Phrases like "fulfill a request of mine" oftentimes contained a huge trap.Although Kevan was not a bad person, he was definitely no angel either. She would never dare delude herself into thinking of taking advantage of him, because she knew that this was impossible. So, she said, "It's better if I transfer the money to you."However, Kevan's attitude was not as aggressive as she thought. He even changed his mind after her words, saying, "Sure then. Transfer 1.5 million to me tomorrow.""What?!" Larissa thought she might have misheard. "1.5 million?" She felt like an inexperienced and naive person at this moment, complaining loudly. "Isn't it just a dress? Why is it so expensive?"But deep down, she knew that the gown really was that expensive."If you suspect that I'm lying to you, I'll have Vivian send you a picture of the receipt later." Kevan looked at Larissa. He was as cool as a cucumber.Well, since he said so, Larissa could no longer question him like this.However—"I
"I feel like it doesn't make a difference even if I pretend to be your girlfriend," she said seriously.Those who would willingly try to get in his pants would likely have low to no morals. Kevan having a girlfriend would not stop them from trying, and they may even delude themselves into thinking they could fight for the chance to be with him."How would you know that there would be no difference if you haven't even tried it yet?" Kevan was more optimistic than her, however. "Don't worry. I won't ask you to do everything a proper girlfriend should. You just need to do what you did today and show up to events with me. That should deter the women who have ideas about me."The banquet today was not that hard to get through—it would have been even better if those two ladies did not come looking for trouble.If it really were all like today…"Fine." Larissa decided that she would be a quiet wallflower at Kevan's side to pay off the 1.5-million-dollar debt. "But let's iron out the deta
Larissa spent half the night convincing Dylan that she was not familiar with Sharon, and would never do anything like leaking his private phone number to another.When Dylan left, she heard him snarl angrily, "Kevan, that fucking son of a bitch!"…For almost half a month, life was peaceful.Dylan delivered the petition and other documents to the court, who, after reviewing the case, had it filed for record and sent a copy of the petition to Travis.Now that definitely stirred up the hornet's nest, and Travis' parents made an appearance again after having gone off the grid for a long time. Except, they did not appear in person, but rather got the production crew of "The Mediators Room" of the Covenford Local TV Station to find Larissa at the Regal Dynasty.The crew wore work ID cards of the TV station and did not identify themselves at first. They only said that due to the requirements of the show, they wanted the housekeeping manager to cooperate with them.Coincidentally, the
She clenched her fists, her nails digging into the flesh of her palms, and she used the pain to remind herself to remain clear-headed at all times. It would not do for her to lose her composure."I have always had a clear conscience in anything that I do," she said. "I'm sorry; I am working now. If there's nothing else, please leave."The long-haired editor was about to say something when Larissa shut the door.After her shift was over at night, the girls excitedly came over to her to ask for details when she passed by the reception. "Ms. Seymour, why were the TV people looking for you? Did they ask you to go on a show?""Yeah, but I rejected it," Larissa replied with a faint smile."Why?" The girls were so disappointed. "You're so beautiful, Ms. Seymour. Who knows, you might go viral overnight! By then we'd be able to go out and say that we know a famous star!"Larissa could not help but laugh. "When there's another chance, I'll make sure to go for it, alright?"…After that t
Any sense of drowsiness vanished entirely, and Larissa was very much awake.She no longer had the mood to read the rest of the messages and retrieved her tablet from the bedside table drawer. She then found last night's episode of "The Mediators Room".Travis' parents arrived at the set as the "mediation representatives". They had mournful looks on their faces, and they looked fragile too. Janine's eyes were also red from crying, and she could only squint through the swelling.The host asked, "What would you like me to mediate for you?" Before he had even finished, Janine had already begun to wipe at her tears."I… I just want…" she sniffled. "I just want to apologize…to apologize to my daughter-in-law."Dick sighed and gently patted her back, his face filled with melancholy.The host retrieved some tissues and passed them over. "Try to calm down, and then tell us in detail what misunderstanding there is between you and your daughter-in-law."Janine wiped at the tear tracks on h
"My son always accommodates my daughter-in-law like this and is frequently trapped between us. I honestly feel sorry for him, and I try to bear with my daughter-in-law even if I'm unhappy with her. But who can blame my son for being fond of her? I don't want to destroy their marriage either."Although this was pretty much the end of it, I figured that my previous actions had upset my daughter-in-law because my son kept telling me in later calls that his wife is colder to him than before."Unable to help herself, Larissa snarled at the tablet. "Bullshit!"Her ex-mother-in-law's skills in truth distortion were honestly getting better and better. It was actually Travis who became colder to her after the new year celebrations.At that time, she even thought he was mad at her for rejecting his mother's "kindness", but he told her that it was because he had to be online to work on a major project, and that his subordinates had created problems for him, so he was in a bad mood and was mor
Janine lowered her head to sob again, and Dick continued playing his role of comforting his "grieving" wife. The scene panned over to the host."Based on the rules of our show, we would have invited the other party, that is, Ms. Levange's daughter-in-law to be present to talk about her anguish and grievances and mediate the misunderstandings between both parties from there. But when our editors went to Ms. Levange's daughter-in-law's workplace and explained the situation to her to invite her on to the show, we received the following response as shown—"They showed a video clip that displayed a familiar background that Larissa knew. It was her office at the hotel, and she was shown in the clip too—however, it was just her body from the neck down. From the angle, it was clear that this was covertly taken, and there was a caption acknowledging that the video clip was taken through unusual means on the bottom left corner of the clip.The video showed pretty much everything that had happ
Break out of this predicament?She did think about it and did intend to do it. But before that—"I don't want to drag the hotel or you into this."…At Covenford's branch office of Microworks Corporation, Dylan was scrolling through his phone in the president's office. He swiftly scanned through the article posted by a gossip Twitter account about that specific episode of "The Mediators Room"."Tsk, it holds the same opinion as the previous articles. They didn't even bother changing up the formula." He fixed his glasses and glanced at a certain someone who was buried in documents. "These social media accounts slandering Larissa are from the same company. Either the company is doing this on purpose to incite views, or someone has deliberately spent money to screw with Larissa."Kevan gave him a cold stare. "You seem to care about her a lot."Dylan sneered right back. "Not as much as you care about Sharon."The frigid aura surrounding Kevan faded a great deal."I heard that a lo
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