But the family atmosphere of the Collins family was relatively good.Charlotte had told her that as long as they didn't damage the Collins family's reputation or interests, the Collins family could indeed be described as harmonious.But her family…No, she didn’t have a family.She suddenly felt that having parents like Zachary and grandparents, even if strict, was quite good.At least they wouldn’t abandon their child or beat them to death."You’ve been spending time at home with your grandfather, right? You should work and earn money when you can, no need to keep coming to me."Zachary deliberately spoke in a low voice, "Is it getting boring?"Jane also pretended. "Yeah.""Hang up, don’t delay me from chatting with other guys.""I’d like to see you try."Jane laughed. "You think I'm scared?"Zachary got angry but couldn’t bear to lose his temper with her.Mainly because he had his own "criminal record." Now that he had finally caught her, how could he act as cold as befo
Jane didn’t know when she fell asleep, when she woke up, her phone had turned itself off due to running out of battery.She got up to find her charger, plugged it in, and turned it on, discovering that the video call had lasted an astonishing five hours.This was after it had turned itself off automatically.If it had been charged, the video call could have lasted until this morning.Jane was a bit surprised, she hadn’t been this infatuated before."Good morning."After sending the message to Zachary, Jane got ready and left for the office.On the way, she bought breakfast and took pictures to share with Zachary.He replied to each one.At the dining table, only Zachary held his phone, and the half bowl of oat porridge in front of him had taken ages to finish.No one at the table spoke.The most displeased, Eric, remained silent, and even Rebecca, who would usually say something, quietly ate her meal.Zachary certainly sensed that something was off today.But he was too la
"There’s a barbecue place on the fourth floor that’s really good, let’s go try it out. You can cook for me.""Okay," Zachary readily agreed, but then he hesitated to move.Jane pushed him, but he pulled her into his arms."Take it slow."At the film set.Jason and Michael had just finished their scene.The staff immediately rushed in, each taking care of their responsibilities.Jason sat down on a nearby rest chair, accepting the hot water handed to her by her assistant.Michael, not yet of such a high status, quietly practiced his lines in the corner.Jason glanced over and then got up to walk towards him."You need to step out of yourself when acting."The sudden voice startled Michael, causing him to take a nervous step back.Jason’s demeanor was gentle. "Sorry."Michael quickly waved his hands, shaking his head. He felt much more awkward than before when he had met Jason.Jason didn’t ask more but said, "Relax, it’s okay. I’ll help you.""You…" Michael bit his lip. "
Nina certainly had a plan, but she couldn’t reveal it now. She wanted to wait until Zachary and Jane were getting along well before she brought it up. She aimed to see them suffer through their separation, which would soothe her anger."Mrs. Collins, you want them to break up, right? Then just work with me. I’ve been taken care of by you since I was little. Although you couldn’t help when Sir Collins sent me abroad, I still remember your kindness. I’ve always wanted to help you fulfill your wishes to repay that kindness."Once these words came out, Rebecca found it hard to respond. She thought that if Nina really were to get pregnant, they could still raise the child. After all, it was a girl she had watched grow up. Even if they couldn’t marry her into the family as a daughter-in-law, giving the child a proper identity wouldn’t be a problem."I can see you don’t look well, you should eat something and rest. Don’t worry, I’ll work with you."Nina, having achieved her goal, felt v
The director personally brought over the report. "Five weeks, the embryo is developing normally, but Miss Linton’s health isn’t great, and her mood seems a bit low. For the sake of the baby’s health, she needs to adjust herself. You should talk to her more."The director was one of their own, so he wouldn’t ask too many questions or spread anything.When she got home, Rebecca first told Nina to rest and then called Eric. He was busy and didn’t pick up, but he messaged her that he would be home for dinner.After thinking for a moment, she called Zachary. Zachary was in the kitchen cooking. He wasn’t surprised to see the incoming call. He ignored the first one.Rebecca called again.This time, he answered slowly, straightforwardly stating, "If you want me to come home, I suggest you save your breath."Surprisingly, Rebecca didn’t lose her temper. She calmly replied, "Right now, we can’t tell if the child is yours, but with a month gone by, you’ll have to acknowledge it for now."
It was already the winter in Jeswood.The corridor's window was half open for ventilation, allowing the cold air to separate the indoor and outdoor spaces into two contrasting worlds of hot and cold.But Zachary didn’t cold. In fact, he actually felt like he was burning.Worried that Jane might be cold, he had only opened the door a small crack, but then he suddenly opened the door wide.Yet the next second, it slammed shut with a bang.Zachary approached and cupped Jane's face, kissing her.Jane felt the heat from his palm burning her slightly."Why are you so hot...?" she asked, struggling to push Zachary away a bit.Zachary simply picked her up, kicked off his shoes, and strode toward the bedroom.His kisses fell as he spoke. "Isn't it because you kindled the fire?"Jane liked him, and Zachary knew this all too well.But for some reason, hearing that sentence come from her lips struck him hard.Jane found it both amusing and exasperating. "Stop messing around and go do
“How could I possibly have a child with her?” Zachary didn’t even glance at Nina. “You believe everything she says, yet you don’t trust what I, your own son and grandson, say.”The Collins family members were not fools, they wouldn’t let others mess with them.They trusted Nina only because it might help separate Zachary and Jane.“Nina wouldn’t go so far as to frame you with something like this,” said Eric. Afterward, Rebecca chimed in, “We can believe you too, but what evidence do you have to prove that this child isn’t yours?”Zachary replied coolly, “I’ll wait until a paternity can be done.”The Collins family understood each other’s intentions. Rebecca added, “We can wait, but it will take time. We need to wait until the fetus is stable, around four to five months. So during this time, you’ll have to take responsibility. If the results show it’s not yours, we won’t force you to be responsible.”Zachary’s mind raced, and he suddenly realized something.Nina’s pregnancy pro
The instinct to survive made her mutter two words before fainting. “Help me…”At the Collins family's residence, it felt as though dark clouds had descended.While other places basked in the beauty of stars and the moon, the Collins family was shrouded in gloom.Nina wouldn’t just share the video with Zachary, that wouldn’t achieve her desired effect.After watching the video, the Collins family pinned Zachary down.Even his phone was taken by someone.Rebecca took the opportunity to turn off his phone.Before doing so, she saw a call from Jane.No wonder Nina said she could make Zachary break up with Jane, she had been holding back this trump card.This also reminded her of what Zachary had said before—that no matter how good he was to Nina, it wouldn’t matter.Because of the incident where she was sent abroad, a rift had developed between them, and Nina wouldn’t remember his kindness.Thinking about it now, it made a lot of sense.If only Nina didn’t come from such a back
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."