Isaac said, "I know.""Then why are you leaving Tommy with someone else?!" Irene was utterly confused by his actions. "Are you abandoning him?!"Tommy? Isaac's heart clenched at the name. So, the baby was called Tommy?"That's his name," he murmured, doing his best to stop himself from rasping!Irene, however, felt her insides turn cold. She did not care about his question—she just wanted her baby!"Bring him back, or tell me where your friend lives. I'll take back Tommy—he's mine, and you have no right to leave him with strangers. You're just worried that he'll get in the way between you and Kathy York, aren't you? Just tell me if you are, and I'll hide Tommy's identity from everyone while you mess around all you want, or get married—"Isaac's expression turned icy."Are you done? Then stop. I'll bring Tommy back, just give me a few days—""No, it has to be right now!" Irene did not want to wait a moment longer.In reality, Isaac himself was not sure where Tommy was, and
Stan spoke from the other end. "I've checked. Ian Jefferson had been to the manor, where your child was kept. The boy went missing afterward, and it is most likely Ian's doing. Also, Moneypenny had mentioned that your grandfather wanted to keep things quiet, but they bumped into Ian when they did a paternity test…"Isaac frowned. "What paternity test?" "Your grandfather needed to ensure that the boy is your child, and it was proven that he is," Stan replied.For Isaac's part, he never doubted that the child was his ever since he found out that she had a child—he was the only man Irene had ever been with.On the other end, Stan hesitated for a while before saying, "Sir, we don't have any leverage against him…"After all, Henry had disowned Ian and his immediate family to appease Isaac. They were not given anything from the family estate. Even so, Quincy Moore had used her savings to start a nightclub called 'Charmed' for her son, Ian. It was only because she tried to kill Isaac
"You and me?" Irene exclaimed in surprise. "What about Kathy York?"She still remembered the indignation when she found out that he was messing around with Kathy.Isaac was speechless. Why was she always capable of ruining the mood in an instant?"Why do you keep mentioning people who don't matter? I've already told Stan to transfer her somewhere I won't see her, and there was nothing between us at all."He reached out to touch her cheek, but she avoided his touch. "You don't have to explain your affairs to me."Isaac's hand froze in the air for a moment before he lowered it, and he asked, "You don't want to give our child a family?"Irene certainly wanted Tommy to have both parents and to grow up in a happy family—it was ideal for the boy's development.Moreover, she was in love with Isaac. Perhaps she should win him over, for Tommy's sake? And he was clearly proposing to her too…She understood now—she should not be running away, and instead should be striving for herself a
Right after Isaac said that, he added, "Not for Tommy—but for me, and only me."He was referring to the bond between them."Okay," Irene murmured softly, leaning downward to wrap her arms around his neck from behind, and nestled her cheek against his. She loved him, after all—she could get upset if he messed around with other women. She wanted him, not just so that Tommy had a happy family, but for herself too.That was when Stan returned.He was in too much of a hurry to knock, and realized that he had been reckless when he entered and found Irene having a tender moment with Isaac.Still, just as he was about to close the door, Isaac said, "Wait for me at the conference room.""Yes, sir," Stan replied, and closed the door behind him.Irene felt a little embarrassed, and released Isaac just then. "Are you going to discuss how to save Tommy?" she asked. "Yeah. Stay here if you have nothing else to do," Isaac replied. "I'll be right back once we're done talking."However,
Isaac appeared solemn. "What else would I be talking about? I want an answer before this evening."With that, he rose to his feet, pausing for a moment when he remembered something. "Send me an email—show me what you have on Ian's sugar baby.""Yes, sir," Stan replied.Irene had yet to return when Isaac returned to his office, so he sat down before his desk, turned on his laptop, and checked his email.After scanning through the dossier Stan sent, he became pensive.It appeared that Ian had not had any affairs with other women for six months after meeting his latest sugar baby. This was certainly rare—Ian's relationships lasted a month on average, but somehow he was with this one for six. He could actually be in love, but there was no telling for certain… Meanwhile, Irene had returned from her tour, and strode in when she saw Isaac, asking, "Is there a way to save Tommy?""Calm down," Isaac said distractedly as he moved the cursor to delete the email, but Irene vaguely saw
Just as Isaac was about to get up, however, Irene moved the cursor and said, "Wait—let's get prepared as much as we can before we get started."As she read through the dossier on Ian's sugar baby, Isaac watched her from the side, smiling faintly as he admired her prudence.And after she was done, Irene said, "This might not be as hard as I thought.""How so?" he asked."Look here—she's a dance judge," Irene pointed out. "I happen to know some dancing, and that counts as a conversation starter, I guess?"Isaac's eyes twinkled as he watched her.Indeed, Irene was quite versatile, having learned the piano, painting, dance, and medicine."Wait, I think my friend might know here," Irene suddenly said as a person came to mind.She took out her phone and took a photo of the woman, while pulling Isaac along. "Do you remember Mark Wickers? From Dorime Pharmaceuticals?"Isaac followed as he replied, "I do. We're still partners."Irene appeared a little excited just then. "His wife has
Isaac asked, "Can you do this?""Don't worry—I won't cause trouble," Irene said confidently. "I won't endanger myself even though I want to save Tommy. Moreover, I don't think anyone would notice someone like me."She was basically telling Isaac not to worry since she would be fine.Isaac certainly knew that she was smart, but she was still a woman—she would not win in the face of brutes who could not be reasoned with."Don't be reckless.""Yeah," she replied. With that, the car turned silent and neither spoke.Irene wanted to speak, but could not put any words together.Soon, they were at the community arts center."Drive safe," she said as she alighted.Isaac watched her for a moment, and said, "Okay."…After Irene entered the building, she was at a loss on where to go. She asked the front desk, and they showed her where she should go to hand over the list.Luckily for Irene, Robin Lynd was on duty, and sitting in front of a computer.Knocking the door to draw her att
Irene wondered to herself if Ian was talking about Tommy just then, but she was too far to hear what he was saying clearly—she just happened to be able to catch him saying 'child.'Ian was still standing before his car, speaking to someone on the other end. "Bring her to me. I want to meet her."He was looking for a woman who had recently given birth because Tommy had been crying terribly and refusing to drink formula milk. After reading various articles online, Ian concluded that the boy wanted breastmilk, which was why he was looking for a woman who was lactating and could feed Tommy, so that the boy would stop crying.In truth, Tommy was crying because the formula milk Ian was feeding him was from another brand. The change in flavor did not suit him, but he would have kept feeding if he was fed the original brand.Ian, however, did not know that. As he hung up and got in his car, he glanced at Robin, who was still standing nearby and sighed. He wanted to show concern, but was
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