At nine o'clock, the evening breeze blew gently through the small garden, carrying a fragrant scent. Charlotte sat in the pavilion, looking perplexed. She could not understand why the focus had shifted to whether she would become pregnant. Francine had said a year, but Griffith had managed to cut it down to six months.He was quite daring to say that. After all, three years had passed, but they were still childless. She let out a sigh. The family meeting was still ongoing, with no end in sight. She could imagine Griffith's relatives' expressions if the couple failed to have a child as promised. Griffith would inevitably become a laughing stock, which would be pretty amusing.Her mood suddenly lightened, and she thought of calling Griffith's mansion. As she took out her phone, she noticed two missed calls from Krystal. She intended to call back but heard footsteps approaching from behind. She turned and saw Griffith walking towards her.She cleared her throat, intending to speak, but
Charlotte checked her current location and realized she was close to Krystal's house.She sneaked a glance at Griffith through the rearview mirror and saw he was not paying attention to the road, so she changed the route.When they were nearing Krystal's house, his cold voice came from behind. "Charlotte, where are you going?"Charlotte casually replied, "Oh, I bought something and thought I'd take a detour to pick it up.""Do you know what time it is now?""It won't take long.""Don't pick up anything. Head back home now.""Okay," Charlotte said but kept driving toward Krystal's house.Griffith was not a fool. He could tell she was heading in a different direction."Charlotte!""Sit tight. It won't take long.""Turn around!"This time, Charlotte ignored him. Griffith had a feeling that she was about to make trouble.He leaned forward. Charlotte suddenly jerked the steering wheel, and Griffith slammed into the car door. She stepped on the accelerator and sped forward, makin
Griffith was outnumbered, so Charlotte got up to help. However, just as she took a few steps forward, screams rang from the front door. Griffith had kicked one of the men in the stomach and sent him crashing to a nearby vase. Fragments of ceramic flew everywhere.The kick caused the man internal damage as he rolled on the ground in agony. The more people there were, the harder Griffith struck. In an instant, all six burly men were floored. The one closest to Charlotte convulsed, and blood oozed from his mouth.Charlotte was shocked. She turned and saw Krystal holding the phone."Charlotte! Should I call the police?"Charlotte quickly stopped her. "No!"If the police arrived and attracted the media's attention, it would be troublesome.Griffith unbuttoned his cuffs, sat on the sofa, and looked around disdainfully. His breathing was heavy. Krystal and Hannah were both stupefied, too scared even to breathe.Charlotte rose from the ground and asked, "Do you want me to call someone?"
Charlotte had never seen Griffith so patient with anyone; it was shocking. He took out his phone, which probably very few people had touched, and let Julie play games on it.The room was in chaos. Halfway through the cleanup, Griffith took Julie downstairs. Charlotte stayed behind to comfort Hannah and Krystal. At the same time, she tried persuading Krystal to reconsider the previous decision to sell the house and study abroad.After tonight, they wouldn't have a peaceful life if they stayed in the country. Even if the factory ran, there would still be numerous problems. Hannah cried, but Krystal had become calmer. With teary eyes, she said that she would think it over.Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief and left the room. She found Ash and others cleaning the living room."Ms. Scott, you can go downstairs.""I'll help you all. It'll be quicker."Ash seemed at a loss for words and could only nod, then quickly worked with the few people to clean up. When they were nearly finished
Ash's home was a large single-level house, probably around two hundred square meters, and it was kept very clean. Upon entering, Griffith went straight into the bathroom to take a shower. Julie played with the puppy in the living room, and Ash went to the kitchen.Charlotte felt awkward, so she went to the kitchen to help. Ash sensed her discomfort and let her help out."Is Julie your sister?" Charlotte asked.Ash paused for a moment and then nodded.Charlotte saw Julie getting up, opening the fridge, and taking a piece of cake before walking toward her."Do you want me to open it for you?" Julie asked.Charlotte was surprised."Your tummy has been growling for a while."Charlotte replied, "Thank you.""I'm Julie."As Charlotte unpacked the cake, she thought momentarily and said, "I'm Charlotte.""Hello, Charlotte.""Hello."Julie looked at her and said, "Big Brother said you're Brother Griffith's wife."Charlotte didn't answer this time.Julie didn't mind; she said many
The incident at the old mansion was bizarre, and nearly being kidnapped at night added to the surreal experience. Now, sitting in this unfamiliar place, having supper, with Griffith even serving her food, Charlotte couldn't help but feel that all these signs were rather ominous.She couldn't figure out who Julie was and her role in all of this. They had supper for a long time, and halfway through, Julie became sleepy."Julie, give Brother Griffith his phone," Ash said.Julie nodded. But before leaving, she told Griffith about the woman with an unpleasant voice.Griffith glanced at the number that was blacklisted but didn't seem to pay it much attention."Goodnight, Julie.""Goodnight."Julie left, probably to sleep with the puppy. Ash remained quiet after finishing cleaning the dishes for both of them and then went to bed.Charlotte looked at Griffith and said, "Thank you for tonight."She didn't know what would have happened at the Robinsons' house if it weren't for him.Gri
