Nicholas' hands held Josephine's body so she wouldn't fall into the pool."Nicholas, why did you appear all of a sudden like that," Josephine protested as she sat on the side of the pool, holding her chest breathlessly.Her heart was beating really fast, not only because of Nicholas' sudden appearance from under the water, but also because Nicholas' nose was touching hers at that moment.Nicholas' face was very close to hers, their noses touching, and Josephine could smell cinnamon mingling with the scent of pine forest on a rainy day from Nicholas.She looked into Nicholas' sharp, deep, dark eyes staring into his eyes, as if they penetrated into his thoughts and Nicholas seemed to be reading what she was thinking. Josephine suddenly felt dejavu. She had experienced a sensation like this before, but not as intense as now.For a moment Josephine's world stopped moving, until she forgot to breathe and then choked when Nicholas smiled and kissed her nose."What? You're disturbing my medi
Nicholas smiled mysteriously. Again, his face was very close to Josephine's. He stared into Josephine's eyes sharply, then his hand reached out to caress Josephine's cheeks which were reddish because they were blushing."Don't worry about the Jade Property. I'll take good care of it. Actually, even before we met, I had already taken care of starting the acquisition process. A few distractions hindered me, but currently the person I entrusted to take care of it has sped up the process."Josephine trembled. Nicholas' hand on her cheek felt cold, but Josephine's heart felt strangely warm."F-Fine," muttered Josephine.Nicholas kissed Josephine's forehead quickly and distanced himself from Josephine."Now go home. Sorry I can't accompany you this time because I have work to finish. I will have one of my men escort you home."A sudden feeling of emptiness hit Josephine, when Nicholas turned and walked to his desk, then called someone, telling the person to take Josephine home.Josephine to
Lindsay and Lucas were unhappy. Lindsay felt angry because Josephine always got the better of her, even though she didn't seem to be trying too much.There are always people who protect and look after her and it just so happens that those people are clearly more powerful than Jade family.Secretly, deep down, Lindsay was also jealous of Josephine's luck with being with the president of the Genesis Group, who was unexpectedly handsome--more handsome and dashing than Lucas, a man who was extremely rich and powerful, despite there was a dark, cold aura around him, but it was clear that Nicholas Adams adored Josephine a lot.On the other hand, Lucas was not happybecause he always hoped that one day Josephine would see him and they could be together.Actually he was ready to leave Lindsay, if Josephine wanted to be with him. Nicholas' presence made it difficult for Lucas to approach Josephine and unfortunately for the sake of maintaining his relationship with Lindsay before he could attra
Lucas and Janeth approached a confused looking Lindsay. They watched from a distance Lindsay approaching composer Sodaro Pagliani and near them were Josephine and the small child she was carrying, as well as Nicholas who never took his hands off Josephine's waist."Lindsay, what's wrong?" Lucas asked when he got close to Lindsay. He glanced at Josephine, and immediately looked away when he saw Nicholas looking at him with ridicule."But why, Mr. Pagliani? We've worked together before and the song we did together was trending on the music charts for weeks," Lindsay said in a high-pitched tone, having rediscovered her sense of the situation. She turned to Lucas. "Mr. Pagliani said he wouldn't work with me his whole life. Isn't that ridiculous and over the top?"After all, Sodaro Pagliani is the most influential composer in Metronine City and working with him is sure to guarantee a successful musical career.Sodaro Pagliani is a musical genius whose excellence not only stands out and mak
"I hope this Lindsay thing won't have a big impact on my life," muttered Josephine with a glum face. Josephine thought that what happened between Sodaro and Lindsay would have long tails. Sodaro was clearly furious and he refused to compromise. Nicholas also said that his distant cousin was known to be very disciplined in his work and idealistic when it came to art."You have nothing to do with the problem between Sodaro and Lindsay, so don't worry," Nicholas said soothingly. "I'm worried because Lindsay will definitely blame me for her troubles with Sodaro. She is a person who hates being beaten and will do anything to get rid of anyone she doesn't like."Nicholas clicked his tongue. "I'll protect you, Josephine, no matter what happens. After all, in terms of earlier, it's actually Lindsay who should be worried, not you. She's the one causing trouble and it's clear Sodaro will sue Lindsay for her immoral behavior." Josephine looked at Nicholas doubtfully. "I actually didn't mean
"It can definitely be used, if the person you call a genius hacker can process it cleverly. Photoshop here and there will definitely make these photos and videos different," said Janeth in a satisfactory tone.Lindsay took out her phone and opened an online banking application, then wrote down some numbers and showed them to Janeth. "Enough?"Janeth looked at the numbers and smiled broadly. "Cool! Thank you, sis."Lindsay sent some money to Janeth's account, to pay for Janeth's efforts to take photos and videos of Josephine and Lucas' meeting at the Sparrow Clinic rooftop garden.After Janeth left, Lindsay contacted Darius. The hacker came an hour later."Here," Lindsay said while holding out a memory card containing photos and video recordings of Janeth. "You still have to work it out, trimming and adding here and there, but if it turns out well and is what I want, I'll pay you more," Lindsay said.Darry took away the memory card. "Don't worry, Ms. Jade, I will process it. Give me on
Josephine's heart pounded. Nicholas looked like a statue of a Greek god, with light honey-colored skin and a body like that of a skilled sculptor. Josephine had to clench her fists and take a deep breath before stepping closer to Nicholas. "Ni-Nicholas, a-are you sick?" asked Josephine as she sat down beside Nicholas on the side of the bed. Even though her hands were shaking, Josephine worked up the courage to reach out and touch Nicholas' forehead. Normal. No signs of fever at all. "You don't have a fever," muttered Josephine. She stood in front of Nicholas and half bent down, inspecting the wound on Nicholas' left chest. She found that the wound was not in bad condition."Your wound looks better and almost recovered. There is no more inflammation like before," said Josephine while examining carefully and thoroughly.Josephine helped Nicholas change the medicine. In fact, while cleaning the wound on Nicholas' chest, Josephine had been wondering why Nicholas was so quiet and didn
Josephine returned to Nicholas' room and cleaned up the tools she had used to treat Nicholas. Her heart was still beating really fast, after witnessing the scene in the living room between Nicholas and Lucas. Nicholas' flat tone, all razor sharp, turned Lucas' words upside down and made him embarrass himself. Nicholas was not being rude or harsh. He was polite and refined, but cold as ice and as stiff as a slab of iron. Josephine could imagine how frustrated Lucas was facing Nicholas and she felt a little guilty, because her heart felt happy seeing Lucas suffer.Josephine had liked Lucas, when she was a teenager and the adrenaline rushes through her youth. It takes persistence and patience to admire Lucas, because he is the most popular boy in school. Josephine's rivals were not only girls from the same grade as her, but also upperclassmen and later also underclassmen. Not only handsome, athletic and masculine, Lucas is also the sole heir of the Hills Corporation, which is well
"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