“Giving birth to a daughter is a remarkable feat in the York family. Our ancestors might even die from laughing.”After a brief silence, Josh reminded, “Need I remind you that your ancestors are already dead?”Callum replied, “It was just a metaphor.”He was affected by Josh's showing off. He had been looking forward to having a child of his own after getting married. The gender of the baby did not matter. He simply wanted to experience fatherhood. However, that would not happen for another two to three years. Camryn had not been nursed to full health yet. Even if he put in the effort, she was unable to get pregnant. Callum could not express his love for children in front of her because he did not want her to feel pressured. Well, they could spend more time together without a child. He was satisfied with their happy life. Josh and Callum took the elevator up as their offices were located on the same floor. They walked out of the elevator together. Callum had a huge s
Although Mr. Charles was the primary breadwinner, Mrs. Charles was the one wearing the pants in the family. She managed their finances, and Mr. Charles was more than willing to be bossed around. Jasmine said, “She rarely scolds you anymore. I haven’t heard her angry voice for some time already.”Mr. Charles immediately placed a finger against his lips and whispered, “Don’t be so loud. My wife has sharp ears. She can give me an earful right away if she hears you. You’ll be able to hear her angry voice again.”Serenity and Jasmine laughed with their hands over their mouths. “I’ll take my leave now.”Mr. Charles walked away happily. As Serenity watched him leave, she told Jasmine, “I’m actually envious of Mr. Charles. He’s always in a good mood.”Life would get better when one had a positive mindset.“Mr. and Mrs. Charles have a good relationship and a harmonious family. Although their business is small, they’re still doing great.”Jasmine put her bag down and sat behind the c
Serenity smiled. “It’s normal for you to feel fetal movements. Even though I can feel them sometimes, it doesn’t feel real. It’s easy to be mistaken.”Although she said so, she still asked to touch Jasmine’s belly.Taking advantage of the fact that nobody else was in the shop, Jasmine sat behind the cashier, generously letting Serenity touch her stomach. However, the baby was asleep. Serenity lightly caressed Jasmine’s belly but did not get a response. “Baby might be sleeping. When I woke up, I said I could feel it moving, so Josh also touched my bump. He was amazed when he felt it and interacted with the baby for quite some time. He might have tired the little one out, so the baby’s sleeping now.”Serenity chuckled and withdrew her hand. She would soon be able to feel fetal movements herself, so there was no need to be jealous of her friend. The sound of heels came from outside the door.Soon, they saw a young woman entering the shop. It was the same woman from yesterday, who
Jasmine said, “Yeah. I’ve said it was good when I took the first bite.”“Let’s split the rest.”Serenity walked into the kitchen and took a ziplock, putting in half of the gingersnaps Mr. Charles gave.Jasmine did not stand on courtesy and accepted it. Carrie hid behind a shelf and observed them, feeling a bit dumbfounded. Have these two women never had cookies before? What was so good about that small and brittle cookie? They even shared it evenly.Carrie was curious and wanted to try it. How good was the cookie to make these two like it? However, she was now disguised as Mrs. Longbottom. She was not close to Serenity yet, so she felt embarrassed to ask her for a piece.“Serenity, Jasmine, are you there?”A familiar voice came from the outside. Hiding behind the shelf, Carrie turned pale, feeling a little nervous. It was Camryn. Camryn walked in while holding an umbrella. Behind her were two bodyguards Callum had assigned to protect her. As long as she was not with Callum,
“It’s not busy in the store now, so I came over to chat with you.”Camryn came because she wanted to chat with Jasmine and Serenity. Serenity instructed the bodyguards to carry the existing plants away, then replace them with the new ones Camryn brought. Jasmine went to pour a cup of hot tea for Camryn and said, “Drink some to warm yourself. It’s cold today.”She asked the bodyguards to help themselves since they were familiar with this place. They knew the three missus were down to earth and not unapproachable. Camryn drank a sip and saw the cookies at the cashier, but she did not ask about it.Serenity still offered her some, and Camryn did not hesitate to take one.Carrie was speechless. That cookie must be delicious.Camryn did not comment on how the cookie tasted. She ate while chatting with her two friends. When the topic came to her attending a banquet with her mother-in-law, she said to Serenity, “Seren, if you weren’t pregnant, we could have gone together. I was c
Unexpectedly, her niece had better luck than her, eventually dating and marrying Josh. The Bucham family was much more well-off than the Sox family. After Jasmine married into the Bucham family, she did not have to endure scrutiny from Josh’s mother, Rebecca. Josh’s family welcomed Jasmine with kindness.When Rachel was young and just married into the Lowe family, she had a hard time as her mother-in-law disliked her. She was only freed from the torment after her mother-in-law passed away.Camryn laughed along. “Since you guys said so, I have nothing to be afraid of.”“Yeah. You used to suffer so much without fear. Now that your life has improved, and with people backing you up, you have no reason to be scared. Camryn, remember that many of us from the York family will have your back.”Serenity boosted Camryn’s confidence. Camryn nodded firmly. She would cross the bridge when she got to it. There was nothing to fear.“Seren, don’t tell Callum about this. I just got nervous for
