Upon seeing Sophie’s complexion improve, Cedric's heart finally eased. "Feeling better now?""Mhm." Sophie hoped this brief response would suffice, but Cedric was not easily dismissed.He frowned slightly, his tone insistent and commanding. "Let me see."Her face flushed, and she tightened her grip on the blanket. "No need to look. I know what the bumps on my body are like.""Let me see!" Cedric repeated, already reaching to lift her blanket.Sophie, seeing this, had no choice but to stretch her arms out from under the blanket. "Just look at my arms then."Obediently, she rolled up her sleeves. The reddish bumps on her fair skin had subsided significantly, leaving only a few scattered ones that had not yet faded."What about your back?"'Is this guy serious? I showed him my arms, and now he wants to see my back! Is he just trying to take advantage of the situation?!'"I need to see your back." Cedric’s tone was firm, unexpectedly dominant.Sophie knew his relentless nature an
At the hospital.Sophie had completed her examination, and the doctor was reviewing her medical report. "The allergic reaction is not too severe, but I recommend that Mrs. Carlson undergo IV treatment for three days for optimal recovery.""Three days?" Sophie felt this was excessive. The red bumps on her skin had mostly faded, and she thought some allergy medication would suffice.However, Cedric, standing beside her, said firmly, "Start it immediately.""I'll prepare the paperwork for Mrs. Carlson right away," the doctor said without hesitation.With a quick flourish of his pen, he wrote out a prescription.Cedric took the paper and paid before a nurse escorted Sophie to the infusion room."Mrs. Carlson, this might sting a bit. Please try to stay still," the nurse said gently.Normally, her voice would have been soothing, but Sophie's mind was elsewhere."Nurse, could you avoid using the back of my hand for the injection? Could we use a less noticeable spot?" Sophie asked, th
Cedric explained their visit to the hospital with blunt honesty, "Soph had an allergic reaction, so we came for an IV treatment."Even if he had lied, Dr. Zegler could easily verify the facts with the attending doctor they had just seen."Mrs. Carlson, are you feeling better now?" Dr. Zegler asked, showing genuine concern."I'm fine now," Sophie replied, maintaining her composure. She quickly added, "Dr. Zegler, could you please keep my allergy issues confidential?"Given that Jeff had faked illness and might meet with Dr. Zegler again, it was better to request confidentiality early to avoid any accidental mentions."Rest assured. Maintaining patient confidentiality is a basic requirement for doctors," Dr. Zegler reassured her, adjusting his glasses. Then, his expression became concerned again as he turned to Cedric. "How is your grandfather doing?"Cedric had intended to ask about his grandfather’s condition. Seizing the opportunity, he asked, "Grandpa has started showing signs
"It's all gone. Should I go out to buy some more?" Mrs. Carrie asked."Yes, hurry up and go. Make sure to pick the freshest ones," Jeff instructed."Alright." Mrs. Carrie put down her work, took off her apron, grabbed her wallet, and headed out the door cheerfully.In a good mood, even the bustling supermarket on the TV program became a pleasant sight.Jeff smiled contentedly, thinking that once Sophie and Cedric reconciled, Austin would naturally give up on her. By then, if either of them could give birth to another grandson or granddaughter for the Carlsons, he would have no more regrets in this life."With the arrival of the raspberry season, many viewers who enjoy the sweet and sour taste of raspberries will indulge in this delicious fruit. However, we remind everyone to pay attention to freshness when selecting raspberries. Before eating them, be sure to soak them in diluted saltwater to get rid of any microorganisms and bacteria."More importantly, those who have never eate
'Could something else have happened again?' Mrs. Carrie pulled out her phone, and her thumb hovered over Cedric's number. Remembering Jeff's command, though, she hesitated for a long time.In the end, she shoved her phone back in her pocket. 'Mr. Carlson is as cunning as a fox and as wise as an owl. Since he's given the order, he must have his reasons.'-The afternoon sun seemed to move westward unusually fast, and before long, the sunset poured in through the window, adding a touch of splendid hue to the spacious living hall.Cedric and Sophie returned home from work. Seeing Jeff sitting on the couch and staring blankly at the sunset, they exchanged a glance.After concealing their sorrow, Sophie walked over, sat beside Jeff, and smiled as usual. "Grandpa, what are you looking at?""You're back? Come and look at this beautiful sunset, Soph." Jeff pointed, and Sophie followed his gaze.The brilliant sunset made Sophie's heart ache, but she tried hard to maintain the same smile.
