Rosie already made it very clear before this. She was always flirting with him openly and one-sidedly marking Lucas as hers.Rosie smiled with confidence. "He's not mine yet, but he will be eventually! Anya promised me that she'll make me her future sister-in-law! Lucas values Anya's opinion the most, so the result is obvious, isn't it?""Who's going to be who's sister-in-law?" Lucas's elegant and indifferent voice could be heard all of a sudden.Rosie and Corinne were both stunned at the same time, then they turned to look in the direction of the voice.Lucas looked like he just returned. His jacket was casually hanging on his arm, and every single move he made was graceful and elegant.As he walked over slowly, his gaze landed on Rosie, and his eyebrows furrowed. "Why are you here? What's the matter?"Rosie no longer looked like the shrew she was when questioning Corinne earlier. She looked at Lucas with a gentle gaze and said softly, "Lucas, I'm here to thank you for rescuing
"Here's your coffee, Mister Lucas." Corinne knocked on the door before she entered, then she put the coffee she just made down in front of Lucas."Mm-hmm." Lucas was going through a document carefully, so he just hummed in response. Without even looking up at all, he reached out to grab the coffee and brought it to his lips for a sip. All while focusing on his document.At that moment, Rosie was sitting on the couch in the reception area of his office. She was smiling and looking at Lucas with anticipation. As soon as Lucas had a sip of that heavily sweetened coffee, he would certainly get angry and reprimand Corinne.However, after a sip, Lucas did not have any unusual reaction at all. Everything was just as usual.What was going on?Rosie frowned. The look of anticipation gradually turned to disappointment. Why did Lucas not react at all? Could it be that he changed his preference? That was impossible!Corinne, on the other hand, was standing next to Lucas's desk while holding
However, seeing that Lucas was not friendly to Corinne, Rosie felt much relieved.It was fortunate for her that Lucas had great taste, so unlike Jeremy, Lucas would not be attracted to bumpkins like Corinne. Rosie had no idea what Jeremy saw in the unsophisticated Corinne!After Corinne left, only Rosie and Lucas were left in the office. Both of them were alone in one room, so it was the perfect time for them to chat and bond.However, after waiting for a long time, Rosie did not get any response from Lucas at all. It seemed that Lucas already forgot about her existence.Lucas was either looking at the documents or looking at his computer while typing away on his keyboard. He was simply very busy.Rosie drooled over the man she loved who was hard at work, and the more she looked at him, the more she was in love. She wanted to get closer to him, but she did not dare to bother him.That went on until lunchtime, but Lucas still did not have any intention to stop and take a break at
Was this Anya and Jeremy's child?Corinne stared at the boy in a daze for a while before she looked up at Anya, who was beaming happily.Anya was all smiles when she looked at her. "Corinne, I didn't get to greet you when we met yesterday. I hope you've been well."Corinne smiled a little. "Mm-hmm, yes, I have. You look good, Miss Anya."Anya picked up the boy in the stroller and took out the pacifier in his mouth. "Joey, come, this is Miss Corinne."Joey was more than one year old, and he looked like he just learned how to walk. He then called out with indistinct articulation, "M-miss Co-corinne."Perhaps it was because she was also pregnant, she could not help but feel that such a small child was very adorable when she saw him. Corinne nodded and said, "Mm-mmm. Hello."The boy seemed to be a little shy with strangers. He was scared when looking at Corinne, then he hugged Anya's neck and cowered in her arms.Anya hugged her child and smiled helplessly. "I hope you don't mind,
However, her faith would not allow her to consider terminating her pregnancy.Corinne's life was riddled with misfortune since her childhood. She was passed from one to another as if she was a ball because nobody wanted to take care of her.It was after many twists and turns that she was placed in foster care at a convent. She was raised by the nuns and grew up on a monastic diet. She did not become a nun and was not considered a devoted believer, but she was deeply influenced by their teachings since childhood.No matter what, she did the deed of her volition that night, and the child was innocent.She wanted this child.…As soon as Anya carried her child into the office, Rosie went up to her as if she was meeting her family. Anya finally arrived!"Anya, you're here! It must be very tiring to carry your child all the way here."Anya smiled sweetly and said, "It's not tiring. I brought the stroller. I just left it at the door. Have you been waiting for me for a long time, Rosi
Anya's eyes twinkled, looking so naive and innocent. "No, Rosie. You must be overthinking it. Corinne is quite a nice person.""Her? A nice person? If she's a nice person, I wouldn't have been imprisoned because of her!" Rosie sighed. She could not help but feel even more worried about her pure and simple best friend. "Anya, you're a mother now, yet you're still as foolish as a child, thinking that everybody is nice! I'm really worried about you!"There was a pause before Anya laughed as she was "slow to react." Just as she was about to say something, she heard the door to the restroom open.With mutual understanding, both of them did not continue the topic anymore. They turned to look at Lucas, who just came out of the restroom, at the same time.Rolling his sleeves up, Lucas walked over slowly, then said to his sister gently, "Anya, don't you feel tired carrying the child? Hurry up, have a seat, and take a break!"Anya nodded. Carrying Joey in her arms, she sat down on the couch
