"Mommy, how about this, your lip is bleeding all the time and it's starting to swell," Flower said, looking worriedly at Josephine. Josephine stared at her reflection in the mirror. It was true what Flower said, the corners of her chapped lips started to swell. The adrenaline that was bubbling up in Josephine against Thomas meant that she felt no pain as the hard slap flew to her cheek, only shock and then anger. But at this time, to cheer Flower up so she wouldn't be too shocked after the incident at the Duck King restaurant, Josephine invited Flower to stop by the ice cream shop and the two of them were in the shop's bathroom, Josephine had just seen her wound and just felt the pain. "It's okay, Flow, it doesn't hurt too much and the swelling will go away after compressed with ice cubes," Josephine replied soothingly. "Don't worry, honey."Flower handed a tissue to Josephine while sobbing. "I hate them so much! I'm going to tell uncle Nicholas about them later. Uncle Nicholas wi
"Oh shut up, Nic, don't keep teasing me. " Josephine snapped angrily.Nicholas chuckled as he poured the hot water from the faucet into the basin."You miss me?" asked Nicholas as he dipped his hand into the water to check the temperature.Josephine lowered her head. She cursed her short mind. How could she shamelessly think of something erotic when Nicholas asked her to the bathroom? It's so embarrassing.Nicholas was wrong too, why was he in a state of irritation and anger after learning what happened to Josephine, he looked even more handsome and sexier?"I... yes... I miss you," muttered Josephine. She had promised herself several important things recently.Cutting ties with the Jade family was one thing and being more honest and open with Nicholas about her feelings was another.Nicholas approached Josephine who was sitting on top of the toilet and bowed to Josephine's face. He lifted Josephine's chin with his forefinger then kissed the tip of her nose and the side of Josephine's
"Babe, don't! I can take that. It's too much! A Bentley? Owh, it's too much, babe."Nicholas sighed. He held Josephine's hand and squeezed gently. Sometimes Josephine is so stubborn and always reject whatever he offered."Baby, please don't be so stubborn. I want to take care of you and the triplets. I don't always have time for you, so I want to make sure your safety. This is for my sanity, baby, please?"Josephine bit her lower lip. Nicholas always think about her and the triplets's safety. Nicholas gave them everything they needed, indulged, and without hesitation did anything to protect them, even when he wasn't with them, he made sure everything was safe and under control.After the kidnapping incident, Josephine felt that Nicholas had become even more strict about protecting her and the triplets. He knew that Nicholas had secretly ordered his men to guard Josephine and the triplets from a distance. Josephine often feared that she and her children would be a burden to Nicholas."
Josephine returned home in a taxi and found only Flower and Mrs. Prim is at home."Flow, where is Rain? Isn't he home yet?" she asked. "It's already late.""Rain is home, mommy, but he's gone again with Mr. Leo to pick up Sky. Earlier, Sky's taekwondo coach told Mrs. Prim that Sky could be picked up because they came back early from the camp," Flower replied."Why did the couch called you, instead of me," asked Josephine to Mrs. Prim."The coach called you, but your phone was off, so he called me, Ms. Josephine," said Mrs. Prim.Josehine took her phone from her bag and saw that it was dead. "Owh, I didn't check that my phone was off," Josephine said annoyed. She turned to Mrs. Prim. "Rain went with Mr. Leo?""Yes, but it's been a long time. They should have been back a long time ago," said Mrs. Prim is restless. "I also forgot to ask for Mr. Leo's number.""Ah, how stupid I am. I also forgot to ask for Mr. Leo's phone number. He just started this morning and I thought there would be n
Nicholas walked into the teacher's office. His tall stature, wearing a nice expensive leather jacket, made him look manly and intimidating.He approached Josephine, Sky, and Rain. Without hesitation Nicholas kissed Josephine's forehead and stroked Sky and Rain's head. Sky hugged Nicholas' leg and Rain held Josephine's hand.Mr. Punn snorted sarcastically. "Who are you? Why suddenly come and interfere?"Nicholas raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Didn't you ask the father of these two children? I am their father."Josephine looked at Nicholas with affectionate eyes, feeling how much her love for him was growing.Sky's coach raised a confused eyebrow. "Sorry, but, doesn't Sky really have no father?"Josephine turned her head and looked at the coach in annoyance. How could he say such a thing in front of his children, when he previously defended them in front of Mr. Punn who says mean things."Coach, you yourself previously said that it was inappropriate to say such things in front of child
"Baby, that school is not a good institution," said Nicholas in an irritated tone. "They don't have good crisis management handle standards, at least every teacher should be able to handle the problem of abusive parents like that well, instead of joining in on the students who are considered guilty."Josephine listened to Nicholas's words carefully. "Yes, Nicholas, but this is the first time this has happened. So far, Sky and Flower have received good education and treatment there, and so has Rain at his school," said Josephine.Nicholas looked back. Rain and Sky fell asleep, they were exhausted. Deep inside his heart, Nicholas felt very happy, looking at the two children who were sleeping in the back seat.Sky and Rain have the same sleeping style as him. Folding your arms across your chest protects yourself from the cold that sometimes disturbs his sleep.After all, he felt that Sky and Rain were becoming more and more similar to him. However, still, the most similar was Flower, eve
