I froze.There was a mix of surprise and bewilderment.Perhaps because the separation had been so undignified and there had been too many humiliations, I couldn't calmly converse with him after the divorce.The final definition of our relationship, for me, was clear, we would go our separate ways.No one should cause trouble to the other's life.I composed myself and looked at him with a blank expression. "Why are you here?""I..."Ryan flicked the ashes from his cigarette with his long fingers, and for the first time, his cold expression showed a hint of past warmth. "I came to find you.""For what?" I was somewhat puzzled.Did he remember me because he went bankrupt?Ryan's gaze was intense and unequivocal, his voice low. "To reconcile. Charlotte, we no longer have any concerns. You can continue to be Mrs. Frost with peace of mind."I was stunned for a moment, then overwhelmed with absurdity.What did he take me for? Did he still see me as if we were married? Did he think
"I'm sorry..." He was momentarily stunned, as if suddenly coming to his senses. "I'm sorry. I just want to start over with you.""Why?" I looked at him coldly. "Ryan, honestly ask yourself, why do you want to start over with me?"In the past, I would earnestly believe whatever he said.It only led to a disastrous outcome, with me battered and bruised.Now that I've finally woken up from that dream, I refuse to repeat the same mistakes.His thin lips pressed together. "Because..."I interrupted him with a mocking smile. "Because you're used to winning, and you're just unwilling to accept not getting what you want."I never believed in those stories of realizing deep love only after a breakup."It's not that." Ryan denied firmly, his eyes were dark, as if they wanted to draw me into a vortex. "I can't live without you. Charlotte, I'm used to having you at home, used to hearing you call my name unexpectedly in an empty house, used to you waiting for me to come home no matter how l
My head buzzed, and after I processed what he said, I smiled. "Are you interested in these eyes of mine?"I had no interest in being a substitute."Not exactly."He remained leaning against the doorframe and said casually, "Just a fake girlfriend. I can help you deal with Ryan."I looked at him with understanding. "And what do I need to agree to in return?"His nature was that he only acted when there was a benefit for him.Sure enough, his gaze was appreciative. "I need someone to help handle my parents during the New Year. You'd be helping me deal with them.""You won't lose out." Frank smirked and added confidently, "You won’t be able to deal with him alone."The "him" he referred to was, of course, Ryan."I'll think about it," I said casually and closed the door behind me.The bankruptcy of the Frost Group had thrown Jelaston's world of fame and fortune into chaos.Everyone was trying to seize some benefit from the situation.That day, after a meeting, Jane suddenly ask
I expected that Ian would agree.Instead, there was a heavy silence on the other end. After a moment, he cleared his throat, as if under some pressure, and said, "Ms. Wilson... are you sure you want to sell the shares? Have you considered keeping them?""Yes."Jane smiled. "Why keep something my ex-husband gave me? It's better to convert it to cash than to hold onto it.""Ahem..."Ian sounded as though he was choked, coughing violently, accompanied by a crisp noise.I couldn't tell if something had been dropped or if someone was angry.Ian forced himself to speak. "Yes, that's right. We've currently suspended the acquisition of shares. My advice is to hold onto the shares. Within three months, their value will surpass even the peak of the Frost Group!"Jane was skeptical, "Can they really increase so much in such a short time?""Definitely, and possibly even more."Ian gave a very firm reply. "Please persuade Ms. Wilson not to sell them, no matter who comes to buy them.""Go
I was stunned for a moment.In an instant, I figured out Ryan's current identity, but I could hardly believe it!Wasn't he bankrupt?It turned out he had merely used a ruse to escape his predicament...In fact, after this maneuver, his power was even more robust than before.As soon as I realized this, my first instinct was panic...I thought I had severed ties with him, but now he was the largest shareholder of my company?I still clung to a shred of hope that perhaps he was just visiting with Ian and had come along to inspect.Ian smiled and introduced, "Ms. Wilson, Miss Greenwood, this is the RF Group's new... new deputy CEO, Mr. Frost."The position introduced was a level below Ian's.But Ian had always been a step behind Ryan, and his body language couldn't lie.However, they were now major shareholders of the Charlotte Jewelry. I didn't want to cause a scene, so I forced a vague smile and said, "Is that so? I thought your owner was coming? Where is he?"Ian laughed aw
"Ryan, in your imagined outcome, I should be deeply grateful now, right?" I asked sarcastically."Not really."Ryan avoided my gaze and loosened his tie with one hand. "I just hope that you can live a more comfortable life.""Alright."I wasn't in a hurry to refute him. I said softly, "Then name your price. If you sell the 51% of shares you hold in the Charlotte Jewelry, I'd be much more at ease."From the beginning, perhaps neither of us had truly understood each other.He once saw me as wild grass in an unkempt field, never sparing me a second glance. Now, he viewed me as a rose in a greenhouse, only suitable for delicate nurturing.And as for me, I had lost all trust in him.Why would the two of us choose to be together?He suddenly looked at me, his thin lips pursed. "Charlotte..."I smiled. "Didn't you say you wanted me to live comfortably?""With the RF Group to back you up, you'd be more at ease."I looked down at the bustling traffic below the skyscrapers and, after
