“Why would I marry you? Originally, you were Leah’s fiance. And so, I have no desire to become a substitute bride and be accused of stealing you from her. Are you planning to have two women? One as your wife and the other as your lover? Then you’re an arsehole! Who do you think I am? I am not cheap!”I was furious just thinking of it, and I felt insulted. Although I was now a widow, I was not cheap or an easy girl. As my mom and the people who served us taught me, I highly respected myself.Besides… ‘Don’t you know I am your sister-in-law?’I almost blurted that out, slapping his face while I yelled repeatedly. Hence, I summoned all the sanity left in me so I would not make this mistake that I would surely regret.The last thing I want the Lopezes to know is that I married Jillian and have a son together.My life is almost perfect having my son with me, and so I don’t want to get involved in their family; therefore, we shouldn’t have any scandals.Thus, I attempted to free myself from
EUNICE POV “One week,” Jullian replied with a smile. “Stop kidding me!” I freak out, meeting his glowering eyes with shock flashing at my own. “I’m serious, of course, and I will prove that to you. Tonight, I will announce that Leah and I no longer engage, but I am marrying my true love.” ‘True love, my arse!’ Jullian’s statement left me speechless. I have no plan to play with fire with him, and besides, I won’t linger around here, so now I am lost on what I should do and what excuses I should use. ‘Ah, he’s crazy like his twin brother!’ I have given Jullian a definite period to end his relationship with Leah so that I can settle the score between the mother and daughter when the time is due. After that, I’ll return to Switzerland quietly and leave this country for good. If ever my presence was needed—probably just then—I would have to revisit Claire City for business only. Moreover, Chris should have his own life. He has done so much for my son, Jillian, and me. He will not rema
“It’s best to listen to what I tell you, Jullian. Don’t dare disrespect me! Don’t be the reason I die of despair!”Mom continued lamenting, ensuring there was no room for me to argue. She is behaving in such a way as to induce guilt in me for being a disobedient son. I know Jillian is her favorite, but I would not compete.Despite my occasional need for her love, I will not beg for it. Whatever I am doing right now is for Grandpa. Also, Jillian and I have no bad blood for each other. In fact, without Mom’s knowledge, we secretly met when we could take a break from our busy lives.Several times, we made excuses just so we could meet in secret.We want to hang out and have fun together, but given our family’s superstitious beliefs, we can only do that sometimes.Though I don’t believe it, I let them hang on to it.“Mom, my decision is final. Whether or not you like it, I am pursuing Eunice. And so you have to learn to accept her.”“Don’t you dare try me, Jullian Lopez!”Mom roared from
Now that Mom has brought this up, I should notify the facility not to give her access to my preserved sperm. Perhaps I should send someone to check and inquire about it. I think it’s the best thing to do.I hope Jillian hasn’t changed the arrangement by adding another person who is authorized to remove or transfer our sperm.Honestly, I almost forgot that Jillian had stored our sperm somewhere, and this information was confidential, so only the two of us and the doctors in the facility had the knowledge.Therefore, I must find out who told Mom unless Jillian confesses what Mom has claimed.“Mom…” I called her out, but she only cut me halfway.“Stop being selfish, Jullian! Think of your family above all. The company was the fruit of mine and your dad’s hard work. When your brother took over, he brought Lopez Group to glory, pouring out his heart and soul! Why can’t you do that as well?”Mom whined and left no room for me to defend myself. She keeps going on, and the only thing I can do
This is also a serious matter, I believe...I was contemplating when Mirasol grabbed my hand. Then she also took Eunice’s hand and placed it above mine, shifting her gaze to me and her granddaughter as she went on.“The two of you haven’t been honest with me. But I would not scold you for eloping without me knowing the truth. I could not blame you, anyway. The Lopez family didn’t like my daughter, Eliza, so I understand you guys hide your relationship from the family. Now that you have returned, I assume everything is well, and your family finally accepts someone from my family.”The older lady stared at me. Caught off guard, I simply smiled and nodded. The older lady’s face lit up, then asked,“How many children have you had these past five years during the time you guys have kept hidden from us? Where are they? I want to meet my great-grandchildren.”Mirasol looked at us expectantly. Her question stunned me, so I remained mum, mulling over a reply, but I couldn’t think of one.Shoul
