The caretaker paused, a bit confused. "Everything's okay here. We're all good."Zara let out a heavy sigh. Sharon had just had heart surgery and could not be emotionally agitated. She bit her lip and said firmly, "If you get any weird phone calls or something feels wrong, just hang up. Don't take stuff from people you don't know, and if anything weird happens, call me or the police, okay?"The caretaker was a little scared by how serious Zara sounded and said nervously, "Okay, I got it... Ms. Lowry, is everything alright with you?" It sounded like Zara was in some kind of big trouble.Zara replied, "No worries. Just don't tell my parents about this. I'm swamped with work and won't make it home this weekend. I'll ask my sister to take Mom for her check-up.""Alright, got it."Zara hung up and walked back to her desk, feeling a bit out of sorts.Nina put a box down. "Ms. Lowry, you had a package at the front desk. I brought it here for you."Zara gave a small smile. "Thanks."She
Yosef had not expected Zara to come running at him like that. He paused for a moment, surprised. He then reached out to catch her in a hug.However, Zara did not crash into him. She stopped just short of his arms.Yosef steadied her as she wobbled. Looking down at her head, he chuckled. "Did you run all the way here to see me?"Zara was at a loss for words. She bit down on her back teeth as her nose turned pink.Yosef had meant it as a joke, but seeing her troubled expression, he stopped smiling. "What's wrong?"Her voice was rough as she gulped, shaking her head. "I want to go home to be with my mom and dad. Can you help me get back?""You can't leave Westwood right now," Yosef told her.Zara looked up, her eyes brimming with a mix of emotions. "Can't you do anything?"Yosef did not answer. They were at Schmidt Group, and it was not the place for such conversations. He took off his coat and put it around her shoulders.He remembered she had worn a coat that morning, but she d
Just like that, Yosef led Zara out of the car.The night had fallen completely. Westwood's biggest square was all lit up for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. They joined the crowd and were swept up into the festive spirit.Zara and Yosef walked side by side, weaving through the crowd where young couples strolled hand-in-hand, families laughed together, and grandparents played with their bouncing grandchildren.The square was alive with the sounds of laughter, music, and chattering voices. It was not noisy, just wonderfully bustling with life.Around the square, vendors sold tasty treats from their carts. As they walked by a barbecue stand, the vendor must have used too much oil because when it dripped onto the hot coals, flames leaped up with a loud whoosh!Zara jumped back, bumping into Yosef's chest. He quickly wrapped his arms around her, looking down with concern.The glow of the fire lit up Zara's face, her eyes wide with surprise. The shock chased away her gloom, and she
Yosef gently held her cheek, tilting her face to look at him. The warm light bathed their faces, making his gaze seem softer and warmer."I didn't like it when you kept your distance and challenged me. Now, I can't stand seeing you sad and scared. Is that a good enough reason?"Zara's forehead creased slightly, and she suddenly felt a warmth coursing through her.Her mood, soured by a day's worth of troubles, seemed to clear. She felt as if something inside her was about to burst forth.Yosef said, "Do you like fireworks? As long as I'm here, you can see them whenever you want."Zara, overwhelmed, looked down. She was at a loss for words, and her breaths came in short bursts.Then, out of nowhere, cheerful music filled the square. It was not clear who started it, but maybe it was the New Year's joy or the holiday vibe that got everyone excited. Men and women, young and old, all started dancing together.Yosef paused and took a step back, reaching out his hand to Zara."You said
As soon as the penthouse door clicked open, the man wrapped the woman in his arms and stepped inside. Zara tripped over the doormat. Yosef quickly lifted her up and set her down on the shoe cabinet in the entryway. Before she could even react, Yosef, tall and close, kissed her. His kiss was full of feeling and intensity, even a bit wild. It was not like the reserved, distant, and decisive Yosef she knew, but like... just a man. A man who deeply wanted his woman. Zara had to lean back. She opened her mouth as he held her head and moved closer, tangling up with her. She could not catch her breath, and her mind went blank. She felt lost. She had not agreed to him yet, had she? She was just... Just what?Zara felt all mixed up inside because of him, her thoughts a jumbled mess. The only thing she could think of was the sky above the square, filled with dazzling fireworks.She held on tight to the bottom of Yosef's suit jacket. He noticed she was breathing heavily, so he stopped kis
