“Good morning, baby,” Emerald greeted warmly.She felt no barriers with James, and her affection for the boy grew stronger.She ruffled his hair.“Hurry back to class; morning exercises are about to start.”“Okay.”As Emerald walked away, James watched her, imagining how amazing it would be if Emerald were his mom. She was beautiful and kind.---Yosef lightly tapped James on the head with a small fist, his cute face scrunching up as he glared at him.“Stop with those crazy ideas, that’s not happening.”The two pretended to get along in front of Emerald. James crossed his arms over his chest, giving Yosef a cold look.“Are you itching for another beating?”Yosef and James were worlds apart—one cool and handsome, the other soft and cute. But they were both equally stubborn.Yosef leaned in closer to James, lowering his voice.“Don’t go running to your dad for backup. If you help Teacher Ru get the land, you win. My dad’s coming back here soon.”James sneered. “So what? You think your d
Emerald wore a loose silk blouse with a tied collar, her hair loosely pulled back. She looked pure and elegant—even with minimal makeup, just a swipe of lipstick and a slight touch-up on her brows, she still looked stunning."Mr. Florida, Mr. Allegre," Emerald greeted coolly.Ethan exhaled smoke, his voice rough. "Emerald, you seem completely unfazed by our breakup."She looked even more captivating than before, and the sight only fueled his anger.Ericson entered a bit awkwardly. "Ms. Greene, just give them all the paintings."He opened the trunk, revealing a number of paintings inside, touching some of them carefully."Honestly, I really like these paintings, and you’ve taken good care of them."Ethan, losing patience, cut in, "There’s still six million left. How are you going to pay it?"He was certain Emerald couldn’t come up with that kind of money. The orphanage incident had only been resolved by luck, thanks to Alaric. Sure, selling her house at a low price made sense with the
Ethan looked away, realizing he had completely overthought the situation. How could there possibly be an issue between Emerald and Alaric?The pain in his dislocated arm grew sharper, weighing down his heart. He knew he was in serious trouble. As the car started moving, he glanced back and saw Emerald bending down to pick up a painting on the ground. Her thin shirt shifted slightly, revealing the curve of her waist, accentuated by her jeans.Out of nowhere, the memory of Emerald wearing a dress in Alaric’s yard came to mind. If she wore one again, she’d undoubtedly look stunning.A wicked smile flickered in Ethan’s eyes.Emerald, you’ve brought this on yourself. If you refuse a toast, you’ll drink the punishment instead.Ethan’s patience had run out.Meanwhile, Emerald sat under a large tree, carefully wiping the frame of her painting. She had spent countless nights perfecting each stroke of her work. A soft smile appeared on her lips as she cleaned it, the dappled sunlight casting a
Alaric stared at Emerald, resting his face on one hand as he lazily followed her every movement with his gaze.It had only been a few days since they last saw each other, but Emerald seemed fresher now, even without makeup. She wore a simple short-sleeved dress, her hair tied up in a bun. With no jewelry, her whole forehead and long neck were exposed, glowing softly in the sunlight. Her skin was flawless and smooth, almost like that of a high school student—soft, innocent, and fresh.As Emerald glanced at her phone screen, her ears turned a bright shade of red, reminding Alaric of a little rabbit's delicate ears—soft and tempting. It had only been a few days, but it felt like ages since they last met.Emerald hesitated before replying to his message. Finally, she typed just one word.[Um.]There was no need for Emerald to look up to feel Alaric's intense gaze. When their eyes met, he didn’t look away. His stare was almost fiery, almost predatory, making Emerald’s heart race. She felt
Lance had nothing to say, his opportunity to show off slipping away.As the tent inflated, Emerald decided to take a short walk. She had felt confined for so long, and today, she finally felt a sense of freedom.Suddenly, out of nowhere, a hand pulled her into the shadows before she could even cry out. Her heart pounded as she looked up at her captor, only to see Alaric."Mr. Corrigan!" she gasped, her voice trembling.Alaric tightened his grip on her waist, his intense gaze piercing into her. His eyes held an emotion that both unsettled and thrilled her, as though he could consume her with just his look."Teacher Greene," Alaric spoke in a low, teasing tone, "have you missed me?"Trapped in his arms, Emerald tried to steady herself. She answered softly, "I-I’ve been… busy.""But I’ve missed you," Alaric's voice grew deeper, more sensual, his eyes never leaving hers. "I’ve missed you so much."Slowly, Alaric lifted her chin, bringing their lips together in a slow, deliberate kiss, ful
Iris is incredibly innocent, completely unaware, and unable to protect herself. This leaves Emerald deeply concerned.Her mind is so full of worry for her friend that there’s hardly any room for anything else.Alaric, noticing Emerald's distracted state, leaned in close and whispered softly in her ear, "We're all adults. What we choose to do is up to us. Besides, your friend seems quite... willing."Emerald's mind screamed, and she quickly covered Alaric's eyes. "Don’t look."He chuckled quietly, and Emerald watched his Adam’s apple move, oddly mesmerized by how attractive he seemed at that moment.With a low voice, Alaric added, "How could I possibly focus on anyone else when I’ve got you right here?"Emerald froze. Was he... confessing? No way, could Alaric really be interested in someone like her?She stared at Alaric, who seemed to be studying every reaction on her face, trying to find her limits.She wasn’t angry. Instead, she was more surprised. Emerald’s flushed face seemed daz
