Rebecca finally spoke up. “Zachary, we’re not forcing you. We’ve asked before if you wanted to take your time and carefully consider which path to take, and we’ve allowed you to do so for many years. But this leniency doesn’t mean you should fall in love with a woman and go against us. It’s meant for you to make the choices you should. You have to bear the responsibilities of the Collins family, that’s destined from the day you were born and it can’t be changed.”Zachary remained silent after hearing these words. They weren’t wrong, and neither was he. It was a deadlock.Madam Collins spoke again. “The Collins family has been passed down through generations to ensure its continued glory. We’ve put all our effort into raising you, and all our sacrifices were meant to see a return. You were meant to marry a woman from a powerful background, to share the responsibilities of the Collins family, and to contribute just as we have—that’s what you’re supposed to do. Allowing you to date
The two of them couldn't come to any conclusion about the matter.Charlotte helped Jane lie down. "Your head still hurts, so don’t think about it for now. It seems like a deadlock, and stressing over it won't help. At the very least, you should take care of yourself in a situation like this."Jane lay on the hospital bed, stretching her limbs and sighing. "This isn’t something I can just bear on my own. It's strange, isn’t it? I know my background will cause Zachary trouble, yet I still ended up truly falling for him."Suddenly, the door to the room swung open. Charlotte turned to see Frank and nodded to Jane before getting up to leave the room.She closed the door behind her and looked up at Frank. "How did it go on your side?"Frank replied, "Nothing yet. I suggested they put this on hold and deal with Nina first.""Did they agree? Not exactly, but they didn’t oppose it either. I just dropped Zachary off at the car, and they’ll be home soon."Charlotte nodded. "That’s good to
In the ward, Zachary peeled an orange for Jane. For half a day, they had said nothing. Yet they understood everything. Zachary carefully peeled the orange, removing the white pith as well. He fed one piece after another to Jane. After finishing one orange, he offered her some water. Only then did he speak, “What do you want to eat? I’ll go buy some for you.” Jane couldn’t shake her head yet, so she waved her hand. “You should go back.” They locked gazes for a moment, then Zachary leaned in and kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry.” Jane hugged him and patted his back. “You don’t need to say sorry.” “It’s not about Nina.” That referred to the words of his grandmother. Jane realized this and asked, “Were you at the door when your grandmother came?” “Yes.” “So you heard everything.” “Yes.” Zachary gently embraced her but then tightened his arms, wishing he could merge with her completely. “I told them I would stand by you.” Jane laughed. “That’s enough for
“Keep an eye on her?” Frank scoffed, “You only realized she was in your bed after waking up at noon, so what about before you woke up?” Zachary only remembered that he fell asleep around three in the morning. He woke up at noon. He frowned slightly. “Is that enough time?” “Doctors on night duty can handle this kind of situation,” replied Frank. “She knew we were on our honeymoon in Heliafield, so if she had a plan, she would have arranged it in advance. Artificial insemination is always the sooner the better.” Zachary still couldn’t figure it out. “Roy is on the floor below. If Nina went out, he would have noticed.” Frank watched Zachary without saying anything, instead handing him a tablet. “What’s this?” “See for yourself.” As Zachary scanned the text on the screen, disbelief grew within him. “You’re saying she took my… and put it into herself? How could that be possible?” He couldn’t believe it at all. Frank also found this possibility disturbing, but some th
Frank's gaze turned colder. “If after the wedding she finds a way to get rid of the child, then it’s not yours. If not, it’s definitely yours.” Zachary chuckled in frustration. “Let me ask you this. in the same situation, would you use this method?” Frank leaned lazily against the chair, his casual tone striking a nerve. “I wouldn’t let that situation happen.” At the hospital, Jane finished her IV and was discharged. She didn’t want to stay in the hospital, who knew if someone would come to talk to her again? Returning to her little home improved her mood, perhaps she would recover better there. “Have you started cooking?” Charlotte poured her a glass of water and noticed the kitchen equipment had increased significantly, and the fridge was fully stocked. “If I remember correctly, you don’t know how to cook at all.” “You really know how to flatter me, don’t you?” Jane leaned against the doorframe, sipping yogurt. “Zachary cooks, and I wash the dishes.” Charlotte loo
Even though it wasn’t as exquisite as a fancy restaurant, it was still delicious.“But Charlotte, I plan to break up with Zachary.” Zachary returned to the Collins family, and Nina was just walking downstairs. He glanced at her and silently headed to his room. Nina seemed flustered, as if she almost stumbled down the stairs. He didn’t reach out, but she grabbed his arm. After steadying herself, she exclaimed in panic, “You scared me! Thank goodness you’re back, Zachary. Otherwise, our child might be lost.” Zachary remained indifferent. Since that night at the hotel, he found it increasingly hard to understand Nina, nor did he intend to. In any case, he definitely wouldn’t give her any chances to act out. After a long silence, he recalled what Frank had suggested. “Nina, do you want to marry me?” Nina was stunned, unable to believe her ears. Clearly, Zachary had pretended to be ill just to see Jane. She had been trying to find a way, and now he suddenly propos
