It was as if he could hear her thoughts. “I only said it to you.”Jane pushed him. "Go sit across from me.""Isn't it better for me to sit next to you? If I sit opposite from you, you’ll lose your appetite."Sitting next to him would only lead to more physical contact, making her even less able to eat."Just sit across from me."Zachary obeyed, standing up and moving to the opposite side. He then filled her cup with some more tea."Be careful with the tea. It’s hot. Don’t burn yourself."The breakfast they had was satisfying.Jane didn’t want to spend more time with Zachary, so she planned to talk to Dominic about intangible cultural heritage and the national trend.But Zachary directly shoved her into the car.She couldn’t escape, so she turned her back to him, ignoring him.Zachary didn’t provoke her either. He sat beside her, focused on his tablet, looking at recent work arrangements.In the front seats, Raymond and Ross exchanged glances.Ross didn’t slow down while ta
Jane rolled her eyes at him.Zachary, however, let out a deep smile from his eyes."Have fun here. I have some things to take care of. We'll go to the banquet together tonight."Jane couldn't care less about him, waving her hand.Zachary patted her head before leaving.A young girl, smiling, teased, "You and your boyfriend have such a good relationship."Jane wanted to explain, but she didn't think it was necessary. Maybe she wouldn’t come to this place again. Even if she did, she could explain it next time.She smiled. "Could you teach me how to make the embroideries?"The girl happily agreed.Embroidery was indeed very time-consuming and mentally draining. Jane spent the whole day sitting there, embroidering, only getting up to eat or use the restroom.She learned a stitching technique and completed a small piece.When she stood up to stretch her stiff back and neck, she saw Zachary walking toward her."Did you have fun?"Jane tossed the piece of embroidery at him dismis
Although Nelana was said to be a bit warmer than Jeswood, the end of the year was approaching, and it looked like there might still be snow.‘It’s cold?’Raymond didn't dare to argue and obediently turned on the air conditioning to 26 degrees.Jane waved her hand in the air, trying to cover up the fact that she was a little uncomfortable."Your car sucks. It's too stuffy."Raymond also thought the car sucks. It didn’t even have a divider.Zachary smiled softly. "Alright, as you wish, we'll switch cars."Jane was taken to a private styling studio.Without hesitation, she chose red.But when Zachary saw the large exposed area on her back, he instructed the stylist, "Add a shawl. It's cold."The stylist hesitated. "Mr. Collins, the highlight of this gown is the butterfly lace design on the back, meant to expose the shoulder blades, with a subtle waistline..."Under Zachary's icy gaze, the stylist didn’t dare to speak further.Although Zachary wasn't from Nelana, he knew the bi
In the end, Jane didn't keep the suit jacket.She walked into the banquet hall, and without a doubt, she caught the attention of many people.First, she was a stranger in Nelana.Second, her outfit, though not stealing the spotlight from the hosts, suited her perfectly and caught everyone's eyes, making it easy for her to draw attention.Some people were eager to approach.But when they saw the man whose arm was wrapped around her slender waist, they stopped in their tracks."Is she the son of the Collins family’s woman?""Of course, he has such a possessive nature, and he's had no women around him for years. This clear declaration of ownership must mean she’s the legitimate wife.""Annie, right? I heard he brought Annie this time, and their families are planning a marriage alliance.""No, I’ve seen Annie before.""Didn't you hear? Mr. Collins has a woman he really loves, but she has no background. I think she’s called Jane something...""Jane Greenwood.""Yes, Jane Greenwo
"Don’t mention it, I know what you need."Westley saw that he didn’t respond, but didn’t mind. He turned to Jane and said, "Jane, feel free to handle this however you like. As long as it’s done well, I have no particular demands. But there are a few points to note, and I’ll have my secretary send them to you later."Jane bowed slightly. "Thank you for your trust."Westley still had to greet others. He turned to Zachary and said, "You take Jane and get something to eat. Later, we’ll go upstairs to play cards.""Have your friend stay and join us for a bit. Some of the people here might collaborate with you later, so it’s good to get to know them."Dominic was so excited that he couldn’t even speak. It was Jane who thanked Westley on his behalf.After Westley left, Jane patted Dominic on the back."Dominic, don’t chicken out! I don’t know much about intangible cultural heritage national trends, you should take the lead and talk about your strengths."Dominic scratched his head. "J
Jane couldn’t be bothered to respond to him. She pushed him aside and went over to Dominic to chat.Zachary had intended to go over, but Westley called him over instead. He had his secretary go over to Jane to have her sign a few documents.Westley clinked his glass against Zachary’s."You're quick-witted, aren't you? You knew to find me as your fiancee's shield. Aren’t you afraid your family will find out and get furious?"Zachary looked in Jane's direction, his gaze gentle yet firm."My only wish right now is to marry her."Westley had known Zachary for many years and had never seen him care about anything so much, especially to the point of going to such lengths.His expression darkened slightly. "You now have a weakness."Zachary replied indifferently, "She’s not my weakness."A weakness could be used against you by your enemies, manipulated, threatened, and become something that shackles you forever.He didn’t like that. He didn’t want Jane to ever be in danger."She is
