Chapter 3- fall in love at first sight

Jonathan Serge Drucker only found out they were headed to Miami when he followed the middle-aged man onto the boat. The middle-aged man, named Cesar Rollin Balas, was a mid-level gang leader in the Miami area. Cesar simply mentioned that he was in Mexico on business and had offended Bertram due to a conflict of interest. Although Cesar Rollin Balas didn't specify the nature of his business, Jonathan Serge Drucker had a good idea—it wasn't a secret that Miami was a mafia stronghold.

However, Jonathan remained calm about the situation because his heart was now filled with bloodthirsty hatred. Even if this journey led him to hell, he would go as long as he could one day become strong enough to overthrow Bertram.

They arrived in Miami around noon the next day. Jonathan Serge Drucker followed Cesar Rollin Balas and his men to a place where they changed into clean clothes. Jonathan also rebandaged Cesar Rollin Balas's wounds. Only then did they set off again.

They stopped in front of a luxurious building with a strong Thai architectural style, guarded by stern-faced men in black suits and sunglasses. Jonathan Serge Drucker guessed this must be Cesar Rollin Balas's home.

As soon as they got out of the car, a clear voice rang out, "Daddy, you're back!"

The voice was filled with anticipation and joy, and a slender girl came running out of the house. Jonathan Serge Drucker saw only a flash of pale yellow. Fearing that the injured Cesar Rollin Balas might get hurt by the impact, Jonathan stepped in front of him. Consequently, the girl crashed straight into his chest, causing a sudden pain.

He frowned slightly—how could such a slender girl hit his chest so hard? Looking down, he saw the girl holding her head in pain, her eyes lifting to meet his. When she saw she had run into a complete stranger, her face turned as red as an apple.

The girl seemed about seventeen or eighteen, with short brown hair slightly curled at the roots, giving her a sweet, adorable look. Her clear, white face had bright, lively eyes, and the pale yellow dress she wore highlighted her porcelain-like skin. To Jonathan Serge Drucker, her blushing cheeks and shyly bitten lips made her look like a delicate flower about to bloom.

Jonathan Serge Drucker admitted the girl was beautiful but not his type. He thought of Catherine, and his eyes darkened. The girl, frightened by his fierce gaze, took a step back, still holding her head.

A young man with dark skin followed behind the girl. Seeing her bump into Jonathan, he hurried over with concern, "Clarisse, are you okay?"

The girl glanced timidly at Jonathan Serge Drucker, shook her head, and released her hand from her forehead.

Cesar Rollin Balas laughed as he walked over, "Come, Clarisse, Fadrique, let me introduce you to my savior, Jonathan Serge Drucker!"

"Jonathan, this is my daughter, Clarisse Balas, and this young man is my adopted son, Fadrique."

After the introductions, Cesar Rollin Balas said to Clarisse and Fadrique, "Clarisse, Fadrique, I have adopted Jonathan as my son. He's older than both of you, so from now on, he's your big brother."

Fadrique sneered, glaring at Jonathan Serge Drucker with hostility. The girl, however, was obedient and softly called out, "Jonathan..."

For some reason, hearing the girl call his name made Jonathan Serge Drucker feel irritable. But out of politeness, he forced a slight smile and greeted them, "Hello, please take care of me in the future!"

Cesar Rollin Balas laughed, patting him on the shoulder, "We're family now, no need to be so formal!"

The girl affectionately took Cesar Rollin Balas's arm, "Daddy, why did you come back so late? I was waiting for you to celebrate my eighteenth birthday!"

Cesar Rollin Balas lovingly tapped her nose, saying, "How could I forget my Clarisse's birthday? Come inside and see the birthday present I got you!"

"Okay!"

Clarisse Balas happily led Cesar Rollin Balas into the house.