While eating, Lucas hummed lazily. It seemed like he responded to him, but at the same time, he did not. He was very polite the whole time, but he also seemed cool and distant.While Lucas was having lunch, he received a call, so he got up and headed out.Seeing Lucas leave, Rosie got a little worried. Lucas finally had a few bites, but he left the office again. Was it because the food she made was not to Lucas's taste?Anya could tell that her best friend was feeling uneasy. Being considerate, she patted Rosie's hand and comforted her, "Rosie, my brother's like this. He often neglects his sleep and skips meals for work. Don't overthink it."Rosie nodded, feeling slightly relieved.Anya suddenly thought of something and said, "Rosie, my aunt's birthday party is tomorrow. Have you prepared a dress for the party?"Rosie was dazed. She already forgot about it if Anya did not mention it. "Anya, I remember your aunt, Missus Benet, has a rule that everybody has to bring a partner to he
Anya's gaze was innocent and weak, making others feel the urge to protect her. "But-"Rosie stood up and knocked on Corinne's desk. Then, she crossed her arms and said arrogantly, "Corinne, listen to me! Joey is sleeping on the couch in Lucas's office now. Anya and I are going out, and we'll be right back! If we notice something's wrong with Joey when we come back, then it's your fault!"Corinne did not even look up and was still going to reject her. However, without even giving Corinne the chance to reject her, Rosie held Anya's hand and said, "Let's go, Anya."Corinne frowned. She looked up and saw Anya and Rosie entering the elevator in a rush.Corinne was at a loss for words.Never mind Rosie, but how could Anya, a mother, feel at ease to leave her child in the hands of a person who did not have a good relationship with her? Something must be up!Whether something was fishy or not, Corinne could not be bothered with Any's business.However, Lucas stepped out to get a call
Sherman could not help but feel fearful when he recalled the incident.Rita gently smoothed his furrowed brow. "I knew you'd come to rescue me, just like all the times you did. I love you, Sherman."Previously, Rita confessed her love to him when she was groggy. At this moment, however, she was clearly awake, even sporting a faint smile on her face as she confessed.Sherman immediately blushed. "I love you, too."Rita did not stay long in the hospital; she quickly returned to the Parr family's mansion. Just as Sherman's grandparents had said, Rita did not have any major injuries, so there was no need for her to stay in the hospital that long. In fact, she might even recover faster emotionally under the care at home.Not once did Sherman bring up Rita's job, but she surprisingly resigned from New Capital Times on her own accord. It would be difficult for her to investigate cases with her current condition; not to mention Sherman had handed over the evidence to the police. The polic
"Sherman, I like you. I love you," Rita finally confessed.Sherman, deeply pained, pulled Rita into his arms. "This is all my fault. I should've looked for you quicker. I've never blamed you. All I want is to see you smile. It's enough for me as long as you're willing to let me stay by your side."You don't have to confess to me. I know it's hard for you to do that because of your family. I've seen the way they've treated you, and…"The bodyguards who had barged in with Sherman felt a bit awkward to see their company president in tears. However, the priority was to get Rita to the hospital for a check-up. Being tied up for hours could cause circulation issues, and it could be dangerous if her limbs did not regain feelings soon.In the end, they got the bravest among them to convince Sherman to let them take Rita to the hospital. Instead of letting them do it, Sherman wiped away his tears and, with ease, lifted Rita as if she was as light as a feather.Fortunately, after the hospit
With that, Karen left without looking back. She was carrying Vince's baby in her womb, so how could she pin all her hopes on Sadie? Since Sadie was obviously unruly, she would have to rely on her son.'Sadie can spend the rest of her life with Esmond since she likes him so much. God knows it had been exhausting enough to raise her. Plus, it's only fair for Esmond to take care of her since I've done my part taking care of her until now,' thought Karen.Meanwhile, the only consolation for Sherman was that Esmond did not try to put up a fight. It seemed that he still cared about his daughter Sadie.Sherman led his men to a dilapidated house. Esmond had been cautious enough to choose a rundown house situated at the end of a village.When Sherman barged in, he found Rita lying on the floor while Esmond's men ignored her. Esmond's men had followed his orders, and since he did not instruct them to do anything to Rita, they left her well alone.Before the men could react, they were surrou
