The woman was left watching frantically—fortunately, Lulu had just struck her child a third time when the baby spat out a clump of whiteness.Everyone around gasped, with Vivian herself gaping in shock.To think that Wendy was that formidable she could save a child with relative ease…Nonetheless, as everyone turned toward the object the child spat out, they were suddenly looking at the woman differently."Huh. It's bread… And it's not melting.""There's no bread offered here in Monsoon. Obviously it wasn't the maid's fault."The maid turned toward Lulu gratefully—she would not be allowed to stay if Lulu did not help and prove her innocence.At the same time, the woman picked up her child, crying happy tears just then."Oh, thank goodness my baby's fine! Thank you so much! I'm sorry I blamed the wrong person."She had realized her mistake, since she was the one who had fed her own child that bread. Her child had been stretching her little hands out for her bread, and she did
It was only then that Lulu had the time to study the tanned, scrawny maid.She noticed Lulu staring at her and lowered her head further.She certainly stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the other recommended maids. But just as Lulu was about to ask for her name, Vivian called out from the other side, "I think I've made up my mind. Don't you agree, Wendy?"Lulu looked up to find Vivian standing with one of the other maids, whose cheek was covered in thick makeup and wore lipstick that completely did not match.While, in her defense, she did put on makeup before coming, her overbearing attitude was clear and Lulu already had a bad impression of her. Moreover, Lulu would not allow a woman wearing thick makeup around when there was a baby in the house."No. Let's keep looking." She refused without hesitation.Vivian, however, felt as if her authority had been challenged and was not about to give in to a mere babysitter. Then, seeing Lulu had been hovering in front of that scrawny
When Vivian was done, the manager flashed a fawning smile. "Yes, of course, Ms. Crowe. I'm so sorry about this—as of this moment, she's been released from this agency."Then, turning to Sue and suddenly looking all high and mighty, he beckoned for security to escort her out.Seeing that they were done with their drama, Lulu asked, "Are you two done? Then it's my turn."Vivian reared her chin at Lulu haughtily as she folded her arms before her chest, while Lulu simply smiled. "Since you've been let go, Ms. Lambert, how about I personally hire you? That's a much better offer, without company management taking a cut out of your deserved pay."Sue's eyes lit up right then. She actually thought there was no hope!"Of course," she replied as she nodded repeatedly. "I can start right now if you want.""No, you don't have my approval!" Vivian snapped right then. "Wendy, don't forget that you're just a babysitter. This is not up to you to decide!"Lulu asked in return, "If I can't decide
Lulu had Sue settled in by the time Zachary returned in the evening, and she just needed to sign an agreement."This is the maid I've chosen from the agency today, Mr. Slate," Lulu said, introducing Sue to Zachary while asking his opinion officially. "I've read her profile and resume, so is there anything you like to know or requests you have?"Unexpectedly, Vivian emerged from the study right then, rolling her eyes at Lulu where Zachary could not see. "I tried to tell her, Mr. Slate—there were so many professional maids, but she had to pick someone without experience. I couldn't stop her even though I just want the best for you and your baby—who knew she could be so stubborn?"Lulu quietly watched her dramatic antics without offering a retort—it was amazing how Vivian's foul mouth could be smelled for miles as soon as she spoke.On the other hand, Sue was clearly grateful that Lulu was willing to give her a chance. Still, before she could speak on Lulu's behalf, Lulu stopped her.
Then, Vivian was left gaping as Zachary said shortly, "It's fine. You can stay."In the end, he was not dumb enough to believe Vivian—he trusted Lulu and her judge of character.Seeing that Vivian was silent, Zachary told Lulu to go with him to the nursery, leaving just Vivian and Sue looking at each other in the living room.Naturally, it was mostly just Vivian glaring at Sue, upset that she was so tactless.Sue was clearly uncomfortable since she was not used to the place and fidgeting from Vivian's judgmental glare. Fortunately, Vivian did not say another word as she stormed out of the mansion.-In the nursery, Zachary had picked up Star and was gently rocking her. "Did you miss daddy?"Lulu could not help spacing out as she watched them.Beside Zachary's towering form, Star looked just like a tiny doll, even as Zachary carried her carefully and tenderly.Still, Star's little pink lips were puckered adorably for a moment before she suddenly pouted, clearly hungry just then
Over the next three days, every housework in the mansion was completed swiftly and properly. Sue was efficient with every task as if she was constantly charged, even occasionally helping Lulu with Star while cooking.Watching as Sue worked around the living room, Lulu eventually could not resist asking, "Don't you feel tired? You'll wear yourself out if you do this every day, and your family needs you too. You can actually have two days off every week, but with the same pay."As a fellow woman, she certainly could empathize with Sue.Aside from her job as a domestic helper, she would always ask for a couple hours' leave every day to care for her husband back home, cooking and preparing everything he would need. She would also be assisting him with personal hygiene, as well as taking him for regular checkups—machine assistance only helped that much."I'm fine—I should do this much when you're paying me so generously." Sue smiled earnestly as she scratched her head, chagrined. "Being
