Jane immediately pulled back and called out, "Rick."The girl finally whispered in her ear, "I hope to see you alive again."After leaving the store, Jane still felt a chill down her back.Charlotte gently stroked her back to comfort her. "Let’s not act rashly. We’ll talk after asking Zachary.""Anyway, she's already out in the open, there's no need to be afraid."Jane had anticipated that after her breakup some time ago, many dangerous things might happen in the future.This path was full of thorns. Even if one could walk through it, they would be covered in wounds.But since they had gotten back together, she knew she would face it with Zachary, no matter what."Rick.""Mrs. Collins."Jane stopped. "What did you just call me?"If she remembered correctly, they had always addressed her as "Miss Greenwood". When did the title change?"You and Mr. Collins are going to marry, so of course, we need to change how we address you. In the future, you’ll be Mrs. Collins."She had
Zachary arrived uninvited.He even sat in the host's seat.Without any hesitation, he picked up the tea that the butler had brought for the head of the family, his long fingers delicately holding the cup. He lightly tapped the rim twice, then took a sip.After setting the cup down, he looked at the people in front of him.In a joking tone, he made everything obvious.But he remained completely calm.Luthor sat at his right, in the lower seat.Silently sipping his tea, his expression unchanged.Yet in his eyes, hidden from everyone, was a strong murderous intent.The expressions of all the members of the Joseph changed.The head of the Joseph family had no dealings with the Collins family, nor had he offended them.But he understood very well the purpose of Zachary’s visit.The marriage alliance with the Collins family’s greatest enemy, the Winston family, had already made it clear to the world, they were now enemies of the Collins family.But even so, he couldn’t openly br
Raymond saw that Luthor's hand, gripping the redwood armrest, had turned pale.If it had been glass, it would have shattered by now.‘Mr. Collins really did have a knack for making people angry.’"Mr. Collins..." The head of the Joseph family said cautiously, "Could you kindly tell me where my eldest daughter is? I'll go pick her up so she can go with Mr. Winston to register for the marriage. This is something that's already been arranged. There’s no turning back."Zachary fished out a cigarette, and as he looked for his lighter, the head of the Joseph family immediately held one up to him.But Zachary, instead of using the lighter, tilted his head slightly and lit the cigarette with the incense that hadn’t burned out behind him.The head of the Joseph family froze, still holding the lighter in midair.Zachary glanced at him indifferently, his voice casual. "Sorry, I didn’t notice you offering the lighter."It wasn’t that he hadn’t noticed, he simply didn’t want to use the one
Jane received a message from Zachary inviting her to dinner.Just as she was about to tell Charlotte, Frank appeared and took her away.It was perfect timing.She called the front desk and ordered a few dishes.She quickly tidied up the room, placed flowers and candles on the dining table.Then she opened a bottle of red wine to let it breathe.She had just nestled into the sofa and opened Zachary's chat window, planning to ask where he was.At that moment, she heard a beep at the door.She got up and walked over.Seeing the familiar figure entering, she was a little surprised. "So soon?"Zachary shut the door with one hand and immediately pulled her into his arms.They had recently reconciled and were in the honeymoon phase of their relationship.But his behavior was still a bit off.Jane patted his back. "I can’t breathe... a bit tight."Zachary loosened his grip slightly but didn’t fully let her go.He still held her close.His face nuzzled into the crook of her neck
Zachary had a phone call and, after finishing it, came over.He hugged her from behind."You've already put on this outfit, don’t waste it."Jane pressed his hand down. "This is proper sleepwear. I usually wear this."Zachary lingered on her swan-like neck."A candlelit dinner, sexy sleepwear... Are you sure this isn’t a hint?""Of course not!"Jane elbowed him in the stomach. "Have you lost your memory? Didn’t we just finish this morning? I don’t want to die in bed while I’m still young. Go away, and help me pack!"Zachary kissed her cheek, released her, and began folding her clothes.Jane went into the bathroom, changed out of her sleepwear, and stuffed it into her suitcase.She walked around the room to make sure nothing was left behind, grabbed her phone, slung her bag over her shoulder, and opened the door.After waiting for a while, Raymond entered and took the suitcase.Once they reached the underground garage, Jane saw Charlotte."Are you heading back to Jeswood, o
"But what?"Westley didn't say anything.Zachary didn’t ask either, just silently smoked his cigarette.In the end, Westley couldn't hold it in anymore."Why aren’t you asking me?""Don’t really care."Westley clenched his fist, took a few deep breaths, and suppressed the words that almost slipped out.If it weren’t for owing someone a favor, and their close relationship with mutual interests, he really couldn’t be bothered to deal with Zachary."I’ve been thinking a lot lately, about why I ended up becoming friends with you.""I had the same question myself."Frank walked over and handed Westley a glass of wine.Westley’s gaze darkened a little. "This wouldn’t happen to be from my wine cellar, would it?"Frank smirked and replied, "A limited edition."Westley must have committed some sin in his past life to be acquainted with these two in this one."You know that kind of limited edition is priceless, right?""I know, so while I’m still alive, I might as well try a sip."
