Nana ate very cautiously."Do you like it?" John suddenly asked.Nana looked unblinkingly at John before breaking into a wide smile and saying, "It's delicious. Everything is delicious. I like all the food here.""Good." John nodded and did not say anything further.Nana began feeling restless and eager to speak."Lucas, can we start anew?" Nana said, her eyes brimming with affection. "Just like how we were abroad. Back then, we were so deeply in love with each other."John remained silent.Nana went on. "I really don't mind your past with Cordy. Everyone has their pasts and emotional baggage. In fact, I'm so thankful that what happened between you and Cordy happened before we got married. Now that we're married, we'll focus on living happily ever after and forget everything in the past, okay?"John stayed silent, and Nana reached out to hold his hand.John looked at her.Nana said, "As long as we start anew, I really can let bygones be bygones and really let Cordy off."Rea
"Yes, sir," one of the servants immediately replied.They even gave him a knowing smile.To them, John and Nana were newlyweds and it was absolutely reasonable for them to occasionally go overboard in their bedroom activities. Therefore, Nana's fatigue did not make them suspicious.What was more, John looked so natural and composed.There was no loophole to be spotted.He carried Nana upstairs.When he previously came to the Lynd residence, he took note of where all the surveillance cameras were located.There was only one surveillance camera installed on the second floor which was along the corridor.As long as he avoided that surveillance camera, the Lynd family members would not notice a thing.John first carried Nana back to her old room, then he opened the door to the balcony and climbed out without any hesitation. He hung on the outside of the balcony and leapt onto the air conditioning unit attached to the exterior of the house. He then grabbed onto the railing of anoth
John remained calm despite the cold sweat beaded on his forehead. Given how large the study was, it was not easy trying to find some confidential documents that were probably hidden very well.After ten minutes, John did not manage to find anything.After twenty minutes, he still did not make any progress. After thirty minutes…Sweat rolled down his face and dripped down his chin.Just then, Sean texted him. [Quick! The Lynds are about to reach home!]John remained calm, and he calmly continued his search.-In the Cranston residence, Jean yelled angrily, "Sean, I watched you grow up and I know you to be a mature and sensible man. How could you pull such a joke on us?"The Lynds realized that 'Jesse' was a fake and Sean had no choice but to come clean."Grandaunt, I came here today to confess to you the truth." Sean tried his best to drag out the time, "I've always suspected that Grandfather's incident was a deliberate act by someone, so I wanted to use this method to expo
In the Lynds' car, Keith—Nana's father—was pondering to himself for a while as he watched the car ahead before saying, "Mom, don't you think Sean is playing us?"Jean looked at her son then.She was no pushover since she had seen action herself for years, and while she trusted Sean at first, she was now skeptical of Sean's true motives."Think about it," Keith continued. "He was keeping things from us for so long, telling us that Jesse had woken up before, but now he's suddenly telling us that it's all a lie? What do you think he's trying to do?""Stop following him," Jean said resolutely right then. "What?" Keith exclaimed in surprise."There's no need to play Sean's game now that we suspect he has something up his sleeve," Jean explained. "Most of the Cranstons are not the sharpest tools in the shed, but Sean is quite something. He's competent, and he's been pretty close with Cordy Sachs—that woman can achieve success on her own in North City, and she must not be underestimate
John took a deep breath, allowing himself to react before taking out a bottle and sprayed the contents over the number pad of the safe.The bottle contained a special spray—Sean had prepared it for him, and it would reveal the fingerprints on the number pad within seconds, identifying the numbers which the passcode consisted of.Coming up with the actual combination, however, depended entirely on luck.John noted down the numbers and started to deduce the passcode.Most people would have a set pattern when they decide on their passcode, like a birthday or numbers that meant something.He took a deep breath and tried to arrange the numbers according to the birthdates of most of the Lynds.Still his first attempt was wrong.He calmed down and keyed in another combination.It did not work either.John's sweat was raining down at that point—he really did not have much time, just as the Lynds could well show up at the very next second.He closed his eyes, running the numbers to fi
Having received his orders, Doug promptly brought two bodyguards with him and charged straight toward Nana's room, reaching for the doorknob right away without any intention to knock.However, it was locked from the inside."Ms. Lynd," Doug said loudly and sternly. "Open the door. We have something important to do and must get in there!"There was no response."Open the door, or I'll kick it down," Doug growled."I can't right now," Nana finally said."Sorry about this!"Doug completely refused to listen to Nana, and at his word, one of the bodyguards strode up and kicked the door open."Hey!" Nana shrieked inside the room as she tightened her fingers over her blanket, revealing her bare shoulders.It was enough skin to show that she was not dressed."What the hell?! What are you doing in my room?!"Doug, however, was unmoved and barked at the bodyguards, "Search the room!""Don't you dare!" Nana snapped.However, the bodyguards went to work—they only obeyed Doug and natur
Nana quickly got out of bed and rushed to the balcony to see Lucas carefully advancing through the balcony, her eyes filled with hatred even as she watched him.She would have murdered him immediately if she was not so hopelessly in love with him.What on earth did he take from his family that Doug would go that far?!And he never answered when she asked him… He just woke her and then quickly left.Naturally, Nana was well aware that he did that so she would cover for him, and she immediately took off her clothes when she heard Doug at the door.She bought time for Lucas to run away, which he was doing now without so much as looking back.If he really got away, she had no idea what would befall her family!She gritted her teeth and quickly put her clothes on.-John hid himself behind a thicket in the back garden.He was already prepared to be caught in the act and therefore pinpointed the location of every security camera in Lynd Manor, finding a clear route before leaving.
