The truth about Doctor Christopher Jackson began to unravel, revealing a complex web of secrets and deception.
A.A. reviewed his research, diary entries, and communications. It turned out that he was the mastermind behind Project EIEI-0, a clandestine operation aimed at investigating Selena's extraordinary abilities.
Assigned by the empowered false prophet McKenna, Jackson had assumed the cover identity of "Jack Christos" to infiltrate Selena's life.
His mission was to uncover the secrets of her knowledge and ability, which McKenna suspected as she learned incidentally what she was supposed to do as the heir.
As Jackson gained Selena's trust, McKenna encouraged him to install a new artificial assistant, AYA, which would complement Selena's existing A.A. By scanning Selena's own A.A, they were able to teach AYA logical rationality, creating a bond between Selena and Jackson, over the shared experience of having an unintegrated A.A.
The fake friendship grew into an intimate relationship. Until the planned accident, which was the cover story for his extraction and Selena's cancer diagnosis. It was indeed a real brain tumor.
However, McKenna's true intentions were far more sinister. She had been secretly plotting to transplant some of Selena's brain matter into her head, hoping to unlock the secrets of Selena's mind and gain access to the genetic interface and her abilities.
The implications of such a procedure were dire, and Selena's life was full of unnecessary suffering and debt. She would be hurt, considering the depression of her past life.
As Selena sat across from Doctor Christopher Jackson, she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. A.A.'s persistent throbbing was a warning sign that she couldn't ignore the red dot that caught her attention, and she felt an overwhelming urge to touch Dr. Jackson as if to confirm her suspicions.
But she resisted the urge, instead focusing on the conversation at hand. She used the placeholder name "Molly" to refer to A.A., trying to keep her true concerns hidden.
As the conversation continued, Selena excused herself to go to the bathroom, her mind racing with questions and doubts. Once inside, she quickly opened the notification that A.A. had flagged as urgent.
A future report from her populated her field of vision, revealing shocking information about Doctor Christopher Jackson. Selena's eyes widened as she read through the file, learning that Jackson was not only loyal to Park Jun Pyo but also had a history of betrayal.
The final project, EIEI-0, was revealed to be a clandestine operation aimed at exploiting Selena's abilities for McKenna's gain. Selena's eyes streamed tears at the name. Selena felt a wave of anger and fear wash over her as she realized the true nature of Dr. Jackson's intentions. He was an inside man.
She watched in horror as the details of the project unfolded before her eyes, her mind reeling with the implications of what she had just discovered. Selena knew she had to be careful, that she couldn't trust Dr. Jackson, Park Jun Pyo, and anyone else who worked for him.
As Selena's mind reeled from the revelation about Christopher Jackson's true identity, she couldn't help but think about the past. She had grieved the death of "Jack", her former lover, and suffered through the pain of losing him. But it was all a lie.
Jack lived and went on to live a life of privilege with his wives, and he had been manipulating her all along. She felt violated and angry, and that 'Christopher Jackson' in her courtyard had to leave.
Selena's thoughts also turned to her past, to the brain tumor that had nearly taken her life. She realized now that it was all connected to McKenna's actions. McKenna had stolen her identity, and in doing so, had set off a chain of events that had led to Selena's suffering.
It was likely that McKenna had discovered Selena's true identity early on, perhaps even after her parents' deaths. McKenna had probably been manipulating events from behind the scenes, using Selena's identity for her gain.
Ji-Min's soft voice broke the silence outside the bathroom door. "Miss?" she asked, her tone laced with concern. Selena had been crying for a long time, and Ji-Min had grown attached to her. She knocked again, this time muttering to the other maid in hushed tones.
Selena finally opened the door, her eyes blazing with anger and hurt. Ji-Min took a step back, sensing the intensity of her mistress's emotions. Selena's voice was low and even, but it carried a weight that made Ji-Min's heart skip a beat.
"Ji-Min, please escort Dr. Christopher Jackson out of my courtyard. Make sure it's done discreetly but firmly." Selena's eyes narrowed, her jaw clenched in anger.
Ji-Min nodded her expression a mask of professionalism. She turned to the other maid, and together they approached Dr. Jackson, who was still seated in the meeting room.
"Dr. Jackson, we apologize, but it's time for you to leave," Ji-Min said, her voice polite but firm. The other maid stood beside her, a subtle but clear indication that they would not be swayed.
Dr. Jackson's eyes flickered, a hint of surprise and annoyance crossing his face. But he quickly composed himself, standing up and nodding curtly.
The maids escorted him out of the courtyard, their pace quickening as they approached the gates. The guard, sensing the urgency, stepped forward to escort Dr. Jackson away, his expression stern and unyielding.
As they disappeared from view, Ji-Min turned back to Selena, her eyes filled with concern. "Miss, are you alright?" she asked, her voice soft and gentle. Selena cried more.