BALLROOM HALL“Mr. Meier!”Seeing Christian enter the ballroom, Robert hurriedly headed towards the door. His smile grew across his face when he realized he had come alone.He caught wind of the rumor that Christian was keeping a mistress. The fact that he’s coming alone tonight shows that he doesn’t value this mistress, making it effortless for him to get rid of her.Robert is resolute in wanting Leah to become part of the Meier family, not the Lopez family. Hence, he puts in a lot of effort to finalize a deal with Christian. By selling a significant percentage of his shares, he finally manages to secure cooperation.“Thank you for gracing your presence with us.”“No problem, Mr. Lim. We are a family now, so we must support each other.” Christian accepts Robert’s hand for a handshake. On his face is a masked disgust on top of his smile.“Of course, of course!” Robert’s face lit up with delight, showing just how thrilled he was.It’s hard to believe that Christian Meier would put it th
“Is there something I shouldn’t hear, Aunt Miranda?”Anthony feigned an innocent smile as he approached the mother and daughter, who, in his eyes, were a pair of clowns.“There’s nothing, of course!” Miranda denied it instantly, throwing a dagger at Anthony.“Then, there is no need to waste time in the dressing room. Uncle Robert wants you to be in the ballroom hall. The party should begin now.”“Humph! There’s no need for you to come and pick us up. Whenever we feel like it, we can begin the party!” Miranda eyed Anthony with a disgusting look as she enunciated this. The memories of when she and Robert were newlyweds still linger in her mind.“Sweetheart, your nephew is a perfect match for my daughter. What do you think?”“I don’t agree. There’s no other woman I wish to marry but Eunice.”Anthony and Leah were the same age and attended the same university. They were supposed to take the same course, but Leah suddenly shifted to the Finance course.She suspected that Anthony, who openly
“Miss Leah, can I talk to you?”Miranda and Leah were heading toward the ballroom entrance when someone suddenly blocked their path in the hallway.Leah frowned upon recognizing the woman, while Miranda became irate at her sudden approach.“Who are you?” Miranda impatiently inquired, giving a haughty glare. Suddenly, the woman came to a stop, feeling embarrassed.“Madam, I...” Alberta, the woman waiting for them, was taken aback when questioned like this; she was also disappointed that Miranda didn’t recognize her after the favor she’d done for Leah. “It’s me, madam. I’m the person who caught Eunice Tsui flirting with Miss Leah’s fiance, Jullian Lopez.”“Oh, then? What do you want? Have you come to claim a reward?”Miranda’s straightforwardness with Alberta made Leah anxious. Her mom’s bluntness would ruin her plans.“Mom...” Leah pleaded, gently pulling on the fabric of her mother’s elegant dress. Without uttering a single word, they conveyed their thoughts through eye contact. Leah
BALLROOM HALLKarina and Kyline stood by the railings and watched the mother-daughter performance.She couldn’t help but chuckle and shake her head when memories of the past played like a fast motion inside her head.“I endured everything they did to my family because they were putting a knife on my neck. However, tonight, I will no longer tolerate these things,” said Karina.She couldn’t fight against Leah because her mother would bear the consequences. She will be punished in her place.But now she will retaliate, and getting Alberta to change her heart is just the beginning. She will not stop until the world doesn’t see this mother-daughter duo’s true colors.Kyline, who remains silent but listens keenly on the side, stares at Karina’s back. She has enough information about the Dela Cruz family and has heard the drama within the family.However, she could not understand why this family hates the Tsui’s.Perhaps she would not understand their conflicts because she was pampered as th
“Are you blind? I was with Mr. Meier. Why did you block my way? Look what you’ve done to me! Ahh! Now I don’t know where he went!”Through clenched teeth, Leah continued to scold the server. She is furious, not only because the red wine has stained her dress but also because Christian has slipped away from her palm.It should be her perfect chance to get close to him!While Leah was daydreaming, the waiter pressed his lips together to not escape a chuckle upon seeing how indignant she was. And rather than worrying about himself, he simply ignored her whining and said,“Miss Leah, you better change your dress before looking for Mr. Meier. I’m sure he would not be pleased to see you like this.”Leah was livid at how the waiter acted arrogantly instead. She wasn’t happy with the way he responded to her.“You! Who are you to tell me what to do?!“ She screamed and lifted her hand to slap the waiter.Fortunately, Miranda is quick. She rushed to her daughter’s side before the situation escal
“This woman is useless! Wasn’t she worried we would stop our collaboration?”Not long after, Leah found Alberta’s post. The latter’s anger instantly flared at the audacity of the former’s defiance.“What’s wrong?” Miranda was startled when Leah suddenly fretted at her side. She looked around, worried that guests might see this scene. Immediately, she appeased her daughter. “Calm down. We’re about to be introduced.”Leah stomped her foot, which caused Miranda’s eyes to constrict involuntarily. “Leah, I said, pull yourself together!”“Mom! How could I be? That woman, Alberta! She deleted her previous post and made a statement in favor of Eunice. I don’t know what happened, but her mind changed suddenly, which was strange. Someone must influence her!”“Is that true? That woman is like a dog wagging her tail upon meeting you. I heard she is your die-hard fan, following your social media and copying your style to the point of dressing up just like you. Thus, whatever you say is impossible.
