Cordy stared at her phone, watching as John appeared on screen in his white swallowtail tuxedo and a bow tie, looking sharp and imposing.The instant he showed up, the live comment section was immediately spammed, though the content was more or less the same.[He's so handsome!][I'm in love!][Why isn't he an actor?]Cordy was just about to close the live comments section when her phone started ringing.She hesitated a little when she saw that it was a call from Patrick, but answered it eventually."Are you checking out the news?" He asked immediately."Which one?" Cordy asked in return, despite knowing exactly what he meant."Since you can still make a joke, I guess you're not in a bad mood.""It's only expected. Why be moody about it?" Cordy asked in return."I like that attitude of yours, y'know. Staying stoic even if the world falls apart."Cordy didn’t want to waste her breath, and so asked, "Shouldn't you be there right now?""I am," Patrick replied."Then why did
As Jessica walked up to John, their eyes met; hers were clearly welling up with tears.Andy Stuart, Jessica's father, patted her on the hand, before passing her hand over to John and giving him a clap on the shoulder.It was a gesture that he was entrusting Jessica to her.John nodded politely at him in turn. He and Jessica then turned toward the priest.After performing the opening rites with great passion, the priest proceeded to the cliche but exciting part: wedding vows."John Levine, do you take Jessica Stuart as your wife, in accordance with His Will… To be eternally loyal to her, 'til death do you part?"Everyone's eyes were glued to John, and the cameras were focused on his face as well.[Wow, he's too handsome! Please don't get too close, or I won't be able to resist licking the screen.][What good have I done in life, that I deserve to feast my eyes upon such magnificence?][Jessica Stuart’s the most blessed woman in the world. No buts.]The cathedral remained silen
Patrick chuckled and teased her, "So you actually can get nervous?""I just want to know the truth," Cordy replied. "Jessica’s wedding with John concerns my safety and personal gain."Yes, she was just being selfish. The only thing she cared about was whether she could get Dicky even though the wedding fell through!Patrick shrugged and stopped leaving her hanging. "Before John could say 'I do', Rocktown's police commissioner himself stormed in with a warrant for his arrest. Turns out John’s a suspect in a corporate criminal conspiracy."Cordy's fingers clenched. Patrick asked her, "Do you know what that means?""The wedding’s off," Cordy replied.Patrick laughed at that. "Even I can't bear to watch this, Cordy. The man would go this far for you, not holding back from destroying his own reputation and his own future just to stop this wedding. And you're being this calm?""How else would I react? Can I change anything?" Cordy asked in return. "I don't get it—how is this different
As with everything else in the world, every netizen had an opinion.Some believed the Stuarts were selfish, bailing at the first sign of trouble and acting utterly heartless.Others believed the Stuarts' actions to be just, because crime was no tribulation to be weathered—the only thing it deserved was swift and decisive punishment. Naturally, most sided with Stuarts since they had power, whereas the Levines didn’t even have a say now…-Five days later, Patrick texted Cordy, informing her that John was transported back to North City while also sending her the place where he was being held.She hesitated for a while, but eventually went anyway. Patrick must’ve pulled some strings ahead of time, since she was allowed to meet John without any issue.And yet, they were both sitting face-to-face in a suffocating silence as Cordy suddenly had no idea what she was supposed to talk to John about.His haggard look also involved a slight pain in her.In the end, she couldn’t resist
Cordy snapped in annoyance, "Just worry about yourself for now."However, John’s confidence afforded her slight relief.After all, John wouldn’t go so far as to really destroy himself just to get his engagement annulled.No person could be that stupid, and John was always above the rest.She simply took it as him keeping his trump card for the time being."I'm going now," she said, rising to her feet—she had the answer she wanted, and that was enough for her."Cordy," he suddenly stopped her, his voice a little quiet, as if he was sentimental.Cordy paused, and turned around to look at him. "Is there something else?""Take good care of Dicky for the time being.""I know.""And yourself.""I've always been very good at that.""Don't fall for other men either," John reminded her.Cordy was speechless.At this point?!John then finished, "I'll woo you again when I'm out.""I won't be waiting for long," she replied. John blinked, and Cordy clearly saw the dazzling flicker
In the visitor's room, Jessica was staring tearfully at John, but he remained indifferent."Was it worth it? Doing this for Cordy?" she eventually asked."It has nothing to do with her," John replied. "The situation simply calls for it.""I know you did it for her," Jessica said staunchly."I won't joke around when my life is on the line.""You'd die for her!"John became silent at that, whereas Jessica laughed even as tears flowed down her cheeks, making her appear lunatic."Did you know, John?" she asked. "I'm getting engaged again."John blinked.It appeared he still had some feelings left in him.On the other hand, Jessica's tears flowed freely as she continued, but she seemed to feel nothing. "That's my family for you—everyone is a tool the moment they're born. My parents, myself, and my brother are no exceptions. I've always thought I've been blessed with a family like this, that even though I had no freedom in life and I don't get to choose who I marry, it was someone
After Cordy arrived at Levine Mansion, a servant led her to Alan’s study.The entire residence appeared bleak, perhaps because of John Levine's arrest. "Mr. Levine," she greeted the man when she saw him.Alan studied her for a long while in silence, probably because he had mixed feelings about her. They simply remained still and faced each other for a long while, until Alan suddenly sighed. "I didn't expect Johnny to go that far. He never resisted me, you know."Cordy remained silent, unsure how to respond. In reality, she understood how Alan felt since he raised John himself. It was certainly unthinkable that a child who had been so obedient would go against his will.But it was all water under the bridge now, and Alan could not change anything no matter how much of a tantrum he threw.And for a man of his noble stature who had weathered many tribulations, he would never allow himself to lose control while people watched."I knew John loved you, but not that much," Alan sa
Cordy had trouble asking to take Dicky away, even if John already arranged for it.Deciding to come to a compromise, she asked, "Can I visit him often, like I did before?"Alan didn’t have anyone else around him now. His son and daughter-in-law died years ago, Jay’s fate was still unknown after his accident, while John was now arrested pending trial. Only his daughter Nancy and Nancy's daughter Cora were still at his side after Nancy secretly divorced Ivan York, who had long since left Levine Manor.To think a big family like the Levines, who once embodied splendor and nobility, would suddenly be in pieces…Alan had heard Cordy, but he didn’t answer for a long while, leaving Cordy a little bitter and crestfallen.She certainly didn’t have the ability to take Dicky away, just as her conscience and morals stopped her from doing so.That being said, Dicky was her son, and she couldn’t pretend that he didn’t exist or stay away from him for too long.Suddenly, Alan said, "Take him
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