"Why did you come back here?" Nana exclaimed in surprise, though she understood at the next instant. "You can't get out, can you?"John did not answer, though he might well be admitting it with his silence."Why did you think I helped you, Lucas?" she demanded tearfully. "Would what you take really destroy my family?"She was also keeping her voice as soft as possible, in fear that anyone outside would hear her. Even if she really wanted to murder him right then, she was still too soft to do it."How far are you going to go, Lucas? Is Cordy really worth the trouble?" Nana asked, bewildered. "Is there anything about me that does not compare to her? Can't you just spend your days with me in peace?""I won't lie to you.""I don't mind. As long as you're with me, I don't care that your heart belongs to someone else. And I'm confident that you would fall for me eventually.""In the past, maybe. But now that Cordy has appeared, no one can take her place," John said bluntly."What i
Soon, another nurse emerged from the delivery room with a small bundle. "Is the mother's family here?""Yes!" John exclaimed loudly."The delivery was successful," the nurse said. "The baby weighs eight pounds—""How is she?" John asked in agitation, not caring about the child."She's fine. The doctor is just helping her clean up and she'll be out soon," the nurse replied.As John breathed a sigh of relief, the nurse reminded him, "Aren't you the father? Here's your child."John took the baby off her arms, staring at her for a moment as the others flocked around him. "Oh, she's so fair!" Zoe could not help exclaiming. "That's the most beautiful baby I've ever seen.""Are you saying that your son's ugly?" Bob teased."To be honest, yeah," Zoe replied without thinking.Jay cleared his throat—even if it was a subjective opinion, it still hurt to have his own baby called ugly."Let me carry her," Zoe volunteered just then, and John did not hesitate to hand her his baby.As Zoe
"What?!" Zoe exclaimed in shock.Beside them, John's face fell despite being usually stoic.Still, even before anyone could react, he scooped Cordy up in his arms and left.Zoe did not hesitate to follow, but Jay reminded her, "We're the hosts, Zoe.""Don't care." Zoe was completely unconcerned. "Ask my mom and your sister to handle the guests. I'm going with Cordy!"Jay hesitated for a moment before deciding to follow since there was no reasoning with Zoe.Sam and Quinn also realized that something was out of place.As they pulled away reluctantly, Bob shouted from below, "If you're done kissing, we're going to the hospital! Cordy's going into labor!"Quinn hurried after them as soon as she hurt, but Sam caught her. "Slow down. We can catch up."In fact, most of the guests were leaving as well—it was as if the banquet for Zoe's son was actually intended for everyone else.The poor boy was certainly unlucky to have such unreliable parents!-As everyone rushed to the hospit
"I'm swelling from my pregnancy," Quinn explained. "It's not your fault."Sam was left staring at her for a while before asking, "So, what should I do?""I'll put it on when I slim down.""Oh." Sam was a little disappointed, since he had always dreamed of having her put on the ring he had custom made.But this was fine—they had all the time they needed, and the most important thing for him is that Quinn was marrying him!He rose to his feet just then, and everyone was cheering as soon as he did. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"Quinn blushed right then, and Sam could see that she was embarrassed.He did not want to make things awkward for her, even if he was quite eager at the moment.Heaven knows how much he missed that night's drunken fumble they had. In fact, during the times he remembered it in dreams, he had to wash his pants when he woke up.Still, just as he took Quinn's hand and started to leave, he felt a softness on his lips—Quinn was kissing him! Sam's heart pounded thunderous
Everyone waited patiently for the final outcome.Quinn's eyes were welling up with tears, threatening to gush if she so much as blinked.She did her best to hold back her tears—to be strong!Sam pursed his lips in turn, his Adam's apple bobbing.A long while passed, and it felt like a century for Quinn when she finally heard him say, "Yes."Quinn's tears started falling in happiness as Sam declared loudly, "I'll marry you, Quinn—it's what I've always wanted to do! I won't let you go even if you regret it eventually! You only get to be with me, and I'll never let any other man claim you! I'll become very overbearing… eventually!""I won't regret it," Quinn said, determined.She certainly would not regret marrying him!Zoe walked up to them with perfect timing just then, and Sam did a double take.He finally remembered that Zoe was the host of this luncheon and was going to leave with Quinn when Zoe whipped out a small red velvet box."You know what's in here, don't you?" Zoe a