As Dr. Christopher Jackson walked away from the courtyard, he couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration and disappointment.
Park Jun Pyo had asked him to gain insight into Selena Lowrie's psyche, but their brief interaction had yielded few results. Park Jun Pyo would have a harder time with her than the simple-minded McKenna.
Selena was a complex and guarded individual, intelligent and well-spoken, but also depressed, anxious, and suspicious. He had been unable to administer the tests that Noe Eun Ho had requested, which would have provided valuable information on Selena's post-traumatic stress and childhood attachment disorders.
The staff at the estate seemed offended by his presence, and Noe Eun Ho would undoubtedly have questions about his abrupt departure ahead of schedule. But Dr. Jackson knew that he had to tread carefully, as Park Jun Pyo held the reins, and he had secrets that could ruin his reputation and destroy his career.
The memories of his past misdeeds flashed through his mind: the embarrassing sex videos, the falsified grades, and the patients he had exploited, including adolescents. A shiver ran down his spine as he thought about the leverage Park Jun Pyo had over him.
But amidst the darkness, a spark of desire had been ignited. Selena, the "little filly," had begun to fascinate him, and he couldn't help but feel drawn to her.
He loved the power and control that came with manipulating others, making their misery worse, and he couldn't wait to see Selena again, to unravel her secrets and exploit her vulnerabilities.
Eun Ho approached Dr.Jackson, who was out early. Eun Ho's eyes narrowed slightly as she approached Dr. Jackson, a hint of concern etched on her face. "That was quick?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry. She knew that the tests and evaluations were confidential, but she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.
As a mother, Eun Ho had always been protective of Selena, and the thought of her daughter being hurt in any way filled her with anxiety. She had hoped that Dr. Jackson's evaluation would provide some insight into Selena's troubled past, but now she wondered if she had made a mistake.
Eun Ho's mind began racing with worst-case scenarios. Had Dr. Jackson discovered something about Selena that she didn't want to share? Was she hiding something from her? The more she thought about it, the more her worry turned to fear. She knew that she had to get to the bottom of this, for Selena's sake.
Dr. Jackson's eyes narrowed slightly as he turned to face Eun Ho, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his tone. "Ah, Mrs. Noe, I... uh... didn't get a chance to administer the tests. Selena was... uncooperative." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "I think she's a very intelligent and perceptive young woman, but she's also very guarded. I didn't want to push her too hard, too soon."
He forced a smile, trying to appear concerned and professional. "I assure you, Mrs. Noe, that I will do everything in my power to help Selena. But I must stress that these things take time, and patience is essential."
He glanced around, ensuring they were out of earshot, before leaning in slightly. "I will need to schedule another appointment, perhaps when Selena is feeling more... receptive."
Eun Ho's annoyance was palpable as she turned to Dr. Jackson, her voice firm but controlled. "I will let you know if she wants to see you again." With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Dr. Jackson to realize his misstep.
Two guards grabbed him by the arms and ushered him to his vehicle. Eun Ho did not know exactly what he had done, but it was simple enough to get rid of someone who was not that important. He was supposed to make some great discoveries in the future according to his birth date, she generally left vetted staff be.
As Eun Ho and her staff made their way to Selena's courtyard, Ji-Min opened the door with a look of relief flooding her face. "Princess, this way," she said, leading Eun Ho inside.
Once upstairs, Eun Ho climbed into bed beside Selena, stroking her hair gently. "Can you talk about it?" she asked softly.
But Selena was overwhelmed by emotion, and all she could manage was a whisper, "No, it hasn't happened yet or again."
Eun Ho continued to comfort her daughter, holding her close and whispering words of reassurance. After a while, she gently changed the subject, trying to distract Selena from her distress. "Let me tell you about the art of our gift, Korean fortune telling," she said, a soft smile on her face.
Selena looked up at her mother, curiosity sparking in her eyes. Eun Ho began to explain the history of Korean fortune-telling, also known as Saju.
"Saju is an ancient art that originated in Asia before borders were as they are and we roamed." Eun Ho explained. " A person's destiny is determined by the alignment of the stars and planets at the time of their birth. It also allows us additional clarity to the touch arts when there's a block. I assume you have seen the fire and mist."
Eun Ho went on to explain that Saju is calculated using a person's birth date and time and that it provides insight into their personality, strengths, weaknesses, and potential.
She told Selena that Saju is still widely practiced in Korea today and that many people consult with Saju masters to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world. It was important for her to master in case the veil dropped, if she gave birth to an incredible heir, better than herself.
As Eun Ho spoke, Selena listened intently, fascinated by the ancient art and its significance in Korean culture. Her mother's words were like a balm to her soul, soothing her emotions and providing a much-needed distraction from the turmoil that had erupted earlier.