Chloe was taken aback. She clenched her fists. "Who told you that?"Jasper hung his head and did not answer her question. He said in a desolate tone, "I think I am."He had been motherless since young and his grandfather had been in a coma. And now, his father had gotten into an accident not long after his grandfather woke up. He was just five years old, but all he brought them was misery. Jasper believed he was a curse."No, you're not a curse,” Chloe said gently, "Every child is a gift God picked out with great care, and only the luckiest people receive these gifts. Your family's life became wonderful and interesting after you came along. Similarly, they only became a true family after you came."Jasper's eyes lit up, making him look naive and pure. "Really? I’m a gift God picked out? I'm not a curse?" "Of course, you’re not. Sometimes, the best news is no news. I'm sure Joseph managed to escape from the danger." Chloe smiled and smoothed the boy’s messy hair.Jasper nodded
“Then what about Jon? He's a Whitman. I won't object to it if you make him the new leader." "Are you trying to force my hand?! Stop flattering yourself. I'm far more experienced than you. How dare you play these tricks on me! I may have one foot in the grave, but I can still punish you and make your lives in Docwood difficult!" Harold shouted. Although he was scolding them, he was telling the truth.Preston had been in jail for several years, but he had not suffered much on account of the family. Preston would have languished in jail if Harold had been serious about punishing him then.Though he was outraged, Preston did not dare to make a scene. He gave up and sat in an armchair. "I don't give a damn. I’ll just be frank. Only Jon or I can be made the leader. Don't even dream of giving the position to someone else." Trying to curry favor with Harold, Jonathan massaged Harold’s shoulders. "Grandpa, we only wish to help you shoulder the burden. We need someone to manage the company
Jasper looked toward Chloe as she bent over and whispered to him. He was never scared, but when he saw her protect him unconditionally, an unfamiliar warmth spread through him.He lowered his head to hide his tears. He shook his head. "It was Great Uncle. He took me with him to look for Daddy. He then dumped me in a deserted park.”Jasper’s voice was soft and not as cheerful as usual, invoking the protective side of those who heard him."You're an outsider here. You have no right to speak." Jonathan panicked. He pointed at Chloe and said agitatedly, "You and Jas probably cooked up a scheme together while on the way here. Stop falsely accusing my dad.""That's right. Leave now or we’ll beat you up."Preston had long found Chloe an eyesore. She had stirred up such a huge commotion in the Whitman family in the past. And though she and Joseph were now divorced, she still refused to leave.‘Is she here to grab Joseph’s wealth after finding out he’s dead? Yeah, that’s probably it. Geez
"That’s nonsense! My dad isn’t scared in the least!" Preston denied."Ahem, I'm just a weak and sick old man. Of course, I'm scared," Harold started wailing. While slapping his thigh grievously, he added, "Before you got here, they were trying to force me into making Jon the head of the family. I'm still alive, yet they’re still trying to snatch the family assets. What did I do to deserve such misery?" Chloe clenched her fists and glared at Preston and Jonathan. She then consoled Harold, "Don't worry, Grandpa. I'm here now."Harold took care of her, so she could not just ignore him.Harold nodded. "Thank you, Chloe." He had good insight and had not misjudged her.Jonathan felt that Chloe was about to ruin his plan. He suppressed his anger and smiled. "Hey, does Noah know you're here? You sure are a fickle woman."This woman was at her ex-husband's house one day before her wedding. She should have left by now out of shame.Chloe's expression fell. She subconsciously touched th
Chloe beamed. "Okay. I’ll wait till you grow up to earn lots of money for me to spend.""I will!”*At night at the Sullivan Manor, Chloe had just parked the car when a servant approached her. "Ms. Chloe, Mr. Desmond asked for you."“Is he not sleeping yet?"It was already eleven. Desmond was an early riser and early sleeper. Staying up past ten was considered burning the midnight oil for him."No, he's been waiting for you and Mr. Noah.""Noah isn’t back yet?""No."Chloe slapped her forehead, a hint of annoyance in her expression. No wonder Desmond had waited up. The wedding was tomorrow, so of course, the absence of the newlyweds worried him.The courtyard of Sullivan Manor was artfully divided into several distinctive areas. Chloe was aware that Desmond favored the lotus flowers at the pond. The lake's sparkling surface had a calming effect on his restless heart, especially on quiet, lonely nights.Upon arriving at the pond, Chloe found Desmond there. She quickened her p
Desmond's eyes darkened, but he revealed no emotion. "It's nothing. I must’ve gotten mixed up.”The secretary exhaled in relief. "All right then, Mr. Desmond. Rest well."*Near the treacherous mountain road at Skyreach Memorial Park, the ground was slippery and rugged after the rain. It was difficult to traverse the roads without streetlights, and a single misstep could lead to a tumble. Traces of the car accident had been erased by the rain, but scratches on the ground still bore witness to the terrifying incident.Otto joined Noah at the cliff's edge, his heart trembling. He took a few steps back and stammered, "Aren't you worried about falling?""Would the fall kill me?" Noah replied. His body was enveloped in a raincoat and damp air, his face obscured except for his merciless amber eyes. His enigmatic expression made him difficult to read."That’s for sure."The height and the ground strewn with sharp rocks promised that survival would be impossible."Then why can't we fin
Noah clenched his jaw as he scoffed, "You're absorbed in reports about Joseph on the day of our wedding? Is that appropriate?""It's not..." Chloe's voice faltered, and she looked at him with guilt in her eyes. "I was just curious, nothing more.""Why don't I ever see you curious about other men then?""The news is all over the Internet. It's hard not to notice it." She felt wronged and was not used to his harsh tone.Noah had stayed up all night, joyously returning home to marry the woman he adored—to partake in a sacred ceremony with her. But upon his first glimpse of her, he was greeted with an unexpected surprise.It was a situation steeped in irony."That’s your excuse?"Chloe found herself tongue-tied. First, she was reading the article. Second, she was paying attention to the incident. Maybe she was at fault, but she was in disagreement with Noah over how severe this infraction was.She looked at Noah and sighed deeply, softening her stance. "I’ll stop reading. It's our
Noah shuddered as if the phrase "without you" had struck a nerve. As a sense of clarity returned to his eyes, he gazed at Chloe's flushed face and stammered, "C-Coco, I'm sorry... I-I lost control of my emotions.”“We’re about to become husband and wife. I don't expect you to be perfect, but I hope that you’ll trust me." Chloe knew the sting of distrust all too well and had no desire to experience it again. She was willing to overlook Noah's strange behavior, attributing it to work-related stress.Noah hung his head, his eyes shimmering with regret. "I was wrong. I'll make things right.""You should head to the next room to get changed. The stylist is waiting for you." Chloe gracefully changed the subject, turning away from him to face the mirror.Noah gazed at her stunning profile. He realized his impulsiveness had led to anger clouding his judgment. What was the value of competing with a dead man?But it was because this person was dead that he may never match up.He had resort