Alaric was just about to tend to his injury when Gio’s teasing voice came from behind, "Seriously, bro? Are you playing that rough? You’re actually bleeding?"Alaric shot him a cold glare, wiping the smirk off Gio's face, who quickly turned serious."You’re injured and still trailing after us. What, you think we’re going to eat your precious Teacher Greene alive? Have you even slept in the past few days?" Gio pressed.Alaric didn’t answer. He was exhausted, no question about it."Get me some hemostatic powder and gauze. Don’t let her see," Alaric ordered, his tone calm and controlled.Gio rolled his eyes. "You know, I always thought you had that whole ‘domineering president’ vibe, but it turns out you’re just a hopeless romantic? After all this time, and you’ve only held her? Man, even a kiss is pushing it for you. Are you even a man?"Alaric ignored the jab, smoothly changing the subject. "Are you serious about Iris? If you are, don’t push her too far."He knew how much Emerald cared
Emerald's face flushed as she coughed, covering her mouth.A hand with strong knuckles extended a tissue, accompanied by a deep voice. “Are you alright?”Emerald took the tissue, turning her back to the group as she coughed for a while before finally recovering.Alaric took the chance to sit beside her.For some reason, when he sat down, it felt like the temperature dropped, as if an invisible air conditioner was blowing cool air around them.There was a stark contrast between the young boys and the mature man sitting among them.Noticing Emerald had stopped coughing, Alaric handed her a glass of warm water and looked at the others. "What’s everyone talking about? You all seem so cheerful,” he said softly.Though his tone was light, it carried an authority that made the atmosphere tense, leaving everyone holding their breath.Gio silently prayed for Lance. *Bro, you’re in dangerous territory now. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.*The scene was turning into a Shura battle.Unaware of the t
At night, after Emerald had fallen asleep, she would secretly call her mother—until Alaric caught her in the act.At the shareholders' meeting, Alaric eliminated four people and uncovered the one who had been secretly buying up scattered shares.It was Griffin.In a final twist, Mr. Corrigan betrayed him, and Griffin realized too late that he had been played.Alaric regarded him with an icy stare. “Did you really think I’d invite you here for anything else?”He took slow, deliberate steps toward Griffin. “You wanted Teacher Greene to forget me. But in the end, she forgot you instead. You schemed and plotted, but did you ever consider that this would be the outcome?”Griffin let out a bitter laugh, his eyes filled with resentment. “Alaric, you’re unbelievably lucky. Fate favors you—again.”His voice turned sharp with frustration. “Why does it always have to be you?”Alaric’s expression remained unreadable. “I know you blame me. You think your father abandoned you and your son.”Griffin
Now that Alaric had decided to marry Emerald, he naturally had to address the issue of inheritance.He had promised that he wouldn’t let Emerald suffer any injustice.James was thrilled but hesitant to believe it. He looked up at her cautiously and asked, “Can I really call you that?”Emerald knew that despite his tough exterior, he was actually very sensitive.She crouched down, gently running her fingers through James’s hair. “Of course, if you want to.”Without hesitation, James threw himself into her arms. “I do! Of course, I do—Mom.”His tears fell onto her neck, and Emerald’s lips curved into a soft smile.I just got a son this big out of nowhere.James was so attached to her that even when they walked, he would hook his little fingers around hers.It all felt like a dream.When Emerald looked up, she noticed Jamilah standing on the terrace, silently watching her. Their eyes met for a brief moment before Jamilah quickly turned away.James sighed and explained, “Mom, my sister ha
"Get ready, that’s where we’re landing," Alaric whispered in her ear.As they descended, Emerald noticed the intricate details within the rose fields—windmills, charming fairy-tale cottages, and delicate pathways weaving through the flowers.It was the kind of place that would go viral the moment people saw it—a dreamlike destination straight out of a storybook.Under Alaric’s steady control, they landed smoothly on the soft grass. The moment Emerald unbuckled her harness, she threw her arms around him, holding him close.The air was thick with the intoxicating scent of roses, and amidst it all, she could hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat."Emerald Greene, I will never let anything hurt you again. From now on, I will make sure you're happy—forever.""Mm. I believe you.""Wow! This is straight out of a movie!" Iris gasped, pinching Gio’s arm. "I must be dreaming—this kind of romance isn’t even this dramatic in films!"Gio winced. "Ow!""That hurt!""Of course, it hurts! You pinch
