Catherine's POV
I was well aware that Patricia wanted to psych me out. I just didn't get it. We would be a family soon. Did seniority rules matter that much? Besides, I always respected her, because she was an elder. I never disrespected her. I sighed. Were there so many rules and restrictions in the royal pack? After seven o'clock, I took a shower. But I did not go downstairs then. Instead, I sat on the sofa in the room, feeling depressed. When the kids were tired of playing and went back to the lakeside villa by car, both of them rushed directly to me. "Mommy, Emerson told me a lot of great stories!" Hedwig said with a smile. I stroked Hedwig's head and said, "I'm glad that you like them. You can ask him to tell you more in the future." "Mommy, is daddy not back yet? I'll wait for him upstairs!" Hedwig turned and ran upstairs. I turned my head to look at Noah, only to see that he was also looking at me with hiCatherine's POV I knew Noah was very smart, so I was in a pickle now. In fact, I enjoyed talking to Noah most of the time. He had his way of thinking. And he could be very helpful sometimes. But right now, I was reluctant to tell Noah my thoughts, because Noah was too sensible. I was worried that the dispute adults had would hurt him. "Noah, mommy has to work. See? Mommy can't even draw with you standing here," I said, pointing to my messy painting. Noah nodded and said, "Well, I will leave you to your work. But if you are treated unfairly, don't clam up. You can talk to daddy. He will help you feel better." "It seems that your daddy is omnipotent in your eyes. Do you worship him?" Noah snorted coldly, "I don't worship him!" Noah was embarrassed. I laughed even more heartily. Blake's POV Around 7:30 pm, I returned to the lakeside villa. As soon as I walked in, I saw a small pink figure jumping off the sof
Blake's POV I walked over, squatted down, and looked at Noah. "Because your mommy doesn't want you to worry. Alright now. Go downstairs and play with Hedwig, and I'll talk to your mommy. Don't worry. I won't quarrel with her. We will chat peacefully." Noah said, "I'll go play with my toys. I don't want to play with stupid Hedwig." "Up to you." I stood up, opened the door of the study, and went to Catherine's room. Pushing the door open, I saw Catherine standing at the edge of the bed. Catherine looked at me and asked, "What's up?" "Did Patricia say anything to you?" I rushed back in a hurry, because I was afraid that Catherine would be scolded by Patricia. Patricia sounded very mad on the phone today. Catherine's face paled when she heard me. "Do you care?" "What did Patricia say to you? Tell me, OK? I'm very worried about the relationship between you two. I don't want things between you two to be too ugly. After all, both of
Blake's POV Noah blinked his big eyes and quickly walked down. Patricia immediately put him on her lap, pinched his face, and then pinched his arms. "Noah, you're so thin. Don't you like eating?" Noah immediately shook his head and said, "Patricia, I'm not thin at all. I don't want to become chubby. That way, no girls will like me!" Patricia was instantly amused by Noah. She pointed to me and said, "See? Noah is the younger version of you. He already knows that he has to be a ladies' man at such a young age!" I didn't remember saying such naive things when I was a kid at all. "I called Leo. Maybe he'll be here later." I said. "Really?" Patricia was excited. "I haven't seen him for quite a long time." Emerson pulled a long face. "He doesn't have to be here if he doesn't want to. No one is begging him to come here." Patricia looked at Emerson a little crossly and said, "It's all your fault. Why did you quarrel with him back the
Blake's POV A few minutes later, I came to the study wearing a gray nightgown. "What is it?" I swept my gaze over her body and saw that her skin was as fair as the nightgown she was wearing. My heart throbbed. I involuntarily walked over to her side and sat down. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her petite body into my embrace. Catherine said, "I found some clues about my parents, but now it seems to be a dead end. I want you to help me." "Sure!" I would not refuse any of her requests. Catherine looked at me with gratitude, and I could not help but kiss her lips. Catherine's tense body slowly softened. I let go of her in time. Looking at her blushing face, I reached out and pinched it. "What have you got?" Catherine quickly took out her phone and showed me some photos. "I found an exhibit in the royal gallery that seemed to be a couple with my necklace. I asked the curator, and he said that someone deposited it there.
