Zachary opened the lid of the insulated lunch box as he said, “If you join my company and work here, you’ll realize that everyone addresses each other this way regardless of position. Our company culture places respect as a priority. Anyway, I’m just an average existence here.”Serenity stuck her tongue out at him. “Luckily, I don’t have the capability to join your company and work here, or else there’d be too many names to remember.”Zachary looked at her meaningfully. “You’re in a pretty good position right now. You have freedom, and you earn quite a bit too. You don’t know how many people would envy a self-employed person with freedom like you.”“I couldn’t get used to being managed by someone, so I opened my shop with Jasmine right after graduation. Jasmine’s family helped a lot, or else we wouldn’t have been able to get the operating rights to our shop.” It was not easy to open a shop right at the entrance of a school.“Was that copper wire tree bought from my online shop?”
“It won’t make Nana any happier if it’s just her and me. Nana moans that I’m not much of a talker. She prefers you.” Serenity nonchalantly said, “We can take Nana for a vacation together.” Having gotten what he wanted, Zachary responded, “Sure.” “There’s a resort in the western suburb. I’ll take you and Nana there tomorrow for some fresh air,” he added.Liberty and Hank would begin the divorce proceedings the day after tomorrow, so as Liberty’s side of the family, they must be there to have her back. Hence why Zachary only had a day to have a date with his wife. The resort was one of the Yorks’ many estates, but it was a profit-making business that was open to the public. There was always a high influx of vacationers, there for a getaway every year. “I heard the place is beautiful and fun.” “I’ve never been there. I wonder what it’s like.” Serenity whipped out her phone to search for pictures of the resort. After looking at the pictures, she began to look forward to to
Nevertheless, the piece of paper was not on her dressing table anymore. She seemed… to have drawn something on the back of the contract… Yikes!Serenity glared at the sleeping man. Zachary did not just unwittingly destroy her drawing but also the agreement between them. No, hers may be gone, but the contract in his hand must be locked away somewhere safe. Zachary was unresponsive when Serenity poked him in the face, so she jabbed him again and said, “It’s unfair that you accidentally destroyed mine while you still have yours. It puts me in a precarious situation.”Maybe she should steal his contract and get rid of it. It would put them on a level playing field. No one had the contract to restrict anyone. Serenity would feel much more at ease. The thought that she did not have access to his bedroom was a hurdle though. How could she steal the contract to destroy it? Should she get him drunk? Knock him unconscious? Or seduce him? Serenity ran through many scenarios in h
Forget the eight younger brothers and cousins after Zachary, Zachary himself was a source of Grandma May’s distress. Grandma May’s husband once broke down to her about the grandsons’ characters. He said Zachary would be the world’s greatest grandson to Grandma May, but also the one she could not take her mind off. Grandma May’s husband even predicted that with Zachary’s personality, the boy would be single all his life if Grandma May did not meddle in his marriage. Now it appeared her old man was right on the money. “Old Mrs. York, you can’t rush relationships. Marriage is a lifelong milestone. Serenity doesn’t want to end up with the wrong man like Liberty. Although divorce is common nowadays, it’s a high price to pay to waste all the years in a relationship for nothing.” The sound of the door unlocking was heard. “Mr. Zachary and the missus are back.” The old lady reminded Mrs. Lane, “Be careful how you address me.” Mrs. Lane nodded her head. Zachary and Serenity wal
Back in Serenity’s room, Serenity was unpacking for Grandma May. The old lady even brought along her mug for drinking water. “Did something happen, Nana? Why did you move out of your place?”“Sigh. Let’s not go there. My children and grandchildren put me under stress. It’s a thankless job just worrying about them. I’m going to leave them alone and stay with you for a while. At least, they’ll be out of my hair.” Serenity put away Grandma May’s things before going into the bathroom to draw her a bath. “Nana, I ran the bath for you. You can have a nice hot bath.” “Okay.” The old lady quickly grabbed a set of pajamas and went into the bathroom. “That’s why I want a daughter or granddaughter. Girls are so thoughtful. See, Zachary didn’t even show me any concern since I arrived at the house. Seren, you always have my best interest at heart.” Serenity replied with a smile, “Nana, you told me Zachary was attentive and caring when you first fixed us up. Your kids and grandchildren need
Serenity took a few steps forward when the bedroom door swung open. It was not her room but Zachary’s. He walked out with his water glass in his warm pajamas. It appeared he wanted to pour himself a glass of water. The couple ran into each other. They came face-to-face. Zachary flicked the light switch and asked Serenity, “Why aren’t you in bed?” Serenity embarrassedly murmured, “Your nana is snoring loudly, Zachary. I can’t catch a wink.” Zachary approached her room and opened the door to pop his head in. Sure enough, he heard the loud snores coming from his nana. It was obvious that Nana was faking it. Quietly closing the door, Zachary turned back to face Serenity and said, “How do you plan to sleep?” “I was going to sleep with Mrs. Lane, but she’s fast asleep. I couldn’t wake her, and her door is locked from the inside. I can’t get in. I guess my only choice is the sofa.” Zachary went to pour himself a glass of water. He saw the pillow and coat on the sofa. “I