Ryan's body stiffened suddenly, the light in his eyes fading inch by inch.He knew better than anyone how we lost our child.What lay between us was not just Jessica or anyone else, but a living, breathing life.If I reconciled with him, what would the deceased child mean then?Knock knock—Outside the door, Ian knocked on the glass door.Ryan's voice was cold. "Come in."Ian entered with an urgent expression, "Mr. Frost, the Shaw family is starting to suspect. Bethany and her team has gone to the Frost Group, and they might come here next.""No rush."Ryan, always adept at strategizing in business, said with a dangerous tone, "Have Reece accelerate the project acquisition. We need to finish it within three days so that even if the Shaw family finds out, it will be too late."Clearly, the merging of the RF Group and the Frost Group had put him on an equal footing with the Shaw family, or even put him ahead."Understood.""Leave. Give me a minute."After giving instructions
He chuckled. "Does the holidays begin the day after tomorrow?""Yes."He then said abruptly, "Then we'll leave for Jeswood at seven o’clock in the morning the day after tomorrow."I looked at him. "Aren't you supposed to help me deal with Ryan first?"He cocked his brows and said with a sense of entitlement, "Now you're asking me to cooperate. Shouldn't you show me your sincerity first?"Every businessman had their tricks.Ryan was like that, and so was Frank.Realizing something, I preemptively gave him a warning. "I can put on an act and deal with your parents. However, I'm a divorcee, so they probably won't accept me..."Frank didn't take it to heart. "That's my problem."The elevator reached the designated floor, and I took a deep breath. "Alright, I agree."As soon as the words were out, the door opened.We went our separate ways, but as soon as I stepped out, I was a bit surprised to see Jack standing at the door.I couldn't believe the Renolds family would allow him
The Collins family’s expressions all changed.Although Madam Collins had spoken so casually, deep down, she was certainly still displeased about Zachary marrying Jane.She had simply seen the deeper truth. Zachary was resolute about Jane.She also understood that Zachary was no longer someone they could control.But when this was bluntly laid bare, her chest still tightened.“What do you mean by that?” Rebecca pressed.Sean merely replied, “That’s all I can say. And that’s because of the bond we share as former master and servant. After all, now I must follow Mr. Collins’s orders.”The room fell into a prolonged silence.Madam Collins broke it with a soft chuckle.She looked at Rebecca and said, “You said he doesn’t acknowledge you as his mother, yet he could have quietly gone off to register the marriage without us knowing, but instead, he let Sean inform us.”Rebecca didn’t immediately react.Madam Collins clarified, “He specifically instructed Sean to pass the news to you
At the hospital.Rebecca listened to Sean's report.When she heard that Zachary had come to the hospital, she immediately panicked. "I knew that woman was bad luck! Ever since Zachary got together with her, he's been plagued with all sorts of misfortune and illness!"Eric hesitated before speaking. "Zachary went to see the doctor because of morning sickness?""What?"Rebecca couldn't believe her ears. "Do you even hear how ridiculous that sounds?"Sean chimed in, "It’s true."Rebecca was rendered speechless.Sean explained, "I consulted with an expert. This kind of situation is rare but does happen. If a husband deeply loves his wife, seeing her suffer during pregnancy can cause him to experience symptoms like morning sickness."At that moment, Rebecca felt like a beehive had exploded in her ears.All she could hear was a loud buzzing noise.It took her a long moment to recover before she scoffed."He’s such a good husband, isn’t he? I risked my life to give birth to him an
Jane leaned in for a sniff. "Smells so good."Zachary’s worries were unnecessary, she only took a few bites before losing interest.The rest ended up in his stomach.Which then found its way to the toilet, and finally, down the drain.After Zachary rinsed his mouth, Jane peeled an orange for him. "Try this, see if it helps."Zachary ate the orange directly from her hand.It was so sour it made his teeth ache.Still, it seemed to provide some relief.Jane poured him some water."You don’t need to take care of me, I can handle myself.""And I can handle myself too," Jane retorted. "Why are you always doing things for me, then?""It’s different—you’re pregnant."Zachary drank a sip of the water, mostly because she had poured it."I’m just throwing up a little," said Jane.She had experienced it before—constant retching, even with nothing left in her stomach. That kind of discomfort was hard to endure.His voice was hoarse by now, which showed just how bad it had gotten.At
However, the test results showed nothing wrong.Even after being in a coma for those days, his body remained strong thanks to the nutritional IV.As long as he avoided alcohol and irritating foods, his gastritis wouldn't flare up.It certainly wouldn't become severe enough to cause this kind of reaction.Yet Zachary's vomiting was even more intense than her pregnancy nausea.Even though there was nothing left to throw up—not even stomach acid—if he kept going, he might end up vomiting bile.It really didn’t seem like the symptoms of someone perfectly healthy.So Jane contacted Tanner.After hearing her description, Tanner chuckled.Jane felt as though Tanner was gloating."Isn’t this great? He’s throwing up for you, so you can feel a bit better."Jane was taken aback.Over the time she had spent taking Zachary to the doctor, she truly hadn’t felt any discomfort herself.She had thought it was because she hadn’t eaten much, so her symptoms were temporarily subsiding."Dr.
