'Is this the little princess Nicole gave birth to? She's so adorable,' Jared thought. He stepped forward and got closer to them.Sensing a stranger approaching, Lana looked over at Jared. Just one look and her big eyes lit up. "Who's this handsome uncle?"Hearing Lana call him handsome, Jared could not contain his joy and his mouth curved into a smile. "I'm your..."Just as Jared was about to say he was her father, Nicole suddenly interrupted him. "You should not call him a handsome uncle. You're talking nonsense again. Call him Uncle Jared."Everyone at the table exchanged looks upon hearing Nicole ask her daughter to call Jared 'uncle'. But no one said anything about it.Jared's expression turned ugly, thinking, 'I'm the father of the child. How could she call me uncle?'At the side, Nolan said pleasantly, "That's right. He's Uncle Jared."Jared had a disapproving look on his face.Lana, on the other hand, flashed a brilliant smile. "Hi! Handsome Uncle Jared!"Indeed, daught
At this time, Lawrence acted unfamiliar to Jared. He walked over and stretched out his hand. "Mr. Johnston, it's been a while."Jared's face hardened. He did not extend his hand.Nicole was surprised when she noticed the tension. "You guys know each other?"'For the past five years, Leo had been taking care of me, but did they know each other?'Jared's expression was stone cold. He smiled cruelly. "We're not just acquainted. He once helped me transport some things back to San Joto before... and now that my wife had gone missing, it was him who found her back for me."'Jared's wife?' Nicole looked at Lawrence suspiciously, thinking that he would be taken aback but Lawrence looked calm."I'm afraid that there's been some misunderstanding between us two. Why don't we have a talk about it?"Everyone in the room was stunned to see Lawrence and hearing what Jared had said, everyone left their food untouched. The butler cleared up the table and everyone moved to the living room and sat
Lawrence noticed Jared's pained expression, and continued speaking. "But don't you think that amnesia is a good thing? At least it is for Nicole. She can forget how incompetent you were in protecting her, and all the terrible things from before. Now, she can live her life peacefully with her kid leading a normal life. I don't think that there was a need to tell you all this as I worry that you would find someone who looks like her to be her substitute. I don't want to ruin this for her." Lawrence was sincere in his words.Nicole looked in his eyes and her heart felt inexplicably conflicted. 'Lawrence was a guy that helped me through thick and thin for the past five years. I have no right to not believe his words, but to have me separated from my family for five years... this is....'"Shut up. It's between Nicole and I. You have no right to interfere with this!" Jared's eyes instantly turned cold. Jared knew that although he failed to protect Nicole before, he knew that she was a stro
'Bullshit, respect!'"Don't use this nonsense to corner me. She's someone I love. How can I let her go so easily?"'Nicole, I won't ever let go, not ever.'Lawrence was overjoyed to see Jared's emotions coming to the surface. He could not help but smile wider. "It's your choice to make. I won't mind it anyway, but you should know that the prettiest looking fruits won't end up being the sweetest."Jared's face darkened. The entire Riddle family were looking at the two of them. Daniel looked at Lawrence with discontent. Everyone in the room was aware that Lawrence wanted to separate Jared and Nicole, not wanting them to have any chance of reconciliation.With a cold face, Daniel spoke up. "Everyone in this family agreed with this marriage. Coming as an outsider, you have no right to talk about this. I'd like to know from this gentleman here, what right did you have to keep my daughter hostage abroad for so many years, and five years at that? Letting her be unable to be reunited with
For the past five years, Jared had been hating himself for not protecting Nicole well enough, and to the extent of blaming himself for letting the jet crash. It was one of his deepest regrets that left him living in pain every day. Jared had a clear conscience when it came to everyone else he had to deal with. However, when it came to Nicole, the guilt ate him up entirely knowing that he owed her a lot.Jared did not speak for a while, his eyes were filled with sadness. Nicole could not bear to look at him.On the other hand, Lawrence continued to attack Jared with his words that were sharp as knives. "I gave her the power to decide for herself when she woke up. I asked her if she wanted to come back here, but because of her son, she had to survive. She hadn't come back here for the past five years and for all these years, I was the one protecting her, not letting her get hurt even slightly."The last sentence Lawrence uttered out seemed to be him showing off of how well of a job he
Gloria and Daniel relaxed when they saw Nolan was taking the initiative to take Lawrence around for a house tour.Lawrence took a glance at Nicole before he left. "You don't mind if I accompany him for a while, do you?"Noticing Lawrence's modest and polite manner; Nicole nodded in agreement.For the past five years, Lawrence would ensure that he asked her for her permission and would never force things on her that would make her uncomfortable."Go ahead. Nolan has been missing you these past few days." Nicole smiled at Lawrence, as if the two of them had an unspoken understanding.Onlookers would misjudge them as husband and wife. Jared, who was looking at this scene, felt even worse and directly blocked Lawrence from his sight. Jared grabbed Nicole by her arm and said, "Let's go back to our room."Jared emphasized on going back to their room on purpose, ensuring that Lawrence had heard him loud and clear, before leaving with Nicole."Oh yeah... Leo, feel free to do what you li
"Of course." Jared nodded his head, eyes full of confidence.Lana smiled brightly. "Then, birth father, do you have money?"This sudden question stunned Nicole. 'Nolan and Lana are twins. They're both smart.'Jared raised his eyebrows and said nonchalantly, "Yes.""Then... birth father, do you have a big house?" Lana asked innocently, staring at Jared with her big eyes.Jared grinned confidently and replied, "Of course!"Jared carried Lana over to the balcony, before pointing to the manor next door. "That's the house I bought for your mother.""Wow!" Lana had her mouth agape, trying to maintain her composure. "Then... do you know kung fu?"Jared nodded. "Of course. Your father is an all-rounder in civil and military affairs."Lana smiled. "That's amazing!!! All the kids at kindergarten will be jealous that I have such an amazing father!"When Jared heard Lana's explanation, he could not help but laugh. 'How can a kid this young know how to show off? Kids these days are really
Nicole reached out and patted the back of his hand. "It's all in the past."Nicole did not care if anyone around her was concerned about the matter."It's not." Jared slowly let go of her, pulling her wrists away and checking her wrists to see the scar on the tendon of her arm."Before this, you were able to do anything. Even I couldn't lay a finger on you, but now... you're much weaker in strength..." Jared looked at Nicole with a troubled look, before reaching out and tucking her hair behind her ear. Jared's action was so natural which caused Nicole to blush, but she did not shy away from it.Nicole felt relief in her heart, knowing that she did not jerk away from his touch."It's okay. It doesn't matter anymore. I'm at the age where I don't have to bother using any strength. Plus, now that I'm home, I doubt there'd be anyone who'd dare bully me."Jared had a dead set expression. "Whoever dares to hurt you again, I'll let them suffer the consequences."The serious look on Jare