However, James wasn't prepared to leave. He stayed on the bed and drew closer to Summer. "I'm not ready to go yet. I've already informed my secretary that I won't be leaving until noon." "You're skipping work until noon? Aren't you concerned about delaying company matters?" "I'm not concerned because I want to spend time with you today." James' sudden expression of such intimate words could easily be misunderstood. "I don't need your company. I'm not a child," Summer retorted. "If you're not a child, then why did you get so drunk last night? I had to help you fall asleep." James had a talent for addressing uncomfortable subjects. Summer would have forgotten how he had helped her fall asleep the night before if he hadn't mentioned it. But now that he had brought it up, she recalled it vividly! The previous night, in his effort to soothe Summer, James had opted to treat her as if she were a criminal. He had swiftly rendered her unconscious with a blow to her neck. It wa
From the day before until that point, Summer felt a significant shift in her relationship with James. The bond between them had deepened considerably. Most significantly, James, who typically exuded an air of superiority and coldness, displayed a remarkable level of sincerity in her presence. It was a stark contrast to his authoritative and distant demeanor in public. Summer couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion within her. How had she and James ended up mirroring the dynamics of a real married couple? Back at her house, Fred and Amelia often engaged in similar playful banter, creating a cozy and harmonious environment. Now, both Summer and James had unknowingly adopted this same style of interaction. "James, I just threw a tantrum. Do you think that's alright?" Sumer cautiously inquired. "Are you throwing a tantrum at me? Isn't that perfectly normal?" he responded. "Normal?" Summer was taken aback. She doubted anyone in the world would dare throw a tantrum at
"Kelly, how have you been lately? You seem to have changed quite a bit." "Of course, I'm working at Myers Corporation now, so change is to be expected," Kelly replied, her tone tinged with pride as she raised her eyebrows. Initially, Summer had sensed a change in Kelly, but upon further observation, it appeared that she hadn't changed much after all. Her speech remained as casual as ever, devoid of any hint of maturity. The transformation appeared to be limited to her external appearance and choice of attire. Ironically, Summer had hoped for Zach and Kelly to become a couple, yet she had unintentionally paired Zach with Yolanda instead. As a form of compensation, Kelly had landed a high-paying position at Zach's company. Seeing Kelly's refreshed and lively demeanor, it was clear that she was indeed thriving in her new role. Summer felt a sudden urge to delve into gossip. She couldn't resist asking, "You must have encountered some remarkable men at Myers Corporation. So, a
Summer's passionate speech left Kelly wondering if the former had somehow taken the wrong medication. "Summie, what's gotten into you? I haven't seen you in a while, and you seem different now," Kelly remarked. "Different? Really?" Summer was surprised. She then came to the realization that she might have indeed undergone some changes. If she had to be honest, maybe her time with James had made her more outgoing and courageous. Despite James' repeated declarations of love for her, he remained unpredictable. As a result, there were times when he fell silent, prompting Summer to take the initiative. Otherwise, they would have remained at a standstill. However, strictly speaking, Summer's and Kelly's situations were different. James had always actively pursued Summer, while she had been more aloof. In contrast, Kelly didn't have exceptional men actively pursuing her, so she had to take the initiative herself. "Come on, Kelly. You've got this. Just take a more proactive app
Although Summer hadn't succeeded in finding a suitable husband for Kelly, she had helped the latter secure a great job. As a result, Kelly owed much of her current success to Summer. Determined to show her appreciation, Kelly decided to treat Summer to a shopping spree, even if it meant maxing out a few credit cards. Empowered by Kelly's generosity, Summer eagerly agreed to it. They strolled toward the commercial street in the city center, hand in hand. …Meanwhile, in Rosseera City, Keith sat in his office, lightly tapping the desk. The office was quiet and deserted, with only the faint sound of breathing audible. While Keith typically immersed himself in work, he had set aside his tasks for the day in anticipation of someone's arrival. He glanced at his watch, looking forward to the person's imminent arrival. Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted the silence. Keith stood up, assuming that the person he awaited had arrived. However, it was his secretary, Luna
Since Monica had initiated the conversation, Keith decided to engage with her. "What's on your mind?" Keith inquired. "James is on his way, isn't he? He's the one you're waiting for," Monica stated. As anticipated, Monica had indeed come to talk about James. Keith had foreseen this, so he didn't want to waste time talking with her. In the course of their discussion, he predicted that she would likely argue about marrying James. Therefore, before she could voice her thoughts, he interjected, "It's impossible for James and you to be together. Our family and the Quigley family have always been rivals. There's no possibility of an alliance." "Rivals? You're mistaken, Keith!" Monica exclaimed, her tone unusually forceful as she heavily emphasized his name. Keith was intrigued by Monica's conviction. He glanced at her and asked, "Tell me, where am I mistaken?" "Our family and the Quigley family aren't rivals; they're partners, and you're well aware of that," Monica retorted.
"Keith, you certainly have a way with words, but you must admit that your venture has failed. "Ritter Corporation has been losing to Quigley Group in real estate for years, and that's an undeniable fact," Monica stated, her face adorned with a charming smile. Despite her pretty and cute appearance, no one could deny her deep understanding of business. Keith realized that Monica had uncovered his vulnerabilities. No matter how much he argued, once she presented the evidence she had gathered, he would be defenseless. He remained silent, his expression turning icy as he turned away. Observing this, Monica understood that Keith had conceded. This was advantageous, as it allowed her to proceed with her next plan. "Keith, you're ambitious, so you wanted to defeat James in the business world. I understand, but what you did was wrong. You shouldn't sacrifice the family's interests to fulfill your own desires." Monica paused, then offered a warm and friendly smile. "But don't worr
James was Monica's ideal romantic partner, which explained her desire to win him over. "Keith, if you refuse to help me, I will expose your clandestine dealings to the family," Monica threatened. "Then, go ahead." Keith's voice remained cold, displaying no fear of Monica's threat. In fact, he had no reason to be afraid. Even though he hadn't yet taken on the role of family head, his authority was considerable since he was the heir of the family. Even if Monica exposed his actions, the most he would face was criticism from the board of directors and family members. "Monica, I won't be intimidated by anyone. You can leave now." Keith gestured for Monica to leave. In reality, it would have been feasible for him to assist her. If the Ritter and Quigley families could truly unite, it would be highly advantageous for both families. However, Keith didn't desire that. He wanted to have no association with James. His goal was to surpass the latter. James had been like his shadow