Tasha, who used to look down on this corner of the house, had come today with a request.
The musty smell of the long-unoccupied room made her uncomfortable.
"Sunny, don't be so cold. We don't have a deep grudge, do we?" Tasha forced a fake smile.
Sunny ignored her, sitting by the chair and taking out her phone to check the news.
Tasha stared at the phone, eyes gleaming with the idea of secretly finding Leo's number.
But then she decided to just ask Sunny for it directly.
Sunny wouldn't reject this.
"Sunny, do you have Leo's phone number? Can you give it to me?" Tasha asked boldly.
Sunny looked up, her gaze cold. "No."
Sunny, who used to lack the confidence, now felt no obligation to easily give her boyfriend's number to another woman.
The atmosphere turned awkward.
Tasha's face darkened at Sunny's blunt refusal.
"Sunny, are you just trying to spoil my fun? You eat, live, and use what's ours. Isn't it
Tasha covered her face and cried even harder, looking pitiful as she said to Moira, "Look at Sunny! She thinks she's so great because she trained in taekwondo for a few years. Look at my face, it's almost disfigured. How am I supposed to see people now? I have family visits to make these days, I do even know what can I do now."Tasha's loud crying and sympathetic words made Moira's face pale with anxiety.Eben glared at Sunny in anger and pointed toward the door, shouting, "Get out of here right now!"On hearing this, Sunny's whole body stiffened. She looked at Moira with a guilty expression.Moira also froze, her face turning even paler. She quickly tried to placate Eben, "Don't get angry. I think there might be some misunderstanding between them...""There's no misunderstanding. She hit me. Look at my face, it's all the evidence you need," Tasha cried out pitifully.Moira saw the red mark on Tasha's face that hadn't gone down and didn't kn
Sunny's eyes were filled with sorrow. She felt guilty toward her mom, knowing she no longer had a place in the Eben family.Gellman wasn't surprised and sighed, "I think it's better for you to leave this family early. It can save me from my uncle's constant attempts to introduce you to boyfriends for business marriages."Sunny's eyes widened, "How do you know?""He mentioned it when he was drinking at my place yesterday. He said he would introduce you to some clients' sons," Gellman said, his face turning grim.Sunny's face turned cold.She couldn't believe Eben was still scheming against her. It was disgusting."I'll never see him again. Let's see how he can set me up with men!" Sunny said with a cold smile.Gellman nodded, his eyes darkening.A private plane sat at the International Airport. A group of people in four cars headed for a seven-star hotel.In the car, Catherine, tired from the long flight, dozed off on Bla
"Then once a week," Catherine replied, feigning seriousness."I waited twenty-seven years just for you, Catherine!" the man said with mock solemnity.Catherine burst into laughter, breaking the intense atmosphere. "Alright, let's change the subject. This topic isn't worth discussing."Blake took advantage of her laughter, stepped around her, and in one swift motion, pinned her down.Catherine was startled into lying down and realized escape was impossible."Wh-what are you doing?" Catherine's eyes widened, already knowing the answer.Indeed, careless words come with a price.Catherine, exhausted and weak, pointed at Blake's retreating figure toward the bathroom and gritted her teeth. "So unfair, making me move on top for half an hour!"Blake's sturdy figure froze in the bathroom doorway, then erupted into hearty, self-satisfied laughter.Hearing his deep laughter, Catherine grew even angrier.When Blake emerged, w
Catherine said emotionally, "Blake, meeting you is my greatest fortune."Blake, hearing her rare emotional words, smiled and said, "Is this a confession?""Yeah, thousands of words can't express how much I like you. I feel my soul is engraved with your name." Catherine said seriously, but it sounded like a romantic story, making Blake want to laugh." Oh? Is that so?" The man was delighted, with a smile on his face. "Alright, I'll find you again and marry you in the next life.""Really?" Catherine, relieved that he agreed as if it were a major decision, felt at ease. Blake promised, "Yes, I believe our bond isn't over yet."Catherine giggled, feeling she'd shifted the mood, and quickly speared a piece of delicious fish onto his plate. "Let's eat."Blake looked at the fish, a gentle expression flashing across his face. He picked up his cutlery, ate the fish, and found it tasty.After dinner, they strolled in the hotel's garden before h
"Yep! When a person can face what they dread most, it shows their growing tolerance," Blake said with a smile.Catherine sighed softly and grasped his fingers. "Blake, thank you for changing for me. I hope I can do the same for you someday."Blake nodded. "Sure, I'm looking forward to it as well."Catherine smiled. "Hopefully, it won't be too hard.""Nothing tough, just fulfilling Hedwig's wish for a younger brother or sister," Blake teased.Sure enough, Catherine's face flushed with fear. She was scared."Are you serious?" Currently, Catherine dreaded having more children. With Noah and Hedwig still young and demanding care, the thought of another baby sent her into anxiety.Blake, seeing her fear, chuckled. "Just joking, don't take it seriously!"Catherine exhaled. "No more joke like that again!""Alright, I won't!" Blake gently squeezed her hand and then asked earnestly, "Truly, no more kids?""One boy and one
