Then, he earned four disapproving glares from the girls. Frank stood under the intense gaze of the four girls, who seemed ready to tear him apart. He placed the snowman's head back on, and even found a knitted hat to put on it. He reached out and picked up Sparrow, only for her to slap him in the face. Frank cocked his brows and smiled. "Alright, you're not happy, so you hit people. You're starting to look more and more like your dad." Jane gave Charlotte a look. Charlotte helplessly rubbed her forehead. She couldn't compete with genetics. On New Year's Eve, Jane tidied up her little place and did some decluttering. She had dinner at Charlotte's, and after clearing out the fridge, she organized everything properly. She turned off the power, water, and gas at home, locked the door, and headed to Region Gardens. On the way, she bought some gifts and clothes and toys for Sparrow. Julie had gone home for the holiday. The New Year's Eve dinner at home
She let her watch as they set off the fireworks. Frank stood by, lighting a large firework. In an instant, the night sky was illuminated. Under the dazzling fireworks, the four girls laughed joyfully. Frank glanced at the black car hidden in the night not far away. The back window of the black car was fully rolled down, and a wisp of white smoke dissipated in the wind. The sound of the wind seemed to carry the man's slightly low but magnetic and pleasant voice. "Jane, Happy New Year." After the New Year, Jane and Charlotte threw themselves into work. Yasmin and Jason decided to take their wedding photos in St. Penalow. At the same time, Zachary got up at nine every morning and worked until five in the evening. But he never really left work at five, always attending drinking sessions. One time, Rebecca happened to catch him leaving a drinking party, being supported by Ross to the car. His hand was pressed against his stomach, clearly showing that h
Eric pondered for a moment. "Then, in early next month, during Zachary's birthday, we'll invite the Greyson family over. At that time, we'll announce the engagement directly." Rebecca was worried. "After what happened with the Sanchez family last time, I think it's better to give him a little more time." Eric replied, "How much time have we given him already? It's no use, we should be more direct." "Then, if we force him too much, Zachary will..." "After his birthday, the position of the head of the Collins family will be passed to him. Are we just going to stand by and watch him marry that woman?" That was definitely not the outcome Rebecca wanted to see. But the alternative wasn't something she was eager to see either. "Let's have them meet at the birthday party first, but don't announce the engagement. If anyone asks, just give a vague answer." "After the birthday, Zachary will need to go on a business trip to Nelana for a while. Let the Greyson family's d
"I wasn't exactly sure, but Jordan said it was because they had different views.""Was it a love marriage, then?""Her grandfather was the deputy officer to her ex-husband's grandfather, and he once shielded the old man from bullets. He was her only relative, so after he passed away, the old man arranged for his grandson to marry her."Jane felt that she was no longer interested in the gossip she was rending. This was much more interesting."And then? Was the bugger unwilling?" After speaking, she realized she had been rude and quickly explained, "I'm just talking normally, Sparrow is here, I won’t swear."Sparrow looked at Jane. "Phew..."Yasmin pinched Sparrow’s little face and took a sip of the hot tea Jason handed her."Her ex-husband really didn’t like her. After they married, he was reassigned to another province. During that time, aside from doing photo shoots, she also went abroad to photograph wildlife. In three years of marriage, they didn’t even see each other’s face.
They stayed at the place where the photos were taken for a while, then the group returned to the hotel.Jane suddenly remembered."Her husband is so rich, and she’s rich too, yet she only gave me a 1% discount!"Yasmin smiled and said, "I didn’t even get a discount at all. Giving you 1% off means we must get along well. When she was young, she was raised by her grandfather in the Howard family. But the Howard family is huge, with many rooms, and there were constant power struggles. Later, she married Westley, but he was often absent, and there weren’t many people backing her up. If she hadn’t become famous early on, she might have suffered financially. She wouldn’t touch the Howard family’s money, so being a bit stingy is understandable."Jane tucked her hands into her sleeves. "Maybe we got along so well because we have similar experiences."Charlotte gave Jane a hug. "It’s all in the past now.""Yes, it’s all in the past."After spending five days in St. Penalow, the group ret
But Zachary’s path was different from Frank’s.He couldn’t be as reckless as Frank.Moreover, Frank had been persecuted many times before reaching this point.Zachary clearly had the option of taking a safer route, with no need to take risks.After all, he was her only son."I’ll go greet the guests, you two chat with Zachary."Frank nodded. After watching Rebecca leave, he walked over to Zachary and clinked his glass with his."Congratulations, birthday boy. You’re a year older"Zachary glanced at him. "We’re the same age.""Not the same. I was born a couple of months later than you, so I age a couple of months slower."Zachary had to continue socializing and ignored him.Frank led Charlotte to the lounge area to sit for a while.He brought her some of her favorite snacks.Charlotte had a few drinks and then needed to go to the restroom.Frank accompanied her.Suddenly, a flash of white appeared around the corner.He remembered that Annie was wearing a white gown that
