James quickly explained, "This is Dr. Jane Tanner. She's a doctor here."Even so, Isaac was staring at Irene with sharp eyes that could well pierce her face mask to see underneath…She was a doctor. So, why did she flinch?And what was that disguise for?A face mask and a scarf?Nonetheless, Irene feigned composure while thickening her Minerverse accent to further disguise that she was no Zidonian. "I'm Dr. Jane Tanner—you can call me anything you want, but the issue here is your insomnia. It is already affecting your overall health, so you must cooperate with treatment."Isaac, however, pushed off his blanket and started toward her, his presence more menacing the closer he got. Irene's hands clenched her side as she braced herself. "Please, you have to lie down… Oof!"Before she could finish, Isaac had pulled off her face mask.She quickly clasped her hands over her cheeks while panic showed in her eyes, but Isaac was already left stunned.All he could think about was how
The sight of the cocksure woman before them left James furrowing his brow.There was no escaping her!"Stalker," he growled impatiently. "Lapdog," Erin Gooding shot back right away.James was left speechless—he remembered that she had been raised here in Minerva, but she would actually know the Zidonian word for 'lapdog'?She was surprisingly fluent…Nonetheless, Erin seemed to have read James's mind and she said, "I may be raised here, but my mom and dad are Zidonian. Is it that weird that I know the language?"She was watching Isaac's face as she mentioned 'mom', but there was only impatience in his cold visage.Erin's lips twitched. "Hey, I'm your half-sister. Why the long face? Does someone owe you money? I know you don't want me around, and I don't mind not showing up… All you have to do is tell me where our mother is buried—"Isaac strode off before she could finish, and James stopped her when she tried to follow. "You're a lady. You can afford to act a little more rese
Having hatched a plan in her head, Erin was feeling buoyed and refrained from bugging James.Clasping her hands behind her back, she was grinning even as she left.She found a potential means of breakthrough, so it was not as if the day was wasted. On the other hand, James was feeling less than happy. Even as he kept walking, he was looking behind to check that he was not being followed, worried that Erin would latch on to him again.If she did, it would be a catastrophe! …Later in the evening, James got a call from Irene. "It's Dr. Tanner. Is the patient free at the moment? I can help him with the treatment now.""Of course," James replied. "We're at Olston Hotel, Room 909.""Okay," Irene said and put away her phone.She stood in front of her mirror, checking her disguise and ensuring that it was flawless before heading over.At the same time, James headed to Isaac's room to inform him, "Sir, Dr. Tanner will soon arrive for your treatment."Isaac was sitting on the c
The thought that Isaac was going to get buck naked in front of a woman so hideous she almost made him throw up left James's lips twitching.What an image it was!He stepped out of the room right then, patting his chest and counting his blessing that he was not the one suffering from insomnia.With a woman like that, his insomnia would probably get worse… No, he would probably get nightmares instead!How fortunate he was to be blessed with good health!…Meanwhile, Isaac was staring at the woman of marvelous ugliness as she stood at the bathroom door. "Are you going to watch me undress?""Gender is no issue for doctors," Irene replied calmly.Isaac raised a brow.Whether he had given up or something else, he actually began to unbutton his shirt!Soon, his beautiful collarbone came to view, followed by his chiseled chest. Irene was the first to blink and she was complaining inwardly if he was a little insane, being able to stay calm even with a woman as ugly as her…On the o
Irene's body and thoughts froze.H-He was awake?What should she do?How was she going to explain herself?Could she say that he was too good looking, and that she could not help it?What should she do?The instant she felt him hold her, she came up with so many excuses…But Isaac never opened his eyes, even though he was actually pushing his tongue up against hers now and was kissing her so hard that he was almost devouring her.She felt her breath leaving her lungs. Was he really awake…?"I missed you, Irene…" he murmured, almost unintelligibly. But she clearly heard it.She froze.He just said… He missed her?A crystalline drop of tear slid and trickled off the corner of her eye, dripping on his cheek.Isaac did not wake up—he was actually dreaming. Irene slowly got up. So, it was all just sleep-talking. "But I'm happy to hear you say you miss me."She wiped the lipstick from his lips, pulled his blanket over him, and left the hotel room, gently closing the
James's eyes widened, and his face soon contorted and flushed in anger."Erin Gooding! What do you think you're doing?!"Erin was sitting on a chair nearby, leisurely eating some Shine Muscat while glancing at him sideways. "What's all the fuss for? It's just your clothes. You still have your underwear on, but don't expect it to stay that way if you don't cooperate."James was speechless. What was she playing at?!"Let me go right now!" he snapped.Erin, however, was not afraid at all, and allowed him to fume as much as he wanted, even blinking her eyes innocently at him. "You're all tied up. I can leave you here to starve you to death, but you're still ordering me around? Are you really sober?"James could not say anything against that. He did not want to admit it, but it was harsh reality. As such, he restrained himself and flashed a fawning smile, "Erin, darling? Seeing that I'm a good friend of your brother, could you show your magnanimity and let me go?""Sure." Erin
James had barely finished when one of the three burly men pushed him back inside the room.Erin was huffing and she promptly snapped when she saw that. "Fuck him up!"The three of them charged forward, and one of them landed a heavy jab on his left eye, flooring him.Luckily, James had seen action, and quickly grabbed a chair, swinging it at the man nearest to him, knocking him out!While another man tried to grab him from behind, he leaped aside and kicked him squarely on the back before making a dash outside and making his escape!…Harvey went looking for Irene right after he landed in Minerva. However, he had been knocking on her door for quite a while, but nobody answered.Still, he was going to call her when he noticed some sort of lifeform walking toward him. He flinched in shock—how could someone so ugly exist? When Irene saw him, she asked, "What are you doing here? It's so late already."Harvey appeared incredulous. "W-Wait, you're Irene?""Yeah," she replied cas
James furrowed his brow. "What are you laughing at? Did you lose your mind?"Harvey was staring at his left eye, however. "Are you trying to turn into a panda, with one black eye?"James raised his hand to hide his bruised eye while glaring at Harvey with the other. "Seeing that you helped me before, I won't hold this against you. But you should know that I have a temper, and don't complain that I never warned you when you mock me again.""I helped you?" Harvey was a little confused.When did he help James, and with what? How did it manage to slip his mind?"Are you sure about that…?""Don't bother. I won't remember it even if it was a huge favor—you laughed at me, so we're even. Now buzz off."With that, James headed toward Isaac's room, leaving Harvey speechless.He doubted that he would help James out of the kindness of his heart.Still, he glanced at the time. "Oh, it's almost seven."He still had to head to Irene's apartment—he did not have any time to waste here.He al
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