As expected, Yvette didn't disappoint her. Larissa sneered inwardly. Yvette made up an explanation in a hurry, "She is indeed my niece. However, she has addressed me as her mother since childhood because I raised her along with Nana." As she spoke, she gestured with her eyes, hoping Larissa would back her up. Larissa had no intention of helping her cover up this lie and stood aside with a poker face. Lana had no choice and continued with a wide smile on her face, "To me, Larissa is just like my real sister! Mom and Dad have always treated her as their own daughter, and we have a great relationship as a family!" Jay accepted their explanation without further questions. In contrast, Reuben stared at Larissa with a slightly peculiar expression after hearing all this."Larissa, let me introduce you." Jay pointed to the woman who was clinging to his arm. "This is my wife, Annabell."Larissa pretended not to know Annabell's age and greeted her respectfully, "Hello, Mrs. Col
Dorian smiled and his beady eyes almost disappeared from view. His puffy cheeks trembled as he spoke, making Larissa's stomach churn. Larissa wasn't someone who judged people by their appearance, but Dorian really made a poor impression on her. She endured the nauseating disgust and shook his hand reluctantly. "Glad to meet you too," Larissa forced a smile and said insincerely.As she was about to retract her hand, Dorian gripped it forcefully and ran his sweaty palm over the back of her hand, leaving a patch of moisture on her skin. Larissa was so turned off that goosebumps appeared all over her. She couldn't tell him off in front of everyone, so she restrained herself. Fortunately, Dorian had some sense of propriety and didn't harass her any further. With a lewd smile, he finally let go of her hand. Larissa clenched her fists in anger and quickly moved away, increasing the distance between her and Dorian. The guest room on the third floor didn't have any chairs,
"Sure." Larissa agreed pleasantly. "Let's go outside and take a look around."The warm rays of the afternoon sun shone on them brightly, relieving the chill of winter considerably. Larissa had to squint due to the bright outdoors. After she walked a short distance with Reuben, she suddenly felt the urge to yawn and covered her mouth. "Feeling tired?" Reuben asked."A little," Larissa replied, wiping the tears that appeared in the corner of her eyes. She settled down on a bench beside the winding path and gazed into the distance, saying, "The courtyard isn't that big, so you can explore on your own. When you're done, let's go inside together." Standing in front of Larissa, Reuben's height was tall enough to cast a shadow on her, blocking the sunlight that was directly shining into her eyes. "You're not showing me around?" he asked, puzzled. Reuben seemed surprised that Larissa's attitude was so much different from when they were indoors. "I'll be honest with you, Mr. Col
Xavier was away for work, attending a New Year's event hosted by a TV station. Since he would only return tomorrow, Yvette invited the Cole family to spend the night at Seymour Mansion. Naturally, they were allocated guest rooms on the third floor. Reuben was deliberately given a room across from Larissa's. Before going to bed, the household staff presented each guest with some hot milk and a fruit salad, including Larissa. However, Larissa had already washed up and brushed her teeth, so the food was left untouched on her desk. She remembered Reuben's warning and locked her door. Turning off the lights, she lay down on the bed. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't fall asleep.Reuben wouldn't have said those things without reason. Considering he told her to lock the door, did it mean that someone would break into her room at night? This thought frightened Larissa.Perking up her ears, she listened intently to any peculiar sounds outside her door. Hours later,
Larissa closed the door and locked it from the inside. The two people outside her door left after a minute, but they probably didn't go downstairs because Larissa heard the sounds of their doors closing, one after another. Larissa kept her eyes open until dawn. She did not sleep a wink, but no one came to knock on her door after that. Breakfast was still delivered to her room by the household staff. As Larissa was about to close the door, Reuben emerged from the room across from hers. Glancing at the tray in her hand, he mouthed silently, "Do not eat that." After what happened last night, Larissa trusted Reuben more than anyone else in this house. Throwing the pancakes and hash browns into the trash, she sat back and waited to see what would happen next. As expected, someone knocked on her door again after half an hour. "Larissa, are you awake?" This time it wasn't Dorian, but Lana.Larissa remained silent. Lana twisted the doorknob but the door didn't budge. S
The atmosphere in the living room became even more awkward upon Larissa's arrival. Nevertheless, it was slightly better as they had a conversation topic now instead of staring silently at each other like before.Larissa looked around and noticed that everyone was present, except for Reuben, but she didn't ask about him.When it was finally time for lunch, Yvette instructed Larissa, "Larissa, Reuben isn't feeling well so he's resting in his room. Please call him down for lunch.""Alright," she said. She went straight upstairs without questioning anything.Reuben's door was shut tightly. After she knocked twice, a muffled voice came from inside, "Come in."Larissa pushed the door open, revealing a dark room with the lights off and the curtains drawn.Before her eyes could adjust to the darkness, she was yanked onto the bed. She screamed in fear as someone pressed themself upon her and ripped her clothes apart."What are you doing, Reuben?!" Larissa pushed away and slapped him on r
