Mona vented the anger in her heart. โYou obviously chose what was beneficial to you and ignored me and the children. You agreed to fight alongside me but then suddenly left me in the lurch. Why donโt you think for yourself whether or not you lack in virtue?โThaddeus curled his lips, smiling as he listened to Mona vent. He nodded every now and then, agreeing with her assessment of himself.โLacking in virtue.โ The man nodded. โMy image in your mind is all but gone now.โโObviously.โ Monaโs eyes were covered with a layer of coldness. โThatโs one thing. My trust in you is fractured. This is a very serious matter, Mr. Fontaine. Can you please stop smirking?โโOkay, okay.โ Thaddeus put away the laughter on his face and pinched Monaโs chin, raising her delicate little face. He said very seriously, โIf I said I have my difficulties, would you forgive me?โMona turned her face away and refused to make eye contact with him.She did not want to look at his eyes, or she would be easily swe
โA pretty picture?โ Thaddeus was puzzled. โWhat does that mean?โMona laughed at him for being an old man who did not understand slang.โIt refers to pretty words that have no substance. Itโs like sketchy men attempting to get girls to take the bait using cheap methods.โโThatโs your evaluation of me? You think Iโm trying to bait you using a cheap method?โ Thaddeus felt like he had a sudden realization.Mona shook her head and explained, โHow can you be such a person in my eyes? I was just saying it casually. If I really thought of you that way, then Iโd be chiding myself too. If your efforts were sincere, then they arenโt cheap. I think theyโre something very precious.โWhen Thaddeus heard Mona say this, his tightly knitted brows loosened.Men loved to hear women praise them. Even though he seemed unmoved, his heart was already full of joy.โI see thereโs the latest issue of a magazine by your bedside that displays your favorite jewelry brand. Which one do you like? Just buy it
Mona, who was brushing her teeth in the bathroom, raised her head and looked through the mirror at the father and daughter walking toward the bathroom. The man had tossed and turned all night. It would be even stranger if he did not have dark circles under his eyes.โMorning.โ Mona spat out the toothpaste in her mouth and greeted Thaddeus with a smile. A sly smile flashed under her delicate and unintentionally faint makeup. โDid you sleep well last night, Mr. Fontaine?โThaddeusโ gaze swept over Monaโs body. Under her slip were two straight and thin fair legs full of temptation. He would not believe her if she said she was not wearing this on purpose.โYep, I slept great.โThe man gnashed his teeth and restrained his inner impulse. They were in Xavierโs house now, so it was not convenient. He would deal with the woman when they went home.โBring the children to wash up. Iโm hungry so Iโll go downstairs for breakfast.โMona came out of the bedroom. Xavier had already packed up and
โThatโs not necessarily true.โ Jennifer picked up a snack on the table and brought it to her mouth. โAll men need a woman by their side. Thatโs all. Even if he stays with Mona, it doesnโt necessarily mean that their relationship is getting better. Heโs just playing with her and regards that woman as a tool to meet his physiological needs. Heโll get bored of her sooner or later. What do you have to worry about?โGinny suddenly felt relieved when she heard Jennifer say this.โIn that case, I feel more comfortable. In fact, I know that Thaddeus doesnโt like Mona. If not for those two children being a burden on his back, he wouldโve divorced her long ago.โJennifer nodded, but before she could respond, a loud voice shouted behind her.โShameless!โThe two women having breakfast were startled by this voice and turned around to look at the old man who had spoken. Their expressions froze, and Ginny was so frightened that she spilled the hot coffee on her legs, making her cry out in pain.
