Kisa's heart sank. She squatted in front of Blake hurriedly and asked, "Blake, what's wrong?"Blake pursed his lips and showed a note to Kisa. "Ma'am, dad and mom are gone."'Gone?'Kisa frowned fiercely and looked at the note hastily.[Kisa, I'm sorry. Please help me to take care of Blake again. I have to go back to Raworth to deal with something. See you next year - Jensen.]'It's strange. Is there something happening in Raworth during Christmas?'Kisa led Blake into the house without thinking much of it. "Don't be sad. I'll stay with you to celebrate Christmas this year."Blake sniffled and sat on the couch, bravely withholding his tears. Kisa took out her phone and sent Jensen a message after settling him down.[ Leave taking care of Blake to me while you focus on resolving your affairs. Merry Christmas, Jensen.]Mia snickered and looked at the line of words lit up on the screen of Jensen's phone in the darkened room. "It seems she really trusts you. She would believe what
It was a video call request sent by Andrew.Kisa answered quickly and handed the phone to Blake."Blake!" It was Ada's sweet and soft voice which was pleasant to hear.Kisa dragged a chair, sat beside Blake, and looked at the cute face in the video. "Ada, have you taken your Christmas Eve dinner?""Yeah, I've eaten. The servants are on vacation today. So, Daddy cooked us delicious food.""Ma'am!" Andrew came over too. "Have you two eaten?""We're eating now." Kisa took another dish for Blake and asked him to eat.Blake's mood lightened after the video call with Andrew started. He was finally willing to enjoy the meal, swallowing the food and asking Andrew, "When are you coming over?"Andrew thought for a while, then shook his head. "Great-grandma hasn't slept yet. So, we don't know when we will be able to go there.""Where's daddy?"Kisa was eating. Suddenly, she was startled when she heard Blake's question. Then, she thought it might be the easier way for kids to communicate
"Listen to me. Don't be with her. Never be with her."Gilbert put his hand on the doorknob. He turned his head to look at Madalyn and then walked out quietly.He pressed against the cold door and remained silent for a long time after closing the door. He felt bitter, unable to understand why Madalyn rejected his relationship with Kisa.'Grandma was the one who supported us most for being together at the beginning. What happened? What is the truth that she kept saying?'Gilbert turned around and leaned against the door in annoyance.Madalyn's rambling haunted his ears.'I don't want to make grandma sad, but I couldn't lose Kisa either.'Blake kept staring at the clock on the wall. Finally, he could not wait any longer when the hour hand pointed to ten o'clock. He said to Kisa, "Ma'am, why don't we go to them?"Kisa resigned.'Kids act based on impulse.'They needed to go to Kooper's residence if they wanted to find Gilbert, yet Madalyn would kick them out if they were found ou
"Pig-brained! Pig-brained!"'Pig-brained?'Gilbert's expression immediately darkened as he narrowed his eyes, his gaze instantly cast at the direction of the voice.He then saw a woman trying to stuff a rag into a parrot's mouth. The parrot screamed and shouted happily as it dodged about.Gilbert snorted, "And here I was wondering why were you so kind as to invite me to pass Christmas Eve with me. It turned out you taught that thing to curse me, huh?""No, I didn't teach it that!" Kisa tried to explain. Oh, how she wished she had turned that parrot into a roasted fowl.Gilbert clearly did not buy that and said mockingly, "Bah, you dared to teach it how to curse at someone, but you dare not admit the deed."Kisa was speechless.She gave up trying to explain. The parrot was right. Gilbert was pig-brained.The three kids had already started playing the moment they stepped into the house.When Gilbert got into the house, he realized that the place was a little deserted.He looke
Gilbert was speechless."Hurry up. I want to make the ravioli wrappers," Seeing that Gilbert just standing there, Kisa could not help but to urge him again.The children could not wait to make ravioli already.Kisa then got them to test it with the store-bought ravioli wrappers instead.Sure enough, aside from Blake's pretty decent work, both Andrew and Ada had no idea how to make one.Soon, Gilbert was done kneading the dough.He hid one hand behind him as he handed the bowl to her with another.Looking at the glistening dough, she could not help but praise him. "Not bad, but..." She looked at the white soup bowl with the dough and asked, "Why did you change the bowl?""Dough doesn't stick to porcelain, so it's good for kneading."Gilbert said with a straight face.Kisa did not doubt him and continued to ask, "What are you hiding behind you?""Nothing."Gilbert turned around and walked to the living room.In the end, Kisa did not manage to catch sight of what he was hidin
Just as he was engrossed in staring at her neckline, Kisa's angry voice rang out.He quickly snapped back to reality and looked away with a straight face.Kisa was both embarrassed and angry. She did not realize that this man was still a pervert.The three children made quite a number of ravioli using the store-bought wrappers, but they were so strange looking that no one could recognize that they were ravioli without being told.Kisa then brought the rolling pin and a rolling board over.She put the store-bought wrappers aside and said to the children, "I'll be making the wrappers now, so all of you will be using the wrappers I made to make the ravioli, okay?"The three kids nodded at the same time.As Kisa said that, she took a coin from a small bowl and placed them together with the original filling.Gilbert said in disdain, "Those coins are so filthy. Can you even eat it?""I've already washed them." Kisa rolled her eyes at him. She then mixed the coins into the filling an
