Wilfred’s expression was serious as he occasionally exchanged a few whispered words with Karina beside him. Their heads unconsciously leaned closer as they discussed molecular drug structures, clinical trial feedback, and other technical details with seamless cooperation.Yvette sat quietly to the side, watching the two of them work with such focus. She felt out of place in their professional conversation and instead turned her attention to observing the people from HeShare Pharmaceuticals.By chance, she noticed Benedict’s assistant casting frequent glances toward Wilfred and Karina. There was a certain weight to those looks, something that gave Yvette pause. Her heart skipped a beat, and she made a mental note to stay alert.After an intense round of discussions, the outline of a preliminary plan began to take shape. Benedict smiled broadly, tapping the table lightly. “Today’s exchange has been very productive. Everyone must be a bit worn out. How about we take a break for lunch a
As the clinical trial preparations reached a critical stage, problems began piling up one after another. First, the experimental samples inexplicably got mixed up, with several key data sets mismatched. Then, the equipment started malfunctioning frequently, leaving the technicians at their wits’ end, unable to pinpoint the cause. Karina was on edge, spending her days in the lab with bloodshot eyes. Wilfred, equally tense, coordinated efforts from all directions with a stern expression. One day, as Karina stared at the chaotic sample records in frustration, Wilfred walked in quickly, his expression grim. “I don’t think this is just a series of accidents. Someone’s deliberately sabotaging us. We can’t just sit back and take this. We need to act.” Karina bit her lip and nodded firmly. “I’ve been thinking the same thing, but who could it be?” After some discussion, they decided to start by investigating the people they had interacted with recently. As they were talking
Wilfred’s lips curved into a faint smile. He gently brushed back a stray strand of Karina’s hair from her cheek, his gaze so tender it seemed almost tangible. “She sure hasn’t changed. But with her around, the hospital feels so much livelier. When we get back, we should really thank her properly for keeping things running smoothly there,” he said warmly. Taking her hand, his palm reassuringly warm, he added, “Come on, we’ve got some time before we head back. Let me take you somewhere.” Curious, Karina let him lead her, weaving through streets and alleys until they arrived at a charming old street with a distinctly exotic flair. Lining the street were elegant boutique shops with window displays showcasing beautifully crafted clothing—unique cuts and high-quality fabrics that spoke of both style and luxury. Wilfred glanced at Karina, his eyes filled with adoration. “We’ve been so caught up with the project that I haven’t had the chance to take you out properly. Pick a few
“Does this look strange on me?” Karina asked hesitantly, glancing at her reflection in the mirror. Wilfred stepped forward, placing his hands gently on her shoulders. His gaze was steady and full of admiration. “Strange? Not at all. You look absolutely stunning, like this dress was made just for you. When the photos are done, everyone will be blown away.” The photographer chimed in enthusiastically, “Don’t worry, miss. This outfit brings out all the elegance. Just follow my directions later, and you’ll have magazine-worthy shots in no time!” Reassured, Karina finally relaxed and gracefully walked to the photo setup. Wilfred, now dressed in a vintage suit, exuded a polished elegance that perfectly complemented her look. After capturing a series of vintage-style portraits, they switched to a casual modern shoot. Dressed in their newly purchased matching outfits, they posed playfully—making silly faces, leaning into each other, and laughing freely. The camera’s shutter c
Thick smoke filled Karina’s lungs, choking her until she felt she might suffocate at any moment. Even with a damp towel pressed against her nose and mouth, she knew their time was running out. If rescue didn’t arrive soon, they wouldn’t last much longer. She turned slightly, looking at the man beside her. Wilfred was holding her tightly in his arms, his body a protective shield against the flames that danced dangerously close. Her nose stung, and an overwhelming wave of emotion surged through her. For the first time in years, she felt the urge to cry. If this truly was the last moment fate would allow them, it felt cruelly short. She might lose consciousness at any second, and there was no guarantee either of them would wake again. It wasn’t logical, but Karina couldn’t stop herself. In a voice barely audible, hoarse from the smoke, she whispered, “In our next life, I still want to be with you.” She felt a firm squeeze on her waist—it was Wilfred’s hand, strong and
Karina stared off into the distance, lost in thought for a long time. It really was remarkable how differently people recovered. Though they had both been rescued from the fire, Wilfred bounced back much faster than she did. And Wilfred… he was truly incredible at taking care of her. Sometimes, when she looked at his gentle, focused face, Karina couldn’t help but feel like he was her entire world. *After she was discharged, Karina still had a few days of medical leave. Wilfred suggested they go out for some fresh air, taking her on leisurely strolls to lift her spirits. Their fingers intertwined as they walked side by side. Everything seemed to be back to normal, yet Karina couldn’t shake the feeling that something had subtly changed. The evening breeze was a bit cool. Karina frowned slightly, sensing that something felt off. She brushed her fingers against Wilfred’s palm and teased, “Are you sweating?” It was an offhand remark, but Wilfred responded with a soft
