After listening, Zachary asked in a cold voice, “Abroad?”Ronan nodded. “We traced the call and found it was from a public phone booth.”“Since it didn’t get through and there’s no surveillance, we can’t determine who Nina contacted.”Zachary furrowed his brows but didn’t linger on this minor issue.He tidied himself up and went downstairs, only to be stopped by his parents.His grandparents were also present.It was yet another intense family meeting.He sat down on a single sofa, crossing his long legs and idly twirling a lighter in his hand.He didn’t speak.After a moment of silence in the living room, it was Rebecca who broke the ice.“Zachary, the child’s not yours. You should already know that, right?”“Yep.”“What are your plans then?”“What plans?”Zachary’s indifferent demeanor didn’t anger the Collins family. Since he had always been like this growing up, they felt it was a good thing—rational, detached, and careful, not swayed by emotions.Who would have th
Nina truly didn’t expect Zachary to visit her ward.However, she soon managed to pull a hint of mockery from within.For Jane, Zachary was willing to do anything.“Zachary, I don’t want to hold a wedding with you.”Zachary was peeling an apple, the knife dancing between his long fingers, leaving a vivid pattern on the fruit.Upon hearing this, the man didn’t even look up.His expression remained calm, focused solely on the apple.Nina could only see a girl-like face.But she didn’t care what he was carving, nor did she want to know.“I know you want me to be a shield to protect Jane, but I don’t want that.”Zachary set the apple down on the side table, his pale fingers still gripping the fruit knife.A slight movement caused the blade to gleam coldly.“What’s wrong? Weren’t you the one who would do whatever it takes to marry me?”Zachary’s lips barely curved into a faint smile. “Marrying me always comes at a painful cost. Unfortunately, it’s too late for you to realize thi
Michael raised his hand and mimed a zipper motion across his lips.The moment Jane's plane landed in the capital, Zachary received the news.He only learned of her arrival and didn’t try to stop her or seek her out.To his surprise, she contacted him first.“Where are you?” “Let’s talk over the phone.”Had she grown so distant after just a few days apart?Jane didn’t want to lose the bet so easily and wanted to do something. “If you don’t tell me where you are, I can just ask Frank.”Zachary simply told her to come to the First Infirmary before hanging up.Jane's companion, Michael, who was nearby, picked up on the tension.“Jane, you seem upset?”Jane shook her head. It was colder in Jeswood than in Larecton. She put on her red coat and walked out of the airport without replying.Upon arriving at the hospital, they headed to the VIP ward.Seeing Roy, Jane greeted him and asked, “Where’s Zachary?”Roy pointed towards the smoking area, and Jane walked over.Michael follo
Jane finally came to her senses and said thank you. "There's no need to thank me, Jane," Michael carefully applied burn ointment on Jane's hand. He even blew on it to prevent her from feeling pain. Jane had endured much worse injuries than this. However, looking at Michael's cautious demeanor warmed her heart. "Michael." "What is it, Jane?" Jane reached out to touch his head and said, "You won." Michael smiled. "Jane, then let bygones be bygones. We can’t go back in time, so let’s look forward." "Okay." Jane nodded. After applying the medicine, the two of them left the hospital. Roy followed Zachary and hid in a corner. He sighed softly to himself. When Rebecca found Michael's house, she was informed by Madam Hall that Jane had returned to Jeswood. She hurried back to Jeswood. The person she arranged said that Jane was on her way home, so she quickly instructed the driver to head there. The taxi didn’t enter the neighborhood but stopped a
Rebecca's expression suddenly turned darkened. It seemed that Zachary's determination to protect Jane could not be shaken by anyone. For the sake of a woman, he risked his own future. This caused Rebecca to find Jane even more displeasing. Jane was very good at reading people's emotions, since she was young, she had known when her father was drunk to a certain extent that she would be hit. Since Rebecca did not like her, she felt no need to say much. At that moment, she had broken up with Zachary. Moreover, even if she wanted to please this future mother-in-law, the other party was clearly unmoved. She didn’t want to be an ass-licker, but kept the basic manners. "Is there anything else you want? If not, I'll be going home." Rebecca hesitated, she did not want the wedding to happen, but she also did not wish for Zachary to reconcile with Jane. There was one more thing—Zachary had said not to ruin the wedding, or else… Jane noticed Rebecca was hesitating but
Madam Collins held onto her walking stick. "Speaking of which, we also had our faults." Rebecca looked at Madam Collins. Madam Collins continued, "Things will develop in the opposite direction when they reach a certain point. Those who are overly calm and rational find it hardest to navigate matters of the heart." Rebecca pursed her lips. "I should have arranged for him to marry a wealthy young lady when he was growing up, instead of letting him be free for a few more years." Eric had been at work all day and only learned about these matters when he returned at night. But he brought good news. "The men at the hospital sent word back that Nina refused to hold a wedding with Zachary." Nina was now openly confronting Zachary and no longer cared about her image. She had gone crazy at the hospital, smashing anything she could. Zachary sat there, calmly watching her destroy things, then raised his hand slightly, and Roy immediately brought forward the compensation.