Carrie hung up after a few words with Mr. Longbottom. He always only asked about her whereabouts and when she would go home.She did not want to stay at the store anymore. Turning around, she saw the three missus sitting at the cashier, with several bodyguards sitting or standing at the entrance. She was burning with jealousy.It was only a small bookstore, but six bodyguards were inside. Serenity, Jasmine, and Camryn each had two bodyguards.Carrie also had two bodyguards following her whenever she went out now, but these bodyguards only acted respectfully when there were others around. They were cold and controlling behind the scenes, dictating her every move. They were totally different from Serenity’s bodyguards. She thought about how Serenity could not recognize her after she changed her face. Although Camryn was her sister, she was blind for ten years. Despite regaining her eyesight, it was only partially recovered, and Camryn could only see things up close. Things with
Serenity felt it too.Only Jasmine had not interacted with Carrie before and only knew of her name, so she felt nothing.“Let’s talk about it in the store. It’s cold out here. The rain is merely a drizzle, but it still feels cold.”Serenity held Camryn’s arm and pulled Jasmine along. The three of them returned to the cashier and sat down.“I’ll pour a cup of water for you two. My mouth feels dry after eating the gingersnaps from Mr. Charles. It tastes good, and I crave it more the more I eat,” Jasmine said as she went to get some water.Serenity smiled and helped Camryn to sit. Camryn said, “Seren, I can see.”Back when she was still blind, she could move around freely in familiar surroundings. Callum knew she needed to be in a familiar place to move freely like the others, so he kept ordering from Spring Blossoms and requested her to deliver the flowers to York Corporation.She thought he was deliberately making things difficult for her. Later, Callum explained that he had
“I just need your confirmation, Nana. Just one word. Is Imogen the Chameleon Fox?”“You should ask her. I’m not Imogen.”“Nana.”Dylan almost kneeled. “I regret my decision, Nana, okay? Can you tell me?”Grandma May poked his forehead. She said, “There’s nothing you can do to reverse time.“I might’ve been too bossy, Dylan. I chose you and your brothers’ wives without getting permission and forced you all to pursue them. I was in the wrong, not you.”Although she did it for the sake of her grandsons, it was considered overstepping. “Don’t say that, Nana. My brothers and I are willing to accept the choices you made for us. We’re blessed to have you to choose our future partners. Our parents are delighted as well.”His parents and uncles were glad and relaxed that they did not have to worry about the boys’ marriages. Grandma May had a good eye for people. The girls she chose were definitely outstanding. “Since you’re willing to accept my choice, why didn’t you do as I said
“I wasn’t this old when I chose Callum’s and Kevin’s wives. I still had energy, so I spent lots of time investigating the girls’ backgrounds. When it came to you, Peter, and Austin, I didn’t spend as much effort on background checks because I didn’t have the energy.“If Imogen is Silver’s student, it’ll only be more difficult to investigate her. It’s ‘the’ Silver we’re talking about. He’s in charge of the intelligence in the Imperial Force. He has the largest information network. Investigating his student is basically having a death wish.“Although he has retired, he has many successors. All of them have even surpassed him.“I’m bold, but I’m not gutsy enough to offend just anyone. How could I possibly offend the Imperial Force when I know just how formidable they are?“Now, we’re on good terms with the Imperial Force thanks to Zachary and Serenity’s close relationship with the Johnsons. Mr. Patrick is also the assistant of Serenity’s maternal grandmother. Those two connections gra
Dylan supported Grandma May as they walked back. He consoled her, “You have to look at it from another perspective, Nana. It’s only one day in the entire year that you’re unhappy, while you’re generally happy in the rest. Although you don’t have daughters or granddaughters, your sons and grandsons have married other families’ lovely daughters. “Don’t you feel great that other families’ daughters are accompanying you and treating you well?”Grandma May burst out laughing. “Now that you mention it, I do feel great. Your maternal grandmother must be the one who’s upset.”“Of course. Many people are envious of you, Nana.“For having such filial grandsons. The nine of us have never embarrassed you.”Grandma May smiled and said, “I feel like your lips are coated with honey, Dylan. Look at those sweet words coming out of them.”“I’m usually like this.”“Your words aren’t this sweet usually. Come. What do you want to tell me?”Grandma May knew everything, yet she pretended to be cluel
