"Yeah, are you having an off day today?" Nicole walked over and greeted Sean and Steve happily as well."Yeah, we came back to see mom and dad.""Aren't you supposed to be in Lanningbourg? Why did you come back?" Sean asked Nicole, confused."I hate to be that guy, but I think we should stop chatting here at the entrance. Let's get in. Mom and Dad would be ecstatic to see Nicole." Steve smiled at them as he pushed them into the house."Okay, we can walk in on our own accord." Sean shook his head in defeat.In the living room, Daniel and Gloria were watching the news on the couch while Spencer and Samuel were playing games on their phone."You two should lay off the phone for a bit. The screen really isn't good for your eyes." Gloria reprimanded, having taken note of the time they had spent playing games while she watched the TV."We're fine. We just started," Samuel responded."Are you sure?" Sean asked.The moment Samuel and Spencer heard Sean's voice, they responded without
"We've been keeping well. Was it tough working abroad? You don't look so good."Gloria was really observant, as she noticed that Nicole did not look like she had been sleeping well."Haven't you been sleeping well?" Daniel heard Gloria and had also noticed that Nicole did not look like she was in good shape."Ah... I do get enough sleep over there, but I came back in a rush yesterday. I'm probably just experiencing jet lag, so I'm fine." Nicole explained while feeling guilty.'It's all Jared's fault,' she thought. 'I won't be this tired if it wasn't because of him.'"Did you rush back here because Martin's factory had caught fire?" Daniel guessed.Judging by how hasty her return was, Daniel figured that it had something to do with Martin."Yeah, I was informed that his factory was on fire, so I took the earliest flight home." Nicole said without anything.She did not feel the need to hide anything from them as they were different from Mrs. Wallace Sr."It was a pretty big fire
"All you do is play video games. Nicole has been talking to us since she got back. You should learn a thing or two from her and engage in more productive activities. Look at her. She's already living independently abroad, and yet, here you are, still playing video games at home," Gloria lectured them, and would have forgotten about them if they had not interrupted Nicole and Sean."Mom, you said it yourself. Nicole doesn't come back very often, so you should stop nagging us. We're adults now, and we have our pride, okay?" Samuel stared at Gloria as he expressed his thoughts."You're always looking for excuses...""Don't lecture them anymore, mom. Just let them chill for a day. You can continue the nagging when I'm not around tomorrow." Nicole aided Samuel by persuading to let them off the hook."Since Nicole is here, I'm just going to leave it," Gloria said."How long will you be staying, Nicole?" Gloria hoped that Nicole could stay for a few days, so that their entire family woul
"You must've visited Mrs. Wallace Sr., right?""Yeah, I came over from her place," Nicole said."Nicole, you've been engaged to Jared for some time now. What's the plan?" Daniel studied Nicole with his eyes.Sean and Steve chortled as they immediately knew what Daniel was trying to say.Nicole was watching Samuel playing his game when she heard Daniel's question, and so, she lifted her head and asked, "Huh? What plan?"Daniel saw that Nicole did not understand him, so he pushed it aside. "Nothing. Go ahead and play your games. I'll see if there's any good food in the kitchen."Sean came to sit next to Nicole after Daniel had left. "Nicole, did you not understand dad or are you just pretending that you didn't?"Confused, Nicole looked at her with a frown. "What are you saying? I wasn't pretending at all."Sean looked at Steven when he saw that Nicole really did not understand what their father had meant, but they did not burst her bubble. "Seems like you didn't.""Why are you t
"Hmm, it's pretty good." Gloria said after taking a bite, and when she looked at everyone at the table, all of them burst out laughing at once."Nicole, how long have you been engaged?" Gloria asked."A few months, I believe?" Nicole answered as she ate."Oh, doesn't Jared have a plan?" Gloria continued ask her."Plan? What do you mean?" Nicole stopped eating and looked at Gloria.Gloria rolled her eyes at Nicole. "You silly girl, why are you so dense when it comes to matters like these? What I'm trying to ask is, when are you planning to get married?"Everyone at the table fell silent when Gloria shot her that question, and they turned their attention to Nicole at once.Nicole's face flushed. 'Weren't we eating? Why are they asking me about marriage now?'"Mom, why are you asking me this all of a sudden?" Nicole felt embarrassed and stopped eating. 'How could she talk about this in front of everyone?'"Don't overthink it. I'm just worried about you. I can see that you're doin
"What are you laughing at?" Gloria and Daniel looked at Nicole, shocked."Nothing, I'm laughing at them playing their games," Nicole casually said."Mom and Dad, I've stayed for some time already, so I'll be leaving now. If it gets any later than this, I'm worried that I'd just be bothering Jared's grandpa when I visit," Nicole explained as she looked at her parents."Sure, hurry up, then. Are you coming back to stay for the night?" Daniel looked at Nicole in anticipation."No, I'll have to meet Jared at night, so it's going to be very late if I do come back here. I'll just be disrupting your sleep," Nicole explained."Yeah, going back and forth can be really tiring. Please remember to take care of yourself when you're abroad and get the rest you need," Daniel reminded her as he was worried."Don't worry, I'll be fine. If you miss me, just drop me a video call," she said.Nicole did not wish to leave them either, but there were matters that required her attention, so leaving was
