After some time, Janine smiled and turned to look at Cordelia and hold her hand.“How’s she thin? I think she’s just nice!”Hannah was stunned.Janine’s gaze on Cordelia was not scrutinizing like other mothers-in-law to their daughters-in-law. Instead, she looked like a loving mother looking over her own daughter.“Why would she put on so much? She’ll suffer when she’s in labor if her stomach is too big. And it’s hard to recover postpartum! Our Cordelia’s doing well like this. She’ll be as pretty as she’s been after delivery!”Hannah noted that things were going wrong for her. What was happening? They were talking about “working out” just now.She said with a chuckle, “Janine, you’re right. She shouldn’t put on so much so recovery’s easier postpartum! Heh, I think Cordelia’s very pretty now. Why else would Zephyr not leave the house at all?”“Isn’t it normal for the husband and wife to be in a loving relationship?” Janine threw a sharp look at her.Hannah’s heart dropped as she
Cordelia did not stop there. Since she had offended Hannah, she might as well go all the way.She looked at Janine and said softly, “Mom, I think this family doesn’t seem to welcome me very much… Rather than being gossiped about here, I’ll just go back to my parents!”Janine was inwardly in glee. When did her daughter-in-law pick up her skill of backing down for an attack?In that case, she must not waste her effort!The mother and daughter-in-law exchanged a look and immediately understood the next scene of the show.Before Janine could get herself into it, though, a deep voice rang. “Who’s going back to her parents?”Cordelia jolted.It went silent instantly as a sense of pressure weighed down on them. The crowd automatically parted to two sides to make a path for the Baker patriarch, Franklin Baker. His hair was white, and he wore a gray checkered suit with a fedora. He was old, but the confidence and presence he commanded could still intimidate everyone.Cordelia was anxiou
“And don’t think I don’t know how many grievances you’ve secretly made my daughter suffer all these years!”Franklin wanted to spill everything, but Janine held him back—not for Hannah but not to embarrass her younger brother in public.All in all, Janine still cared about her brother.“Dad, no need to go on.” She chuckled. “Today’s party is to welcome me home. You really shouldn’t get angry. Let’s enjoy ourselves and relax!”“Yeah, Grandpa,” Cordelia said with a smile. “I was wrong just now too. I shouldn’t throw a tantrum and say that I want to go back to my parents. I’ve married Zephyr, I’ll be where my husband is!”“Mm, our Cordelia’s the best!” Franklin grinned widely. “But… I heard that old Hamerton geezer say that Zephyr’s married into the Irwins? He should be going back to your parents with you then!”“Grandpa, uh…” Cordelia could barely hold back her laugh.Zephyr, who had been observing from the side, widened his eyes when he heard that.“How’s that possible, grandpa!
Hannah stomped her foot in rage and went after her daughter after a quick word with Noah.Noah was the only one left standing rooted in the night. The silvery moonlight elongated his shadow. His shoulders trembled slightly, and his eyes and mouth twitched involuntarily.His heart ached a little, but he was more furious.He pulled out his phone after a while and dialed a number after asking a few people.“Hello, is this Ms. Trinity Lulham?”The other end of the line paused before asking softly, “You are?”“I’m Noah Baker, Janine Baker’s younger brother!”Trinity blinked, and her mind went blank.What was going on? She and the man were two parallel lines!“Uh, uh… Do you need money for your film?”Trinity winced, not knowing how to answer it.“Ms. Lulham I h-have money!” Noah yelled, “I’ll have you know I have lots of money! My dad and my sister send money to my account regularly!“Take it for your movie, I’m giving all of it to you!”“No, no, Mr. Baker… Let’s talk about thi
“Huh… Uh, I was saying that it’s sunny tonight!” Trinity answered hastily in passing and hung up.Zephyr passed the phone back to Cordelia with a stern face and stroked his chin.He stayed quiet for a long time, and Cordelia thought that he had gotten angry. She tilted her head to snuggle his chest and was going to coax him when she heard the man’s deep voice.“Trinity’s getting bolder!”“Hmm?”“Looks like someone needs to be there to keep her in check!” Zephyr met Cordelia’s eyes.Cordelia could not decipher his cryptic gaze but thought that the man looked like an old fox with his smirk. She had no idea about what Zephyr was currently planning.Fredric had a business trip in Chaiseland, so he could get him over for a few days. It was also about time for Neil to improve himself, so Zephyr could get him a place in the film school.Or… he could get both of them over together—the more the merrier!Zephyr arched his brow and quirked his lips meaningfully.…After waiting at the
“Who do you think you are!?” Ava muttered under her breath, “You’re just the Bakers’ dog…”“What did you say!?” Trinity suddenly popped out and glared at her.Ava was stunned, turned pale, and flustered. She wanted to explain herself but nothing came out after her lips moved. How could she let Trinity hear her unfiltered thoughts!?Trinity snickered. “Ms. Baker, do you usually speak without any self-respect?”Ava was flustered. Trinity had an androgynous look and felt icy and authoritative when she did not smile.“Since we’re already at this, we might as well be direct and stop hiding things.”Trinity touched the bonsai beside her with a faint smirk.“Do you think I’m stopping you from starring?”“What?” Ava jolted.“This is actually the investor’s request!” Trinity emphasized the word “investor”.“I do the casting, but I can’t disregard the investor’s opinion. Someone is investing a huge amount of money in my film, and the only condition is that you can’t star in any role!”
