Chapter 32 You're a Jackman Now-You Must Stand Tall Chapter 32 You're a Jackman Now-You Must Stand Tall He leaned in slightly, his warm breath brushing against her ear. "I'll personally teach you how to be a proper Mrs. Jackman." +20 Free Coins The woman's cheeks flushed pink, while the man's eyes darkened with unspoken intent. But he restrained himself, maintaining just the right distance. "There won't be a next time," Xylia said earnestly. "From now on, I won't let anyone bully me again." Sebastian's gaze deepened, his thin lips pressing into a tight line as he settled back into his seat. "As long as you're aware." "Ahem, ha!" Shadow-2, who was driving, suddenly coughed. The two in the back seat turned to look, and he immediately stifled his laughter. "I just choked on my saliva." Sebastian's face darkened. "You're disturbing me. This month's bonus is deducted." Shadow-2's usual icy expression turned into despair. Shadow-1 shook his head and patted his shoulder sympathetically. Xylia interjected, "These things happen. There's no need to dock his pay. They've performed well this month-I'll give them the bonus myself if I have to." Sebastian's lips twitched. "No need. Since you've spoken, the bonus stays. Shadow-2, don't let it happen again." "Yes, Sir," Shadow-2 replied immediately, struggling to keep his lips from curling upward. Xylia couldn't help but reflect that being a bodyguard for the wealthy wasn't easy-even coughing needed self-control. As the car drove away from the Foster Residence, Xylia suddenly realized, "Mrs. Sequiora's birthday banquet hasn't even started yet, and we're already leaving. Isn't that disrespectful to the elderly?" Sebastian, reclining with his eyes closed, seemed in a sour mood. "Her granddaughter practically stepped all over you, and you still want to bow and scrape to her? The Jackmans aren't that desperate." "But she's still an elder... "She bullied my wife. I don't care if it's the king of the world-it won't make a difference. Mom is following in the car behind us." "Huh?" Xylia turned to look and indeed saw Eleanor's car. "Mrs. Aurora and Mrs. Jackman are good friends, right? Why is Mrs. Jackman also ..." Sebastian kept his eyes shut, his voice calm and steady. "We, the Jackmans, are fiercely protective-but only of our own. 'Best friends, business alliances, real or fake feelings-my mom knows where the line is." Upon arriving at the Jackmans' luxurious estate in the city, Eleanor stepped out of her car and immediately took Xylia's hand. 1/3 4:03 pm Chapter 32 You're a Jackman Now-You Must Stand Tall +20 Free Coins "My dear, you've had a hard time. I never expected they'd dare to bully the Jackmans' daughter-in-law. They've truly overstepped." Although anger lingered on her face, Eleanor softened when she looked at Xylia, handing her a card. "This is for you- compensation." Xylia froze, instinctively glancing at the man beside her. Without hesitation, Sebastian took the card and pressed it into her hand. "Take it." "Originally, I thought since Xylia has just opened her hospital, it'd be good to expand her connections to avoid future troubles. Who knew the Fosters would be so brainless," Eleanor said with a disdainful frown. "If it weren't for our old roots here, I wouldn't even bother returning to this country." Touched, Xylia even found herself comforting Eleanor. "Mom, let it go. It's partly my fault for not bringing honor to the Jackman name." "As long as you understand. You're a Jackman now-you must stand tall. This time, Seb and I were here, but next time might be different," Eleanor said earnestly. Xylia nodded humbly. At that moment, she truly felt like a daughter-in-law of the Jackmans-genuine, without a hint of pretense. All the humiliation, the belittlement, and the disdain she endured in the Castros now felt like a distant dream. So this was what it feels like to be protected and respected. "I'll be in the study room for a while." As Sebastian turned to leave, Xylia couldn't help but call out, "Sebastian." Eleanor's finely arched brows lifted. "What did you call him?" Xylia's face instantly flushed as she remembered her earlier conversation with Eleanor. "Hubby," she stammered, her eyes darting everywhere but at Sebastian's face. "Um, come back to the room early. There's something I need to talk to you about." A beat of silence followed. Xylia's cheeks burned even hotter, her head practically wanting to bury itself in the ground. Sebastian must have been stunned by her words. They weren't youngsters anymore-how could he possibly like being called that? "Okay" With reddened ears, the man tossed out the word and hurried off. Eleanor chuckled. "Newlyweds are always so amusing." Too embarrassed to meet her gaze, Xylia mumbled a reply and headed toward the bedroom. After a shower, her phone buzzed incessantly-still the same number, Yrian's. It wasn't hard to guess who was really calling. Xylia answered with a cold laugh, only to be met with a torrent of curses from the man on the other end. 2/3 4:03 pm G P Chapter 32 You're a Jackman Now-You Must Stand Tall +20 Free Coins "Xylia, how dare you embarrass me in public? Even if we're divorced, you're still my ex-wife. Yrian will inherit the Castros' fortune one day. Are you really trying to ruin me and our child?" Xylia replied coolly, "Do you know why I answered your call?" The line went quiet for a second before the voice returned, laced with arrogance. 3/3