"Am I that petty of a person to you? Why would I be angry with you?" Mr. Johnston Sr. smiled at Nicole, and was seemingly more energetic after seeing her."He won't be angry with you, but he'd just ask me 'where is Nicole' whenever he sees that I'm visiting him alone. He just misses you," Jared voiced Mr. Johnston Sr.'s thoughts out."Why are you even saying that?" Mr. Johnston Sr. looked at Jared, embarrassed."Yeah, grandpa is the most generous man alive." Nicole smiled at Mr. Johnston Sr.Mr. Johnston Sr. was amused by Nicole's remark."Nicole, after you came, I realized that grandpa's mood got a lot better than before. He even looks much more energetic now," Jared said, amazed."Is that so? I didn't know I had the power to lift people's spirits up." Nicole teased, making fun of herself to make Mr. Johnston Sr. laugh."How do you feel now? What did the doctor say?" Nicole returned to the main point of discussion and asked in the most caring way possible."Grandpa has recover
"Do you remember when Martin was forced to pay the Anderson family a visit abroad?" Mr. Johnston Sr. shifted his gaze to Jared and Nicole."The Anderson family? Are you talking about Luke's family?" Nicole narrowed her brows and asked."You're right. I heard that Luke's daughter has been linked up with some influential family abroad and they're coming back for some prayers. However, I have no idea if that's true.""Prayers?" Nicole asked, shocked as she looked at Mr. Johnston Sr."Yeah.""Why don't I know a single thing about it?" Nicole looked at Jared in puzzlement.Jared shook his head as he had no idea too."Most of the people here had forgotten about the Anderson family. Besides, only a few of them would be coming back this time, and they're keeping it on the down low. This is why not many people know about this." Mr. Johnston Sr. explained."Grandpa, why didn't you tell me about this previously at all?" Jared assumed a strange expression as he asked Mr. Johnston Sr. the q
"Let's go, it's time to head down. The ceremony will start soon."The group laughed and talked as they left the bridal suite. Jared and his friends, Spencer and Preston, were also guided out by everyone.Now, only the family of four remained in the bridal suite, getting ready for their big entrance."Mommy, it's almost time. Let's get ready," Nolan said, pulling on Nicole's hand.Nicole gently patted Nolan and Lana's cheeks, whispering, "Okay."As she made to stand, Jared extended his hand toward her. Lifting her gaze, she caught Jared in a moment of elegance, his charm unmistakable. A smile bloomed on her face as she placed her hand in his.With a gentle tug, Jared drew her up, his touch tender against her palm.In a swift move, he pulled Nicole into his arms, his other hand circling her waist to pull her close.As Jared looked at Nicole, admiration shimmered in his eyes. "You look truly beautiful today," he remarked."Daddy, Mommy is beautiful every day," Lana chimed in, til
Nicole laughed off the debate between Lulu and June, saying, "Both are lovely. I'm happy with either."Both sets of jewelry were beautiful, and she felt that either would do."Exactly. Nicole will shine in anything," Cindy said, picking a set. "Let's go with this one."Lulu gave June a victorious look. "Told you this was the one."Cindy then suggested, "Why not wear this for the ceremony and switch for the reception? That way, we use both.""Great idea," June agreed, smiling at Cindy's suggestion.Nicole smiled. "Sounds perfect."With everyone agreeing, the stylist went ahead with preparing Nicole.Lulu watched Nicole, amazed by how calm she seemed. "Aren't you a bit nervous?" she asked. Lulu remembered her own wedding jitters.Nicole bit her lip, a hint of nerves showing. "I'm more excited than anything," she admitted.She had been looking forward to this day, ready to face the future with Jared with hope and joy."Just finished," the stylist announced, stepping back to adm
"Do you think I don't want to meet someone? I just haven't found the right person," Gary said somewhat resignedly. He had long regarded Nicole as just a friend."Why don't we just try the dates our families set up?" Ryder suggested, calm and collected. He figured since finding someone on his own wasn't working, maybe arranged dates could help. In their circles, it seemed like good matches were meant to be."Arranged dates don't sound great. You hardly know the person. Are we really okay with deciding to spend our lives together like that?" Preston wasn't too keen on the idea."Emery's doing pretty well with it, you know," Ryder said confidently. "I trust our families. They wouldn't set us up with someone terrible. They've probably made sure we'd be a good match."Gary thought it over. "You might be right. Our families aren't just trying to make deals; they want us to be happy."As Gary and Ryder seemed more into the idea, Preston was still unsure. "You guys are serious?""Why not