Right now, taking a risky move was the best way to break the deadlock. But… Charlotte put down her phone and asked Jane, “Are you serious? You just said someone stood by your side, and you were happy. Why are you saying this now? What you mean by breaking up—do you mean a permanent breakup or just a temporary separation until he handles things with Nina?” Jane wanted to have a drink, but she couldn’t because of the medication. She took a sip of water and said, “It’s a breakup. I can’t reach the Collins family. Having been there is enough for me. I don’t want him to sever ties with his family because of me. My biological father, though he has severed ties, we still have a father-daughter relationship. In the future, Zachary will go into politics. My father could become his liability. So, if I can’t help him, I shouldn’t hold him back.” Charlotte felt heartbroken. Frank had recorded these words in Madam Collins' room and sent them to Charlotte. She had intended to keep it f
“Came to check on you.”Zachary handed her the water.After she finished drinking, he took it back and asked, “Do you want more?”Jane shook her head, sat up, and wrapped herself in a blanket. Once her thoughts were clearer, she said, “I’m fine, you can go back.”Zachary looked at her without speaking.Jane also remained silent. After a while, she seemed to understand why Zachary was there.“It was Charlotte who said something, right?”“Yeah, she said you planned to break up with me.”Jane’s lips moved slightly.When she was chatting with Charlotte, she indeed had that thought.But in front of Zachary, she found it hard to express.Still, given the current situation, she felt she needed to make a decision.When one has something, they may not feel how important it is.Trying to lose it for a moment can help face one’s true feelings.Then it would be a choice between completely separating or overcoming obstacles together.“Yeah, I really…”“Put that thought away.”Zac
Westley looked at Jordan on the hospital bed, her lips pale, and didn't say anything.His gaze was deep, and it was unclear what he was thinking.Leanne, seeing his hair still dripping wet, went to grab a towel to help him dry it.Westley raised his hand to push her away.Leanne laughed. "So what, you're planning to stay here be sick with her?"Westley remained silent.Leanne was used to it.As the eldest son of the Howard family, bearing a heavy responsibility, he had matured earlier than other kids his age. His thoughts were so deep that they were impossible to fathom.When he was in a good mood, he would talk a little more.When he was in a bad mood, he couldn't even spare a glance."Westley, the one at fault here is you. Forgive me for speaking frankly, but the way you're handling this will only make Jordan more frustrated and push her even further away from you. You know best yourself—everyone who lied would be punished severely by you. You've deceived Jordan again and a
"Tell Westley that if I don't see him at the Civil Affairs Bureau today, I'll file for divorce. If his work gets affected or he gets embarrassed because of it, he'd better not blame me."Buck's phone was on speaker, so there was no need to relay the message—Westley heard everything clearly.Caught in the middle, Buck felt like a sandwich. Not an enviable position."Mrs. Howard, you must be very busy. Don't waste time waiting outside the Civil Affairs Bureau. Once Mr. Howard finishes his work, he'll contact you.""Contact my ass!" Jordan swore, her frustration spilling over. "That scumbag is full of tricks! Let's see how long you can hide for! I'll wait until five o'clock when the Civil Affairs Bureau closes. If I don't see you, get ready for me to file for divorce!"Beep beep beep!She hung up the phone.Buck hesitated before carefully speaking. "Sir, Mrs. Howard seems to know you were listening.""Yeah."Westley's lips curved into a faint smile. "She's gotten smarter."Buck
"They've gone through so much and still haven't reconciled!"The captain didn't even open his eyes and said, "Go run 10km."Jordan thought she wouldn't be able to sleep after everything that happened.But in the end, she drifted off in a daze.In her hazy state, it seemed as if something brushed against the corner of her eye, wiping away her tears.The next morning, when she woke up, the room was completely empty, leaving only her.She immediately went out to look for Westley.There was no sign of Buck, who was always by his side.She grabbed someone nearby and asked, "Where's Westley?"The subordinate replied, "Mr. Howard left last night. I'm not sure about his specific itinerary. Please understand, Mrs. Howard."Westley's schedule was always kept confidential.It was only known when he actually appeared at an event.The only one who might know was Buck.But she couldn't get in touch with him either.Just as she was about to call Westley, another call came in.Seeing th
