"Why ... Why are you here?" Larissa asked when she finally snapped out of her daze."Your phone was switched off, and I couldn't reach you, so I was worried. I heard from your manager that you followed your stepfather back to Bartham, so I came to check on you," Kevan explained.Larissa didn't think that was the real reason he came. However, regardless of what it was, she was relieved that he was there.Lana hurriedly ran upstairs. When she reached upstairs, she held her knees to support herself, gasping for air."Mr. Rogers, you should leave now! If my parents come out, both you and my sister will be in trouble!" she persuaded anxiously.But Kevan didn't seem to care."Actually, I came to look for your parents," he said.That surprised both Larissa and Lana."Why are you looking for them?" Larissa curiously asked."Of course, it's because—" Kevan stopped mid-sentence, revealing a mysterious smile. "Well, you'll find out soon enough." He turned to Lana to ask, "Where are you
In his thirty years of life, no one had ever dared to disregard Dorian as Kevan just did. Infuriated, his facial muscles began twitching as he gritted his teeth.Struggling to stand upright, he rushed toward Kevan. Due to his enormous weight, the floor trembled violently with each step he took.Kevan stood unmoving, simply using his hand to push Larissa aside. "Stay back," he instructed her.Larissa, still remembering Kevan's remarkable performance at the Quinn Bar, wasn't worried about him. To avoid standing in the way, she obediently stepped back, hiding behind Reuben.Dorian swung his short, thick arm at Kevan's face, but Kevan blocked it inches away from his face by grabbing his wrist. Kevan's painful grip on his arm caused him to cry out in agony, and his imposing demeanor instantly disappeared.Dorian's face contorted in pain. His menacing expression was quite a sight to behold. The commotion caused by the two of them attracted the attention of the people in the study, w
"I am her fiancé," he announced loudly, as if afraid that they would not hear it.Everyone present was stunned, except for Lana, who clenched her fists in resentment."What's going on?" Jay angrily asked Xavier and Yvette, who were standing at the back. "Didn't you say that Larissa was single? Where did her fiancé come from?"Xavier was also completely unaware of this matter. He silently turned his gaze to Yvette, waiting for her to explain.Yvette was on the verge of bursting out in anger. She was well aware of Kevan's existence because she had set up the whole plan with Lana. The main purpose was to separate Larissa and Kevan before they could get married.She and Lana had made thorough preparations. Even if their plan was exposed by Larissa, they would still force her to marry Reuben. However, their meticulous plans did not consider the possibility of Kevan personally showing up at their place. "There may have been some misunderstanding in between," Yvette said, forcing herse
"Tried to seduce?" Kevan repeated with a sneer. "Does my fiancée need to seduce anyone?""It's true!" Seeing that he didn't believe her, she dragged Reuben the "witness" into the mess with her. "Reuben, tell Mr. Rogers what exactly happened in your room earlier!"Although Reuben had never met Kevan, he could tell from his attire and demeanor that he was not an ordinary person. So, when Lana asked him to testify, he hesitated. He had not wanted to be involved in something so vulgar in the first place, and it disgusted him.Under Kevan's stern gaze, he felt increasingly guilty. Thus, he chose to remain silent.When he was quiet for a long time, Lana stomped her foot in frustration and turned to Yvette for help. Yvette, of course, stood on Lana's side."Larissa did try to seduce Reuben," she said, sounding sad and ashamed. Larissa had matured after the countless times Yvette had hurt her. Instead of feeling angry or sad, she admired her performance, thinking that Yvette's past care
Regardless of whom she married, it would be a union between the Coles and Seymours. Nonetheless, why did Dorian keep calling her "wife" as if he was certain that she would eventually marry him? Just moments ago in the study, Jay talked to her about her marriage with Reuben. Jay turned to glare fiercely at Dorian, sternly reprimanding him, "Shut up!" Then he replied to Kevan, "Of course, she will marry Reuben. Don't parents have the most say in marriage? Mr. and Mrs. Seymour and myself have already agreed to Larissa and Reuben's marriage. Larissa herself also has intentions—""No, no, no, Mr. Cole," Larissa interrupted him. "That was before. The situation has changed now."She put her head on Kevan's shoulder and smiled sweetly. "Kevan here is willing to give a dowry of ten million dollars! And it will be deposited directly into my account. Compared to your installment plan of five million dollars ..." She bit her lip, keeping the insult that followed to herself.Jay's face
In the end, Jay didn't offer a higher bid. Ignoring Xavier and Yvette's attempts to get him to stay, he angrily led his whole family out of their house. Before going downstairs, Dorian couldn't help but look back at Larissa, reluctant to part with her.Once outside the Seymours' place, he started to complain, "It's just twenty million dollars! Last month, you paid Laura Newman thirty million dollars for that movie!""I gave Laura thirty million dollars because she can earn me several billion dollars in return. Can Larissa do that?" Jay retorted with a snort. "Anyway, forget about this marriage! Tomorrow, I'll find you a better match.""But I've set my sights on Larissa!" Dorian persisted. "I won't marry anyone else but her!""Then fork out twenty million dollars yourself for her. I won't waste a penny on her," Jay said resolutely. "Either marry someone else or never marry in your lifetime. You choose.""Dad!" Dorian took a few steps forward and grabbed his hand, but he shook it of
When they reached the bottom of the stairs, a loud thud came from upstairs as if something heavy had fallen to the ground."Mom!" Lana cried in desperation. "Larissa, come back quickly! Mom fainted!""If she fainted, call an ambulance. What use am I?" Larissa did not fall for their trap again.From the first floor, Xavier ordered his staff, "Stop her!"Mrs. Harris, who was closest, rushed forward, but Kevan grabbed her arm and flung her aside, causing her to hit the wall and let out a loud groan. The subsequent people who followed experienced the same outcome, to the point that the other servants were too scared to approach and kept their distance.Larissa, with Kevan's help, left the Seymours with no obstacles.Kevan's car was parked outside the courtyard, a black Maybach with a Bartham license plate and the number 8888.Larissa thought to herself about how wealthy and mighty Kevan was. "Do you have your ID with you?" Kevan asked her.Larissa took out her ID from the pocket
The plane touched down in Covenford, and Larissa felt a renewed sense of vitality as she took a deep breath. It felt as if all her troubles had been left behind. When Dylan arrived to pick her and Kevan up, the first thing he asked was, "Are you okay?"She nodded in response and said, "I'm fine."Dylan seemed relieved upon hearing that. "That's good. I tried calling you for two consecutive days but couldn't reach you. I also couldn't find you at your own home. I was worried something had happened to you. Fortunately, Kevan contacted Mr. Compton at your hotel and discovered that you had returned to Bartham with your stepfather. Your phone has been switched off the whole time, and we were concerned that you were being harassed by the Seymour family. Unfortunately, I had a meeting today, so I couldn't accompany Kevan. Sorry for that."Larissa waved her hand repeatedly. "There's no need to apologize." They were just regular friends, and she was grateful enough that he had shown concern fo
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