Kieron could hear Lara choke up a little as she spoke. It was a stark contrast with her usual strong, decisive personality."I can only choose between you or Nathaniel. If you're unwilling, I'll ask him about it." Kieron and Nathaniel were Lara's only choices. She continued, "Give it some thought. We can sign a premarital agreement—I won't stop you from doing whatever you want."I know you're not interested in fighting for the Steele family fortune, so I won't force you to work hard or anything. I also won't ask you for a single cent of the Steele family's money when we divorce. If I'm lucky enough to inherit my family's money, I'll even compensate you handsomely."Lara's conditions were pretty generous. And it was as she'd said—Kieron wasn't ambitious. He was worried that if he were to get married, his wife would force him to fight for the family fortune. That was why he'd dragged things out for so long.He took a sip of his drink and mulled over the matter. "Let me think things t
Angeline turned to look at their surroundings before she said in a low voice, "The others will see us.""They're all asleep by now." Sean steadied her chair. "Besides, if it's fine for us to come out on a drive like this, it'd be weird for you to be so far away from me when we're supposed to be looking at the same screen."The bonfire before them flickered, making Angeline's face seem redder than usual. He chuckled. "Or… were you thinking about something else?"She couldn't deny that her mind had gone elsewhere. They were suddenly so close to each other that she thought he was going to kiss her."I have no idea what you're talking about!" Angeline turned to look at the tablet as she sipped her water awkwardly. Then, she pulled out her phone, intending to reply to some emails while waiting for meteors.Initially, when Sean had proposed the trip, she honestly thought it would just be the two of them. She didn't even dare mention that she'd prepared condoms just in case.She should'
Angeline turned to look at Kieron after hearing what he'd said."I know Lara only asked me about it because she saw how Monica gained power in Scott Incorporated because of her identity as the Lawson family's heir's fiancée. That's why she also wants to be known as the Steele family's granddaughter-in-law." He looked troubled."She even said she'd sign a premarital agreement with me. She won't take a cent of the Steele family fortune, and she's even willing to compensate me once we're divorced. It's quite novel, having a woman tell me she'll compensate me."Sean never would've expected that two out of three Scott daughters would use their marriages as bargaining chips. Grace was the only one who was enough of a hopeless romantic to marry a regular individual who wasn't rich or that capable."Do you like Lara?" Sean asked.Kieron thought about it, then shook his head. "I wouldn't say that.'"You should forget about it, then." Sean continued, "If you fall for someone in the future,
Angeline opened the trunk. She'd just pulled out the wine and burner when she heard footsteps. She turned to see Rachel standing by the car."Still awake?" Angeline smiled at her."Nathaniel's mine," Rachel announced as she stared right into Angeline's eyes.Angeline was taken aback. Then, she laughed lightly. "So…""I don't care what Mr. Hooper Senior wants to see between you and Nathaniel. There's no way I'll let you become his wife.""'Let me?" Angeline noticed the hostility in Rachel's eyes. "I'm not interested in Nathaniel, nor will I get together with him. And as for being his wife… I couldn't be any less interested in it and don't want anything to do with it. I'm not your enemy."With that, she turned to leave."You'd better keep your word!" Rachel clenched her fists tightly as she shouted at Angeline's back. "If it turns out that you're lying to me, I'll make you pay for it! I'll maim your children!"Angeline stopped as the rage shot to her head. She turned to look at R
Angeline wondered if Rachel thought she was a pushover.Angeline didn't say anything else. She dragged Rachel out from between the two cars by her collar. Then, she called, "Nathaniel!"Sean and Kieron, who were by the bonfire, turned at her voice. They saw Angeline throw Rachel onto the pebbled ground. Kieron looked gobsmacked."Nathaniel Hooper!" Angeline called again.When Kieron saw Sean get up to head over to her, he threw the stick he'd used to push the fire logs around aside. Then, he hurried after Sean.Rachel's eyes bulged, for she hadn't expected Angeline to make a big deal out of this. "What the hell are you doing? Have you lost your mind?"She was nothing but a woman the Lawson family had adopted. She had to depend on the Lawson family to survive. How could she dare make a big deal out of this? Shouldn't she keep her head down and try not to cause trouble for the Lawsons?"Nathaniel!"Rachel scrambled to her feet, her chest heaving with anxiety. She reached out to s
Jesse's jaw dropped. He looked at how gentle and fragile Rachel seemed, and he found it hard to believe someone as ladylike as her would say something like that.Sean furrowed his brows tightly at the mention of the children. He didn't even bother looking at Rachel—she wasn't worth his time. "Nathaniel, you'd better explain this.""Angeline…" Nathaniel rubbed Rachel's back soothingly. "Is there some sort of misunderstanding here? Rachel wouldn't even swat a fly.""A misunderstanding?" Angeline laughed mirthlessly when she saw him standing up for Rachel. "Why don't you tell your dog to explain what exactly I've gotten wrong."Rachel gave Nathaniel a tearful look. "I just wanted to tell her to stay away from you and not to take you from me. You're mine! Then, she slapped me! She even dragged me out here by my collar! Look at my face…""Angeline, Rachel's still young. Maybe she just blurted out those things in the heat of the moment. She doesn't mean anything by it, so please, don't
When Nathaniel saw that Angeline was seriously pissed, he wrapped an arm tightly around Rachel's shoulders. "Angeline, could you just calm down for a second?"Danny was a night owl, so he answered Angeline's call almost immediately. "What's up, boss? Why are you calling me in the middle of the night?""I want you to do a background check on a woman who's always hanging around Nathaniel Hooper. Her name's Rachel White. Yeah… What for? She said she wants to maim my children. What do you think this is about?" Angeline's voice was as cold as ice."What?" Danny almost exploded on the other end of the line. "I'm on it—leave this to me. I'll end her whole family!"Rachel turned to look at Angeline when she heard what Angeline had said. Only then did she start feeling scared. She held Nathaniel's sleeve tightly.Angeline looked at Nathaniel after hanging up. "I hope you'll stay out of this matter when I'm handling it, Mr. Hooper. I wouldn't mind letting Mr. Hooper Senior know about this o
"C'mon… Sean, this isn't your first time seeing Rachel. You know how cowardly she is! How could she possibly say anything about wanting to harm those kids?" Nathaniel was annoyed."Now, now. Everyone, calm down and listen to what I have to say." Kieron stepped forward to ease the tension. He looked at Nathaniel. "Firstly, we all know Angeline's not interested in you. Also… Angeline's just asked someone to do a background check on Rachel, which means she knows nothing about Rachel."Do you remember the incident about the Carrey sisters being disfigured? Think about the lengths you went to keep Rachel out of jail. Even Sean didn't know about that. You and I were the only ones who were aware."I swear on the Steele family's reputation that I've never shared that with a single soul. So… how did Angeline know about that?" Kieron turned to look at Rachel.He was right. Only Nathaniel, Rachel, and Kieron knew about the matter. If Kieron and Nathaniel hadn't said anything about it, who wou