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
One of the rich kids nearby suddenly said, "Hey, isn't that Kyle's girlfriend?" He was acquainted with Kyle and had therefore met Cordy a few times. While he knew that she was beautiful, Cordy was so dazzling tonight that he almost did not recognize her."Did you come with Kyle? I'll go get him."He was certainly kind enough—anyone would have a heart when it comes to beauty, and he felt a hint of sympathy for her.Even so, another woman nearby scoffed. "I wonder what Kyle was thinking, falling for her!""Their wedding was canceled because of a fire, wasn't it? Someone up there didn't want Kyle to ruin himself over her…"Cordy listened to the mockery with apathy and no reaction.Having gotten used to it, she genuinely thought nothing of it.However, just as she was about to reach into her bag and take out her invitation, Kyle arrived with the rich kid."Mr. Jessop," the attendant greeted him respectfully. "We received a tip that Ms. Sachs came in without an invitation. May I a
"Pfft!"Cordy smiled in disdain and strode off as Noel and Mandy looked on.Mandy almost screamed at the sight of her smugness."That's enough!" Kyle snapped right then, his expression sinister as he placed all the blame on Mandy. "Hadn't you embarrassed yourself enough, messing around as much as you like? Don't pick up her bad manners, Noel."With that, he strode off angrily.Mandy's eyes were red.Her own brother scolded her when it was Noel who suggested that they report Cordy!She snapped viciously at Noel, "Why didn't you defend me?!""I, I…" Noel looked utterly wounded. "Kyle left before I could say anything."As such, Mandy could only bear with the grievance and storm off.-The interlude involving Cordy did not affect the banquet at all.The rich and the powerful were all still busy socializing while waiting for the Levines to show up.Just then, a group of men in black strode inside from the entrance. Everyone turned toward the imposing new arrivals, and the hal