At the snap of James' fingers, Charlie rushed in through the door. "Mr. Quigley, we've contacted the police station. When the time comes, the officers will deal with everything accordingly," he reported to James."Good. I'll leave everything to you then." James didn't say anything else. He cast a sideways glance at Keith, who was silent, before leaving with Summer in his arms.Upon leaving the room, they were met with a dark and gloomy corridor. Summer leaned against James' chest and felt safe. She found the corridor in shambles as she left. Countless men dressed in black were lying scattered on the floor. She could tell that James' men had fought with Keith's bodyguards when he had come to save her. No wonder the surroundings were in such an unruly state. Too many things had happened that night. Keith had lost control, and James' had become furious. Hence, Summer couldn't help but feel extremely anxious. She felt as though she was being suspended in midair, even though s
When Summer had closed her eyes to sleep the night before, she had felt like she could still hear Keith talking next to her ear."You don't belong to James anymore. You are mine!"She felt a sharp pain in her entire nervous system. Images kept flashing in her head. She could still feel the pain from his grip on her wrists as well as his hot breath burning on her neck. It was a nightmare. …In the afternoon, Summer finally got up from the bed. The sun was shining brightly outside. She opened the curtains, and rays of sunshine pooled on the floor.This world was so peculiar. No matter what kind of terrible events took place, the sun would still rise the next day. Nothing changed other than one's mentality. Her emotional regulation was quite strong. After an entire morning of thinking it through, she had processed everything, despite going through such an experience. Besides, she also understood that Keith hadn't meant to put her in that position. He was merely a pitiful person
He didn't understand why she had asked that, though."Is there a difference between Keith now as compared to back then?" he asked."Yes, there is," she replied. "Didn't you talk about him before? The shift in his personality happened after his brother died because of him. He did what he did to me because he thinks that I can save him.""Summie, are you sympathizing with him?" James' tone was slightly acidic. Summer was his wife. It was no surprise that he would feel that way when she kept defending Keith.He paused for a moment before speaking again. "Judging by what you said, it sounds like you don't want to make him take responsibility for his actions, Summie?"He couldn't bear to let Keith off the hook just like that. Summer was the most important person in his life. No one was allowed to harm her.Besides, a sane person wouldn't have lost their minds and tried to take her for themselves like Keith had done.Even if Summer sympathized with him, James refused to forgive him.
When he heard the news, James' expression didn't change, but inwardly he was in turmoil. Keith's release wasn't the result he had wanted. He asked sternly, "What happened? Why has Keith been released?""The police said that there wasn't enough evidence at the scene of the crime. It isn't enough to convict Mr. Ritter of violating Mrs. Quigley."Not enough evidence? James had expected this. Although Keith was hated by the entire Ritter family, he was still their heir. If anything happened to him, the Ritter family would be sure to use all the family's resources to help him.James looked up at the sky. It was late at night, and there seemed to be a mournful tone in the chirping of the cicadas. James' handsome face looked frosty. It seemed that he had another enemy to deal with now, and it was Keith, who had once been his friend. …At the Ritter residence, Keith returned to his room to rest after getting back from the police station. He had come back safely this time beca
Keith ignored Monica. He just glanced at her and continued drinking his alcohol. He reeked of it, and his hair was slightly sticky. He looked as if he hadn't showered all day. If Keith had been like an eagle in the past, he seemed more like a sparrow now. He had lost all semblance of authority. Monica didn't think much of him. If he wanted to wallow, then that was his business. She had come there because she had something else to say. She walked over delicately and said to his face, "We know all about what you did. Even though Mom and Dad didn't say anything, I can tell that they're nervous about it." Monica's words were greeted with silence. Keith didn't say anything and just slumped back lazily in his seat. He burped from time to time. It was unusual to see him like this. Monica had never seen him in such a state before. It seemed that something really had happened to him."Keith, forget it if you're not going to listen to me. I don't know if what the police said i
Kyle got up to make his report. "The Sunflower Garden project is progressing smoothly. Currently, the 300 million dollars invested in the project has been used to buy materials. 200 million dollars will be needed to erect the facilities and to get more manpower. We need you to approve this step, Ms. Charter.""I approve," Summer said airily, waving an arm."Next is the Paradise Villa project. The main funds for this project are being provided by Walsh Group, and they've already given us all the funds. "When the time comes, we'll be monitoring the construction with several engineers, including myself. We expect to complete the construction of the luxury villas in the first district.""Very good. You've all done well. When the project is completed, there will definitely be bonuses." The bonuses were a must. It was an important incentive to boost morale among the employees, and they had really done very well. Apart from negotiating orders, Summer hadn't participated much in