Catherine was content with Blake's indifferent expression."I'll take a photo and send it to the kids," Catherine said, snapping several shots of Blake without his consent.Blake's deep gaze shifted to her, his indifference softening."Come here!"Catherine's eyes widened in surprise, but she obediently sat beside him."Let's take one together." Blake grabbed her phone, lifted it, and pulled her into his arms before she could pose.Before Catherine could react, Blake took several photos."Hey..." Catherine was confused about his intentions.Blake swiftly sent the photos to Abigail.Catherine's eyes widened in anger. She immediately asked, "Did you make me look ugly in those photos?"Blake shrugged and said, "You're always beautiful in my eyes.""Let me check the photos!" Catherine lunged for the phone. Upon seeing the photos, she was nearly incensed.Blake looked good from every angle, smirking hands
Both lost in thought, Catherine and Halsey sat in silence for a while.After a period of silence, Catherine managed to suppress her distress, glanced at the second-floor guest room, and whispered, "Dad, were you and Blake's dad really good friends back then?""Yes, we got along pretty well," Halsey nodded, lowering his voice as well.Although they were in the yard, some distance away from the guest room, they still worried Blake might overhear.Catherine asked again in a hushed tone, "Then, how well do you know his dad's story?"Catherine was curious. She knew Blake's father had been betrayed in his marriage by Olivia, but she wasn't clear on the specifics. Maybe her dad knew something.Halsey's expression stiffened. He hadn't expected his daughter to ask this."I know a little," Halsey replied. Although he didn't want to revisit the past, he couldn't hide it from his daughter."Then, do you think his dad was a good person?" Ca
Time flies, and several days passed.One day, Sunny and Leo received a police call informing them that the two criminals who had fled abroad had been apprehended.The indignation that had been weighing on Leo's mind was finally lifted.If not for respecting the legal boundaries, he would have sought them out for investigation and given those bastards a taste of their own medicine, making them feel the sting of a knife.But to ensure the longevity of the business, one must operate within the law, a principle Blake knew well and that Leo also kept in mind.Richard could have received a lighter sentence years ago, but Emerson, considering his status as the heir to the Royal Pack and his youth, let him serve a five-year term.This was the root of Richard's resentment. He knew that with Emerson's influence, he could have avoided prison.But Emerson upheld justice and dealt with him strictly, which fueled Richard's discontent.Upon a
Third Person's POV"Staring at me?" Blake suddenly turned his head, his sapphire eyes sweeping over her flushed cheeks, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips."N-no!" Catherine hastily lowered her head, her fingers crumpling the book pages, yet not a word entered her mind.Blake let out a low chuckle and strode to her side, his long leg bracing against the sofa back, trapping her in the soft confines."Is it nervous to stare at your fiancé?" He deliberately emphasized the word "fiancé," his warm breath grazing her reddening earlobe. "Or have you already decided I'm your 'husband'?"Catherine's heartbeat skipped. They were engaged, but the word "husband" still sent a blush to her cheeks."Don't jump the gun, we're not married yet," she whispered, her gaze involuntarily sliding downward as he began unbuttoning his shirt—his defined chest faintly visible beneath the white fabric, each button like a droplet being undone by
Third Person's POVNow, none of them dared to return home after midnight. They all felt as if going home was like admitting to a mistake, so they prepared mental scripts, thinking about how to deal with the questioning.This was the subtle difference between being unmarried and married in their minds."Blake, you and Catherine are already engaged. When do you plan to get married? How about having the wedding on the same day as ours? It might become a beautiful story," Benjamin asked with a smile, thinking that getting married on the same day could be quite a tale."Forget it. I don't want to run to two wedding venues in one day." Howard was the first to object, already looking forward to attending two wedding feasts.The corners of Blake's mouth twitched into a smile. "I might actually get married before you. My grandmother has already set the date for us.""Ah?" The other two were filled with shock. So sudden?Blake nodded. "I've alr
Olivia promised not to run and cooperated fully.That night, she detailed how Richard had found and bribed her to lure Mark.After settling Olivia in Blake's vacant villa, Leo left past eleven.Hungry and tired, he recalled cooking with Sunny—her average but heartwarming home cooking.On impulse, he drove to Sunny's building, seeing the light in her apartment.Regretting his harsh words, he hesitated but finally, masked and hat-clad, knocked on her door.Sunny opened it, red-eyed from crying.They stood in silence."Why are you here again?" Sunny asked hoarsely."Olivia came to me," Leo said, pushing the door open.Sunny's face stiffened. "Did you send her to the police?""Not yet. I have other plans. Don't ask," Leo said.The air grew tense. Leo stepped closer, tucking her hair behind her ear. "My words this afternoon—did they hurt you?"Sunny widened her eyes. "Of course not. I d
