Lana took a sip and said, "This is actually quite good. I'll ask the maid later how it's made so we could try it at home."Kai agreed, "Sure."Half an hour later, Madelyn woke up in a foul mood, not feeling her best. While arguing with Zach, she got so annoyed that she ended up throwing a pillow at him, which hit his face. This happened just as Kai and Lana came out from Zach's study and entered Madelyn's room.Kai said, "Seems like Madelyn's feeling better now."Madelyn's relationship with Kai was cold; she maintained her usual distance from him. Seeing an unfamiliar pregnant woman at Kai's side, Madelyn offered him a nod of acknowledgment. Zach spent the day picking up pillows, a task that had become routine whenever Madelyn lost her temper. Kai and Lana, acknowledging the situation but choosing not to engage, intertwined their hands and left the room together.Zach handed Madelyn a cup of water and said, "Take your medicine before leaving the bed; you're ill. If you're worried
Stolen feelings never last long. Kai had understood this for a long time. He quietly thought to himself, 'I'm not the hero in Lana's story; Andrew is always the one she cherishes.'Lana was really hurt when Andrew passed away. The hypnosis helped her forget for a little while, but it was not a fix that would last forever. If she tried hard to peel away the false memories and look for anything about Andrew, her memories would come back to her. For now, she remembered things in bits and pieces. Sometimes, she had brief moments when things made sense, yet she could not recall Andrew's name.During that time, Lana did not call out 'Andrew' when she woke up. Kai, grappling with his thoughts, admitted to himself he was self-centered and flawed. He longed to have her close but feared the intimacy; his turmoil left him unsure of his next move.Kai said in a soothing tone, "You seem worried about starting a family. Let's not let it trouble us too much. I'll make more time for us to be togeth
"Thanks a lot. I'm happy to visit today," Lana said with a smile.Madelyn stood at the third-floor window and saw Kai's car pull away. She squinted at the pregnant lady beside him, trying to remember where she had seen her before. 'Wow, Kai's been really secretive. He got married and is having a baby,' Madelyn thought. 'He looked like he genuinely cared for her at dinner. It's unbelievable. Kai and Zach made sure I'd never become a mom. And now, Kai thinks a simple "sorry" makes everything okay? No way. Guys like him deserve to be alone, just like Zach probably will be.'Zach crept up from behind and wrapped his arms around her. "You seem better. Maybe it's time to pay back what's due?" he murmured."Do I owe you something? You've got it all wrong, Zach. I'm not the one in debt here," she snapped back.Zach pondered her sudden anger. He had not made out with her in ages. 'If this keeps up, I might as well take a vow of celibacy,' he mused.As she left the bedroom, Zach was about t
As soon as Zach arrived, all the cameras pointed at him. He looked straight ahead and took the most important seat. Cecilia, serving as the Deputy CEO of Jardin Corporation, sat right next to him.The room buzzed when Zach came in. Every reporter held up the day's newspaper, ready for the scoop. Right when Zach sat down, a reporter asked the first question."Mr. Jardin, is what is reported in today's paper correct? Have you really called off your engagement with Yvonne Young? And if so, was the decision based on the belief that there's no longer any value in the alliance with her family's company, YTCorp?"Zach answered, "Calling off my engagement with her doesn't change our relationship with YTCorp. We work in different areas, and their agreement with Jardin Corporation is meant to last."Before Zach could continue, another journalist jumped in with a new question, "So, are the rumors of you and Yvonne Young having troubles true?"Kevin firmly answered, "Please, we're not here to
Zach looked at the reporter's badge and saw the big letters that spelled 'Intern.' "Why is the entertainment news outlet sending interns to Jardin Corporation's press events?" he asked.The reporter did not look scared of Zach one bit. She said, "Mr. Jardin, don't interns have the same right to be here? Or are you just mad about my question and trying to scare me in front of everyone?"The PR manager of Jardin Corporation got up fast, "So sorry, Mr. Jardin. She's probably a new intern and doesn't get the rules yet. I'll take her out right now."The bodyguard was ready to move, but Zach stopped him with a hand, "I'm sure that all the top executives at Jardin Corporation do their jobs right." He then turned to face the reporter who was taking on the company by herself. "Would you have the courage to publish it if I tell you?"The reporter stood tall and said with sureness, "Of course I will. Reporters are supposed to write the truth, to share what they've found so everyone can know t
"Who do you think you are to interfere with my business?" Zach said without holding back at all.The veins on Cecilia's forehead popped. She looked extremely ferocious with the makeup on her face and her bright red lipstick. She stared intensely at Zach with eyes filled with jealousy."Mr. Jardin, she's here," Kevin came over and spoke.Zach shifted his gaze and took another look at the time. 'I should be able to have dinner with her.' He thought to himself.Then, he put his hand into his pocket, saying, "The President of YTCorp will take over and conclude this press conference personally."One of the male reporters asked, "Mr. Jardin, are you not going to attend the coming meeting?"Zach smirked, "My future wife is sick, and I've got to go back and take care of her." Then, he left the conference venue without waiting for other reporters to ask any other questions.Zach had only appeared in the venue for a little over ten minutes, and all the time for questions was wasted on the
