At that moment, the school principal was giving a summary of the semester's teaching syllabus. When Cordy arrived, the hall was already filled with other parents. She had to sit further to the back, and listen to the speech about the school's education doctrine on helping students develop. After that, there was an award ceremony for the students. Cordy watched as Dicky and a large group of other children walked up to the stage. His little head was turning left and right, seemingly looking for her.Cordy waved at him, and he immediately looked delighted to see her.Sitting at the front row, Jessica was grinning. "I've never seen Dicky smile like that! He really does stand out when he’s onstage."John didn’t respond, as he knew very well why Dicky was suddenly so excited.-After the awards ceremony, the teachers led the students to the gym in an orderly manner while the parents filed in after them.Although the gym was huge, Cordy stayed on the edge once more. That was whe
In the changing room, Dicky had just put on his clothes when a boy suddenly ran up to him and pushed him to the floor.Dicky glared coolly at the boy in return.He recognized him—the boy was Jerry from the next class, who just came second in the swimming event.Two tall and pudgy boys were with Jerry, staring Dicky down."You brat! You took first place from me! You're really asking for it!" Jerry threatened Dicky viciously."It's a fair competition. No one’s taking from anyone," Dicky said righteously, but just as he was about to get off the floor, Jerry slammed his foot down his little hand."Did I tell you to get up?!" Jerry snapped.Angered by Jerry's unreasonable outburst, Dicky pushed Jerry off firmly with his other hand.Jerry stumbled several steps backward, unable to believe that Dicky was actually resisting. "How dare you push me? Do you know who I am? Do you know who my father is? He built this school! I just have to tell the teachers, and you'll be expelled!"Dicky,
The boys were stunned by Cordy’s sudden appearance, but Jerry soon gathered himself and yelled, "He upset me! I'm just straightening him out! What's wrong with that?"He was a little tyrant, and Cordy already had enough of him.If she had never met this boy, she would’ve never known that a six-year-old could be so vile.Still, she stayed calm since violence should never be used on children. She needed to find out everything that happened first.Crouching, she studied Dicky's filthy face, and her heart ached. She pushed down the pain and said gently, "Talk to Mommy. What happened?"Dicky told her everything calmly, which only infuriated Cordy even further. Her eyes were ablaze, and she snapped at Jerry, "The competition was fair! Don't your parents teach you that?""They told me that money talks!" Jerry retorted fearlessly. He even threatened her, saying haughtily, "Don't you dare talk to me like that! Don't you know what my family does for a living? My daddy will bankrupt you!"
Cordy’s slap left everyone on the scene dumbstruck. Everyone was surprised at how vicious she could be. All Eva could feel was the burning pain on her cheek. She could not quite react, even as Cordy snapped icily, "A child's discipline is their parents' responsibility. Since you insist on not disciplining your son, I’ll have to discipline you instead!""Cordy Sachs!" Eva shrieked shrilly, unable to believe that Cordy had just slapped her in front of so many people.If word got out, she would have no dignity left!Nonetheless, Cordy took Dicky with her and started to leave, refusing to waste her breath with them.Just as she turned, Adam intercepted her, looking utterly savage.He had no intention of fighting Cordy with that pretty face of hers. However, since he was Eva's husband, a slap to her face was no different from a slap to his face—he would never live it down.Dicky sensed danger, and promptly moved his little frame to stand before Cordy, protecting her.Cordy's heart
Cordy promptly pulled Dicky out of harm's way, refusing to let her son get hurt.Adam laughed coldly before snapping viciously at the boy, "Your mom’s a liar! Do you really think that John Levine, the heir to the richest family in North City, is your father? Why don't you look yourself in the mirror or see how slutty your mom looks! You really think John Levine would tap that and have you? Dream on!""John Levine is my—""That's enough! Don't waste your time with them," Eva said, losing patience. "Jerry's next event is coming up."Adam agreed, and started to threaten Cordy again. "Last chance! Are you going to do it or not?""No!" Cordy refused, not budging an inch. "So we're doing this the hard way, huh?" The man's face contorted with horrific intent, and he raised his pudgy hand, aiming it squarely on Cordy's face.Cordy gritted her teeth—she had already bought as much time as she could.There was no way she and Dicky could get out with so many people encircling them. Even i
Even as Jessica followed John, she could feel his fury from the back when they reached the dressing room and saw that Adam was about to hit Cordy. As John's rage reached its peak, Jessica watched as he rose to his feet and strode up to Adam, whose face had already turned pale.On the other hand, Eva was still fearlessly snapping at John, "So you're Cordy's manwhore, huh? You look well-dressed, so why would you sink so low for a slut like Cordy—"Smack!John slapped Eva across the face, and the resulting smack was deafening.Eva was sent tumbling to the floor, unable to get up at all. Everyone else was frightened by John's bloodcurdling demeanor—his forbidding presence left them shuddering to the point they were too afraid to even breathe too loudly."You hit my mom? I'll kill you! My daddy will make you go bankrupt!" Jerry threatened John viciously after seeing John hit his mother.John merely approached Jerry; the boy was immediately frightened by the scary man before him, a
Now, Dicky was shaking with inconsolable rage. He had been bullied, and his beloved mother was mocked for protecting him; she almost got hit for it, too!Hence, he took the trash can off Jerry's head, his little cheeks looking stern as he demanded, "Apologize to my mommy and me!"John’s lips curled up in a smile. Dicky had always been quiet, withdrawn, and poor at expressing himself. He would never behave like a spoiled child around him either; that honor belonged to only Cordy.Yet, he was now able to strut and demand an apology. All children can definitely be taught!Nonetheless, Jerry kept bawling and refused to apologize. Adam suddenly pulled Jerry aside and slapped him.Even as Jerry bawled harder, Adam barked at him, "Apologize, now!"That certainly scared Jerry—he had always been the little tyrant at home, and his father had never laid a finger on him. Now, however, he had no choice but to apologize tamely, with an almost inaudible voice, "I'm sorry.""Louder!" Dick
Cordy stared coldly at Adam and Eva.Even if they looked pitiable now, there was a reason for it.She took Dicky's hand, and told John, "I'll get Dicky cleaned up since he has other events soon. As for the rest…do what you will."John nodded—he really shouldn’t have worried that Cordy would be lenient. Even if she never went out of her way to hurt others, she wasn’t the type to suffer an insult lying down.It was what made her free-spirited yet domineering. After Cordy left with Dicky, John turned back towards Adam and Eva, his gaze suddenly cold.He wasn’t as soft as Cordy, who was satisfied with an eye for an eye.Rather, he wanted ten eyes for one. They were going to bankrupt him, was it?Well, he would show them what the term truly meant!-As Cordy gently wiped away the filth on Dicky's face, she asked sympathetically, "Are you upset you were bullied, Dicky?""No, Mommy," Dicky grinned. "You protected me, and Daddy taught them a lesson. I also did to Jerry what he
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