Iris, still stunned, turned to stare at him. "Wait… is he that rich? So rich that he could casually win the title of ‘Little Prince’ or something?""He is the one who is the one who is the one.""Brother, why didn’t you tell me he was this handsome?! He’s so young and fair-skinned—he looks like he stepped straight out of an anime! Not a trace of that tacky, nouveau riche vibe at all."Even Emerald was taken aback, though not nearly as much as Iris.Noticing that the young man wasn’t much older than herself, she stepped forward, bent down, and offered him a hand."Are you okay?" she asked.Yngrid grabbed her hand and stood up, flashing a bright, friendly smile. “Don’t worry! Second Sister-in-law, you’re so beautiful! So gentle! No wonder Second Brother has been thinking about you for years—he finally got you.”Alaric frowned, glancing at the knife embedded in the table. “How many times have I told you? Stop running around with a knife in your hand.”Yngrid looked utterly clueless. “But
Emerald was sharp enough to catch the implication. This man was clearly from the Corrigan, but how could he be Alaric’s second brother?Nancy smiled. "It’s a long story. Sister-in-law, come inside quickly. Gabbi has been preparing all morning to welcome you."Gio, who was usually the most lively among them, suddenly looked uncharacteristically serious and polite. "Sorry to trouble you, then."Nancy turned his gaze to the other guest. "Welcome. You must be Ms. Benitez."Iris straightened up, her usual playfulness replaced by a bit of nervousness. "That’s me. Hello, hello."As the group walked inside, Gio trailed behind, but Iris discreetly poked his waist. "Who is he? You seem a little scared of him."She had met Gio’s friends many times, but she had never seen him act this cautious.Gio lowered his voice. "You may not recognize him, but you’ve definitely heard of the Medical Research Institute."Iris froze. "You mean the world’s number one pharmaceutical company?"Her mind was spinnin
The sun shone brightly, and magpies chirped from the branches—a perfect day.Iris, already waiting downstairs, let out a low whistle. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Interlocked fingers? Teacher Greene, Mr. Corrigan, could you two be any sweeter?”Caught off guard, Emerald instinctively tried to pull her hand away.But Alaric tightened his grip. “Don’t let go.”Her cheeks flushed, and she nodded. “Okay.”Iris was about to whistle again when Gio quickly clamped a hand over her mouth. “For the love of god, stop teasing them. My Alaric is the most patient guy—until he’s not.”Iris blinked. “Huh? But Mr. Corrigan seems so refined and gentlemanly.”Gio scoffed. “That’s just for women. When it comes to me, he’s got a double standard.”Clearly, Gio had endured Alaric’s ruthlessness one too many times. If Iris kept poking fun at him, Alaric would undoubtedly find a way to get back at them both.Completely oblivious, Iris had no idea what was happening. She tried to push Alaric into the front passenger seat,
"I won’t say things like that again," she murmured. "If I do, I’m not just belittling myself—I’m belittling your love, too.""That’s right." Alaric rubbed her head gently. "The past is heavy baggage. If you can, let it go. The future will be so much better."She smiled. "Your little Greene has finally grown up.""You have a daddy boyfriend, so you have to grow up."Emerald wrapped her arms around his neck, her voice soft. "Thank you… for teaching me how to love.""It’s my greatest honor to receive Teacher Greene’s love."Their eyes met, the space between them shrinking as they leaned in—Then Alaric’s phone rang.He exhaled sharply, turning it off without hesitation."Sorry. Let’s pick up where we left off."The caller was persistent. Emerald sighed, nudging Alaric playfully. "Go on, Mr. Busy."He had already spent so much time with her over the past two days, and she was more than content.But Alaric never returned after heading to his study. Emerald waited alone until eleven o’clock
At first, Emerald worried that Gio was just fooling around and that Iris would end up getting hurt. But later, through Alaric, she realized that Gio was genuinely working hard for their future.It was only then that Emerald recognized how extreme her past views had been—believing that marriage was a trap and love was nothing more than fleeting sweetness.Iris, in her simplicity, had understood something far earlier than she did: love is about two people growing together, striving toward a shared future.Even someone like Iris, who had spent years drifting through life, was now determined to change. And that alone was a good start.Gio had seen all kinds of people in his world, but it was Iris—pure and untainted, like a blank canvas—who truly captured his heart. She made him want to protect her.Now, Emerald could finally put her worries to rest.The so-called unreliable playboy hadn’t even touched Iris all this time. That fact alone proved he was someone she could trust."Ember, I'm n
Alaric stared coldly at the woman standing before him, utterly unfazed by her desperation."It doesn't matter who it is. I don’t owe you an explanation."Yngrid’s emotions spiraled out of control again, but before she could lash out, Winston’s expression darkened. The usual elegance in his demeanor vanished, replaced by an icy sharpness."Do you need me to remind you of your place?" he said, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.Emerald watched the scene unfold, quickly deducing that Winston held Yngrid’s fate in his hands. Yngrid’s reluctance was obvious, but in the end, she had no choice but to submit.She took slow, deliberate steps toward Emerald. "Emerald… I’m sorry for what happened," she forced out. "I apologize."Emerald didn’t miss the unwillingness in Yngrid’s eyes. And to be honest, she had no desire to accept it.But she also knew that she had finally convinced Alaric to reconcile, and the partnership with the Santos had been secured. Yngrid’s presence here w