“Aren’t you going to ask who I offended?”Zachary looked at her and said, “There’s no need to. No matter who you offend, I’ll always be on your side.”In his eyes, his wife was always right.Serenity muttered, “Zachary, you’ll spoil me rotten if you trust me like this.”“That’s exactly what I’m trying to do. I’ll spoil you so rotten that no one else can stand you. That way, you’ll always be mine. No one will try to steal you away.”Serenity could not help but laugh. “Who would dare steal me away after knowing that I’m your wife?”Shawn had been secretly in love with her for many years and did not give up even after finding out that she was married. He hoped that she could still marry him after she divorced her husband. However, when his mother told him that Serenity’s husband was Zachary York, the heir of the York family, Shawn finally gave up.Last time, Shawn took advantage of a long weekend to hastily return to Wiltspoon. Rachel invited Jasmine and her family for dinner, and
“Aunt Audrey will glare at you if she heard you say that.”Zachary laughed. “Your aunt has always been a stern person. She mellowed out considerably after retiring, but it’ll still be hard on you because you asked her to teach you. However, she’s still your aunt and is doing it for your own good. If you can bear the hardships, the lessons you learn from her will serve you for the rest of your life.”Serenity walked to the sofa and sat down.Zachary followed and propped her feet up, then started to massage them.Serenity tried to stop him and said, “You’re the high and mighty Mr. York, the CEO of York Corporation.”“In front of you, I’m just your husband. My wife tortured her feet with her much-hated stilettos for an entire night for me. Who can stop me from pampering her a little when she gets back?”After hearing his domineering yet sweet words, Serenity did not stop him from massaging her feet.“I met Camryn Newman tonight.”Serenity took the initiative to tell him when he di
After a moment of silence, Zachary replied, “Yes, but I trust my eyes and feelings more. That was why I concealed my identity to examine your character.”“Given your character, you wouldn’t agree to marry me either if you didn’t get a background check on me. Why did you still suspect me of going after you for your money?”“I was afraid that the investigation was wrong.”Serenity was speechless.“Marriage is a life-long event. Women are afraid of marrying the wrong man, but the same goes for men. I have to get along with you personally before knowing what you’re really like. A background check is just a few lines of summary.”“Yes, marriage is a life-long event. It seems we were both too hasty.”Serenity sighed, but said gratefully, “Fortunately, we fell in love with each other.”If she could do it all over again, she would probably make a different choice.“Keep going, Seren. I’ll listen to the story.” Zachary did not want to talk about the time when their marriage was hidden b
“Waters run deep in wealthy families. They can do anything for the sake of their interests, but don’t worry, Seren. Our family isn’t like that. Even if I paid someone in our family to take my spot as the head, they wouldn’t want to.”Serenity believed in Zachary’s words.She met her in-laws several times. Whether it was her elders or peers, they were all good people. The only person who was a little prejudiced against her and was not satisfied with her was her mother-in-law, but the latter still did not do anything to harm her.When she was angry at Zachary, her mother-in-law accompanied Grandma May to apologize to her instead of taking the opportunity to tell Zachary to divorce her.Perhaps to Tania, although she cared about what her daughter-in-law’s background was, her son’s feelings and happiness were more important than that.“Mrs. Newman was glaring at me like she was trying to kill me. I wonder if she’ll badmouth me to her husband when she goes home. Zachary, is the Newman
“Go back to the room and change out of your dress.”Zachary wanted to pick Serenity up as he spoke, but she stopped him.“I can walk.”Serenity stood up. Her legs felt much better after Zachary’s massage.“Seren, you won’t even give me the chance to perform. I want to train my arm strength. Carrying you around is a good way of training.”Serenity pinched his face lightly. “What do you mean you want to train your arm strength? You work out every day. Let’s go to sleep already.”“I’ll draw the bath for you.”Zachary did not carry her back to the room and went ahead to draw the bath for her. Then, he brought her pajamas so she could sleep comfortably after soaking in a hot bath.After coming out of the bath, Serenity climbed into bed and lay beside Zachary. She suddenly remembered something, propped her head up, and kissed him twice on the cheek. “Good night, Babe.”Zachary kissed her back. “Good night. Sweet dreams.”“I rarely have nightmares.”Serenity lay down and habitually
“Mr. Newman is protective and dotes on his children the most, but your daughter-in-law caused his beloved daughter to make a fool out of herself in public. Mr. and Mrs. Newman probably hate your daughter-in-law now. Isn’t she causing trouble for the York family?“Mrs. York, you should discipline your daughter-in-law. She represents the York family now. She has a bad background, and her parents are dead, so she had no one to educate her. Shouldn’t you correct that wild nature of hers? How can someone like her be the missus of the York family?”The other party went on a tirade about Serenity.Tania’s expression darkened on the spot.Liam saw the drastic change in his wife’s face and asked with concern, “Who’s calling? What did they say?”Tania did not immediately answer her husband’s question, but coldly refuted the other party and said, “Mrs. Walker, what does this matter have to do with you? You went on and on about my daughter-in-law not minding her own business, but aren’t you d
