I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 542

Once Sylvia was settled and sleeping, Sawyer's worried expression didn't fade.

Jackson, not feeling sleepy, decided to chat for a bit. "I'm not going anywhere for a while. If you're worried about Sylvia, spend some extra time with her. And you're getting engaged, aren't you? Go ahead and do what you need to do."

Sawyer was surprised. "I thought you didn't like Dalea's business industry."

"That's one thing. I still enjoy watching the show."

Jackson continued, "I don't have many skills, and I'm no cunning old fox. But those people in Dalea—jeez, every single one of them has got 100 tricks up their sleeves. Just having dinner with them could fry my brain multiple times. The folks abroad are straightforward. In their eyes, I look like a mastermind. It feels really good!"

Sawyer was rendered speechless.

Jackson was like a mischievous old man. Sawyer both respected him and found him utterly exasperating.

"Sylvia's condition is pretty stable. You don't need to worry too much. With me around, you can relax."

Sawyer nodded, feeling reassured.

He had stayed up late handling company matters and woke up later than usual the next day.

When he got up, he saw Sylvia in the living room, doing morning stretches alongside Jackson.

Sylvia had always been sharp, with an extraordinary memory and a love for literature. That one traumatic incident had shattered her mental state, leaving her unable to focus or take an interest in her studies.

Sylvia said, "Mr. Ortega, I feel like I'm abnormal. Maybe I should return to the psychiatric hospital."

Jackson replied, "Being abnormal is normal for you, isn't it? Don't be too pessimistic. At least as a mentally ill patient, your thought process is fine. Everything has two sides. You work with what you've got. At the very least, you're doing a great job of being mentally ill."

Take yesterday, for instance. Who else would wonder why they couldn't bite a tortoise?

A mentally ill patient would.

Jackson genuinely admired Sylvia.

"Old bastard! That's one old bastard!" Jackson slammed his hand on the table. "Mario, sharpen my blade!" His voice thundered, as if he were about to go hunt someone down.

Sawyer tried to calm him. "Calling the police won't help. The evidence is gone. Only the people involved know what happened. And Sylvia's reluctant to recall the incident. She has mostly forgotten the details. Asking her could trigger her again."

So the wronged simply had to swallow their anger.

Sawyer's gaze turned icy.

"Who's that bastard?" Jackson squinted.

Sawyer muttered a name.

Jackson frowned. After a long silence, he murmured, "An unknown old bastard, huh."

Sawyer sighed. "You probably haven't heard of him in your circles."