Jane washed her face, took a moment to gather herself, then straightened up and hugged him."Stop reflecting on yourself already, hearing it makes my pregnancy symptoms worse."The tactic worked well, as she didn’t hear any more apologies from him afterward."I feel like eating an orange. Could you peel one for me?"Zachary immediately carried her to the sofa, tucked a blanket over her, and sat beside her to peel the orange.He meticulously removed every single white thread from the orange segments.Resting her chin on her hand, Jane watched him and teased, "You’re treating me even better now that I’m pregnant. Do you love the baby more than me?"Without hesitation, Zachary replied, "It’s because pregnancy is hard on you. If you hadn’t agreed to have the baby, I wouldn’t have kept—"Before he could finish, Jane kicked him, silencing him.He handed her the peeled orange.Jane couldn’t taste her mood anymore, so she focused on eating the orange.Zachary felt his teeth ache jus
"I envy his fiancee so much!""You women are so shallow. Just because he’s buying some raviolis, you think he’s humbled himself for love. Why don’t you think about this—he’s the son of an affluent family. If he hadn’t picked someone from such a poor background, why would he come to this rundown place to buy these commoner foods?"As soon as the man finished speaking, he felt a sharp, cold gaze land on him.The people who had been enthusiastically discussing with him moments earlier suddenly avoided looking at him.But Zachary merely glanced at him.His raviolis were already packed, and he was eager to bring them back for Jane.He didn’t linger long, nor did he feel the need to waste his words on clueless fools like these.Besides, even if he explained, they probably wouldn’t understand—or even care.Meanwhile, Jane had been leaning against the car window, watching Zachary the whole time. When she saw him walking back, she opened the car door for him.“Hurry, get in.”Zachary
They were heading back to their cozy little nest.On the way, her phone rang. When she saw the caller ID, she slapped Zachary’s thigh.“Oh no!”Zachary looked confused.“I forgot about Jordan!”Jordan had mentioned that she would be filming, and Westley had been by her side the entire time to protect her.Jane, preoccupied with her own matters, had assumed that with Westley around, nothing would go wrong.Her return to the country had been a last-minute decision, and she had left in a hurry.She was also dealing with the discomfort of her pregnancy.All the emotions and tasks piling up caused her to completely forget.Sure enough, when she answered the call, Jordan’s voice was full of grievance.“Aren’t we good friends?”“Yes, yes, we are,” Jane replied with an awkward cough. “Something urgent came up, so... I’m sorry.”Jordan, however, was gracious. “I understand your situation is special. Just treat me to a meal to make up for it. I’ll be flying to Jeswood soon.”“Alrig
Madam Collins’ words seemed caring, but in reality, they were meant as a warning.Zachary gently pulled his arm back and said, "No wedding, just getting the marriage certificate."“No way!” Rebecca objected.Madam Collins spoke calmly, “Registering the marriage is also a happy occasion, but it’s not suitable right now. I see your relationship is so strong, waiting a little longer won’t make a difference. The Collins family’s bloodline will never end up being talked about as illegitimate. Don’t worry about that.”Zachary wanted to say more, but Jane tugged on his arm.“I’m feeling a little unwell.”Zachary’s expression immediately changed. Without arguing with the family any further, he carried her straight to the doctor.When they reached the obstetrics department, she patted Zachary’s shoulder and said, “Put me down.”“Aren’t you...” Zachary instantly understood. “You’re trying to get me out of there?”Jane wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled him with her nose.“Pre
"I’m fine. I’ve already recovered quite a bit," Zachary said as he bent one knee to the floor.Jane instinctively wanted to kneel with him, but Zachary stopped her. "You can’t," he said, giving her a meaningful look.Understanding his intent, Jane obediently stood to the side.Rebecca became agitated. "Do your knees mean nothing to you? You’ve knelt once for her, and now again!"Lowering his gaze, Zachary said calmly, "I’m kneeling in front of my parents. There’s no question of whether it’s worth it or not. She is my fiancee, soon to be my wife. If she has caused you any displeasure, it’s my responsibility to bear it. What’s more, she hasn’t done anything wrong."Rebecca wanted to lash out, but Eric intervened. "Do you want to make your condition even worse with this anger?"A flicker of emotion passed through Zachary’s eyes, but his tone remained neutral. "I don’t understand. I only want to marry the person I love and have children. Why must you go to such lengths to oppose it