Ava was attentive and considerate when they shopped. She was incredibly thoughtful the entire time.When they passed by a lingerie shop, she insisted on entering and checking it out with Cordelia.“Cordelia, this brand is well known in Chaiseland! The designs are great, and the material’s comfortable! Let’s go in and try them?”“Ava, I’m a bit tired.” Cordelia refused nicely. “Fan will pick me up in a while. I’ll stop shopping now and wait for her here.”“Huh?” Ava looked disappointed. “Cordelia, I asked you to shop and you asked Fan over. Do you not trust me?”“Don’t overthink this. I just—”“Sorry, Cordelia. I didn’t do well enough.”Cordelia felt bad seeing Ava’s lowered head. Thinking that there were around ten minutes before Fan would arrive, she might as well go in and look around.Ava was delighted and helped Cordelia into the shop.She picked several maternity bras for Cordelia. The material was soft and comfortable, and the design kept pregnant women in mind. They wer
Ava was pale as she stood there trembling.“Fan Lee, you… Stop assuming unwarranted authority! What did I do to Cordelia just now? I was kind enough to take her shopping, and this is how you slander me!?”“You’re kind?” Fan glared at her. “Ava Baker, have some shame! Don’t make me insult you!”“You…”“Take this woman back!” Fan told the bodyguards in fluent Chaisene.The bodyguards were tall and muscular with big eyes that looked frightening.Zephyr’s men had already cleared the mall, and the sales assistants of the lingerie shop stood close to the wall not daring to move.The bodyguards were going to grab Ava when Cordelia came out of the changing room dressed.“Mrs. Hamerton!” Fan went up to help her.Cordelia’s hands were icy while beads of sweat formed on the tip of her nose. Her feet felt leaden as each step was incredibly heavy.“Mrs. Hamerton, are you okay?” Fan asked in concern. “I’ll send you back now!”“I’ll leave on my own. Don’t follow me.”Cordelia felt weak. I
"Only Morpheus and Sephy aren't like that. They respect and understand me. Sephy told me once, 'One's appearance doesn't indicate anything. A clean heart is what truly matters!'"Rebecca chuckled dismissively."You're a psychologist, yet you fail to grasp this," Wynn said coldly. "Actually, I pity you. You could have stepped out, yet you insist on dwelling on the trivialities."Morpheus has psychological barriers, a consequence of returning from the battlefield. No one has cured his PTSD except Sephy... It shows that a true psychologist is never just a title."What truly heals everything is love!"-One particular morning a year later, sunlight streamed through sheer cream curtains onto the floor.Persephone was sound asleep when she suddenly felt something pressing down on her... Then, Morpheus' strong arms wrapped around her slender waist. She drowsily opened her eyes to find him sealing her lips with heated kisses.Over the year, his kissing skills had improved, and Persepho
With Morpheus' involvement, the police didn't slack off and quickly found Rebecca.That day, Rebecca was preparing to escape from a small port. The boat she had found was an illegally operating one.As she was about to board, piercing sirens sounded nearby.The boat owner, enraged upon hearing the sirens, grabbed Rebecca by her hair and pushed her into the water.Rebecca screamed for help, but he roared, "I didn't expect you to be sent by the cops!""I'm not..." Rebecca choked on water. "Sir, let's leave now. Your boat is fast. As long as we reach the open sea, no one will catch you!""Dream on!" The boat owner wanted to strangle her. "Do you not understand? These sirens are from the royal guards! Who did you bitch provoke?"Rebecca was dumbfounded. Being a foreigner, she naturally didn't understand the local affairs in the Southeast Aciatic region.The police and royal guards quickly caught up, armed, and surrounded them.Rebecca turned pale and trembled all over, her gaze gr
"You had no choice on the battlefield."Persephone looked at him with her crystal eyes. There was a magical power in them. Even if a devil was tearing him apart, her eyes would always bring him back to light.She smiled and caressed his cheek. "Though you killed your father, you saved the country.""Do you really… think so?"She nodded. "You're not at fault. He was the one who made a mistake. You were just fulfilling your job as a general to protect the country."But I also understand that he's your father who brought you up, after all. You guys must have had happy days before that happened, right?"Morpheus held his head low in silence."You did well as the protector of the country," she said softly. "But as a son, you can secretly pay homage to him."Persephone held his hand. "Reconcile with your father, Morpheus. You'll also reconcile with yourself by doing that, okay?"He was stunned for a long time and felt a lump in his throat.-Morpheus stayed with Persephone in the
"No way!" Christopher smirked, glancing at Morpheus. "To him, you're his only princess! I just got lucky for the princess carry, thanks to you!""Yeah, at least you're self-aware!" Persephone nodded, rubbing her chin."We've known each other for so long! What kind of person do you think I am?" Christopher laughed. "I can be a bit shameless at times, but..."But upon learning that the one she loved was the unbeatable god of war, he willingly stepped back, offering his blessings with a smile."Okay, okay. You two stop crowding around me!" Christopher waved his hand. "Sephy needs more rest, and I'd like to get some more sleep, too! Once we heal, let's go out and have some fun together!""You're still thinking about fun?" Morpheus' deep voice intervened with a wry smile. "With the factory explosion incident, the royal family is furious and will thoroughly investigate it. Many people will probably be coming to talk to you both in the next few days. After all, you two are the most direc