Cecilia wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes nonchalantly. Her eyeliner had smudged, making her makeup look horrible, "I'll wire you the money in an hour.""Thank you, Ms. Samford."After she took the flash drive from that person's hand, she left the company, too.Downstairs, Blake smiled and bent over as she looked at Zach's car leave, "Mr. Jardin, drive slowly and have a safe journey ahead.""Good job!" Kevin said.Blake grinned, "Mr. Harrison, isn't this what you told me? You told me connections are worth more than anything in the workplace."I was just trying to get Mr. Jardin's attention. Who knows if he'll give me a promotion and a raise someday, right? I can use the money to get myself some young boyfriends. Hehe..."However, what Kevin said next completely killed her mood."Are you trying to take my position?""Mr. Harrison, that's not what I meant at all."Kevin scoffed, "I'm going to deduct your salary for discussing non-work-related matters during worki
Zach got the Arnold residence, yet he was willing to hand it over to someone else. He did not think that it was a big deal at all.He already had everything from wealth to status, but none meant anything to him anymore now that he had them.He knew what he truly desired.He can live without the Arnold residence. In fact, he could even provide her with a better place than Southern Haven Villas.He felt a sense of belonging with her. It filled the void within him.The photographer took pictures of Dalton in the flower room for his first birthday. It was originally scheduled earlier but got delayed until today.Dalton wore a fairy-like costume and was sitting in the middle of a pile of flowers. He looked at Madelyn, who was standing behind the photographer, and smiled happily.Madelyn was holding his favorite yellow duck to keep him entertained. Other than Dalton, there was another person's gaze who never left her as well throughout the entire shoot.Zach ashed his cigarette, his
Liam was standing in the rain, and though it hadn't been long, he was thoroughly drenched.Blake quickly pulled him close, her voice laced with concern. "Are you crazy? It's pouring rain! What if you catch a cold?"Liam's look was subdued, his face showing signs of fatigue. "I'm okay. This is for you; I didn't want you to have to come out in this weather."As Blake took in his forlorn appearance, her heart softened suddenly. 'Am I losing my mind?' she thought."Now you'll have to pay more attention to me, Blake... I was just so scared of losing you. I've put everything I have into getting you to agree to marry me; the idea of you walking away is unbearable."Overwhelmed with emotion, Blake locked eyes with him. "Did she teach you to say that too?" she asked, her hand moving on its own to brush away the raindrops from his hair.A maid nearby, observing the scene, rushed over with a blanket and an umbrella. However, Grace, fully grasping the gravity of the moment, halted her. Ackno
Cecilia said, "It's fine. Let's give them a week. Rearrange the flight and all the plans for the trip. This is Blake's first time getting married and going abroad for honeymoon. I want to make sure she has a good time."Susan nodded. "Okay, Ms. Samford."Not long after Cecilia left, three editors who used to work for Olivia's company entered her office. All of them spoke in panic, "Ms. Blue, what should we do? Ms. Samford already knows everything. If the legal department finds out about it, will we go to jail?"Olivia remained calm as she said, "Don't panic. Just focus on your work.""But we got into this company through you. What if they say we got into this company through the back door and then fired us?"Olivia sat at her desk, supporting her forehead with her hands. She was obviously panicking. "Don't worry, I'll handle this."You guys can leave now."Olivia did not expect this matter to be exposed so soon. She wondered how Cecilia found out about it. 'Could it be that she'
StartReading Literary was the last place Cecilia wanted to be. But she made an exception this time.Olivia had just finalized a cooperative copyright deal with another website company. Several editors from her own company were there at StartReading Literary. As she entered the office, she saw all the editors from StartReading Literary sitting upright, not daring to make a sound.She also saw her office door was wide open. She frowned as she walked into her office and was surprised to see an unexpected gust.Olivia put down the documents in her hand. "Ms. Samford, what brings you here?"With her legs crossed and Susan standing behind her, Cecilia stared at Olivia, who was in front of her.Cecilia sneered and stood up. She ran her fingers along the desk. "StartReading is actually the last place I want to be. I came here because I found out that you enjoy meddling in other people's affairs. Otherwise, you wouldn't even qualify to see me."Olivia instantly looked wary. She remained s
