"Summer, James has agreed to my condition. If I consented to this marriage, you need to get pregnant within six months. If he hasn't told you, then I'll tell you now." Summer's mouth fell open in shock, her body trembling at the revelation. How could James agree to such a thing? Did he think she was some kind of breeding sow? Furthermore, Summer hadn't even discussed the idea of having children with him. Yet, he readily accepted Caroline's demand without asking for her opinion. Initially, Summer had been filled with joy, but now, she couldn't find any happiness within herself. Caroline observed Summer's shocked expression and softly nudged her. "Did you understand? You must conceive within six months. Otherwise, I won't be as lenient with you." Summer had never experienced genuine kindness from Caroline, and she didn't appreciate her insincere gestures anyway. However, conceiving within six months would pose quite a challenge. Summer understood she needed to discuss thi
Summer couldn't help but notice the underlying threat in Caroline's words. Essentially, Caroline implied that if Summer didn't comply, she would use her influence to dismantle the Charter Corporation. While Charter Corporation had grown from a small enterprise to a medium-sized one, it paled in comparison to conglomerates like the Quigley Group. It was akin to comparing an ant to an elephant. As a consultant and board member of the Quigley Group, Caroline held significant influence. If she decided to manipulate things behind James's back, it wouldn't take her much effort. Consequently, Summer felt as though she was being backed into a corner by Caroline, leaving her with no option but to comply. "I understand, Mom," Summer said. Observing Summer's compliance, Caroline nodded. "Good. Make sure you return to the Quigley residence in the next few days. And remember, don't let James find out about this." Summer immediately understood Caroline's intentions. If James found o
Summer hoped to gain Caroline's blessing for her marriage, so she endeavored to win her approval.However, she remembered a commitment James had made to Caroline when she returned home."James, did you make a deal with your mom?" she asked. Upon hearing her words, James realized she had found out everything. Without denying it, he honestly replied, "I promised my mom that we would have a child within six months if she consented to the wedding.""Do you think having a baby is easy?" Summer angrily punched his chest.James didn't understand how painful childbirth was. A nine-month-pregnancy was a challenging journey, as pregnant women were restricted from eating certain foods and engaging in many activities.Summer exclaimed, "If you want a child, you can bear it yourself. I won't do it."Although she had never given birth herself, she harbored an inexplicable fear of it. Perhaps this fear stemmed from the TV shows she watched or her mother's words. She believed that childbirth
Summer asked, "If we don't take care of our child ourselves and bond with them, isn't it no different from not having a child at all?"You've been alone since birth, only able to receive the superior education provided by your family. Do you want your child to experience the same?"Summer believed James understood the sadness of growing up in a prestigious family. They didn't have a happy childhood, deprived of joy and burdened with immense responsibility. That was the fate of children born in wealthy families.James began to seriously consider what Summer had said. His expression turned solemn. He nodded silently before settling back onto the couch.Summer interpreted his demeanor as reflective. She approached him and gently prodded him with her finger."You understand the challenges of raising a child, don't you? You wouldn't lightly decide to want one within six months again, would you?"She hoped James would recognize the difficulties of parenthood.He shouldn't hastily
Summer was ambitious, and she wasn't easily swayed by threats. However, she relented when James began tickling her.Aware of Summer's ticklishness, James specifically aimed for her stomach, armpits, and neck. His actions made her extremely ticklish. Unable to endure it any longer, Summer pleaded, "Stop, please! I'll agree to have a baby with you!""Really?" "Yes! Let me down. We can discuss it!" Tears were nearly streaming down her cheeks from the tickling. With no alternative, she reluctantly made a promise to him. She understood that refusing meant enduring unbearable torture.James finally released her and said seriously, "Remember what you said."Would Summer fulfill her promise? She had promised James to have a baby, but he had basically forced her to do it. So, she believed those promises didn't hold weight.She cautiously distanced herself from James. "I told you, James! I won't have a baby with you!"Summer regretted her promise instantly. Her change in demeanor
Summer's heart began to beat violently beyond her control. Perhaps it was due to their closeness.Her cheeks flushed, and her breathing quickened as blood surged through her veins.James noticed her unusual reaction. He leaned in close and whispered in her ear, "Don't you want to do it?"Summer instantly grasped his intention. She quickly retorted, "What nonsense are you speaking? I have no idea what you're talking about.""Summie, are you pretending to be clueless? It's okay, I can show you," James said and licked her earlobe.Summer stiffened at his actions; her body was always sensitive to his ministrations."Get off, James!" she exclaimed.Having never been close to James before, she was unaware of how flirtatious he could be.She realized now that despite his usual indifference, he seemed very experienced in such matters.However, the more she insisted he leave her alone, the more persistent he became.James began to kiss her gently, trailing down her neck.Summer quick
Summer's words left James thinking that she agreed to have a child with him. He asked in bewilderment, "Summie, you..."Summer knew James always respected her, despite being unromantic. He should understand that her words meant agreement, since she had expressed it to that extent.She gently touched his neck, trailing her fingers down, and began unbuttoning his clothes."We are husband and wife, understand?" James finally understood her. A warm smile appeared on his cold, handsome face as he gently supported the back of Summer's head.He removed her hair clip and said, "I understand now, my love."The room's lights casted a warm glow. Shadows danced as the king-sized bed swayed. Clothes were scattered across the red cotton carpet.Happiness permeated the room. This day truly belonged to Summer and James.Sunlight streamed through the window the next morning.As Summer sat up in bed, she noticed neatly folded clothes on the table. Those clothes had been scattered across the fl
The Youngs' business was heavily influenced by the Ritters, leaving Simone with no option but to comply with Keith's commands.Keith had assured Simone and Hank of substantial monetary gain after completing the task. Additionally, he pledged to collaborate with Young Group to foster their business growth.This commitment prompted them to listen to Keith's instructions and disrupt Summer's wedding.Unfortunately, their attempt failed, and the event proceeded perfectly. Now, they could only stand before Keith with their head bowed, feeling guilty."Mr. Ritter, we apologize for betraying your trust. However, you can't place all the blame on us."Hank elaborated, "Who would've known James was so infatuated with Summer? We even brought up Summer's past during the wedding, but he disregarded it entirely."Simone added, "Exactly. Mr. Ritter, it's not solely because we didn't try hard enough. Perhaps James was a fool. How else could he marry someone like Summer?"Keith grew increasing
"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