That night, Zara fell into a deep sleep without any need for sleeping pills.As she drifted off, she thought back to the times she had been with Yosef since Beatrice came into his life. She had often resisted, not really letting herself feel anything. However, she had let go at this moment, and the feeling was completely different. It was comfortable and even made her happy.In the middle of the night, she woke up to a tickling sensation on her face. Opening her eyes, she saw Yosef above her."What are you doing?" she asked, confused."You're awake?" he said with a small smile, as if her waking up meant she was okay with whatever he wanted to do. He reached for her leg, lifting it.For a moment, Zara snapped to attention. "Stop it," she said firmly.However, it was only for a moment. The next second, she was pulled back into a confusing whirlwind.Yosef did not let her go quickly that time.When Zara's tears had soaked her pillow and the first light of dawn peeked over the ho
Wilder immediately turned his head back.He paused. Scratching the back of his ear, he looked up at Yosef. "Yosef, did you and Ms. Lowry make up?"Yosef was holding a glass, the base resting in his hand. He casually hummed in acknowledgment.Wilder asked, "Then why..."Yosef's gaze turned sharp for a moment.Wilder stopped himself from saying more.He thought for a moment, then seemed to understand. He let out a snort of laughter while leaning back in his chair. "They say pain is the best teacher... Okay, I understand. I'll handle it."The room service had arrived with the meal, and Wilder was ready to check out the tasty options. However, Yosef interrupted him, "I didn't order your share."Wilder chuckled and playfully griped, "Alright, I'm just the workhorse here, toiling away without a bite to eat. I'll just find my own grub."Yosef grabbed the car keys he had tossed onto the table when he came in and threw them to Wilder. "Be careful," he said.Nodding, Wilder walked away
Zara blinked in surprise.All her jumbled thoughts snapped into order as she sat up straight at the dining table and faced the man across from her. "Mr. Webb, I think you're confused. I didn't say yes to anything last night."Yosef looked at her with those sharp eyes. Just like that, he had that powerful Yosef vibe again. "You didn't say yes? Then what's that stuff in the bedroom trash can?"It was the stuff they had used last night...He was reminding her of what they had done.Could she really say she had not agreed after all that?Zara's face flickered with discomfort.She grabbed a little cake and started eating it slowly, trying to calm her stomach. In a quiet voice, she said, "Isn't that just like you? Things happen, but that doesn't mean anything changes. It's not unusual to be together without making it official."She had been with him for three years, and it was never official.Zara raised her head, meeting his composed look with one of her own. "I never heard anythin
Harper's kisses were always teasing, intentionally awakening her senses.Their tongues tangled, taking her breath away. When she felt like she could not breathe and instinctively grabbed at his shirt, Harper let go and kissed his way down to her chin, neck, and chest.She could not resist him.Shelby was torn. She did not have to hold back her body's needs and reactions, especially since they could not end their marriage just yet. He was her husband, after all, so why should she deny herself? She decided to make the most of it.Men could easily separate love from physical desire, and women could too. Shelby did not think that accepting Harper's touches meant she liked him. It was just about meeting a need.She would just get that over with.Shelby's fingers gripped the sheets tightly as Harper kissed her growing belly. She was six months along, and her belly was a little bigger. The thought of their child made his heart melt, and he kissed her several more times before suddenly s
Shelby made a sound of agreement, her back sore from sitting too long. She leaned back against Harper without much thought. She was busy with her work and not in the mood for conversation.Harper quickly got the gist of the case file. In short, it was a classic example of someone facing the consequences of their own actions.In the western part of Starville, there was a middle school and a vocational school. The two schools were just a street apart. Not all, but at least 80% of the vocational school students were troublemakers.One of those students, Yered, often rounded up his gang to shake down the middle school kids for their money.Since last year, the bullies had been targeting Steven Scott, a middle schooler. They would often demand money from him. Steven was shy and scared, so he never stood up to them and just handed over the cash.However, this time, as he was walking with a girl from his class, the bullies blocked their path again. They started to pick on the girl becaus
Samantha was really happy. She lifted her finger elegantly and said softly, "One step at a time. First, we'll make sure the child is gone. Then, we'll push them to divorce, and in the end, when she's weak from losing the baby, we'll take care of her." If Shelby died as Harper's wife, then Harper would get everything, and that would be bad. The two women agreed. While reclining on their bamboo chairs, they started dreaming about their perfect future—one with the Young family and the other with all the money. Since the foot masseuse could not hear or speak, they talked freely, not worried about anyone overhearing them. After the massage, they even went to eat together. The masseuse quietly cleaned up and tidied the room. Then, she headed straight for the lookout point. The resort was in the mountains, with lots of trees and streams. The lookout was up high, with a great view of all the little mountains. It was a beautiful spot that every guest at the hotel made sure to visit.