“Ms. Carrie drugged her own sister?” It came as a shock to Liam. “I know, right? Serenity did a good thing by saving Ms. Camryn’s life, but the busybodies said Serenity should mind her own business. “They had the nerve to say that Serenity’s meddling rubbed Mrs. Newman and her younger daughter off the wrong way. Apparently, Mr. Newman can be very protective of his family. So what? I’m protective too! My daughter-in-law fears no one! I have Serenity’s back even if she upset all Wiltspoonians. Of course, on the condition that she’s in the right. “That really riled me up. I can’t believe they tried to stir the pot with me. Are they trying to make me the first person ever to break apart the peace of the Yorks?”Liam uttered with a smile, “My wife is too smart to be fooled.” “I’m fuming here, and yet you’re smiling there. Serenity is your daughter-in-law too, you know. Let me put this out there. You better criticize anyone who calls Serenity an insensible and meddling country bum
The chilly spring and the soak in the bath of ice water gave Carrie a cold. With her temperature running high in the middle of the night, Mrs. Newman was quick to notify the family doctor. The doctor examined Carrie and prescribed her medication. Mrs. Newman fed her daughter the medication and stayed by her daughter’s side. Mrs. Newman only left her daughter’s bedroom when Carrie’s fever subsided. “Where’s Camryn? Didn’t she come back last night?” The mention of her elder daughter turned Mrs. Newman’s tenderness into a scowl. “That blind girl got Ms. Stone’s help through some dumb luck. That country bumpkin was on her side too.“That country bumpkin with no parents thinks she’s all that after marrying into a wealthy family. Carrie would’ve been fine if she stayed out of our business. The country bumpkin struck fast. She must work out in the gym a lot.” The couple talked about last night’s incident while walking down the stairs. Mrs. Newman hated Serenity’s guts. Her daughter
Despite this, lying in bed and enduring the pain, Caroline could not help but start to cry, feeling deeply wronged.When Darren came in and saw her crying, he walked over, sat on the edge of the bed, and gently wiped her tears with a tissue.“They’re not worth your tears,” he said, his heart aching for her.Caroline sat up and buried herself in his arms. “Darren, you’re all I have now.”Darren held her tightly, his voice filled with tenderness. “I’ll always be by your side, no matter what happens, Ms. Caroline. Even if the sky falls, I’ll hold it up for you.“If you’re really hurting and need to cry, then cry. Let it all out.”It would also help her sever ties with the past and the family bonds that had caused her so much pain.Caroline did cry—a long, cathartic cry. It would be the last time. From now on, she and the Clarks would go their separate ways.Meanwhile, Hunter went to Justin’s house and called Jason’s wife, Ellie, over. He said to his two daughters-in-law, “By no
After a moment of silence, Hunter repeated the same line. “But you didn’t die, did you? You only got a little hurt, and it’s not even serious.”Caroline almost laughed in anger at this.Sure, she had not died. She had only been injured. Did that erase the fact that her brothers had tried to kill her, though?She retorted, “Dad, if I had tried to kill your three sons, but they didn’t die and only got a little hurt, would you say the same thing to them? Would you tell them it’s just a family dispute, ask them to forgive me, not to sue me, and not to send me to jail?”Hunter instinctively replied, "If you had the intent to kill, how could I let you continue down that path? Of course, I’d have to let you serve a few years in prison…“Carol, I’m old, really old. I only have the boys to rely on in my old age. Are you trying to leave me with no one to depend on in my later years?”Caroline said coldly, “I’ll provide for your living expenses. I’ll make sure you don’t starve. You can even
Darren did not let go even after being struck.Seeing Darren get hit, Caroline’s expression darkened. She coldly said to her father, “Dad, if you really want to kneel, go kneel at the hospital entrance and shout at the top of your lungs that your daughter is unfilial.“Tell everyone that your sons tried to kill your daughter, and your daughter refuses to forgive them, so you’re kneeling there to force her to forgive your sons.“Let’s see if I give in.”Hunter stopped struggling. After slapping Darren, he felt a pang of fear. He was afraid Caroline might retaliate by slapping him to avenge Darren. Fortunately, while Caroline was furious, she did not lay a hand on him.He began to cry. “Carol…” He wept bitterly.Darren released him, and Hunter sat on the sofa, sobbing, “Carol, I’m old. I have no income, my parents are long gone, and your mother is no longer here. I only have your three brothers to rely on.“If you send all three of them to prison, what will happen to me? Who w