"You'll find out everything soon, baby," Nicholas said reassuringly to Josephine. "I'll arrange everything for you. Just watch and hear."He held Josephine's hand tightly and led her to walk together to the empty seats that had been prepared for them.Thomas and Melisa, as well as four other men around them, stood up quickly and greeted Nicholas. Thomas and Melisa stared at Josephine with hatred.After what happened at the restaurant, Melisa vowed to get back at Josephine someday. She also asked Lindsay and Janeth not to give in to Josephine no matter what and they should be able to defeat Josephine and teach her a lesson for her arrogance.Thomas had to be hospitalized after he had a heart attack at the restaurant, because he was too angry with Josephine and it made him hate Josephine even more.Now, at a business meeting as important as this one, Josephine was present and acting like a big shot next to Nicholas Adams, even though she had previously refused to help them and instead s
"Mr. Kirin and Mr. Ren, see you again on Wednesday. There are still some discussions on merger and management issues which seem to require the presence of not only me, but also other directors," said Nicholas while shaking the hands of the lawyers.Mr. Kirin and Mr. Ren bowed in salute, then shook hands with Josephine as well."Congratulations on your new position, Ms. Josephine. We will assist you with legal matters and your assignment letter will be made and sent as soon as possible," said Mr. Kirin politely."Welcome to the Genesis Group, Ms. Josephine," added Mr. Ren.Josephine nervously accepted the two lawyers' congratulations. Nicholas led Josephine out of the Laveria building and back into the car."Nicholas, wait," Josephine said, grabbing Nicholas' hand before exiting the building door. She still felt giddy and unsure of what was happening at the moment.Just a few minutes ago, she signed the papers approving herself as the new director of Farline Tech, the company founded a
"Italy?"Josephine's eyes widened. Nicholas nodded with a smile. "Yeah. You know, our beach--La Luna, we haven't been there for a while. I think a week or two would be nice."Josephine chuckled. "What are you planning, honey?""Hey, what? I'm just taking you on a honeymoon."Josephine laughed and hugged Nicholas. She rested her head on Nicholas' chest and enjoyed his husband's heartbeat, which sounded calm and steady."Let's have our honeymoon at La Luna, honey. I want to go alone with you," said Josephine gently.Nicholas stroked Josephine's hair slowly. "Baby, let's retire for now and settle down wherever we want. I'll leave Genesis completely to Summer and Autumn, while you can entrust Farline to Flower. I guess, we've done enough and for now, let the children do the work." Let's give everything to them to take care."Josephine nodded and hugged Nicholas tightly. "Yes. Let's retire and live wherever we like. Maybe two months on La Luna beach, two months here, the next two months in
"I can't say no, can I?" asked Josephine softly.Sky lowered his head, unable to meet his mother's eyes. Flower and Rain also lowered their heads, even Nicholas. The spacious room was cold and silent.Josephine was silent, deep in thought. He knew that eventually one of his six children would decide to continue Nicholas' work and it had to be done.She remembered the conversation she had with Nicholas a few years ago, when the first triplets decided to study at different universities in different countries."I will train one of my four confidants, to take control of the Gold Dragon," said Nicholas at the time. "Who do you think is the most suitable?"Josephine looked at Nicholas in surprise. "You don't intend to pass the Gold Dragon down to one of your children? Shouldn't that clan be passed down?"Nicholas shook his head with a smile. "I'm about to abolish that tradition, since I saw that among the first triplets no one was interested in doing so.""How do you know that no one is int
"Daddy, you can't be like this," Flower complained, glaring at Nicholas. "You're a mobster and you're afraid of getting hospitalized?"Nicholas pouted. "Don't confuse my work with my illness, doctor," Nicholas snapped. "Anyway, it's just an influenza.""Come on, dad, admit it. You're afraid of needles, right?" urged Flower with a wink.Josephine laughed seeing the father and daughter argue. She took Nicholas's hand and squeezed it gently."He don't need to be hospitalized, Flower. Your daddy isn't afraid of needles, but he doesn't like the smell of disinfectant and how the nurses are going around checking him every hour," said Josephine.Nicholas took Josephine's hand gently and kissed her palm with a smile. "Your mommy really understands me, Flow."Flower pouted and sighed. "Mommy, you always spoil him. At the hospital, the equipment for examining and caring for him is more complete than when daddy is treated at home. I and my fellow doctors can also examine daddy freely there," said