Even as spoke, Vivian began to make a friendly gesture to take Sue's hands, but she hesitated and withdrew when she saw Sue's tanned, callus-filled skin.As for Sue, she did not say a word since she was keen to see what Vivian was up to—she had lived long enough to learn to judge a person's character by now.Soon, as Vivian took her to an expensive cafe for breakfast, Sue texted Lulu to tell her that Vivian was meeting her in private. Still, she would have to wait for Vivian to tell her what she was up to."How has work been? Are you getting used to my home?" Vivian said as she pushed a coffee and a slice of cake toward Sue.Though she appeared caring, Sue sharply noticed her wording: she had used my home, and not Mr. Slate's home.She was no one to him, and it was curious why she would speak as if she belonged.So it seemed that she was a woman who intended to rise to the top by marrying rich.In the past, Sue would have felt guilty for judging a person so shallowly. However, i
So, Vivian was trying to put her on her payroll? Sue had been working for a good family before and certainly never experienced this.However, there was one thing she knew—to never take what was not hers.Even if she did, she would eventually pay the consequences and be left worse off than now.That was why she must never fall to temptation, not to mention that Mr. Slate was paying her well!Moreover, it was all thanks to Wendy fighting for her. There was no way she would work against Wendy!And having worked at Monsoon for a while, she knew how much rich families pay their maids. Three grand per month was already good, and Mr. Slate paid her three and a half! If anything, even the maids in Monsoon would be jealous of her, and it was all the more reason for her to say no!"I'm afraid I can't do it," she told Vivian, thickening her accent to make her seem even more ignorant. "Us bumpkins only know things like housework. I really can't do what you've asked me to."Vivian frowned, a
Soon after the wedding, Mr. Fowler proposed for Stan to work at his company to get used to the work over there.He was worried as he did not have much time left, and it would not do if he was gone before the proper arrangements were made.Still, Stan returned to Franconia with Isaac and his family, sorting out things at work and finishing every task he had on hand.While Isaac used to have a lot of free time with Stan around, he was just slightly busier after Stan left. After all, no company should operate in a way that losing a single person would stall all their operations.And after a week, Stan sorted out all the remaining tasks he had in Franconia and returned to Zidonia to start work at the Fowlers' family business.While Stan had property in Zidonia too, he moved into the Fowlers' mansion, but not as a live-in son-in-law. He was simply aware of Mr. Fowler's illness, and Rea wanted to spend more time with her parents.And as the son-in-law, he was obliged to do that much.
Despite feeling wistful, Mr. Fowler eventually passed Rea's hand to Stan. "I hope you will both cherish each other from now on."Rea told him, "We will."Thereafter, it was the usual proceedings of a wedding, with exchange of rings and vows, the wedding speech, and the luncheon!Though everything went smoothly, Mrs. Fowler could not help shedding tears.She was pleased that her daughter was finally getting married, especially since she was looking forward to this.But now that Rea really did marry, she was worried that her life might get difficult and unhappy.Such was the worrisome nature of mothers.-Later, Stan led Rea to Isaac's table.They were all acquainted, but Stan introduced everyone once again to reacquaint them with Rea.After all, she was no longer Zachary's friend's cousin now, but Stan's wife.Erin was grinning from ear to ear. "Congratulations.""Thank you." Rea smiled in return."Congrats," Baby said, imitating the adults.Rea reached out to stroke his c
Zachary said, "I heard you sealed the deal with Rea Fowler, and her family is preparing for your wedding."Stan smiled. "I'm the look of success—getting a girl couldn't be simpler. See? I'm getting married already.""Well, I guess we're all taken now," Erin said.Tommy poked his head up just then. "Congratulations, Uncle Stan.""Thank you." Stan chuckled, patting his head."Also, I heard that you're marrying into the Fowler family?" Zachary asked.Everyone turned to stare at Stan in shock, but it was understandable.Stan was not that modest that he would have to go that far—he had money and was successful enough to afford a wife.Still, Zachary—who knew the Fowlers—suggested, "To be fair, they do need someone to take care of the family business…"-Either way, it meant that Irene's family would be delaying their return trip to Franconia.After all, none of them had expected to attend Stan's wedding so soon after Zachary's.Stan himself did not expect that either, as he had