Liam stood up. He watched as Blake, who looked weary, walked away. "Blake, what do you want me to do so you'll like me?"Blake did not stop walking. Instead, she took even bigger steps and left.She went to the Harper residence, which surprised everyone.Grace asked, "Blake? Why did you come back here? Where's Liam? Why didn't he come back with you?"Blake stuttered, unable to find the words. She just made up an excuse, saying, "It's nothing. I just wanted to come back."After Hannah and Yael left the wedding last night, they went back to the research institute.As for Simon, he went to the farm to manage the business.After Blake went to her room, Grace became worried. She followed her and saw her sitting with a blank expression in the room, not knowing what to do.When Blake saw Grace, she quickly adjusted her mood. "Grace, why are you here?""I came to check on you. Blake, what's wrong? Did you have a fight with Liam? You just had your wedding yesterday, and you're already
The pregnancy test report came out fifteen minutes after Blake did the test. She was indeed pregnant. She was even seven weeks pregnant.Blake had indeed been involved with Kevin while in Northern Myanmar over a month ago.She held the medical report while standing bewildered in the cold hospital corridor. Lights shone through the floor-to-ceiling window onto her body, but all Blake felt was the cold, which made her hands and feet numb.She was lost in her thoughts. 'I'm really pregnant. What should I do with this baby? I want it to be born more than anyone else. But now, everything has changed. This child shouldn't come into this world.'She wandered in the corridor. Suddenly, she saw someone coming out of another gynecological room.She thought, 'Some things are just destined by fate. When I long to see him, even catching a glimpse of him in a dream feels like a luxury, an unattainable wish. But now, when I don't want to see him, it seems he appears everywhere I go.'Kevin supp
Blake wondered, 'I'm now pregnant with Kevin's child. What should I do?'She woke up groggily when she felt someone carry her. She opened her heavy eyelids and asked, "What time is it now?"Liam responded, "It's four-thirty in the morning. It's still early; go back to sleep for a while more."Blake said in a hoarse voice, "I've made an appointment for an abortion at eight o'clock. Regardless of whether I'm really pregnant or not, I don't want to keep this child."She had thought about it all night and believed this was the best decision.Kevin was going to get engaged. Blake believed he would get married and Audrey would give birth to his children. There was simply no need for her to complicate things further.She thought, 'If I choose to be selfish and decide to keep this baby, and if people find out about it, my child will be treated as an illegitimate child. I don't even dare to imagine how badly the child will be treated.'If giving birth to the baby will bring it a lifetime
Blake continued, "What about you, Liam? Do you mind?"If you do, you can choose to divorce me. After all, I've wronged you. No one wants to marry a woman who's carrying someone else's child."Liam stepped forward on the shattered cup and hugged her tightly. "I don't mind. Blake, I love you, including everything about you. I don't mind your past. I just want to start over with you. I didn't tell you about the pregnancy because I was selfish; I wanted to keep you by my side."Blake, your child is my child. I want to raise the baby with you."Don't leave me, okay?"Blake did not know why, but she was not surprised by her pregnancy. However, she felt that there were still some things that she could not let go of, though she was unsure what those were.She was not as calm as she had imagined.She thought about her past events. Then, she indifferently said, "Liam, I don't want this child. Since I'm prepared to be with you, I won't keep this child. It wouldn't be fair to you."Liam di
On this romantic night, the moon was obscured by the clouds.Breathing heavily, Blake felt some pain in her abdomen. She asked to stop. "Liam, my stomach hurts. I think I'm going to have my period soon."Liam sobered up instantly. "I'll go get you some medicine."She peeked out from under the blanket as the bedside lamp turned on. She could clearly see Liam's naked upper body. Her face flushed as she averted her gaze. "It's fine. Just help me call the front desk and ask them to bring up a pack of sanitary pads. I'll go to the bathroom to deal with it."Liam replied, "Let's go to the hospital tomorrow for a check-up."Blake picked up her clothes from the floor and went to the bathroom. "It's okay. It's probably just my period."However, judging by the blood flowing out, it did not seem like menstrual blood to Blake. It looked like something else.Blake's voice came from the bathroom again. "I think we should go to the hospital."She sat on the toilet and watched the tall, slende
Blake had no bridesmaids, so she returned to the hotel room alone. As she stepped out of the elevator and was ready to use the room key card in her hand to swipe and enter the room, she suddenly saw a figure appear from the corner of her eye.She stopped her action and looked at the person who had left the wedding earlier.At that moment, Blake felt her breath catch, but it was only fleeting. She then quickly regained her composure and averted her gaze. She asked, "Didn't you leave? Why are you still here?"Kevin replied, "Congratulations."Upon hearing his congratulations, Blake felt a mix of amusement and discomfort. "There's nothing to congratulate. If anything, I should congratulate you. You're soon to be the mayor's son-in-law. In the future, we won't belong in the same social class anymore."I'm tired and came back to rest. You should leave now before Liam comes up and sees you here."Don't look for me again. I don't want him to misunderstand."Kevin responded, "Audrey and