Jackson sneered, "I can handle my own business, Ava. You need to stay out of it. You know nothing about the rumors surrounding Emily Greenfield's death. Why are you so concerned? It has no relation to you."

Ava's eyes hung in the air, her gaze piercing, but she said nothing. The silence was oppressive, heavy with unspoken words.

Then, a brief smile played on her lips. "Do you want to go down this path, Jackson?" she asked, her voice sweet as honey.

Jackson nodded, his ...