What could Layla have sent her?Irene was unusually nervous, and curious to find out as soon as possible, she took the parcel to her office, sat down, and opened it. There was a letter and a red velvet box within, and Irene's hand paused for a moment instead of taking everything out immediately.The thought that Layla was gone, and that these were her relics left her tearing up—not because of Layla herself, but because of Isaac.He had just found her, but she was taken away soon after.Tragedy and blessing happened with such quick succession that the gods must be mocking him.In fact, no one could prepare for something like this!Irene inhaled deeply several times to calm herself before opening the red velvet box, and saw that it contained a simple ring, but the yellow diamond embedded on it was dazzling.She did not know much about jewelry, but could tell that it is worth a lot given the size and color.She closed the box and returned it inside the parcel box, and eventually
Stephen heaved a soft sigh and glanced at Mick, who clearly did not care about appearances now. "You heard? Honestly, he really is embarrassing himself in front of youngsters now…"Irene gave no comment—she would not be here at all if not for Yvaine's letter.She said, "I'll take the fall." Stephen did a double take—she changed her mind already? He could barely keep up!"W-What was that?" he asked in slight disbelief."I said, I'll take the fall—""You don't have to. My selfishness killed her, and I don't want to live now that she's gone. You don't have to sacrifice yourself to protect me…"Mick wobbled even as he rose to his feet and tried to carry Yvaine, but Irene said, "She remembered."Mick froze, and turned around after a while. "W-What did you say?"Stephen was looking at Irene in shock too. "How did you find out?""She wrote me a letter, addressing it here since she doesn't know where I live. I just read it—""What did she say?" Mick cried as he suddenly jumped t
"We've consulted specialists, but it's true. The doctor operating on Yvaine Lynd inadvertently snipped a vital nerve. Brain surgery always has its risks, and accidents tend to happen if it's not the best of specialists. I've also made queries, and there were six doctors and interns operating on her, including Stephen Carr and Irene. They are all saying that…"James's voice trailed off without mentioning any names, but everyone understood."Maybe she was trying to save your mother," Stan explained. "But craniotomy isn't her specialty, and there was a mishap…"Meanwhile, Isaac was standing before the curtain wall, keeping his back to the both of them in silence. Naturally, neither of them dared to speak further after that, and simply stood there in silence.After a long while, Isaac said quietly, "Both of you can go."James and Stan traded glances, and almost spoke at the same time, "Accidents can happen during surgery…""I said, you can go. Understand?" Isaac said, cutting them
James became a little upset then. In his opinion, Irene had simply made a mistake and did not mean to do harm—she just had to talk things through with Isaac to mend their relationship.But given the way she was behaving, their relationship could fall apart at any moment. After all, Isaac's mother was the one who died."Do whatever you want," James said and jogged off to catch up to Isaac.Irene then turned toward Mick. "You should return to Minerva."Mick looked up at her. "Yvaine said that too?"In reality, Yvaine never said it—she just believed that it would be better if he was gone. "Don't you have a daughter? You should return to her side."Mick blinked. Irene knew about their daughter too?Did Yvaine tell her?That has to be it."If that's what she wants," Mick said.For Irene, she just wished that things would be over soon—it was really grilling to her heart, and she was basically suffocating whenever she looked into Isaac's eyes.It was devoid of warmth, but he pret
Harvey was left a little stunned when Irene shook him off so violently, not to mention that she was frighteningly cold.He could not help asking gingerly, "A-Are you alright?"Irene glanced at the time. "You have two minutes."Harvey was left at a loss for words for a while, but quickly said, "I don't know what Isaac did, but construction on a tower I invested in was halted, citing non-compliance. I had to return to Sunny City because of that, and they told me that it's because of Isaac. How could he be so petty?"Irene understood right then. "You deserved it."Harvey huffed, "Do you even have a conscience?!""Your mother can be discharged now. I can help you with the arrangements any time," Irene said flatly.Harvey was left at a loss for words again. She was killing him!"I guess both of you are reptiles—you're made for each other. Even if I wasn't doing everything you tell me, I've at least worked hard to get in your good graces because you saved my mother—how could you hurt
Isaac looked up at James, staring at him for a couple seconds and growled, "He survived," James replied. "Yes, but the driver didn't.""Clean up the mess. Compensate the driver's family generously.""Yes, sir," James said. In fact, he felt guilty because the staged traffic accident was meant to kill Mick, only to end up hurting an innocent. "Also, you should take the trip to Franconia to check on the company for a while, sir," James added."Yeah," Isaac flatly replied.His face was impassive, and the air around him seemed cold enough to freeze.He raised a hand, gesturing to James that he could leave.He had been sulking for days, and James actually became careful with his words around him.As he closed the door to the study and saw Irene in the living room, he asked, "Could you show more concern to Mr. Jefferson?"The atmosphere everyone had to work in was suffocating—even Stan was refusing to show up at Isaac's home. He used to hate going to the office, but he was now b
There was a clear twitch in Isaac's calm gaze right then, as if he was hopeful about what Irene was going to say.However, before Irene could tell him that Yvaine's death had nothing to do with her, she remembered the letter Yvaine left her.Caught in a dilemma just then, her lips trembled as she murmured, "I-I'm sorry. It was an accident… believe me."She hung her head with those quick words, and left the study as if fleeing. Quickly hiding herself in the washroom, she pressed a hand firmly over chest to restrain herself. However, her nostrils were already moist and her tears were flowing without control.She clasped a hand over her mouth to stop herself from crying out—so that no one would notice her misery.Still, it took her a long while to compose herself,At dinner, she sat away from Isaac, keeping her head down and not tasting her food at all.Isaac never spoke, but he put a glass of milk Mrs. Watson prepared in front of her, and left the dining room.Irene stared at t
Stephen was left stunned. "You didn't know?"Irene laughed dryly. "Do you really think that he would still talk to me about his affairs?""No," Stephen quickly said, and sighed. "Mick had an accident on his way to the airport. It was horrific—the taxi driver died on the spot, while Mick was critically injured. Luckily, help reached him in time and he survived. Still, don't you think that it's too much of a coincidence? Don't you think Isaac Jefferson is behind that?"Irene pursed her lips in silence—she would not be surprised if Isaac was, given his character. She at least knew that much about him."You shouldn't jump to conclusions without evidence," she said coolly nonetheless. "Mick's lucky that he survived."Stephen thought about it and agreed. Mick had been a dead man walking ever since Yvaine's death, and somehow managed to survive despite the horrific accident—it seemed that it just was not his time to go."Well, I've done all I can for him," Stephen murmured. In fact,
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