Zachary knew Serenity was not the type to scream when a man stripped in front of her. Serenity would watch with great gusto, even going as far as getting handsy. Straightening his back, Zachary stopped trapping her between his arms in a suggestive way. It would not work on her. “Can you sleep by stuffing cotton in your ears?” Serenity shook her head. “It doesn’t feel comfortable.” She had nothing to cover her if she slept on the sofa. Zachary could not possibly tell her to sleep on the floor of the guest bedroom. The temperature really dropped tonight too. After a brief silence, Zachary picked up his glass and headed to his room. “You can sleep in my room.” His husky voice echoed along the breeze. Serenity was dumbstruck. Somehow her lashing out at him did the trick. Zachary only stopped and looked back once he was at the front of his door. Seeing that Serenity stood still, Zachary’s face fell as he callously uttered, “You can sleep on the sofa if you mind that m
Sighing inwardly, Zachary lay down next to Serenity. Even if he were to take her, it should not be in such circumstances. Serenity had to be at least willing and conscious. Otherwise, everything would be a blur to her, and she would not know who she got in bed with. Serenity slept like a log despite the change of environment, but Zachary was a different story. He had never shared a bed with anyone before, let alone a gorgeous and hot young woman. This woman happened to be his legal wife too. He was a fish out of water. Amid deep slumber, Serenity even curled up against him like he was a heater. Feeling frustrated, Zachary reached out to unbutton her pajamas, but he gave up after the first button. He looked at the sleeping beauty before leaning over for a kiss on her lips. In the end, he defeatedly let her snuggle up against him while meditating in his mind, ‘I am in control of my body. I can do without!’ Once he got the green light from her, Zachary was not going to h
Zachary said those words, but in his heart, he was thinking that he had to keep an eye on the younger generations of the major families in Wiltspoon, particularly those who stood out. He would make note of any promising boys, so that when he had a daughter, he could arrange for that boy to grow up alongside her. If they became childhood sweethearts, she would not have to marry far away. Of course, once he had a daughter, he would not want her to get married too early. He would still be fine even if she was unmarried at thirty.Zachary drove his beloved wife to the Stone residence. Audrey was walking in the yard with Patrick. The weather was nice today, and the temperature had risen a few degrees. Patrick had been ordered by Audrey to stay inside and avoid the cold wind, but he was now finally able to get out and walk around.Elisa had gone to Annenburg with Remy to celebrate Christmas. Anthony, afraid of his parents’ constant nagging to settle down, had bought a plane ticket abroad
“Duncan is a good man. Being with him, you will definitely be happy, Liberty. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness, growing old together, and may you have children soon.” After a pause, Hank added, “Or maybe don't have children, I'm afraid that if you have your own kids, you might not love Sonny as much.”He was still quite selfish. He hoped that Sonny would be Liberty’s only child. As long as Liberty and Duncan did not have children, the fortune and empire Duncan built would eventually become his son's legacy. Then again, thinking about Liberty’s current status, Hank sighed quietly, knowing that his selfish prayer would never come true. Liberty would definitely have another child. She would need a daughter to take her place and eventually take over the Fisher matriarchy in Jensburg.What if Duncan had a biological child? Would he still treat Sonny well?Hank was actually quite worried that if Duncan had his own child, he might not treat Sonny well. That was why, when he last s
“Go cook some food. It's rare for Hank to be resting at home, so don't say those unpleasant things in front of him. Honestly, if he hadn’t gone after Jessica, she wouldn't have ended up like this. As a married man, Hank shouldn't have pursued a young, innocent girl in the first place. Everything that happened to him is his own fault—it’s all self-inflicted.”Ever since Hank divorced Liberty, and after seeing how Liberty had turned her life around and was living a better life, Luke had changed a lot because of regret. It made him realize many things and change a lot.Olivia opened her mouth as if to say something, but said nothing in the end. After a heavy sigh, she stood up and went to the kitchen to prepare food for her husband and son.In the past, when Liberty was still part of the Brown family, every time Olivia came to her son’s house, she never had to cook. She only had to mention what she wanted to eat, and Liberty would prepare it for her. All she had to do was eat and still
