Charlotte immediately stood in front of Jane.She had never met the person in question, but she had seen photos of him.This was Jane's biological father.“Doing well, huh? With luxury cars and bodyguards. Jane, you’ve made it big but didn’t even bother to show some respect to your old man. Instead, you’ve been hiding from me. Luckily, I have the means to find you.”Jane grabbed Charlotte’s sleeve, hiding behind her, without saying a word.Even though she hadn’t been beaten in a long time and hadn’t seen this so-called father, the memories of being abused as a child were still triggered.She now had the ability to defend herself and knew she wouldn’t be beaten anymore, but she couldn’t control the instinctive fear.“It’s okay.” Charlotte comforted, holding her hand. “I’m here. He won’t get to you.”With Raymond and the others around, there was no way Jasper Greenwood could approach Jane.“Charlotte, let’s go...”“Okay, let’s go.”Charlotte opened the car door for Jane to get
Charlotte asked, “Has Luthor’s investigation been completed?”“That matter wasn’t hard to investigate. The twin sisters, the Joseph family helped to clarify it. The person he married is was also from the Joseph family, so it won’t affect him much.” Frank sat up. “But being embarrassed is a huge disgrace for him. He cares most about his reputation.”Charlotte could understand. After all, Luthor was a generation older than them, essentially an elder. How could he allow a younger person to embarrass him like that?On the other side, Jane gradually stopped crying.Zachary gently patted her back, helping her to calm down.Then he helped her into the car.Ross handed over a thermos, closed the car door, and stood by the car, waiting.Inside the car, Zachary poured her a cup of hot tea and gave it to Jane to warm her hands.He rubbed her head and placed a kiss on her hairline.“He won’t appear in front of you again.”Jane suddenly thought of something and looked at Zachary, her hand
Charlotte shook her head. “I’ll go tidy up first.”This outfit wasn’t very convenient either.“I’ll accompany you.”“You can talk to Mr. Howard.”Charlotte quickly left.Westley sat down in the main seat, and his trusted aide immediately poured him tea.Frank, who had drunk the tea Charlotte poured earlier, asked, “What video?”Westley gave a subtle glance, and his aide handed the tablet to Frank.Frank opened it and looked.When he saw Jasper’s face, he suppressed his disgust and watched until the end.“What did they say?”Westley replied, “The USB driver was sent by a courier. The sender’s address is a courier station in a nearby county. Following the surveillance footage, the person’s face wasn’t captured. Based on the body type, it can be judged that it's a martial artist, but it’s hard to determine whether it’s from the Collins family or the Winston family.”“Let me see the surveillance.”The aide tapped the tablet and brought up the footage.Frank paused and zoomed
Westley was puzzled. “In such a hurry?”Zachary didn’t want to leave either. It was clear that Jane was dependent on him.But time waited for no one. If they didn’t solve the issue quickly, once it spreads all over the internet, no matter what they did later, it would still hurt Jane to some extent.Frank also stood up. “I’ll go check on the other Jasper, see what’s going on.”“I’ll leave this to you,” said Zachary, his voice suddenly serious. “I’m counting on you. The news absolutely can’t be leaked.”Westley was momentarily taken aback.They had known each other for many years, and Zachary had never asked him for anything before.Because of the favor he owed and their brotherly bond, if there was something, they would just speak frankly.But hearing him speak so earnestly made Westley respond with the same seriousness. “Don’t worry.”After sending off Zachary and Frank, he instructed the maid to send over some food.Jordan wasn’t really good at comforting others. She could
Charlotte said, “You stay in Nelana for now. I’ll handle the company’s affairs. There’s no rush for you to come back.”Jane knew exactly what she meant—she was stopping her from going back.After all, with Westley here, it was much safer than in Jeswood.The power of the Collins and Winston families was all in Jeswood. Now that Zachary had returned to handle things, if she went there too, it would definitely cause more trouble.But she felt that hiding like this wasn’t the solution either.Was she supposed to live her life under Zachary’s protection forever?“I want to face this with him.”Charlotte was a bit surprised. “You’re already facing it with him. As long as you’re okay, he won’t have to worry about you. He’ll handle things soon enough.”The issue with Jasper was different from the others.It was Jane’s most indelible scar.Like an ulcer, the flesh kept rotting.Even the slightest touch would pierce straight through her heart.“Since we’ve decided to get married in
Jordan was at a loss for words.Jane said, “When I first pursued Zachary, he ignored me. Later, when I stopped pursuing him, he said he liked me and started to cling to me.”Jordan couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “No wonder they’re good friends. Birds of a feather flock together. I can’t imagine that if someone truly liked another person, they wouldn’t even call them or send a message on WhatsApp. What kind of feeling is that?”Jane felt that someone like Westley had been strictly trained since childhood.His future path had been paved, and he couldn’t afford to let his emotions show too much.It was quite similar to Zachary.It wasn’t until he realized he couldn’t keep the person by his side that he began to panic.But she didn’t really agree with this kind of behavior.Especially since Jordan was younger, and Westley was 10 years older than her.The gap in their emotional worlds was bound to be large.Of course, a young girl would want to feel loved, passionately and drama
There were only a few people at the airport.So she immediately saw Zachary waiting at the exit.She jogged a few steps and threw herself into his arms.Zachary gently patted her head, placing a kiss on the top of her hair. In a soft voice, he asked, "Are you hungry? What would you like to eat?"Jane shook her head, then looked up at him. "Aren’t you going to ask me why I came back to Jeswood?"Zachary’s lips curved into a faint smile. "No need to ask, I already know."Jane curved her lips. "Makes you sound so smart."Zachary took the bag off her shoulder, and Ross immediately took it from him.He wrapped his arm around her as they walked out together."Then I don’t know the reason that you’re back. How about you tell me?" he teased.Jane gave him a sidelong glance.Zachary helped her into the car and held her hand, playing with it.He asked again, "Are you hungry?"Jane shook her head.The car started, and after a while, she realized something was off with the route."W
Eric pressed his forehead, and his brows and eyes already showed signs of exhaustion.It wasn’t that he was tired, or that he had been waiting until midnight.Rather, he regretted that, before Zachary had fully grown up, he should have been more resolute.He knew he could eliminate Jane without letting Zachary committing suicide.“I can only wait and see what they want.”When they returned home, Jane noticed that the room had already been cleaned.She asked Zachary, “Did you have someone clean the room?”Zachary nodded and went to the kitchen to pour her a cup of hot water.Jane took it and sipped slowly.Zachary went to take a shower first. When Jane went to the bathroom afterward, the water was still warm.That night, they did nothing and just held each other to sleep.Early in the morning, they were woken up by a phone call.Jane turned over and reached for her phone, but a hand reached it first.It pressed the answer button, and a resentful voice came through from Jord
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."