"Let's get out first!""Hey, wait..." Persephone pointed to the other side.In moments of life and death, it wasn't appropriate to laugh, but Morpheus still chuckled. The young Prince Christopher was sprawled on the floor in a very ridiculous pose, and they almost forgot about him!"Don't worry," Morpheus whispered. "I won't let anything happen to him."He had Persephone cling to his back and then carried Christopher.Christopher was a tall fellow, so it took some effort to carry them both to a safe place.Fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars rushed in. Their sirens pierced the sky, startling a flock of birds.The fire was soon extinguished, and Persephone and Christopher received timely treatment. Luckily, their burns weren't too severe, and even more fortunately, their faces were unharmed.When Christopher woke up, he felt bandages wrapped around his head, and his skin had a burning sensation. His heart sank, and he was almost on the verge of tears."Tell me the truth! A
There was fire everywhere. Flames rushed toward Persephone like menacing dragons. Her consciousness grew increasingly blurred, but the searing pain coursing through her body became clearer. She struggled to get up, the agony almost unbearable.Despite several attempts, it was futile...Something was pinning her feet down, and stones kept falling on her. She couldn't even muster a shout.Many images flashed through her mind in that fleeting moment, each frame featuring Morpheus' face…She remembered the times they had spent together in Flinge, how he had initially distanced himself from her, then later had exerted every effort to protect her. She recalled how he would gently ruffle her hair and call her "silly goose"..."Morpheus, I'm afraid I might have to go first..."The fire grew fiercer, explosions resonated continuously, and she could no longer hold on.Christopher, who was nearby, wasn't any better.Amidst the roaring flames, he couldn't see anything clearly, only pulling
"No need, you can go back first." Morpheus glanced at him. "I'll wait here for her a little longer.""Prince Christopher wouldn't do anything to Ms. Hamerton...""Alfred, what are you thinking?" Morpheus couldn't help but chuckle. "I know exactly what Christopher is like, but I just want to wait here for Sephy. Christopher mentioned that she'd specifically designed these fireworks for me. Hah! I'm the useless one. I don't even dare to go inside and take a look.""Sir, don't say that.""If I wait here, will it count as accompanying her in her efforts?"Alfred nodded.Morpheus smiled and sent Alfred back. He continued waiting under the tree.The air in Southeast Aciatic was hot and humid. The shade of the banyan tree offered some relief, but it couldn't completely dispel the oppressive heat.Morpheus took a deep breath, about to move elsewhere, when he glimpsed a suspicious figure swiftly darting through the factory's side gate.The security at the side gate was lax, making it e
Christopher struggled to swallow the bite of the sandwich in his mouth for what seemed like ages. He gazed at Persephone, his mind wandering back…He didn't just know Morpheus. He had been close since childhood to the children of the two prominent military families in Southeast Aciatic.Compared to the Harrises, he preferred visiting the Ortons, especially when he got to spend time with Morpheus. He considered Morpheus a friend, a brother even, having engaged in countless mischief together, much to their parents' dismay.In his memory, Morpheus was someone who smiled a lot, radiating warmth and brightness like the Southeast Aciatic sun when he did.However, from the moment Kaiden betrayed the country, Morpheus never smiled again, gradually growing distant from Christopher as well.It wasn't until that evening at the gates of the palace that Christopher felt like it had been a lifetime."I... I don't know him." Christopher forced a smile. "Where would I have met your boyfriend!"
Morpheus wasn't just an ordinary person!Christopher wholeheartedly accepted his defeat to Morpheus."Then... I'd like to invite you to come over to my place for a while as a friend. That's fine, right?"-A few days later, Persephone finally ran into Christopher, who had been missing in action for days, in the classroom."Hey, you finally showed up!" She dashed over, plopping down in the seat beside him and handing him breakfast. "You haven't eaten, right? Let's eat together!"Usually, Christopher would readily accept, but he waved his hands now. "No, no, no!""What's wrong?" Persephone widened her eyes. "This breakfast isn't poisoned!"Christopher awkwardly smiled. "You have a boyfriend, so maybe... we should keep some distance."Persephone burst into laughter. Then she remarked, "Strange... Morpheus was right!""Uh, what?""My boyfriend!" She chuckled. "He made this breakfast. I asked if he could also make a portion for you, and he said sure, just worried you wouldn't tak