"Later, when I found out you were chasing after Zachary, I thought you were very carefree, not bound by the constraints of society. But after you started dating him, I saw you hesitate. You were thinking too much, and you just didn’t have the courage to give up. I said you were serious back then. Now, it seems, your heart is completely occupied by Zachary."Jane listened to Charlotte’s words and finished a bag of crisps.She gasped and said, "That can’t be. In my heart, there’s still a place for you.""Yes, and that’s all."Jane held her hand. "My dear best friend, please don’t say that."The two conversations of the guys and girls ended at the same time.Zachary and Frank went back to their rooms to find their wives.Westley, being a lonely bachelor, returned to his room and took out his phone to send a message.The red exclamation mark was both glaring and piercing. It was also cold and sharp.He angrily threw the phone aside and lay down on the bed, muttering through gritte
Westley asked, “How did you help?”Charlotte and Jane were that close, and Frank listened to his wife. Even if Zachary asked him, it probably wouldn’t have worked."I didn't help."Westley knew it.He shouldn't have bothered asking Zachary."Are you leaving just like that?"Zachary followed Westley. "His actions don’t represent mine."Westley felt like he had fallen into a trap. "I don’t need your help.""Well, I never said I’d help."Westley was certain now!In this lifetime, Westley had a smooth ride, rising to his current position.Everyone he met would try to flatter or please him.So, Zachary’s honest words were really hard to accept.This was probably why no one dared to say anything honest to their emperor during ancient times."I can get my wife back myself."Zachary and Frank simultaneously responded, "We’ll be waiting for the good news."Jane didn’t get up until noon.It wasn’t something she wanted to do. It was Leanne who came to drag her out of bed."Tsk t
Caleb was thinking that in the future, he could let her drink a little more.Of course, only when he was around.She looked kind of cute like this."I did say that, but didn't you just say you wanted to thank me?"Whitney felt that alcohol really wasn't a good thing.Even when hanging out with Jane and the others, she decided not to drink too much anymore.The rationality and logic that she was so proud of had completely vanished.She had never been as calm in front of Caleb as she was with others.Besides, there was a power imbalance between her and him.If she were sober, she wouldn't have been able to reject him anyway.Let alone now, when her mind was muddled.But maybe because she was muddled, she dared to say things that she didn’t usually dare to say."I just lost my balance earlier, and you helped me. Even if you don't accept verbal gratitude, that doesn't mean I owe you something this big."Caleb saw she could barely stand, so he held her by the waist to keep her
"But your reaction just now didn’t seem like you knew I was here."Jane tried to pull her leg back, but when she couldn't, she slapped him in frustration."It was called acting, understand? I didn't want you to look embarrassed, so I got those two out of the way first."Zachary rubbed her ankle with his thumb, as if he believed her. "Then should I be thanking you—for being so considerate?"Jane couldn't be bothered to argue. "Let go. I want to drink.""I'll drink with you."Meanwhile, Frank held Charlotte close and asked in a low voice, "Did she really know we were here?"Charlotte nodded. "What do you think? You really think Jane would mess around during her marriage? She might be bold, but she has boundaries. But you guys really are annoying."Frank hooked her chin with his thumb. "I knew it. You're being cold to me because you're sick of me. I've said it so many times, and you still wouldn't admit it."After saying that, he picked her up and walked out of the bar.He hadn'
Charlotte nudged him with her elbow, warning him not to stir things up.Jordan truly didn't dare to stay any longer. "Westley, take me home.""Okay." Westley finally got up. "You all take your time. If it gets too late, don't go back to the old house—just find a place to crash.""But..." Jordan suddenly felt like leaving wasn't such a good idea. "Maybe I'll stay and play a bit more."Westley simply dragged her out."Jane and Zachary...""You can't control what they do, so why bother worrying over nothing?"Jordan was settled into the passenger seat, her seatbelt fastened firmly.She didn't resist, mostly because she felt what Westley said made sense.Jane was way more capable than she was. This kind of minor drama would be easy for her to handle.Plus, with the smart and composed Charlotte around—It was better if she didn't add to the chaos.Once Westley got into the driver's seat, she asked, "Why did you guys show up? Especially you—didn't you say no seeing each other a w
But it was just a polite gesture—if they had been singing inside, they wouldn't have heard her anyway.So after knocking, she pushed the door open and went in.Charlotte and the others followed to take a look.When they saw the scene inside, they gasped.The four men from home were sitting around a cards table, all eyes on the door, each with a different expression.Zachary looked at Jane, who entered first, and said with a smile, "Honey, pick someone you like and give him a kiss."Jane took a step back and bumped into Charlotte's arms.That was when she noticed the big screen beside them—it was showing their own private room."You were watching us?"Zachary tapped the cards on the table with his long fingers, still smiling."If we weren't watching, how would we get to enjoy such an entertaining scene?"They had all been drinking.Whitney didn't hold her liquor well. She was already a little dazed. Although the room was fairly bright, everything seemed a little off to her.
