"In the end, it was only my wife who suffered."When Westley heard the coldness in his voice, he asked, "What are you planning to do?"Zachary still needed to ask Jane for her opinion.But in this matter, even if he didn’t ask, it wouldn’t make a difference."Let it rot in my stomach."Westley raised an eyebrow slightly. "That’s not like how you usually handle things. Even if you keep it to yourself, you won’t let the Jackson family feel at ease."Zachary sneered. "What good would it do you if I exposed this whole thing? Besides, how many more years can he live?"Westley had a feeling Zachary already had a plan. After a pause, he said, "We’re not going back for the New Year. You handle it however you see fit."Zachary hung up the phone.But he had it on speaker.Because Jane was worried about Jordan and Westley, she also wanted to listen in.After tossing the phone aside, he pulled her into his arms.His hand gently patted her back, silently comforting her.After a while,
Jordan looked at the smile tugging at the corner of his lips and felt he was up to something."I can change by myself.""Are you sure?""I am!""Alright." Westley stepped out of the changing room. "I'll wait for you at the door. If you need help, just call me."She had already thrown herself at him once a few days ago.There was no way she would do it again today.But the riding outfit really wasn't easy to change into.She struggled with it for a long time and still couldn't get it right. In the end, she gave up. Who said she had to wear this to ride a horse anyway?She wasn't a professional. She was just there to have fun.She tossed the riding outfit aside and grabbed her own clothes. Suddenly, she was hugged from behind."Westley! You pervert!"Westley lowered his head and kissed her on the shoulder."How am I a pervert when you’re my wife?"Jordan didn't argue with him. She knew she couldn't win.She struggled. "Let go..."She thought it would be difficult, but sur
"Do whatever you like. I'll be in the study—you can come find me anytime."Jordan threw a pillow at him. "Get out."She didn't believe for a second that he truly had nothing to do and was just spending every day with her, acting like her assistant.Westley had a meeting.It didn't last long, but by the time it ended, it was already dark.After getting the medicine, he returned to the bedroom and ran into Buck.Buck came in and said, "Sir, everything's pretty much ready.""Okay."Westley gave a brief reply and entered the bedroom.He had been worried she'd be afraid—but instead, she was sprawled on the bed, legs swinging, happily playing a game.Westley sat on the edge of the bed and gave her waist a light pat."Didn't you say the castle would be scary at night?"Jordan was fully focused on the game and didn't even look at him.Westley let out a helpless laugh.He had worried for nothing.Not wanting to disturb her, he went to take a shower.By the time he came out, she
Calvin leaned back in his chair, holding a cup of hot tea.He glanced at the snow outside, which still had not completely melted yet.Then he spoke calmly, "The future of the Jackson family will depend on you. Your two younger cousins will also rely on you to take care of them. It’s better that some things are taken into the grave with me."Nathan wasn't insisting on knowing everything.But matters from the previous generation inevitably affected them.If he didn't know the truth, how was he supposed to maintain a good relationship with his two cousins?Besides, he had reviewed the surveillance footage from his grandmother's side and questioned the person who took care of her.His grandmother hadn't gotten emotional just from seeing Jane and Jordan—it was upon hearing the surname "Howard."With Westley's personality, he likely already knew things that Nathan still didn't.Before coming to ask his grandfather, he had tested the waters.Jane and Jordan both found excuses to avo
Calvin's calmness finally shattered, like a large stone suddenly hitting the surface of a calm lake, causing a huge ripple."Cough, cough, cough!"Blood spilled into the tea, and Calvin didn't continue his words."Grandpa!"Nathan hurriedly sent him to the hospital.Emily, who had given them space, heard the commotion and went to the hospital as well."Nathan, your grandfather is at fault, but the situation back then was very complicated. No one is perfect. How can anyone live a life without making mistakes? He was already at his limits, so why not let him leave in peace?"Nathan pursed his lips tightly, not knowing what to say.Emily wiped away her tears.Among the four daughters of the Jackson family, the eldest was smart, the second was not their biological sister but had a gentle and likable personality. The youngest sister was fearless and had a strong heart.Only she, Emily, was meek and incapable.When those things happened, she didn't want them to, but she also had n
When she first met Nathan, she genuinely thought that if he were her real brother, it would be wonderful.Later, when she confirmed that he was her cousin, she was truly happy.She was also glad to know that there were so many family members.She felt that both she and her sister finally had someone to rely on.No matter what happened, there would always be a shelter for her.However, it turned out that this very safe harbor was what made her feel lost and adrift.It also caused her sister to suffer so much.After all, she and her sister were blood sisters, much closer than with the Jackson family.She was truly upset for her sister."If my sister isn't going, then I definitely won't go. Everyone has to take responsibility for their own mistakes. My sister and I have done so, he... he does too."Westley held her and let her cry in his arms."You're right.""So don't feel guilty. We shouldn't let ourselves be bound by moral expectations."In Impelia.Carter entered the eme