Everyone left the room and closed the door behind them, leaving only Larissa and Reuben in the room."I'm sorry," Reuben said again.Without a trace of emotion on her face, Larissa pulled her shirt back on, adjusting it before getting off the bed on her own."I had no choice, I'm sorry," Reuben continued to mutter to himself, "If I didn't do this ... I would suffer in my family."Larissa stopped in her tracks, but she didn't turn around.Staring blankly at the door, she sneered and said, "You don't need to apologize. People who don't act for themselves will only lose out in the end. I understand you."She didn't blame Reuben. She only blamed herself for naively trusting others easily. Reuben had taught her a profound lesson today, and she decided to be grateful to him.The buttons on Larissa's shirt had been ripped off by Reuben, leaving only two remaining. Since there was no way she could wear it, she went back to her room and changed into a hoodie, before going to Xavier's stu
The room fell into silence. Jay was put into a difficult situation. Five million dollars was a small amount to him, not even a fraction of what he would invest in a movie. It would be as easy as a flick of his wrist. However, he didn't trust Larissa.He could tell that Larissa was a tough cookie. She wasn't the naive, sweet girl who would do anything to repay the kindness of Xavier and Yvette he had thought she was. Hence, it was very likely that the five million dollars would go to waste.On the flip side of things, Larissa was a good match for his foolish son, given her tough personality. If they got married, he wouldn't be worried about the future generations of his family. He was confident his family would last for the next hundred years with her around.After a moment of thought, he attempted to negotiate with Larissa, "Why don't I pay you a million dollars first? You'll get the remainder after you register your marriage?"It wouldn't bother him if the one million dollars pr
Wendy said, "You have to walk faster than this, Larissa! It's almost time! Your husband can't wait!""Alright!" Larissa quickly gathered up her skirts and followed her.The sun was out.Its golden rays shone softly on the red carpet through the rose petals.Larissa suppressed her desire to stay here for a little while longer and quickly walked toward the end.It was the door to the glass hall.Gary held Aster's hand and his cane in the other, waiting for her at the entrance.When he saw her, Aster immediately let go of Gary's hand and rushed toward her. "You're so pretty today, Mommy!"Larissa patted his head and smiled gently. "Thank you."Aster was her flower boy. Like Gary, he was wearing a tuxedo with a little bowtie.He was holding a basket that was proportionate to his body. In it were rose petals of various colors and shapes.The music suddenly began playing.Gary walked up to her and extended his arm toward her. "Let's go."He looked at her with a smile, his eyes g
Gary and Lewis left Bartham after two days.Blue Star did not give them time off. They couldn't stay for long.Larissa's holidays were coming to an end as well. Half of the time, she was in the Rogers' villa.Because of the pandemic, most of the shops weren't open yet. She slept and ate at home most of the time and accompanied her family. It was quite nice.After the holidays, Kevan and Larissa went back to work.Aster was sent to the kindergarten that he'd been to before. Violet was the one who drove him to and fro.In fact, in order to better take care of him, the parents moved out of Rogers' villa and bought a house in Kevan and Larissa's neighborhood.The days passed in the blink of an eye.Blue Star's company in Bartham was quickly built. Lewis sent over a few loyal and trained employees to hold the fort with Larissa and hired people according to the company's needs. The company was soon on the right track, and the headquarters' work was moved over.Larissa grew busier an
Violet had set aside Larissa's breakfast for her.Larissa ate with reddened cheeks. Kevan and Aster, who had been waiting for her, got up at the same time. Violet brought out a boxful of pie from the kitchen."Don't forget this." She put the box in Kevan's hands."Alright. Thanks, Mom." Kevan looked at Larissa and asked, "Can we go now?"Larissa wanted to ignore him, but in front of Violet, she couldn't express her emotions right now."Yes," she replied, pulling Aster toward her. She said goodbye to Violet and strode out the door.Kevan smiled in slight annoyance and followed suit.…Kevan had told Aster beforehand that they were going to see Great-Grandpa. Thus, all of Aster's questions on the way there revolved around him."Why is great-grandpa called 'Great-Grandpa'?""Is he Grandpa's dad?""Is Great-Grandpa fierce?""If he's dead, how is he going to eat the pie?"…Kevan patiently answered all of his questions.Meanwhile, Larissa looked out the window silently.Keva