Summer could see that Gerald was helping her, but there was no way to control other people talking. She waved a hand and said, "Forget about that. They're just rumors. I expect they'll stop spreading after a few days.""That's right, Summer, don't think too much about it. After all, if you're innocent, then the truth will come out eventually. As long as you know that you haven't made any mistakes, then it's fine." Gerald grinned at her, then left.However, his words had given Summer a warning. She had to keep her distance from other men. Even if people were doing this to hurt her on purpose, they wouldn't even have been able to start such rumors if she had behaved well to begin with.She reflected on herself. Ever since she had married James, she had started interacting with the other heirs from the four major prestigious families, including people like Zach and Bradly. Even if nothing was going on, people with bad intentions would be able to make something of it if they saw
Breaking off the collaboration was his ultimate move. Before things reached a tipping point, James would never do something like that. Once the collaboration was broken off, not only would Ritter Corporation be affected, but even Quigley Group would suffer severe loss.Keith looked calm and there was a glint in his eyes. He knew that some things were unavoidable, so he would face them head-on.He slowly opened up and spoke at a leisurely pace. But what he said was enough to startle James so much that he jumped to his feet. "I think I love Summer."Everything went silent around them, and the temperature seemed to drop past the freezing point. James' expression was darker than ever. Even the air that he exhaled was icy.James had expected Keith to apologize. Instead, he ended up saying something so despicable. "Do you even know what you're saying, Keith? It's not too late for you to apologize now!"James was giving him a chance. If Keith felt like what he had done was wrong
"Of course. I'm the chairman of Charter Corporation, after all. Why can't I continue working? I took care of Charter Corporation back when you got married, didn't I?" Fred patted his chest firmly, looking quite confident.Summer also believed that her father would be able to manage the company well if she left it in his care.Fred was the founder of Charter Corporation, after all. He had worked on it for decades, and he was the person who knew it the best. If he was the one taking over, Summer definitely had no reason to worry.However, Fred had already retired, so he should be relaxing at home at his age. Summer felt a little bad if he was suddenly asked to manage the company again.James comforted Summer, saying, "Summie, why don't you let him help you? Of all the people in Charter Corporation, he must be the person who's the most invested in the company other than you.""That's right." Fred smiled confidently. "How can I not care about my own company? Don't worry, Summer. Just
They were having a meal right now, so where was Fred going? Summer asked in confusion, "Dad, where are you going?"When Summer asked the question, Fred had already left the living room. He seemed to be on his way back to his room.Amelia explained, "He's preparing a gift for you.""Preparing a gift? What gift?"Soon, the gift Amelia mentioned was brought over to them.Fred was carrying a large cardboard box, which he processed to place on the table. He retrieved children's toys, baby clothes, and a jigsaw puzzle from the box.Summer was speechless when she saw that. So this was the sort of gift Amelia was talking about. But why would Fred give her these things out of the blue?Holding the clothes, Fred explained gleefully, "Several months ago, Amelia and I were shopping when we came across some baby products. We were wondering when you'd have children, and we feared that you wouldn't be able to buy all the baby products you would need, so we bought some ahead of time."Summer s
Nearby, James faked a cough as if there was another matter at hand. Noticing something off with his expression, Summer thought that he choked on something, so she asked, "Would you like some water?""No, thanks… Summie, did you forget why we came here in the first place?"Thanks to James' reminder, Summer finally remembered that she wasn't here for a simple visit. She had to tell her parents the good news of her pregnancy.At that moment, Amelia and Fred were leisurely enjoying the food. Summer knew that if they heard the news, they might get overwhelmed with emotion, so she decided to give them a heads-up. "Dad, Mom, we actually came here to tell you an important piece of news. Maybe you can stop eating for now.""What's the matter?" Fred asked curiously."Well… This is a very serious matter. Before I break the news, I'd like you to be as calm as possible. Please don't get too worked up."When Amelia and Fred heard that, they exchanged glances. They had no idea what exactly Summ