Blake's POV "Are you curious?" I took another puff and sneered. "Not at all!" Henry's expression was very interesting. I could tell that he was indeed very curious. I was amused by his expression, and then the atmosphere relaxed a little. "I know him." Henry quickly nodded. "Really? How?" My voice was as cold as ice. "He is old. If your investigation is right, he is Catherine's grandfather." "What? How is that possible?" Henry was stunned. I stood up from my black office chair, and my voice was a little irritated. I said, "So, Catherine is the lost daughter of the Fox family." "It seems that I met her when I was a kid, and I even kissed her cheek before." I was lost in my memories, and there was a hint of mockery and sadness in my tone. When I was young, the Fox family had twins. They were extremely cute and made countless people envious. The girl was particularly pretty. Her eyes were like crystals, delicate an
Blake's POV When I got off work in the afternoon, I called Catherine and asked her out for dinner tonight. There would be no kids. It would be just me and her. Catherine agreed. I went to her company in my car, picked her up, and we went in the direction of the restaurant. Sitting in the car, I looked out the window, as if I had forgotten that she was also in the car. Catherine took the initiative to come to my side and asked, "What's on your mind?" I turned my head around. Her eyes flickered as lights and shadows flashed across them. Looking at her eyes, I felt that my mind was a mess. "Nothing!" I got annoyed for no reason. At the sight of her charming eyes, I recalled the fact that she was the daughter of the Fox family that I had kissed when I was a child. I could not calm myself down. Catherine had always been sensitive, and she seemed to have sensed something, so she simply sat up straight and stopped disturbing me.
Blake's POV After dinner, Catherine and I left the restaurant. I held her hand and suggested, "Let's not go home yet. It's still early anyway. Let's go shopping." "Shopping for what? We are not buying anything!" Catherine said in surprise. "I want to buy something for you. What do you want?" I held her hand tightly. I looked at her and smiled. Catherine shook her head. "I don't want anything." "I'm sure you do. Think again!" I knew Catherine said that, since she did not want to spend my money. But today, I wanted to spend money on her, because only by giving her something she liked would I feel less guilty. "Then let's go check out the kids' clothes. I like to buy things for them." Catherine had the most primitive nature of women. Ever since she had kids, every time she passed by the stores selling children's clothes, she always wanted to go in and touch the clothes, whether she bought them or not. "I want to buy you something. We'll buy things for the kids next time
Blake's POV Patricia immediately looked sad and said, "You never talked to me like that before. I know it. You don't love me anymore. I am not the most important woman to you now!" "Patricia, what are you talking about?" I hurried over and hugged her. "Cathy is our family. I hope you can get along well." "I am an elder, and she should respect me. Shouldn't she?" Patricia still felt aggrieved. I sighed helplessly. "Here's the thing. I should respect you, because I'm your grandson. But she has not married me yet. You two should respect each other." Patricia immediately said with dissatisfaction, "Why hasn't she married you yet?" Hearing that, I asked with a smile, "Grandma, are you saying that I can marry her?" Patricia looked a little embarrassed. She sighed and said, "I didn't agree before, but I like the two kids very much. You and Leo didn't have a mother when you grew up. It's a regret that will accompany your whole life. I always feel guilty. I've done some thinking
"I understand, but if I don't visit him during such an important festival, I'll feel guilty. On my engagement day, my dad gave me so many gifts—he gave me almost everything he had. He's truly a great father, and I want to be a good daughter in return."Catherine was in a dilemma.Blake knew Catherine had fully forgiven and accepted Halsey for abandoning her."Fine, I'll go with you to visit him." Blake made his decision."You'll accompany me?" Catherine was surprised since Blake had a grudge against her father."Yes. I don't want you to go alone, but as his daughter, you must visit him." Blake didn't want his past issues to affect her. She had the right to love her father."What about the kids?" Catherine asked suddenly."Leave them here. Let my mom and grandma take care of them." Blake didn't want to put the children in danger.Catherine agreed that leaving the kids behind would be safer.Given Blake's ongoing str
Three days passed in a warm haze for the Royal family—a rare stretch of uninterrupted togetherness amidst their perpetually busy lives.The family rarely gathered, as they were usually busy with work and chores. So, the time they spent together was precious.Blake and Catherine skipped elaborate vacations, opting instead to fill the estate with laughter.They built snow forts with the children, baked gingerbread cookies in the sunlit kitchen, and read bedtime stories by the crackling fireplace. For Noah and Hedwig, these simple moments became their first true childhood memories.On the third evening, as snowflakes settled like powdered sugar over the grounds, Catherine needed to discuss visiting her father abroad with Blake, but the words stuck in her throat like winter sap.Blake definitely didn't want her to go far away, but she couldn't be trapped here forever just because she was afraid of the dangers outside.That night, the snow
