Bob was about to argue with Sam when Jay suddenly said, "I do. I believe Bob."Bob naturally knew that Sam wanted to goad him into bringing Zoe along to meet them.They had been dating for months, but he never brought her along to meet his best friends.There were times when Sam pressured him so much he would give in, but Zoe would say no whenever he asked.He knew Zoe did not feel safe after the trouble between her and the Levines, and no one was aware that they were dating, save for Zoe's best friends Cordy and Quinn. Moreover, Zoe was worried that the Levines would harass Bob if too many people knew, and she definitely did not want that, insisting that she knew Nancy Levine too well. It would take some time for Nancy's rage to ease, until she would not go out of her way to harass Zoe—only then could they be together without any issues.Naturally, Bob respected Zoe's decision, though it was more apt to say that Zoe mattered more to him than his friends.That was why he would
Cora appeared a little shy. "Hello."It had been months since she was brought to the Levine family, but she still could not get used to life in high society. She was always apprehensive about everything, which made her appear confident.Like right now—after greeting Bob, she said nothing else, leaving an awkwardness in the air."Oh, you." Yulia smartly tried to smooth things over. "Aren't you usually talkative? You're mute as soon as you see a pretty face, huh?"Bob was going to argue, but Nancy already spoke. "Sorry. I've been overprotective of Cora and haven't brought her out of the house much. I guess that made her a little shy.""Oh, just bring her along whenever. Bob's never busy, so he can hang out with her.""What do you mean, I'm never busy? I'm always busy, y'know," Bob argued."Busy with what? Drinking yourself silly?" Yulia snapped, denying him even dignity.Since there was no chance of Bob arguing in front of so many people, Nancy quickly said, "Well, Bobby, I'm cou
After dinner, Bob hurriedly left with Sam and Jay. He had always celebrated his birthday that way—he would accompany his parents and elders at home and eat with them in the morning, while it was his time after dinner. They were about to leave Davis Villa when Yulia suddenly stopped him. "Bob," Yulia said. "Bring Cora along." "How can I enjoy myself if I bring her along?" Bob became quite displeased. "You can have a great time just the same. She can join you." "But we're all men…" "So, I asked Cora to keep an eye on you," Yulia said overbearingly. "In short, I'll leave her in your care." "Why me?" Bob was infuriated. "Jay is the closest to her among the three of us. He's her uncle. You should leave her in Jay's care instead." Jay glanced at Bob—the latter was good at shirking his responsibility. "I don't care who's in charge. In short, you guys have to take care of her. Nancy and I want to play poker at home, so you've got to keep an eye on her. If anything happens,
Cora then saw that Jay had gotten out of the car.She followed him and sat in front of the food stall. Those who got into the upper class of the society would realize that everyone around them were very exceptional, with Jay being an example. He just sat in front of the food stall to wait for his apple pie, but many passers-by could not help but look at him. Even though he was not considered very outstanding in their circle, he was exceptional in the world of ordinary people. Each of them ordered an apple pie respectively. Jay took a bite, but he found it too sweet—he did not like desserts very much. "Is it nice?" Cora asked. "Hmm," he answered. He was still quite indifferent toward her, and she acted sensibly and did not say much. They lowered their heads to eat their apple pies quietly. "I'd like two apple pies, please. One to go, and one for here." Suddenly, he heard a familiar female voice. Jay's hand stiffened with the spoon in his hand before he then lowe
"Do you live around here?" Cora asked her. "Hmm." "This neighborhood seems pretty good," Cora said lightly. "So, you think I should stay in the slums, don't you?" Zoe sounded rather blunt. "I didn't mean that. I also feel quite guilty to see Mom treat you that way..." "Okay, that's enough. You don't have to tell me about your good relationship with your mother." Zoe interrupted her. Cora then stopped talking. Though she did not treat Zoe badly, Zoe did not like her. "Let's go," Jay said to Cora as he put down his spoon. "I haven't finished eating." Cora liked to eat apple pies very much. Besides, the apple pies here were very nice. "I'll get the leftovers packed up for you," Jay said. "Get into the car first." Jay handed the car key to Cora. She nodded obediently. "Okay. Thank you, Uncle Jay." After that, she grabbed the key and left first. Zoe sneered. Jay was nice to everyone. It was in the middle of winter, and he would rather suffer in the cold to pack
"Well, what kind of girl does he like then?" "That's not important. In short, he won't accept you. If you don't want to get hurt or get into such a great mess that you feel too humiliated, you'd better go home and tell your mother that you feel nothing for him. You should ask your mother to give up on that idea." Jay sounded aloof. Cora's eyes turned slightly red. She had just joined this circle, and she finally summoned up her courage to take a step forward. Making friends was the first step she took. However, Jay had stopped her that way. "But I don't want to make my mother sad. She did this for my sake," Cora answered uneasily. "You love life shouldn't be controlled by others." "But I want her to be happy..." "Do you want to get famous?" Jay asked her. Cora looked at him with surprise. She could feel his indifference toward her. He sounded so cold when he raised that question. "Give Bob up, and I'll make you famous." Jay gave a condition. Cora was moved.
After all, Bob knew that Jay was John's relative. So, he must have known a lot. "I don't think so, but it's hard to say," Jay answered after ruminating over it for a while. He had been framed by Cordy a few days ago because he failed to fulfill the task that John had given him, so he felt slightly guilty. He wondered how Cordy was in Rocktown now. He did not see her come back after she went there, and John also did not come back all that while. Although he was unclear about the current situation of the Stuart family, he instinctively knew that it was very tense. "Johnny is the smartest among us. He's the most handsome, and he's had the best academic results since childhood. However, he can’t lead the kind of life he wants freely." Bob sighed helplessly. "Is the greater the power, the greater the responsibility?" "You don't have to meddle in that." Sam said to Bob, "People like you and I who sit around and do nothing won't understand Johnny's ambition. Just drink your
"Which floor is it?" Jay asked. He knew that a couple would be happy to have each other's company even if they did nothing. "The twenty-third." Jay pressed the button. When they arrived at the floor, Jay helped Bob over and walked to a large door. Jay wanted to leave after helping Bob to the door, but Bob could not even stand steadily and would collapse on the floor if Jay let him go. So, Jay gritted his teeth and pressed the doorbell. The door opened very soon. He then saw a charming face, and she was even wearing a... seductive slim-fitting dress. One could see her body vaguely, and it was a vague scenery. Zoe's joyful face stiffened when she saw Jay. She had seen him twice that day, and she did not know if that was an ill-fated relationship or not. Jay averted his gaze and explained, "Bob got drunk after getting Sam drunk just so he could come and see you earlier. So, I helped to get him here." Zoe remained quiet. "I'll help him in. He's too drunk to wal
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