"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
"So what if he did?" Kyle was still mocking Cordy. "He's still… a dog!"Cordy looked coolly at him but said nothing.John suddenly stepped out of the lounge, and Cordy turned toward him.Kyle saw him too, and his smirk was even broader as he watched the other man. Kyle's rich kids friends joined them just then, and they noticed the man beside 'John Levine' making his way toward Kyle. Under the impression that he was passing a message to Kyle, they want to be a part of it, while trying to make John's acquaintance. "Who is he, Kyle?" one of the rich kids asked—there was no question that the man carried a presence, making them uncertain of his identity.Kyle spared him a glance and said in disdain, "One of John's bodyguards. He used to be a firefighter.""Really?" one of the rich kids exclaimed in surprise, even commenting, "They really make them too handsome these days.""And what good is that?" Kyle snorted nonchalantly. John simply shot Kyle a look before walking up to Cord
Cordy led Richard to a corner of the banquet hall, with his bodyguard in tow but keeping a distance. Richard did not like him getting too close, after all."You brought him here, sis?!" Noel exclaimed just then.She was there with Mandy to get some desserts. Though the debacle earlier left them infuriated, they calmed down after considerable effort… only to run into Cordy again.Still, Cordy promptly growled a warning. "Noel Sachs, your father should have told you that you shouldn't embarrass yourself at this banquet. If you keep messing with me, I can't guarantee I'll keep holding back from doing something outrageous!"Noel's face fell—she was definitely afraid to upset Cordy.Mandy was not, but she left them, having seen Jay Parker arrive at the banquet hall just then.He was the reason she came here tonight. He was a famous director who worked under Windmill Pictures, a subsidiary of Levine Ventures, and he was also directing the TV series which she was removed from. Nat
Mandy's face turned green even as she glared at Zoe's haughty figure. What right did she have to attend the banquet tonight? Was she brought here to sing and dance for Alan just because she took the role of that Windmill Pictures TV series?Even if Mandy did not actually have any status in showbiz, she got to belittle others—even A-list stars like Zoe—because of her family connections.And Zoe must have taken the casting couch countless times over her long career. What right did she have to mock Mandy?!"Please show some dignity, Ms. Jessop," Jay said, leaving without taking her note.Mandy was shaking with rage—the banquet tonight certainly left her with a belly full of grievances!Even Noel did not want to stand by Mandy's side now. She was keeping her distance—not because she was worried that she would upset Mandy, but because Mandy might embarrass her as well.Thankfully, the emcee began to speak at that moment, signaling the commencement of the main event. Everyone seeme
Impossible!How could John Levine be so handsome?!And yet, Mandy and Noel had to believe it with the scene before them—the man who had constantly shown up around Cordy was John Levine!It was not surprising now that she could behave with such conceit, and that she had an invitation to the Levines' banquet here. John must have personally sent her invitation, too! Even so, they could not accept it—that Cordy had anything to do with the king of North City!Beside them, someone could not help exclaiming, "Wow! He's not some middle-aged man with a belly?""He's so gorgeous!""North City's sexiest man alive. Has to be.""He's more than what I could've imagined.""His son is so handsome too… He's just like a fairytale princeling!"The entire banquet hall erupted in a chorus of gasps and exclamations. They were all stunned and bewitched by John, who was far too different from what they expected.Cordy stood in the crowd, simply watching that towering, composed and noble man with c
Kyle almost lost his temper from Cordy's contempt. "Cordy Sachs…!""There's many people watching right now," Cordy warned him nonchalantly. "Do what you will—if you think you haven't been humiliated enough, that is.""You…!" Kyle growled through his teeth.However, he could not resist looking around just then, and he found some of them whispering while gesturing at him.Having no dignity left to speak of, he stormed out of the banquet hall.Cordy watched as he left, her smirk turning icy.She turned to glance at John, who was being encircled and fawned over constantly, and decided to leave as well.She only answered John's invitation to witness an important moment in his life, while meeting up with Richard.And since she had done all that, she had no reason to stay. If anything, she did not like socializing unless it was absolutely necessary!"Ms. Sachs." Randy Martin suddenly appeared before her, stopping her. "My name is Randy Martin—I'm Mr. Levine's personal assistant. Hi
While Cordy's eyes narrowed, Mandy started to leave with a strut, confident that Cordy would not linger now!However… Rip! The tear of fabric abruptly echoed through the banquet hall.Mandy was left staring blankly for a couple heartbeats—her chest gown had suddenly torn open, revealing her skin-color breast padding in front of everyone! The sheer humiliation…!Nearby, Noel was stunned for a moment, but decided to shift a couple paces to the side. She was clearly just going to watch as Mandy made a fool of herself, while distancing herself.And when Mandy came to her senses, she promptly wrapped her arms around her own chest and turned to glare viciously at Richard.His squeaky clean leather shoes were standing firmly on the hem of her skirt, and he said with innocence showing all over his little face, "You wouldn't harass a little boy like me, right? I'm only six—it was an accident."Mandy flushed all the way down to her neck.How dare that brat use her own words against
Mandy froze, well and truly stunned by John's intimidating demeanor.However, she threw all caution in the wind and started screaming the next instant. "John Levine, do you think Cordy Sachs is some sort of treasure? You've just returned to the country, so you wouldn't know of her debauchery—but she already started sleeping around at eighteen, and even had a child! She even refused to break up with my brother, and shamelessly latched her fingers on you! Don't fall for her trap!""That's Cordy Sachs? Amazing. She actually managed to hook up with Mr. Levine so quickly!""Didn't someone say her gown was worth a billion dollars? She really spared no expense to seduce a man.""Didn't his son call her mommy? Did she bewitch the boy too?""She really is a succubus…"Mandy smiled smugly even as everyone mocked Cordy—she was bent on humiliating Cordy, so that John would understand what Cordy was really like! She would never believe that John could accept Cordy after knowing all that,
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