“You… Are you really casting your career aside for a woman?” Nathan was exasperated.“Didn’t you say my career is stained because of a woman? If so, I can escape the rat race. There’s nothing bad about that.” Ryan rested his hands on the back of his head lazily.“You wish.”Then, Nathan thought of something. Now that he had an idea, his tone was not that cold anymore. “You’re still young, and men should prioritize their careers. Coincidentally, I was considering assigning you to Country X to be an ambassador some time ago. You, too, are aware that the position in Country X is in high demand. Many people are eyeing it. This is a good opportunity. You have the experience from working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs anyway.”Ryan gave his father a side glance. He found it funny that his father, who was utterly furious just a moment ago, was smiling so kindly. Did his father think of him as a three-year-old child who could be easily fooled? “Dad, I was just complaining about having
Nathan’s expression darkened instantly. “You…”“That’s enough.” Heidi interrupted her husband and glanced at him. “Haven’t you guys decided the candidate to assign to Country X over the last few meetings? There’s only one last meeting left before it’s confirmed. If you suddenly change your mind and choose our son, it’ll raise the people's dissatisfaction. I know what you’re thinking about, but you can’t make changes in some national affairs as you please. One wrong move might raise a commotion.”“Aren’t you clear of Ryan’s ability?” Nathan said after being refuted by his wife. “He’s still young. It’s not a good thing to advance too quickly. Don’t you see how many people are envious of him?”Nathan fell silent. He knew his personality well. If it were not for Heidi compensating for his shortcomings all these years, he would not have been able to be in the position he is today. “You’re speaking up a lot for Ryan today. Are you hoping for him and Freya to be together?” Nathan sud
“Why can’t you be convinced?”Nathan felt as though his head was exploding. Taking care of Ryan’s matters was harder than handling national affairs.Nathan could finally understand why some fathers would want to whip and lock their disobedient sons up out of anger. “Alright, let’s talk about this again tomorrow.” Heidi hinted at Nathan with her eyes. “Mom, you’re not going to make things difficult for Freya and her family, right? I believe my parents aren’t such indecent people as those in TV shows,” Ryan said with a smile.Heidi was speechless. She closed her eyes and ignored Ryan. After returning to the official residence, Ryan went back to the building where he lived. Nathan stared at his silhouette. It looked incredibly hateful in his eyes. “I shouldn’t have promised my brother and sister-in-law to take Freya in as our goddaughter. I shouldn’t have brought Freya to live in the official residence too. We were careless. How could we let an unrelated man and woman live
“Forget it. Actually, you agreeing to it back then wasn’t very useful anyway. It was just to gain more support. Jessica had already obtained the support of Snowden and everyone on the board of directors. Your brother couldn’t even do anything. You should be relieved. Be it Jessica or Ryan, they’re both like students who have surpassed their teachers. Biological siblings in many families are always fighting with each other. Those who emerge victoriously are wolves, while those who rely on the support of their families are simply dogs.”Nathan went silent. However, he still believed that he could handle the youngsters.…After returning to the bedroom, Nathan gave Jessica a call. “Jessica, are you busy now?”“I just had a meeting. I’m in the middle of a break now.” Jessica stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows with a cup of coffee in her hands while gazing at the foreign view overseas. “You shouldn’t just think about work. You’re not young anymore. You should go on a dat
“When did you owe her anything?” Nathan was confused.Jessica’s fingers tightened their grip. “Did you forget? I was the one who switched Freya’s contraceptives back then. If it weren’t for that, she wouldn’t have gotten pregnant nor joined the Snow family.”Nathan was quiet. If Jessica had not mentioned it, he would have almost forgotten about it. “Jessica, this isn’t your style of doing things, though?” In Nathan’s memories, his niece was a decisive and ruthless person to who he even felt inferior. If Nathan were standing face-to-face with Jessica at that moment, he would have seen her sarcastic expression. “Uncle Nathan, do you and the members of the Snow family think that I should be numb and emotionless after doing so many despicable things? That I won’t feel guilt or sympathy just like a robot?”“That’s not what I meant—”“Don’t deny it in such a rush. I’ve never uttered a word of pain all these years, so all of you have a certain impression of me. I know that if a woma
Nathan was stunned. He was at a loss for words. “We should be more easygoing. Don’t change your attitude just because your identity has changed.”Heidi turned around and continued to apply skincare products.After giving it a long thought, Nathan caressed her shoulders lightly from behind. “Wifey, I think my greatest fortune in this lifetime is marrying you. Some of my dad’s words were indeed wrong. I have many flaws. It’s because we’ve been complementing each other all along that I could achieve what I have today. My temper isn’t even very good either.”Heidi put on a straight face and looked at her husband upon hearing that. “Hubby, we may have prominent identities, and many people are fearful of us now. But what about after you step down? Won’t we just be like an ordinary pair of elderly who shop in supermarkets and walk in the park?“If you do well, the future generations will mention you frequently. Political and historical books will only briefly mention your name if you do
“Your flaws… I haven’t discovered any of them for now.” Freya thought about it for a while. “Sometimes, I would think you’re too shrewd and hard to understand, but if men aren’t shrewd, things will be difficult for them in society and they’ll be bullied.”“Being shrewd is my flaw,” Ryan said in a low voice. “Many women don’t like to be with men who are too sharp. They’re afraid that they’ll be tricked into losing everything in the end. Therefore, I guess many women won’t consider marrying me after serious interactions with me. Besides, I… don’t like to brush my teeth. My feet stink. Mm, I have a bad personality. I drink and I smoke. I’m a lazy person. I have a nasty temper—”“Alright, stop fooling me. You’re not that kind of person at all.” Freya interrupted him as she laughed. “I’m being serious here. I’m not that way only when I’m with you. I might be like that toward other women,” Ryan spoke gently. Freya did not say a word. It was as if her heart was wrapped in cotton. It fel
“Stop right there.” Forrest caught Freya’s collar and yanked her back. “I’m warning you, don’t talk about this to Mom and Dad.”“Even if you didn’t warn me, I wouldn’t do that.” Freya raised her chin and met his gaze.Forrest studied her in silence for some time. He sneered. “Even if it’s not met, there’ll be other people who will do it. Let me think. The first person to do that will be Jessica. She likes to do these kinds of things the most.”“Brother, you’re overthinking. Jessica is supportive of Ryan and me. She knew about our relationship early on.”Freya shrugged her shoulders in frustration. “I think you have a huge misunderstanding against Jessica.”“Misunderstanding?” Forrest had the urge to knock her on her stupid head. “Are you a person who doesn’t hold grudges? Did you forget that if it weren’t for Jessica swapping the contraceptives and if it weren’t for her threatening you, you wouldn’t have needed to marry that idiotic Rodney? That woman can go to any lengths to get