Jane hung up the phone, not wanting to continue listening. The content wasn’t really appropriate.She went to the kitchen and asked, "What did you make?"At Region Gardens.Charlotte pressed against the man who was moving closer. "What does Zachary mean?"Frank truthfully informed her.Charlotte furrowed her brows. "His intentions are good, but the method... Jane's quite a carefree person, she doesn't mind much, but I think Zachary's approach is somewhat biased.""Doesn't matter."Frank caught her hand that was pressing against him and kissed it. "You should worry more about me."Michael made a couple of dishes.All of them were Jane's favorites.Jane eagerly grabbed some food and placed it in her mouth, giving a thumbs up. "Delicious."Michael served her some soup.Jane took a sip, clicking her tongue. "When did you learn to cook?"His cooking skills were really quite good.Michael nodded. "I worked in a restaurant before."Jane thought about his family situation. "How
Roy had something he wanted to say, but when he met Zachary's cold gaze, he quickly backed off.Nina sat up and looked at him. "Zachary, you still don't understand women. It’s quite rare for someone like Jane to genuinely fall in love with someone. If you upset her this time, it will be very difficult for her to open her heart to you again. I sincerely suggest that you go and talk things out with her now. That's the best solution."Zachary continued to look at the documents on his computer.But Nina didn't stop just because he wasn't speaking."Even if you use me to shield her, what happens after I die? What will you do then? Are you going to find another woman to ask as a shield for her? Let's not talk about your enemies. The Collins family won't approve of this either. Besides, your enemies aren't fools. They'll be watching you like locusts drawn to blood. They won't stop until they've eradicated you. Zachary, once you go down that path, you'll never be able to be with Jane. She'
Charlotte patted her head. "First, make a video call to that little girl." Jane quickly found her phone and opened the landlord's WhatsApp. As soon as the call connected, the little girl appeared on screen, her eyes red. Tears were still visible on her face. The landlord was sitting next to her, waiting, not having gone to sleep. Jane apologized, "Sorry to disturb your rest." "Don't say that." The landlord gently patted her daughter's head. "I'm just happy you're alright." Jane smiled at the little girl. "Thanks to Celine, I'm fine." The little girl leaned closer to the screen. "Jane, you're lying. Your lips are swollen." Jane cleared her throat. "I ate something spicy earlier." She quickly added to prevent the little girl from saying anything else, "Alright, go to sleep now. We'll talk more when you get out of school. Jane went through a lot today, and she's tired too." The little girl, very understanding, handed the phone to her mother and went to bed
The captain laughed. "Don't think that just because we're from abroad, we don't understand anything.""Young lady, if you want to buy some time, then I'll play along with you. But if you're hoping for someone to rescue you, I advise you to give up on that thought. This is the border. Domestic ships can't get through here."Well, you don't know Frank.There's no one who can stop him from going where he wants to go.Jane tried her best to suppress her fear. "Sir, I have all kinds of tricks. If I can make you guys happy, can you spare my life?"She reached out, grabbed the captain's belt, and moved closer."As long as you don't kill me, you'll be my savior. I'll be yours from now on and let you have your fun with me. Is that okay?"Although Jane hadn't dressed herself up recently.But her facial features were stunning. Those fox-like eyes with a smile in them were even more alluring.The captain kept swallowing saliva. Apparently, he was attracted.However, they had already rece
They were anxious, not just because of the situation, but because they feared Zachary would go mad and go abroad with Jane. Frank glanced at their expressions and immediately understood that they were aware of Lexi's plan to send Jane abroad. "I suggest that while Zachary is looking for Jane, you should take care of the Sanchez family's matters. Otherwise, when Zachary comes back, there will be hell to pay." Jane ate the meal the waiter brought and then felt drowsy. She fell into a light sleep, and when she opened her eyes again, it was already half past nine. She remembered the things she had told the little girl before leaving and quickly grabbed her phone to call. But just then, the door was suddenly kicked open. Several adult men stormed in and grabbed her, dragging her outside. "What are you doing?" They had originally planned to reach the border, but unexpectedly, a violent storm had forced a slight course change. This delay allowed the effects of th
Lexi said, "The plane will leave traces. By then, Zachary will find you. The ship will change at the border and private sea areas. Once she changes ships, it will be hard to track." Jane remembered when Jack had taken Charlotte away before. She felt a sense of unease. After all, Lexi wasn't someone she could fully trust. "I didn't expect you to be so timid." Lexi noticed Jane's worry. "I thought someone with your background, who dared to pursue someone as different as Zachary, and even date him, would have extraordinary courage." But wasn't Jane regretting it now? Otherwise, why would she be running away? She decided not to care anymore. With a firm heart, she boarded the ship. Lexi smiled in satisfaction, but then a cold glint appeared in her eyes as she spoke to the captain. "When we reach the border, throw her into the sea and feed her to the sharks." No matter where she went, as long as Zachary wanted to find her, it was just a matter of time.
