Leanne nodded, and there was sadness in her eyes.She asked, "Do you know that Westley has already quit his job and handed over the position of the head of the Howard family?"Zachary knew for sure. "You are the first female to take charge of the Howard family."The Howard family didn't practice gender bias.But there had been an old family rule passed down by their ancestors.The leader’s position was passed down to males, not females.The reasoning was that after women married and had children, they would be too concerned about their own family matters, unlike men who could fully focus on the development of the family.Maybe that was why she had cut off all emotions."Have a child soon."When Leanne heard Zachary's words, she didn't insist on taking Westley away anymore.She just spoke up for Westley. "Mr. Collins, you know Westley is sick. Don’t be too hard on him. After all, it was he who hurt my little sister-in-law, and he’s the most upset about it."She had to let Zac
After Westley woke up, he rushed back to the master bedroom.Inside, there was only a messy bed and scattered chains, but there was no sign of Jordan."Where is Jordan?" he asked Jax.Before Jax could answer, someone else spoke first."Mr. Howard."When Westley saw Roy, he more or less understood."I’ll go see Jordan first."Roy remained respectful. "You can’t see her. Mr. and Mrs. Collins had a quarrel. It’s because of you and the former Mrs. Howard."Westley didn’t say anything in the end and followed Roy out.But when he boarded the plane, he still received a photo from Zachary.Jordan was sleeping relatively well.After saving the photo, he replied. "Thank you."Zachary didn’t reply.In fact, Jordan hadn’t slept well.She kept thinking that Jane was right beside her.She couldn’t let Jane worry anymore, so she forced herself to sleep.When she woke up, she just felt a headache.She tiptoed out of bed, washed up, and went out to buy food.But she ran into Zachary.
As expected.In fact, Westley's condition had never been this severe.It was because he had been shouldering the burden of the Howard family, which had dragged him to this point.Now, the Howard family had a new person in charge, and it was still a woman.Leanne was capable, but others didn’t think so.Plus, her past with Lucifer didn’t really help.Everyone said she only thought about romance, how could she handle the vast Howard family?Zachary chuckled lightly, his eyes full of disdain."You don’t have to worry about it."People always pay a price for their arrogance.After breakfast, Zachary sat by the bedside.He deliberately sighed."I admit I was wrong, but don’t punish me like this. I can’t take it."His deep, magnetic voice was full of grievance. "Can you talk to me, honey?"Jane ignored him, and her phone rang. She picked it up to answer."Charlotte.""What happened? I heard you had some bleeding?"Hearing Charlotte’s worried voice, she glanced briefly at Zac
But for the sake of the child's health, she had to maintain a calm and happy mood.She said she would punish Zachary by ignoring him for three days.She didn't feel any better herself."I also want to apologize to you. Since I became pregnant, you've been doing your best, and I shouldn't have complained after receiving your care. It's just that I feel we still need some space between us."When Zachary saw her shedding tears, he instantly panicked.He quickly held her and gently wiped away her tears.With a mixture of helplessness and affection, he said, "How come the person who’s apologizing feeling aggrieved?""Are you like your sister, who can’t control her tears? How come I didn't notice this before?"Jane didn’t have tear incontinence, nor did she love to cry.She didn’t know if it was because of the hormonal imbalance caused by her pregnancy.She had become more prone to crying."Zachary, just go to work normally, there's no need to stay with me all the time. I'm really
It had reached the point where even the burden of the Howard family would be cast aside.And in this ceremony, only Westley’s parents did not attend.They had originally stopped involving themselves in the Howard family’s affairs.The most they cared about was the relationship between Westley and Jordan.But they had silently supported all of Westley’s decisions.In other words, they supported her taking over the leadership of the family.But her parents were quicker to oppose than anyone else.“Leanne don’t we, as your parents, know how capable you are?”Her father spoke up, and her mother followed suit.“If you really had the ability, how could everyone oppose you?”Leanne looked at her parents, and it felt no different from looking at strangers.If it weren’t for her inability to bear children, how could she have been the only daughter?The big family still carried the feudal mindset of the ancestors.And she had investigated—her good father had a son outside the family
As she grew older, her parents started to plan for her, seeing that she could fetch a good price.But she refused to comply with their wishes.She loved Lucifer, and of course, she had given her heart to him. But the bitterness wasn’t because he loved someone else and not her.It came from her parents.They wanted to erase this embarrassing phase of her being obsessed with love.But she, relying on her work in the media industry, made it widely known.Lucifer didn’t pursue it, because Mrs. Scholfield understood her situation.That was why she allowed her to spread the story.She really couldn’t compare to that woman.The woman was truly exceptional, full of wisdom.She also wanted to become such a person.And she had to become one."I am now the leader, and I have the right to make any decision. Here, there is no family bond. Everything is for the benefit of the Howard family. You two have contributed nothing to the Howard family, just being freeloaders. I’ve already been l