She asked, "You said before that we should eliminate the root cause—there must be a way, right?"Eric sighed at her words."That was before. Westley can easily find a business partner. Jane isn’t the only person in the world who can take care of the business. Even if we do something behind his back, Westley won't openly confront us.""Yes, he would. If I’m not mistaken, he owes Zachary a favor."Rebecca was taken aback. "When? Why didn’t I know about this?"Eric raised a hand and patted her shoulder. "Calm down a little. I’m a bit hazy on the details myself. It’s not entirely clear.""It seems like Westley’s wife once went on an animal photography shoot in some remote wilderness and ran into some criminals. At the time, Zachary was in training and happened to be there."Rebecca thought back to the timeline of Zachary’s training. "Wasn’t his wife still a student back then? And at that time, she wasn’t even his wife.""But she is now." Eric gently pushed her to sit on the edge of
Jane’s attention was immediately piqued. Earlier, when Zachary had introduced Westley to her downstairs, her shock had been rooted in the fact that he was Jordan’s husband, a man ten years older. She hadn’t expected to meet him so soon.Her curiosity about their relationship, especially considering the "marriage first, love later" and their seemingly endless entanglement, was growing by the second. She couldn’t wait to hear the full story. But just as she was about to ask, the door to the private room suddenly opened.A familiar face stormed in, fuming. Without a word, she grabbed a glass of wine from the table and splashed it across Westley’s face.“You’re despicable!”Westley, a man in his 30s who had climbed to the top of the Howard family, was known for his ruthless methods and deep scheming. The authority he exuded was palpable, and everyone in the room, even the most powerful, dared not make eye contact with him, let alone throw a drink in his face.Yet Westley didn’t show a
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."
Now that she had remarried him, this was also her home, and there was no need to tidy up anymore."Really?" Westley turned her around. "It'll be troublesome to go to another room and come back for something later.""What do you mean?" Jordan felt like she didn't understand his words today. "Just spill it already."Westley nodded seriously. "Okay, I'll spill it. We're married now. From now on, when we come back here, we'll sleep together. If you don't tidy up and pack your things, there won't be anything for you in my room."Jordan understood. She suddenly smiled and patted his shoulder. "Who said that after marriage, we have to sleep in the same bed? If there's nothing of mine in your room, I'll sleep in my own room. It's not like you only have one room."Westley laughed. "Okay, you're being naughty now."Jordan replied, "You become like the people you spend time with."She finished speaking and ran off.She went to the kitchen to see Miranda and offer to help.Miranda told he
"What is there to prepare?" Westley sat down with Jordan. "They're not strangers."Miranda gave her a glare and handed Jordan some fruit. "Look at me, still wearing my pajamas...""Jordy, it's not that I don't care about you. It's just that Westley didn't say anything, and you two... we also didn't want to ask too much. Wait for me to change into something proper. What would you like to eat? I'll personally cook for you."Jordan quickly stopped her. "No need, we're so familiar with each other already, Mom."Miranda froze, then after a long pause, she grasped Jordan's hand, wiping her tears as she said, “Okay.”Jordan gave Westley a look, and he handed her a tissue.She wiped Miranda's tears. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you worry.""It's our fault," Miranda patted her hand. "We never thought that Westley would do that.""You two grew up together and had a great relationship. We always thought, when we're gone, he'll be able to love you and take care of you well on our beha
Jordan asked him, "You finished so quickly?""Why does it sound like you're unhappy that I came over?""No, it's just that your meetings used to take quite a long time."Westley casually ruffled her hair.Jordan wasn't happy. "You messed up my hairstyle!"Westley chuckled softly. "You're just had your hair down. Is it even styled?""You don't understand.""Alright, I don't understand."Westley pulled her back to the bedroom.Jordan wasn't happy. When they were going upstairs, he carried her back to the room."Do you really like kids that much?"Jordan put her hands against him to stop him from getting any closer."What, can't I like kids now? Henry and Sparrow are so cute."Westley caught both her hands and pinned them down. "Then should we have one too?"Jordan struggled. "Who said I want to have one with you?""Then who do you want to have one with?"Jordan kicked him with her leg. "Get off me."Westley bent down and asked, "Afraid of the pain?""Yes." Jordan was pi
Jordan didn't really know—she had only come here to escape.Now, there wasn't much left to escape from.If it weren't for wanting to spend a few more days with Jane and the others, she would have already been ready to go back to work.Westley saw that she had been thinking for a long time without speaking and asked, "So, are you coming with me to the theme park, or playing with those two kids?"Jordan almost forgot—there were two adorable children here."Then I'll play with the kids.""What, still think I'm too old?"Jordan gave him a playful glare. "Stop bringing that up all the time. Don't think you can keep me trapped with that topic."Westley asked, "Then why not come to the theme park with me?""Weren't you the one who gave me the choice?"Jordan gave a soft snort. "If you only want one answer, then next time give me just one option.""Alright." Westley looked at her with eyes full of affection. "Whatever you say goes.""I've got a meeting—you go play with the kids."
