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107 Candlelight Dinner
Huling Na-update:
2025-03-09 09:54:55
Kaugnay na kabanata
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 108 Rejecting Layson
The night had settled over the city, but the sky wasn’t pitch black. Instead, it was a deep, luminous blue, blending seamlessly with the city’s lights. In the summer, stars should have been visible, but in a place like this, people’s eyes were drawn to neon signs rather than the night sky.From the very start, Adela felt uneasy. The extravagant dinner, the private venue—everything about tonight made her uncomfortable. And when Layson openly admitted that he had arranged all of this just for her, she knew she had to say something.“Layson… Thank you for everything you’ve done for me,” she said, her voice steady but soft. “But I can’t accept more than this.”She kept her eyes down, avoiding his gaze. She didn’t want to see his reaction because she knew rejecting him wouldn’t be easy. There was a brief silence before she heard him take a deep sip of his wine, the sound of the glass meeting his lips oddly sharp in the quiet space.“And then?” His voice was low, slightly hoarse, with a tou
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-09Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 109 Avoiding Layson
When Adela got home, she felt utterly exhausted. Everything that had happened today still felt surreal. She tossed her bag onto the couch and collapsed onto it, just about to close her eyes for a moment when her phone suddenly rang."Hello?""Sis, I'm not coming home tonight. I'm staying over at the Andersons'. Don't worry about me, just have fun!"Herbie's voice had a teasing edge to it, and Adela could instantly tell that she was assuming she was still with Layson. Yesterday, Layson had mentioned that he would pick Herbie up from school, and there was no doubt that Ralph had told her she had been with him. Adela could sense that Herbie was hoping for something more between her and Layson—she was always casually praising him, listing off how successful and amazing he was."Alright, just behave at the Andersons'."Adela didn't have the energy to argue with her about it. No matter what she said, Herbie would think what she wanted to think anyway. She half-heartedly replied, barely list
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-09Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 110 Temporary Escape
Adela was told she would be leaving that afternoon, so she headed home to pack. She called Mrs. Anderson to let her know she’d be gone for a few days and arranged for Herbie to stay with them during her absence. Mrs. Anderson was more than happy to accommodate Herbie, even reminding Adela to be careful while traveling.After the meeting, Cora couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was up with Adela. She’d been acting strangely, so when she met Leopold for lunch, she couldn’t resist bringing it up."Hey, do you know what's going on between Layson and Adela recently?" Cora asked, her curiosity getting the best of her.Leopold looked at her, confused. "No idea. Why do you ask?"Cora sighed, picking at her food absentmindedly. "Well, something’s been off with Adela. Today, she even volunteered to go on a business trip with me."Leopold raised an eyebrow, noticing the concern in Cora’s voice. "Is that so? But why are you asking me? Shouldn’t you be talking to her about it?""I don’t
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-09Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 111 The Burn of Whiskey
Layson swirled the whiskey in his glass, the ice clinking softly against the sides as he sat in the dimly lit bar. The sharp burn of alcohol still lingered in his throat, yet it did little to cool the irritation boiling in his chest. After leaving that dinner meeting in frustration, he had no plans to drink—until Leopold stopped him in the hallway, insisting they grab a drink together."Adela went to Florida on a business trip with Cora," Leopold announced casually, watching Layson's reaction with a smirk.Layson’s grip on the glass tightened slightly, but his expression remained unreadable. He took a slow sip, letting the whiskey slide down before setting the glass down with a quiet clink."For how long?" His voice was calm, almost indifferent, but the sharp edge in his tone didn’t escape Leopold.Leopold leaned back lazily, twirling his own glass between his fingers. "Not sure," he mused. "Could be two days, could be two weeks, maybe even longer. Depends on how things go."That was
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-11Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 112 His Presence in the Wind
Feelings can erupt in an instant, but they can also be extinguished just as quickly. Layson felt a dull ache in his head, and when he finally propped himself up, he realized he had been lying on the couch. The whole room smelled strongly of alcohol. He glanced at the clock—it was already 3 a.m. The stillness of the night made him feel more awake than ever.Meanwhile, Leopold Davis was jolted awake by his phone ringing. The caller ID showed Layson Norman, and it was well past three in the morning. He thought, Layson must be out of his mind, calling this late."It's three in the morning, what do you need?" Leopold mumbled, still groggy.Layson’s voice was low and a bit seductive, carrying a hint of impatience. "I need Cora's number and the address for where they’re staying in Florida."Leopold, still half asleep, didn't know how to respond to Layson’s unexpected request. Layson pressed his fingers to his temple, trying to ease the headache that had started to form. He’d been thinking ab
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-11Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 113 Meeting in the Rain