Adalee was doubtful. "Is it really that serious? Our husband doesn't like that dowdy wife or the eldest son. Even if he's started to favor Harper more because of his marriage to the Lambert family, that still won't affect our children.""Our husband used to leave the company matters to our sons, but now he's handing them over to Harper. Who knows what the future holds?" Samantha said with a hint of malice. "We can't take that risk. We can't let Harper get too much leverage. We can't let him and his child have too great a chance to win."Adalee could see Samantha was desperate and asked anxiously, "What are you thinking of doing? She's a lawyer. She knows the law, and she's the sole heir to the Lambert family."Samantha's eyes suddenly became slits. "That's right, she's the only one who will inherit the Lambert family's fortune. With that kind of money, there are loads of people who want to trick her or get their hands on it. "She's a lawyer, not a superhero. Just wait. I'll make
It was Shelby's first visit to the Youngs' place, and by chance, she walked in on his father's so-called second and third wives being snide to Harper. His dad had not lifted a finger to help. It seemed like this was not a one-off occurrence.Was that the way they always treated him?Harper, taken aback by her blunt question, nearly slammed on the brakes. What?"Me, being pushed around in the family? That's just because I can't be bothered..." Who would waste their time arguing with a bunch of women or stoop so low as to fight with their dad's other women? That would be so embarrassing, right?However, he stopped himself mid-sentence.Because he suddenly realized that by saying that, he was making it sound like he felt bad for being 'picked on' at home.Harper slowed the car down and glanced at Shelby. Her eyebrows were knitted together, and she looked really serious. She was definitely not happy.He almost smiled, but he pushed it back down. He swallowed hard and changed his voi
She faced Samantha, not bothering to argue about inheritance rights. "You still haven't answered my earlier question. What does 'stepmother' mean?"Caught off guard by the sudden shift back to the topic, Samantha was momentarily speechless.Shelby did not wait for her to catch up. She pulled out her phone and quickly tapped the screen."Ah, I see," Shelby remarked, glancing at her phone. "According to this, 'stepmother' used to refer to a concubine in ancient times. That's similar to a servant, isn't it? So, in modern terms, it's like a maid. "Got it now. Would you mind getting me some salad? Thanks."The nerve of her, treating Samantha like a common maid! She had never been so insulted. "You!"Shelby set her phone down and met her gaze. "Since you're so curious, I'll fill you in. In the Lambert family, my word is law. If you're ever curious about me again, just ask me directly. No need to rely on rumors."Samantha bit her lip and looked to Gilbert for support, but he just sat
It was Shelby.Pregnant and in flats, she stood firm with not a hint of weakness about her.Her steady gaze fell on the two women who fancied themselves important, leaving them at a loss for words.Harper paused for just a moment, then quickly got to his feet and hurried over. "Dear!"The Young family's house was bright and airy. Harper's eyes sparkled with the unexpected joy of seeing Shelby, who had said she would not come. His face lit up with a smile.Shelby watched him, amused. She thought he was like their excited Shiba Inu, dashing over at the sight of its owner.Harper reached her side, calling out again, "Dear."Shelby gave a small nod. "Yeah."The guests at the dining table snapped out of their surprise, and Wrenley beamed. "Shelby, you're here."Shelby greeted her parents-in-law, "Mom, Dad."Wrenley hurried over to help her, her actions showing just how much she cherished her daughter-in-law.That was Shelby's first visit to the Young family since her wedding. She
Harper waited until Wrenley had said enough, andthen he spoke up."I just don't get you. Your family's loaded, my grandparents are laidback, and Dad doesn't even like you. Why stick to him? Just divorce him, take half his stuff, go home, and hang out with some young models. "That'd be way better than sticking to a lost cause. You've got no ambition."If it were Shelby, she would have left by then if he had not trapped her by getting her pregnant and holding something over her head. Why couldn't his mom be more like his wife?"In your dreams!"Wrenley, with tears in her eyes, scoffed. "The Young family wasn't always so fancy. I married him, and he promised me the moon. 'A good wife helps me reach my dreams, and I'll pay her back in gold.' And then what? "Once the Young family made it big, he just kept bringing in more women and their kids. How can I accept that? I'll fight him to the end, even if it kills me!"Harper sighed. "You want to fight him, I don't. Shelby and her baby
"An old friend?" Zara questioned. "If an old friend wanted to see me, they should be visiting the cemetery, not here."Only a very few people knew she was still alive.Shawn asked, "Is it a man or a woman?""A young man. He also said something else...""What did he say?"The butler hesitated, then relayed, "He said... The miss tricked him, and now she owes him for it."Zara was speechless.The garden fell silent for a moment, with only the whisper of the summer wind rustling through the flowers.Seconds later, Shawn set aside his tablet and smiled slightly. "Really? That sounds fun. Get him to come in. I'd like to meet him too."Zara had thought it was just a joke, but when the butler led the visitor in, she stood up in astonishment.It was him!...In Parnova, the sun shone brightly.However, in Starville, the weather was turning.The sky had been clear when Harper left home in the morning. However, when he reached the Youngs' place at noon, he saw the sun hidden behind