Ricky stammered, "I-I thought you're not going to help? Why are you here?!"Irene remained cold as ever. "To remove my plaster cast.""Hah! I knew you were an ingrate!" Ricky snapped indignantly—she would always be this cold, even though their father was asking to see her from his deathbed!"Mrs. Jefferson has done all she can!" Mrs. Watson snapped. "She even consulted—""Mrs. Watson," Irene called out to her, cutting her short.She did not have to explain her actions to anyone, let alone Samantha's son! Ricky could think whatever he wanted, and she was not obligated to find out or care. Still, Lionel must have heard them in his ward, and called out, "Irene?'Irene pursed her lips. "Yeah, it's me.""Come in. I have something to say."Irene was reluctant, and simply said, "You just take care of yourself.""Irene!" Lionel's tone turned forceful just then. "Do I have to get out of my bed?" "Stop it, Dad. She must have fed her conscience to the dogs," Ricky snapped."Watch
"That's enough!" Lionel snapped at Samantha.The woman simply snorted and ignored him, while warning Irene, "You're married and you're no longer a part of our family. Don't even think of getting a dime from the Spencer estate—everything belongs to Ricky now."Lionel was incensed. "I'm still alive, and you're talking about inheritance already? You really want me dead, don't you?"If he died now, it would be from all the stress Samantha gave him!Knowing that she had misspoken, Samantha quickly caved and started rubbing his back. "What are you saying? You're my dependent…"Naturally, she did not want Lionel to die now, because she had yet to persuade him to leave a will!Irene shot Samantha a look then. It was obvious to her that the woman was already gunning for the Spencer estate, but she said nothing and left the ward. "Let's go, Mrs. Watson," she said, letting Mrs. Watson hold her wheelchair then.…After Irene had her plaster cast removed, the doctor told her that she cou
"When did that happen?!" Isaac barked."I'm guessing in the last 48 hours," Stan replied from the other end. "I just received word myself.""Find her!" Isaac bellowed then. "Yes, Mr. Jefferson."When he hung up, Isaac flung his phone at the table, smacking it loudly as if to reflect his mood. "What happened?" Irene asked. "Is it really that bad?"For Isaac, it could well be—Whitney Cox had just been rescued by her former flame, the rich kid named Chad Ross.Meeting Irene's gaze, Isaac told her, "It's nothing."However, he would never allow Whitney to stay unpunished—she had impersonated Irene, and had indirectly caused him to kill his own child!On the other hand, Irene did not dwell on the matter. She simply presumed that it was a bad day at the office, and kept eating.After they finished breakfast and were ready to leave, Moneypenny—the butler from Jefferson Manor—arrived, and told Isaac, "Master Isaac, Master Jefferson is asking to see you. Please return to the manor wi
Moneypenny walked up to Henry. "Sir, don't you think Master Isaac looks a little upset?"Henry sighed. "What, can't you tell?"Isaac's stance was only too obvious!Moneypenny then offered a theory. "Perhaps he is refusing because he fell in love?" Henry naturally picked up on it too. "This is all on me. I never did check on Irene Spencer thoroughly before I arranged for her to marry Isaac. And now, it's going to be difficult to get him to divorce her.""You know his temper," Moneypenny pointed out. "Things will only get difficult if he really doesn't want a divorce.""Not exactly," Henry countered. "Did you forget that he has an Achilles' heel?"Moneypenny was puzzled. "Are you referring to that?""Yes. He had always been obsessed with it—the silver crucifix of the girl who had saved him when he was ten, when he fell in the pool. He tried looking for her, and I helped too, but we never could because there were too many people visiting our house on that day.""But if we can'
Amidst the confusion, Irene saw that Isaac was on top of her."W-What's wrong?" she asked, but it was as if he was unable to hear her as he violently shredded her clothes.He was no different from a rampaging beast—violent and unreasonable.Irene struggled, but her strength was insignificant to him, and she felt chills all over as her clothes were torn off, leaving her naked right before him.Her eyes welling with tears, she rasped, "Why are you doing this?!""That's my question!" he snarled with a coldness that reverberated from his throat. "You had your father beg for a divorce! Could you stoop any lower?!"Irene did a double take—Lionel had actually begged Henry just to help her get a divorce?She felt a stuffy sensation over her chest, and suddenly could not breathe. Isaac furiously grabbed her chin then, "Have I not done right by you? Is your heart really made of ice? Huh?!"Irene looked him straight in the eye then, and saw his disappointment, heartache, and desolation.
Isaac knew that he had no one to blame but himself.Even so, Irene's obstinance on getting a divorce left him feeling unbearable, no matter how he tried to endure and tolerate her actions—she would even go as far as to have her own father beg Henry!It was clear that she would not change her mind once she made her choice, but such was her nature.Now, he was even less eager to tell the truth of what had happened that night—would she not hate him more if she found out?"Why don't you test her, and see if she cares?" Stan suggested.Turning to him, Isaac asked, "How?" "Well, just hang out with other women," Stan said. "She would not care if all she feels toward you is spite, but she would be jealous if she has feelings for you."Isaac scowled. "Why do I even bother asking?"Stan was speechless—what was wrong with his idea? It was basically perfect!Naturally, confident as he was, Stan said, "Well, do you have better ideas? That's the only option to test her now."Isaac mused t
Irene's expression darkened as she stared at Isaac holding that girl.It hurt—as if someone had shoved her heart on a meat hook."Did you come looking for me?" he asked her then, looking fixedly at her as if afraid to miss a sliver of her reaction.Irene, however, feigned nonchalance and flashed an impeccable smile. "No, I didn't. I was just passing by, and I have something else to do. I'll be leaving now."With that, she returned to the car, and urged Jimmy to drive away as fast as he could. "Move, now!"All she wanted right then was to get out of that place, and even as the car moved, she did not even look out of the window once, as if fearful that she would see Isaac holding another woman again.She wanted to slap herself right then—she actually came to make peace, and come clean to him!"He's the enemy!" she murmured, giggling self-deprecatingly. "You must have gone crazy—or drugged, Irene Spencer! To think you'd fall for the man who killed your child!""Mrs. Jefferson…" Ji
As Lionel stepped inside his ward, he told Samantha, "You can leave. I don't need you here."Samantha quickly tried to appease him. "You can't be alone, right? I'll stay."However, Lionel had already seen through her and what she wanted. "You just want my inheritance, don't you?" he asked, exposing her right then. "No!" Samantha quickly explained. "I'm fine without it, but you have to take care of Ricky. He has a criminal record, and there's every chance he won't get a good career. You have to think of him!"Lionel was not bothered with her rant, and simply lay down in bed! Was he that stupid that he would not look after his own son?Meanwhile, Irene had left quietly, and Ricky followed her out of the building."Sis," he called out to her.Turning to look at him with an impassive expression, she asked, "What?""I heard that you're the one who got a specialist to help Dad," Ricky said earnestly, his hostility toward her before nowhere to be seen. "Thank you.""You don't ha
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