Jasmine and Drake looked fairly alike with both having attractive physical appearances. Drake was still young and could pass off as a high school student.“That can’t be. At first, everyone thought Mr. York might like men but that was false too. He even has a wife now.”Jasmine whispered, “Maybe it’s because Josh is treating my brother exceptionally well. He basically spoils Drake. He’s even willing to lend Drake his most beloved sports car. You know there are two things in this world that men will never share—his car and his wife.“I just think that, well, Josh has feelings for my brother. Help me ask. If he really swings the other way, I can’t let him approach Drake again in the future.”Serenity was speechless. “Why haven’t you considered that Mr. Bucham carried an ulterior motive? His true target is you.”Josh wanted to appeal to Drake and get him to help.For example, if he invited Drake to dinner, Jasmine might follow because she felt worried.Jasmine was at a loss for wor
“I dare say the whole of Wiltspoon is gossiping about it, wanting to know the true face of Mr. York’s wife and how she won his heart.”Jasmine laughed and added, “I think everyone wants to learn from her on how to conquer men. Mr. York was notoriously difficult to take down, but she succeeded, which means she’s the best among us women. We can learn from her the art of managing our husbands.“Especially you, Seren. You already have a husband, and your man is too handsome. There must be many people outside who adore him. If it weren’t for his long face and serious expression all day, there would be admirers provoking you every day.“You have to learn how to control your husband well from Mrs. York so your husband will only love you in his life and not cheat.”Serenity paused before agreeing, “You’re right. I have to protect my man. I wonder if we’ll be able to meet Mrs. York.”“We should be able to see her if we arrive early. With Mr. Bucham’s status, I think we can ride on his coat
Zachary took Serenity’s hand and said in a low voice, “Seren, you look stunning tonight. Come, I’ll take you inside.”Serenity greeted Josh with a nod before following Zachary into the building.Josh wanted to take the Sox siblings in, but Drake refused and said, “This is your company’s annual dinner. I don’t work here, and I’m not a woman, so I can’t be your companion. I won’t go in.“I’ll return to take my sister home when dinner is over.”Josh did not want Drake to follow, but he was not obvious about it. Instead, he repeatedly persuaded Drake to come in together and was about to reach out to pull him.“Mr. Bucham, since Drake doesn’t want to go in, don’t force him. Drake, you go hang out with your friends and I’ll send you a message when I want you to come over.”Serenity mentioned that Josh approached Drake with an ulterior motive and his real target was her.However, when she saw Josh behaving enthusiastically about her brother, she could not help but still worry if Josh w
Jasmine was rendered speechless by what Josh had just said.After a long while, she said, “Did I ask you that during our blind date? I can’t recall. I only remember you held a rose in your mouth and rode a bike there that day.“You even tried to give me the rose that you held in your mouth. Fortunately, I watched you arrive, or I would’ve accepted the rose. Speaking of which, you weren’t sincere at all. If you were, you would’ve told me then that you were from the Bucham family.”If she knew that Josh was from the mysterious Bucham family of Wiltspoon, she would never have gone on the blind date with him.Josh grumbled in his heart, ‘It was because I saw my boss conceal his identity to get married. Although he deceived his wife, he could examine her character. If Serenity fell in love with Zachary, he could be sure that she fell for him as a person, not because of his identity or status.’Therefore, Josh followed in Zachary’s footsteps.Later, when he saw how Zachary was afraid o
Josh was speechless.Zachary and Serenity, who were walking in front of them, were exchanging sweet nothings.Realizing that Josh and Jasmine were not following, Serenity turned her head and noticed that the pair seemed to be arguing. “Zachary, why do Mr. Bucham and Jasmine look like they’re fighting?”Zachary glanced at his friend and said lightly, “No, Mr. Bucham has a good temper.”If the people who were suppressed by Josh before were present, they would be speechless right now.If Josh’s temper was labeled good, there would be no one in this world with a bad temper.“Don’t mind them. Let’s go.”Zachary let Serenity continue holding his arm. The couple was very close.“Zachary, will your CEO’s wife be coming as well?”“Why?”“Nothing. I just wanted to see her. I wonder if I’ll have a chance to talk to her.”She had to befriend Mrs. York first before she could ask her about her husband-managing skills.Zachary said calmly, “You’re a step too late. Our CEO and his wife l
Zachary chuckled softly. “I’ll become a wolf at home.”Serenity squeezed the back of his hand lightly, but he dotingly pulled her hand up and kissed the back of her hand.When she was about to pinch him again, he suddenly led her forward with a straight face, making her too embarrassed to pinch him again.No one in York Corporation was surprised that Zachary appeared at the annual dinner with Serenity this year. All the executives were polite to Serenity.However, Josh’s female companion this year was switched to Jasmine, whose last name was not Bucham. This surprised everyone.The female employees who adored Josh were very sharp. When they heard Josh introduce Jasmine, they guessed she was the person Josh liked, and with eyes filled with envy and jealousy, they looked at Jasmine.Mr. Bucham actually had a lady he fancied!He was following in Mr. York’s footsteps.Although everyone looked at Jasmine with jealousy, no one dared provoke her openly mainly because they were afraid