Caleb didn't respond. Instead, he looked at Westley and played a card.Westley won.And it was a big pot as well.He cocked his brows. "Is this your wedding gift to me, Caleb?"Caleb asked, "Your wedding—Dr. Greyson won't be absent, will he? I heard you two are very close. You've been at death's door multiple times, and he's the one who saved you."Westley nodded. "Theoretically, yes. But I'm not sure if he might have some emergency.""Besides, it's not like you, Caleb, can't reach him. You helped him last time. It's impossible he'd ignore you now."Caleb could contact Carter, but if he did, it would mean helping Carter meet Mandy.He had no interest in meddling in romantic matters—too troublesome.But he couldn't get in touch with Tanner at all.Technically, there was no real need for him to attend Westley's wedding.Even if Whitney was invited by Jane, he himself wasn't obligated.He simply wanted to go, hoping to "accidentally" run into Carter.That way, it wouldn't loo
Frank pulled her into his arms and asked, "You really have to go out for drinks?"Charlotte nodded. "It's a girls-only night. No men allowed.""Oh?" The man repeated slowly and deliberately, "No… men… allowed?"Charlotte saw the look on his face and knew exactly what he was thinking."Only women. Even the drinks are for women.""Oh? Tell me, how do you tell if a drink is male or female?"Charlotte lightly patted his face twice. "The drinks women drink are for women. Got it?"Frank laughed. "Got it."Over on Jane's end, after finishing her call, she was about to go look for Jordan, but Zachary pulled her into the room and pinned her against the wall.His warm lips covered hers, then quickly pulled away.With his forehead against hers, the man asked, "Going out for drinks?"Jane hooked his chin with her finger. "What, Mr. Collins, trying to seduce your way into a drinking invitation?"Zachary chuckled lowly, kissed her again, and asked, "May I?""No."Jane rejected him comp
Jordan had grown up in the Howard family, but the person who had taken care of her since she was little had an old house.She arranged for Jane and the others to stay there, and she would also be getting married from that house.She didn't have many friends. Originally, Leanne was supposed to be her bridesmaid. Although she had a child, she had never been married.But Leanne wasn't sure if she could make it back in time, so she let Jane and Charlotte take over as substitutes for now. They would adjust accordingly later."Try on the dress. If there's a problem, I can still make adjustments."With the help of the two of them, Jordan put on the wedding dress.But Jane was most looking forward to the wedding dress.Both her and Charlotte's weddings were going to be Cherian style.Jordan, however, wanted a Western-style one.And Charlotte, who had designed clothes for many years, had never actually designed a wedding dress before.This was her first attempt, and she was very excit
"Okay, I won't bring it up anymore."Westley walked over with Jonathan and sat down.Miranda was very satisfied. "Finally, Jordy can have dinner with me again."Jordan smiled. "I'm also happy. I can still call you Mom.""Then let's drink to that.""Okay."Westley waited for the "mother and daughter" to finish speaking, then threw out a big announcement. "By the way, our wedding is on the 22nd of next month."Clang!The spoon in Miranda's hand fell."What did you say?""On the 22nd of next month, Jordy and I are getting married. We sincerely invite you and your husband to attend."Jordan was also shocked.She only knew that Charlotte's dress was being made, and they were picking the wedding date.But Westley hadn't told her about this in advance."Next month, it's almost the New Year.""Yes, it's a wedding before the New Year. Then we'll celebrate the New Year at home. I'm informing you in advance, my dear mom. You can prepare for the the New Year Eve dinner.""The New Y
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."