Cordy was holding Richard's hand as they arrived at the main entrance when a figure abruptly intercepted them, stopping them from leaving."What, regret paying up now?" Cordy narrowed her eyes at Kyle, who was panting."I'm not that petty," he heaved. "I paid, and that's that. My family won't miss it that much."Cordy smiled—it was ironic since she was the reason his family had that money, and she had worked for it with her life! Still, Kyle suddenly ignored her jibe and directly said, "You never answered my calls or texts.""Did you forget your place—""We can be friends even if we've broken up.""That's what you believe," Cordy said as she looked at him coolly. "You're already gone from my world, because I'd never befriend anyone as corrupt as you.""You don't have to be like that—""What do you want?!" Cordy snapped, cutting him short impatiently. Kyle took a deep breath, not wanting to fight her. "I just asked the store assistant. She said the boy's tailcoat costs six
There was no reply this time.Cordy pursed her lips and turned toward Richard. "Your daddy is working overtime tonight. Would you like to come home with me?""Okay!" Richard actually appeared excited. "I would like to visit your home, Mommy."Cordy smiled and patted his little head adoringly. Arriving home, she put on a cartoon for him while wondering what to cook for dinner.Although she had lived abroad for years, she was too busy trying to earn a living to cook for herself. It was beef jerky when she did not have money, and takeout when she did.And after thinking about it, she decided on takeout—she would not have to worry about the food either when it was from an expensive restaurant. She sat beside Richard, making her orders solemnly."Can I change the channel, Mommy?" Richard asked just then. "Sure," she said, and pointed at the remote lying just ahead.Richard picked it up and started switching the channels, while Cordy continued to swipe through takeout menus. I
After Richard made the gesture, he noticed Cordy blushing and he looked at her in adorable confusion. "Mommy? Why is your face red?"Cordy only blushed harder from his stare, finally understanding that children had no filter.She quickly said, "Wait here. I'll get my clothes—you can wear them for now.""Okay." Richard nodded tamely. Cordy picked up a T-shirt that just reached his knees, dispensing the need for pants. She carried him to her soft bed and blow-dried his hair, just as he became even sleepier and started nodding off.By the time Cordy was done, Richard lay sprawled on her bed, asleep.Cordy's heart was gushing with warmth at the sight of his adorable face.She straightened his tiny frame and pulled a blanket over him, and leaned in to kiss him on the forehead. After dimming the lights, she picked up her phone and texted John. "Dicky's asleep. Why don't you come get him tomorrow instead?"There was no instantaneous reply this time, and Cordy took no mind after w
Cordy was speechless—she was under the impression that John had missed her message. "Then what are you doing here?""Dinner."Cordy somehow had no comeback against that."Where's the bathroom?" John asked. "My room," Cordy replied—she was living alone and did not need a shared bathroom, so she just had it cleared for a study instead.John entered, glancing at Richard, who was sleeping soundly in bed, before heading inside the bathroom.Cordy was going to turn and leave when she remembered something, and she dashed toward the bathroom just as John was about to close the door.John raised a brow. "Ms. Sachs…?"Cordy flushed again—she had left her clothes and undergarments in the bathroom after showering. She grabbed everything at once, looking flustered as she held them behind herself.John was looking with a smile.As Cordy was about to turn and leave again, he called out, "Ms. Sachs?"She turned again and flushed once more—he was holding her bra, even flapping them betwee
Ever since they met, John had never told Cordy about his family—only his name."I am," he admitted regardless, and he asked, "When did you notice?""Just now," Cordy replied. "It's not that hard to notice. Your last name is Levine, you're a single dad, and there's your extravagance. The only thing that doesn't fit is…"As John raised a brow, she finished, "You're better looking than the rumors say.""You flatter me."Cordy said nothing to that, but she was just stating facts."I did not want to hide it for you," John said earnestly.Cordy, however, did not mind—they were not close enough to have to tell each other everything.In fact, she was just asking because Alan Levine's birthday was on the 17th, and she had been eager to find out why John had asked her to make time on that day."Well, there's this guy who keeps insisting that I'm a firefighter, and you might think that I'm deceiving you. That's why I planned to formally introduce myself on the 17th."He spoke with a neu
"Really?" Richard asked. "Of course," Cordy replied—it was Alan's seventieth birthday tomorrow, after all.And with that assurance, Richard happily left with Winston, while Cordy quickly got changed, put on makeup, and went to work.She had just entered her office when Vince approached her and presented an invitation. "Ms. Sachs? Mr. Alan Levine from Levine Ventures is celebrating his birthday tomorrow, and he has sent you an invitation."Cordy opened it casually, and saw her name written on the card with outrageously artistic calligraphy. For some reason, she was sure it was John who had written it.The door suddenly opened, and Cordy looked up to see Noel entering. "I need to talk to you, sis."Cordy sent Vince out of the room while handily hiding her invitation.Noel snapped right then, "I had something to do and left work early! You didn't have to put on notice that I skipped work on the company's administration portal, did you?!"She flew into a rage the instant she saw
The regal banquet hall was already crowded, as almost everyone in North City's high society showed up.Noel appeared utterly excited as she entered with Simon Sachs, Sue Yorkman, and Sonny Sachs. When it came to an event organized by the Levines, the average enterprise would never make it in, just as bigwigs would refuse to bring a child they did not like. As such, being able to show up here was a status of one's status and importance.It was the greatest honor!"Noel!" Mandy was calling to her from a distance."Dad, I'm joining my friend now.""Go," Simon told her, not forgetting to remind her, "Be careful. It's not your usual banquet tonight—watch your manners.""Don't worry," Sue assured him proudly. "Noel has been a good girl ever since she was a child."Simon nodded in pride as well, while Noel made her way toward Mandy.Kyle was with Mandy, and he was surrounded by young, rich kids."Kyle," Noel greeted him.Kyle smiled at her in return, but he did not dare to get too
Mandy suddenly had an idea. "Maybe she slipped in?"Noel realized with a start—it was certainly a possibility.Before the two of them could react, they saw Kyle heading straight toward Cordy.As for Cordy, she felt countless stares at her as she entered the banquet hall, but she remained calm and composed… until she saw Kyle."What are you doing here?" he asked quietly."I don't think you have a right to ask that," Cordy asked. "This event is organized by the Levines, not your family.""The Sachs didn't bring you here, and Starstream Group would never receive an invitation. How did you get in?""So, you're doubting me?""It's embarrassing if you're caught sneaking into a private banquet, Cordy!" Kyle snapped viciously.Cordy was scowling from his harsh words, when he suddenly gave in and made a kind look. "Whatever—just stay with me, and I'll tell anyone who asked that I brought you in. To the public, we're still in a relationship, after all."As he spoke, he reached out to t
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