Isaac's expression turned icy, and the air around him seemed to cool as well."Irene Spencer! Did you really think Harvey Gooding loves you? Don't forget that you were married to me, and consummated—""Isaac Jefferson!" Irene snapped, cutting him short."What, can't take it already?" Isaac mocked, holding out a hand to her. "You can still walk away with me now."Irene was laughing despite her indignation. "You were the one who demanded a divorce, and it has been finalized. Also, aren't you with Kathy York? Are you sure she won't get jealous that you're here? Oh, and I also heard that you gave her your most prized possession—I guess you really love her, congratulations!""I'm just returning that thing to its owner," Isaac replied without thinking.Irene raised her brow. "So it's hers. I guess you two really go a long way back."Isaac pursed his lips but could not deny it, since she was the one who saved him as a child, or he would not have rehired her—even if his grandfather had
"But we're having a real wedding here. What's fake about it? We'll get our marriage certificate after as well." Harvey had never considered that any of this fake—he wanted Irene, and upsetting Isaac was just a bonus.Still, he would not push Irene too far. "It's a simple wedding anyway, and would be over before you know it. I don't mind going along with any requests either…"Irene gave him a look but said nothing."We're late. Shall we?" Harvey asked."Okay," Irene said simply. The wedding was neither lively nor joyous—only Harvey himself was pleased about it.There was nothing to dilly-dally about at this stage. Still, she could see her child soon when the wedding was over.As she stepped out of the door, Sheryl Harris came downstairs.She did not want to see her own daughter marry someone she did not love, but could not help coming downstairs when she saw her leaving in a wedding dress."Irene…."Irene turned and smiled at her. "I'm getting married, Mom. Please be happy
Although Harvey looked masculine as he shielded Irene, he had always led an easy life and had never been in a fight. The men from the Hummers, however, were all as burly as they were strong, easily dragging him out of their way!While grabbing Irene would have been an easy task after that, Irene had grabbed on to the car door and refused to get out. "Who are you people?!""Don't ask. Just come quietly, and we won't hurt you—resist, and we will have to resort to violence." The men's faces were stiff and impassive.Naturally, Irene refused to let go since she had no idea where they came from, or who she had offended enough to send them!"What do you think you are doing?!" Harvey was losing his temper—one of the men had restrained him, but none of the others were being violent, and it was clear that they were only after Irene."Don't bother," the man restraining him then told his friends, "take him away and be quick. Don't leave any traces either."With that, Irene was dragged away
Ricky believed that Irene was very smart, and that her actions were governed by rules and reason. Could this whole thing be her ploy? To stage her own abduction after leaving Spencer Mansion, so that she did not draw suspicion on either Ricky or Sheryl?Did she only pretend to agree to marry Harvey? The more he thought about it, the more Ricky thought it was likely!…On the other hand, Harvey was racking his brains in his car after he left Spencer Mansion. Who would want to abduct Irene? However, just as he was at wit's end, Isaac's name came to mind."It must be him!" Harvey exclaimed, gaping and smacking himself on his lap. Why did he only remember that now? After all, that man certainly had the power to prevent him from finding out anything. In fact, who else could?Having come to a conclusion, he drove off to Light Group's office building to recover his bride, arriving in just half an hour.He stormed inside furiously, pushing away the front desk receptionists who
Isaac looked up at Stan just then, but did not deny it!As Stan came to a realization, he carefully suggested, "Sir, you shouldn't have rehired Kathy York in that case. Women are petty, and Ms. Spencer must have been upset to see her around. That's not going to work in a relationship."Isaac snorted. "A relationship? After she pushed me away to another woman?" Stan was stumped, but it was true—if Irene really was in love with Isaac, she would not be able to bear her man getting cozy with other women. People get territorial in relationships, after all. No one would be willing to share their partner if there is love involved!"Well, if she's not interested, you can just let her marry Harvey Gooding. Nothing good comes out of coercion, and you're not going to keep her confined for life, are you?"Isaac's visage turned cold. "I will not let her be with another man even if she's not interested."Stan was speechless. Did he just basically say 'if I can't have her, no one can?'Ho
"I'm busy. Get back to work," Isaac snapped impatiently.Kathy, however, was still not giving up. "Your grandfather is asking us to go. He's probably—""I will talk to him myself," Isaac said and started to leave his office, heading to the conference room since he was reluctant to stay and talk to her.She quickly gave chase and asked, "Why are you being so cold to me?" Isaac wheeled on her, frowning. "What, giving you a job isn't enough? Am I supposed to take care of you for the rest of your life now?"Kathy was stumped for a moment, and she quickly explained, "No… I just heard from your grandfather that I saved you, and that's why you had my silver crucifix. I remember saving a drowning boy as a child, too—aren't you being a little cold to your savior?""Then what do you think I should do?" Isaac asked coolly in return, chuckling and dissing even before she could reply. "I gave you a job for that, or is that not enough? What more do you want?"Kathy shook her head. "I don't w
Irene felt muddle-headed and almost conscious, but her eyelids felt too heavy for her to open her eyes.She was vaguely struggling against the darkness, but soon groggily fell asleep again.Isaac breathed a sigh of relief at that—she would not be this peaceful if she woke up.Still, the thought left him scowling, and her wedding dress was certainly an eyesore. She looked so beautiful in that dress, but wore it to throw herself into another man's arms… the very thought left his face ashen!This woman…!He hence started to rip off the wedding dress, unable to lean in to kiss her lips after ogling her naked form for a while, and pulled a blanket over her.Dragging what remained of the wedding dress out of the room and closing the door behind him before leaving the house, he handed the torn dress to the security guard. "Throw this.""Yes, sir." The security guard promptly did so, while Isaac returned inside and took a shower, changed into fresh clothes and lay down beside Irene.
Ricky bellowed furiously, "You lost my sister yourself, and you want us to help you?! You should be feeling lucky that we're not calling the cops on you!"Harvey, however, calmly replied, "Believe it or not, Irene has been taken away from me. Help me look if you want Tommy back, and I'm not returning the boy until she's found. I have no leads or evidence here, but I have a feeling it's Isaac Jefferson. If you can get something out of that man, I'll return Tommy to you immediately once I recover Irene. What do you think?""Do you really think Irene would fall for you, coercing like that?!" Sheryl snapped at him. "She's a mother, and she was just marrying you to keep Tommy safe. She hated you the instant you took him from her!"Harvey, however, did not care—he had already thought of that! And he learned that the end justifies the means… from Isaac Jefferson himself!"I'm going to keep looking," he said, and called in his men. "Get them out of here!"Ricky and Sheryl were walking o
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