"Fooling those old fogeys in your family temporarily seems pointless. Wouldn't be more effective to make them anxious, causing them to make mistakes, or even force your dad to take action?" Charlotte said calmly as she doodled in her notebook.Griffith crossed his arms and watched her in silence.Charlotte rested her chin on her hand, smiling at him. "But everyone already knows that we have a bad relationship. I bet even your secretary doesn't believe we can have a child.""What's your point?""I suggest you up the ante and invest in me a little," Charlotte said slowly. "Together, we can create the image of a couple with a deep and loving relationship, capable of conceiving a child that'll allow you to inherit a vast fortune at any moment. That'll have them sweating."Griffith smirked slightly as if considering. "After pretending to be married, are you planning to pretend to be in love with me too?""You're right. What I'm asking you to do is a piece of cake for you."Griffith s
Griffith returned to his room, feeling irritated. Charlotte's attitude in planning for the future made him keenly aware that she was trying to break free from his control. This feeling was unprecedented for him.Just as he was contemplating this, the doorbell rang. He frowned, not wanting to disturb Ash; he quickly went to answer the door. To his surprise, it was Charlotte, panting and holding a bag in her hands. He raised his chin and said coldly, "What's the matter?"Charlotte overlooked his cold demeanor. Instead, she looked to his side and asked, "Is your arm injured?"Griffith fell silent. Indeed, there was a small scratch from broken glass about two centimeters long on his forearm. He hadn't paid much attention and hastily dealt with it while showering.Charlotte entered the living room, forcing him to step back instinctively. She opened the bag from the convenience store and took out a box of plasters she had just bought."This ointment is very effective. You can apply it
Tanya's previous full-length mirror was still usable, but because it was small, she had to walk a bit farther every time she used it. Eli had long wanted to replace it.Little did he know, she got rid of many things in the house to make room for the new large sofa for him, including that old full-length mirror."How do you like it? Surprised?" He patted the mirror.Tanya smiled wryly and pointed to the large sofa. "And you? Surprised?" Only then did Eli notice fewer small items in the living room and a large new sofa. He suddenly chuckled. It was quite nice.He thought of her, and she thought of him. This winter was truly warm.Tanya abandoned the egg tart and hugged him again. "Oh no, this mirror is so big. There's nowhere to put it."Eli carried her with one hand and moved the mirror to the corner with the other. Sitting on the sofa, he thought for a moment, then hugged her and said, "Tanya, let's move to a bigger place."Tanya knew he had been thinking about this all along.
Eli found it amusing. He pushed the head of the small money jar and couldn't help but say, "You gold digger! You love money so much, then why did you give the check I gave you to Soraya?"Tanya blinked and chuckled. "I only acquire wealth in the proper way. To be honest…" She pondered for a moment, then turned to look at him. "Probably because, at that time, I was just too fond of you like I am now."Hearing this, Eli felt a pang of heartache and leaned down to kiss her forehead. Tanya smiled, moved the gifts aside, and made some space for him.Just as they were about to talk, Eli's phone vibrated continuously. It turned out that Bridget was sending over the detailed preparation process for the wedding.Tanya scrolled through it and suddenly felt overwhelmed. Eli looked at it and also felt a headache coming. The two glanced at each other, sighed simultaneously, and leaned back.After they publicly disclosed their relationship, life continued as usual but became busier due to the w
Eli being married was shocking enough, but then his wife was hiding right in the office. In the next half hour, Tanya heard wailing from all around.The atmosphere in their office was quite good, and everyone got along well. After coming clean, everyone joked around and teased each other."Nia, don't forget Mr. Ted, he's been cursing at you all along!""Yeah, he's been calling you a fool!""I heard it, I can testify!"Ted was furious and rushed out to hit someone. Tanya followed with laughter.Before leaving work, Amy indeed brought the cake and candies, sharing them with everyone in the building. Thus, the entire group gave them their blessings.From the office to the parking lot, Tanya received blessings. When she got into Eli's car, her heart was still pounding.Eli was happily eating his candy, feeling good. Especially now that he didn't have to sneak around anymore, he even turned the steering wheel effortlessly.Tanya, holding the cake, asked him in surprise, "Were these
