The Master Programmer-Chapter 137: Banquet of Masks 1

Jason sat in the driver’s seat, his grip on the steering wheel steady, though his mind raced. Beside him, Emily glanced over, her delicate features marred by concern. She reached out and gently placed her hand over his.

"Jason," she said softly, her voice trembling with fear and devotion. "Are you okay? You look… drained."

New novel chapt𝒆rs are published on ƒгeewebnovёl.com.

Jason turned to her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Her black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her dark eyes brimmed sincerely. She was a vision of purity and warmth. Funnily enough, those qualities were things that were running away from Jason ever ever so slowly.

Purity and Warmth were not something he had inside him these days. It was pretty clear to him now that all he had was just darkness: darkness and Power. The worst problem was the fact that he had no real problem with that.

"I’m fine," he replied, his voice calm, and reassuring even while his face was a bit pallid. He leaned in, brushing his lips against hers in a tender kiss. "Don’t worry about me."

Emily blushed, her cheeks turning a shade of pink that Jason found irresistible. She smiled shyly, her eyes glistening with unspoken affection.

"What happens next?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper as they drove on the road.

Jason chuckled, leaning back against the seat. "That depends on you, princess. What do you want to do?" Jason said, turning the conversation from what had happened, to what could happen in the future. She smirked when she heard this. Jason had called her his princess. Did that not make him a prince?

Emily tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. "I want ice cream," she said finally, a hint of mischief in her tone.

Jason’s smirk widened. "Your wish is my command," he said smoothly. In the next moment, he looked at the direction they were going on the road and turned the car, his direction clearer now.

She laughed, her heart feeling light despite the weight of the world around them. Jason’s words had a way of enveloping her, making her feel safe and cherished, even in the face of chaos.

She still remembered what happened at that warehouse, but she was trying her best to keep calm. She knew now that Jason had a ton of secrets. She was willing to wait for him to tell her everything. Until that day came she would wait patiently by his side like a loyal cat.

Thinking this far she remembered what happened in the morning of that day and felt herself get flush. Cats were going to become a sensitive subject from this day onwards.

As they drove to the mall, Jason occasionally glanced at her, his gaze lingering a fraction longer than necessary. Each time, Emily’s blush deepened, and she couldn’t help but smile back.

But beneath Jason’s confident exterior, a storm brewed. He replayed the scene with Tim in his mind. The way his cousin had crumbled under the weight of Jason’s words, reduced to a stammering mess, showed just how much power he now wielded.

The [Emperor’s Gaze] skill had worked perfectly, its influence intoxicating. Jason knew now that it was probably working in Emily too. And it might be the case that Jason was someone who understood a ton of things about the situation.

He squeezed Emily’s hand, grounding himself and her. She had no idea of the dark undercurrents running through his thoughts. She saw only the man who had captivated her heart, not the strategist meticulously planning his next move. He would love to keep things that way.

There was an innocence in her that he did not want to corrupt. He would love for her to be like that for the rest of time. But something told him that in order for her to stand by his side, she had to not only see a bit of his darkness, but she would have to embody it too.

When they arrived at the mall, the parking lot was sparsely filled. Morning sunlight bathed the area in a soft glow, casting long shadows. Jason parked the car and stepped out, moving around to open Emily’s door. She accepted his hand, her touch light but full of trust.

"So what flavour of ice cream do you like the most?"

Emily put her finger to her chin. "Hm… I like chocolate mint. Maybe even rum?"

"Rum? I never expected that from my little kitty," Jason said with a smirk on his face.

"Don’t call me that in public~~" Emily said in the manner of a whisper, looking around as Jason held her close to her while chuckling, making sure to ensure she was safe in his arms.

They strolled into the mall, and they had a conversation, the air-conditioned coolness providing a welcome reprieve from the heat outside.

Jason’s presence drew eyes as always, his tailored attire and confident stride exuding authority. Emily walked beside him, radiant in her all-black outfit that accentuated her delicate figure. Her hair framed her face perfectly, and her shy glances toward Jason made her even more endearing. Everyone couldn’t help but feel how perfect that couple was.

