Jacey said, "Lionel knew the Sandows weren't good people. Yet, he fell into their trap. That was his mistake."Lucas responded, "Mom, do you want to hear the whole story?""Go on."Lucas continued, "Dad got drunk, fell unconscious, and then woke up in bed with that woman. Worried about you finding out, he thought of quickly settling the matter with money."However, that woman wasn't after money but wanted the construction rights for that project. Since that project was crucial to the White Corporation, Dad didn't agree to it."Then, with the persuasion and false documents from the father and son of the Sandow family, they managed to deceive Dad. Dad finally agreed which led to the final negative outcome."Jacey was not surprised that the Sandow family would do such a thing. What surprised her was that Lionel would actually make such a low-level mistake.She was too angry to say anything.It seemed like Lucas knew what his mother was thinking. "Mom, think carefully. You and Dad
Before Lucas divorced Stella, they lived in a huge apartment near the seaside. The apartment offered a breathtaking view of the most beautiful river scenery in Hayshiport. It was a property that many people coveted but could not own.Whenever they had free time, Lucas loved to hug Stella as they lay together on the sofa, enjoying the river's view.At such times, Stella would snuggle in his arms and gradually fall asleep. She was extremely cute.When they divorced, he left that apartment for Stella. He thought she could still nestle on the sofa and enjoy her beloved view in her free time.He also thought that since she had only this one property in Hayshiport, so she would not sell it. He thought they could continue living there after remarrying, just like before.Unexpectedly, Stella contacted a real estate agent a few days after the divorce. She intended to sell the apartment where they had lived for years without hesitation.Robbie, who knew the agent, found out about the sale
Abigail, much shorter than Nathan, had to tiptoe to help him dry his hair, her nose brushing the corner of his lips.He moved his head and kissed her nose.The sudden romantic move startled Abigail, who was still focused on his hair. She instinctively tried to move back. But Nathan stretched his right arm and pulled her into an embrace.Abigail blushed, and gently pushed him. "Your hair is still wet. Don't be naughty.""I'm not being naughty. I just want to hug and kiss you." Nathan lowered his head to sniff her scent. He found her soft, fragrant lips and gently kissed them.Abigail felt a tingling sensation on her lips. After some time, he finally stopped kissing her. His voice was deep and pleasant as he called out softly, "Abigail."She adored how her name sounded when he said it, like the most beautiful melody, both pleasant and romantic.Abigail nestled in his embrace. She lifted her charming face slightly. "Yes?"Her face was red, and her voice was gentle and sweet. Unabl
Nathan became particularly attached to Abigail after they reconciled. Perhaps it was due to his illness or the nearly one-year separation. He would follow wherever she went.Nathan did not socialize much normally. He occasionally went out but quickly returned.His attachment to Abigail left him without personal time and space.Abigail was worried, while Nathan enjoyed this. He said, "My happiest times are with you; I don't need personal time."He would get nervous after being away from Abigail for just a short while.Nathan feared that his current happiness was just a dream. He was afraid that Abigail and Pax would cease to exist once he woke up.He felt at ease only when with his wife and son.Abigail said, "How about we leave Pax with Susanna and Grandma, and I'll go with you?"Nathan's eyes lit up. "Sure."Lucas was not surprised to see Nathan and Abigail holding hands.Knowing Nathan could not drink alcohol, Lucas prepared freshly squeezed fruit juice for him. "Nathan, th
After seeing how well Abigail and Nathan were together, Lucas finally realized that he was the person who never knew how to manage a marriage.Nathan replied, "I don't know your ex-wife well. You should know better than I do what to do."His simple response angered Lucas, who retorted, "I shouldn't have asked you out. You're just provoking me, indifferent to your friend now that you have a family."Alwyn was the first to marry among his friends--Nathan, Lucas, and Ron--with Lucas and Ron following suit. Nathan married several years later.None of his friends, including Lucas, Alwyn, and Ron, ever expected that Nathan, who was the last among them to get married, would be the first to have a child.Lucas was extremely envious of Nathan.Nathan said, "I'm not trying to provoke you. I think that everyone's personalities are different. The way Abigail and I get along may not be suitable for you and your ex-wife."Frustrated, Lucas snapped, "Stop calling her my ex-wife. She's my wife.