“Seren, I might have to go on a business trip.”Serenity looked up while still in his arms and asked in confusion, “It’s only a few days till your company’s annual break, but you have to go on a business trip?”“It’s a short one to Annenburg. I’ll be back in a couple of days.”Zachary bowed his head and kissed her forehead. His dark eyes burned as they locked on her pretty face, and he asked in a low voice, “Miss me already?”“When are you leaving? I’ll help you pack your bags and send you to the airport.”Zachary was speechless.He thought she would miss him, but she was just confirming whether he was really going on a business trip. She then happily offered to pack his luggage and drive him to the airport. She did not even ask what the business trip was for.Zachary felt depressed.The couple tangled under the sheets several times already, so he thought their feelings were different now.However, it only seemed to be slightly better than before. She was not clingy toward him
Zachary took the time to answer. Seeing there was a nearby pergola, he walked toward it.The fake snow around the structure gave an illusion of a winter wonderland. There was a stone table at the center of the pergola. Zachary scanned the fake snow everywhere, somehow getting the chill of December. He said to Remy, “The fake snow adds a nice touch to the view.” It snowed in Meadspring. By now, the city would drop to freezing temperatures and be covered in a thick blanket of snow. The closest thing to snowflakes in Wiltspoon was fake snow. “Well, it’s only right to decorate during the festive season. The snow in the estate and on the ski slope is real. Can I interest you in going down the slopes?” Zachary faintly replied, “I prefer skiing up north.” Remy smiled. “Oh, me too. We can set a time to go together and admire the snow there. What better way to enjoy the view than up north on the slope?“It looks like something is on your mind, Mr. York. If I may ask if you’re down
Isabella’s bodyguard had only called out to her, not daring to touch her, so she had not woken up. However, when Austin gently patted her face and called her, she woke up almost immediately. When she opened her eyes and saw Austin’s handsome face, Isabella was momentarily dazed, thinking she was dreaming about him.She had actually dreamed about Austin. Had she developed feelings for him? If she had not, why would she dream about him? In all her life, this was the first time she had dreamed about a man. Isabella wanted to touch Austin’s face, but as she raised her hand, she realized she was not dreaming.Austin was real. She could smell the fresh scent on him because they were so close.He had showered.Isabella quietly lowered her hand, hoping Austin had not noticed her earlier intention, lest he misunderstood.“Ms. Isabella,” Austin’s warm and pleasant voice reached her ears, making her want to close her eyes and go back to sleep. With him around, she felt safe and secure.
Hunter had neither money nor power. What could he possibly use to save his sons?“Dad, go home. When the trial starts, we’ll send someone to pick you up so you can attend and observe.”Hunter stood up angrily and stormed off.After he left, Ellie asked Ava, “Are we really not going to do anything? My child is still young. Having a father in prison will always be a stain on their life.”“What can we do? Even if we wanted to save them, we don’t have the means. We know what Caroline is like. She’s not going to let this go lightly this time,” Ava replied. “Anyway, think about last year, when they were caught cheating. How did they treat us then?”Remembering the events from last year, Ellie said, “Let them serve a few years in prison, then. Ava, Caroline is in the hospital. Should we go visit her?”“We should. Let’s go tomorrow. We’ll call Emma and visit Caroline together. The Fisher family is full of terrible people, but Caroline still has some conscience. She’s always been kind t
Hunter was momentarily speechless. He did not have much money. When Belinda was alive, he never had more than five hundred dollars on him. After his children grew up, he secretly asked them for money. During that time, he had money to spend freely, living a lavish life outside.However, all that money had been spent. He had no savings, mainly because he was used to spending extravagantly.He had been unable to save money. He did not own any shops or properties either; Belinda had kept him on a tight leash.The house in their hometown had been built with Belinda’s money, but it was not under his name. It was under his three sons’ names.After Belinda’s death, his sons supported him. Each son gave him over a hundred thousand dollars a month for living expenses.Combined, that was several hundred thousand dollars a month, allowing him to live comfortably in Ashford. He had managed to save a little, but not much, just over a million dollars in total. Hiring the best lawyers for h
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