Since Serenity was also an owner of the villa, she assigned rooms to Hayden and Camryn before returning to the master bedroom. She kept feeling that something was missing as Zachary was not around.Carrying the baby bump around was tiring.Although Serenity was used to having Zachary by her side, she fell asleep quickly as she was exhausted. The night passed peacefully. New Year’s Eve had arrived. It was a busy day. After a family dinner in the evening, people who were close acquaintances of the Yorks went to Wildridge Manor to watch the fireworks. The atmosphere was lively. However, fun times would always go by quickly. Soon, it was the second day of the new year. It was the day when the York family’s daughters-in-law would visit their families. The fact that their families resided in Wiltspoon made the trip convenient. Zachary, Serenity, Liberty, and Duncan went to the Stones’ residence. Since Audrey was Serenity and Liberty’s aunt, they would visit the Stone
While Grandma May and her granddaughters-in-law had settled down, Zachary and his two brothers were still waiting for their wives. As the sky was getting darker, Zachary could not help but give Serenity a call. “Why are you and Nana not back yet, Seren?”“We won’t be going back tonight, babe. Nana said we’ll return after breakfast tomorrow. We’re staying in your villa in the high-end neighborhood now.”Zachary replied, “I already had a bad feeling when Nana brought you guys out.”As expected, Nana had “kidnapped” their wives.Serenity laughed. “Go to bed early. We’re singing now. Hayden is a pretty good singer.”“You should rest earlier. Don’t stay up too late. You’re still pregnant.”Zachary reminded her.“Mm. I will. I’ll hang up now. Let’s talk again tomorrow.”“Okay. Sonny came over this evening and asked where you were. I said you went shopping, and he said why you didn’t wait till he came and if you didn’t miss him.”Serenity smiled. “He called me afterward and told
Grandma May brought her daughters-in-law to Zachary's villa. The butler did not go home to celebrate the new year. Instead, he had brought his family over upon obtaining Zachary’s permission. Sam was a disciplined person. Although he had brought his family over, he would still watch over the house properly and not let his family enter the main house.He was Zachary’s butler and had his own quarters. He did not live in the main house. Sam was surprised to see Grandma May and her granddaughters-in-law coming over late at night.“Have you all come by yourself, missus?”Sam opened the gates for them and asked Serenity, who had lowered her window. He was worried that Mr. York might have made Mrs. York angry and that she had come over to escape him. It would be New Year’s Eve tomorrow. Logically speaking, Serenity should have been at Wildridge Manor. However, upon seeing Grandma May, Camryn, and the rest, Sam finally figured it out. Grandma May must have been feeling mischievo
“Dylan didn’t really disobey you, Nana. It’s simply because his partner is Imogen.“If it weren’t for Zachary telling me, I wouldn’t have thought Imogen would have that many identities. She hid all of them well. Dylan couldn’t find a thing even after investigating it for a long time.”Serenity smiled and added, “As expected of Silver’s best student. She’s definitely different.”Grandma May was being extremely nice to Dylan.She had chosen Silver’s student for him. The legendary masters and their students were the true big bosses. Any one of them could rival Julian. “Dylan was trapped by his dream. He couldn’t escape it.”Grandma May sighed. “I don’t know what happened. He never met Sugar before. I can’t believe he dreamt of her before I gave him a picture of her. He even had the same dream several times.“Maybe they were just fated to be together.”Camryn smiled. “It must be fate. Maybe they were husband and wife in their past lives.”“You’re amazing, Nana. How did you know
Once Dylan arrived home, he went looking for his nana first. Grandma May was not in the manor. She was in one of the houses at the foot of the hill. Dylan did not search the houses one by one. He simply gave her a call. Grandma May picked up the call after some time. “You’re back, Dylan? I thought you weren’t planning to come back.”She chuckled. “How are things going? Have you found your little fox? Your elder brothers have already succeeded in getting their women. The three of you are the only ones left.“Peter is quicker than you. He said he could bring his fiancée back in a few months. Austin is probably doing better than you too. They aren’t you.”“When are you coming back, Nana? I have something to tell you.”Dylan requested Grandma May politely as he did not want other people to be present.Grandma May could roughly guess what Dylan wanted to do. She said, “I’m not in the manor. I’m out shopping with Serenity and won’t be back so soon. If you have something to say,
“The wind is strong, Mr. and Mrs. Brown. Please return home. We’ll be heading back as well.”After Liberty took everything her ex-in-laws had prepared for Sonny, she said goodbye to them, and under their gazes, she walked toward Duncan and Sonny, who were waiting for her.Sonny had already gotten off Duncan’s shoulders.Duncan had also returned to his wheelchair and held Sonny in his arms. They waited for Liberty to return. When Duncan saw the bags in Liberty’s hand, he told Sonny, “Help Mom hold some of the stuff, Sonny.”“Okay.”Sonny slid down and went to grab his luggage. He could pull the luggage along since it had wheels.Liberty let him.On the other hand, Duncan took some bags from Liberty’s hands and placed them on his thighs. He said, “Why are there so many things? I remember there wasn’t this much when we sent Sonny over.”“Dad bought me new clothes and toys. I really can’t take all the toys, so some of them were left in Dad’s house. I can play with them the next t