Helen had no mood left for shopping and decided to take Alex straight to dinner. As they walked, Alex suddenly stopped and looked up at her. “Aunt Helen, didn’t you just promise me that if I helped you with the lipstick, you’d take me to play arcade games?” Helen nodded, not denying it. “I did. So, do you want to eat first or play games before dinner?” “Play first, of course!” Alex declared. “Alright,” Helen agreed. As they headed toward the upstairs restaurant, they passed through the men’s clothing section on the current floor. Alex stopped again, pointing ahead. “Aunt Helen, why don’t we buy something for Uncle Wilfred?” Helen glanced at the brand and shook her head. “Forget it. Your uncle only wears custom-tailored clothes. He’s not used to off-the-rack brands like these.” Unlike her and Haley, who loved shopping and could wear or buy whatever they fancied, Wilfred was much more particular. But Alex was persistent and still wanted to browse. He even had someo
“Why do adults always say one thing and mean another?” Alex couldn’t help but silently complain to himself. “Which of your eyes saw that my hesitation was me being tempted? That was clearly just a pause!” Helen defended herself, stiffening her neck as if to emphasize her point. Alex rolled his eyes. Both of his eyes saw it. He couldn’t understand what his aunt was struggling with—was having a boyfriend before his mom really such a bad thing? “Aunt Helen, it’s a seafood feast that requires a three-month reservation! Don’t you want to go?” Alex tilted his head, trying to convince her. Helen subtly swallowed at the thought. “Well, even if you don’t want to, I want to,” Alex declared confidently. *In a private third-floor room at Pearl Pavilion, the ocean view was beautifully illuminated by a dazzling display of lights. The restaurant owner had set up an array of outdoor lighting, creating the perfect ambiance for diners to watch the waves crashing against the shore whi
The convoy arrived at the Gibson estate, and Wilfred and Haley stepped out of the same car. Haley naturally took Wilfred’s arm as they walked toward the entrance.A valet directed the convoy to the parking area, while Wilfred dismissed his assistant and bodyguards, leading Haley inside to the banquet.“Mr. Wilfred,” Mr. Gibson greeted him warmly, a respectful smile on his face.Having heard from the valet that Wilfred had arrived, Mr. Gibson had personally come out to welcome him, accompanied by his wife and daughter.“Mr. Gibson,” Wilfred replied courteously.Haley stood quietly by his side, offering a polite smile and nodding to Mrs. Gibson and Miss Gibson in greeting.Miss Gibson, Xena Gibson, initially followed her parents with a look of disinterest. However, the moment her eyes landed on Wilfred, her demeanor changed. Her eyes widened with excitement, and a bright smile lit up her face. Straightening her posture, she greeted him in what she believed was her sweetest tone.
Xena pouted, her face awkward after being scolded by her father. Mrs. Gibson stepped in to defend her. “Stop filling her head with nonsense. She’s about to get engaged to Wilfred. Why shouldn’t she care? How could he bring another woman here and embarrass our family like this?” The Gibson family had been struggling for years. If not for Mr. Gibson Sr.’s connections, the family would have gone bankrupt and been devoured by rival corporations long ago. Mr. Gibson had a reputation for keeping numerous women on the side, a source of much of Mrs. Gibson’s suffering over the years. What woman wanted to share her husband? The bitterness she endured was enough for one lifetime. She couldn’t bear the thought of her daughter going through the same. The thought of Wilfred doing this to her daughter enraged her. “You... You’re just spoiling her!” Mr. Gibson jabbed a finger at his wife’s nose as he scolded her. “Enough! Stop annoying me and go stay with your grandfather,” he barked
Ethan bent slightly, applied a gentle force, and sent the red ball neatly into the pocket. Standing upright, he grabbed a piece of chalk and dusted the tip of his cue while chatting with Justin. “The big shot from Merika State, Wilfred, is attending tonight’s banquet. My family is planning to form an alliance with him by marrying my sister off to him.”“Wilfred?” Justin raised a brow, bending over to aim at the black ball on the table. “Your family knows Wilfred well?” He didn’t particularly care about the idea of a marriage alliance, but as a collaborator on the project, Justin was well aware of Wilfred’s influence in Merika State. He also knew about the Gibson family’s declining business. It was surprising they even had a connection to someone as significant as Wilfred. For a family struggling to survive on their legacy, maintaining such a link seemed improbable. The Gibson patriarch, Mr. Gibson Sr., had made a name for himself in politics, commanding significant authority and
“This time, the art exhibition invited her to Lincourt City. I heard she’s absolutely gorgeous—a real knockout,” Ethan said, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he leaned into the conversation. “She’s nothing like those gray-haired old artists. She’s young, vibrant, and full of life. I wonder if I can get her to have dinner with me.”Ethan chuckled, a sly itch gnawing at him. “If she could be my girlfriend, even for just one night, that’d be perfect.” He had a particular weakness for the artistic charm that creative women exuded.Justin frowned, glancing at Ethan with evident displeasure.Noticing his reaction, Ethan smirked and shrugged nonchalantly. “What’s there to be so uptight about? We’re both men. If you’re interested, I’ll step aside for you.”He spoke as if Haley were already someone he had conquered and could pass around at will. Ethan had clearly inherited his father’s reputation as a playboy. He had dated so many women that he had lost count, though “dating” was
