"I don't want you guys to go home," Nicholas said as he tightened his hug on Josephine. "You should have accepted my offer to stay here."Josephine laughed and kissed Nicholas' chin gently. "We agreed on this, babe," said Josephine.Nicholas sighed. "Yes I know."Josephine kissed Nicholas' chin again, this time giving him a small bite as well.Nicholas looked at Josephine. "Baby, why do you like to kiss my chin?"Josephine was surprised to hear the random question. "Your chin is nice and firm, I like it and besides, standing like this or when in your arms, I can only reach your chin without having to stand on my tiptoes."Nicholas laughed and kissed Josephine playfully on the lips. He kissed Josephine's lips for a moment before letting go again. "You are funny, baby.""I am not funny, Nicholas, I am just short," snapped Josephine with roll eyes."Whatever, but you are mine, funny or short, no problem at all. Now, come on out, the kids are probably waiting," Nicholas said.The triplets
Thomas Jade knows very well about the Genesis Group, a business giant that controls the industry not only Metronine, but even half of the world.He knew that this time, the Genesis Group was his only hope after failing to make a deal with the Cosmos Group because Jeremiah Kane didn't like Lindsay's actions towards his sick mother and broke off the business talks which were even at the introduction stage.However, one thing that made Thomas a little worried was, he had never before faced the new president of the Genesis Group, who had been in power for several years and made the Genesis name stronger and fluttering with his bold and innovative steps.The young president rarely appeared and was mostly behind the scenes, moving his trusted people to play on the field. Hearing that the president himself would meet him and negotiate with him today, made Thomas a little nervous."Don't worry," said Melisa when they were about to leave the house to the hotel where the meeting was held. "He's
"Josephine, are you done?" asked Irene, when she saw Josephine undoing her bun in the women's locker room.Josephine combed her hair with her hands while turning to Irene who looked tired. "Yeah, Irene. You got the night shift again?"Irene sat on a chair by the window, massaging her neck. "Yes. I have to change my schedule, which I had shifted to Inez and Danny last month, when I was allowed to accompany my mother who was going to have surgery."It's nearly four o'clock in the afternoon and Josephine has done well in her day's work. She has managed her schedule well so that in the next few months she will not have too many night shifts.While Nicholas was away in Italy, Josephine often took on night shifts to deal with loneliness. She couldn't stand sleeping in Nicholas' bed, in Nicholas' room, without Nicholas.After Nicholas returned and Josephine found out that he was the father of the triplets, Josephine decided to manage time so she could have more time for Nicholas and the trip
Josephine and Flower leave with Lucas for the Duck King restaurant, which was chosen by Melisa. Throughout the trip Josephine and Flower didn't speak to Lucas and thought of him like a driver because they were both sitting in the back.Lucas tried to strike up a conversation, but Josephine and Flower completely ignored him and were engrossed in talking to each other. Lucas finally fell silent."Mommy, are they going to hurt uncle Nicholas?" asked Flower worriedly, in a low voice and whispering in Josephine's ear so Lucas couldn't hear her."Of course not, honey," Josephine replied in a whisper. "Uncle Nicholas is such a great and powerful person, there's no way they could hurt or beat him. I guess instead, they need my help to do something about Uncle Nicholas.""Don't we need to tell Uncle Nicholas about this first?""No need honey. Uncle Nicholas is busy and he isn't well either. I can take care of this myself, so let's not disturb Uncle Nicholas for now."Josephine held Flower's ha
Josephine's cold demeanor and sharp gaze made the atmosphere tense."What do you mean, why?" asked Thomas confused."Is it so difficult to answer that simple question? Why? Just explain all the whys you feel you need to explain to me," Josephine answered calmly.Melisa lost her temper seeing Josephine's cold reaction. She exploded like a sack of flour and became half hysterical."Josephine, you are too much!" Melissa snapped harshly. "You are so rude, unscrupulous, and arrogant! Why do you have absolutely no sympathy for your father who is in trouble?"Lindsay took Melissa's hand, asking her to calm down, but Melisa pushed her hand away. "Shut up Lindsay, I can't take it anymore. She's underestimating us too much.""But, mom--"Flower was surprised to hear her loud voice and saw her terrifying face. She grabbed Josephine's skirt and held it tightly. Josephine calmly stroked Flower's head with a smile."Its okay, honey, don't be scare. I can handle this," said Josephine gently. She loo
"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."
"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