“She lost the child when she fell on her own. That was our family’s flesh and blood, too!”Since Sonny did not live with the Browns, and despite her many objections, Olivia did not voice her criticisms toward Jessica when she was pregnant, out of consideration that Jessica was carrying the Brown family’s child.It was Jessica’s bad luck that she fell and lost the child, which made Olivia lose a grandson. If she had just one more grandson, she would not be waiting so eagerly for Sonny to return. It was all karmic retribution! “Mom, that's all in the past. I'm doing fine now. If the child wasn't meant to be, then it wasn't meant to be. They just didn't want to come into our lives. Anyway, Jessica is still my wife. I should go and see her. If I hadn’t corrupted her, she wouldn’t have ended up like this. It’s my fault, I ruined her.”When Jessica first became his secretary, she was still innocent and never thought of seducing him. It was he who fell for Jessica, and it was also he wh
Unfortunately, their regret and realization came too late. “I heard from Sonny that you and Mr. Lewis are getting married soon. When will the marriage be?”Olivia tried to make herself sound calmer. “We’ll be heading to the City Hall to complete the procedures later.”Olivia went silent. After some time, she said, “Oh, today? Congratulations, Liberty. I wish you both a happy marriage.”“Thank you.”Olivia initially had a lot of things to say. However, upon discovering Liberty and Duncan were getting their marriage license that day, the words got stuck in her throat. Saying anything was meaningless.Soon, Olivia hung up. Once the call ended, Luke, who had been sitting beside his wife, asked, “How did it go? Did Liberty agree to Sonny staying with us for a few days?”Olivia was still stunned and did not immediately reply to her husband’s question. At that moment, Hank came out of his room in his pajamas. When he saw his parents sitting on the sofa, he yawned and asked, “Wha
Serenity asked, “Duncan has no comments about it, right?”“No. He said that Hank would always be Sonny’s biological father. Sonny’s surname won’t be changed to Lewis as well. He’ll remain a Brown. That’s part of Hank’s and my divorce agreement.”Since Liberty had signed the agreement, she would keep her promise. No matter Sonny’s surname, the fact that he was a member of the Brown family would not change. If so, there was no point in changing his surname. “Duncan is so easygoing.”At that moment, Liberty’s phone rang.It was Olivia. When Liberty recognized her voice through the phone, she whispered to Serenity, “Speak of the devil. Olivia is calling me.”“What did you say, Liberty?”Olivia heard Liberty whispering but could not hear her clearly. She asked Liberty to repeat herself.“I was talking to my sister, Olivia. Why did you call?”It was still early in the morning. “You’re back from Jensburg, right, Liberty?”“Yes.”“That was what I heard. Look. The year is almo
“He doesn’t even want kids and said having Sonny was enough.”Duncan did not care about blood relations. Liberty believed him. He only cared about her. If Liberty had not had to manage the Fisher family, she probably would have taken more time to consider whether she wanted a second child. However, Duncan's love for her ran deep. She decided to try for another child so that he could have a child of his own. Liberty did not want to be selfish. She could not prioritize only herself and Sonny. She had to be considerate of Duncan as well. “By the way, there’s something that I need your help with.”Serenity said, “Oh you, don’t sound like a stranger. We’re sisters. I’m ready to help with whatever you need.”“I have to go to Jensburg next year. I think I’ll leave Sonny here in Wiltspoon for his studies. I’ll ask for Sonny’s opinion again once my situation in Jensburg is stable. If he wants to move to Jensburg to live with me, I'll bring him over.“If he says no, I’ll need y
“Morning, Liberty. The housekeeper said you weren’t out yet, so I didn’t want to disturb you.”Serenity stood and smiled when she saw Liberty enter. “I woke up when you arrived.”Liberty whispered, “Sonny is still asleep. Let’s go downstairs. You can accompany me on a walk outside too.”“What time are you and Duncan meeting?”Serenity was worried that Liberty would be late. Liberty said, “We still have to wait until the City Hall opens. Duncan and I agreed to meet at nine. It’s still early.”The three adults exited the child’s bedroom and went downstairs. Zachary remained in the house while Liberty and Serenity went on a stroll in the garden. Liberty’s villa initially belonged to Zachary. Although he sold it to Liberty, it was also considered a gift. She was the one who insisted on paying and refused to accept it as a gift. Therefore, Zachary accepted some money from her so that she would take it. The villas Zachary owned were never small. They usually came with garden
“As expected of a child’s skin. It’s so smooth,” said Serenity. “Catch me if you can, Isaac…”Sonny spoke in his sleep and even giggled. He dreamt of him and Isaac playing tag. When Isaac started running after him, he quickly turned to escape while laughing. He did not realize that he was dreaming. “I have two dads, Isaac…”Sonny spoke again.Serenity laughed and told Zachary, “Sonny must’ve had a blast yesterday. Even his sleep talking is related to playing.”She pinched Sonny’s face lightly. “You do have two dads, Sonny. They love you a lot, so you have double the love.”Serenity spoke gently, regardless of whether he could hear her. She bent over and left a soft kiss on his cheek. “That’s why you must be happy. I wish you a carefree life ahead.”She hoped he would grow up healthily and be worry-free. Sonny was in a deep sleep and did not reply to her. Liberty watched them from the door with an affectionate gaze. She felt content. Zachary and Serenity had a st