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
Zephyr smiled and stroked it gently.“Son, can you help me?”The baby moved again.“Tell mommy for me…” Zephyr’s voice was deep. “No matter what she looks like, she’s always the prettiest to me. I love her forever.”Cordelia turned, and Zephyr froze with bated breath. He pulled the blanket over her carefully and returned to his side of the bed.The next day, Zephyr called his mother-in-law for help.“Mom, Cordelia hasn’t been in a good mood recently.”Xyla understood instantly that this was the pregnancy mood swings.“She doesn’t let me near her these days and changes with her back against me,” Zephyr said softly. “She doesn’t even let me bathe her now…“Mom, can you come over and keep her company?”“Say no more!” Xyla booked a flight to Chaiseland that day itself.When Cordelia woke up from her afternoon nap, she caught a faint, familiar scent of calendula amidst her grogginess.“Mom?” She sat up and exclaimed in delighted surprise when she saw that it was really Xyla, “Mo