Zoe was attending Jay's university graduation ceremony when she realized that she was in love with him.She was so jealous when every classmate of his seemed to profess their love to Jay.Hence, on a dark, windy night, she stood at the main entrance of Levine Manor, waiting for Jay, who was out having dinner with Bob and the rest.The instant she saw his towering figure alighting from his car, she threw all caution to the wind and leaped into his arms. Jay stank of alcohol and only that—he never used deodorant or perfume.But even if he sweated all over after playing basketball, she would find him carrying a sense of freshness from head to toe."What is it? Don't tell me it's a nightmare. You're an adult now—Umph." Jay asked her very softly, and his eyes suddenly widened. Even Zoe could not remember what gave her such courage, but she had wrapped her arms around his neck and stood on her toes to plant a kiss squarely on his lips.There was even tongue involved—the scent of al
Jay did not appear worried at all when he saw Zoe, but instead, he asked flatly, "It's late. Why aren't you sleeping? Don't you have classes tomorrow?""What am I to you, Jay?" she asked him then.She was just seventeen at the time, and she did not understand why she was losing composure like that.She was very calm, unlike her usual pampered self—she was even willing to believe that Jay just had an accident with that actress.When she thought about it later on, she decided that she did not throw a tantrum because she did not want Jay to hate her.But at the time, Jay's answer was nonchalant and carried no hesitation. "My niece.""But, last night…" Zoe murmured."Last night?" Jay chuckled, his eyes showing no concern at all. "I was just drunk.""No, you weren't!" Zoe cried—she knew Jay could not hold his liquor, which was why he always avoided getting drunk!"Fine, I wasn't. I didn't want to take advantage of you, but I'm 22 and an adult—I have a hard time refusing any woman t
However, Zoe had no idea what the photos showed.Moreover, she had not been that close with any men recently, and there was nothing the paparazzi could use for fuel.To make things worse, she did not have her phone, just as her manager and assistant was not with her. "I don't know what you're talking about," Zoe said very coolly. "I wouldn't hide anything if I were in a relationship."With those words, she tried to push her way through the mob of journalists, only for them to keep her tightly encircled.Zoe clearly scowled—they were refusing to let her go.But being the showbiz star that she was, there was a need to maintain appearances when she was in front of the camera."The photos of you are definitely genuine, Ms. York. Are you trying to hide something?""Why don't you just admit it? Tell us who it is and what's the relationship involved!""Don't keep us in suspense, Ms. York!" Zoe was almost crumbling from their relentless questioning because she had not the faintest
Still in her MPV, Zoe was scrolling through the news on her phone distractedly.More articles were appearing online, almost snuffing out the scandal between Kyle and Noel.She eventually reached Levine Manor, and she alighted to find Jay standing by the front door, seemingly waiting for her.Zoe simply strode past him, pretending not to see him."Zoe," he called out, but she ignored that too."Zoe," he called out again, reaching out to grab her wrist.She promptly raised her hand, avoiding his touch while wheeling on him with a cool look. "Don't touch me. You'll get your filth on me."Jay's fingers clenched as he lowered his hand, asking, "Have you considered what you're going to do about the scandal?""My management company is on it. Don't worry, it won't affect the TV series.""It's Johnny in that photo, right? At my father's seventieth birthday." Jay sounded positive, but Zoe did not respond even as he continued, "I can talk to him on your behalf, see if he could enforce
Zoe's scandal continued to top search trends the next day.After all, her management company could not enforce a full media blackout—especially not with Kyle pressuring the press in secret.Kyle was in a good mood as he watched the news, and after some thought, he decided to call Cordy.Cordy had seen what was going on in the news as well, and she naturally could tell that it was Kyle.He was actually smart enough to use another scandal to snuff out his, just to shield Jessop Corp from further harm by his own scandal."Oh, Cordy… Do you think John Levine would come forward to help Zoe York?" Kyle asked with contempt when she answered.Cordy honestly did not want to waste her breath with Kyle, not to mention that he would have an aneurysm if she told him that Zoe was actually a member of the Levine family. "Do you think John would go public with his relationship with Zoe or try to snuff out the scandal in secret?" Kyle continued to scoff at her. "See? You're just one of his wome
At the very least, Cordy considered Jay to be more reliable at a white-collar job than Zoe.John's reply to that was: [My grandfather forbids it.]While Cordy was left puzzled again, he added:[Since Jay is adopted, my grandfather doesn't want him getting involved in Levine Ventures to avoid a power struggle that would affect the family.]Cordy actually understood the reasoning, but she also found it very obviously unfair toward Jay.Did none of them put Jay's feelings into consideration?Still, she quickly realized that John was misdirecting her—something he seemed to have a flair for. [So, aren't you going to help Zoe?][She'll handle it on her own, or she'll come to me if she can't do it.]Fine. Cordy thought then that since Zoe was a member of the Levine family, the Levines would not just sit by and watch while she got harassed. However, just as she tapped out of the chat box with John and got prepared to work, another text popped up. [That's it?]Cordy frowned—wha
At 6 pm, John brought Richard as agreed to give Cordy a ride from work."Mommy!"Richard's crisp, innocent voice melted Cordy's heart every time. She gave the boy a hug, and she sat with him as they had a pleasant chat.John was scowling from being ignored. "Aren't you happy to see Mommy?" Richard asked seriously, frowning just then."I am," John replied rather coolly. "But you're frowning like this," Richard said, imitating John by furrowing his little brow.He had always been a miniature version of John, and he looked especially identical as he frowned.Cordy could not help laughing out loud, and even the chauffeur was quite amused.Although John was scowling harder, Richard was further encouraged to see Cordy laughing. "Mommy, don't mind Daddy. I think he's having PMS."Cordy laughed harder at that—John might have educated him too well!Fortunately, the restaurant they were going to was close, and they soon arrived.John might get a stroke otherwise!They took a win
John thought to himself that Cordy should be sweet-talking him instead of asking about Jessica! Still, he nodded. "Yeah." "What's the relationship there?" Cordy asked bluntly—after she had that misunderstanding with John and Zoe, she had decided to ask about everything since."Our grandfathers were comrades in the war and close friends, often keeping in touch even though we lived in different cities. My grandfather especially loved to visit them, so he brought me to Stuart Hall in Rocktown on many occasions. As for Jessica Stuart, she's…"John trailed off as he searched for the right word, and Cordy raised a brow. "Your childhood friend?""No." John denied it. "More like the girl next door."The girl next door?! That felt way more ambiguous than necessary!John then continued, "Anyway, when my grandfather sent me abroad for studies, William Stuart—her grandfather—sent her abroad as well. After we graduated from university, I worked on expanding Levine Ventures in foreign mar
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