Caroline hummed. “I do plan to visit Wiltspoon to see her sometime soon. I just don’t know if I’ll be kicked out when I get there.”“And I should visit Mr. Foster too. How is he, by the way?" Patrick was the longest-living person she had ever met. Back when she lived with her adoptive family in the countryside, the oldest people in town usually lived into their eighties, and few made it to ninety. Patrick was nearly a hundred years old. What was more, he could walk without support and even travel long distances with his old friends.Liberty replied, “He’s doing quite well. Aunt Audrey accompanies him on walks every day. When they don’t go out, he sits by the cradle and watches baby Elias for hours on end.”The bond between generations was strong. When Patrick looked at Clive’s son, Elias, he felt like he was looking at his great-grandson. As Tiara’s great-grandson, Elias was naturally like his own great-grandson, too.“Dr. Carden comes by periodically to check on him and adjus
Liberty had already called Audrey to inform her about what had happened and also mentioned it to Serenity.Knowing the Clark brothers had all been captured, Serenity felt thoroughly relieved and stopped worrying that her sister would run into trouble in Jensburg.She told Zachary that Caroline never let people down.Zachary did not comment.Caroline’s fever had completely subsided, but her coughing had worsened. The doctor had changed her prescription, but the effects were not immediate.When Liberty entered, Caroline was out of bed and walking around, supported by Darren.“Caroline, why are you out of bed?”Liberty scolded her, “Get back in bed and lie down. You’re injured. If you don’t rest properly and keep moving around, you’ll aggravate your wounds, and you’ll regret it.”She did not blame Darren, though. She knew Caroline always came first to him. He always followed her lead and was unable to influence her decisions.“I’ve been lying down all day. My back is sore, and I’m
The housekeeper replied, “Yes, sir.”They did not have much work in the first place, so they did not need to slack off. Once they were done with their work, they had tons of time to entertain themselves.Hunter rushed out the door with his car keys. Despite being over seventy years old, his driving skills were still quite good. Not needing to hire a driver, he drove himself straight to Jensburg.Upon arriving at the city, Hunter did not immediately go looking for Caroline. He was unaware that she had been injured.Instead, he went to meet his old friends to ask them to help him find out if anything had happened in relation to the Fisher family last night.After he finished speaking, one of his friends said, “We were about to ask you the same thing. Your three sons attacked your daughter with knives and even kidnapped her, intending to chop her up and feed her to the fish.“Luckily, that Mr. Fletcher, who works for your daughter, arrived with the police and rescued her, but she wa
The Queen family was well-educated and had few members. Sophia had heard of other families fighting over power, but Caroline’s experience shocked her the most. Maybe it was because the Queens was close to her. Sophia quite liked Caroline as well. “How could they… You’re their biological sister!”Caroline smiled bitterly. “Are you having a fever, Carol? Your face is red.”Sophia touched Caroline’s forehead. She said, “You’re burning up. Have you informed the doctor, Mr. Fletcher?”Darren replied, “The fever started at dawn. Ms. Caroline caught a cold. Her fever subsided after taking medication once, but it returned.“It’s time for her to take her medicine.”Sophia spotted the lunch boxes. She told Darren, “Go have your lunch, Mr. Fletcher. I can look after Carol.”“It’s okay, Mrs. Queen. I can eat on my own,” said Caroline embarrassedly. It was her first time feeling cared for by someone her mother’s age. Although Sophia was not part of her family, the lady treated her
Caroline looked toward Darren. She said, “In my younger days, I often caught colds and coughs when the weather was too cold. The coughing will last throughout the changing of seasons. Therefore, I’ve been looking after my health since I grew up.“My immune system strengthened a lot. I haven’t been coughing for years.“I’m not worried.”Caroline stared at Darren lovingly. “I have nothing to be worried about with you here.”Darren pinched her face lightly with affection. “I’m still sulking. I didn’t want you to risk yourself, yet I couldn’t stop you. I’ll only feel better once you recover.”He was Caroline’s assistant and had to heed her orders. Even if they were dating, he still had to follow her arrangements.“Okay. Don’t be angry. I won’t take risks like this again in the future. You’ll age quickly if you get angry frequently. If that happens, your hair might turn gray before I even grow old.“We promised to grow old together.”Under Caroline’s gentle coaxing, Darren’s expre
Darren became an orphan when he was only a few years old. After losing everything, he was collected and trained by the training center to be an all-rounder assistant. He could not remember how he lost his parents as he was too young back then. Since he had no memories, there was no pain.Nevertheless, he had seen others interacting with their parents. He knew parents should love their children. There were not many parents who would not shower their children with love. Ms. Caroline was too unlucky to have met one. “I don’t care. I don’t care about my dad at all.”Caroline asked, “Has my dad asked you to give him money? He doesn’t need money. He just wants to know about his sons’ conditions.“Having lived for so many years, he was probably aware of the consequences of his sons’ plan and had advised them not to do it. They didn’t listen to him, so he’s just hoping to get lucky and waiting for some news.”Hunter must have known that her brothers were going to murder her. Sinc