Karen cried and silently knelt by Sadie's side without trying to defend herself. Sadie, on the other hand, feebly tried to explain herself. Alas. Vince refused to listen.There had been many occasions before when he had chosen to believe Karen and Sadie, but at this moment, he realized he had been terribly wrong to do that.Rita used to be so kind, understanding, and well-behaved. However, ever since Karen and Sadie moved in, Vince felt like his daughter had become manipulative, always trying to compete for attention, and stirring up jealousy in front of him.Unfortunately, it took Rita's disappearance to make Vince realize that Rita was not trying to compete for attention. All Rita wanted from him was to treat her the same as Sadie.Vince used to think that Rita should give in to Sadie more since Sadie was younger, too."Why don't you go live with your biological father since you prefer him so much? I never want to see you show your face around here anymore! As for your mother, s
Sadie was so anxious that she wanted to jump out. "Mom, don't tell me you fell for it! Why did you call Esmond? Now they all know where Rita is. You've ruined everything, again! What were you thinking?"Karen could not care less. She cried and slapped Sadie. "You nearly scared me to death! What would I do if something happened to you? I didn't raise you just to watch you die. I told you not to meet up with Esmond, so why did you secretly meet up with him? How can you ask him to get rid of Rita?"Are you out of your mind? All I want is for us to live out the rest of our lives peacefully, so why didn't you listen to me?!"Sadie was furious. Karen had stopped trying to get rid of Rita ever since she got pregnant, so how could Sadie not be angry? Rita was like a thorn in her side, and Sadie would never be happy unless Rita was dead."Don't you know I like Sherman? How could you ask me to do nothing when Rita has stolen him from me?! I was the one who liked him first. It's either Rita g
Karen wanted so badly to slap Esmond through the phone.'What good are his pompous words now? We wouldn't be in this mess now if he hadn't hit me back then! What's more, he's saying he's doing this for Sadie. But has he ever thought of what would happen to me and Sadie if he got rid of Rita? Rita's the heiress of the Russell family. Not to mention, she's married to Sherman, so that makes her owner of Parr Group too! What makes Esmond think he can get rid of Rita so easily?'Karen's breath was ragged as she said, "If you don't believe me, just listen to your daughter's screams. I can't save her now; you will literally decide her fate! Plus, I'm pregnant with Vince's baby, so even if I lose Sadie, I still have a kid—which is more than what I can say about you!"Sherman could not help but be impressed by Karen a little. Even in this dire situation, she did not forget to express her heartfelt feelings to Vince, letting him know that she was always on his side. It was certainly not an ea
"Sherman raised an eyebrow. "Don't worry, I'm sure it's just a minor injury, maybe just a finger. There shouldn't be any major issues. A sprained joint takes only a hundred days to heal, and it might take her even less time to heal if you take very good care of her while she's recuperating."Karen's heart ached upon hearing that. She lunged toward Sherman, wanting to hit him, but the bodyguards stopped her before she could get close.Vince, still worried, held Karen tightly beside him. "Calm down. I'm sure Sadie will come out unharmed if Rita's kidnapping has nothing to do with her. But if it does, then you should know very well that…"Vince's voice dropped an octave. He could not believe his daughter's disappearance had anything to do with his stepdaughter. However, he was not utterly naive.He continued, "How could a girl like her take Rita away? Even the car window was smashed. Others must've been involved. Does her biological father have anything to do with it?"Sherman nodded
"Yes, it's true I met up with my biological father, but it was just a one-time thing. I don't want to go back to him at all! Otherwise, I would've done it ages ago. Dad, I'm really grateful to you for taking me in and looking after me all these years. That's why I feel like you're my real father, even more real than those who share the same blood."How could you unjustly accuse me and Mom like that? Sherman is the one spouting nonsense here. He's trying to push all the blame onto us. Dad, you have to wake up and see the truth!"Karen nodded along, but her heart was racing. 'When did Sadie meet Esmond? How did Sherman know when I don't even know? Seems like Sadie does have something to do with Rita's kidnapping. I have to settle things and get Sherman out of here.'Karen never had the thought of rekindling her relationship with Esmond. The only thing she wanted then was to peacefully give birth to her son. Everything in the Russell family would eventually go to her son, and she would
Sherman detested people pointing their fingers at him when they spoke. He stood up slowly, towering over Vince instantly."You claim to be Rita's father, yet if I were you, I'd choose to shut up and stand aside. I can't believe you're scolding me for threatening Sadie when she's not even your real daughter!"Look at her guilty expression; it's clear she's involved. If you don't believe me, use your brain a little. No wonder Russell Group is declining under your leadership. It's only a matter of time before the company goes completely bankrupt!"Sherman showed no mercy, causing Vince to retreat with every word. Vince clutched his chest, struggling for breath.Karen, despite her weakness, stepped forward to support him. "How could you speak to your father-in-law like this? What has Sadie done to offend you? She has nothing but admiration for you. Plus, she's just a child. How could you treat her like this?"She went on and on, but Sherman stood his ground. Meanwhile, the burly bodyg