Lucas took out a lighter and lit a cigarette for Mitch. "You've rushed here all the way and you must be tired. Why don't you get some rest first?"Mitch took a long puff from his cigarette. "Stella almost lost her life in an accident and we only found out about it today. Do you think we could actually sleep now?""I'm so sorry," Lucas apologized."Do you love my daughter?" Mitch looked at Lucas.The latter nodded. "I do.""And since you love her, let her go and allow me to take her back to our place," Mitch said."Mitch, I want Stella to stay. I hope she can remember me again," Lucas pleaded.Lucas knew that if Stella returned with her parents, she might forget him completely, erasing any memory of their shared past.Mitch then said, "You claim to love her, but reflect on whether it's truly her you love, or the control you hold over her."Taken aback by Mitch's words, Lucas faltered before admitting, "I like her.""You love her? It doesn't seem like it to me," Mitch said.Lu
After Mitch managed to convince Lucas, he finally felt relieved.He trembled slightly as he took out a crumpled cigarette box from his pocket and knocked two cigarettes out.His calloused hand then handed one over to Lucas. "Want one?"The cigarettes in this box were probably worth a couple of bucks, no more than ten.In comparison, Lucas's specially made cigarettes had a less unpleasant smell.In normal circumstances, Lucas would never smoke such cheap cigarettes.But Lucas, not refusing, took the cigarette, held it in his mouth, and lit it.A puff later, he was having a coughing fit.Mitch also lit his cigarette and took a puff. "Not used to it?"Lucas frowned and said, "Mitch, if you want to smoke, let me get you quality cigs. Stop smoking these cheap sticks; it's not good for you."Mitch gently tapped the cigarette. "I've been smoking these for years, from costing a few pennies to a few bucks a box. "I've long been used to the strong, pungent smell of this brand and just
Lucas was at a loss for words.If it were back then, Lucas would not have cared about issues like that.Back then, he thought marriage was a matter solely between him and Stella and had nothing to do with the people around them. It was only recently that he realized the importance of social circles.The people around him refused to acknowledge Stella, especially his parents, and that would definitely make Stella uncomfortable.After talking about this, the two had nothing else to say and just smoked in silence.Once he was done with the cigarette, Lucas put it out and said, "Mitch, I agreed to allow you to take Stella away, but can I still go in and accompany her?""You should seek Grace's agreement," Mitch said.Yet, at this very moment, Grace walked out of the ward. "Stella is sleeping soundly, don't wake her up."That meant she agreed."Thank you!" Lucas quickly entered Stella's ward.Mitch wiped away his tears and looked worriedly at Grace. "How's Stella...""She's fine.
Emma turned and dashed into the bathroom. She cranked the faucet on and splashed water on her face, aiming to soothe her nerves.Although they were engaged, they were still too young, with countless uncertainties looming over their future. The possibility of actually walking down the aisle was up in the air.Decisions made in a rush of happiness could eventually become sources of regret. And Emma knew all too well that she couldn't afford any regrets.She thought that fortunately, Ron hadn't pushed things further, which gave her time to cool off.After freshening up, Emma stepped out to find Ron on the balcony, a cigarette in hand.She couldn't resist chiding him, "I've told you to cut down on smoking. Why can't you seem to remember?"This time, Ron complied, snuffing out the cigarette. "We should get some sleep. We've got to put our best foot forward when we meet your family tomorrow.""Okay, I'll sleep on the couch. You take the bed," Emma responded.Ron simply replied, "As y
Ron looked at her dawdling pace with disdain. "If you, a lady, can handle it, why can't I, a grown man, stay?"His words sounded noble, but Ron regretted them the moment they arrived at the hotel.Despite now earning a decent income, Emma was still reluctant to spend money.This place was hardly a hotel; it was clearly a budget inn charging only a few dozen bucks a night. The hygiene was questionable at best, and safety seemed like a gamble.Ron turned on his heel, dragging her suitcase behind him. "We're leaving, now.""It's too late, and we can't get a refund for the room.""Are you trying to get us killed?"Emma fell silent, her thoughts a whirlwind of frustration. 'I told him he wouldn't be used to cheap places. He insisted on coming with me, and now he won't even let me stay here alone. Why is he so annoying?'However, considering Ron had rushed over in the middle of the night to help her, Emma decided not to hold it against him.Ron picked the best hotel in the area—the
Rebekah glanced over at Ron; she exchanged a knowing look with him before saying, "I'll have someone tidy up the rooms. Why don't you two stay here tonight and keep me company?"Ron replied simply, "Sure."Emma had purchased a midnight flight back to South Florivera, necessitating a rush to the airport, which made staying over after dinner impossible.Yet, she found herself at a loss for words, struggling to decline Rebekah's kind offer.As she hesitated, Ron stepped in to clear the air. "Mom, I've got something on tonight. After dinner, I'll drive Emma back to her dorm."Rebekah raised an eyebrow. "What's so important?" she wondered aloud, thinking, 'Wasn't he the one insisting Emma stay over? What's he up to now?'Ron kept it mysterious. "Life stuff."Rebekah could not help but chide him lightly, "You, always the joker."Right after dinner, Ron insisted on leaving to take Emma back to her dormitory. But as soon as they were out of the gated community, he asked, "So, you reall