Looking at her increasingly broad figure, Sophie could not help but worry a little. Although obesity did not run in their family, growing fatter would be inevitable if this were to continue.Footsteps sounded outside the door again, and Sophie withdrew her gaze and saw Tristan walking in with his backpack. Naturally, she waved and greeted him with a smile, "Tristan, there's cake in the fridge. Put your backpack away, wash your hands, and have some.""Thank you, Ms. Luxford." Tristan nodded politely and hung his backpack on the rack. As he turned, he noticed Cherry's backpack lying haphazardly and frowned slightly, but he had already walked up to it.Perhaps the zipper wasn't zipped properly. When he lifted the backpack to help her hang it, its contents spilled out. In an attempt to do a good deed, he actually made it worse.Embarrassed, Tristan glanced toward the dining hall where Cherry was happily eyeing her cake. A hint of resignation flickered in his calm eyes as he reached out
The crooked handwriting on the pink paper made Tristan frown subconsciously. As he read through the contents, a subtle blue hue flickered in his eyes.[Cherry, I've liked you since the first day I saw you. Your smile is like sweet candy, and you're as cute as a delicious donut. When we're in third grade, let's be together. What do you think? My mommy says only third graders can date…]Before finishing the content, Tristan tightly crumpled the paper into a ball.His innocent lips pressed tightly together, and his gums clenched, but he couldn't control the surging flame within him.Anger—he had felt it before when his mother was about to leave him behind, and he was too powerless to do anything.His eyes dimmed, and his creased brows suddenly relaxed. He then tossed the crumpled paper into the trash can.-Sophie had been observing the recent interactions between the two kids and couldn't help but feel somewhat worried.Cherry had a personality that was both sweet and adorable, y
"Cherry and I are good friends, so you should be friends with me too," Collin said with a tone of entitlement. He seemed to believe that offering his friendship was a privilege everyone would eagerly accept.When he didn't get the expected response after a few seconds, his thick eyebrows furrowed in dissatisfaction. "Don't you want to be friends with me? I'm Cherry's friend. Do you know, besides her deskmate, she talks to me the most in our class?""What does she talk to you about?" Tristan, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up. His usual polite tone carried a barely perceptible chill."Cherry tells me..."The words "to stop kicking my chair" almost slipped out, but Collin held them back. Realizing that it might undermine the domineering demeanor his father had told him to uphold, he straightened his posture and said gruffly, "Why should I tell you?"After all, he was the boy who talked to Cherry the most, and that was enough for him.Tristan's eyes narrowed slightly,
Tristan looked up in surprise. As if struck by a sudden thought, he glanced at Cherry, who was writhing in pain, and timidly asked, "Can I go to the hospital to help?""You need to stay home and help Cherry get a leave from school tomorrow. Be good and stay here. Trust Daddy. Cherry will be fine." Cedric's words seemed to soothe Tristan's anxiety.Avoiding Cedric’s gaze, Tristan obediently nodded. 'Cherry will surely be fine.'-The Bentley sped along the road and soon arrived at the hospital.Cedric held Cherry the entire time, while Sophie handled the paperwork. Their seamless cooperation made them seem like a perfectly ordinary married couple."Mr. Carlson, Mrs. Carlson, the child has gastritis and needs to be hospitalized for treatment," the emergency physician explained after examining Cherry, jotting down the diagnosis in the medical record.Sophie's face turned pale. 'Gastritis? How could it be so severe?'"Can she recover?" Cedric asked with a frown, his sudden intimida
In Imperium, hardly anyone else would dare yell at Cedric like this. Cedric's eyes narrowed dangerously, his shoulders radiating a cold aura. However, traces of helplessness and doting affection softened his expression. Despite his reluctance, he eventually turned aside cooperatively.Sophie couldn't help but smile. 'It's no wonder some people believe that daughters are their fathers' lovers from a previous life. If it were anyone else, Cedric would have likely thrown them out the window by now.'She lifted Cherry's clothes to reveal her round belly and gently massaged it in circles with her fingers. Taking the opportunity, she also gave Cherry a gentle reminder, "How many times has Mommy told you not to eat so much? But you never listen. Now you know how it feels when you overeat, huh?""Mommy, could you not rub salt in my wounds?" Cherry's face was scrunched up in pain. Her pitiful and aggrieved expression instantly silenced Sophie, who decided to save the scolding for when Cherry
Cedric kissed Sophie’s rosy cheeks, preparing to take things to the next level, when a knock on the door interrupted them at a crucial moment.His expression darkened immediately. No man liked being interrupted at such a time, and it had happened repeatedly."Who is it?" Sophie grabbed the blanket beside her to cover her exposed chest, her hoarse voice betraying her recent passion."Ms. Luxford... It's me." Tristan's low voice came from the other side of the door.'Tristan?' Sophie looked at the man beside her, surprised. She had assumed it was Cherry again, but unexpectedly...Gathering her scattered clothes from the floor, Sophie dressed quickly. Ensuring there was nothing inappropriate between her and Cedric, she got out of bed and walked toward the door.Tristan stood there, head down, fingers fidgeting, indicating urgency. As soon as the door opened, he looked up anxiously and said, "Ms. Luxford, could you go check on Cherry? She seems unwell.""Cherry is unwell?" The flush
