Calvin felt incredibly awkward, not knowing how to handle the situation. His square face turned red with embarrassment.On the other hand, Joseph had distanced himself from the family business long ago, opting to pursue ventures abroad. Despite his rebellious and detached demeanor, he possessed an exceptional aptitude for strategy and leadership, devoid of the typical deception often associated with businessmen. Recognizing these qualities, Harold held his grandson in high regard.However, Harold understood that bestowing the family business upon Joseph would be a narrow-minded decision, so he allowed Joseph to carve his own path and prove himself independently over the years. This decision did not sit well with the Whitmans' core members, who harbored a deep-rooted desire to keep Joseph overseas, fearing he would snatch away the opportunities they held.Given this environment, it was only natural that nobody made a deliberate effort to unveil Joseph's familial background prematurel
Diego followed Joseph's gaze and was overcome by embarrassment. His daughter paled in comparison to the stunning young lady before him. His daughter was always indulging in food, lacking in the grace and elegance that this young lady exuded.His daughter’s figure was far from slender, and her features could not compare to the exquisite beauty of the young lady.Diego did not press the matter further. His main objective was to strike a deal in private and secure an investment from Joseph. After all, with Joseph being in the financial industry, he was confident that money was never a concern for Joseph."Mr. Joseph, are you interested in the seafood business? I have something else in mind that I'd like to discuss with you. It's guaranteed to be profitable," Diego proposed."I'm not particularly interested in the seafood business," Joseph replied nonchalantly, "But if you're looking for a suitable match for your daughter within the Whitmans, I wouldn't mind helping with the matchmakin
Octavia glared at him fiercely. "How dare you speak that way to me. I'm your aunt!"Jonathan joined in the confrontation, his voice filled with aggression. "Joe, my mother is only looking out for your best interests. How could you support a stranger?""If Chloe’s a stranger, doesn't that mean that your mother is also a stranger?" Joseph retorted calmly, leaving Jonathan momentarily speechless.Realizing that engaging in further argument would be futile, Octavia took a deep breath and changed the topic. "Enough of this discussion. Since you’ve chosen her despite our concerns, there’s nothing more to be said. You live your own life. However, we’d appreciate knowing some basic information about her."Joseph maintained a composed smile as he stood by Chloe's side.Unaffected by the tension, Chloe greeted Octavia respectfully, her voice filled with sweetness. "Nice to meet you, Aunt Tavia."Octavia found some solace in Chloe's respectful demeanor and her frustration was momentarily su
After receiving a stern reprimand from Harold, Preston emerged from the room wearing a crestfallen expression, his lips sealed in silence.Jonathan quickly approached Preston, eagerly inquiring about the outcome. "Father, how did it go? Did Grandfather make any mention of expelling that woman?"With an air of self-satisfaction, Octavia chimed in, "That's right, honey. At his age, he surely wouldn't lose sight of what's important, right?""Ahem!" Before Preston could speak, Harold descended from upstairs. His eyes, clouded yet piercing, resonated with authority as he asked, "Have I ever lost sight of what's important?"Octavia chuckled awkwardly. "Dad, you’ve misunderstood. I didn't say anything..."Under Harold’s intimidating presence, Preston took a deep breath and announced, "From now on, Chloe is a member of our family."Jonathan was stunned. He did not know what kind of magic Chloe had cast on Harold to make him so protective of her. Unwilling to accept it, he questioned, "Gr
Furthermore, Chloe discovered herself nestled in the curve of his arm, her legs draping over his well-defined waist.Joseph's brow relaxed as he slept peacefully, unaware of the world around him. Such a sight carried an inexplicable sense of harmony.Concerned about arousing Joseph's anger, Chloe gingerly maneuvered herself out of his embrace, lifting the covers and tiptoeing to the bathroom.Soon after, Joseph woke up, and upon discovering her absence from his embrace, a surge of emptiness engulfed him, prompting a deep frown of discontent to etch across his forehead. He rose from the bed and passed by the bathroom, where the sound of rushing water reached his ears.A restless unease tugged at him, causing him to fidget with his collar.*After freshening up, Chloe and Joseph made their way downstairs to the first floor of the house.On the first floor, Preston and his family were seated on the couch, engrossed in watching television. Several other relatives were also present,
Jonathan felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him as he was criticized by a little girl.'This doesn't make sense. Why would Ginny say she likes Chloe?'In high-society marriages, it was customary for a prestigious family like theirs to seek a match from an equally well-established family—a wealthy and refined heiress, not someone like Chloe who had a humble background.How could his intelligent cousin, who usually made wise decisions, be so dumb when it came to women?Except for Ginny, everyone else sensed the subtle tension in the air. Their expressions varied, but no one said a word.Octavia concealed the envy that flashed in her eyes and whispered to Jonathan, "Don't worry about it. Let it be. If he’s willing to choose such an insignificant person, it's an opportunity for you. Work harder and quickly find a suitable girlfriend. Have a child before they do, and then your grandfather will naturally favor you."If Jonathan had a son, he would stand to gain at least half of the
At this moment, Chloe found it difficult to turn down his invitation. She decided to agree for now and come up with an excuse later. Although she had no intention of attending his birthday party, she still intended to offer him gifts.Upon arriving at the marketing department, Chloe took notice of a recent addition to the team. Wendy was currently on maternity leave, and Ellie had been dismissed. The sudden shortage of staff left them overwhelmed with their workload. The HR department had initiated recruitment the previous week, and today marked the first day for the new employee.Sophia Reynolds exuded a keen sense of style in her attire. With a strikingly beautiful face and an alluring figure, rumors circulated that she had recently returned from studying abroad.Exuding open-mindedness and enthusiasm, Sophia quickly formed connections with her colleagues within a single day.When Sophia saw Chloe, she cheerfully approached her. "You must be Chloe, right? I'm the new girl. Feel f
"I told you it was Calvin. How many times do you want to ask me that?"Diego did not dare to expose Joseph because Joseph was not a kind man.Joseph was cold, cruel, and resolute, and enjoyed a great reputation in the business field. Hence, Diego could not afford to offend Joseph. After all, he was now in conflict with Calvin. It was unnecessary to offend another person.Karen knitted her brows. "Calvin adores Ava very much. I'm sure he won't say this kind of thing to the others.""Does he?" Diego's eyes were full of sarcasm. "Don't tell me Ava is his daughter."‘Did Karen blackmail me to cheat me out of my money?’ Diego felt that Karen was capable of such a thing."Cut the crap! I don't even know Calvin.""Then explain to me why he’s so nice to your daughter."Karen threatened him, "It's none of your business. In short, I don't want anyone else other than us to learn about our past relationship. If you expose it… Well, I don't mind taking Ava back to the Baileys and letting he