Spencer held Lucille's hand as they entered the courtyard. They walked along a long corridor before coming to a suite with a redwood plaque above the entrance. The words "Tranquility Court" were carved on it.Spencer explained, "This is where Grandpa stays. There are three suites in Layton Manor. My parents and brother live in one of the others, while the last is mine."Lucille understood now. She asked curiously, "What are the other two called?""Harmony Court and Serenity Court," Spencer answered."They sound so peaceful and poetic," she said."Yeah."She liked the names. As they entered Tranquility Court, they were greeted by an abundance of flora. They provided a soothing view.The butler and a few maids stood in the courtyard. When they saw Spencer and Lucille, the butler called, "Mr. Spencer is back!""This is Arthur Hall, the butler. Hi, Arthur," Spencer said as he looked at Arthur.Lucille greeted, "It's nice to meet you, Arthur."Arthur beamed and nodded vigorously.
Lila's voice rang out before she even showed up. Lucille turned to look behind her and saw an elegant woman in a vintage dress. Beside her was a middle-aged man in a suit.Lila looked youthful despite her age—her skin was smooth and supple, and she looked graceful and poised. Meanwhile, Eric was tall, stately, and gentlemanly. Lucille could see traces of him in Spencer, especially in his eyes. The father and son looked quite similar to each other.Despite being middle-aged, it was easy to tell Eric had been handsome as a young man. It looked like Lila's and Eric's genes had combined in the best way possible to give birth to someone as gorgeous as Spencer.There was no doubt in Lucille's mind that these were Spencer's parents. Spencer confirmed her guess by greeting, "Mom, Dad."Before Lucille could say anything, Lila gave Spencer the stink-eye and said, "Don't tell me you've forgotten about your mother now that you're married, you brat. "I had you in my belly for months and wor
Everyone sat down for dinner, save for Spencer's brother, Seth Layton. He was attending to something abroad and had yet to return.During the meal, Lucille understood why Spencer's table manners were so impeccable. It wasn't just because he'd been well-trained since childhood—it was also because of the environment he'd grown up in.James, Eric, and Lila were quite satisfied with Lucille. She wasn't ingratiating or arrogant, and she was elegant and classy. She met the Layton family's standards for its members.Even though Lucille hailed from a greedy and materialistic family like the Johnsons, she remained steadfast in her beliefs and wasn't afraid to take the path less traveled. These things only made James, Eric, and Lila like her more.After dinner, Lila kept Lucille by her side and chatted with her. She told Lucille everything about Spencer, starting from his childhood up until adulthood. Thanks to Lila, Lucille learned that Spencer had been warm and cheery before the age of
Lucille narrowed her eyes at Lila's words. Lila and Jane knew each other? She'd never heard her mother, Jane Monroe, mention anything about it, though.Lila could tell from the look on Lucille's face that the latter remembered nothing about this. She said, "It's not surprising that you don't remember anything. You were only about two years old at the time."Lucille didn't say anything. She genuinely didn't remember anything that had happened when she was two years old; she probably only knew how to sleep, eat, and cry at the time.Lila pulled an old, yellowing photo album from the drawer beside her. It had been kept in James' suite all these years.Lucille glanced at it curiously and asked, "What's this?"Lila handed it to her. "Take a look for yourself."Lucille took it. When she opened it, the first thing she saw was a chubby little naked boy. He looked adorable. As she kept flipping through the album, the chubby little boy grew into a handsome little kid. His face became vag
Fortunately, the car's specifications were the best available, so Lucille only jolted forward slightly.Spencer was so stunned that he just allowed the car to stop in the middle of the road. Earlier, Lucille had said, "Mom showed me photos of you as a kid, and you were naked. Like, butt-naked. You didn't have anything on at all."That was why he'd slammed the brakes."You were completely naked, you know. I didn't expect you to be so cute when you were a kid." Lucille watched him as he sat there, unmoving. She smiled faintly, and her tone sounded light-hearted and a little mischievous.Just then, Spencer asked, "Is that so?" He dragged his words out as his eyes glinted slyly. Lucille didn't notice it and said, "Yeah. You were so chubby, too."Spencer never would've expected his cold and aloof image to be ruined by a baby photo. To make matters worse, Lucille had seen it. Suddenly, he turned to her with a raised eyebrow. "I suppose that makes us even."Lucille was confused. Wha
Spencer's breath fanned over Lucille's ear, tingling her senses. But that wasn't the point—the point was what he'd just said."H-How did you know that?" Lucille asked in horror. He knew she had red moles on her left chest and butt. Those were such private areas, so how did he…He turned to smirk at her, his gaze a little amorous as he looked at her side profile. He leaned just a bit closer so his lips could brush past her ear. It seemed accidental yet also on purpose.It caused a bolt of electricity to shoot through her, making her feel a little cold and tense up. It was a completely physical reaction. He said, "Because I was the one who changed your diapers before you were two."Lucille's mind went blank. Oh, God. What was this? It was no wonder he'd said that they were even! This had to be the most embarrassing moment of her life!Spencer moved away after saying that. He started the car and drove off. It took Lucille a long time to wrap her mind around everything. She only f
Lucille shook her head at that and said, "Let's hope you won't back down if that day does come."She knew what Bailey was like—she was all talk and no action.Bailey asked, "Speaking of which, you and Spencer didn't spend the night at Layton Manor after making a trip there? And you even returned to your respective homes after that? Are you two really married?"Lucille thought about what Spencer had told her before she'd gotten out of the car last night. He'd held her hand and gazed lovingly into her eyes. "Move in with me. Or, I can move in with you."She'd been wholly stunned. She'd yet to mentally prepare herself to live with him, after all. Because of that, Spencer had given her a promise to make her less anxious. He said, "Don't worry. I won't touch a hair on your head before you're completely ready. I just want to get to know you and care for you better. Besides, you have to get used to my presence in your life sooner or later…"When Lucille didn't respond, Bailey called he
Marie said cheerily, "No, Lucy didn't tell me any jokes. She told me a piece of good news, though."Casey looked at her curiously. "Oh? What is it?"She remembered that Lucille had just called off her engagement to Harold. Where had the good news come from? She frowned and asked, "Didn't Ms. Lucy already call off the engagement with the Quall family?"Marie scowled at the mention of the Quall family. She snorted and said, "What right do they have to have my precious granddaughter as a daughter-in-law? They're unworthy of her."Casey smiled and said, "Yes, of course. They're beneath her."She knew that Marie had never liked Harold. After all, even if he had good looks, he'd been was blind enough to fall for someone like Sabrina. "Ms. Lucy is so pretty, smart, and kind. A family as materialistic as the Qualls is most definitely not worthy of her. She deserves so much better."Marie nodded. "Yes, Lucy deserves someone better. That's why the Layton chap is the perfect candidate."