The Vixen's Protégé

Chapter 4

Jack struggled to find his words as he spotted Beth and Emily, both of whom had evident traces of frustration on their faces. As he saw his wife's burning anger in her eyes and the disappointment he caused in his daughter, Jack finally realized his mistakes. In a remorseful tone, he expressed, "I'm sorry. Please find it in your hearts to forgive me."

An expression of pain crossed Beth's complexion as she stared silently at Jack, awaiting his response to their arrival. He couldn't help but outline the anger in her wife's eyes, which only heightened his dismay in himself. Fueled by Jack's apology, Beth, in an angered state, called out, "Jack, I told you not to leave the house, but you went against my will! And now Emily and I have caught up to you looking like this? Your daughter and I have been waiting for you all day, do you even realize that?"

Feeling an immense sense of guilt, Jack turned to his daughter and pleaded, "I'm sorry Em. Happy Birthday! I promise I will go out of here, and we will attend the concert you've been talking about." His broken promise had left Emily feeling disheartened.

Going through bouts of anxiety, Emily couldn't contain her emotions any longer and burst out, "And what about my friends? How is that fair, Dad? It doesn't even matter anymore!"

Because of Beth's appeal to the Director of Zion Federal Bureau, Jack was finally freed, with accompanying constructive threats. But despite everything, his wife and daughter still could not forgive him; the frustration was still noticeable as they were about to leave the Bureau's office.

"Listen, Jack, I understand what it's like to miss out on your child's birthday. My son has gone through the same thing, and it's heartbreaking to think that your daughter almost had to experience that too," Watson confided.

Jack reacted with a hint of vexation, "Don't expect me to thank you or forgive you for what you've done. I'll take your word, but that's as far as it goes. And I feel sorry for you."

With a firm tone, Watson put out a warning as Jack prepared to leave the building, "Just remember, stay away from this office. If I ever catch sight of you or even your shadow again, I won't think twice to take you in."

Jack nodded and entered his vehicle where his family eagerly awaits. He couldn't help but ponder if he would ever carry out the promised chance that Emily had requested only once.

"Let's go to the concert, just the three of us? What do you think? It'll be a blast!" Jack suggested to his wife and daughter as he revved the car's engine.

"That's impossible, Dad. They won't let us inside because of your bruises," Emily said with disappointment.

"I can buy some cap and pretend everything's okay," Jack insisted.

"Dad, let's just go back home."

Despite his daughter's antagonism, Jack continued fulfilling her wish and headed to the place where Emily's favorite singer would perform. They bought tickets and a cap to conceal his bruises and injuries, capturing the concern of some onlookers.

"Emily? The night is far from over; there is still plenty of time to make it memorable. I have an idea, how about I get you a backstage pass so you can have a one-of-a-kind experience with your idol up close?" Jack's words were fervent as he desperately tried to rectify his mistake and bring a smile to his daughter's face.

"Thank you, Dad, but I can't help feeling like something was amiss all day. It's alright if we call it a night. I don't want to add to the stress you and Mom may already be feeling." Emily's voice was filled with sadness, her heart torn between longing for the concert and not wanting to burden her parents.

"Stress? Who's stressed?" Jack's voice rang with genuine surprise. "We don't feel stressed, do we, darling, Elisabeth?" he turned to his wife, hoping to dispel any worries their daughter may have.

"We're already here at the concert grounds, honey," Beth chimed in, her voice warm and reassuring. "So, why would we go home? Your Dad is right, Em, the night is still young. How about we make the most of it? Is it alright if it's just the three of us?"

Emily's heart swelled with a mix of relief and excitement. Her mother's agreement brought a surge of joy, and she couldn't help but nod enthusiastically. "Okay, Mom, Dad. Let's do it."

As they moved into the concert hall, the lively atmosphere engulfed them, with people cheering and singing along to the music. The crowd was immense, making it a challenge for Jack's family to navigate their way towards the scene.

They decided to remain in a corner of the platform, expressly preferred so that Emily could still have a close view of her idol. Jack, amidst the deafening music, expressed to his daughter, "If my shoulder wasn't broken, I would have gladly carried you on my shoulders, Em."

"Daddy, I'm already eighteen. Plus, there are so many people here, it would be embarrassing," Emily says bashfully. "Embarrassing? Your Mom and I still see you as our little innocent Emily, even though you're eighteen. That will never change. I love you, Sweetheart," Jack tenderly strokes Emily's back and plants a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"I love you too, Dad." Emily lets out a sigh, forgiving her father for his remark.

Amidst the lively atmosphere of the dark concert hall, where everyone was energetically cheering and singing along to the music, Jack unexpectedly encountered a familiar face. Ignoring the excitement around him, Jack's attention stayed fixed on this person whom he caught a glimpse of.

"Beth, can you stay here for a moment? I need to use the restroom." Jack requested, never diverting his gaze from the familiar man.

"Sure, but please return quickly," Beth responded, her face displaying confusion.

Leaving his spot, Jack discreetly trailed behind the man sporting a neck tattoo akin to his adversaries. Silently, he followed the man to the rear of the stage, where he observed him abandoning a backpack. In a moment of horror, Jack opened the backpack and discovered a bomb inside. Overwhelmed by fear, he shouted, "There's a bomb! Everyone evacuate immediately!"

Jack's cry jolted the people present backstage. The music suddenly died off, and the guards urgently signaled for the musician to vacate the stage without delay.

Even Beth and Emily were unable to run away from the loud explosion that came from another junction of the concert hall, eliciting a gasp from the crowd.