Throughout the entire wedding dress fitting, Karina wished she could find a hole to crawl into. Wilfred’s gaze was just too intense, too obvious. Even the staff helping her try on dresses occasionally glanced in his direction, their curiosity piqued. Karina, already feeling shy, was even more flustered. While changing into another gown, one of the attendants loosened the laces for her and commented with a tone full of envy, “You two must really love each other.” Karina paused, unsure how to respond. The attendant continued, “I’ve worked here for years, and I’ve never seen anyone look at their bride-to-be the way your fiancé does.” It was as if a jar of honey had tipped into her heart, rippling with sweetness. Karina tried to appear composed, but the corners of her mouth betrayed her, curving upward uncontrollably. “Is that so?” Realizing that his gaze was a sign of their deep connection, she stopped feeling embarrassed or avoiding it. When Wilfred looked at her
As Karina expected to coax a bit more out of Wilfred through the cracked door, he suddenly teamed up with his groomsmen, and together they pushed hard, forcing their way inside. Even though it hadn’t been long since they last saw each other, seeing him now in this setting felt completely different. Dressed to the nines, holding a bouquet, and surrounded by a crowd cheering him on, Wilfred took one step at a time toward her. Karina’s heart began to race. Yvette stepped forward, blocking Wilfred’s path with a playful smirk. “You think you can take our Karina this easily? Not a chance!” With a snap of her fingers, the bridesmaids joined her, speaking in unison, “After you’re married, who controls the finances?” Wilfred glanced at Karina and confidently replied, “My wife does!” The bridesmaids continued, “And who gets the final say at home?” “Her, of course!” Laughter filled the room, but the questions kept coming. “Who’s doing the housework?” “I will!” The
But instead of feeling touched, Vera’s first reaction was nausea. A wave of discomfort surged up from her stomach, and Vera’s face paled. She bolted for the bathroom. Caleb followed quickly. “Are you feeling sick?” “I don’t think so. I’ve been eating normally—nothing too heavy or weird lately.” Vera clutched her stomach, just as confused as he was. Then, a possibility flashed through her mind. Caleb clearly had the same thought. Without a word, he turned and walked into their bedroom, returning moments later with a pregnancy test. Vera looked at him, stunned. “When did you buy that?” He responded matter-of-factly, “Better safe than sorry.” Vera was momentarily speechless. Five minutes later, she stepped out of the bathroom, her hand instinctively resting on her stomach, her expression a mix of shock and disbelief. It was positive. They had only been married for three months. How did this happen so fast?Caleb, on the other hand, remained composed—at le
Of course, Vera wasn’t about to dump all her responsibilities on her assistant. That would be exploitation. She called her assistant into her office. “You’re twenty-five this year, right?” Her assistant blinked, confused. Wasn’t her age common knowledge? Why was Vera suddenly bringing it up? A thought struck her. Was this an arranged marriage situation? Her face immediately filled with silent refusal. “Miss Vera, I’m still young. I’m not thinking about marriage anytime soon.” Vera tapped her pen against the desk. “I’m not telling you to get married.” “Oh.” “I just want to offload some of the smaller daily tasks to you. You don’t have to run every minor document by me.”Her assistant instantly understood. A raise. After confirming she was on board, Vera gave her a salary bump and had her hire a few more assistants to distribute the workload. “If I don’t have time to handle everything, you guys will take care of it. If something’s too complicated, jus
Vera could sense danger the moment the conversation turned in this direction. Her father had never questioned her about married life, and she was lucky enough to avoid nosy relatives. But just because she hadn’t experienced it firsthand didn’t mean she hadn’t seen it happen to others. Without hesitation, she abandoned the half-folded pastry in her hands. “I... uh, need to use the restroom.” Before she could escape, Mrs. Smith caught her wrist. “You and Caleb aren’t getting any younger,” she said matter-of-factly. “You should start thinking about kids—make sure you’re putting in the effort, hmm?” Vera left the kitchen visibly drained. Mrs. Smith was a wonderful mother-in-law, the kind who treated Vera like her own daughter. Despite knowing Vera came from a well-off family, she had still gifted them a house as a wedding present. Of course, Caleb already owned a place, but his mother had insisted. “That’s your house. This is the home I’m giving you as a weddi
