"Ivo, you've already helped me so much. I really feel bad about troubling you further," Yasmin said."It feels awkward when you speak to me like this." Ivan's tone was calm and steady. "I want to help you on my own accord, not because you're asking me to."Yasmin caught his gaze. She found his eyes oddly profound, and she dared not meet them.Since arriving in Merania, it seemed like Ivan had changed in some way. However, she couldn't quite put her finger on it.… Two days later, Ivan unexpectedly came into her room after knocking on the door. He said he wanted to take her somewhere."Where are we going?" Yasmin was sketching in her room at the time. She had already resumed her work and felt inexplicably relaxed.Ivan stood at the doorway. He looked at her intently as he said, "I'll tell you on the way.""Oh," Yasmin replied. She set aside her sketches and left the room with him.They eventually got into the car together.Wendy wasn't with them today. As such, Ivan sat himse
Vanessa said in mild surprise, "Oh, so she's Ms. Starr." Vanessa's smile widened as he quickly ushered Yasmin and Ivan inside.Yasmin felt puzzled by his behavior. She walked behind Ivan and asked, "Ivo, does this housekeeper know me?"She couldn't shake the feeling that Vanessa had looked at her strangely just now.Ivan smiled faintly. "You'll find out once we go inside."He then walked gracefully into the estate, leading Yasmin onto the property. Sitting behind the arched gates was an elegant and dignified lady with a head of white hair.The elderly lady was busy trimming flowers. Upon hearing the commotion outside, she lifted her eyes.Seeing the lady's face, Yasmin was taken aback. She thought to herself, "Isn't this person Imogen Sander, the founder of Sander International?"Imogen spotted Yasmin from afar and a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes. She smiled as she nodded in recognition, her voice gentle and kind as she asked, "Yasmin?"Yasmin grew even more perplexed.
Yasmin was still lost in thought, but Imogen didn't mind. She simply observed Yasmin with loving eyes."Thank you so much, Ivan. If it weren't for you, I might never have met my granddaughter," Imogen expressed her gratitude to Ivan. She had prepared many valuable gifts for him in return.Ivan shook his head. "Mrs. Morrison Senior, you don't need to be so formal. My mother was very close to your daughter. It was only right for me to help Yasmin.""Oh? Did you have that kind of connection?" Imogen's interest was piqued.Ivan recounted the close relationship between Maeve and Mia. Though in truth, Mia and Maeve were friends but never exceptionally close.However, as he spun the stories, he began to believe them himself. Others started to believe the stories as well.Imogen listened quietly, and her face showed contentment. "I never imagined that after leaving Merania, Mia would have such extraordinary experiences. She made such close friends, found a life partner, and even had a ch
Imogen quietly said to Yasmin, "Good girl."She gently stroked Yasmin's head, her gaze unbearably tender. Imogen thought for a moment and began, "Your mother was unique in her own way—perhaps it was because of my fame. Since she was young, people had high expectations of her."She always had to be mindful of etiquette, poise, and the cameras that followed us because I frequently attended fashion shows. Whenever she was by my side, any slip-ups would be magnified by the media."Although she was a prominent heiress, her life was not as smooth sailing as people thought it would be. I know a bit about her and your father." Imogen glanced at Yasmin every now and then as she spoke.Yasmin sat restlessly on the edge of the bed. She was surprised by Imogen's words. "Grandma, you knew about them?"Imogen's eyes showed a hint of regret. "I didn't know Stuart was your father at first; but having seen him at some events, I guessed that she was with the man from back then."If Imogen hadn't
Imogen asked, "Really?" Her eyes glistened with tears upon hearing Yasmin's words. "Did your mom really say that she would bring you back to see me once you were born?""Yes, Grandma. Vania said that Mom knew you were angry and wanted to wait for the right moment to return. She almost succeeded in her career, and if it weren't for having me, she might have come back to you with accomplishments of her own…"Imogen couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat. She couldn't hold back her tears any longer as she gently stroked Yasmin's head. She said, "Yasmin, how could I ever truly be angry with your mom? No matter what, I would have accepted her because she's my child."Yasmin couldn't hold back her tears either. She realized at that moment that her grandmother never blamed her mother. If her mother knew of this, it would have brought her great comfort.After a period of silence, Imogen asked, "Yasmin, did your father treat you and your mother well?""Yes. Vania always said that
At dinner time, someone arrived at the Sander residence. It was a young girl with long, wavy hair, and large, expressive eyes. She appeared to be fashionable and beautiful.She was Imogen's adopted daughter, Rowena Sander. Rowena's mother had been a close friend of Imogen.After her mother's death and the family fell into hardship, Imogen decided to take Rowena in. They had lived together ever since.Upon seeing Yasmin, Rowena asked, "Mom, is this Yasmin, the daughter of Mia?""Yes," Imogen replied and nodded."Yasmin, let me introduce you to my adopted daughter, Rowena Sander. You should call her Aunt Rowena.""Hello, Aunt Rowena," Yasmin immediately greeted, glancing at the newly arrived person.Rowena appeared to be around 26 years old, just two years older than Yasmin.Later that night, Rowena brought a glass of milk to Yasmin's room for a visit. Yasmin had just emerged from the bathroom, clutching her aching stomach. Lately, her stomach had been feeling unwell and she
Gavin Burke saw Ivan as the next heir and was actively searching for a suitable young woman from a wealthy family for his younger son to marry.However, Ivan had already made his own plans. Bringing Yasmin back meant it was time for him to arrange a marriage with her. As the established heir to NAS Group, he would be the perfect match for Yasmin."You!" Rowena's displeasure was clear. "So, you have no intention of arranging a marriage with me? Do you think I'm not good enough?""I have someone else in mind," Ivan said honestly. His voice was loud enough to be heard by the two people upstairs."Someone else? Could it be my niece, Yasmin?" Rowena asked.Upon hearing this, Yasmin, who was standing in the hallway, felt her eyelashes flutter.Ivan didn't answer directly. He simply replied, "It's none of your business.""It is certainly my business. I was nearly your fiancée, so I have a right to know who you are interested in." Rowena insisted on getting to the bottom of it.In the
At the doctor's words, everyone fell silent. All eyes turned to Yasmin.She was just as confused but realized her symptoms indeed resembled those of early pregnancy. After a moment, she said, "My periods have been irregular. Sometimes they come every two months, other times three."The doctor suggested, "Given your symptoms, it might be a good idea to get a blood test."Soon, they found themselves waiting for the test results.About half an hour later, the report confirmed that Yasmin was 12 weeks pregnant.She was already three months pregnant.The news stunned everyone, including Imogen and Ivan. In particular, Ivan was taken aback to learn Yasmin was carrying Blake's child."Whose child is this?" Rowena's initial shock quickly gave way to disdain. Merania's law was strict. Once pregnant, a woman had to carry the child to term as abortion was illegal.Yasmin's face turned pale. Just as she was about to respond, Ivan stepped in. He announced, "This is my child."Yasmin was