"I'm sorry." Sunny bowed her head, covered her face with her hands, and shook it violently. "Sorry, I really don't know what to do."Leo looked at her like a frightened child, muttering this sentence over and over.But he didn't want to hear her apologies."Maybe I loved the wrong person. Since you never tell me the truth, fine, let's stop torturing each other. Breaking up is the wisest choice," Leo steeled himself again, slammed the things he was carrying onto the table, and turned to leave.Sunny heard the door close heavily again, as if it had slammed right into her heart.She trembled all over.They must had been enemies in their past life.Sunny sneered at herself. That was why this life was full of torment.Leo went downstairs, got into his car. His mind went blank.He didn't know why he was so heartless, but he was just really angry, especially since he placed Sunny in the most important position, yet had to endur
"I had someone call Tasha, and she said your mom was home for dinner, so I came over." Leo had been particularly clingy with Sunny lately. Not having her even for lunch felt off, so he packed some food, deciding to eat with her.He didn't expect to see Olivia.Worse still, Sunny actually stood in front of Olivia, as if shielding her.Sunny's mind was blank. She underestimated her importance to Leo.Olivia, seeing Leo's dark expression and the flicker of anger in his eyes, panicked too.She pushed Sunny aside, stepped forward, and said humbly, "Leo, I was planning to apologize to you anyway.""Really?" Leo's voice was icy cold. Though addressing Olivia, his gaze pinned Sunny, as if trying to see through her pale face to her true thoughts.Olivia nodded earnestly. "Yes, I was going to seek your forgiveness. We were just discussing having Sunny call you later...""Enough! I don't want to hear your lies. Keep running if you will."
"Is your hand better?" Olivia nervously checked Olivia's left hand."Did you go to Leo's neighborhood last night?""Yes, I've been waiting at the entrance for days and came here specially to corner you today."Sunny took her home. Olivia collapsed on the sofa and said, "Life on the run is exhausting."Sunny poured a glass of water and asked, "Want something to eat?""Is there any food? I'm starving."After Sunny bought food and returned, she found Olivia already fast asleep on the sofa. An hour later, a phone call woke Olivia up—it was Leo calling to urge her."Leo, I need to have lunch with my mom today. Is it okay if I come back to the company in the afternoon?"Leo agreed readily.Sunny lied to Leo. She was worried that Leo might ask questions or suggest coming with her.Fortunately, Leo didn't say much and just asked her to come back early.After hanging up, Sunny saw Olivia, who had been woken up
After dinner, Richard and Nick didn't linger. They greeted Emerson upstairs and left.Back in the bedroom, Blake's handsome face was clouded with gloom.Catherine sat beside him and gently comforted, "They're gone. Don't let them get to you. It's not worth it!""I know, but I can't help it. This feeling is killing me," Blake said, rubbing his temples.Catherine leaned on his shoulder. "Don't think about it. Emerson's not doing well. Let's focus on taking care of him."Blake nodded. "I'll try to hold on. Once this period's over, I'll make them pay double."Catherine felt helpless seeing his pain but couldn't do anything to ease it.***Late at night, Sunny and Leo were heading home after dinner, both tired.As their car approached Leo's apartment, Sunny glanced out the window and froze.She thought she'd seen Olivia.She sat up straight and looked again.Sure enough, a figure scrambled into a car and
"If the kid were yours, you'd love him!" Richard frowned."But I'm your son too, and I don't feel particularly liked by you."Richard's face turned livid with anger.Seeing Richard speechless, Nick coldly said, "So, I'll only like a son born to a woman I love. Just like you. If that woman had a son for you, you definitely wouldn't treat me as dispensable. I feel like a neglected child.""Enough! I gave you whatever I can already!" Richard interrupted.Nick's words had struck a chord.The reason he didn't value Nick was because he disliked his mother.Richard had always been unwilling to admit it, but now that his son had pointed it out, he became angry out of shame.With a stern face, Nick opened the door and left.Emerson's health was deteriorating. The cold weather made him increasingly uncomfortable.Most of Patricia's energy was devoted to caring for him.Fortunately, the two children were with Abigail,
Catherine and Blake spent two days in Paris before Halsey urged them to return home.The next morning, Halsey found Blake strolling in the garden."Blake, can we talk?" Halsey asked gently."Of course," Blake replied, his expression cool but manner amicable."I want to transfer my company to your name. Consider it a peace offering to my future son-in-law, hoping you'll take good care of Catherine. I'm at ease leaving the company in your hands," Halsey said after a moment of hesitation.Blake frowned. "Why me?""You're capable. The Royal Group has flourished under you. Catherine is still young, and I'm worried she might buckle under the pressure," Halsey explained."Do you trust me that much?" Blake asked with a touch of mockery."You're more reliable than I imagined," Halsey admitted."I can't accept it," Blake refused firmly.Halsey was taken aback. "Why? Is it too small?""A profitable company is valuable