She muttered in a low voice, yet Gilbert still heard everything clearly.The man smiled, his eyebrow raised as he grabbed another sheet.He took another spoonful of filling and put them onto the wrapper. A few deft finger movements later, a filled, very nice-looking tortelloni appeared before everyone.Kisa was totally stunned. "You learned how to make that before?""Do you even need to learn this? Just stuff that you can pick up with a glance. The man said so proudly and gleefully.Kisa snorted, "Well, well, aren't you capable.""Daddy, teach me how to make a bunny.""I want to make a tortoise."Blake hesitated for a few seconds before chiming in, "Uncle Gilbert, teach me how to make a cat, please."The three children immediately surrounded Gilbert.Gilbert frowned and was speechless. "A bunny? Tortoise? A... cat?"Seeing the man's confused look, Kisa could not help but add salt to the wound, "Didn't you just claim to be omnipotent? Aren't those things you'll know with just
The two jailers were in a remote mountain village and refused ever to step foot in Calthon ever again.So, Gilbert decided to bring Kisa there in person.Four days into Christmas, he told Kisa the situation, and she agreed to go with him on the condition they needed to be back before the middle of January.It's because the filming for Adrien's show will start after the fifteenth.Aside from the filming, she was also a little worried about Blake.Kisa had prepared some clothes and daily necessities for Blake, but she looked at Gilbert and asked worriedly, "Is it alright to send him to the Kooper residence? I'm afraid your Grandma will...""Grandma will not mistreat him. He's good friends with Andrew and Ada. Grandma will like him.""But Grandma hates me, and if she knows Blake was entrusted to her care by me, she'll...""She won't. Grandma has always loved kids and will not vent her grievances onto a child."Since Gilbert was very confident about this, Kisa did not say anything
In a small town in the South, a gentle breeze caressed the cheeks of passersby, creating a pleasant and serene atmosphere. This town, known for its tourism, was adorned with flowers even in its narrow alleys. The surrounding houses were all quaint inns, exuding a poetic and picturesque charm.Beneath an arching bridge, Kisa set up an easel to display and sell her paintings. She had always loved painting since childhood. Although she had not achieved great success in this field, her vivid and evocative paintings were very popular with tourists. She would sell most of her paintings every day.On weekends, Blake would join her at the stall, but today was Wednesday, and she was alone. After arranging her paintings, she had barely sat down when people began to gather around. Some admired her art, while others immediately offered to buy. Her paintings were reasonably priced, which attracted many customers."Miss, I'd like that painting of the snow-covered rose garden at night.""Alright,
In the backyard, Kohen looked at his older brother's calm expression, a hint of worry in his voice. "Bro, are you alright?""I'm fine," Hayes said, adjusting the blanket on his lap. "Tomorrow, take me to meet those medical geniuses you found.""Oh, sure..." Kohen nodded in agreement, but after a moment, he could not help but ask, "Bro, what did that woman say to you that made you change your mind so suddenly?"Hayes gazed at the stars in the sky, his voice cool and distant. "She told me she's doing well, very happy. Then she pointed out how pitiful and miserable I am right now. She asked me if I don't feel envious, knowing how well she is doing compared to me."Kohen grimaced, realizing that the woman had provoked his brother into action.Hayes lowered his eyes, a faint smile on his face. "That's right. How could I not be envious? So, I want to heal my legs, live a good life, and show her that I can do better than her."Kohen felt a pang of sympathy for his brother. From Hayes's
Mentioning Hayes, Eylul's expression became complex. "Hayes is reclusive and doesn't like to see people. Only a single old servant has been taking care of him all these years. I only met him once, back when I married Kohen."Mia's heart ached, recalling the enigmatic yet deeply emotional man. She could not help but feel a lump in her throat. "How's his health?" Mia asked.Eylul replied, "His health is fine, but his legs have remained the same. Kohen has found top orthopedic experts for him and even sought out Kelvin Hoover from Calthon, but he refuses treatment. For so many years, he hasn't even stepped outside the backyard.""You mean he's been living in the backyard all this time?" Jensen asked gravely.Eylul nodded. "Yes, Kohen wanted him to live in the main house, but he refused. He only likes staying in the backyard. Moreover, the room he stays in used to be..." Eylul glanced at Mia. She had heard that Mia used to live in that room.With a complicated expression, Mia pursed h
