"Nicholas, is that you?"Josephine's eyes widened, seeing who was the one who let go of her hand from Lucas' grip and pulled her waist away.Nicholas nodded with a smile. He still held Josephine's waist in his hands. "Hi, Baby," Nicholas said casually. "What happened?"Josephine thought quickly of using Nicholas' presence as an excuse to stay away from Lucas. He turned to Lucas."I was about to leave, but he stopped me," said Josephine flatly.Nicholas's brow furrowed and he glared at Lucas fiercely. "Why are you holding my lover from leaving?" asked Nicholas coldly. He took Josephine's hand that had been held by Lucas and became even more irritated. "You even made these precious hands turn this red!"Lucas realized that he might hurt Josephine because of his strong grip and quickly approached Josephine again to check her hand, but Nicholas' tall build prevented him."Move," Lucas snapped. "I have to check on Josephine. I didn't mean to hurt her."Nicholas pushed Lucas so that he fell
"I am the leader of the Gold Dragon, a mafia clan that was founded decades ago by my great great great great-grandfather, long before the McKenzie and Adams generation were born. I don't know who founded it and how Gold Dragon was born, but leadership has always been left to the sons. The eldest of the previous leaders," Nicholas said in a calm and clear voice."M-mafia?" whispered Josephine nervously. "But, what about the Genesis Group? You are the President of Genesis Group, did you?""The Genesis Group and the Gold Dragon are like the concepts of yin and yang, describing the nature of the interconnected and opposing forces and how the two forces complement and build upon one another. These two are inseparable, interrelated and complementary to each other."Josephine tried to digest what Nicholas had said without prejudice, but she had to admit that her heart trembled. Josephine only knows that the mafia world is a dark and cruel world."What are you doing with the Black Dragon?"
"You're not Rain Damian," muttered Josephine.Nicholas chuckled. "You're not Flower either."Josephine feeling betrayed. She thought, the triplets conspired with Nicholas to lie to her, saying they want to have dinner with Josephine, but they trapped her to meet Nicholas."Why did you do that, Nicholas? You don't have to have the kids lie to me, saying they want to have dinner with me, just to ask me to meet," said Josephine.Nicholas's eyebrows rose and he stepped closer to Josephine. "Josephine, what do you think of me having changed so badly in just a few days after you found out I was a mobster? " asked Nicholas coldly."You think this is my plan? Having the kids lie to you just to bring you here and meet you? Why do I have to do that when I can kidnap you directly to bring you to the mansion? I'm a mobster, you know, right? I can do anything and stay safe! There's no need to take advantage of the children."Josephine was stunned to hear Nicholas' words. "I mean, why did you--""F
"Baby, Rocco will be arriving tomorrow evening. He will start work at Farline on Monday. You can take your breath away for a moment, don't push yourself too hard," Nicholas said while stroking Josephine's hair.Josephine looked up and her tired eyes shone. "Oh, thank goodness. I'm starting to get overwhelmed here.There are too many things that are messy and need to be cleaned up," Josephine said, pointing to the papers scattered on her desk.Nicholas sat in the chair in front of Josephine's desk and wondered if he had made the right decision to transfer Farline Tech to Josephine.He was worried, instead putting great pressure on Josephine. However, Rocco had promised to help Josephine completely.He remembered their chat via Skype, a few days earlier.-Flashback-"My nephew will be running the cafe," Rocco said in a relieved tone. "So I can leave in peace.""That's great then. Just tell Ben or Win what you need either there or for you here. They'll have it ready right away," Nicholas
"I saw Anna Reding, the fat carpenter, walking hand in hand with the handsome doctor you're after," said Ellie, Janeth's classmate. "They look very intimate.""Anna Reding, daughter of the Reding family of the Reding Artwork Group?" asked Janeth to make sure.Ellie nodded firmly. "Yes, there she is. I saw her article when she had an exhibition in London two years ago and the Queen of England bought a dresser made of her."Janeth clenched her fists in annoyance. So the news is true. Ellie wasn't the only one who said she saw Anna Reding and Lynner Hardy together, looking as passionate as lovers. Other friends also delivered the same news several times, such as pouring gasoline on the fire.Since the embarrassing incident at Lynn's birthday party, Janeth hasn't dared to stand out too much. That incident embarrassed her half to death and really made her lose her self-esteem.Her friends tried to cheer her up, but Janeth somehow felt they weren't being sincere. Her enemies were obvious
"Grenryn City Zoo?" asked Josephine with a frown. "Why so far away? Metronine also has a zoo.""Oh, come on, mom, the Greneryn City Zoo is not just an ordinary zoo, where we only see animals in cages. In this zoo, safari tours are also held, looking at wild animals outside the car we are riding in," said Sky enthusiastically."Is it safe?" asked Josephine worriedly."Of course it's safe. We'll take the designated safari car," supported Flower.Josephine stared at the triplets who looked happy. "Ah, well, I'll allow it. Now let me talk to your homeroom teachers, Sky and Flower, about the technicalities. I also want Rain to come on this field trip.""Rain and mommy can come along," said Flower happily. "The school is holding this field trip as part of a family day, so the participants are children and parents, a minimum of four people and a maximum of six people. We can even invite uncle Nicholas.""Oh dear, Uncle Nicholas has been very busy lately, he probably won't make it."The tripl
"Why are you doing something like this, Lindsay? Do you want to kill me and those kids?" asked Josephine angrily.Lindsay knew what Josephine meant, but she didn't want to look guilty. "What do you mean, Josephine? I came to see you and your children, why are you even angry at me? You are so ungrateful to someone who cares for you!"Josephine smiled sinisterly. "Just take off your ugly mask, Lindsay. You don't have to pretend to be nice. Given your true nature, I'm sure you must be tired of having to act like kind one all the time."Lindsay's face was bright red and she restrained herself from attacking Josephine. She clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white, but her lips still smiled sweetly."Josephine, come on, don't be mean to me. We are sisters after all and besides, you shouldn't accuse someone so casually."Josephine turned to Lucas with raised eyebrows. "And you, what are you here for?"Lucas was surprised by Josephine's curtness. After learning that the diary that L
Josephine smiled looking at the contents of the paper in her hand. She looked at Lindsay quietly. "How can this be proof that my children are Lucas' children? You can't even see any names on this paper."Lindsay realized her folly. She took the paper from Josephine's hand and read it again. "But these are clearly the results of your children's DNA tests," Lindsay said. Her voice turned into a doubtful one. "I always suspected that they were your children.""Yes, you're right about that. These are the results of my children's DNA tests. They are non identical triplets. But as for who the father is, did you see a man's name on it?" Josephine demanded. "Careful Lindsay, you could get caught up in a game of your own making!"Lindsay's hesitation turned into anger and a feeling of being played with. "Why did you hide that they are your children?"Josephine looked at Lindsay with a feigned surprise. "You're really asking why? Oh, come on, Lindsay, you think I'm going to give you guys a chan
"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