It felt very unreal.It felt like she was dreaming."Will you marry me?""Huh?"Jordan was completely dazed, thinking she would hear him say a lot of touching words.But in the end, all she heard were just those simple words."Are you... talking?"Westley nodded. "Yes. Will you marry me?"For a moment, Jordan truly wanted to throw the flowers at his face.But then she remembered her conversation with Charlotte.And she felt that Charlotte had a point.They were already married, yet Westley still wanted to give her a sense of ceremony.Even if he didn't say any romantic lines, she wouldn't be able to refuse his proposal now.With that thought in mind, she reached out her hand."I will!"Westley slipped the ring onto her finger, stood up, and hugged her.Jordan heard him whisper softly in her ear. "I'm really nervous. It's my first time doing something like this, so I don’t know what to say—I was afraid I'd cry. Give me a little grace. Whatever you want to hear, I'll say
"Okay."Jordan started to feel something was off. "Charlotte, I remember you didn't like the smell of cigarettes. Didn't Frank stop smoking after being with you?"Charlotte responded calmly, "Not really. If I didn't like the smell of cigarettes, I wouldn't have gotten along with Jane for so many years. She was already smoking when I first met her. Also, Frank didn't stop smoking just because he was with me. It was only later, when I was pregnant and feeling unwell, that he stayed by my side and simply forgot about it. Men have a lot of work pressure too. If he smokes now and out of my sight, I think I should try to understand that. That's what being a couple means."Jordan was persuaded. "Yeah, I guess you’re right. There should be mutual understanding. I do act a bit spoiled sometimes."Charlotte said, "When I talk about understanding, I don't mean compromise. If there's something you really can't accept, it still needs to be discussed between the two of you."Jordan was confused
"Wow."Jane and Charlotte stood at the doorway, watching with great interest.It was quite the appetizing show.Zachary and Frank, on the other hand, weren't interested, and headed to the yard to set up the grill.Frank chatted casually with him. "He's been proving himself for two days now—why do you keep poking at his age? He even made you bleed."Zachary said, "I did it for the greater good. Look at them now, kissing like they can't bear to part."Frank cocked his brows and said nothing in response.Jordan overheard Jane and Charlotte's voices.Her face turned completely red from embarrassment.She couldn't push Westley away, so she had no choice but to bite him.When he relaxed his grip, she took the chance to run.She didn't even dare glance at Jane and Charlotte at the door.Back in her room, she buried herself under the blanket.So embarrassing.Downstairs, Jane and Charlotte, satisfied with the show, headed to the yard.Westley, meanwhile, went upstairs.Sure eno
'What was that?'Jordan truly had nothing in her head but confusion.She had just been teased by Jane outside.She thought that since she hadn't come downstairs in the past couple of days, everyone already knew—Westley was... not impotent.Why was Frank saying things like that now?"Frank, what are you talking about?""Nothing."Frank left the kitchen and sat next to Charlotte.After Jane finished tending to Zachary's wound, she even fed him some food.The man held his wife in his arms and asked in a low voice, "All your friends are bringing their husbands food. Why aren't you doing the same?"Charlotte smiled. "That's because Jane took a bite and didn't like it. She thought it would be wasteful, so she gave it to Zachary."Frank played with her hand and asked, "Is there nothing you don't like to eat?""Nope."In the kitchen—Jordan sensed that Westley was upset. She reached out and hugged him, asking, "Did Zachary and the others tease you?"Westley finished handling wha