At the hospital.After confirming that everything was fine, Zachary immediately went to the airport.Frank glanced at the time. "Leaving overnight?"Zachary nodded, a look of exhaustion between his brows.Frank took Charlotte and left the hospital with him, only to see two cars.He asked, "Is Annie going with you?"Zachary nodded again.Frank was confused. "What kind of game is this?""Let's go."Zachary didn't answer, opened the car door, and bent down to sit inside.After the two cars drove off, Charlotte asked, "Last night, did you interfere too much?"Frank touched his chin. "I shouldn't have...""Shouldn't have what?""Can't I tell who he likes?"The two of them went home to pack and then went to their respective companies.Charlotte noticed that Jane's dark circles under her eyes couldn't even be covered by foundation. She asked, "Did you go clubbing last night?"Jane shook her head. "I couldn't sleep, maybe the jet lag still hasn't passed."Charlotte immediately
"People are really into these things now. I often see them on live streams," said Jane.Dominic poured her a cup of barley tea. "The houses people want aren’t just any ordinary houses."Jane knew buying a house wasn't easy. It had taken her some time to secure her little place.If it weren't for Charlotte helping her out, she probably wouldn't have gotten it so quickly."Don’t worry. If I like what I see this time, when I go back and combine it with our brand, we'll promote it. You’ll be able to make money and buy a house.""That sounds good. I know how influential your brand is."The two of them chatted happily in the private room.In the room next door, however, the atmosphere was cold and tense.Annie, seemingly unaware, picked up some food for Zachary and even peeled an apple for him."I grew up in Nelana. I have lung issues, so I’m not really suited to Jeswood’s weather.""This restaurant has been around for almost 100 years. It’s a Nelana specialty. Try this, the apples
Knock knock—There was a knock at the door.Zachary stood up to open it.Raymond handed him a chicken pizza.He sensed that the atmosphere wasn’t quite right and, gathering some courage, she asked, "Sir, you didn’t have anything for dinner. Should I have the hotel bring something over?"Zachary nodded and mentioned a few dishes.Raymond agreed and went to instruct the hotel.He happened to run into Ross on his way back and they chatted."I have no idea what Miss Greenwood might want. Mr. Collins doesn’t even know what he likes to eat himself, but he remembers what she likes."Ross, eating a sandwich, said, "Doesn’t Mr. Collins like roast chicken?"He remembered that when Miss Greenwood brought food to the Mr. Collins’s house last time, she had mentioned it.Raymond shot him a look. "You’re a blockhead. That’s what Miss Greenwood likes. Now, the things that Mr. Collins like are because they’re what Miss Greenwood likes."Ross blinked. "Oh."Raymond was rendered speechless.
Jane said, "This is not something you should be doing.""I caused the injury, so I should be the one to handle it.""I'll do it myself!"Zachary held her hands, "You can't see the injury, you have long nails as well. What if you hurt yourself again? I think I should apply the medicine."Jane felt helpless."Zachary, I’ll just ask you one thing, can you understand what I’m saying?""I’ve already ordered pizza. It’ll be delivered soon."‘As expected, he doesn’t understand what I said,’ thought Jane.Jane was no match for Zachary in terms of strength or words, so she ended up crying.Zachary stopped.Jane immediately broke free from his hands and sat on the other side of the bed."Do you only feel happy when you see me in pain?"Zachary pursed his lips. "No.""Then why do you insist on forcing me to do things I don't want to do? I’m a person, not some item that you can do whatever you want to.""Is that how you see me?" Zachary looked at her, his eyes darkened slightly. "I l
"I was just handling some matters, but I can't tell you. Please understand."Jane seemed to believe him and nodded. "I see."Raymond also nodded. "That's right."Jane smiled. "You were handling matters, but what about the others?""They also have their own matters to deal with.""So..." Jane’s gaze suddenly became sharp. "You all went off to work, but there's no one guarding the hotel entrance? Aren’t you worried that while he’s in bed with me, his enemies might come and kill him? After all, the bed is when a man is most vulnerable. You’re a man, so you should understand that, right?"For a moment, Raymond seemed distracted, as if he had seen his Mr. Collins casually asking him what mistake he had made.Then, with a cold tone, he would be sent off to Afrealia, just like Roy.The more you say, the more mistakes you make. He stopped explaining and simply said."Miss Greenwood, it’s not safe outside. You should stay in the hotel and wait for Mr. Collins."Jane didn’t believe the
