{CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE}

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I could see the worry etched on Mom's face after I revealed the shocking idea of letting Jackson take the reins of the company instead of me. Doubt crept in; I didn't feel prepared for such a monumental role. Yet, my trust in him ran deep, forged through everything he had done for me. I knew in my heart he was the best choice—my husband and a man capable of handling the weight of responsibility.

Weeks had passed since the lawyer had broached the subject with my mom and me, and it became clear that a successor was needed to step into the role. After much deliberation, we decided to officially name him the CEO during my birthday celebration. The whole board committee would be in attendance, making it the perfect moment to announce this pivotal change—two birds with one stone.

Lisa was finally going to make it for my birthday, turning it into a double celebration for me. I was so excited to catch up with her after such a long time and see how she had been faring. It would be the first time she met Jackson, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of joy and concern. So much must have changed for her, especially after the heartbreaking news of her mom's passing after such a fierce battle with cancer.

I could only imagine the pain she had to endure, burying her mother in a foreign land, and how having her dad there wasn't enough to ease her grief. A wave of shame washed over me for not being there for my friend when she needed me the most. But I held on to the hope that all that shame could be mended once she arrived for my birthday—oh, how I had missed her so much.

"Hanna, are you really sure about this?" Mom asked, her voice trembling slightly as she appeared out of nowhere, her hand resting gently on my shoulder for support. That same look of concern wavered on her face, a reflection of the unease that had settled in since I first suggested Jackson take over the company.

"Mom..." I replied, mirroring her worried expression as I carefully set Phil's favorite glass cup back on the dining table, my fingers lingering on the smooth surface. "You know this is the only option. Jackson is the only option. I'm just not prepared for this, Mom," I admitted, my heart racing with uncertainty.

"But, sweetie, you know you don't have to be fully prepared to take on this role. Your father left it to you for a reason," Mom said gently.

I took her hands in mine, closing my eyes for a moment as I inhaled deeply, gathering my thoughts. "Mom, I trust Jackson. If Dad were still here, he'd respect my decision."

Mom blinked softly, her expression a mix of reluctance and understanding as if she was forcing herself to accept my choice. Deep down, I knew she understood that there was no reason not to trust Jackson, and eventually, she had to concede.

.

.

.

.

"Uncle, everything worked out. It's time to take action."

"I didn't realize she could be so naive in trusting you with her company. This is even better than our initial plan; it'll be so easy to get the files."

"Yes, it will be, and with her almost catching me while I was searching her room and having to come up with a lie to throw her off the scent, getting the company would be a breeze," Jackson said, reaching for his half-buckled shirt and quickly unbuckling the rest.

His uncle replied, "I always knew you had the brains for this. Just a little while longer, and we'll have both the file and the company all to ourselves. Your parents would be so proud."

Jackson let out a strained chuckle at his uncle's words, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his demeanor. Despite his doubts about the entire plan, he had resolved to follow his uncle's lead.

"The file has to be here somewhere; I'm sure of it. That was the whole reason the Henry bastard drugged her. I need to find it." He paused, recalling something quickly. "I think I saw a safe in her mom's room when I walked by—it was a small gold safe. I'm convinced the file is in there, but I just need the code."

"Then do what Henry did... drug her to get it."

"Nah, uncle. It seems Hanna is hesitant to take on the role of CEO. Her reluctance shows she's completely unaware of the file situation. For her to naively leave her company in my hands proves she has no clue about the risks involved."

"Drug her mom then," his uncle's voice came through the phone, dark and foreboding.

"Uncle?!"

"We need this done fast, or do you plan to stay married to the daughter of your parent's murderer? The sooner you act, the better off we'll be."

A long silence stretched between them as Jackson considered his uncle's proposal. It was undoubtedly a dangerous move, but his uncle had a point. It was now or never. Still, the weight of what could happen if he got caught gnawed at him, a constant reminder of the risks involved.

Finally, he mustered the courage to respond, "I'll think about it."

Just then, a voice interrupted from the doorway, "Think about what?"

It was Hanna.

At the sight of her, he hung up the phone quickly but managed to do so in a way that didn't raise any suspicion.

She repeated, "Think about what?"

Jackson fumbled to find the right words to deflect her question. The only thing he could come up with was, "It's your birthday soon!"

It sounded a bit off and amusing, but it worked to steer Hanna's mind away from her earlier question.

"Ugh, I know, right? My birthday," she said with a subtle deception of excitement. After dabbing her face with the skincare product in her hands, she added, "So, is there going to be a surprise or what?"

"Surprise? What surprise?" he thought, a swirl of confusion filling his mind.

"You just told someone you'd think about whatever you were discussing on the phone, so I'm curious if what you're thinking about is a surprise gift for my birthday.

Jackson found himself grappling with two problems at that moment: first, he hadn't even registered her birthday or the thought of getting her a gift, and second, she had picked up on his earlier conversation. He realized he had to navigate this carefully and go along with her curiosity.

With a chuckle, he replied, "If I tell you, then it wouldn't be a surprise anymore, you know?" Flashing the biggest grin he could manage at that moment.

"Aww, you're the best, honey," Hanna said, scooting closer to him on the bed, her hands resting gently on his bare chest after she had finished applying her skincare.

With a determined effort to turn off the table lamp, Jackson paused as Hanna chimed in, "It's going to be a big day, not just for me but for you. I think it's time to bring out the safe."

At the mention of the word "safe," Jackson's eyes widened, and he swallowed hard, a mix of curiosity and apprehension washing over him.