“Help me to lift the bed.”Mona pointed to the bed. There was a hidden compartment under it.“I have something for you.”Thaddeus’ brows raised in surprise. Lift the bed?Mona rolled up her sleeves, bent down, and struggled to lift it. Although Thaddeus was puzzled, he stretched out his hand and lifted the bed effortlessly.Mona clapped her hands, took a small safe from the hidden compartment under the bed, and keyed in the password. Then, she opened the box and took out a check.It was the check Thaddeus had given her after Jennifer swore at her last time. He honored his promise and told her to write any amount of money she wanted.She carefully locked up her belongings and put them back into the hidden compartment before passing the check to Thaddeus.“Here. This check is my compensation to you. Fill in any amount you like and withdraw the cash from any bank.”The man was between laughter and tears. He suddenly did not know whether or not to accept this check.“This is my s
Jennifer genuinely liked Ginny. At first, it was only because she thought the girl was a right match for the Fontaine family. However, after getting to know Ginny, she found that besides Ginny’s family, she was also exceptional both inside and outside. Jennifer knew she would never find another girl she approved more than Ginny, and it would be a huge loss if they missed their chance.Thus, Jennifer naturally had to put in as many good words as possible to Thaddeus. All she wanted to do now was make that shameless woman Mona divorce Thaddeus and leave.Thaddeus looked to the side and glanced at Jennifer. His tired look showed displeasure.“I won’t divorce Mona.”“What?” Jennifer’s eyes widened. She was so anxious that she almost jumped. “Why not? Did you forget what you promised me? If you won’t get divorced, why did you get closer to Ginny?”Thaddeus’ face was very cold as he said decisively, “That’s why you shouldn’t let Ms. Kimball come again in the future. I will also refuse t
The sound of the assistant walking and knocking on a door came through the phone, and there was the voice of someone giving a briefing in the background. He most likely entered the conference room.“Mr. Fontaine, the madam called and is asking for you.”“I’m in a meeting,” the man’s magnetic voice rang out from the other end of the phone. Even though he was annoyed, he still took the assistant’s phone.“What?”“Do you have time tonight to have dinner with a friend?”“No. I’ll wire you the money. Have fun.”After saying that, he passed the phone back to the assistant.Mona wanted to say something else, but the assistant was driven out of the conference room by Thaddeus’ displeased eyes.“Madam, Mr. Fontaine doesn’t like to take personal calls while he’s in a meeting, so...”“I understand. I won’t bother your work, then.”Mona hung up the phone. A minute later, she received a notification about a bank transfer.Thaddeus transferred her fifty thousand.Mona was exasperated but
After leaving the French restaurant, Mona went to the charity auction with Joseph.Tonight’s auction was said to have sky-high specifications, and all the attendees were prestigious celebrities in the business world and government sectors. They were all the top leaders in their industries.Thus, when Joseph and Mona arrived, they were not the focus. Instead, they were like stars obscured by the aura of others, losing their light.Without cameras and paparazzi, the two were happy with the situation. They leisurely found seats and sat down.Mona ate the fruit on the table while looking through the menu of items up for bid at tonight’s auction.“Mr. Fontaine!” A man’s voice rang out abruptly, drawing a lot of attention.Mona was no exception. She lifted her eyes and instantly saw the handsome man.What a coincidence. Her husband, who was too busy to answer her call, was with a beautiful female companion Mona had never seen before.Hm. Just where was Ms. Kimball?Mona was a little
As Mona thought, she glanced not far away at Thaddeus and the woman beside him.She had to admit that Thaddeus had a good eye for women. The beautiful lady looked like she was from a wealthy family, and she was not inferior to Ginny in terms of her attire and temperament.It was no wonder that he said he was busy. He probably felt that his wife was too ignorant, and did not want to take her out.Mona withdrew her gaze, not feeling at all disappointed. It was only natural. There was a big difference between her and a lady from a wealthy background. If she were to choose, she would certainly pick the rich lady as her date tonight as well.“Our next item can be said to be the most popular and is also the finale of our auction: the Heart of the Ocean! I heard that the boss of Fontaine Group has been inquiring about this necklace recently. Is Mr. Fontaine here today?”The spotlight flashed on the audience and fixed on Thaddeus’ position.The noble and elegant man appeared on the large
Thaddeus fixed his eyes on Joseph and Mona, then turned around and picked up the paddle on the table.He said in a low voice, "Fifty-five million.""Fifty-five million going once, going twice..."The host's voice was a little excited. With Thaddeus' participation, it was bound to be a spectacular drama!"Sixty million!"Not to be outdone, Joseph also raised his paddle."That gentleman is..." The host stood on tiptoe and looked in Joseph's direction. "Let's shine a light on Mr. 66."The white beam hit Joseph and Mona, and the two appeared on the large screen on stage in a rather high-profile and eye-catching way."It's the golden couple of the entertainment industry. Mr. Marshall and Ms. Ortega really have the most attractive faces. They’re a feast for the eyes, and it’s no wonder the two most handsome gentlemen in the audience tonight are fighting for this necklace. Beautiful things are only worthy of beautiful people, right?"The host made a witty remark, setting up the atmos
