“Good luck. Let’s see if you can marry Camryn by this year.”Callum said confidently, “I’ll definitely make you a mother-in-law by this year.”“All right, go back to work. I’m going to your uncle’s place.”Callum hummed and waited for his mother to hang up.After Rosella finished talking to her son, she got up and left.The three sisters-in-law were very close and were like actual sisters. When they heard that Zachary and Serenity were back, Rosella and her other sister-in-law, Sasha, went over to Tania’s place.The house was bustling with liveliness.Of course, the most popular person was the sweet and dashing Sonny.Rowan wanted to take Sonny out to fly a kite, saying that it was windy today. The best place to fly a kite was on the lawn.Zachary asked him, “Have you finished your homework?”Rowan said smugly, “I finished them last night. I wouldn’t dare see you if I didn’t finish my homework.”“You finished it all in one night? Looks like you don’t have enough homework.”
Rowan was scared by the thought of his study desk being filled with test questions. “I’ll just play for one day,” Rowan said conscientiously and did not dare ask for more holidays. His mom seemed ignorant of this and did not care about his cousins pressuring him with sets of test questions. Rowan was the youngest among the cousins, and the youngest was the most favored. With eight excellent brothers watching over him, his mom was happy to do nothing. “Sonny, come on, I’ll take you out to fly a kite.” Rowan, who managed to ask for a day off, took Sonny out to go wild and play. Duncan was worried about Sonny and followed them. He wanted to continue to win Sonny over and make Sonny fonder of him. That way, he would soon be able to replace Hank and become Sonny’s dad. “Rose, I heard Camryn’s aunts came to see you. What was it about?” Old Mrs. York asked her second daughter-in-law. Rosella answered, “Those two have no sense of propriety. They came to tell me that Camryn is
Tania said, “That child is pitiful. God won’t forsake her.” Serenity did not come from a prominent background but was healthy. Plus, her daughter-in-law made progress. Tania used to be a little dissatisfied with her, but she did not mind anymore when Camryn was used as a comparison. Besides, Tania and Serenity developed a good relationship after a long time together. Grandma May said, “God is a powerful being. You young people should go out and play. You don’t need to accompany us old people.” She shooed her grandsons out to have fun. Zachary took Serenity out to look for Sonny. Liberty did not want to face Duncan, so she stayed in the house with the elders and listened to their conversation. It was a conversation among wives, so she could not chime in. Even so, she did not feel inferior. She knew she had not entered the circle yet. Once she became successful in the future, she would naturally be a part of the women of the high society. “Liberty, join me for a walk.”
Grandma May smiled and said, “I could tell since long ago. Duncan didn’t admit to liking you back then. He thought he liked Sonny instead and was only nice to you because you’re Sonny’s mom. Perhaps he liked Sonny at first and had slowly come to like you later on.” Liberty blushed and said, “Grandma May, I have no feelings for Mr. Lewis. He confessed to me, but I politely rejected him.” Grandma May asked, “Is it because of Mrs. Lewis? She’s not ill-natured, but her idea of an appropriate match in terms of social status is deeply ingrained in her. Honestly, it’s good for a married couple to be well-matched, so I don’t blame her for being so persistent.” “I also think that a married couple should be well-matched. Mr. Lewis and I are not, and I’ve never thought of anything happening between us. I’m only an ordinary tenant who rents his shop lot.” Liberty did not have the idea of rising to the top. Her sister could do that due to her good fortune, but she did not want to pursue s
Grandma May sighed and stopped speaking for Duncan. After all, she could not guarantee that Duncan would treat Liberty well for the rest of their lives. “Are the Browns still pestering you?” Grandma May changed the topic and asked Liberty with concern. “Seren asked our grandparents to come and rented a place for them on the same floor as the Browns. The Browns have to pass by my grandparents’ unit every time they go out. With my grandparents in the way, my ex-in-laws rarely appear in front of me nowadays.” The old lady chuckled and said, “That’s a good idea. I don’t have a good relationship with your grandparents, but you’re still their granddaughter. They have conflicts with and grudges against the Browns, to begin with, so they’re helping you.” “Seren gave my grandparents the right amount of money from the rent my uncle pays. She also provided them with a rental unit and paid for their food, so of course, they’ll help me.” Liberty always felt that her grandparents would
“Dunc.” Sonny pulled the kite string and walked toward Duncan. Duncan smiled and pulled Sonny into his arms. He reached out to hold the kite string for Sonny and asked, “Are you happy?” “Yeah. Row said he’d bring me to play in the children’s playground later.” This was Sonny’s second time in Wildridge Manor. He remembered that his uncle’s house had a big children’s playground and that it was fun. Duncan said dotingly, “I can also bring you there.” “Dunc, you’re an adult, but Row isn’t one yet. I’ll be happier if he goes with me.” Adults were not as playful as children. The little one knew the difference very well. Duncan caressed Sonny’s head and asked with a smile, “Sonny, you don’t want me anymore now that you have Row, huh?” Sonny complained, “You only know how to stack blocks, Dunc.” Duncan was speechless. He liked Sonny, but he admitted that he was not doing a good enough job at pleasing Sonny, mainly because he had never liked a child like this before he k
