I held her hand tightly. "The incident happened too suddenly, so you don't need to feel guilty. With the sound of the explosion and everything in chaos, I'm just grateful you weren't hurt.""You don't even know how powerful that explosion was. Zachary pulled me away because the chandelier fell. Later, when you and Frank went to the hospital, there were several more explosions. Ms. Jackson…"At that moment, Jane suddenly shut her mouth.I sensed something was off. "What happened to my mom?"Jane hesitated, clearly hiding something from me.Before I could press her further, there was a knock on the door.Jane immediately went to open it."Prof. Kilburn, please come in quickly."Prof. Kilburn thought Jane's demeanor made it seem like he was walking into a tiger's den.But he didn't think too much of it, assuming Jane was just worried about her friend.Even Prof. Kilburn had arrived, it still couldn’t take my mind off what Jane had just said.I saw Jane trying to slip away and c
I rarely saw this kind of emotion from Frank.He seemed like he was about to break.“If Dr. Travis and Prof. Kilburn say the same thing, that I can’t be stimulated, will you still tell me the truth?”Frank didn’t want to lie, but he couldn’t help it.Grandma was too important.And this explosion was indeed caused by Jack, but if we were to investigate further, it was still because of them.Grandma was truly innocent.From the Shaw family to Jack, Grandma had endured so much.Frank had never been this… careful before.“I can be honest with you, but you… I know emotions can sometimes be uncontrollable, but you can’t be too agitated.”As I listened to Frank's words, my heart gradually sank.Combined with the dream I had earlier, I had a really bad feeling.It was a result I couldn’t even dare to think about, something I completely couldn’t accept.“Don’t tell me, Grandma…"‘No, it can’t be...’ I denied inwardly.Grandma was a good person. She should be alive and well.She
Frank noticed that the person in his arms had stopped moving.Once he confirmed she was asleep, he gently laid her on the bed.Then he went to prepare a warm towel and wiped away her tear stains.After that, he quickly took a shower and climbed under the covers, pulling her back into his embrace.I had a long dream.From seeing Grandma to the days spent with her.Then came the kidnapping, the explosion…And Grandma passed away without me being able to see her one last time.Who should I blame?Blame Jack?But ultimately, I should blame myself.It was my lack of ability that failed to protect them.Grandma and the baby.The baby…“Charlotte…”I heard Frank calling me. He was standing not far away, looking at my abdomen with sadness in his eyes.His tone was one I had never heard before, so humble.“Do you really not want our baby anymore?”I quickly placed my hand on my belly. “What are you talking about? Our baby is still here…”But Frank seemed to not hear my words
And I knew he was looking forward to this child, one related to us by blood.I had promised him that if I got pregnant, I would definitely carry the baby to term.“I’m fine. I will protect this child and won’t let anything happen to her. Besides, I dreamt just now that the baby in my belly is a girl, a very cute girl.”Frank saw me smile and curved his lips slightly as well.But I knew we were both unhappy.There was no way to be happy. We could only try to lighten our moods a little, especially me.“Can you help me wash up? I feel terrible.”Frank nodded and got up to get some water.Prof. Kilburn and Zachary left the room.Jane approached, her eyes red. “I’m sorry, Charlotte.”I took her hand. “Why are you apologizing? It’s not your fault. The reason you kept it from me was for my own good.”After Frank finished wiping me down, I felt a bit drowsy again.Before long, I fell asleep once more.Once I had rested enough, I got up to eat.Frank handed me some cutlery, his ey
She looked like a flower beaten down by a storm.“Mom!”I hurried over and took her hand.She gently patted my head, and after a long pause, finally spoke, “I’m sorry, it’s my fault. I’m sorry for what happened to your grandma.”“Mom, this has nothing to do with you.”I looked at her injuries and frowned. “But how did you get hurt so badly?”“Compared to Grandma’s death, my injuries are minor.”She didn’t seem to care much, sighing with some guilt. “I keep thinking, if I hadn’t held the banquet, maybe they wouldn’t have had the chance, and you and Grandma wouldn’t…”“Mom!” I interrupted seriously her, wiping her tears. “Whether you held the banquet or not, we were in the open while they were in the dark. It’s impossible to prevent everything. So, it really has nothing to do with you! Don’t think that way!”My mom looked at me with pain in her eyes. I squeezed her hand and escorted her back to the ward.“Mom, you’re injured too. You should rest. I need to take Grandma to the c
"It's fine."Frank helped me to the place. I first settled Grandma next to Grandpa, then it was Ben's turn. After burying them, I knelt in front of Grandma's gravestone. The ground was covered in gravel, and after the rain, it mixed with the mud. There was a look of heartache in Frank's eyes. Although he was wearing long pants, they felt thin. However, he held back and said nothing and paid his respects as well. The others, including Jane, did the same. "Grandma, later on, I'll bring the child to see you. When she can talk, I'll have her call you Great-Grandma. You should take care of yourself on the other side. If you need anything, just tell me in my dream. Grandma, I'll take care of myself. Don't worry about me... Grandma, this is where I'll send you off." After saying that, I bowed. Frank accompanied me. He helped me up and bowed to Grandma again. He solemnly promised, "Grandma, rest assured, I will protect her thoroughly." I looked up at Fra
During the emergency treatment, Prof. Kilburn came out to talk to Frank about the situation. "I've done all I can, the rest depends on Dr. Travis. However, Dr. Travis said that treatment is possible, but he is not a miracle worker. If the patient remains emotionally distressed and cannot resolve it on her own, he cannot guarantee the child's safety." Frank's hands, hanging by his side, clenched into fists. His lips tightly pursed. After a few seconds of silence, he spoke, "If we can't guarantee the child, then we focus on saving Charlotte first." Jane noticed the restrained emotions in Frank's eyes. She didn't fully understand it. But she always felt that she could see such emotions in Frank. It was as if every bone in him had been shattered. "There must be a way." Jane turned her face away, holding back tears. "Charlotte is very strong. She just needs time to accept it. Plus, she said she wouldn't give up on this child. Frank, you need to hang in there to
Alana glanced over, then picked up the child and said to Frank, "The child will catch a cold sleeping like this. I'll stay in the nearby ward. Call me if you need anything." Frank nodded. Alana understood his feelings right now but couldn't comprehend why they had to endure so much hardship. How could this suffering never end? Now the unborn child was also suffering. She hoped the good luck charms she sincerely prayed for could protect them. "Give me the child to me." On the way back, Alex was left behind at an intersection by her. He had originally planned to take a shortcut but didn't expect to get stuck in a traffic jam. He was much slower and had just arrived. Alana sidestepped his outstretched hand and entered the ward. She placed Danny down, took off her shoes and coat, and covered him with a blanket. Then she sat down beside him. Alex said, "You should sleep with the child for a while. I'll call you if there's anything." Alana remained s
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."