“George, you speak too much.” Thaddeus removed his sunglasses and glared at the driver. “Back to the office.” “Yes, sir.” George nodded and started the car. He sighed inwardly, feeling bad for Mona. As the Fontaines’ driver, George was a loyal and hardworking man who could view matters from a clearer perspective. Although Mona’s character was highly rated among the servants, Madam Fontaine somehow disliked her. She gave Mona a hard time and always sided with outsiders rather than her own daughter-in-law. People like George and Maria could not understand the complicated love-hate relationship of the wealthy. Though, they knew sincerity must be cherished and valued. Losing someone as kind as Mona would be a great loss to the family. When the car drove past the restaurant, Thaddeus saw through the floor-to-ceiling window that Mona sat opposite Tim, giggling at something Tim said. He had never seen Mona giggle like that. It felt pure, beautiful, and so strong that it blinded
When she entered the living room, she saw Jennifer scolding Millie loudly and whipping her with a cane. It broke Mona’s heart to hear Millie cry horribly. “Millie! Millie!” Mona ran over to Millie and carried the girl into her arms. The girl cried even louder when her mother arrived. “Mommy, it hurts! So much!” Mona anxiously checked the girl’s body and found multiple whiplashes on her. The shock instantly made her tear up. Jennifer was vicious. She had not held back in beating Millie with the cane. Even when Mona was angry with Millie, she would only slap her backside softly, and that had already hurt her a lot. Jennifer had been merciless with the whipping. Millie would have died if Jennifer had whipped her any harder. Mona was infuriated. She shouted at Jennifer, “Why are you hitting her?” Jennifer was surprised by Mona’s wrath. She shuddered but remained righteous as she said, “Why are you shouting at me? Millie is a naughty girl, and it’s all because of you. Yo
How could she not feel bad about it? Mona resented Jennifer for hitting her daughter. Millie was wrong, but Jennifer used the chance to lash out on the girl. Blinded by grudge and hatred, not even blood and family mattered to Jennifer. How could Mona allow her children to grow up in such a toxic environment?”“Millie, it’s okay now. Don’t cry. Let’s go in. Mommy has something to tell you guys.” Mona carried Millie in her right arm and held Bobby with her left. After they went inside the room, Mona looked at them seriously and said, “Millie, if something like this happens again, don’t cry. Run. Don’t give anyone the chance to hit you. You need to run; if you can’t outrun them, try to get to me or someone that can protect you and ask them for help. Do you understand?” Millie snorted and hugged Mona tightly. She buried her face in her mother’s arms and nodded. “Okay, Mommy. I know what to do next time.” “Grandma should not have hit you, and I don’t want you to take it to hear
Friend? Based on what he knew, Tim Graves viewed Mona more than just a friend and had been eyeing her brazenly. Besides, what friend would give one another a pair of couple bracelets? “If you don’t believe me, then forget it. I’m calling you not because I want to argue with you. I want to talk to you about something serious.” “What is it?” “Madam Fontaine, your mother, whipped Millie with a cane!” “My mother whipped Millie?” Thaddeus immediately sounded anxious. “Was she hurt?” “She’s covered with lashes and cried until she lost her voice. What do you think?” “Do you need me at home?” Sometimes, at critical moments like these, the man was able to be a supportive parent. That somehow moved Mona. “I can handle things here. I’m not trying to disturb your work. I just want you to talk to your mother when you get home. She was angry about Millie messing with Ginny’s hair and lashed out at the girl.” “Mhmm…” Thaddeus hummed a reply before he asked, “Who did you eat with
Jennifer fell on the floor and started to cause a scene. She wanted to use the opportunity to punish Mona. She could not bear seeing Mona’s status overtaking her in the family, especially now that Thaddeus loved the kids so much. If this continued, Ginny would have no chance at all. Mona took two steps back and watched Jennifer’s acting. “Madam! What happened?!” “Didn’t you see? She slapped me! I’m having a heart attack! Ouch! Ouch!” Jennifer covered her chest and groaned in pain. The servants quickly called the ambulance and sent her to the hospital. Mona got into the ambulance as well and followed her there. On the way, Jennifer called Thaddeus and told him what had happened. Mona listened from the side while pondering a way out of the situation. She did slap Jennifer out of impulse. Fortunately, the living room had surveillance cameras. If she could just let others see the footage, they would know what terrible things Jennifer said. When they arrived at the hospita
He held Mona’s hand. Most of his anger from not receiving the couple bracelet from her faded as well. “What’s wrong? Are you jealous?” “I’m aggrieved.” Mona looked at the man, and her eyes teared up. “Do you know how long it took me to book that cake last night? That one cake is as expensive as the wristbands from Ms. Kimball. Also, that pen that I gave you, you didn’t even look at it because you were too busy cuddling with her!” The more Mona complained, the wider Thaddeus’ lips were. He could no longer hold his laughter back at the end and scoffed. The woman had never talked so much to him. He always thought she was an emotionless machine, but it seemed she, too, could feel aggrieved. She looked enchanting. Unlike a resentful woman, she looked more energetic, lively, and to some extent, more beautiful. Mona saw the grin on Thaddeus’ face, and it made her angrier. “Why are you laughing?” “I’m laughing because my wife is beautiful. It’s not bad.” Thaddeus nodded as if h
Mona stood outside the ward. As Ginny came closer, she instantly spotted her. “Mrs. Fontaine, how’s Madam Fontaine?” “The doctor checked on her. She’s fine. Thank you for your concern, Ms. Kimball,” Mona said politely. Ginny stared at Mona standing in front of the entrance. It was as if Mona did not want her to go inside. She scoffed and said, “I heard you slapped her, causing her to be admitted here. If Madam Fontaine is really fine, why are you stopping me from going inside? Are you feeling guilty?” Mona noticed Ginny’s overbearing tone. It seemed she came confident and prepared. “Ms. Kimball, it seems you like sticking your nose into other people’s family affairs. Why don’t you look into the mirror first?” Mona mocked Ginny. It put a bitter look on her face when she noticed Mona’s gaze fall on the scar on her forehead as she said that. Asking her to look in the mirror was a direct insult to her damaged appearance. Ginny looked at Mona’s beautiful and delicate fac
“The family rules don’t work on her! She’s rotten to the core! I want you to divorce her and marry Ginny! Can you do that?” Jennifer angrily tossed the pillow at Thaddeus, continuing to roar. “If you want me to live two years longer, divorce her this instant! Otherwise, I will die here today, in this hospital! I’ll jump out of the window!” Thaddeus swiftly stepped aside to dodge the pillow and bellowed, “Mother, do not cross the line! I will never marry Ginny, not in this life! If you want to threaten me with death, I will follow your wish and let you jump out of the window.” Jennifer was stunned. She had not expected Thaddeus to stand up to her outrageous threats and completely lost the confrontation. “As the senior of this family, not only did you not set a good example, you even tried to ruin your son and daughter-in-law’s relationship! Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?” Thaddeus no longer held back and lashed out at his mother. He continued harshly, “I hope you can
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