Cesar Rollin Balas gave Clarisse Balas a necklace as her birthday gift. The pendant was a teardrop-shaped crystal, fitting perfectly with her name. After being crafted by skilled hands, it became crystal clear, paired with a delicate platinum chain. When worn around her pale neck, it complemented her tender skin, making her radiate a unique, pure glow.

Cesar Rollin Balas personally fastened the necklace around Clarisse's neck. As he looked at the graceful, budding young woman before him, his eyes faintly shimmered with tears. His sole purpose in life was to take good care of her, but now he knew he couldn't accompany her much longer. Old injuries combined with new ones and constant toil had taken a toll on his body, leaving him increasingly weak and unable to continue.

To hide his sorrow, Cesar Rollin Balas forced himself to smile and teased the fresh, radiant girl, "From today, you can start dating and bring home a boyfriend for me to meet!"

"Daddy, what are you saying?" Clarisse Balas blushed and scolded Cesar Rollin Balas, but her watery eyes shyly drifted to Jonathan Serge Drucker, who was seated nearby.

Eighteen-year-old girls are simple-minded and unguarded. A single glance revealed her feelings to everyone. Cesar Rollin Balas was helpless, Fadrique was heartbroken, but Jonathan Serge Drucker was filled with annoyance.

To Jonathan Serge Drucker, romantic entanglements were the last thing on his mind right now. His thoughts were consumed by vengeance. Moreover, she was not his type at all; he found her childish and ridiculous.

Despite his heartbreak, Fadrique silently presented his gift to Clarisse—a pair of exquisite, beautiful high-heeled shoes made of crystal. Both Fadrique and Cesar Rollin Balas viewed Clarisse as precious and pure, like crystal, which led them to choose similar gifts.

The usually rough Fadrique knelt down to carefully help her put on the shoes, then stood up and gently kissed her smooth forehead, his eyes filled with infinite tenderness, "Happy eighteenth birthday, beautiful princess!"

"Thank you, Fadrique, I love them!" Clarisse Balas cheerfully twirled in place, lifting her skirt. Her pale yellow dress, the delicate crystal heels, and her radiant smile made her look enchanting.

Though Jonathan Serge Drucker didn't know it was Clarisse's birthday today, he felt it was only polite to acknowledge it. He stood, picked up his glass, and gracefully wished her, "Miss Balas, happy birthday. I didn't prepare a gift in such a hurry today, but I'll make it up to you another time."

Clarisse Balas, who had just sat down, waved her hands in a fluster, her face turning an even deeper shade of red, "No, no, Jonathan, your blessing is enough. No need for a gift!"

Jonathan Serge Drucker said no more, just downed his drink and sat back down. Cesar Rollin Balas laughed and invited everyone to start eating.

During the meal, when it was mentioned that Jonathan Serge Drucker was studying medicine, Clarisse Balas looked up with admiration, "Wow, Jonathan is studying medicine? It's wonderful to be able to save lives!"

She then pouted and glared disapprovingly at Cesar Rollin Balas, "When I was choosing my major, I wanted to study nursing, but Daddy wouldn't let me. He said it's a servant's job and made me study early childhood education instead, which I have no interest in!"

Fadrique chimed in, "Why should a girl do such a tiring job as a nurse? Our godfather was just thinking of what's best for you!"

Clarisse Balas huffed, stuck her tongue out at Fadrique, and then lowered her head to continue eating without further argument.

No one knew that for Clarisse Balas, the best gift of her eighteenth birthday was Jonathan Serge Drucker. Having grown up in a world filled with violence, she was used to the rough, fierce men around her. This clean, gentle man in a white shirt had captured her heart at once.

His clean, pleasant scent, the wisdom in his eyes when he was silent, the graceful curve of his lips when he smiled, and his deep, dark eyes like a still pond…

This was the kind of man she liked. Someone unconnected to darkness and chaos, who exuded calm and wisdom, offering light and warmth.

She didn't know that one day, this seemingly warm man would destroy her life completely. Nor did she know that appearing in his life when he despised love would doom her to endless suffering.