Tanya walked out of the room with her guard down and came face to face with Ted's sneaky expression. She paused.Ted gasped, his brain instantly turning blank.He looked at Tanya, covered his mouth with his left hand, and placed his right hand over the left with his eyes gradually widening.God! This was insane!Tanya regained her composure and glanced in Eli's direction. Eli remained calm, glanced at the fruit plate on the table, and said, "Should we take some down to share with your colleagues?"Tanya nodded. She glanced at the still-disheveled Ted and kindly handed him a tangerine."Sir?"Ted swallowed, looked at Tanya, then at Eli. Finally, he settled his gaze on the tangerine in her hand, mechanically accepting it.Tanya turned to look at Eli. 'Look, you've scared my superior.'Eli shrugged."I'm leaving," she said.Eli nodded and escorted her to the door.Ted followed them out and was sent into the elevator by his boss. As the elevator doors closed, he let out a long
The deep blue bedsheet was neatly spread out. But the two pillows lacked pillowcases, exposed in a sorry state.Eli placed his hands on his belt and turned to look at Tanya. "Is this also your doing?"Tanya leaned against the door frame, only poking her head in, smiling sheepishly."I accidentally drooled while sleeping that day and dirtied the pillowcase. Knowing that you're a neat freak, I took them all off to wash," she said. She raised her hand and swore, "The pillowcases have been washed and are in the cabinet at home."Eli wasn't interested in the pillowcases' whereabouts. He remembered when Amy called him, saying Tanya missed him and wanted to touch the sheets and pillows after waking up.Nonsense!He took a deep breath, then turned his head to Tanya with a frightening smile. Tanya realized the danger and tried to run, but he grabbed her by the waist."Hey, what are you doing?" she said.Eli tossed her onto the bed and followed suit."What are you doing?!""Collecting
Tanya sat upright in the office. Eli stood before her with his hands behind his back. "Come on, explain."Tanya's eyes darted around. "Do you believe me? It's because I missed you too much. When I came to your place, I couldn't help but take away everything related to you." Eli scoffed. "Including the toilet paper?"Tanya pondered seriously.Eli tapped the coffee machine and pointed to the plug that had been pulled out, saying, "If the coffee machine wasn't too heavy, would you have taken that too?"'This brat has no conscience at all. Does she even understand what a cold shoulder is?'While he was reminiscing in her room, she made a fortune in his office!Tanya blinked and gave him an embarrassed smile. "If you think about it from another angle, I love you deeply. If we couldn't reconcile and you came back to see all this, you would hate me. Hate represents love, and love means you can't forget me. My obsession is so deep; I want to stay in your heart forever."Eli fell silen
"You should buy something while visiting. Do you have enough money in your account? If not, I will transfer some to you," Mrs. Moran said on the phone.Tanya didn't want money; she just wanted to hear some advice. She knew her parents' financial situation wasn't good. Due to illness, her stepfather had retired from his position as a butler of the Sterling family. Although the Sterlings provided a retirement package, Mr. Moran was getting old, and he had a son. She heard that his son's business had lost a considerable amount of money in recent years. As a stepdaughter, she had already received enough help from them, so how could she ask for more money?During her university days, she didn't ask her family for money. If she could find a part-time job, she would, and if not, she would endure it just to avoid causing her mother trouble."Mom, I don't need money. I have enough."When Mrs. Moran heard this, she felt even more sorry for her.Since her ex-husband was useless, Tanya suffer
After breakfast, Eli called Bridget."Why did you send her a check? Do you have nothing better to do?"Bridget had just arrived home and begun playing poker with a few old friends.She threw out a card, rolled her eyes, and said, "It's the first time I've met my daughter-in-law! What's wrong with giving her some money!"Eli was speechless."Madam, you came up and threw 500,000 dollars just like that. Aren't you afraid of scaring people?""What should I do? Throw 50,000 dollars instead? That's too stingy."Eli was speechless. Holding onto the railing, he glanced downstairs and saw Tanya ironing her coat in the living room."I almost got dumped because you caused a scene," he joked.Bridget threw the cards while chuckling. "It's good to be dumped. With your unruly behavior, someone should make you suffer a bit.""Are you really my mother?""If you still want to be a good son, hurry up and go through the procedures, live a proper life with Tanya, and try to give me a grandson n
"What did Her Majesty tell you?"Tanya nearly lost her composure, fighting back laughter.Bridget said nothing more as she left with Benjamin, leaving Tanya and Eli to return to the apartment. The journey back was silent, with Tanya deep in thought. Upon entering, Eli halted her at the entrance.Exhaling deeply, Tanya reached into her pocket and withdrew a check. Eli's gaze fell upon it, noting it was only for $500,000. As he moved to take it, Tanya tucked it back into her pocket. On the bar, a spread of breakfast awaited them - fried eggs, sausages, fruits, and vegetables. Despite the inviting display, Tanya's attention was on Eli."Don't you want breakfast?"With the situation still unclear, Eli's appetite waned. Nonetheless, knowing Bridget's nature, he remained calm. Seating himself opposite Tanya, he nibbled at a sausage, noticing her lack of interest."Is everything alright?" he asked, concerned.Tanya shook her head.The oversized sandwich Bridget had ordered had already