.

Kelsey was momentarily stunned but quickly wrapped her arms around his neck, waving to the crowd below. "Thanks, everyone! I'll make sure to pay you all later!"

Another round of applause erupted behind them.

Once they were home, Jack carried Kelsey into the bedroom and laid her down on his bed. He then pulled the curtains shut.

After completing these tasks, Jack returned to the bed and pressed Kelsey into the covers, kissing her with a fervor that seemed almost frantic.

Kelsey responded with equal passion.

"Why go through all this craziness?" Jack asked, his eyes locked onto Kelsey's in the dim light.

Kelsey bit her lip, looking a bit hurt. "If I hadn't done this, would you have held me like this? Kissed me like this? Agreed to be with me?"

Jack's heart ached as he gently traced his fingers down Kelsey's nose. "You're a fool."

Kelsey grasped his fingers tightly; her voice was soft yet insistent. "Jack, will you be with me? I promise I'll take care of you."

It was heart-wrenching to see her plead like this, so vulnerable.

Jack kissed her forehead and the tip of her nose. "Are you sure about this? I don't have much to offer."

"I'm sure," Kelsey replied, her hand sliding around his waist. "Everything you don't have, I do. I can give up anything, as long as I have you."

A fire ignited in Jack's eyes. He gripped Kelsey's chin and kissed her passionately.

Just as they were about to dive deeper into their moment, Kelsey suddenly felt a heavy, damp sensation in her lower abdomen.

Her eyes flew open, wide with fear.

"What's wrong?" Jack asked, concerned.

Kelsey bit her lip, her face flushing crimson. "I think my period just started."

Jack, being single and unprepared, didn't have any sanitary products at home. He hurried out to buy some.

Worried that Jack might not pick the right brand, Kelsey texted him a few brands she commonly used, even specifying the length. She then sat patiently on the toilet in Jack's bathroom, waiting for him to return.

While she waited, her phone rang. It was Margaret.

Kelsey took a deep breath before answering. "Hi, Mom."

"Kelsey, Nina and Mr. Cole are coming over for dinner today. Where are you?"

"I'm at a friend's place."

"When will you be back?"

Kelsey thought for a moment before replying, "I won't be home for lunch. I'm having it with my friend, so don't wait for me."

"A friend? Who, Bella?" Margaret asked. "Nina's already called her. Bella and Sebastian are coming over too."

"Not Isabella."

"Not Isabella? Then who?" Margaret was puzzled. She knew Kelsey well enough to understand that before working at the Landon Group, Kelsey had no friends. She thought, 'Isabella is her first, so who is this new friend?'

Kelsey fumbled for words. "Mom, don't ask. I'm not a kid anymore."

"Even if you're not a kid, you shouldn't be making dubious friends," Margaret said, her concern growing. The more evasive Kelsey was, the more worried Margaret became. Her thoughts drifted to Richard.

Margaret and Steven had reservations about Richard and Nina's relationship, even though Margaret didn't know all the details. She had an inkling that Richard's activities weren't above board.

Yet, considering the suffering Nina had endured, especially with Charlie, Richard was a balm for her wounds.

Margaret's anxiety spiked. "You're not with that Michael, are you?"