"Let's forget everything that just happened,' Mia said.Jensen looked up at her. In the moonlight, his eyes were deep and complex, profound and unfathomable.Mia tried to muster a smile. "You don't have to feel burdened. In a way, I forced you. And you must have always disliked me. Actually, I didn't come to you for money; I just wanted to see you. Now that I have, I should go. Jensen, from now on... take care."With that, she walked away, fearing that if she lingered any longer, she would not be able to leave. But after only a few steps, she was embraced from behind.Jensen's voice was low and hoarse. "Stay with me."Mia trembled at his words. Jensen continued. "But I still have so many things to do and someone in my heart I can't let go of. I don't know... when I will be able to give you a satisfactory answer. If you don't want to stay with me without any promises or guarantees, you can—""I'm willing," Mia blurted out, "as long as I can be with you, I don't care about anything
Mia's face changed instantly. " You... you know I like Jensen, why would you...""Heh, if you like Jensen, shouldn't you be willing to do anything for him? If you can't even do this, how can you claim to love him?""I won't do it! Doing this would be betraying Jensen. I would risk my life for him, but I can't do this."Adrien stared at her flushed face and gently chuckled, his words loaded with meaning. "Aren't you feeling all hot and bothered yet?"Mia frowned. Her body was indeed getting hotter and more agitated. 'Why would Adrien ask this? Could it be the drink...?'As the thought crossed her mind, her heart sank. Seeing Adrien's cold expression and the man's playful smile, Mia turned and ran. But before she could take more than a few steps, she was dragged back. Weakened by the drink, her desperate struggles were futile. As the man pressed her down, playing with her like a toy, she closed her eyes in despair. She thought she could never face Jensen again. With a bitter laugh,
Adrien Tanner, Jensen's father, stood before Mia with a warm smile. "My son is truly awkward when it comes to matters of the heart. He's even willing to refuse such a beautiful young woman like you."Mia stared at him, her tears suddenly streaming down her face. "I only wanted to see him, even if it was to face rejection. Wouldn't it better to say it clearly to my face?""Yes, it would." Adrien agreed. "But standing here stubbornly won't help, because he left on a business trip a couple of days ago."Mia's heart ached even more, realizing that Jensen had avoided using the front door just to evade her.Adrien continued. "I have a way to make him come to you willingly, but it depends on whether you're willing to cooperate."Mia nodded. "What do I have to do?"Adrien motioned to his bodyguard, who handed him a glass of wine. "Drink this," he said.Mia furrowed her brow, hesitant.Adrien gently patted her shoulder, like a father would."Don't be afraid. I won't harm you. From the
Filled with guilt, Mia stepped forward, but Kohen suddenly pulled out a handgun and aimed it at her."Get out!"Jensen pulled Mia back. He looked at the cold man before him. It was this man who had taken him in years ago. At that time, Kohen was young, a carefree and privileged young man. Now, he seemed to have grown up all at once, his eyes colder and more distant.Jensen said with a troubled expression, "If you ever need me in the future, don't hesitate to find me."Kohen sneered coldly; pain etched in his brow. He mocked himself. "I never should have taken you in back then. In the end, it was I who harmed my own brother."Jensen pursed his lips, not knowing what to say, only feeling an unbearable pain in his heart. It was the first time he felt he owed someone. That sense of indebtedness suffocated him."Get out, and don't let me see you two ever again."On that night, Jensen and Mia left the McCray family. As a result of Hayes's ordeal, the McCray family underwent tremendous
"What on earth happened?"Jensen did not speak. Mia choked out. "The collaboration between the Burton family and the McCray family was a trap. We were ambushed by the Burton family, and Hayes... he was hit by a car trying to save us.""Damn it!" Kohen cursed under his breath, abruptly pulling a knife from a nearby bodyguard and pointing it at them. "What are your lives worth? Why would my brother save you? Why?"Mia bit her lip, tears streaming down her face. 'It's my fault. I wanted to save Jensen, but I should have gone alone. I shouldn't have dragged Hayes into this. He seemed cold-blooded and heartless, and I never thought that he would risk his life for me. Why was he so good to me?'"Kohen..."Suddenly, a weak cry rang out. Hayes had awakened.Kohen hurriedly moved closer, gripping Hayes's hand. "Bro!"Hayes's face was deathly pale. He did not look at Kohen, but instead turned his gaze to Mia. His eyes were calm. He saw Mia's red-rimmed eyes and the tears lingering there,
Hayes was sent flying by the car, his body crashing into a wall before bouncing back.Mia's entire body felt ice-cold as she trembled, yelling, "Hayes!""Kill them all!" A hoarse, aged voice suddenly rang out from the entrance. It was Curtis. He looked at Kendall's lifeless body on the ground, his eyes filled with rage, shouting, "Run them over! I want them to join my grandson in death!""Ah!" Jensen roared, disregarding the guards' swinging knives, and like a madman, charged at Curtis. Curtis's face changed, desperately pulling a nearby guard in front of him as a shield. But it was useless. Jensen, like a crazed beast, attacked anyone in his path. Soon, his knife was held against Curtis's throat.Curtis trembled all over. "Wh-What do you want?"Jensen, covered in blood with splatters on his face, looked like a demon that had emerged from a battleground. He grabbed Curtis and held him hostage in front of him. "Let us go!""Don't even think about it!" Curtis retorted angrily. "You