"It's different this time. They're interested in getting to know you. Your reputation has grown since those days; you're a celebrity now, Sunny. I'm not trying to hurt you. Won't you come back and see for yourself?"Moira was truly unaware of her husband's schemes. She simply wished for Sunny to emerge from her heartbreak, embrace life anew, rather than languish at home, like a soul hiding from the light."Mom, stop worrying about me. I'm fine now," Sunny offered a few comforting words, then abruptly said, "I'm not going back. Gotta go, bye!"And with that, Sunny ended the call.But her harsh refusal angered her stepfather.Patricia had invited Richard and Nick over for dinner, but they declined.In truth, Richard and Nick were in foul moods.Leo and Catherine's successful engagement felt like a bad omen to them, dampening their fighting spirit.As for Nick, since returning from the engagement party, he'd been like a lost soul,
"Grandma's right, Sunny and Leo are perfect for each other," Catherine agreed quickly.Sunny's face turned bright red. Why was everyone focusing on her?Abigail noticed Sunny's other hand hanging still and asked quietly, "Sunny, what's wrong with your hand?"Remembering the video of Sunny fighting the thugs, Catherine explained, "Her hand is injured. Sunny, are you feeling better now?"Sunny nodded. "Much better!"Patricia was shocked. "How did your hand get hurt? Was it that naughty Leo?"Sunny shook her head and explained what had happened.Patricia and Abigail listened with concern. Catherine pulled up the video, and after watching it, both Patricia and Abigail's faces showed worry."Sunny, I didn't think you had so much courage!""Did you practice martial arts when you were young?"Sunny answered all their questions. The two elders looked at her with new respect.They couldn't believe such a small and t
Hedwig's little face was covered with Noah's fingerprints, pink and white, and she looked cute. Her head was full of flour, and when she shook it, a cloud of dust came out.Patricia and Catherine were amused by the two kids. Patricia laughed so hard that she thought her grandson was naughty and her granddaughter was pitiful."Mommy, look at what I made! It's a little ball!" Hedwig couldn't make pies, so she just kneaded the pie crust into a round ball and proudly showed it to Catherine.Catherine didn't want to hurt her daughter's confidence and praised her immediately, "Hedwig, you're really hands-on! This circle is so round!"Hedwig, upon hearing the praise, decided to make another round shape.Catherine quickly moved the pie crust away and said with a smile, "Hedwig, this is for making pies. Why don't you go play with your daddy?""Oh!" Hedwig pouted, a little unhappy. Her mommy was so mean."Grandma's here!" After running out, Hed
"Aren't you supposed to have dinner at home? I need to go back too."Sunny recalled Patricia's call to Leo last night, where he promised to return early.She felt a tinge of sadness. Although she and Leo were back together, she still felt insecure. Celebrating Christmas's Eve would mean another separation."Are you going home?" Leo narrowed his eyes, staring at her dangerously. "What if your stepfather introduces another suitor to you? How will you refuse him?"Sunny was surprised. "How do you know about that?""Wasn't it? I know he's introduced five suitors to you. I didn't get that wrong, did I?" Leo sneered, his face turning cold."He treats you like goods to sell. Are you still going back to his place?" Leo's face darkened, as if ready to punch someone.This was Sunny's dark secret, something she had always feared and been hurt by.If Leo hadn't investigated her, she would have kept these secrets until old age, not letting
Third Person's POV"By the way, did you report this to the police? Any updates? Who would want to target you?" Jessica asked curiously."The police have identified the attackers, but they're still at large," Leo replied grimly, his expression darkening."They'll catch them eventually. Don't worry, Sunny—bad guys always get what's coming," Jessica reassured."I hope so. I just want to know who's behind this," Sunny said, frustration flashing across her face.Jessica hesitated, then turned to Leo. "Boss... do you think there's a mole in the company?"Leo's eyes turned icy. "You mean Samuel?""You suspect him too?" Jessica raised an eyebrow."His recent behavior makes it hard not to," Leo sneered.Jessica frowned. "I think he's been leaking company secrets to that new rival firm. Someone approached me recently—they knew details only insiders should—my project fees, endorsement rates... They even tried to o
Third Person's POV"Free tonight? Cedrick and I would like to invite you for dinner," Jessica asked with sincerity."Sure, see you tonight. Just message me the location." Leo agreed and hung up.Jessica raised an eyebrow and smiled, "He accepted. Actually, our company has been turbulent lately with quite a few issues.""What kind of issues?" Cedrick frowned with concern."A media company has risen rapidly, taking a lot of market and resources. This has never happened before; our company has always been dominant," Jessica shrugged helplessly, "And that company is aggressive, posing a significant threat to us. They integrated over ten companies in a short time, expanding their scale dramatically.""Is that so? Who dares to openly challenge the Royal wolf pack?" Cedrick was surprised because Leo's entertainment company had always run smoothly, with no one daring to trip him up."I'm not sure, but I think the opponent is well-prepared," J
Third Person's POVHoward also chuckled, "Benjamin, let's come another day.""Sure, another day!" Benjamin also felt they'd arrived at an inappropriate time.Cedrick, seeing they were just here to chat, looked even more displeased."Benjamin!" Jessica suddenly jumped out from behind Cedrick and waved at Benjamin."Yes?" Everyone present was stunned.Benjamin exclaimed in surprise, "Jess, are you my nephew or my future sister-in-law?""Whatever!" Jessica said with a smile.The conversation between Benjamin and Jessica deepened Cedrick's gaze, and his affectionate look at Jessica's smiling face lifted his mood."Then we won't disturb you. Carry on!" Benjamin, seldomly seeing Cedrick in a good mood, decided to leave now and maybe chat with him another time.Howard's smile was also enigmatic. He hadn't expected the rumors to be true— Cedrick and Jessica were together. Despite their age gap, the deep love in thei