Cordy did not humiliate Noel with their relatives watching.Still, she made sure to sit on the very edge of the couch, looking just like an outsider.That was when Molly Sachs asked her pointedly, "Cordy? You didn't bring your grandmother a present, huh?"Molly was Simon Sachs' younger sister, and her family worked for Simon when he ruled Starstream. She was very close to Sue Yorkman as well, and was instrumental in Sue's success in seducing Simon back then.Cordy was laughing inwardly, as she suddenly remembered that Mandy Jessop was also instrumental in Noel's success in seducing Kyle Jessop.Noel really inherited all the “best” traits, huh?"Who would want anything from her?" Plum scoffed with a look of pure disdain. "Just look at her. She literally screams poverty—she'd never afford anything!" "Don't say that, Granny. She just inherited Starstream Group, and the company has been developing in recent years. Also, I ran into her at Davis' Kitchen. Any dining session there wou
Simon was still under the impression that his relatives were all impressed by the video he put together, and he was relishing the thought until he noticed Plum glowering.Noel quickly dashed up the podium just then, anxiously pointing at the screen. "Dad, Dad…" Simon turned around and almost got a stroke when he saw what was playing on the screen.It was all records of his affair with Fiona Lamb!There were not just photos and videos either, but also records of their cringeworthy text conversations.It was such a thorough expose that Simon had zero dignity left!He eventually came to his senses after a long while and barked at the technician, "Shut it down! Shut it down!"Stunned, the technician quickly did as he was told, but everyone had already seen what they needed to see…"Who did this?! Who?!" Simon was bellowing in rage up at the podium.Below, Plum was turning pale from fury. It was her birthday party, but she somehow ended up thoroughly humiliated in front of all t
While Noel could not manage a comeback, Kyle stepped up. "Cordy Sachs, why are you being so hostile and cold? Noel just cares about you, and even if you're uncomfortable after our break up, we would still become in-laws eventually—""Kyle Jessop, how many times do I have to tell you that you give yourself too much credit? You hold no sway on me at all now, and my spite for Noel has nothing to do with you…"Cordy paused for a moment just then, and said, "Actually, it does—it stacks, so I hate you even more now.""Sis, you can say anything you like about me, but not Kyle—"Cordy simply turned to leave again before Noel could finish, and it certainly stung! Noel almost wanted to scream as she glared at Cordy from behind.Kyle was not doing any better, as he seemed even more insignificant to her! "Cordy Sachs!" Simon suddenly showed up and barked at her as well.Cordy pursed her lips, but she turned around despite her impatience. She knew all too well she would not get a clea
Cordy paused and studied Bryson for a moment.He was on the pudgy side, and his face so plain there was nothing worth noting. "Do you even know who I am?! I am a top executive working at Levine Ventures, and I draw a six-figure salary each year!" While Bryson continued his angry rant slash brag, Cordy clicked her tongue at him and left without a care. Bryson watched in confusion as she walked away—he was convinced that Cordy should be throwing herself into his arms given who he was.But she did not seem to care!In reality, Bryson was not that interested in her at first, but he could not turn down the Sachs since they carried influence in North City. However, when he saw Cordy in person, he was stunned to find her so much more beautiful than her photo! With that pretty face, he would be fine with just a tryst even if he did not marry her!While he grinned sinisterly, Cordy was still heading toward the front gates, intent on leaving and certainly not in the mood to find out
With Fiona gone, Cordy had help from Stephen to select a new secretary, Vince Cartman. He was young and academically qualified, and had not joined either faction in Starstream Group since he was only recently hired.And as instructed, Noel arrived to present her drafts for the season in the vast conference room. But even as she elaborated on the details, she lost confidence by the minute under Cordy's watchful gaze.She certainly had to admit that she did not have the inspiration to create a design from scratch—even if she was given another week. Her design was fundamentally stuck to her old ideas, and the minute adjustments she made by borrowing inspiration from others left her designs less than outstanding."Do you think this is going to fly, Ms. Sachs?" Cordy asked as she took a sip of tea.It was only natural that Noel came up with an excuse beforehand. "Personally, I think trends matter, but that does not mean we should lose our brand's individuality. What's wrong in keeping o
Simon was certainly skeptical.Still, considering that Cordy must have had a hard time getting anything going or trying to manage Starstream Group with various head of departments reneging, did she smarten up and decided to appoint Noel, so that Noel would keep them in line?Simon thought then that it was all Cordy amounted to… To think that he believed she could achieve anything for a moment!Smugness showed on his face as he barked, "Appointing Noel is certainly the best move you can make to rein in Starstream! She's worked there for years, and she's naturally no greenhorn like you!""Thank you for your advice." Cordy played along, though she found it ironic herself—appointing Noel was really just bait for them to come at her!"Oh, and do you remember Bryson Zimmer—""You don't have to worry about my private life." She hung up, but soon her phone rang again.Cordy did not answer it, and she then received a text from Kyle. "Noel just called me saying that you appointed her as
Noel checked the time, but it was only 3 pm. "In another couple of hours.""Can't you leave early?" Mandy Jessop was clearly upset. "I'd like you to go shopping with me."Noel appeared slightly hesitant. In the past, she could just leave work without a word since her father would not say a thing.But now, Cordy had taken control, and Noel was worried she would notice and use it as an excuse to harass her.Even so, she had even less reason to upset Mandy. If she wanted to marry Kyle without issue, she certainly needed his sister's favor.After weighing her options, Noel agreed to it anyway. "I'll be right there. Where are we going?""Radiant Global.""Be there in twenty minutes."Hanging up, Noel drove to the mall.-Meanwhile, Cordy was drafting a design in her office when her phone rang too.She gave it a casual glance but eventually put away the draft and answered it. "Mr. Levine.""When will you call me something else?" That familiar voice was ever deep and magnetic.
Mandy saw Cordy too. She called out rather loudly, "Cordy?!"Cordy naturally heard her, but she ignored her."Who do you think you are, Cordy Sachs?!" Mandy promptly strode toward her.Noel quickly followed, even as Mandy glared scornfully at Richard and mocked, "You really are eager to become a stepmom, aren't you? You really are an embarrassment to womenkind, sucking up to a man like this and paying for everything! Every item here would cost at least five figures—you really spared no expense!"Richard's little brows were furrowed.Why did they have to run into those two witches again? They were really ruining his and his mommy's happy shopping time. Beside him, Cordy shot Mandy a look and calmly pressed a button on her phone, replaying all of Mandy's rambling.Mandy's face flushed, surprised that Cordy would record everything so quickly."I wonder if your reputation would be affected if this recording goes online, Ms. Jessop?" Cordy asked without a care. "Weren't you just ta
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