The driver was taken aback. Liam instructed in a timely manner, “Uncle Ben, just follow the navigation system.” Uncle Ben was the driver that had worked for the Stocktons for several decades. Upon hearing Liam, he did not enact a response. Instead, he glanced at John through the rearview mirror. John seemed rather upset. "Where are you taking us?" Liam answered firmly, “To my place.” "What are we doing at your place?” “We’re going to get something to eat, then settle in for the night,” Liam said without changing his expression. John frowned disagreeably, "No—" “Ahem.” Sherry stepped in. Caprice jabbed at her father with her fingers as well and made a face at him. The message was clear: stop making things difficult for Liam, or else she was going to get angry! John took a deep breath and kept his complaints to himself. Liam turned to John and Sherry. "Uncle John, Aunt Sherry, just take a quick nap if you need to. It’s a smooth drive to my place from here
After exactly twenty minutes, the car swerved into the Carters’ Manor and stopped at one of the buildings. Caprice followed John and Sherry out of the car. After getting out of the car, she trotted over to Liam's side. Liam gave her a look. Soon, the trio of Sylvia, Odell, and Isabel showed up as well. They promptly stepped out of the car. Odell and Sylvia approached John and Sherry. "Dinner should be almost ready, so let's head in,” Odell informed John. John nodded with a grunt. Sylvia took Sherry’s hand and led them inside. Isabel crossed her arms across her chest and followed them into the house. Caprice took Liam's hand which was like a bear’s paw compared to hers. Liam held her hand which was tiny in contrast and walked into the house. After entering the living room, he let go of Caprice the moment he noticed John turning over to look at them. John darted a glance at them and held his silence. Meanwhile, the housemaids were setting the meal on t
John said with a glance at Caprice, “We’re not in a hurry. Why don’t you send Caprice to the bedroom first?” Sylvia smiled and obliged, “Sure.” She could tell that John’s true concern was that Liam would steal away Caprice when they were out of sight. Sherry smiled weakly, then she waved over at Caprice who was standing next to Liam. "Caprice, come with us.” Caprice cast a reluctant look at Liam before dragging her feet over to Sherry. Liam noticed where she was headed and followed after her. John cast a morose look at him. “Why are you following her?” "I'm walking her back to her room," Liam said without the most remote change of his expression. John took a breath and let it slide. As Caprice smiled and drew closer to Liam, Sylvia and Sherry shared a hearty chuckle at their interaction. … Caprice was going to stay over in the guest room on the second floor. The room was large, clean, and cozy, and it was adjacent to Liam’s bedroom. "Caprice, woul
She tucked her lips inward and suppressed the restless feeling boiling inside her. When she stared in front of her, she saw the shadow of Liam cast onto the quilt. After noticing that he was not moving at all, she asked nervously, “Liam, is everything okay?” Liam wore a tight grimace. While he was unzipping the dress for Caprice just now, he had to admit that he was feeling slightly bashful, but right now, the only emotion he felt was pure, unfiltered rage. There were several bruises and red, swollen spots scattered along Caprice’s smooth, delicate back. They were marks left behind by high heels, amongst many other things. What exactly happened to her at the dinner party?! "Liam?" Upon failing to draw a response from Liam, Caprice turned over to look at him. As soon as she turned around, the loose front of her dress slipped off her body. Liam grew wide-eyed with shock. Caprice noticed his expression and immediately looked down at her chest. She blushed instantly an
Liam coughed dryly. “Nothing." He approached the bed and gently ruffled her hair. “Sleep.” Upon realizing that he was about to leave, Caprice grabbed his wrist. She looked at him and pleaded softly, "Liam, I want to sleep with you tonight." Liam stuttered for a moment as he looked into her eyes. It was a sincere request. All Caprice wanted to do was to spend the night in his arms. "No," he refused firmly. Caprice wrinkled her nose, feeling wounded. Liam took a breath and spoke in a soft, patient voice, "Caprice, we can't sleep together just yet." "Then, when can we sleep together?" Caprice asked in a confused voice. They were already dating, so what was wrong with that? Liam pursed his lips. "Just wait until we get engaged." Since Caprice’s father had not agreed to their getting engaged, that meant he had not approved of their relationship yet. With that knowledge, he could not allow himself to lay a finger on Caprice. “Okay,” Caprice muttered weakly
Caprice slept soundly that night. Meanwhile, there was a terrific storm brewing in Westchester’s business circle. Out of nowhere, countless scandals revolving around VV Entertainment’s Manson family emerged from the dark. Their illegal dealings and bribery were suddenly exposed to the public, and even the celebrities under their label were not safe from the disaster as nasty details about their private lives were leaked to various media sources. Overnight, their stock prices fell off a cliff. Roman, Sophia, and Heather fled the city overnight. By the time the police caught on to what was happening, the family had already boarded a plane from a neighboring city and were headed abroad. Just like that, a titan in the entertainment industry collapsed overnight. The collateral damage was wholly unprecedented. Several companies that had been involved with VV Entertainment in their illegal dealings were affected as well and were plunged into irremediable crises. Naturally
"It went pretty well." Odell smiled faintly. “Looks like Caprice is more capable than we thought.” Upon hearing this, John beamed with pride. “She did pretty well. You can say that she inherited something from her parents.” Odell flicked an eyebrow and commented with a smile, “That must mean that she’s destined for great things in the future.” John took a sip of tea, and expressed, “All I want is for her to live a peaceful, happy life.” Of course, he would be glad if Caprice was willing to take over the reins of the family business. Nevertheless, above all else, what mattered most to him was the well-being and happiness of his dear daughter. Odell poured him another cup of tea while adding nonchalantly, “Don’t worry, Liam will take good care of her, and I’m sure she will live a good life with him.” John's expression suddenly changed. He said in a mildly confrontative voice, "It's a bit early to say that. I haven't agreed to them getting engaged just yet.” Odell
After everyone bade farewell to each other, Caprice entered the car with her parents and drove out of the manor. Once the car had gone out of sight, Liam and his parents stepped back into the house. Liam asked right away, “Mom, Dad, what were you two going to talk to me about?” Sylvia cast a questioning look at Odell. “Was he talking to you about the conditions for Caprice and Liam's engagement?" Odell nodded grimly. Sylvia asked nervously, "What did he say?” Liam was looking at him expectantly as well. Odell hesitated for a moment, and it seemed like he was holding back the urge to criticize John. He announced solemnly, "He said Caprice was his and Sherry's only child and that they did not have the heart to see their daughter leave them. He wanted Liam to marry into their house instead.” Sylvia was baffled. Liam pursed his lips and did not let his reaction show. Suddenly, the trio descended into a stiff silence. Sylvia and Odell looked at Liam as if wa