Hunter nodded in approval. "This is a splendid plan! As long as we can steer all the applicants away, Celena won't be able to hire any for her factory, and her factory won't be able to run without enough technicians!""Indeed. So what if she's got her hands on the machinery she needs? She can't operate them without technicians.""Let's do this, then. I'll send someone to put up some applications.""I'll do that as well."With that, they all sprang into action, delivering instructions to their respective assistants. Hunter was grinning from ear to ear at this sight. "I'll send out a renovation requirement notice to Celena!"They all grinned at each other, positively certain that their plan would work. Meanwhile, Celena and Liam had just finished tending to the workers at the factory, and had returned to their home. So many things had happened over the course of a few hours that Celena was absolutely pooped by the time she arrived home. She also sustained some minor cuts here an
Liam's entire body stiffened for a moment before he finally burst into laughter. He then gazed at Celena with a tender look and said, "Alright, my dear. I'll do exactly as you say."Celena beamed at him, but all of a sudden, neither of them knew what to say. The room fell silent once more.Celena returned to her position, sprawled face down on the sofa, whereas Liam took up his position half-kneeling on her body. The air seemed to be strung with a flirtatious note now. Celena buried her face in the cushion to prevent Liam from seeing her blushing cheeks, but there was no hiding it—even her ears had turned pink. She finally realized just how suggestive of a position the two of them had taken up on the sofa, and she was painfully aware of how fast her heart was racing now. Liam continued kneading her shoulders and the back of her neck with just the right amount of force. The massage was so comfortable that Celena was certain no massage parlor could even come close to Liam's techn
Besides that, most of the men who had their eye on Celena had already secretly come to Sherah with various gifts and offerings, in hopes that Sherah could help nudge them in the right direction. This was also the reason why she had to continue pretending as though she cared about Celena's happiness. Celena was rather annoyed by this, but she knew better than to let her anger show, so instead she asked, "Mom, why are you calling me? Tell me now, or I'll hang up."To which Sherah scoffed and replied, "Why else would I be calling you? I wanted to invite both you and Liam to the River Lodge for dinner, of course. Your father and I are already here. Your Uncle Kyros and his family are visiting, so we're all meeting for dinner tonight. Cheryl won't be able to make it, unfortunately, so I hope you and Liam can come."Celena's face fell. "Uncle Kyros and Aunt Melaine are in town?" she asked, her heart sinking. Sherah was beginning to lose her patience at this point, so she snapped, "Yes,
Celena knew there was no backing out now. She merely sighed and disappeared into the bedroom to get dressed, while Liam headed off to wake Jovie. The River Lodge was not too far away from Stone Mansion, so the three of them took Liam's scooter together. The River Lodge was a magnificent hotel that specializes in local Drunham City cuisine, and because of this, the entire architecture of the hotel was also heavily influenced by Drunham City culture. Naturally, this was not any ordinary hotel at all, but an upper-middle class eatery that could easily cost upward of thousands of dollars for a meal!This was an expensive place to dine for the average citizen, but to the rich and famous, the River Lodge was still considered too humble and lowly. Therefore, most of the customers who dined here were of the upper-middle class. Celena and Jovie waited at the entrance while Liam parked the scooter. When he returned, he picked Jovie up in his arms, and the three of them were about to walk
Xareny's eyes were as wide as saucers. The next moment, her heavily made-up eyes narrowed into snakelike slits as she pointed at the child and screeched, "Who do you think you are, you little twat? How dare you speak to me this way? Didn't your mother and father ever teach you manners? I'll give you a good spanking, and that'll teach you to behave!"Jovie, however, was not at all intimidated by the deranged woman before her. With one arm slung around her father's neck, she stuck her tongue out at Xareny and said innocently, "Don't be rude. I'm not a little twat. My name is Jovie Cole, and this is my Dad, Liam Cole, and my Mom, Celena Stone."She then tossed Xareny a withering look and added, "I have a name, madam, so please call me that. I'm not a little twat—you are!"Liam had been silent all this while, and although his expression was unfazed, there was a hint of a smile in his eyes.Celena, on the other hand, was horrified by this. She tugged on Jovie's arm and said, "Jovie, you
Celena could not help but shoot a stern look at the chattering father-daughter duo, especially Liam. She rolled her eyes dramatically at him and chided, "Really, Liam, you're supposed to be the dad here. How could you set such an example for Jovie? Kids need to learn manners, and you're leading her astray!"However, no sooner had she scolded them than a giggle escaped her, muffled behind her hand. Liam joined in with a chuckle, and they shared a moment of silent understanding.Not too far off, Xareny caught the sound of their family laughter. She glanced back, saw the joy on Celena and Liam's faces, and frustration bubbled up inside her. She clenched her teeth and stomped her foot in a fit of rage."That damn witch! She'll get what's coming to her!"With that, Xareny spun on her heel, determined not to give them another glance. She was afraid she might lose her composure and do something unbecoming of her status. She reminded herself over and over that she was the esteemed daughter
As the dinner party's host, Kyros watched everyone find their places before lifting his wine glass with a grin. "Yafe, it's been too long. Let's toast to old times."Yafe's laughter boomed. "Indeed, it's been ages. Come on, let's have a drink together!" He clinked glasses with Kyros and took a hearty swig.Then, turning to the young man at Kyros's side, Yafe inquired with a chuckle, "And who might this be, Kyros?"Caught off guard, Kyros looked at the young man, pride shining in his eyes. "Oh, where are my manners? I haven't made introductions. Everyone, this is my future son-in-law, Kaiden, a sharp mind in the finance and securities world."Kaiden Tacker, with impeccable politeness, raised his glass to Yafe, his smile warm. "Mr. Stone, a pleasure to meet you."Kaiden's charm was undeniable. Dressed to the nines in a designer suit, sporting a luxury watch, he carried himself with an effortless grace that caught Yafe's admiring eye.Yafe did not hold back on the compliments. "Kaid
With that, Xareny turned to Celena, her tone shifting to one of concern tinged with pride. "Celena, as your cousin, I shouldn't really say this, but I can't stand by and watch you settle. Finding the right man is like getting a second chance at life. You've got to be picky. Take me, for example. I snagged a catch like Kaiden, and now I'm set for life. And just look at this rock on my finger—ten carats of pure sparkle."In the midst of the conversation, Xareny casually waved her left hand, showing off the massive diamond that glittered like a pigeon's egg, catching the light and dazzling the onlookers. Celena's eyes lingered on the ring, not because she coveted it, but because it was undeniably stunning—a sentiment any woman could understand when faced with the sparkle of a diamond.Xareny, basking in the attention, noticed Celena's gaze and could not hide her smugness, a sneer briefly crossing her features. "See, Celena? You can tell how much a man cares by this—a diamond ring symbol