After arriving in the small town, Cora took Adela to a quaint workshop that had a distinct folk style. The workshop was small but filled with meticulously crafted silver jewelry. Each piece was so delicate, and Adela couldn’t help but be drawn to them, wandering around the display and admiring the craftsmanship.“These are our latest creations. There are a lot of girls in the town about to come of age, and these are gifts their families make for them. They’re sewn into the clothes, and when they turn of age, they wear them as part of their formal attire,” A gril explained, showing her the intricate designs.“Is this a tradition in your town?” Adela asked, genuinely curious.“Yes,” the girl smiled. “It’s a custom here. When the girls reach adulthood, they wear these special garments to the bridge to meet their future husbands.”Adela was fascinated. She had never encountered such a custom before, and it gave her a deeper appreciation for the cultural richness of the small town. Each pi
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-11Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 114 The Two in the Rain
The rain showed no signs of stopping, and it seemed to grow heavier with every passing minute. Standing in front of Layson Norman, Adela could feel the cold raindrops soaking her clothes. Despite her surprise, a part of her knew instinctively that they couldn’t just stand there in the downpour."The rain's too heavy. Let’s find some place to shelter for a bit," Adela said, her voice almost lost in the sound of the rain hitting the ground.Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed Layson's arm and started walking. He barely reacted, a small smirk playing on his lips as he allowed her to pull him along. What used to irritate him—the damp, wet days—now felt almost welcoming. Something about the rain, about being here with Adela, made everything feel strangely right.They found refuge under a roof that had been shut off for the night, a small, overhanging awning protecting them from the downpour. Adela brushed the water off her clothes, and Layson put the umbrella away, both of them sile
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-11Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 115 A Painful Anger
The rain had finally stopped, and out of nowhere, the sun broke through the clouds, casting a golden glow over the town. It was as if the summer sky had never been gloomy in the first place. The air smelled fresh, carrying a hint of damp earth. Adela walked alongside Layson Norman, her steps light but her thoughts heavy.She didn’t know what to say. Since his arrival, the tension between them had been unbearable. He wasn’t as cold as before, but that didn’t make things any less awkward.“When are you heading back to New York?” she finally asked, breaking the silence.Layson turned his head slightly to look at her, his sharp gaze unreadable. His steps slowed, and his expression darkened.Was she trying to get rid of him now? First, she ran away, and now she couldn’t even wait for him to leave? Her audacity was truly growing by the day.“Am I making you that uncomfortable?” His voice was low, edged with something almost dangerous.Adela immediately felt a jolt of panic, quickly waving h
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-12
Pinakabagong kabanata
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 217 The Warning
Lily scrambled to recall the design’s theme, her mind spinning. Then she remembered what Layson had said—the diamond element was meant to represent him.Seizing on the connection, she confidently redefined the entire piece: the design symbolized love.Now that she had calmed down, her thoughts were more structured. She had decent analytical skills—she wouldn’t have made it into Starry Jewelry otherwise.Carlton listened without interruption, his face unreadable. When Lily finally finished, he shifted his gaze toward Marah, his expression now laced with unmistakable disappointment.Marah frowned slightly, sensing something was off. Carlton’s silent disapproval began to fill her with unease.The air in the conference room turned heavy and suffocating. Carlton tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table before turning to Adela.“When you created this design,” he asked, “what was its true meaning?”The color drained from Lily’s face. Her hands began to tremble.It was clear now—no matter
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 216 Termination
Adela had reached the edge of fury—but oddly enough, that brought her calm.She inhaled deeply, casting a cold glance at Marah before turning to face Carlton, her expression once again unreadable, as steady as still water.“Director,” she said calmly, “this design is indeed mine. I can explain every single line, every embedded meaning. Both my home desktop and laptop have versions of this design—the concept sketches, early drafts, and every single revision saved across different files.”After finishing, she no longer looked at Carlton. Instead, she turned to Lily, her gaze sharp and unwavering. “Tell me, Lily—how many revision records do you have on your computer? Don’t tell me this design came to you in one perfect draft.”Her words were laced with sarcasm, and the cold gleam in her eyes bore straight into Lily’s now-tense expression.Even master jewelers wouldn’t dare claim a design came to them fully formed. Adela knew Lily had copied her work. At best, Lily might have tweaked a fe
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 215 Who Copied Whom
The day before the final deadline for submitting design entries had arrived.Adela informed Richard that she needed to leave early for the competition. For the first time in days, he actually glanced at her directly.“You’re participating in that contest?” he scoffed. “Marah told me it’s only for top-tier designers. Do you really think you’re at that level?”Dexter, who was standing nearby, couldn’t take it anymore and was about to jump in, but Adela quickly spoke up before things escalated.“Anyone can register for the competition,” she said calmly. “It’s about growing and pushing yourself. Winning isn’t the only point.”Richard sneered but didn’t press further. “Fine. Go on then. At least I won’t have to deal with you hovering around me all day. Must be a relief for you, huh?”Adela clenched her jaw but didn’t rise to the bait. She gave him a slight nod and walked out of the hospital with her laptop, determined not to let his bitterness affect her any longer.Just as she exited the
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 214The Theft