Her lips were suddenly covered by his cool ones.She widened her eyes in shock.Using all her strength, she pushed him away."What are you doing?""Isn't this what you said? We’re even, aren’t we?"Westley replied unhurriedly, "You kissed me just now, and now I've kissed you. That makes us even."‘What?’Jordan was at a loss for words to describe her feelings at that moment.So, when her slap landed on Westley's face, she didn't even realize what she had done.The man's face tilted slightly from the impact.Even Westley hadn't expected it. He was momentarily stunned, then pressed his tongue against his left cheek.His face showed no particular emotion, but the faint trace of amusement in his eyes hadn't completely faded.Seeing this, Jordan felt a chill run down her spine.It would have been better if he hadn't smiled."Well, uh... it's because you started it... I didn't mean to... If you hadn't gone too far, I wouldn't have hit you..."After she stammered her explanatio
"Yeah."Westley didn't put any distance between them, lazily replying, "You bought all of it. I don't even know where to buy it."If Westley wanted something, there were plenty of people who would go to great lengths to get it for him.It was just an ordinary body wash. Finding out where to buy it would have been a trivial matter.Jordan's attention shouldn't have been on the body wash. It should have been on the fact that he had just stepped out of the shower, wearing nothing but a bath towel.But instead, she was entirely drawn into the topic."Then I'll buy you a new one. Don't use the one that has expired—what if you have an allergic reaction?""Okay."Jordan immediately took out her phone and placed an order.After she finished, she even showed him the confirmation."It'll arrive in a few days. Use something else in the meantime."Westley stared at her silently for a few seconds before speaking."Jordy, I'm sorry."That one apology was enough to make Jordan come back
Jordan really wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on him. If she fell asleep and he left, she wouldn’t even know.By that time, who knows what excuse he would come up with.But staying in the same room together wasn’t appropriate given their current relationship.Westley spoke up, offering her a solution.“You can sleep on the sofa. Even if you fall asleep, you’ll notice if I make any moves.”That sounded like a good idea.Jordan immediately agreed.But if she had thought about it more carefully, she might have realized how unusual it was for Westley to suggest a woman sleep on the sofa.Even though they were about to divorce, they still had a bond from growing up together.If not as a husband, then as a “brother,” he shouldn’t let his “sister” sleep on the sofa.He only suggested it because he knew she would agree without hesitation.Westley handed her a blanket and, in an unhurried manner, loosened his cufflinks and tie.He casually asked, “Do you want to shower first?”Jord
“Why?” asked Jane.“Because such an opportunity is rare,” replied Zachary.Westley indeed cherished the opportunity tonight.Regarding potential rivals, he had investigated a lot.Oliver was the only person who was a little close to Jordan.So tonight, he was confident he could remain emotionally stable and have a proper conversation with Jordan.But he hadn’t expected to encounter a problem as soon as they got off the plane.“Jordan!”Leanne, holding a large bouquet of sunflowers, immediately passed the flowers to Jordan upon seeing her.“If I hadn’t asked, I wouldn’t have been able to catch you. It’s been so long since we’ve gathered together.”“No matter what happens between you and my brother, we can’t cut off our relationship, right?”Jordan had always had a good relationship with the members of the Howard familyNo one treated her poorly or like an outsider.During her school years, any troublemakers had been dealt with by the Howard family.Especially Leanne, who h
Zachary was rendered speechlessFrank teased him, "Family status."Zachary ignored him, as if Frank's family status was any higher."Dominic is keeping an eye on things over there, which is reassuring. The finished products have already been produced, and Jordan helped take some photos. The promotional effect has been good.""Dominic is reliable. It's just a pity I can't model for the later set of the clothes' promotions. Honestly, I really wanted to wear them, the patterns in the later designs are even more intricate."Charlotte glanced at her belly. "You're not showing yet, so you can wear them. I had Dominic send them over. I was in a rush to come back today because of Jordan and didn't bring them, but when the package arrives, you can wear them for the shoot."Jane sighed. "I wonder if the girl will still have time to help me take photos in a few days. I want her to take my maternity photos too.""Whether or not she gets divorced, if you ask her, she’ll definitely come. You
“Let’s go back to the the Howard family’s residence.”“It’s too late, I don’t want to disturb them.”Jordan gritted her teeth. “Then let’s go to your house. It’s so big, we can each take a room and not disturb each other.”Westley calmly took a sip of tea. “It’s not very convenient.”Jordan’s temper flared. “Let’s just stay in a hotel!”Westley replied, “There are too many people watching me in Nelana. I don’t want to be misunderstood.”Jane and Charlotte exchanged a look.They both understood each other’s thoughts.Before, they had thought Westley was calculating and manipulative.He had always been clever at using tricks to handle Jordan.Now, they realized it wasn’t just that.This man had a thick skin—he could say anything without blinking.But they didn’t fully understand Westley’s intentions.He clearly had the chance to spend time alone with Jordan, perhaps to explain some things and clear the air.Yet he kept refusing.If he felt it was inconvenient, if he didn’t