They sat on the balcony and didn’t move, even until when Calvin was buried.The weather was cold, and Zachary had his arm around Jane, covering her with a blanket.But after drinking, he didn't feel the cold as much.However, Jane’s body still hadn't warmed up.It wasn't until Charlotte and Frank arrived with Sparrow that they finally left the balcony.Charlotte and Jane went to the bedroom to talk.Frank and Zachary stayed in the living room."Did you give Nathan any information?"Zachary fiddled with a lighter and didn't speak.Frank leaned back lazily on the sofa. "I don't have any cigarettes."Zachary didn't feel like smoking either, he was just holding the lighter."Actually, even if you didn't leak any news, Nathan would have found out about you not going to celebrate the New Year and about your grandmother's situation. He would have investigated on his own. Why get yourself involved?"Zachary said indifferently, "At that time, he wouldn't have been as shocked and ang
"I’m fine, just here to clear my mind."Upon hearing Jane's response, Jordan felt extremely sad.Her emotions were always written all over her face.Jane patted her head, feeling a bit amused. "I haven't been crying, what's with you? I came here to cheer you up, not to make you more upset."Jordan suddenly hugged Jane. "You shouldn't have to go through all that suffering."Jane had originally come here to relax, but now Jordan was crying first. She had to comfort her sister, who wasn't as miserable as she was."Okay, stop crying, it's all in the past now."Jordan sniffled. "But I'm just so sad, boo—"Everyone looked at each other, unsure whether to laugh or cry.Then all eyes fell on Westley's face.Westley spread his hands, signaling that he was powerless.Jane sighed and patted Jordan's back. "Do you want me to travel all the way here just to cry with you?"Jordan quickly wiped away her tears and said, "Jane, tell me what you want to do, and if you like this castle, I'll
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
Frank pulled her into his arms and asked, "You really have to go out for drinks?"Charlotte nodded. "It's a girls-only night. No men allowed.""Oh?" The man repeated slowly and deliberately, "No… men… allowed?"Charlotte saw the look on his face and knew exactly what he was thinking."Only women. Even the drinks are for women.""Oh? Tell me, how do you tell if a drink is male or female?"Charlotte lightly patted his face twice. "The drinks women drink are for women. Got it?"Frank laughed. "Got it."Over on Jane's end, after finishing her call, she was about to go look for Jordan, but Zachary pulled her into the room and pinned her against the wall.His warm lips covered hers, then quickly pulled away.With his forehead against hers, the man asked, "Going out for drinks?"Jane hooked his chin with her finger. "What, Mr. Collins, trying to seduce your way into a drinking invitation?"Zachary chuckled lowly, kissed her again, and asked, "May I?""No."Jane rejected him comp
Jordan had grown up in the Howard family, but the person who had taken care of her since she was little had an old house.She arranged for Jane and the others to stay there, and she would also be getting married from that house.She didn't have many friends. Originally, Leanne was supposed to be her bridesmaid. Although she had a child, she had never been married.But Leanne wasn't sure if she could make it back in time, so she let Jane and Charlotte take over as substitutes for now. They would adjust accordingly later."Try on the dress. If there's a problem, I can still make adjustments."With the help of the two of them, Jordan put on the wedding dress.But Jane was most looking forward to the wedding dress.Both her and Charlotte's weddings were going to be Cherian style.Jordan, however, wanted a Western-style one.And Charlotte, who had designed clothes for many years, had never actually designed a wedding dress before.This was her first attempt, and she was very excit
"Okay, I won't bring it up anymore."Westley walked over with Jonathan and sat down.Miranda was very satisfied. "Finally, Jordy can have dinner with me again."Jordan smiled. "I'm also happy. I can still call you Mom.""Then let's drink to that.""Okay."Westley waited for the "mother and daughter" to finish speaking, then threw out a big announcement. "By the way, our wedding is on the 22nd of next month."Clang!The spoon in Miranda's hand fell."What did you say?""On the 22nd of next month, Jordy and I are getting married. We sincerely invite you and your husband to attend."Jordan was also shocked.She only knew that Charlotte's dress was being made, and they were picking the wedding date.But Westley hadn't told her about this in advance."Next month, it's almost the New Year.""Yes, it's a wedding before the New Year. Then we'll celebrate the New Year at home. I'm informing you in advance, my dear mom. You can prepare for the the New Year Eve dinner.""The New Y
Jonathan almost spit out the tea he was drinking."You have principles now?""Not the right time to talk nonsense."Westley. "Do you always talk in a way that pokes others' pain points?"Jonathan smiled for a moment. "If you've done it, don't be afraid of people talking about it."Westley didn't want to continue the conversation and stood up to leave.He went to the kitchen to find Jordan and found her eating ravioli."Didn't you say you'd help?" Westley sat next to her. "How come you're eating secretly? Give me a bite?"Jordan guarded the food. "It’s in the kitchen. There's still plenty in the pot.""But I want to eat from your bowl.""But I don't want to give you any."Westley laughed. "Okay."But while Jordan took a bite of the ravioli, he kissed her.Jordan's eyes widened as she felt the ravioli in her mouth being stolen away."You're disgusting."Westley smiled. "Sweet."Jordan couldn't eat anymore and pushed the remaining ravioli to him. "I'm not eating anymore."