Roy was standing at the door, looking at the group chat.Ross was happily sending a ten-photo sequence from the airport.He was finally able to return from that far-off corner.He missed Jeswood!Ross. "From now on, Mrs. Collins will be my goddess."Raymond. "That won’t be enough. I’ll see her as my ancestor from now on."Raymond was also finally able to leave that far-off corner and come back.Roy, Rick, and Ronan all simultaneously sent. "Remember to call me Grandpa in the future."Raymond. "Get lost!"Just as Roy was putting away his phone, the door behind him opened.Dr. Connie had a dark face.Roy asked, “Was the treatment smooth?”Connie shook his head. “It’s too serious. It won’t be easy to treat in a short period of time. Also, he has a strong sense of self-preservation. Even hypnosis can’t reach the deepest parts.”“He can’t accept that Mrs. Howard doesn’t love him.”Roy didn’t understand, but said, “Please do your best.”“I will certainly do my best.” Connie’s
Frank replied, "Mr. Smith says that he won’t help."Then he hung up the phone.Leanne was rendered speechless.Charlotte was also speechless. She reached out to grab the phone."Didn't you say you couldn't speak?"Frank allowed her to take the phone and hugged her from behind as she sent a message to Leanne."They’re not deliberately not helping you. Their point is that they want you to figure it out yourself, to become stronger. If you keep relying on others, you’ll never be able to hold the position of the head of the Howard family."Frank kissed her neck and laughed, saying, "You really know how to comfort someone."Charlotte nudged him with her shoulder.Frank rested his chin on her shoulder and moved with her, up and down.He chuckled. "The head of the Howard family isn’t like that little media company she runs. It doesn’t have to be so gentle. She needs to understand how many strokes the word 'cruel' has."Charlotte had a question. "Even if Westley gets better, he stil
Jordan and Whitney chatted casually.Most of the time, it was Jordan doing the talking while Whitney listened.After covering enough about the wedding, they talked about Jordan's work over the past few years.She also mentioned the tangled feelings and past with Westley.When she got to that part, she grew a little curious. "Whitney, before you married Caleb, did you ever like anyone?"Whitney shook her head."What about a secret crush?""Not even that."Whitney rarely talked to others about her past.Zachary only knew because he had looked into her and thought she was perfectly suited to be a pawn.And she had needed to become that pawn—to completely sever ties with her past, achieve her goals, and fulfill her ambitions."I was too busy studying and working to think about anything else."Jordan sensed she didn't want to go further, so she didn't press.Just then, Jane called, saying she and Charlotte would arrive soon and join them for lunch.She relayed the message to W
"We had a meal together before, and I noticed you always seemed to like sweet dishes, so I tried buying some. I was worried it might not suit your taste.""It does, it does." Jordan took a bite of the pudding. "It's delicious. But did you buy anything you like to eat?"Whitney said, "I already had breakfast. I can't eat anymore."Jordan offered a suggestion, "Why not try a bite of this sponge cake? It's a specialty here in Nelana."Whitney really couldn't eat any more. She had a small appetite, a condition built up over the years.If she ate a full meal, she couldn't eat snacks afterward. And if she ate snacks, she would lose her appetite for meals.She had a small stomach.But seeing Jordan looking at her so expectantly, she still picked up a piece of sponge cake and took a bite."It's very good."Jordan smiled and took a big bite of the sponge cake herself."Whitney, you're so good at picking food! This is great!"The old house was a bit remote, but it had a rooftop terrac
Jordan said Whitney would be coming over later.Westley hadn't expected that the first one to get out of bed would actually be Whitney."Just the two of you?" he asked."For now, yes."Jordan glanced at her phone. In the group chat, it was just her and Whitney talking—no response yet from Jane or Charlotte.She more or less knew why Jane hadn't responded, but Charlotte too?Still, it didn't really matter. There weren't any specific plans for today anyway.She hadn't known Whitney was coming, so it was a nice surprise."Maybe my sister will text me around noon. We can decide what to do then.""You." She pointed at Westley. "You are not allowed to show up in front of me again after breakfast."Westley nodded. "Got it."After buying food, Whitney told Caleb, "I'm going to find Jordan. You can go handle your stuff. I'll be staying at her place until the wedding."Caleb leaned against the elevator wall, his voice low and lazy. "You're telling me what to do?"Whitney wasn't in a