However, Sam had already pushed Quinn away before she could tell him. But even if he did not love her or did not want to be with her, she would never stay with Ryan.She had been disappointed in Sam, wondering why he would give up so easily.Was she that unimportant to him?Therefore, if it were not for Zoe and Cordy showing her that video or telling her so much, she would never have known that he loved her for years…Sam's heart ached even as he looked into Quinn's tearful eyes.He reached out a hand, but soon withdrew it—would he not burden her?Even so, it hurt to restrain himself as he watched her, and he was actually getting the feeling that Quinn loved him…But she already had Ryan's child…Well, he was fine with that, as long as the child was Quinn's.But would she not mind?"I will marry you, Sam," Quinn said slowly and clearly then. "Not because you're a good man, not because you prepared so much for me, and not because of how much you prepared for me, but because I
Everyone in the hall was staring at Sam and Quinn, while Quinn took center stage, staring fixedly at Sam.He stood in the middle of the crowd, watching her silently.She in turn felt fear that he would turn and leave, just as she did not know if she had the courage to stand before him again and to declare her feelings for him in front of so many others.Nonetheless, amid the deafening silence, Sam suddenly walked toward the stage.His pace was slow as if his feet were made of lead, but he was also unusually determined.Quinn's heart raced uncontrollably right then!Everyone else was watching them nervously, especially Cordy and Zoe, with the latter being especially concerned that the cowardly Sam would bail.Fortunately, he was a man who showed responsibility. He would not leave Quinn alone and embarrassed.Hence, as everyone looked on, Sam stood before Quinn, his gaze flickering as their eyes met.He gulped ever so slightly, his emotions clearly ruffled even as he did his bes
The guests were encouraging, loudly asking, "Why?!""Because of a woman," Sam's recording replied."Who is it?""Quinn Summer," the Sam on the screen said slowly and clearly, leaving the Sam who was in the hall stunned.What the hell?! That was the proposal video he prepared before! Why did it show up here? Did Zoe make a mistake?!He knew it—leave anything to Zoe, and she would mess it up!He started striding toward the stage, intent on stopping the recording, when John and Bob intercepted him with a look of utter guilt while the recording continued. "Quinn is my wife, and we've been married for years, but I've never really loved her—not because I don't, but because I'm afraid to. I feel too insignificant in comparison to the one she loves, so I'd always hurt her… painfully and childishly. I regret that so much now, Quinn. How could I have abandoned you for so long because of my own jealousy? I'd rather hold you in my sleep every night, but my damned pride denied me that for y
At the banquet hall, Jay and Zoe were thanking their guests with their children in their arms.Then, Zoe announced excitedly, "Please give my best friend, who is also my son's godmother, a warm applause as she comes on stage!"Sam stood at a corner of the hall, watching as Quinn walked up the stage, only realizing just then that her belly was clearly swelling despite her baggy clothes.Time flies—he had not left that long ago, but she and Ryan already had a child.She was not worried about giving him a stroke, was she?He watched as Quinn took the mic and looked around below searching, seemingly searching.After a while, he thought she was looking at him, but by the time he looked up, she had already turned away.Maybe she was looking for Ryan before remembering that Ryan was not there?Nonetheless, Quinn spoke into the mic, saying, "I'm honored to be chosen as the godmother to Zoe's son, and she's been saying he'd be engaged to my child if it's a girl. I already love my godson
As their eyes met, Sam turned frantic and averted his. "Of course.""Really?" Quinn asked."Would I lie to you?" Sam asked a little grumpily."And you didn't bring her back?" Quinn asked."I'm on a schedule, and it'd be taxing for her if I bought her along," Sam said, making things up as he went along. "I'll bring her along when things are less busy.""Is she pretty?" Quinn pressed."What, have I ever picked an ugly one?" Sam snorted smugly. "You know I prefer curvaceous types, and there are plenty of those abroad.""Do you have a photo?"Sam was silent for a while and eventually said, "Yeah.""Can I see it?""What, does she have to pass your assessment?""Just curious about the girl who can tempt you to settle down," Quinn replied. "You'd be humbled." Sam hastily came up with an excuse."I won't," Quinn said, determined."You'll see her when I bring her home." Sam refused nonetheless."I would like to see a photo now.""No, she's not that photogenic. It'd be slander a