In the grand banquet hall on the first floor, Haley followed closely behind Wilfred, maintaining a composed demeanor. Many people approached Wilfred to greet him, and she responded with polite nods, keeping her presence understated. Initially, she worried about running into someone she knew at the banquet, but it turned out her concerns were unfounded. She hadn’t mingled with the upper class in Lincourt City before, so apart from Wilfred, she didn’t recognize anyone.As the evening progressed and the drinks flowed, conversations became livelier. “Mr. Wilfred, you’re truly fortunate—not only are you successful in your career, but your companion tonight is also stunningly beautiful,” one official from Haven State remarked, his tone full of praise.“This is my younger sister,” Wilfred explained with a light smile. “She’s accompanying me tonight as my guest.”The official let out an awkward laugh, trying to cover his misstep. “Oh, so she’s your sister.”He quickly recovered and a
He seemed familiar—she recalled he had arrived with the official who had earlier suggested arranging a match for her. It appeared the two were acquainted. “By the way, I don’t believe I’ve caught your name,” the woman said, breaking the silence. Haley was momentarily surprised. “Her husband is over there, and he doesn’t even know who I am?” she thought. Then she remembered—the woman hadn’t been present when Wilfred introduced her earlier. “I’m Haley,” she replied politely. “Miss Haley,” the woman addressed her carefully. Uncertain whether Haley was Wilfred’s legitimate wife or just a girlfriend, she opted for the neutral title of “Miss”.“My husband owns the largest and most reputable construction materials company in all of Lincourt City,” the woman continued with pride. “Even the recent government development projects were contracted to him.” Haley immediately understood. This was a roundabout way of asking her to make an introduction. The woman clearly hoped Haley co
Zac jogged off in a hurry, not daring to stick around and witness more of Justin’s embarrassment.Justin, having failed to sneak into Haley’s room, had no choice but to sulk back to the guest room the housekeeper had prepared for him.*The next morning, Haley came downstairs for breakfast. She hadn’t slept well—staying up late to work, only to get riled up by Justin all over again. The dark circles under her eyes were impossible to hide, no matter how much concealer she applied.She stepped into the dining room and spotted Justin already sitting at the table.“Morning, sis!” he chirped.He looked every bit the picture of youthful energy, dressed in a clean athletic tracksuit, his expression bright and full of life. He really did look like a high school senior.Haley took one look at his well-rested, cheerful face and felt an unexplainable surge of irritation rise in her chest.She didn’t say a word. Ignoring him completely, she walked to her seat and sat down. Her gaze swept t
After dinner, Haley returned to her room to get some work done. There were a few reports she still needed to read through, so she made herself a cup of coffee for a quick energy boost.She had just stepped inside and closed the door when a sudden force hit from behind, pushing through the door and into her back. She stumbled forward, nearly spilling the coffee all over herself.Her brows furrowed in irritation. She turned around—only to see Justin already halfway into her room, the door swinging shut behind him.He froze, looking immediately guilty. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to!” he blurted out.His voice carried that youthful warmth, clear and gentle like an 18-year-old boy. His lowered gaze and sheepish expression were tinged with a kind of helpless remorse that made it hard for Haley to stay angry.She stepped back, putting distance between them. Her tone turned cool. “What are you doing in here?”Justin took that as permission to step fully inside and shut the door behind him
At that moment, Justin furrowed his brows and stared at Haley with confusion, as if trying hard to place her face. After a long pause, his eyes suddenly lit up with excitement. He pointed at Haley and exclaimed, “Sis!”That one word stopped Zac in his tracks. He blinked. Did Justin… just slip into little brother mode?And he wasn’t the only one thrown off. Chase and Alex stood frozen, mouths slightly open. Alex placed a hand on Justin’s forehead, then leaned in to check again.No fever.So why was he calling their mom sister?And now… what were they supposed to call him?Haley's gaze locked on Justin, intense and searching. She scanned him from head to toe, as if looking for a clue—anything to explain this strange behavior. But she found nothing.Justin, noticing her silence, instantly wilted. His lips curled into a small pout. “Is it because I’m useless? Is that why you’re ignoring me, sis?”“Sis?” Haley turned slowly toward Zac, her voice low, suspicious. “What is that abou
