Julian, knowing exactly what Christian was thinking, immediately put on a serious expression. "Mr. Blackwood, there aren't any available flights to Eastlandia for the next couple of days!”Christian looked troubled, continuing to rub his chin. "Then how do we get back? What about connecting flights?"Julian shook his head, "No luck there either!"Noelle started to panic. She turned back toward them. "What are we going to do?"She was supposed to be at work tomorrow, and now she had no idea when she'd be able to return. She had no clue what she'd tell her boss.Christian raised an eyebrow slyly. "Call me hubby, and I'll sort it out for you!"His voice was smooth and persuasive, causing Noelle to hesitate for a moment."Plenty of people probably want to call you that," she retorted.But she's not one of them.Christian decided to stop teasing her.He gave Julian a command, "See if anyone's willing to give up their ticket. Offer them ten times the fare."Julian quickly turned t
How silly. Ten months for a pregnancy and birth—it seemed Christian hadn't even considered that.There was no way he'd be welcoming a baby this year.Christian threw out a parting shot before ending the call. "That IQ must come from your wife!"Steven stared at the now silent phone, muttering, "That brat! Blaming me now?"He turned to Beatrice to share the exchange.Noelle couldn't help herself, she burst into laughter but quickly stifled it, worried Christian might get upset.She composed herself and looked out the window, trying to appear serious.Why does she find their father-son banter so endearing?Christian watched her through his sunglasses, and couldn't help but let his lips curve into a smile as if something pleasant had crossed his mind.Then someone tapped him on the shoulder."Mr. Blackwood, it is you!" A sweet, excited voice chirped.Christian removed his sunglasses, his brows arching in annoyance. "Do I know you?"The woman was dressed in a trendy black coat,
Michael's driver pulled the car around, and the two of them got in, heading straight to Lia's place.Michael went to take a shower, while Lia used another bathroom to freshen up.She applied a carefully selected perfume, slipped into a sheer, transparent nightgown, and did her makeup to look alluring and seductive.She positioned herself provocatively on the bed, eager to finally have some intimate time with Michael after so many days apart.But just as she had everything perfectly set up, her phone rang.The caller ID showed it was her mother, Bonnie Neel.Annoyed, Lia answered, "What is it?"Bonnie's voice came through urgently, "Lia, Morton has been arrested. You need to figure something out, fast!"Lia was instantly furious. "Alright, I'll take care of it!"Morton was her father Cyril and Bonnie's adopted son, making him her foster brother—but their relationship wasn't exactly that of pure siblings.All of Lia's earlier excitement vanished.When Michael came out of the s
This time, it was Michael who lost his composure.With a long stride, he closed the distance to Emmie, grabbing her arm and spinning her around to pin her against the wall by the bedroom door."You wouldn't dare," he growled through clenched teeth.Then he cupped her face in his large hands and kissed her hard.Emmie's hand shot up, and she slapped him—hard.It was the first time she had ever hit anyone and the first time Michael had ever been struck.He touched his stinging cheek, stunned. "You're crazy!"He threw her a look of disbelief before turning and storming out. The door slammed shut behind him, sealing him off from her.Emmie slumped against the wall, feeling utterly drained.Meanwhile, at the hospital, Elijah had just taken his medication and was lying down when Michael's imposing figure appeared in the room.Michael's presence was impossible to ignore.Sensing that familiar aura, Elijah looked up and frowned, his voice weak. "What brings you here, Mr. Xanthos?"
Emmie didn't show up—she had sent Lia instead."I'm out of here. You two lovebirds can have a nice, long chat," Adrian said at just the right moment, setting down his drink and getting up to leave. Before going, he couldn't resist taking a jab at Michael.Lia rushed over to Michael. "Michael, why did you drink so much? Are you alright?""Get lost!" Michael spat out, his eyes blazing with anger.Lia looked at him, shocked. "Michael..."She was terrified. Michael had never spoken to her like this before."Don't think I don't know about your dirty little secrets!" Michael stood up and shoved her aside, walking out without another word.Lia's face went pale.Does he know something?Her body trembled as she clenched her fists tightly, haunted by memories of being with Morton—how he had her under his control, twisting her life on that bed of his. Even earlier today, she...By the time Lia ran out of the bar, Michael's car was long gone.In the darkened bedroom at Gentle Glades, Mi
Quentin's eyes lowered slightly, his emotions swirling—sadness, helplessness, pain, guilt, and deep regret all flickered across his face.He clenched his fists, trying to steady himself.His voice was heavy with emotions. "I know I messed up badly before, and I know you hate me for it. But how will you ever know if I can do better if you don't give me a chance?"Noelle was speechless. She was done wasting her breath on him.Without another word, she raised her hand and shut the door in his face.During the years she needed him most, he never bothered to give her a second glance.Later, when he said he wanted to be with her, she believed him, giving him chance after chance.But every time, he chose another woman over her, leaving her with nothing but scars, nearly losing her life at sea.And now, where did he get the nerve to ask for another chance?Noelle went straight to take a shower.Quentin stood outside, his intense gaze fixed on the closed door, his heart throbbing with
Sarah buried herself in her work.When Noelle stepped out of the restroom, she saw Lia leaving the obstetrics and gynecology clinic.Upon seeing Noelle, Lia curved her lips into a smirk."Your dad's set on having a son. I came in for a check-up with Dr. Dawson. Everything looks good, so maybe you'll have a little brother soon.Noelle's response was a cold smile. "Is that so? Well, I hope this pregnancy goes smoothly for you. After all, losing a baby for no reason can't be good for your health, right?"Lia's face twisted with anger.But Noelle had already walked away.Lia had been pregnant twice. Once when she threw herself down the stairs to frame Noelle, resulting in a miscarriage, and the second time her baby mysteriously died in the womb.Noelle couldn't help but think that perhaps Michael wasn't meant to have a son.Or maybe it was just karma.As Noelle walked on, Zara approached her, biting her lip."Elle, are you upset with me because of that social media post? I swear
"Right, right! I helped out with a few of those too!" one friend chimed in."Same here. I even got my siblings to pitch in. There was that mountain bike, an ionizing hair dryer, a garment steamer… Chris, are you really that desperate for this girl?" another friend asked, clearly bewildered.Christian's expression darkened. "That wasn't her. From now on, if you see anything shared by that person, ignore it."The name Serene Vales flashed in Christian's mind. That was Zara's name.He had only shared her link with his friends once, but Zara had clearly taken it further, continuing to share her links with them and even adding them on WhatsApp."Clever, but also pretty shameless," Christian thought, his gaze unreadable.As they pieced together what was happening, Christian's friends began recalling various idioms that describe imitating others poorly or taking over something that isn't rightfully theirs.They felt that this rare talent was like a poor imitation or an intruder, and th