He placed the pillow behind her waist and asked gently, "What do you want to eat? I’ll have someone prepare it."Jane glared at him and said, "Get out!"Zachary took her hand and said, "There’s a banquet tomorrow. Come with me."Jane pulled her hand back and replied coldly, "You’re really sick.""Yes, and you’re the reason I”m sick."Jane raised her hand, intending to hit him. "Get out!"Zachary grabbed her wrist and smiled.Jane felt that he was seriously ill and decided it was better to just leave.But as soon as she lifted the blanket, a cold wind blew, and she quickly pulled it back up."Turn around!"Her teeth were clenched in anger, wishing she could bite him.Zachary's gaze slid over her body. "What are you hiding?""I..."Jane covered his mouth. "Don’t be such a pervert."Zachary held her hand. "The banquet tomorrow has to do with the purpose of your trip. Are you really not going?""How do you know what I came here for?"Zachary didn’t answer, just looked at he
Annie saw the red marks on his neck as he moved.There was also a bite mark on his Adam's apple.Both marks told her of the wildness he had shared with Jane just moments ago.The thing she feared most had happened."And not even a day apart," Zachary said again, his voice was cold enough to send shivers down one’s spine.Annie met his sharp gaze, instinctively taking a step back.But then she felt it was wrong and moved forward to stand in front of him."What are you saying? I don’t understand," she said, reaching out to grab his arm.Zachary turned sideways to avoid her, and Ross immediately restrained Annie, kicking her in the knee and forcing her to kneel on the ground."Zachary!"Annie had never been so humiliated before.Since childhood, everyone had always revolved around her.She was given everything she wanted.Without speaking, people would rush to her, handing her things that were close to her heart.Zachary was no different, he had been delivered to her by her
"I had wanted to repay you before, but you refused. Turns out, you were saving it for such a situation. Zachary, is it fun to fool me around?"Zachary lifted his head, and his dark eyes were filled with deep desire.He had been restraining himself, and the veins on his arm were bulging.But this time, he wanted to ask her for a favor."Am I really so unworthy in your eyes?"It wasn’t that he was completely unacceptable, but after all, he had previously forced her against her will."You can’t have lost contact with your subordinates.""Nelana isn’t my turf. There are people here who don’t want me here."As for his business matters, Jane didn’t want to know or analyze anything.She simply said, "Anyway, I’m not suited to help you solve the current problem. If you want, you can get some cold water, and I’ll go buy some medicine for you."The corners of Zachary’s eyes drooped slightly, and he looked almost pitiful."Is it really that hard to help me?"Jane nodded. "I think we’r
Before Jane finished speaking, she watched as Zachary slowly stood up on his own.But then he suddenly leaned towards her.She quickly held him up.Zachary rested his head on her shoulder, his breath hot and heavy against her neck, so hot it felt alarming."Wait, weren't the people around you supposed to be sticking with you at all times? How did you end up like this, all alone?"She heard the man's voice, weak and faint."Take me back to the hotel..."Jane was really at her wit's end.He didn't even tell her the name of the hotel. How was she supposed to know where to take him?In the end, with no other choice, she reached into his pocket to find his phone.She searched both side pockets of his pants, but there was no phone.He was only wearing a white shirt, no coat.That meant his phone wasn't on him.No wonder he hadn't contacted his subordinates.But that didn't make sense either—his subordinates were supposed to be with him at all times.Before she could figure it
"People are really into these things now. I often see them on live streams," said Jane.Dominic poured her a cup of barley tea. "The houses people want aren’t just any ordinary houses."Jane knew buying a house wasn't easy. It had taken her some time to secure her little place.If it weren't for Charlotte helping her out, she probably wouldn't have gotten it so quickly."Don’t worry. If I like what I see this time, when I go back and combine it with our brand, we'll promote it. You’ll be able to make money and buy a house.""That sounds good. I know how influential your brand is."The two of them chatted happily in the private room.In the room next door, however, the atmosphere was cold and tense.Annie, seemingly unaware, picked up some food for Zachary and even peeled an apple for him."I grew up in Nelana. I have lung issues, so I’m not really suited to Jeswood’s weather.""This restaurant has been around for almost 100 years. It’s a Nelana specialty. Try this, the apples
At the hospital.After confirming that everything was fine, Zachary immediately went to the airport.Frank glanced at the time. "Leaving overnight?"Zachary nodded, a look of exhaustion between his brows.Frank took Charlotte and left the hospital with him, only to see two cars.He asked, "Is Annie going with you?"Zachary nodded again.Frank was confused. "What kind of game is this?""Let's go."Zachary didn't answer, opened the car door, and bent down to sit inside.After the two cars drove off, Charlotte asked, "Last night, did you interfere too much?"Frank touched his chin. "I shouldn't have...""Shouldn't have what?""Can't I tell who he likes?"The two of them went home to pack and then went to their respective companies.Charlotte noticed that Jane's dark circles under her eyes couldn't even be covered by foundation. She asked, "Did you go clubbing last night?"Jane shook her head. "I couldn't sleep, maybe the jet lag still hasn't passed."Charlotte immediately