Fortunately, the host was quick to react and greeted them with a smile, inviting them on stage."Congratulations to Mr. Fontaine for being the new owner of the Heart of the Ocean. The one hundred million will be donated to a poor mountain village to build schools and buy teaching equipment."The audience area resounded with applause. Everyone could not help but sigh at Thaddeus' wealth. The present was different from the past. Now, the Fontaine family was deservedly the head of the four great families. They could see how fierce Thaddeus' momentum was in the past few years after he took over the family business."Mr. Fontaine, may I ask which lady this necklace is for?"There was a hint of envy in the host's voice. Even fairies would surround him as long as he was rich.Thaddeus stood there gallantly and glanced at Mona beside him. "My wife, Mona Ortega."A trace of surprise flashed on the host's face before he calmly said, "Of course. Let's invite the auction assistant to put the
"Should I praise you for your diligence in handling the household finances or for attending an auction with another man without my consent?"The man asked with a smile. Mona looked up at his eyes, which were as deep as the vast and starry sky. She blinked twice, feeling as if she was about to fall into his eyes. His gaze was too gentle, mesmerizing her so much that she could not react for a long time.Thaddeus tugged her cheek. The action was subconscious, and even he was surprised by it.Mona snapped back to her senses. The atmosphere felt awkward, but there was a hint of ambiguity in the air.Her cheeks were faintly pink as she adverted her gaze, looking at a small river not too far away. The starlight shone on the river, reflecting the bright moon. It made for a romantic scene.Thaddeus clenched his fist and brought it to his mouth, faking a cough to cover up his embarrassment for his actions, which did not quite conform to the way he usually acted."It's a little cold. Let's
The couple was tired after a time of bonding, and they lay on the wicker chair, closing their eyes before slipping into dreamland. Sometime later, Thaddeus felt a chill and opened his eyes. His T-shirt was wet, and Bobby and Millie were spraying water at him with water guns. The youngest child was nearby too in her stroller. She suckled on a pacifier and watched the bustle. “Where’s your mommy?” Thaddeus shuffled his hair and looked around, searching for Mona. “Freeze, Daddy. We have held Mommy captive. Surrender yourself to us.” Acting like the boss, Millie pointed her massive water gun at her daddy. Thaddeus had indulged his eldest daughter so much that the girl would only have things her way. Nevertheless, Thaddeus played along since it was only a game. He knew his children well. Millie took after Mona and was shrewd. Still, Millie would be on her best behavior when in public. “Hurry up and surrender, Daddy. Put your hands up, and we will release Mommy.” Millie poked
It was a cooling breeze for the Summer as flowers bloomed in the garden of Fontaine Residence. Mona rested on a wicker chair under the wine arbor, holding in hand the latest issue of the weekly design magazine, with her face on the cover. In the photo, she held a trophy up on the stage of a design competition, standing out amidst the radiant background. Since the birth of her youngest, Mona took a month off for rest before picking up her passion again and returning to the world of design. Recently, she won first place in an international design competition and found fame. Mona was happy with her life and enjoyed the rich and peaceful state of things. She had time to herself for once during the weekend, so she found a quiet spot to enjoy time alone while the kids had a nap. The sunlight shone over Mona through the leaves, basking her in warmth. She let out a yawn and closed her eyes for a nap. Thaddeus walked out of the house and saw the woman enjoying the moment of bliss. The t
“Mommy, did the baby kick you today?” Millie wobbled her way over and placed her hand on Mona’s belly. She could feel the baby stirring inside her mommy’s stomach. Millie was pleasantly surprised. “The baby kicked me! Mommy, is the baby swimming inside your belly?” “Yeah. The baby is kicking.” Mona affectionately caressed her belly. The fetus had been kicking and rolling a lot more lately, so she could not get much sleep. The tall and strong man drew near and looked tenderly at Mona. His husky voice lingered in Mona’s ear. “Weren’t you craving strawberries? I placed an order, and the fruit is being airlifted here as we speak. It’ll arrive tonight.” “Yay.” Mona was gleeful. Since the beginning of her pregnancy, she had become quite fussy and craved the strangest food. She wanted caviar from Japan, cookies from France, and strawberries from the highlands. Anything she asked for would be transported fresh to the house the next day.The man had taken good care of her during her en