โDonโt act pitiful. You know exactly what youโve done.โ Xavier scolded Ginny, โMs. Kimball, youโre a reputable young lady from an affluent family, but you insist on staying in someone else's home. Havenโt you learned any manners?โโI...โ A layer of moisture covered Ginnyโs eyes. She was so aggrieved by the scolding that she was about to cry. โIโve only been here for two days. Iโm just visiting as a guest. If you donโt like me, then Iโll leave. Thereโs no need for you to insult me.โโI insulted you? Why are you worried about what people say when you decided to do something so dishonorable? I came here today to scold you for coming here. I want to wake you up. If your family wonโt educate you, Iโll teach you a good lesson!โGinny wiped away her tears that fell like rain. โI didnโt do anything wrong. You shouldnโt scold me.โThis was an eye-opener for Xavier. This girlโs mental endurance was indeed extraordinary. If he used a heavy tone to speak to an ordinary person, they would most
Xavier entered the villa but did not see Jenniferโs figure in the living room. After asking about it, he found out that she was hiding in her bedroom in fright.โShe knew what she did was disgraceful, so she hid in her hole like a rat?โXavier sat on the sofa and picked up a teacup to take a sip, easing the thirst caused by scolding Ginny. The old man was in a good mood now as he leaned back on the sofa. It was like he had just won a battle.Mona led the children to the room for their language lessons and did not come downstairs until the language teacher arrived.Xavier waved at her. โMona, come here. I have something to tell you.โMona saw the old manโs joyful appearance and looked out of the window where Jennifer and Ginny were having breakfast earlier. There was no one there anymore.โWhat happened? You look happy.โMona sat beside Xavier. Although she did not know what happened, she could feel that the old man was truly happy. Even she could not help but be infected by his
โWho asked her to complain to that old fart?โ Jennifer thought to herself. โMs. Kimball is a mistress. Whatโs wrong with me treating her as an enemy?โ โGinny isnโt a mistress.โ Jennifer sneered sinisterly. โIt doesnโt matter which relationship happens first. The one who isnโt liked is the third wheel.โ Mona noticed the vague gloom in Jenniferโs eyes when she said that. Jennifer probably thought of her past. What she said was directed at both Mona and herself. โMrs. Fontaine, since you understand that, itโs all the more reason you shouldnโt let Ms. Kimball interfere in Thaddeus and my marriage; sheโs the third wheel.โ โYou talk big. Since youโre so cocky, donโt stay at home. Ginny is much more excellent than you. The Kimballsโ properties have been transferred to her. If youโre so capable, help Thaddeus win this fight for heirship. Whatโs the point of just talking and bickering with me?โ Mona was more or less displeased after being compared. It was worth noting that her backg
โMaybe itโs because I didnโt rest well last night,โ Thaddeus said to Mona. He looked at Monaโs exquisite figure. If it was not for her seducing him, he would not have been tossing and turning last night without being able to sleep. Mona noticed him looking at her. She was secretly pleased but pretended as if nothing happened and responded, โThen, rest early today. Go and have dinner first.โ Mona sat up and took Thaddeusโ hand. She smiled warmly at him and said, โI asked the maids to make some of your favorite food. Thereโs a new dish. Go and try it.โ Thaddeus looked at Mona and suddenly noticed something different about her. The change made him feel warm. He had heard other men talk over dinner during social events about how gentle and considerate their wives were. He could not understand the look of happiness on their faces at that time. Thaddeus had never been interested in relationships between men and women. Every time he was drunk, he would go home and sleep in his bed.
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. โWhereโs your mommy?โ Thaddeus shuffled his hair and looked around, searching for Mona. โFreeze, Daddy. We have held Mommy captive. Surrender yourself to us.โ 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. โHurry up and surrender, Daddy. Put your hands up, and we will release Mommy.โ 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
โMommy, did the baby kick you today?โ Millie wobbled her way over and placed her hand on Monaโs belly. She could feel the baby stirring inside her mommyโs stomach. Millie was pleasantly surprised. โThe baby kicked me! Mommy, is the baby swimming inside your belly?โ โYeah. The baby is kicking.โ 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 Monaโs ear. โWerenโt you craving strawberries? I placed an order, and the fruit is being airlifted here as we speak. Itโll arrive tonight.โ โYay.โ 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
โNo. I wonโt let myself go.โ 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 manโs 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. โYouโre responsible for taking care of the baby once the child is born.โ Thaddeus straightened his tie. โAlright. I can do that. I want to be present in the babyโs life and your pregnancy. You should rest at home once your belly gets bigger. Iโll handle Bobby and Millieโs school run, okay?โ The man pinched Monaโs face dotingly. โNow youโre talking. Are you heading out?โ Mona got up on her tiptoes to brush off the dust from his shoulders. โYeah. I need to sort out a lot of paperwork.โ โI wrote down notes of the meeting I attended on your behalf a few days ago.โ 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 Thaddeusโ 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. โSo 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?โ 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. โHand over the camera!โ โThereโs nothing in the camera. Besides, itโs my personal property. Why should I give it to you?โ โYou clearly took a picture of my husband. You have some nerve to say thereโs nothing.โ Mona grabbed the man by the wrist and lifted her foot to kick. Thaddeus grabbed her wrist to stop her. โYouโre pregnant. Think about the child.โ Thaddeus pulled Mona back, leaving himself exposed to the paparazzi. โWhy do you want to photograph me? Do you want to see me in a wheelchair? Take a picture then.โ Thaddeus pulled a straight face. His nonchalant gaze spoke of intimidation. Dumbstruck, the paparazzi looked at Thaddeusโ legs and smiled dryly. โWhat happened to your legs, Mr. Fontaine?โ 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. โI wonโt attend any media interviews before the election, but I wonโt disappear from the public eye either. I donโt 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.โ 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
โItโs okay. Thatโs normal after surgery. The doctor gave me a heads-up. Since itโs a brain operation, you might have damage to the motor nerve. With the help of physiotherapy, youโll be back to running in no time.โ Mona consoled Thaddeus. Thaddeus lifted his hands and gave Mona a gentle push. โLeave.โ Mona froze. She looked at the man who was fine a second ago, not knowing what to do. โCan you leave? I need some time alone,โ Fixing his gaze on Mona, Thaddeus spoke callously. โOkay. Iโll be right outside if you need me.โ 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 manโs 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