Zachary said, “You don’t have to put too much pressure on yourself. Nana told you that, but the handover will be at least a few years later. Even the smartest and greatest missus in charge will take a few years to fully take over everything. “Look at the account books when you have time so you can learn where the properties are and what businesses are in operation. You can take your time with the rest.” Serenity nodded and responded, “That’s what Mom said. She said I’ll be able to take over after two or three years.” “It’s thanks to the missus in charge every term that the number of stores and properties grew. If the money earned isn’t fully spent, it can be used to repurchase stores and houses, or it can also be invested in other financial products. In any case, money is used to generate more money.” Serenity replied, “I’m still under a lot of pressure after hearing what you said. I dare not say that I have an eye for investment.” “It’s not difficult. You just need to purcha
Serenity left Zachary’s shoulder and looked at him. She seemed gossipy. “What did the psychic say? Can Julian be treated? Or did he lie about it?” “According to Mr. Bucham’s investigation, Julian didn’t lie about it. I don’t think he’d have the guts to come up with such a lie. As powerful as he is, his dad is still the head of the family. Since Mr. Bucham still hasn’t completely let go of everything, Julian won’t be able to get away.” Serenity asked, “So he really has hypoactive sexual desire disorder?” Zachary nodded. Julian’s update came from Zachary pestering and asking his nana. “Then… What did the psychic say?” Julian was also an excellent man, but it was unfortunate that he had hypoactive sexual desire disorder. A person with such a disorder could only depend on fate to find a partner and live a normal life. Otherwise, Julian would be someone who was only living in the shell of a man. He was normal in all aspects but did not react to women. Zachary answered, “Th
“Okay.”Kade said gently, “I’ll hang up and send you my location. We can talk when we meet.”Soon, Kade ended the call and sent Imogen his location. It took Imogen and Dylan about ten minutes to find him. “Kade.”Imogen was happy when she saw him. She ran toward him elatedly.Dylan saw a man about his age or a few years older than him. The man looked handsome and gentlemanly. He wore a gray suit without a tie, which made him look like a successful person. From Imogen, Dylan knew his love rival was a senior executive of a multinational company. He was competent since he was assigned to return and handle the business in the country. Kade’s mother and Leticia were best friends. Kade was also Leticia’s godson. Imogen had known him since he was young, and the parents of the two families intended to bring their kids together. Upon seeing Kade in the flesh, Dylan felt threatened. If he wanted to win, he had to put effort into pursuing Imogen. If Imogen loved him and was will
“You can decide what we have for dinner, Mom. I don’t have any opinions.”Some of the Doyles were busy during the weekends, while others would take a rest. Either way, they still had time to have dinner together. After ending the call with her mother, Imogen told Dylan, “When we meet Kade at the airport, we can have lunch there first. We’ll only eat with my family during dinner.”Dylan had heard Leticia’s words through the phone. He said, “Will Mr. Butcher be staying with your family?”Dylan found it normal for them to have dinner together. After all, that Kade guy was his future mother-in-law’s godson. Since he was finally back in the country, it was customary for Leticia to invite him over for a meal. However, Dylan could not help but feel jealous about Kade staying at the Doyles’ mansion. When he could not even enter their mansion most of the time, Kade could immediately move in. If Kade got closer to the Doyles, he would be a more significant threat to Dylan. Imogen
“We can head there in my car.”Dylan was delighted that Imogen allowed him to go to the airport with her. “Any car is fine.”Imogen led him out of the house. Dylan quickly followed after her and opened the car door for her. He even hovered his hand above her head to prevent her from hitting the roof of the car.“You’re so attentive.”Imogen complimented him as she fastened her seatbelt in the car. “I’ll only be gentlemanly to you aside from my family members.”Imogen glanced at him but did not say a word. A few minutes later, Dylan drove out of the Doyle residence with Imogen in his car.Not long after they left, Leticia went downstairs.She noticed the gifts on the table but did not see Imogen anywhere. Thinking he had kidnapped her daughter, she quickly called Wendy over and asked, “Did Jen head out?”“Yes. Ms. Imogen had gone out with Mr. Dylan. She said they were heading to the airport to receive someone.”Wendy had overheard Imogen and Dylan’s conversation, so she