Lexi was so angry that she wanted to smash something. She got up and walked away, with each step of her high heels hitting the ground, the sound echoing her immense fury. The more difficult it was to conquer, the more determined she became to conquer it! Zachary went directly back to the Collins family home. The Collins family members were somewhat uneasy. When they saw him come back alone, they were both shocked and suspicious. "Did Lexi not come back with you?" asked Rebecca. Zachary did not respond and walked upstairs with long strides. Rebecca, along with Sir Collins and Madam Collins, exchanged gazes, all feeling something was off. It was strange that Zachary had actually returned to the Collins family. "Sean." Rebecca saw someone else entering behind him and immediately asked, "Did you follow him the whole time? Did you notice anything unusual?" Sean bent slightly, his face carrying a polite smile as he respectfully replied, "No abnormalities w
The situation between Zachary and Jane's relationship had not been made public. It was normal for the employees at the company not to know about it. Zachary did not answer when people congratulated him, and Lexi stood silently by his side, not saying anything either. But to those around them, their actions were as good as an admission.Some people even offered their congratulations, but Zachary didn't acknowledge them. He didn't go upstairs. Instead, he turned and left the building. This time, he didn't even get into Lexi's car. The smell inside the car was too overwhelming, making him dizzy.Lexi followed him, and they entered a nearby cafe. He didn't go straight to Jane's place, but Lexi knew that was just a way of hiding his true intentions. However, she wasn't concerned. After all, the Collins family would never approve of him being with Jane. She just needed to give him a bit of time to play along."Mr. Collins, aren't you going to consider my suggestion?" Lexi asked with a sli
The shock from the Collins family was too much for her. She wouldn't take the initiative, nor would she have the courage to continue with him.So what other way did he have?He'd tried both soft and hard tactics, yet this situation was still more complicated than advanced mathematics.The next day.Lexi invited Zachary out.But the Collins family hesitated.Rebecca said, "Why don't you two spend some more time getting to know each other at home first?"Lexi smiled. "Mrs. Collins, I know what you're worried about, but that woman is no longer in Jeswood."Rebecca was aware of this.After all, they had been keeping an eye on Jane's movements. They even knew where she was staying.It was surprising that Lexi had just returned a day ago, yet she had already figured it out.This kind of method and family background was exactly what the Collins family needed.It was also what Zachary needed."I've erased all traces. Even if he wants to find her today, he won't be able to, and it
The landlord nodded understandingly. "You young people do have a lot of new ideas."They chatted casually and soon reached the large square.The stage had already been set up.They had arrived early, but there were already a lot of people gathered.Jane commented, "It's quite formal."The landlord proudly replied, "This isn't just a community event, there are even celebrities."Jane became a little curious and wanted to see what celebrities were here.It turned out to be an R-list boy band, along with a few elderly artists.Well, it was still a big stage.She watched for a while, but soon lost interest. She made an excuse to go to the bathroom.Under the cover of night, she wandered around.She spotted a small shop and bought a bag of cheese-flavored chips to eat.This kind of life, she thought, couldn't last long. She hoped Zachary would hurry up and get married, so he would stop bothering her."Jane..." Jane was lost in thought when the voice startled her, almost caus
"Stop dreaming."Lexi, despite her feelings for Zachary, couldn't suppress her anger anymore."You want to marry that woman? That's nothing but wishful thinking."Zachary's gaze was icy, and every word he spoke, from his thin lips, carried a chilling frost."Her name is Jane."Lexi, at this point in her life, had never met a man who not only showed no interest in her but also repeatedly poked at her vulnerabilities."The more you protect her, the more dangerous she becomes. My offer won't change. You'll come to me eventually."With that, she turned, her heels clicking sharply as she walked toward the door."Excuse me, open the door."Sean opened the door.Lexi held her head high as she walked downstairs.Sean was about to close the door when Zachary threw the food outside.He even "thoughtfully" closed the door after that.When Rebecca saw the untouched food that Sean had brought down, she couldn't help but feel some pity."Not eating yet?"She had just praised Lexi for