"What's the problem? We've already slept together," Rea said as she put her clothes on.She frowned as Stan was still on the bed and not moving. "What, are you going to stay in my bed forever?""What am I supposed to wear?" Stan shrugged. "You haven't brought my clothes here.""I'll get it for you."Rea remembered his suitcase then and hurried downstairs to bring it up."Wear whatever you like. I'll be waiting downstairs," she said and hurried away.Stan got out of bed and put on a suit—it was only right to dress formally when it came to discussing marriage.After cleaning up and heading downstairs, he found Rea sandwiched by her parents.Stan had no idea if she had already mentioned it, but both Mr. and Mrs. Fowler were both staring at him, leaving him further tense.Clearing his throat, Stan began, "Excuse me, but—""Yes, we agree to you marrying our daughter.""You mean marrying into our family," Rea corrected them.Everyone else was staring at her before asking all at o
If Rea asked her parents now, they would only get sad, and life would become difficult for everyoneWhat should she do to make them happy?Right, she could get married! Her parents would definitely be pleased. As for the choice of bridegroom, did she not have one readily available here?If Stan could pretend to be her boyfriend, he could definitely be her husband too.They could fake their marriage if they had to!Putting the medical file back where she found it, she wobbled up to her feet and left the room.Stan had yet to step out of the bathroom when she returned, so she sat on the bed and waited.After a while, Stan stepped out with a towel around his waist and paused when he saw Rea sitting there. "Where are my clothes?" He asked, presuming that Rea had forgotten since there was nothing on the bed or the table. "My suitcase is still in your car trunk."Rea turned toward him. "Let's get married."Stan was left speechless for a moment and soon chuckled, "Did you forge
Mrs. Fowler smacked her daughter, but while Rea thought she was angry, she said instead, "Just do your best."Rea's mind was blown—were her parents bewitched? They were completely different from before! A long time ago, her parents had used to tell her that she did not have to marry as long as she was happy.But later on, they had persistently sent her on blind dates… and now, they were telling her to seduce a man?Touching her mother's forehead, Rea asked, "Are you sick?"Mrs. Fowler slapped her hand off. "Your dad and I are leaving now.""Yeah." Mr. Fowler nodded. "The chauffeur is waiting."Rea walked them to the door and watched as their car left before returning inside.She did not go upstairs since Stan was asleep, and she would be bored—she was the type who just could not sit still.However, it was inappropriate if she left since that would leave nobody home.In her boredom, she thought of pranking Stan. She headed upstairs to find him asleep, and soundly at that.Ca
Unable to argue against her parents, Rea said, "Fine, fine. Whatever you say."Mrs. Fowler smiled. "Then help Stan upstairs to get some rest.""Which room?" Rea asked.Mrs. Fowler realized with a start and quickly said, "Oh, there's no bedding in the guest room… So let him stay in your room."Rea was left staring at her in shock. "When did you get so open-minded? Letting a man stay in your daughter's room?"Mrs. Fowler shrugged. "What can he do when he's drunk?""Haven't you heard of drunken fumbles?" Rea asked.Both Mr. and Mrs. Fowler shook their heads at the same time. "Nope."Rea was left totally speechless—this was just outrageous!She would think that Stan was actually their son, if it was not for the fact that they were not acquainted before.They were not like this before either—even if they were urging her to get married, they were not throwing her at a man like this!Mr. Fowler then said, "If anything happens, we'll demand that he takes responsibility and marries y
"I get it," Stan replied quietly. "I wouldn't have been upset even if you didn't explain yourself. But since you did, I forgive you."Rea's brow creased as she pursed her lips. "See? I knew it. We really shouldn't be too nice to you."While Stan was speechless, Mrs. Fowler was enthusiastically putting food on Stan's plate. "This is our family's favorite dish. Try it."Stan nodded after a bite. "It's good."Mrs. Fowler smiled, while Mr. Fowler poured him a glass of wine. "Can you hold your liquor?"Stan smiled. "More or less.""You're being humble now." Mr. Fowler smiled at him. "You're definitely a good drinker.""A little."Rea had enough right then. "Dad, Stan has work to do, and he has to return to Franconia tomorrow. You're going to make things difficult for him."Mr. Fowler smiled awkwardly. "Right…" "You think?" Rea huffed, snatching his wine away. "Everyone only gets to have one glass."Mr. Fowler glared at Rea. "Party pooper."Rea shrugged. "I'm doing this for your
Rea turned her head aside. "Then what's your hobby?"Stan did a double take and remembered his life… which was work and more work.It had been years since he took leave, and he would not get to goof off the last few days if it had not been for Zachary's wedding.Hobby? He certainly did not have anything like that.Now that he thought about it, his life was boring and monotonous, and he did not have anyone very close.That was why he wanted a kind, understanding wife to care and offer him company while he took care of her needs.When he looked up at Rea, he clearly felt that she was not for him—he needed someone to take care of him, but with her, he would be busy taking care of her instead."You're looking at me weirdly," Rea suddenly said."How so?" Stan asked.Rea moved closer, looking him in the eyes and asking solemnly, "Don't tell me—you've fallen for me?""You don't just suffer from a flawed personality—you're narcissistic too."Stan pursed his lips and checked the tim