She replied with an emoji, then looked for her girls in the group chat to ask them out for food.Their group chat had a new member now—Whitney.And it was Whitney who replied to her."I'm already eating at the hotel. Do you want to come over, or should I bring something to you later?"Whitney had actually had a good night's sleep.Though it was a bit later than her usual habit, she still managed to get up for breakfast.Before, it was always Caleb who brought breakfast to the bedside and fed her, because she simply couldn't get out of bed.Jordan figured she was probably having breakfast with Caleb and decided not to bother her."No need, I'll just eat something nearby. Your hotel isn't close to me."Whitney replied. "I'm heading over later anyway, but I'll probably be a bit late. If you're hungry, go ahead and eat something first. I'll bring you something else."Jordan. "Thanks."Whitney. "No problem."Caleb noticed her holding her phone, her expression much softer, even t
Caleb was thinking that in the future, he could let her drink a little more.Of course, only when he was around.She looked kind of cute like this."I did say that, but didn't you just say you wanted to thank me?"Whitney felt that alcohol really wasn't a good thing.Even when hanging out with Jane and the others, she decided not to drink too much anymore.The rationality and logic that she was so proud of had completely vanished.She had never been as calm in front of Caleb as she was with others.Besides, there was a power imbalance between her and him.If she were sober, she wouldn't have been able to reject him anyway.Let alone now, when her mind was muddled.But maybe because she was muddled, she dared to say things that she didn’t usually dare to say."I just lost my balance earlier, and you helped me. Even if you don't accept verbal gratitude, that doesn't mean I owe you something this big."Caleb saw she could barely stand, so he held her by the waist to keep her
"But your reaction just now didn’t seem like you knew I was here."Jane tried to pull her leg back, but when she couldn't, she slapped him in frustration."It was called acting, understand? I didn't want you to look embarrassed, so I got those two out of the way first."Zachary rubbed her ankle with his thumb, as if he believed her. "Then should I be thanking you—for being so considerate?"Jane couldn't be bothered to argue. "Let go. I want to drink.""I'll drink with you."Meanwhile, Frank held Charlotte close and asked in a low voice, "Did she really know we were here?"Charlotte nodded. "What do you think? You really think Jane would mess around during her marriage? She might be bold, but she has boundaries. But you guys really are annoying."Frank hooked her chin with his thumb. "I knew it. You're being cold to me because you're sick of me. I've said it so many times, and you still wouldn't admit it."After saying that, he picked her up and walked out of the bar.He hadn'
Charlotte nudged him with her elbow, warning him not to stir things up.Jordan truly didn't dare to stay any longer. "Westley, take me home.""Okay." Westley finally got up. "You all take your time. If it gets too late, don't go back to the old house—just find a place to crash.""But..." Jordan suddenly felt like leaving wasn't such a good idea. "Maybe I'll stay and play a bit more."Westley simply dragged her out."Jane and Zachary...""You can't control what they do, so why bother worrying over nothing?"Jordan was settled into the passenger seat, her seatbelt fastened firmly.She didn't resist, mostly because she felt what Westley said made sense.Jane was way more capable than she was. This kind of minor drama would be easy for her to handle.Plus, with the smart and composed Charlotte around—It was better if she didn't add to the chaos.Once Westley got into the driver's seat, she asked, "Why did you guys show up? Especially you—didn't you say no seeing each other a w
But it was just a polite gesture—if they had been singing inside, they wouldn't have heard her anyway.So after knocking, she pushed the door open and went in.Charlotte and the others followed to take a look.When they saw the scene inside, they gasped.The four men from home were sitting around a cards table, all eyes on the door, each with a different expression.Zachary looked at Jane, who entered first, and said with a smile, "Honey, pick someone you like and give him a kiss."Jane took a step back and bumped into Charlotte's arms.That was when she noticed the big screen beside them—it was showing their own private room."You were watching us?"Zachary tapped the cards on the table with his long fingers, still smiling."If we weren't watching, how would we get to enjoy such an entertaining scene?"They had all been drinking.Whitney didn't hold her liquor well. She was already a little dazed. Although the room was fairly bright, everything seemed a little off to her.
Caleb didn't respond. Instead, he looked at Westley and played a card.Westley won.And it was a big pot as well.He cocked his brows. "Is this your wedding gift to me, Caleb?"Caleb asked, "Your wedding—Dr. Greyson won't be absent, will he? I heard you two are very close. You've been at death's door multiple times, and he's the one who saved you."Westley nodded. "Theoretically, yes. But I'm not sure if he might have some emergency.""Besides, it's not like you, Caleb, can't reach him. You helped him last time. It's impossible he'd ignore you now."Caleb could contact Carter, but if he did, it would mean helping Carter meet Mandy.He had no interest in meddling in romantic matters—too troublesome.But he couldn't get in touch with Tanner at all.Technically, there was no real need for him to attend Westley's wedding.Even if Whitney was invited by Jane, he himself wasn't obligated.He simply wanted to go, hoping to "accidentally" run into Carter.That way, it wouldn't loo