Despite Layson’s attempts to dissuade her, Adela returned to the hospital the next morning, just as she promised.Richard had been resting for days, and though his complexion had improved slightly, the toll of the accident was undeniable. The lines on his face had deepened, and his spirit had clearly dimmed—he looked significantly older than he had just a week ago.Though he didn’t openly say it, his resentment toward Adela hadn’t faded. He refused to let her feed him or assist him directly. Now that Dexter was home, Richard made it clear that only his son should take care of him.Adela understood and didn’t push. She simply sat quietly nearby, not even taking out her laptop while Richard was awake. If Dexter needed a hand, she’d step in without hesitation. Her quiet diligence gave Richard no reason to criticize her, though his coldness remained.Before long, Marah arrived, as she had every day without fail. Though she never stayed long, her visits were always perfectly timed and care
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 213 Public Disgrace
The moment Richard Norman spat out those entitled words, the faint smile in Layson’s eyes vanished without a trace. He was just about to speak when Adela tugged lightly on his sleeve.He turned toward her, focusing intently on her face, as if trying to read her thoughts through her calm expression.Adela looked at Richard and spoke evenly, “Mr. Norman, I’ll come by every day to take care of you. But not as the future daughter-in-law of the Norman family—only because you are Ralph’s grandfather.”Richard scoffed and said nothing. He didn’t care what reason she gave—as long as she complied. He was never concerned with process, only results.With no meaningful conversation left to be had, Layson saw no reason to linger. Barely half an hour later, he took Adela by the hand and left the hospital, leaving Richard fuming to the point of nearly passing out.Diana sighed and gently patted Richard’s back. “I can tell you care about Layson visiting you,” she said softly. “Why not say something k
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 212 Deliberate Trouble
That morning, like many others before, Richard Norman got behind the wheel and set off alone, heading toward a countryside farm to meet an old friend.But fate had other plans.Out of nowhere, a van with failed brakes careened into the road, smashing head-on into Richard’s car. The collision was brutal. Both vehicles were left mangled, and the drivers were rendered unconscious with serious injuries.By the time Layson Norman arrived at the hospital, Richard had just been wheeled out of surgery. Diana sat outside the operating room sobbing uncontrollably, her face drained of color. Marah, standing nearby with reddened eyes, tucked a few loose strands of hair behind her ears when she saw Layson approach.“Cousin,” she said in a voice tinged with fear, “Richard will be okay, won’t he? I’m so scared.” She leaned toward him, clearly hoping to be held or comforted.But Layson didn’t stop.He brushed right past her, leaving her reaching out into empty space. Her expression darkened for a bri
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 211 The Car Accident
Adela didn’t show up at the office all day.Richard and Diana came by the apartment. Layson had already left for work, so she had to face them alone—and the atmosphere was colder than ice.“You’re the one who encouraged Ralph to run away, weren’t you?” Richard accused, voice full of mockery. “This is how you act as a mother? I knew you had some hidden agenda when you got close to Layson.”His sarcastic tone made Adela’s chest tighten with anger. But with Ralph still playing quietly in the study, she forced herself to breathe deeply and hold it in.“Mr. Norman,” she said evenly, “no matter what I say, you’ve already made up your mind about me. So I won’t waste my breath. If there’s nothing else, feel free to make yourselves tea. I’ve got work to do.”She stood to leave, but Diana quickly stepped in to play peacemaker.“You know how he is,” she said with an awkward smile. “Always blunt. Don’t take it to heart. We just came to bring Ralph home. He’s got kindergarten tomorrow.”Adela gave
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 210 The Jewelry Design Competition
When Adela got Layson’s call, she was still at the office. The moment she heard that Ralph was missing, her voice shot up several decibels.Marah, already paying close attention to every move Adela made, immediately walked over, her face full of concern.When Adela hung up, Marah gently asked, “Did something happen to Ralph?”Then she quickly added, “I wasn’t eavesdropping—I just heard you mention his name.”Adela was too panicked to analyze her words. Instead, she felt a wave of gratitude for the concern.“He ran away from home,” she said, voice shaky. “I need to take the afternoon off to go find him.”Marah was technically her team leader, so she needed her approval for leave. That’s why she told her.“Oh my God, then you should go right now! Ralph is only five—it’s serious. I’ll approve your time off. I’ll even head out and help look. I mean, I am his aunt, after all.”Hearing those words, Adela didn’t wait another second. She grabbed her bag and bolted—completely missing the flick
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 209 Runaway
Adela kept her expression neutral. She’d already known Marah was Layson’s cousin, but she hadn’t realized she actually lived at the Norman family’s old estate. Still, it didn’t bother her much—Layson usually stayed at his apartment anyway.Watching Marah chatting so happily with Richard Norman, Adela didn’t try to join in or interrupt. In Richard’s eyes, that aloofness came off as arrogance.To him, Marah was being warm and friendly, and Adela wasn’t even pretending to appreciate it—not even a polite smile. It ticked him off instantly.He turned to Diana and muttered, just loud enough for the room to catch: “The Norman family’s daughter-in-law needs to be gentle and well-mannered—not someone who expects us to tiptoe around her.”That line caught everyone off guard. But the words “daughter-in-law” had people glancing toward Adela.Just then, Layson walked in from outside, carrying something in his hand. The moment he set it down, he caught the tail end of Richard’s comment. His tone wa