She did not expect him to be discharged that soon.“Let him in.”Mr. and Mrs. Doyle were not awake yet. They would not stop Dylan from entering. With Imogen’s orders, Wendy quickly called the security booth and told the security to let Dylan in. Imogen stood at her door a few minutes later and watched his car stop before her. “Why are you discharged?” Imogen asked as soon as Dylan got out of the car. He was still coughing.Imogen frowned. His body belonged to himself. Who would love him if he did not know how to care for himself?“I feel much better after spending two days in the hospital on IV drips. The doctor said I could be discharged and gave me three days’ supply of medication. If I’m not fully recovered after finishing the medicines, I can return to get more.“The doctor said I should be fine after this round of medication. He also said I’m generally healthy and that my condition only got that severe because I ate a lot of chili peppers in one sitting.“I have to e
Imogen smiled. “Stop teasing him, Layla. He doesn’t eat spicy food at all. Eating that much chili peppers can be deadly for him.“I’ll be heading back to work today. I can’t take care of him at the hospital every day. I don’t want to let him think that I’ve accepted him just because he ate chili peppers once.”Layla said, “That’s right. You can’t be tricked by his pity play.”“Dylan didn’t torture himself to gain my pity, Layla. He was hospitalized because he ate the chili peppers. His fever, cough, and sore throat are all real. His voice is still hoarse when he speaks.”Imogen could not help but defend Dylan.Layla replied, “Look at you. I only criticize him a little, yet you’re already defending him.“Jen, the person who falls first will always be at a disadvantage.“Listen to me. Don’t dedicate anything to this relationship before Dylan falls in love with you as who you are. Don’t be manipulated by him.“You’re usually sharp and capable, yet you seem to lose all rationality
“Why do you want to see me? Didn’t you see enough of me yesterday? Besides, I’m not your beloved Miss Fox. You said it yourself—no matter how you tried and put in the effort, you couldn’t love me.“I’m just a good friend to your sisters-in-law, and Grandma May specifically called me to ask me to look after you for a day. That’s the only reason I did it.“Dylan, I’m not going back to you.”It was he who said that he did not love her. She had fallen for him, but when he said he did not love her, she hid her feelings.Now, he had realized that she was Chameleon Fox and the person he truly loved had always been her. Imogen had been more or less jealous of her own self all this time.If he had not fallen for Imogen but proceeded to get together with her, then it would feel like he was treating her as a substitute. Fox was Imogen, and Imogen was Fox—but she had still stubbornly distinguished the two.“I know, Imogen,” Dylan said softly.He did not assume he had won her over just bec
The night passed peacefully.The next morning, Dylan woke up. He had been woken by the heat.The room was heated, and he had bundled himself up tightly before going to sleep. By midnight, he had started sweating, but he continued to sleep, so by morning, he was feeling too hot and woke up.“Imogen…” He instinctively called out her name.His voice was still hoarse, but it was much better than yesterday. When he received no answer, he remembered that Imogen had gone home last night. He was alone in the hospital.Late last night, his mother had called him, but only to laugh at him.Now, all alone, in a strange place, and sick, Dylan felt just a tiny bit homesick. It was much more comfortable at Wildridge Manor, after all. When all the York boys were home, it was lively and warm. There was his nana to fuss over him, and even though his parents liked to make jabs at him, they still cared deeply for him.It felt boring at home, but once he left, he realized how warm home really was.
Sasha chimed in, “Exactly. It’s fine to laugh in front of us, but you laughed so loudly on the call too. Dylan is hurt both physically and emotionally, and no one is comforting him.”Rosella responded, “But Imogen is there to take care of him. She’ll comfort him.”Sasha sighed. “It’s so late now. Imogen needs to go back and rest, doesn’t she? Dylan hasn’t even won her over yet, so how could Imogen stay the entire night in the hospital with him?”Grandma May laughed, “You ladies know it’s late too, so why aren’t you three going back to your rooms to rest? Fortunately, the rooms are big enough that we can all chat here without disturbing anyone.“Remember, we’re guests. We mustn’t disturb the rest of the Johnsons just because we’ve come.”The three sisters-in-law glanced at the clock. It was almost midnight.As the eldest sister-in-law, Tania led the way. She stood up and said to Grandma May, “Mom, we’ll head back to rest now. Tomorrow, let’s go out and walk around.”The scenery a
“Mom, I’m your real son!”“If you weren’t, I wouldn’t even bother with you and don’t even want to make this call.”Rosella added, “Alright, now that I know you’re fine, I can relax. Be good to Imogen, she’s a really good girl. I like her a lot. I hope you can get together this year.“Once you’re finally not single anymore, it should be about time for your younger brother to start dating too. Once all three of you are out of the bachelor’s club, all I have to do is wait for my first grandchild to be born.“I’ve saved up a lot of money for both your weddings, though honestly, I don’t think you’ll need it. You all are capable enough to make your own money to get married, so the money I saved for you can go toward my granddaughter instead.“I don’t even know if I’ll be fortunate enough to have a granddaughter.” Rosella sighed. “After seeing little Clo-clo, I finally understand why your nana is so fixated on her and wants to kidnap her. “That kid is so cute. She’s pretty, adorable,