Since Larissa had gone downstairs alone, it was natural to expect a few questions."Where's Kevan? Why isn't he coming down with you?""Where's Daddy? He said he would launch fireworks with me."Larissa walked over calmly and made up an excuse. "He's tired, so he showered and slept."The older people did not doubt her. Only Lewis stared at her thoughtfully."Oh … Why did Daddy sleep so early?" Aster pouted in disappointment."You can get him to launch fireworks with you tomorrow. It'll be the same." Larissa patted his head, keeping a calm expression on her face.Anthony and Violet gave the gifts they'd prepared to Larissa and Aster.Violet looked at them, tears falling down her cheeks."I have no regrets now," she said."Thank you, Mom." Larissa gave her a big hug.Violet was stunned, and she cried harder."Good girl." She hugged Larissa back, smiling widely.After Anthony and Violet, Gary and Lewis gave them their gifts. However, they were calm. Aster was so happy that he
"Happy Reunion Day!"For some reason, Larissa's eyes became a little moist. Her voice even sounded a bit choked up."What's wrong?" Kevan nervously held her face, urging her to meet his gaze. "Didn't you like the fireworks just now?"She shook her head. "No, I really liked them!""Then, why are you crying?" Kevan couldn't stand seeing her cry; it tugged at his heart."I'm just very moved."She buried her face in his chest, speaking emotionally, "Welcoming the big family reunion dinner with the person you love is wonderful."The corners of Kevan's mouth gradually curved up as he heard what she said.The hand around her waist tightened inch by inch."I love you too, Lari."He lowered his head and planted a kiss on the top of her head.She hurriedly pushed him away as she sensed his body's response. But she couldn't move him much."They're still waiting for us downstairs!" she reminded him.Lewis knew she was awake, and the fireworks were already over. If they stayed he
It was a rare occasion to have the entire extended family gathered together like this for the big family reunion dinner. In the evening, everyone was in high spirits, having enjoyed a bit of alcohol. Violet took advantage of the festive atmosphere and insisted that Gary and Lewis stay.Since Larissa woke up early after a day without proper rest, she was already feeling quite sleepy even though the reunion dinner TV celebration had just begun.Violet was understanding and told her to go to bed.Larissa tried to muster her energy to stay up."No, I'll at least wait until after midnight."She wasn't someone who adhered to rituals or traditions.In previous years, she wouldn't have stayed up late specifically to welcome the big family reunion dinner day.But this year was different.She had the companionship of her family.She was no longer a drifting, rootless plant in a foreign land.Kevan furrowed his brows slightly and gave her a gentle push."You should get some sleep.
Larissa recalled that there was indeed such an incident.However, Kevan's excuse to her was that he needed to go to Westonia to handle matters concerning Edmund."Kevan knows how the customs work better than you! You're not even married. Yet, you're already taking his side!"Gary scoffed.His displeasure was quite obvious.Larissa chuckled awkwardly, then decided to come clean and reveal the whole truth. "Well, the truth is, Kevan and I never actually got divorced. I married him over six years ago."Gary hadn't heard this from Kevan.So, his emotions seemed conflicted upon first hearing that. He clutched his chest. It was as if he were experiencing some discomfort.Larissa and Lewis quickly approached him, asking with concern, "What's wrong? Are you okay?"In a sudden change of demeanor, Gary used his other hand to playfully tap Larissa's forehead.His expression instantly returned to normal. However, the tap was quite forceful, causing Larissa to wince in pain."If yo
Larissa had to pick up Gary and Lewis early tomorrow morning. So, after having dinner, she returned to her room to freshen up and get ready for bed. As she lay down on the bed, she found herself tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep no matter what she did.Kevan had just managed to put Aster to sleep before coming into the room. He noticed that the lights were still on.He furrowed his brow and asked, "Why haven't you fallen asleep yet?"Larissa lifted the blanket and sat up abruptly. "I'm feeling very anxious right now," she admitted.Her hair was in disarray.There was a troubled expression on her face."Anxious about what?" Kevan inquired."Well, my dad is coming over tomorrow. What if he doesn't get along with your parents?" The mere thought of that possibility gave her a headache."Uncle Gary is a reasonable person. He won't easily give anyone a hard time," Kevan defended Gary.His words brought a smile to Larissa's face. "Are you saying he hasn't been gi
"Alright, then. We shall head out." Larissa gathered her belongings and pulled Kevan toward the exit."I'll come pick you up tomorrow morning. It's almost the big family reunion dinner day. "So, it's hard to find a cab on the road. You might even find yourself waiting for half a day without coming across an empty cab."Gary didn't refuse. Instead, he requested, "Then, you come alone tomorrow."Her steps hesitated a moment, and she sighed inwardly. Gary really hadn't changed."Alright," she agreed.…As soon as they closed the door, Larissa began complaining to Kevan, "I thought my dad had really come around! Turns out, he still has reservations about you!"Kevan tightened his grip on her hand and smiled."Take it slow; there has to be a gradual process."He didn't expect Gary to change his attitude overnight. But as long as things were moving in a positive direction, he was content.She shrugged upon hearing that."Well, it's not me who's being wronged here; it's y