"This birthday brings me a lot of happiness."Sophie grasped the deeper implications of his words. The blush on her cheeks faded slightly, and the initial flutter of excitement mingled with a touch of sadness. No one could predict what Jeff's condition would be like by her next birthday.Cedric shifted the topic, pouring the already decanted red wine into a tall glass and handing it to her. "Just one glass. This is for your private birthday celebration. Happy birthday."The intoxicating aroma of the wine was irresistible. She stopped resisting and held her glass up to gently clink against his, producing a clear, melodious sound that resonated beautifully in the quiet room.The rich wine slid down her throat, soothing her tense nerves. Her tightly held shoulders relaxed, and her racing heart found a semblance of peace. She had once believed she would never fall for Cedric again, but looking back, she realized that all her hatred had been rooted in love.He had transformed love into
Cedric seemed to know exactly what Sophie was nervous about. He raised his eyebrows suggestively, causing her to blush and quickly look away.What had happened between them lingered in the air, irrevocable.Jeff squinted, watching their subtle gestures with satisfaction. Smiling contentedly, he struggled to his feet with the help of his cane. These two had already reached a natural conclusion, and there was no need for him to exaggerate his illness any longer."Mommy, I still have homework to do. I'm heading to my room," Cherry announced, her bright eyes glancing at Tristan. She couldn't beat him at Taekwondo, but she was determined to outshine him in the midterm exams!"I’m going upstairs too," Tristan added, surprised by her sudden focus. He hesitated for a moment before quickly following her up the stairs.Melissa had long lost her patience. Without a word, she dragged Matthew upstairs, letting out a disdainful snort as they left.What had been a lively living room now left So
"Okay."Understanding Cherry’s impatience, Sophie smiled and gently pulled away from Cedric’s embrace. She clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and made a wish.She hoped for her family's safety, health, and happiness. She wished that her parents and sister were living comfortably in another world. And she wished that she and Cedric would have a happy ending, free from past mistakes.After silently making her wishes, she blew out the flickering candles in one breath.The room filled with the faint scent of melted wax."We can eat the cake now!" Cherry beamed with joy, eagerly carrying the cake to the dining table.Her impatience made Jeff laugh heartily, his eyes crinkling with delight as he stroked his beard. "Alright, let’s start eating before this little girl drools all over the table."Sophie took her seat, glancing at Cedric, who still held her hand tightly. Her smile widened as she playfully scolded him, "Why didn’t you tell me on the way here?""If I told you, ho
Although Sophie's mind was brimming with questions, she couldn’t help but smile at Cedric's words. She looked down at their intertwined hands, feeling the warmth of his palm. Whether it was a perfect match or a union made in heaven, it all required two hearts in love. With love, even amidst turbulence, they would find the courage to move forward together.Before long, the Bentley smoothly pulled into the Carlson residence.Jeff immediately smiled and waved upon their arrival. "Soph, come over here."Sophie approached, noticing that Mrs. Carrie had prepared a table full of dishes. She couldn’t help but feel puzzled. "Grandpa, what has made you so happy? Why did you ask Mrs. Carrie to make so much delicious food?""Silly girl, did you forget what day it is today?"Jeff's loving yet mischievous smile left her momentarily bewildered. Then her eyes widened in surprise. With everything going on with Linda, she had completely forgotten her own birthday!"Happy birthday." Cedric had quie
Fearing that staying any longer would only worsen the situation, Linda quickly opened the door and walked out.Fenix stood there, confusion gradually replacing the determination in his eyes."What’s wrong with marrying me?" he asked Sophie, genuinely puzzled.'I’m the CEO of Cheshire Group. I’m not unattractive, and marrying me would make her legally protected as Mrs. Cheshire. Why am I being rejected?'Sophie coughed awkwardly, gaining a deeper understanding of Fenix. Sean had navigated the world of romance with ease, but Fenix seemed as naive in matters of the heart as a child."Am I really that bad?"Seeing that Fenix was still fixated on why he was rejected, Sophie shook her head. "Feelings are different from business. It’s not about racing against time or weighing benefits. You can’t apply business tactics to relationships. Spending a lifetime together requires a foundation of love.""Foundation of love? You and Cedric grew up together. You had a good foundation, but it was
Sophie's suspicion was right. Fenix was not one to easily abandon his target. After Linda ignored countless calls, he took the initiative to find her."Mr. Cheshire, Linda really isn't in the office right now," the secretary tried to block him, but it was futile against a determined man, especially one exuding an intimidating chill."Then I’ll find Sophie.""But Ms. Luxford, she—" Before the secretary could finish, Fenix's long legs had already taken him to Sophie's office door.He knocked twice before pushing it open. The secretary looked like she was about to cry. "Ms. Luxford, I’m sorry, I couldn’t stop Mr. Cheshire.""It’s fine. Go make Mr. Cheshire a cup of coffee," Sophie said.Seeing Fenix barge in, she raised an eyebrow, smiled, and glanced at Linda, who was hiding in her office. "Have a seat and let's talk.""No need. I have to catch a flight soon." Fenix cut straight to the point, his determined eyes fixed on Linda as he said firmly, "I need an answer from you.""Mr.