For example, Summer and James were taking a walk in the park. They might look like they were alone, but in reality, more than a dozen bodyguards were hiding in bushes and various corners of the park. To protect the child, the Quigleys pulled out all the stops to ensure Summer's safety."Alright, I get it." Summer chose to compromise. She was living a wonderful life at the Quigley residence, after all, so she felt like she shouldn't ask for too much.Also, as Caroline had said, Summer would regain freedom once she gave birth to the child. Summer would be able to live her happy life with James then, and Caroline wouldn't be around to nag her about the child.The next morning, the Quigleys arranged for a luxurious limousine to send Summer and James to the Charter Estate. Amelia and Fred already knew that their daughter would be coming over, so they were waiting at the entrance. When they saw their dear daughter, elated expressions appeared on their faces."Summer, you're back! We've p
Hence, Summer could do whatever she pleased. If Caroline dared to restrict her freedom, Summer would be upset, and Caroline wouldn't want that.As Summer walked along the even path of the park, she did some stretches to loosen up. "It's a nice life. Before this, I was worried that something bad might happen if I returned to the Quigley residence, but now, it looks like I was overthinking it. Caroline is very good to me, and the others respect me too.""I'm glad to hear that. I was also worried that you wouldn't be able to get used to staying in the Quigley residence. You're pregnant, after all." James glanced at Summer's belly, his eyes filled with fatherly love and tenderness. By the looks of it, he had intended to be a father a long time ago."Hold your horses. I've only been pregnant for three weeks. They say that the baby will be born after ten months of pregnancy, and it's not even been a month yet, let alone ten." With that, Summer suddenly held James' hand and guided it tow
What would it mean to Howe if he gave up on the position of the head of the family? It meant that he would have to depend on someone else to survive, and he would be giving up on glory and riches along with a life filled with extravagance.Thanks to his wealthy background, Howe was already used to life like this. If James became the head of the family in the future, he might exercise his authority as the head of the family to limit Howe's movements. Howe would be stripped of freedom.Maeve felt that Howe was right as well. Her current life of luxury was built upon mountains of cash. If Howe didn't get to be the head of the family, he would definitely face restrictions."Howe, I want you to be the head of the family as well, but do you really have confidence in your capabilities? Your brother is so outstanding, and he's the official heir, too."Maeve hit the nail on the head. This was exactly what Howe was worried about as well. There was a world of difference between him and James,
So, when Caroline asked her to stay in the Quigley residence, Summer somewhat reluctantly agreed.At noon the next day, dark clouds filled the sky, making it look bleak. However, in the bustling Rosseera City, things were as lively as usual.In a luxury hotel situated in the city center, Howe was sitting on a chair, holding a glass of wine in one hand while his other arm was wrapped around the waist of a beautiful woman. At that moment, his expression was as gloomy as the weather.The young woman was good at reading the room. Extending her fingers, she traced circles on Howe's pink shirt. She asked, "What's the matter, Howe? You seem to be in a bad mood today. Could there be anyone in Rosseera City who's bold enough to offend you?""Hmph…" Howe didn't say a word. Instead, he downed the whole glass of wine.Noticing that he wasn't saying anything, the young woman pursed her lips and planted a kiss on his cheek. Smiling, she asked, "What's going on? Are you going to say that women w
James didn't want to agree to this arrangement. Even though it wasn't explicitly mentioned, he was fully aware that Summer didn't want to stay at the Quigley residence. Hence, he said, "I'll take care of Summer, Mom. I even hired Tina to look after her needs. You know how dependable Tina is. With her around, everything will be fine.""Nonsense. Even if Tina was there, there's only so much she can do on her own. This Quigley grandchild is extremely important. I can't just let her handle everything by herself.""That won't be an issue, Mom. Besides, Summer won't feel comfortable staying here either." Summer's feelings were James' top priority. Caroline could see this as well. In the end, the decision was Summer's to make. So, instead of addressing James, she turned to Summer and asked, "Would you like to stay at the Quigley residence, Summie?"If it were up to Summer, she'd say no. There was no way she would want to stay here out of her own free will. Just the mere sight of Caroli
Howe was the quietest person at the table. He was dressed in a shirt with floral patterns, and his hair was slightly curly. He was as still as a rock. He had a look of terror on his face for a while now—he didn't know that Summer was pregnant.Now that his parents were talking about it, he immediately asked, "Pregnant? Is Summer pregnant?""Yes, she is—haven't you heard?" Caroline replied. "No… How is she suddenly pregnant? I didn't hear anything about it until now." "I only found out recently as well." Caroline's hand moved over her mouth before she continued, "Isn't it great? You're going to be an uncle soon.""Yeah. I can't wait." Howe put on a forced smile.Everyone in the family was overjoyed by the news—except Howe Quigley. The Quigleys had a family rule. If the heir had a child, his position as the head of the family would be set in stone.So, if James welcomed a baby, Howe would lose the opportunity to take his place as the family heir. By that logic, he would never be