As John's eyes twitched, Randy continued, "Noel Sachs was supposed to be appointed as CEO, but was left downtrodden after Ms. Sachs crashed her party. I wonder if things would go smoothly for Ms. Sachs after she took over, however, since Simon Sachs and Noel were in charge all this while."Randy then noticed his boss tapping his long fingers on his desk intermittently.Cordy must be special to him, or he would not have risked his life to save her from the fire. However, John had always been distant toward women, but that somehow changed right after he returned to North City.Still, Randy would never dare to pry into his boss's private affairs, and he simply stuck with the man's preferences. "Should I try to smooth things out for her quietly, sir?" John was quiet for a movement. "She went in alone and managed to claim ownership over the entire company. That means she knows what she's doing—that means we should trust her.""Of course, sir," Randy replied respectfully.He thought
After a while, Randy told John it was time for the meeting, and John left his office. Kyle—who had been waiting in the guest room—watched as all the executives walked past from behind the glass wall."Is that Mr. Levine?" Kyle asked.Debbie glanced at the people outside and quickly said, "Yes, Mr. Levine is on his way to a board meeting."Kyle lowered his teacup and studied the people outside, and Randy just happened to turn around.Kyle quickly smiled and nodded at Randy in greeting.Although Randy was frowning, he nodded politely and followed John into the elevator.Randy certainly did not know that Kyle could not see John from his perspective, only that everyone else was walking behind Randy.Kyle returned to his seat in turn to wait for 'John.'Levine Ventures would soon be establishing the biggest commerce guild in the world in North City, with a building to be completed soon. Since Jessop Corp's main business was high fashion and they were looking to get involved in ele
"Reserved?" Noel exclaimed in shock. "It's only 6 pm! Has there been a mistake there?""There isn't. I'm afraid I have to ask you to leave.""Why? We haven't finished our food!" Mandy snapped—ever self-important, this naturally left her furious."There's no reason in particular. You're just not welcome in this premises.""Don't you know who I am?!""No, I don't," the waiter replied plainly."You don't know who Mandy is? She's a top star and the heiress to Jessop Ventures." Noel name-dropped beside them."Oh," the waiter said, but he remained cold as ever. "This way please, Ms. Jessop." Mandy and Noel were both left gritting their teeth in rage, but just as they got to their feet to leave, they suddenly saw Cordy sitting at the next table.What was she doing there?!They soon noticed the man and child with Cordy as well.Despite her pride, Mandy was instantly bewitched by John's sheer beauty.She was left wondering when someone that handsome existed in North City—not even t
They did not hang around after dinner—John sent Richard home to his babysitter first before returning to the car and sending Cordy home."You didn't have to go through so much trouble, Mr. Levine. I can actually take a taxi home," Cordy said politely."It's no trouble," John said flatly. "I'm not driving anyway."Despite what he said, the chauffeur felt a little awkward and thought that he should just disappear just then.Cordy could not say anything against it either. The journey back to North Garden was quiet.As Cordy opened the door, she remained sluggish since walking with crutches was really inconvenient. Naturally, John could walk around the car and help her up in a gentlemanly fashion just as she got out.Cordy held her tongue, and she said gratefully, "Thank you.""You're welcome," John said as he helped her out. Cordy started to limp away until she suddenly paused, looking him in the eye and saying, "Mr. Levine.""Yes?""What they said was true," she said, her vo
Mandy almost jumped. "What?!"The other Jessops were starting to get annoyed with her antics, but Mandy's eyes went red right after her call with her manager ended. She had been drifting along the lines of becoming a B-list actress, and that TV series was supposed to solidify her status as one!"What now?" Kyle asked impatiently."My manager called me, saying that the investors want another actress for my role."Kyle frowned. "If I remember correctly, it's Windmill Pictures, which Levine Ventures own, right? Did you upset anyone from their family?" "No way! I don't even know them!" Mandy quickly denied it and cried in agitation, "I don't care what it takes, Kyle—get that role for me! It's important for my career!"Kyle was puzzled too—casting choices would not be changed once decided.Still, he suddenly remembered a little detail. "I heard that Bob Davis and John Levine were childhood friends, and that they remained very good friends although John usually stays abroad. Mayb
"John…""I'm sorry I was late," John said.Cordy frowned, wondering if she was imagining it.Somehow, this John was different from the usual John, who was more aloof. Now, he seemed to feel emotions like humans do.Still, she wiggled against his hold, not sure what he was talking about. "Did you get the wrong door? Let me go…" Seemingly not feeling her resistance, John whispered into Cordy's ear, "Now, I'll always be here for you."It sounded just like a promise. "Look, just… ah!" Cordy suddenly yelped as John abruptly scooped her up in his arms. Did he have some fetish for carrying people?!"You'd hurt your leg," John said quietly into her ear just then.Cordy was left speechless.She actually thought that he was really drunk, but she somehow noticed her foot injury…So, he was actually not drunk?! Once that clicked, Cordy did not wait another moment, and she started to struggle violently!While John was not drunk, his body still felt a little floaty. Carrying
Kyle shielded Noel behind himself, looking utterly protective as he asked, "What are you doing here, Cordy?""To get my things," Cordy said coolly—she really was numb to this pair, since they were not worth getting upset over.Hence, she simply ignored their presence and walked straight to her desk, while asking Noel, "You really like hand-me-downs, huh? Why don't you get a new one instead?" The ambiguity of her words left Noel flushing, while Kyle tried to explain, "Noel is here to check out our fashion products for the new season. I only brought her here to visit your office—don't get the wrong idea.""Then what's the right idea? To see you and her in bed?" Cordy sneered."I'm talking about work, not my relationship with Noel. Don't get weird about this." Kyle pursed his lips, even adding generously, "Like I said yesterday—you can return anytime you want. I will keep your position here, as a way of compensation."Cordy actually laughed. Did he not understand that the only re
Noel was left feeling awkward right then. In reality, the mysterious Lovely who ranked first globally had retained her crown for three consecutive years. Noel was far from reaching her level, and it was by sheer luck that she had won fifth place last year.However, that was enough for her to become a miraculous being at Starstream, with every employee worshiping her blindly. Even so, Hank Rogers concluded among the murmurs of disapproval toward Cordy, "Why don't you just be a macro manager instead? It's easier for everyone." Noel was laughing to herself as Hank mocked Cordy openly. After all, she knew Cordy would not have it easy even after she reclaimed Starstream Group. Aside from Stephen Lang, everyone here was lapdogs to her and her father—they did not mind affording Cordy three months until she gave up."When I worked at Jessop Corp…" "Sure, they are designers of high fashion here in North City, but you only worked in PR back then." Hank continued to throw shade at Cor
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