Ron chuckled. "I didn't know you were aware that even a cornered rat will fight."Emma shot him a glare. "Are we going or not?"Ron quickly said, "Of course. When Miss Blue commands, how can I dare not obey?"Fearing another of his notorious driving escapades, Emma hastily buckled her seatbelt as she settled into the car.Thankfully, this time Ron kept it smooth, driving steadily.As they neared their destination, Ron finally spoke up, "You know, that Tucker guy is a married man. Don't let his kindness fool you into being the other woman."Emma's gaze on Ron was fiery, seething with anger. "Do you even hear yourself? Is that what you think of me? For the last time: Tucker and I share nothing more than a mentor-mentee relationship. There's nothing else between us.""I'm just looking out for you, worried you might get deceived," Ron said, witnessing Emma's fury for the first time. Yet, he could not help but find her anger not at all intimidating, but rather endearingly foolish.R
The two sisters had a pact: no cell phones at home to keep their secrets from the prying eyes of the Blue family. Thus, Emma could call only at prearranged times, the sole window for Rihanna to catch up.Rihanna's voice bubbled with excitement over the phone, as she chattered away about her life's minutiae.Knowing Rihanna was doing well eased Emma's mind.Just as Emma was about to end the call, she heard Rihanna's voice, soft and wistful. "You're really not coming home for the holidays? If you don't, I'll be all alone."Emma's heart clenched at those words, and she made up her mind in an instant. "I'll come back the day before New Year's Eve."The Blue family had their hands full with festivities that day, too busy to notice Rihanna's absence. Emma figured slipping back unnoticed then would be her best shot.After hanging up, Emma immediately booked a flight from Valtara to South Florivera. With her ticket secured and her last bit of work finished, Emma prepared to leave her off
Emma had no interest in romance, let alone the audacity to dream that Ron might fancy her.This time, she did not pick up the thread of conversation.After dinner, Ron, as usual, drove Emma back to the university.Before parting, Ron said, "Winter break is almost upon us, and the dorms might be off-limits. Are you sure you don't want to stay at my place for a couple of months?"Emma offered a smile in response. "Thanks for the offer. I've spoken with the dorm supervisor and submitted an application in advance. I'll be able to stay over the holiday period."Ron paused before saying, "Well, if you need anything, just let me know. I'll text you my number in a bit; make sure you save it."Emma nodded. "Sure."Without further ado, Ron drove off.Upon returning to her dorm, Emma saw Evelyn and Cassie, busy packing their bags, surrounded by gifts for their parents bought from Valtara.Evelyn asked Emma, "Are you really not going home for the winter break?"Emma replied, "No, I won't
Emma did not have the guts to risk failure because she did not have a safe haven to fall back on.Lucas kicked Ron in the shin. "Come on, if you fancy her, out with it. No Hagrid heir dithers like this."Ron glared at him. "Mind your own business." In his head, Emma was already his. The thought of losing her was unimaginable.Lucas said, "Without my meddling, she'd never be yours."Ron changed the subject. "I called you here for a serious discussion."Lucas replied, "No matter how serious, it can't outweigh the matter of your lifetime happiness."Ron was exasperated. "Lucas!"Lucas relented. "Alright, alright, you talk, I'm all ears."Ron spelled out Emma's music venture with Tucker. After hearing it all, Lucas could not help but see Emma in a new light."Never pegged Emma as such a dark horse," Lucas said.Silently listening to their conversation, Emma was thrilled to have her work recognized.Lucas said, "But, getting back to it, whether a song makes money, and how much, d
Ron barked, "Lucas!"With a chuckle, Lucas responded, "Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing Emma. I'm starving. Let's grab some food and talk business while we eat."Ron snapped, "Get lost!"Lucas could not help but revel in Ron's frustration. "Ron, have you fallen so quickly? Who was it that told me they would never accept an arranged marriage?"Emma was increasingly confused by their banter. "If it's inconvenient for me to be here, I can just take a cab and leave."Ron said, "Call you dumb and you won't admit it!"Emma thought to herself, 'I didn't want to be a third wheel, cramping their style. Was that really so wrong? No good deed goes unpunished, apparently.'Suddenly, Ron grabbed Emma's hand and led her inside. "It's cold out; let's go inside."Emma had to quicken her pace, practically being dragged along.Seeing them together, Lucas laughed heartily from behind. "Ron, oh Ron, never thought I'd see the day.""Don't laugh too soon. Your day is coming," Ron shot back.Th
Emma said, "Okay."Ron asked, "Have you won over your crush?"Lucas responded, "Secret."Ron replied, "Looks like you haven't won her over."Lucas said, "As long as I make a move, there's no girl I can't win over. But I haven't made a move yet because the timing isn't right."Ron asked, "Is it because of the Sandow family?"Lucas answered, "The Sandow family wants to marry their daughter to me, and my family wants me to marry her too. But I've told them long ago that I'm not willing to do that. Nobody can make me marry a girl I don't like."Emma remained silent. 'I didn't expect that Lucas would also have the same problem as me and Ron.'It seems like the wealthier the family, the more they'll arrange marriages based on social status without considering personal preferences.'Lucas seemed to sense Emma's thoughts. "Emma, my situation with the Sandow girl is different from yours and Ron's. Don't lump us together."Ron looked at Emma and suddenly said, "There isn't any other gi