"This isn't our first project, is it?" Rain asked with a frown.Two of his men lowered their heads, avoiding his anger."Why is there still an error for a problem like this?" asked Rain annoyed."I admit my mistake, Mr. Rain," said Steven Bohn bravely. "The supplier of the floor we used to use suddenly informed us that the floor specifications we requested were not available due to a shortage of basic materials, so they offered a replacement at the same price. I had no idea that the replacement floor was not according to the original specifications."Rain sighed. "Take apart all the floors that have been installed and return them to the supplier. Find another supplier who can give us what we want, even if the price is higher. I don't want this project to have any flaws or defects, because the person who asked me to do this project is a very close and meaningful person to me. I don't want him to be disappointed!" Rain said firmly, then turned around and returned to his room.In the caf
"Hold him, Flow," Sky called while holding the kid down with his feet. "He'll run away again if you don't hold his hand!"Flower snorted and took the small creature's hand that was trying to rebel."Come on, it's just a shower, why are you guys so unruly," Flower complained half angry. "Where did Rain go, why is he taking so long? Doesn't he know that these stray cats are getting bored?""Mommy help, help us, moooommmmyyyy ...!""Gosh, Summer, people will think I'm torturing you if they hear you scream like that," Flower said angrily."I don't like showers!" Summer shouted."Me too!" added Autumn."You too, Forest?" Sky asked fiercely.The little boy called Forest turned his head quietly while patting the water with his chubby hands. "I like baths. I just don't like you guys.""Jeez," Flower moaned.The three children in the big bathtub started to misbehave again, but before Flower and Sky could run out of patience, Rain came driving a plant sprayer.He started the engine and a large
"Mom, why are you so pale? Are you sick?" asked Flower with a worried tone. She put her bag on the single sofa and approached Josephine who was lying straight on the long sofa while covering her eyes with her arms.Josephine lowered her arms and looked at Flower who was still wearing her middle school uniform."Flower, are you home already? I didn't hear you come in," said Josephine in a languid tone."I came in through the back door, because Madam Luan said you weren't feeling well since morning and lay here," Flower said. "What are you doing, mom? Do you have a fever?"Josephine smiled and stroked Flower's hair. "It's okay honey, just a little unsteady and nauseous. I think it's from a lack of sleep the past few days. You know, ever since Uncle Rocco came back to Italy for his honeymoon, I did all the research myself and the other day there was a bit of a problem at the distribution center so I have to go back and forth all day from the laboratory to the warehouse," said Josephine l
"He ... You mean, Lucas?"Lindsay nodded shyly."You and him..." Janeth didn't finish, only raised her eyebrows, waiting for Lindsay to say something.Lindsay sighed. "I think I've managed to forget him and bury my feelings and memories about him, all these years. It's not easy for me. Even though you never met me at that time, I'm sure you know that I have to undergo psychiatric therapy too. One of them is to let Lucas go.""Yes, I know. I think you really need that. Your obsession with Lucas has hurt a lot of people at that time," said Janeth."Yeah, I'm aware of that. However, Lucas came back and kept coming, even though I never wanted to see him. Last week when he came, I finally decided to see him because I really wanted to end things with him, but ...." Lindsay hung up her words."He won't let you go?" continued Janeth with a smile.Lindsay blushed, took a breath, and nodded. Janeth laughed and hugged Lindsay."I'm so happy for you, Lindsay. At least I can rest easy now, because
"You're getting thinner," Lucas said sadly. "Did you eat well during this time?"He stared at the woman in the dull blue prison uniform in front of him. Lindsay is still beautiful with her hair cut short, even though her face is getting thinner and her eyes are dim.Finally, after Lindsay repeatedly refused visits during the nearly six years he was in this correctional facility, she also agreed to accept Lucas."What do you want, Lucas?" Lindsay asked quietly. "Why do you keep coming even though I keep rejecting you? Aren't you bored?"Lucas has never missed visiting Lindsay in the last five years. Every two months he would come, leave the food he brought with the warden because Lindsay never wanted to see him.Lindsay's cellmates were about to enjoy the food and after walking around for a while instead they were excitedly looking forward to Lucas' visit because it meant there was good food available.Lindsay stared at the floor, not daring to meet the eyes of the man she once loved,
"It's not for me to judge who I'm dealing with," James said softly. "After all, you're still young. You don't know anything about the real world. You taking a decision like this, is a great big step. Your heart is good, only clouded by your parents' manipulation. Your mind is clear, only clouded by your sister's bad influence. When all the ugliness is gone, you dare to regain your purity. That's great!"Janeth listened to James' words with her head down. James' deep voice was pleasing to the ear and what he said was soothing to her heart.James reached out and took Janeth's chin, moving her up so their eyes met. "Cheer up. I'll wish you all the best. Tomorrow is the day, so you need to be completely healthy and ready."Janeth's eyes blinked slowly and her hand lifted, holding James' hand on his chin, then, Janeth brought her face closer to James and planted a kiss on the man's lips.James was stunned, frozen in the warmth of Janeth's ripe lips crushing his. He could feel the desperati