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
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
Buck's unchanging poker face was stunned. "Wasn't it benign?""Well, someone has a death wish."That was true.Buck was about to say something when he heard Westley calling him. He quickly walked into the ward.He didn't need to listen, he knew it was something about Jordan."Go after her immediately. Keep a close watch on her and report back to me in real-time."Buck had been by Westley's side all these years.He thought he would be asked to arrange for someone trustworthy to keep an eye on her.But it turned out that it Westley was sending him."Sir, I can send Silas.""You go." Westley massaged his temples. "Silas still has his own matters to deal with.""Then what about Jax...""You go." Westley's eyes grew cold. "Do I need to repeat myself?""But what about you...""Do you think I’ll die in the Greyson family's hospital?"Well, that was not possible.The Greyson family's security was only slightly inferior to the Howard family's.But Buck had never left Westley's
"Mr. Howard’s illness is quite serious this time, but it wasn’t because he caught a cold from bringing you to the hospital today. It’s because he’s already been in poor health recently. It’s just a coincidence that the cold worsened his condition. Considering the past relationship, please stay and keep him company. Your fever hasn't subsided, and it's a good opportunity to rest in the hospital for a few days."Jordan remained silent. At that moment, her phone rang.She thought it was the driver calling, but when she picked up, it was Oliver."Oliver.""Have you finished what you’re doing?" Oliver's gentle voice sounded on the other end of the line. "There's work here. Once you're done, come over. It’s fine if you’re not done yet. It's not an animal shoot. If you can't spare the time, I'll contact someone else."Jordan quickly replied, "I'll fly over right now.""Mrs. Howard, you're still running a fever." Buck spoke up, earning an angry glare from Jordan."Jordy, are you running
Jordan's face turned red with anger, and she yelled, "You're sneaky and cunning. You’re just a scumbag!"Westley bent down to pick up the door handle and handed it to her."How did a perfectly fine door break in your hands? Instead of cursing, shouldn't you reflect on yourself?"Suddenly, Jordan wasn't angry anymore.In fact, she even laughed.Because she was truly speechless."Westley, you're making me feel that having feelings for you back then was the stupidest thing I’ve ever done. I was really stupid, actually feeling sad and upset for someone like you, who is full of lies and has a scheming heart. You don't deserve it. Westley, you... don't... deserve it."Westley hadn't expected this outcome.It had been a good opportunity, and he really wanted to sit down and have a proper conversation with her.But what happened last night was beyond his expectations.He hadn't predicted today's situation either."I didn't mean it like that... let me explain..."Jordan interrupted
She wasn't used to calling someone for every little thing."It's fine, I just need a sip of water.""You have a 39-degree fever, so please rest more. If the fever doesn't go down, it could turn into pneumonia, like Mr. Howard."Cough cough...Jordan choked on the water. She vaguely remembered that outside the Civil Affairs Bureau, Westley had walked toward her and seemed to have picked her up.But there were so many people around him. Could he really get soaked in the rain?How did she get this high fever?It couldn't be that she fainted, and just by him picking her up, he caught the illness, right?Westley met her confused gaze and began to explain, "You were soaked through. I carried you all the way to the hospital, and I got wet too."‘So?’"I was so focused on getting you treated, I forgot about myself. I thought I was fine, but it turns out I'm worse off than you."Jordan knew that Westley rarely fell ill.She had envied his constitution when they were kids. Unlike her
Jane happily sent the couple into the elevator.She returned home and picked up the clothes that were scattered on the floor.As she was about to pick up a piece, a fine hand took it from her.She was helped to sit down on the sofa.Jane found it amusing. "Didn't my check-up results show no issues? It's just hanging clothes, it's not like I can't do it."She felt like she was disabled being taken care of like this by Zachary."And you, you've taken over the family business now, aren't you busy? Stop circling around me all day."Zachary hung the clothes on the hanger and placed them in the study first.Hearing her words, his lips pressed down slightly."Are you getting tired of me?"‘No wonder he’s good friends with Frank,’ thought Jane.Jane had just heard Charlotte complain that every time she did something, even if she was away for a short while, Frank would make it seem as if she was getting tired of him."Staring at the same person all the time, it's bound to happen."
Due to Westley's special permission, their news was all over Nelana recently.Jordan was caught in the rain, Westley carried her to the hospital, and they even took a dramatic photo, which has been going viral all over the internet these past few days."With the beginning and end cut out, the clueless audience has been going crazy over this."Westley controlled the message he wanted to send out to the public.As for why Jordan was standing in the rain at the Civil Affairs Bureau, no one would know.To the public, they were the picture-perfect wealthy couple with a great relationship."My connections are getting better,"Dominic joked. "I found out it's nothing serious, just an acute cold from getting soaked in the rain. She's at the Greyson family's hospital, and even Carter, a big shot, was called to check on her. There’s definitely nothing to worry about."Jane let out a sigh of relief. "That's good, please keep an eye on her for me.""Don't worry. Just take care of yourself,"
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