That undeniable possessiveness flickered in Caleb’s gaze—subtle yet impossible to ignore. It was the kind of look a powerful man might give his beloved in an old Hollywood film. And right now, the photographer felt like the unlucky bystander who had accidentally stumbled upon an intimate scene. His voice wavered slightly, caught up in his own imagination. “Mr. Smith, lift your eyes toward the camera.” Caleb’s sharp gaze flickered over, intense and commanding. The photographer instinctively pressed the shutter. They continued with several more poses, reviewing the shots as they went. Vera loved them all, but her favorite was still the vintage-inspired one. “How long until we get the final prints?” she asked. “Two to three days at most,” the photographer replied. “I’ll have them shipped directly to you.” Then, after a slight pause, he hesitated before making a request. “I actually have a personal favor to ask—would you both be open to letting us displa
Vera was tempted. They had already taken plenty of wedding photos—several sets at the island, more at the wedding itself. But this wasn’t just any photo studio. It was privately booked and known for being one of the most prestigious studios in the city. Appointments here were nearly impossible to get. The fact that Caleb had managed to secure a session meant he had gone to great lengths to make it happen. If they were just going to take ordinary wedding pictures, it would be a waste of an opportunity. Still, she wasn’t sure what kind of shoot she wanted. The photographer, understanding her hesitation, pulled out a sample album. “You can take a look at our past work. These are some of the styles we’ve done.” Flipping through the pages, Vera saw an array of stunning concepts—each picture more breathtaking than the last. Then, one particular set caught her eye. A Golden Age Hollywood theme.It was classic, nostalgic, and beautifully atmospheric. “Ca
After the wedding, Vera considered taking some time off for a honeymoon. But the thought quickly faded when she realized Caleb had been practically living at the hospital. With a sigh, she dismissed the idea. She was used to it, but to say she wasn’t disappointed would be a lie. Her assistant picked up on it. “Mrs. Smith, don’t you want to go on a honeymoon?” she asked one day. “One of my friends just got married, and she’s been obsessively researching destinations. “She even said a marriage without a honeymoon is already half a failure.” Vera froze mid-page, suddenly losing interest in the documents she had been reviewing. Her assistant hesitated, then offered a suggestion. “Why don’t you go visit Dr. Smith at work?“You seem… distracted. Maybe seeing him will help.” Vera snapped out of her daze, suddenly aware of how preoccupied she had been lately. It was embarrassing to admit, but she had been zoning out far too often—especially after coming hom
Whenever they did this in the past, Caleb always maintained some restraint. But tonight—he didn’t hold back at all. He took her from the bedroom to the bathroom, then back to the bed, his searing kisses trailing every inch of her skin. The next morning, even as she woke up, Vera could still feel the lingering traces of last night’s intoxicating pleasure. As expected, she ended up taking the day off. It wasn’t until two days later that she finally returned to work. *Everyone at the company had already prepared for this. The moment Vera walked into the office, she was greeted with knowing smiles and teasing remarks. “Congratulations, Mrs. Smith!” “Newlywed bliss, huh?” “Three whole days off? Someone had a good time.” It didn’t take a genius to figure out what she had been up to. Obviously, her married life was going exceptionally well—so well that she had completely abandoned work for it. Under the weight of their mischievous stares, Vera barely k
Yelena still hadn’t accepted Hunter, but he wasn’t giving up either and was relentlessly closing in on her. Knowing Yelena’s soft heart, Vera figured it was only a matter of time before she gave in. She let out a sigh. Her friend’s love life wasn’t something she could interfere with. Besides, Caleb had already given her a little inside scoop. “She came to the hospital for a follow-up a few days ago,” he had mentioned casually. “Hunter was the one who brought her.” Vera had clicked her tongue at the news. Yelena always seemed quiet and reserved, but apparently, she was full of surprises.*Time flew by in the blink of an eye.By mid-month, Caleb had rented out an entire vineyard and spent several days transforming it into the perfect wedding venue.When the day arrived, the celebration took place right there.The vineyard was sprawling and elegant, every bit as grand as any luxury hotel—if not better. Even the wine cellar remained untouched, stocked with years-
“Did you plan this from the start?” Vera narrowed her eyes, feeling like she had just walked into a carefully laid trap. “Mm.” Caleb smiled, then leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. Because yes—he had always been planning this. The biggest change in Vera’s life after the island proposal was the ring now sitting on her finger. It wasn’t just any ring. It was custom-made, something Caleb had specially ordered. She only found out by accident when she glanced at his phone one day and saw the purchase record. It had been ordered two months ago. Vera did the math and was stunned. He had been preparing for this long before she even started getting impatient. Her heart swelled with emotion. And as soon as Caleb’s parents heard that their son had finally proposed, they wasted no time pushing them to get the marriage license. *One day, Vera overheard Caleb’s mother lecturing him. “Your dad and I weren’t expecting much from you. With how much ti