“Stop talking lies, Karina! How could Eunice own a multi-million couture house?” Alberta doubted this fact.“It isn’t impossible, of course. Sister Eunice’s dad isn’t only from a humble background, as everyone thought. Establishing a company is not difficult for her. Instead, it’s a piece of cake.”Karina herself was still in disbelief that Eunice owned this resort. She also suspected that Eunice owned Meier Holdings. Why does Christian Meier waste time helping her through college if she did not?Unless the CEO of Meier Holdings likes Eunice, the explanation she could only think of.“You said that Eunice’s father is rich?” Karina’s revelation shocked Alberta. On the one hand, despite what she learned, she still had the urge to mock Eunice. “Oh, I get it. Of course, her mother hooked up with a wealthy man. That’s why even though she has a lot of wealth now, the truth would not change that she is a daughter outside of marriage! It means her mother is only a mistress!”Karina raised one
“Miss Leah, can I talk to you?”Miranda and Leah were heading toward the ballroom entrance when someone suddenly blocked their path in the hallway.Leah frowned upon recognizing the woman, while Miranda became irate at her sudden approach.“Who are you?” Miranda impatiently inquired, giving a haughty glare. Suddenly, the woman came to a stop, feeling embarrassed.“Madam, I...” Alberta, the woman waiting for them, was taken aback when questioned like this; she was also disappointed that Miranda didn’t recognize her after the favor she’d done for Leah. “It’s me, madam. I’m the person who caught Eunice Tsui flirting with Miss Leah’s fiance, Jullian Lopez.”“Oh, then? What do you want? Have you come to claim a reward?”Miranda’s straightforwardness with Alberta made Leah anxious. Her mom’s bluntness would ruin her plans.“Mom...” Leah pleaded, gently pulling on the fabric of her mother’s elegant dress. Without uttering a single word, they conveyed their thoughts through eye contact. Leah
“Is there something I shouldn’t hear, Aunt Miranda?”Anthony feigned an innocent smile as he approached the mother and daughter, who, in his eyes, were a pair of clowns.“There’s nothing, of course!” Miranda denied it instantly, throwing a dagger at Anthony.“Then, there is no need to waste time in the dressing room. Uncle Robert wants you to be in the ballroom hall. The party should begin now.”“Humph! There’s no need for you to come and pick us up. Whenever we feel like it, we can begin the party!” Miranda eyed Anthony with a disgusting look as she enunciated this. The memories of when she and Robert were newlyweds still linger in her mind.“Sweetheart, your nephew is a perfect match for my daughter. What do you think?”“I don’t agree. There’s no other woman I wish to marry but Eunice.”Anthony and Leah were the same age and attended the same university. They were supposed to take the same course, but Leah suddenly shifted to the Finance course.She suspected that Anthony, who openly
BALLROOM HALL“Mr. Meier!”Seeing Christian enter the ballroom, Robert hurriedly headed towards the door. His smile grew across his face when he realized he had come alone.He caught wind of the rumor that Christian was keeping a mistress. The fact that he’s coming alone tonight shows that he doesn’t value this mistress, making it effortless for him to get rid of her.Robert is resolute in wanting Leah to become part of the Meier family, not the Lopez family. Hence, he puts in a lot of effort to finalize a deal with Christian. By selling a significant percentage of his shares, he finally manages to secure cooperation.“Thank you for gracing your presence with us.”“No problem, Mr. Lim. We are a family now, so we must support each other.” Christian accepts Robert’s hand for a handshake. On his face is a masked disgust on top of his smile.“Of course, of course!” Robert’s face lit up with delight, showing just how thrilled he was.It’s hard to believe that Christian Meier would put it th
This is also a serious matter, I believe...I was contemplating when Mirasol grabbed my hand. Then she also took Eunice’s hand and placed it above mine, shifting her gaze to me and her granddaughter as she went on.“The two of you haven’t been honest with me. But I would not scold you for eloping without me knowing the truth. I could not blame you, anyway. The Lopez family didn’t like my daughter, Eliza, so I understand you guys hide your relationship from the family. Now that you have returned, I assume everything is well, and your family finally accepts someone from my family.”The older lady stared at me. Caught off guard, I simply smiled and nodded. The older lady’s face lit up, then asked,“How many children have you had these past five years during the time you guys have kept hidden from us? Where are they? I want to meet my great-grandchildren.”Mirasol looked at us expectantly. Her question stunned me, so I remained mum, mulling over a reply, but I couldn’t think of one.Shoul
Now that Mom has brought this up, I should notify the facility not to give her access to my preserved sperm. Perhaps I should send someone to check and inquire about it. I think it’s the best thing to do.I hope Jillian hasn’t changed the arrangement by adding another person who is authorized to remove or transfer our sperm.Honestly, I almost forgot that Jillian had stored our sperm somewhere, and this information was confidential, so only the two of us and the doctors in the facility had the knowledge.Therefore, I must find out who told Mom unless Jillian confesses what Mom has claimed.“Mom…” I called her out, but she only cut me halfway.“Stop being selfish, Jullian! Think of your family above all. The company was the fruit of mine and your dad’s hard work. When your brother took over, he brought Lopez Group to glory, pouring out his heart and soul! Why can’t you do that as well?”Mom whined and left no room for me to defend myself. She keeps going on, and the only thing I can do