Jackson stood with his arms crossed, squinting slightly as he surveyed his surroundings. “So, you’re in Rome too?” A man in a sharp suit replied, “I just ran into madam’s uncle. He mentioned coming here to meet a friend. Was it you who brought him here, Jackson?” Jackson smirked, his tone lazy, almost indifferent. “What if it was me? What if it wasn’t? Why are you stopping me from leaving? This is Rome, not back home. I could easily have you arrested for unlawful detention.” From inside a nearby café, a man in a suit and sunglasses called out softly, “Dylan.” “Yes, sir?” Dylan responded promptly. “Invite Jackson in for a cup of coffee.” Dylan hesitated. “Sir, Jackson doesn’t seem too interested in talking. He’s being quite hostile.” The man sighed. “That’s just how he is. It’s not about you. Go ahead, tell him it’s me inviting him.” “Yes, sir.” Dylan walked back to Jackson’s side. A dozen bodyguards surrounded Jackson, making any attempt to flee futile. But Jackson remained unbothered, leaning back against the chair, legs crossed, completely absorbed in a game on his phone. “Jackson, our boss would like to invite you for a cup of coffee.” Without looking up, Jackson continued his game. “And why should I go just because he says so? Who does he think he is?” Dylan suppressed his irritation. “There were a lot of misunderstandings back then. Wouldn’t it be better to sit down and clear the air?” A cold laugh escaped Jackson’s throat. “Emily is gone. What’s there to clear up? Can she hear us?” “Jackson…” “Shut up.” At some point, Satan himself had emerged from the café, taking a seat on the sofa opposite Jackson. Jackson glanced up briefly, a smirk playing on his lips. “Vincent, ever since you got rid of those scars, you’ve stopped wearing your mask. I bet this new face of yours is already turning heads.”Three years had passed, and the scars that once marred Satan's face were completely gone. With the mask off, his sharp, aristocratic features were now on full display, exuding an air of authority and cold elegance. “Jackson, Janet has been looking for you.” Jackson snorted. “And why should I care? Your sister is a Norman. She’s got the whole world at her feet. Why does she have to have me?” Satan’s voice was calm but firm. “It’s been three years. You’ve been hiding out in Europe all this time, even your brother can’t reach you. What are you running from?” “I’m running from a place that makes me sick. Is that a crime?” “No,” Satan replied, his hands clasped on his lap, his posture relaxed yet commanding. “But now that we’ve finally found you, I need to ask you one question—” Jackson quickly raised his hand, signaling for him to stop. “Whoa, hold up. I refuse to answer any questions.” “When Emily passed… did she leave any last words?” “Sure, she did. She said I was the most handsome guy she’d ever seen and that she loved me madly.” Dylan couldn’t help but interject, “Jackson, I’m begging you. For three years, our boss has lived in torment. He never even got to see Emily one last time. Overnight, he lost both his wife and son. All he’s asking for is a clear answer…” Jackson chuckled, finding the request absurd. “He wants answers? I want Emily back! Why should I cooperate just because he wants something? Vincent, over these three years, the Norman family, the Reeds, and even your own company have all fallen into your hands. You’re practically a god in LA now. So many women would kill to be with you. Emily’s been gone for three years; stop clinging to the past and enjoy your life as the golden boy.” “I was Emily’s husband,” Satan replied quietly. “We were legally married. But I never even got to see her body. When I finally woke up in the ICU after being severely burned, all that was left of her was an urn. Don’t I deserve to know what happened?” “Well, let me ask you something, Vincent. After Emily died, what’s the deal with that woman by your side who looks just like her? Haven’t you been with her these past three years?” “I have my reasons for keeping her around.” “Fine, you have your reasons. But Emily was still alive back then. She was carrying your child!” Jackson threw his phone aside in frustration. “Yet you had another woman by your side. Now you come to me with this fake concern, asking about Emily’s last words?”Jackson stood up abruptly. “Emily didn’t leave any last words. She died on the operating table, along with your child. The same way her mother did. When I saw her, she was already gone. There, I’ve answered your question. Satisfied?” Satan remained silent. “Let me go.” Dylan moved to stop him. “Jackson, you need to clarify—” “I said, let me go!” “Jackson…” Satan intervened. “Dylan, let him go.” “But sir, we’ve gone through so much trouble to find him. We can’t just let him walk away without getting any answers…” “That’s an order.” “…Yes, sir.” Jackson shot Satan a venomous look before shoving past Dylan and storming off. Dylan stumbled, barely catching himself against the wall. “Dylan.” “Yes, sir.” “Send a few men to follow Jackson. See who he meets up with,” Satan ordered, his voice heavy with suspicion. “Emily’s uncle is in Rome, and now so is Jackson. I can’t shake the feeling that something’s off.” Dylan quickly relayed the orders, then added, “Sir, we ran into Emily’s uncle at the restroom earlier. We should’ve asked him directly. But you gave him directions and walked away, missing a perfect opportunity…” “I…” Satan hesitated, his voice barely a whisper. “I didn’t have the courage to face him.” “Sir…” “Let’s go back to the hotel. Keep me informed of any updates on Jackson, no matter how late. I want to know immediately.” Dylan nodded. “Understood, sir.” This trip to Rome was originally meant to discuss a European real estate project. Satan had recently merged the Reed Group, the Norman family’s assets, and resources from the Taylor Group. He was now in the process of expanding his empire. The Pritzker Architecture Prize was being awarded in Rome, and the chairman of the jury was an old friend of his. Satan had planned to ask him for recommendations to bolster his team. But he hadn’t expected to stumble upon Jackson, who had been off the grid for three years. Satan couldn’t shake the feeling that this encounter was no coincidence. Meanwhile, Emily stood waiting for about half an hour, making countless calls until she finally reached Jackson. He seemed to be running, his breath quick and urgent. “Emily, take Bert and Amy and get out of here. Grab a cab and head back to the hotel. I’ll catch up with you later.” Emily could hear the tension in his voice and asked quickly, “Are you in trouble? Do you need me to call the police? There’s a patrol officer right near me…” “No, it’s fine. Just some old friends wanting to borrow money. I’m just trying to dodge them, haha. You go ahead. I’ll meet you as soon as I shake them off.”