“No. I won’t let myself go.” The man huffed heavily after finishing his sit-ups. Then, he rolled out of bed and got changed in the walk-in closet. Mona stared at the man’s well-toned back, gasping at his body upkeep. People would probably have a hard time believing he was a father of three. With that in mind, Mona became aware of a potential threat. She got up and drew close to the man. “You’re responsible for taking care of the baby once the child is born.” Thaddeus straightened his tie. “Alright. I can do that. I want to be present in the baby’s life and your pregnancy. You should rest at home once your belly gets bigger. I’ll handle Bobby and Millie’s school run, okay?” The man pinched Mona’s face dotingly. “Now you’re talking. Are you heading out?” Mona got up on her tiptoes to brush off the dust from his shoulders. “Yeah. I need to sort out a lot of paperwork.” “I wrote down notes of the meeting I attended on your behalf a few days ago.” Mona walked out to retrieve a
Thaddeus was in the hospital for a week before he was discharged. The election day for the successor of the Fontaine Group was two weeks later, but Thaddeus had not made a full recovery in his legs. He remained in a wheelchair and persisted in his daily physiotherapy. Mona had a room freed up in Fontaine Residence for Thaddeus’ rehabilitation. A specialized doctor would come around the house every day to help Thaddeus with his recovery. Thaddeus was a strong man to fight through the pain in his physiotherapy sessions. That day, Mona watched as the workers hung a decorative painting on the wall in the hallway. She ordered paintings of her preference and had them shipped from abroad. Mona instructed the workers to put it up, not paying attention to the wobbly painting that had been hung behind her. The painting was about to hit her from the back. Thaddeus was exiting the rehabilitation room when he caught sight of the danger. Getting up from his wheelchair, Thaddeus took large stri
The few pictures of Mona and Victor at the height of a tussle gave the impression that they were having an intimate moment. Thaddeus went through the photos with a look of disdain. “So you stood there and pretended to take pictures of me to show me these? You set my wife up with another man to tell me she was cheating on me?” It was not hard to guess the game the paparazzi were playing, but who was he trying to fool? The man was dumbstruck, as it never occurred to him that Thaddeus could see through him. It had taken the three of them to come up with the idea. However, it had not taken much for Thaddeus to foil their plan. Mona let out a relieved smile. She thought that Thaddeus would be furious at the look of the pictures and had prepared herself to give a long explanation. She was surprised that Thaddeus quickly saw through the attempt to drive them apart. Their relationship was solid, and no one could come between them. Mona thought to herself with glee when she took
Mona stood in front of Thaddeus, blocking his face as she confronted the paparazzi who took their picture. “Hand over the camera!” “There’s nothing in the camera. Besides, it’s my personal property. Why should I give it to you?” “You clearly took a picture of my husband. You have some nerve to say there’s nothing.” Mona grabbed the man by the wrist and lifted her foot to kick. Thaddeus grabbed her wrist to stop her. “You’re pregnant. Think about the child.” Thaddeus pulled Mona back, leaving himself exposed to the paparazzi. “Why do you want to photograph me? Do you want to see me in a wheelchair? Take a picture then.” Thaddeus pulled a straight face. His nonchalant gaze spoke of intimidation. Dumbstruck, the paparazzi looked at Thaddeus’ legs and smiled dryly. “What happened to your legs, Mr. Fontaine?” Thaddeus did not answer. However, his dark eyes flicked chillingly as he looked murderously at the paparazzi. Even in a wheelchair, Thaddeus did not have to say anythi
With the help of the two caretakers, Thaddeus sat in the wheelchair. He had overcome his emotions and pulled himself together. His mind was clear as he sorted out what he should do next. Thaddeus called the assistant into the room and laid out the following plan. “I won’t attend any media interviews before the election, but I won’t disappear from the public eye either. I don’t want to give the press something to talk about. My wife will represent me. Going forward, whatever she says or does will be considered my own. She has the authority to attend all corporate conferences, big or small.” Mona dropped her jaw in shock. She was to attend company meetings and speak on his behalf. It was trying to make the impossible happen. On second thought, Thaddeus must have his reasons to do so. She had the confidence to do a good job anyway. The assistant took note of everything Thaddeus said. The Fontaine Group was about to choose its next leader, and with Thaddeus still in recovery, the
“It’s okay. That’s normal after surgery. The doctor gave me a heads-up. Since it’s a brain operation, you might have damage to the motor nerve. With the help of physiotherapy, you’ll be back to running in no time.” Mona consoled Thaddeus. Thaddeus lifted his hands and gave Mona a gentle push. “Leave.” Mona froze. She looked at the man who was fine a second ago, not knowing what to do. “Can you leave? I need some time alone,” Fixing his gaze on Mona, Thaddeus spoke callously. “Okay. I’ll be right outside if you need me.” It dawned on Mona why the man was persistent in driving her away. He did not want her to see him at his worst. In a way, he was trying to protect his pride and dignity as a man. However, they were a married couple. Mona would never turn her back on him. Mona could understand the man’s vulnerability and his feelings at the moment. Hence, she said nothing and quietly left the ward to give Thaddeus the time and space to sort his emotions. Instead of doing n