If only they could be the rich CEO with the shy girlfriend.

When they reached the ice cream shop, Jason placed their order, ordering chocolate mint ice cream for her, and some rum ice cream for him, all so that he could have her taste his. They could share them, and taste each other’s ice creams. He honestly just wanted to calm her down as best as he could.

He couldn’t help but think about Isabella at that moment. Where was she? What was she doing? The last time he saw her, he had a ton of fun. Jason had been too busy these days, and all he could do was share text and phone conversations with her. Jason hoped she was taking care of herself.

The shop was nearly empty, save for the employees behind the counter. But just as they settled in, familiar voices rang out, grating against Jason’s composure. He could see them coming. Five people he knew all too well. Or maybe he thought he knew them. Whatever it was, Jason felt himself inwardly cringe.

"Well, well, look who it is," Sarah’s voice drawled, dripping with mockery. She walked over with a short pink skirt that was screaming, look at me!! She strutted her stuff, walking beside two other women and two other men that Jason thought he knew once.

Jason held back the urge to tighten his jaw as he saw them: Mark, David, Jenny, Sarah… and Amanda. His former university friends and ex sauntered in, their smug expressions and entitled airs infuriatingly familiar.

Sarah’s gaze flicked to Emily, appraising her with thinly veiled disdain. It wasn’t just her. All of them were looking at Emily wondering who this girl was. But Jason noticed a weird glint that passed by Mark’s eyes. A greed that came with a sick smile...

"Jason," Sarah continued, stepping closer. "Spending your boss’s money on your new girl? Or is she just another fling?"

Emily stiffened beside him, her hand instinctively reaching for Jason’s arm. Sarah smirked, sensing blood in the water. She could use this to destroy their relationship, no? This little one probably had no idea what Jason was doing out there, selling himself to rich women for their affection... She could already imagine what was going to happen when she found out.

"Jason... don’t tell me you didn’t tell her? Doesn’t she know about your sugar momma?" Sarah sneered. "You’re all over social media. It’s pathetic."

Jason was going to ignore this too, but even before he could respond, Emily stepped forward, her cheeks flushed with indignation. "Jason can do whatever he wants," she said firmly, her voice trembling with emotion but unyielding. "I’m the lucky one to be with him, not the other way around."

Her declaration silenced the group momentarily. Even Jason blinked, surprised by her boldness. A slow, approving smile spread across his face as he gently pulled her back, his hands resting on her shoulders. He leaned down, his voice low and intimate as he whispered just for her.

"Thank you," he murmured, his eyes locking onto hers. "But let me handle this." Maybe he had been too soft to these old friends of his. It was time to show them who he was and what he was capable of.

Emily nodded, her gaze filled with trust and adoration. Jason straightened, his demeanour shifting. The air around him seemed to change, charged with an invisible force that demanded attention.

"Sarah," Jason began, his tone calm but with an edge that cut through the tension. "It’s always a pleasure to see you. How’s that influencer career treating you? Still chasing followers instead of substance?"

Sarah’s smirk faltered, and just before she could say anything back to him, Jason turned to Mark and David.

"And you two," he continued, his voice laced with mock camaraderie. "Still leeching off Daddy’s money? Or have you managed to accomplish something on your own yet? You know what… looking at those watches, I’d guess the answer is a big fat no."

The two men looked at Jason and then narrowed their eyes, as Jason turned to Jenny. "It’s nice to see you. I’m surprised you’re not on your phone typing out my location to share with your gossip groups. Then again... with the crush you had on me, those aren’t gossip groups, are they? They’re fan clubs."

Jenny gazed at Jason, her eyes conflicted. How did he know she was in a Jason Cross fan club?

After saying that, Jason turned to Amanda. "You’re here to buy ice cream right?" Jason said, looking around. "Where’s your Wallet at?"