Jared held Nicole close and looked at her. "After we get married, we'll move to the estate," he said.Their future home would be just theirs.He thought it was good for Nicole to spend more time with her family since she hadn't been with them for five years. But they knew they would move to the estate later."Okay," Nicole said, nodding. She was happy Jared made the estate close to her family, so she was okay with moving.Jared gently touched her hair and kissed her...****Time flew, and soon it was Nicole and Jared's wedding day.From the morning, San Joto was alive with excitement. Everyone was talking about Jared and Nicole's wedding.Politicians, business leaders, close friends, and business partners all came to wish the couple well.The Riddles were busy welcoming the guests, making everything look amazing."Patricia, hurry up, Charlie's here," Ellar called out as he spotted Charlie. He quickly got Patricia to come and greet him. Max, hearing the fuss, came over too.C
"You really need to rest. You shouldn't work for the next few days. Stay home and rest. A bride has to look her best," Gloria said, looking at Nicole and making the decision for her."Bride!" Nicole was surprised because she hadn't talked about any wedding yet."Yes, now that everything is settled, it's time for your wedding with Jared," Gloria said, deciding firmly. She used to think it was best for the kids to decide for themselves, but after several delays, she felt waiting longer made no sense. The wedding should happen soon."I was thinking that too," Jared said. They had planned the wedding after solving the Everett problem, but then they found out Lawrence had hurt Nicole in the past, causing more delays. Now, with everything sorted out, they saw no reason to wait. The wedding was the next big step.Nicole looked at Jared and, with a smile, agreed, "Okay." Their wedding had been waiting for five years; it was time, with no need to wait any longer."That's so cool, I'm the f
Patricia felt a mix of reluctance and happiness as she prepared to part ways with Charlie.Jared glanced at Charlie and said, "It's about time for us to board." He tenderly held Nicole's hand and led her toward the boarding gate."I need to go through the boarding procedures too," Patricia said, biting her lip. "You must find happiness as well.""I will," Charlie assured her with a gentle smile, giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "You've grown up, too. You don't need to cling to me anymore. I believe Ellar will take great care of you."Patricia nodded, then, leaning closer to Charlie, she whispered, 'When Mr. Johnston and Ms. Riddle get married, make sure you bring my future sister-in-law back with you.' Caught off guard, Charlie playfully scolded her, "You little rascal."Doretta, standing not too far away, overheard Patricia's whispered words. Her cheeks turned even redder."Let's go," Patricia announced, then turned to Doretta, adding, "We'll meet again.""Goodbye,
Lying in bed with Nicole cradled in his arms, Jared whispered gently, "Sleep for a bit.""Mhm." Finally feeling at peace, Nicole smiled slightly, and she quickly fell asleep.As Jared listened to her soft breathing, his eyes softened with affection, and he too closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.The next morning, as the group got ready to head back to San Joto, Zane and Doretta came to say goodbye."I still have things to finish here, but I promise to be at your wedding," Zane said with a big smile."And I'll be there to wish you well, Nicole," Doretta added.Saying goodbye is always hard, but everyone knew they had their own journeys to continue."Great, we'll see you in San Joto," Nicole said with a bright smile."It's time to go," Zane said, knowing they couldn't wait any longer without risking missing their plane."I've got the paperwork," Patricia said, ready to help with the travel documents for Jared and Nicole. Then, looking at Charlie, she asked, "Need help with
Nicole was quiet, thinking about everything. 'If I hadn't remembered everything, maybe Lawrence and I could have stayed friends. But after finding out about the airport, it's impossible...'Not only had she regained her memory, but she had also learned about the airport incident. Lawrence had gone to great lengths to prevent her from returning to San Joto."Thanks for saving me before, but you also hurt me. We're even now," Nicole said calmly, looking at Lawrence like he was someone she didn't know anymore.Jared squeezed Nicole's hand gently. "Let's go."They decided to leave the rest to Zane and head back."Wait." Lawrence's voice stopped Nicole. He sounded almost like he was begging. "Please, don't tell Nolan about this."Nicole paused, then said, "I won't tell him. Not for you, but because I don't want Nolan to see how bad people can be."With that, Nicole walked away with Jared.Lawrence sat down, watching her leave, with mixed feelings."Let's go too," Patricia said to C
"Your robots don't work anymore," a voice said, sounding very pleased. Then, a person came out from behind the crowd, looking pretty proud of himself."Carl!" Nicole was shocked to see him. 'It's Carl!'"It's been a while." Carl smiled and waved at Nicole.Carl had come as soon as Zane told him about the problem. He couldn't just do nothing when Nicole needed help.He didn't expect them to act so soon, which is why he was a little late. But he was still in time to help. Carl was surprised by Lawrence's robots at first, but luckily, the weapons he brought, which he had been working on for years, stopped the robots. This was a big help to everyone."We really need to thank Carl; we would have been in big trouble without him," Zane said, feeling relieved.Zane had asked Carl for help, hoping it would make them more likely to win, but Carl ended up being very important."Thank you," Nicole said with a warm smile. It was nice to see an old friend again."No need to thank me. I'm jus