Zac straightened up and wiped the last traces of tears from the corners of his eyes with the back of his hand.“Haley’s fine,” he said. “Just a few minor injuries. You’ve been out for over two weeks. She healed a long time ago. Right now, she’s temporarily managing RC Corporation for you.“She went on a business trip to that island project you were working on. I heard the scenery’s amazing. Chase and Alex went with her.”“Managing?” Justin repeated, his voice faint.“Yeah,” Zac nodded. “She didn’t accept the assets or shares you left her. She’s just acting as president until you wake up and can take over again.”Zac hadn’t originally known all this. He had only overheard Haley explaining it to the family after she agreed to step in. He had been surprised, even though, in hindsight, it made sense. Justin had written up a will before the rescue mission, leaving everything to Haley. It was bold but not unexpected.Justin lowered his gaze, eyes dimming as he quietly muttered, “Temp
“The building at the heart of the island is a massive wedding chapel,” the staff member explained cheerfully. “The first floor is for the ceremony itself, the second for the banquet. The third floor is reserved for dressing and makeup, and from the fourth floor up, it’s all accommodations. The very top level is the bridal suite.”The more he spoke, the deeper Haley’s frown became. Something wasn’t adding up.“So this is an all-inclusive wedding venue?” she cut in.The man chuckled, shaking his head. “Oh, no, no. This place isn’t open to the public. Mr. Yates built it exclusively for his wife. Just the two of them. One couple. That’s it.”Haley was at a loss for words.Even Alex, the more clueless of the twins, caught on. His eyes sparkled as he tugged at Haley’s hand. “Mommy! Uncle Justin built this place for you! It’s so romantic!”Five years ago—around the time he and Chase were born—their dad had already been planning a wedding for their mom.Suddenly, Alex didn’t feel quit
At 8 p.m., Haley arrived right on time for Jacob and Miss Scott’s engagement banquet.Up on the stage, under the warm wishes of both families and to the sound of dreamy background music, the soon-to-be-wed couple exchanged rings. They followed it up with a string of romantic clichés about love at first sight. Then, under the applause of the guests, they shared a passionate kiss.Just as Sam had said, Haley didn’t need to do much—just show her face. She had no interest in watching the Yates and Scott families put on this show. The whole thing was clearly a political alliance, a calculated marriage meant to secure control over RC Corporation—the very company she was now temporarily leading.She set down her untouched wine glass, smoothed her gown, and quietly left the venue.The car headed toward Mistletoe Villa. Haley sat in the backseat, eyes distant. Sam was in the front passenger seat. Noticing her exhaustion, he pulled out a tablet from his briefcase and said,“President, t
Chase and Alex had settled into a daily routine of their own. Every morning, they accompanied Zac to the hospital to visit Justin. In the evenings, they went home together after work.The world kept turning. It didn’t slow down just because Justin had slipped into a coma.At RC Corporation, Haley was also adjusting. With Sam’s steady guidance, she was slowly getting the hang of the job. Day by day, her grasp of the responsibilities sharpened, and her confidence grew.Everything was moving forward.“President,” Sam said, stepping into her office. “Here’s the compensation proposal for the demolition site. It’s part of the land marked for the international project. The plan was finalized under the former president’s direction, and we just got the government’s approval. We need your signature to release the funds so construction can begin.”He handed her the file, efficient and precise as always. Sam never once got her title wrong. He took his role as assistant seriously.Haley glanc
Haley’s voice was steady and sincere. “It’s true—corporate management and project leadership aren’t my areas of expertise. But from what I understand, RC Corporation is currently working on a major international venture. The overseas partner is Prolux Corporation, based in Merika State.”She paused briefly before continuing. “Prolux Corporation’s CEO is Wilfred—my brother. I also hold shares in Prolux. I believe that makes me a strong bridge between RC Corporation and our international partner, and someone well-positioned to temporarily lead the company.”What?Wilfred was her brother?The shock hit the room like a thunderclap. Whatever doubts they had about her qualifications or lack of experience suddenly evaporated. With a backing like that? No one could ignore it.Compared to her powerful connections, Harry’s passionate speech felt like hot air. All skepticism faded. All except Harry voted in favor.For now, it looked like Haley had secured her position as president—solid a
After finishing his pitch, Harry looked around the room.“I believe that under my leadership, we can take RC Corporation to even greater heights. I’m not doing this for personal gain,” he added, his voice earnest. “My nephew suffered a terrible accident and is now in a vegetative state. I’m simply stepping in as acting president until he wakes up. When that day comes, I’ll hand everything back to him, no questions asked.”Harry silently remarked, “Wake up? A person in a vegetative state doesn’t just wake up in three to five years.”Once he got his hands on full control, that precious nephew of his would never wake up—at least not while he was in charge.Victory was within reach. Harry curled his lips into a satisfied smile, ready to accept the applause.But no one clapped.Instead, Haley’s voice rang out, calm and clear. “I have a document here. Before his accident, Justin gave specific instructions to his assistant, Sam. Should anything happen to him, all authority—his positio