Ulterior Motives

In total, there were only two exams, but Hermia might have used the hypnotic spell a lot more times than she had admitted.

It was a classic case of overkill!

Jack couldn't help but let out a sigh. 

Most roadkillers might possess legitimate driver's licenses, but this particular one had a fake license!

It was truly beyond words. What else could Jack say?

....

Solving the problem was relatively straightforward; all it required was a sufficient amount of money.

So, with a car owner who was somewhat relieved that they hadn't been hit any more than they had, Jack drove off with Hermia, despite the slightly dented front of the car.

"So, now that you have the ID, should we get started?" Hermia inquired.

"Of course, we need to start," Jack responded, "First, we need to secure permission from the director for our operation, and then we can pay a visit to Arthur, to stir up some trouble..." 

"But how can an ordinary newcomer like you obtain permission from the director?" Hermia questioned.

Jack: "..."

Observing Jack's gaze fixed firmly on her, Hermia involuntarily shrunk back and asked genuinely, "What's wrong? Am I right?"

"..." Jack remained silent, maintaining his intense gaze on Hermia without uttering a word.

"Look at the road!?" Hermia became anxious.

Jack continued to stay silent, his eyes fixed on Hermia.

"..." Realizing that Jack appeared to be waiting for her to confess before giving up, Hermia grew increasingly anxious.

The car was currently speeding down the road!

Jack was focused solely on her and not on the road, which greatly perturbed Hermia.

She quickly forced herself to calm down.

Over the past year, she had come to understand Jack to some extent. He would never act like this without a reason. If he was doing so now, there must be a good reason behind it.

As for what that reason was...

Thinking it over, Hermia suddenly recalled Jack's peculiar habit, and everything became clear.

"Oh..." Hermia suddenly grasped the situation, coughed twice, and said, "I'll help you with this matter!"

Finally, Jack broke his silence, turning his head to focus on the road.

Hermia breathed a sigh of relief.

"What's gotten into you?" Hermia couldn't help but complain, "If you need my help, just ask for it. You don't have to play this silent game. Seriously~"

"Don't make baseless accusations. I never asked for your help. Everything you're doing is entirely voluntary on your part. I adamantly refused!"

Jack finally spoke and vehemently denied any involvement.

There was no other choice but to deny it!

Admitting to it would only complicate matters further!

Jack had meticulously planned his actions involving the "system bug."

"Yes, yes, you never asked for my help. Everything I'm doing is entirely of my own accord, got it?" Hermia rolled her eyes.

Speaking of which, Hermia found herself rather perplexed by Jack's eccentricities.

Jack, the master of driving suspense, was at it again. Despite having the talent to navigate the roads with finesse, he often refrained from showcasing his skills. Instead, he required a gentle nudge from within to take the steering wheel in his hands. And if you dared to point out his hesitancy, be prepared for the infamous death gaze – a stare that could freeze even the bravest soul!

Amidst this peculiar situation, Hermia found herself utterly baffled. Her eyes bore into him, silently demanding an explanation for this enigmatic conduct.

But Jack, ever the master of evasion, caught wind of Hermia's scrutiny and inquired, "What are you up to? I sense some devious thoughts in that pretty head of yours."

Hermia brushed it off, shaking her head and hastily diverting her attention to the road ahead. Suddenly, a speeding car came into view, hurtling towards them like a projectile. She couldn't contain her fear and let out a piercing scream, "Watch out!"

As they continued their journey, the pattern remained unchanged – uneventful for Jack but adrenaline-inducing for Hermia. It was this stark contrast that had compelled Hermia to take the drastic step of obtaining her driver's license, including some hypnotic influence on the examiner, just to avoid being a passenger in Jack's car.

She reassured herself, "Even though I can be fearless on the streets, it doesn't mean I'm heartless."

Meanwhile, under the watchful eye of Bradley, who awaited them nearby, a wicked grin crept across his face as he observed Jack's driving antics. "You drove like that? Did you challenge a wild stallion, Jack? Hahaha!"

Jack chuckled in response, "Why don't we hear Miss Hermia's opinion? She's the one who just got her driver's license."

Bradley swiftly shifted his tone upon Hermia's arrival, adopting a more understanding stance. "It's just a minor hiccup. Everyone makes mistakes when they're starting out."

Jack wasn't surprised by Bradley's change in attitude. The old man's behavior towards him had transformed over the past year. Initially, Bradley had been wary of him due to Jack's playboy reputation and his interest in Hermia. But now, things were different. The catalyst for this shift was Jack's growing expertise in magic, along with a deeper understanding of his personality.

Once, Bradley had been as guarded against Jack as he would be against a potential scumbag who will break his daughter's heart. Now, however, he seemed eager to engage Hermia to Jack.

Jack, being no stranger to Bradley's ulterior motives, remained steadfast in his refusal. He saw through Bradley's plan to make Hermia a permanent part of his life, and that was not something he was willing to entertain. While Hermia possessed undeniable charm and beauty, Jack had his limits when it came to long-term commitments.

Bradley's plan was clear, and Jack wasn't about to let himself be swayed by the cunning old man's tactics.

.....

Join my Pa*treon for more thrilling chapters! Help unlock a weekend bonus chapter by reaching 100 power stones. Let's make the story even more magical, together! 

Link : pa*treon.com/thebookaddict (Remove the *)