Isaac was standing by the door, having a clear view of what Irene was doing.As he strode in, Irene asked, "Have you had dinner yet?"Isaac said nothing, instead walking up to her and putting a hand on her scarred face.Irene watched him and joked, "If I married you like this, won't people say that you married ugly?""No one would have the balls to say that," Isaac replied, gently caressing her cheek."They might, behind your back," Irene said, taking his hand off. "Take your shower. I'm checking on the children downstairs."Isaac caught her by the wrist. "We have people doing that. You, on the other hand, are getting weird.""Mom was suggesting that I get plastic surgery," Irene said. "She told me that this doesn't look good."Isaac smiled. "It doesn't."Irene glared at him right then. "I thought you said you didn't mind."Isaac kept smiling. "I don't!" "So why doesn't this look good?" Perhaps he did not like how she looked now and was just lying that he did not mind?"
"Someone rescued Ian Jefferson and his girlfriend," James said.Isaac's face fell. "What?""I rushed over as soon as the director called me. It seems that someone drilled a hole into their room." Isaac closed his eyes. "Got it. Just find out who rescued them as soon as possible.""Yeah."As Isaac put away his phone, Irene asked, "What happened?""Someone rescued Ian and his girlfriend from Blue Hill Asylum," Isaac said, putting away his spoon just then—he had lost appetite from the news."No matter what it is, you have to eat," Irene said, putting the spoon back into his hand. "Don't waste my cooking."Isaac looked at her then and smiled. "Fine, I won't."Moreover, Irene was not worried about security here—it was basically airtight."Who could it be?" she asked."It must be my grandfather," Isaac did not hesitate to answer. "But I don't get it—why now? He could have done it much earlier."Irene agreed, but she had no idea either."You don't have to worry. James will get t
"To be frank, the antidote development you led was an eye-opener for me. I'm honestly impressed by everyone's professionalism and determination."Pausing for a moment, Dennis then added, "You worked at Mead Clinic and brought us their latest research data, so your contribution is immense even if you aren't working for us officially… That's why I asked to meet: I was wondering if you're interested in taking the post of director."Irene was left gaping. Never had she expected the director of Hotmesh Research would ask her to take over!She did not know what to say just then."I don't think I can—""You don't have to give an answer right now. Take your time to think about it," Dennis said, pouring her some tea. "I mean, Tobey Kitsch was supposed to succeed me before, and then…"Trailing off, Dennis then smiled. "Well, thank goodness that happened and allowed us to understand the true extent of his abilities. It would've been a disaster if he really took over."Irene took a sip of h
Erin Gooding smiled. "Cake?"She was not distant at all.As Irene nodded, she continued, "James is too busy to accompany me, so it's boring being alone… May I visit you sometime?"Irene did not want to reject Erin, but she did not have the time—she wanted to stay home and take care of her children while she did not have to work."How about work? Something you prefer, preferably… Just to kill time?""I wanted to, but James told me that he would pay for everything."Erin had a look of bliss on her face as she said that, and Irene smiled unwittingly as she looked on.Happy people tend to radiate a certain glow, and people who watch them could feel their warmth too."What is it?" Erin asked. "Did I misspoke?""Nope," Irene replied, taking a slip from her glass. "Congratulations. James is a good man.""Yeah, but he's just so busy," Erin said, resting her chin on her hand. "Sometimes it's two days before I get to see him once, and he's never at home at night.""He's busy with work
Seeing that her mother was beside herself with worry, Irene decided that it must be serious and she hurried to her mother's side. "What is it?""Look," Sheryl handed Irene her phone, and Irene frowned when she saw it.There were blurry pictures of Isaac and Henry, but there was no question that it was them.And the news was saying that Isaac had given his grandfather a stroke."Look at all those terrible comments—it's so terrible! It's frustrating to look at!" Sheryl would have been fighting those keyboard warriors if she was good with technology.Still, Irene told her to calm down. "I'll go take a look."She knew that things were not as simple as they look.Isaac no doubt had the influence to enforce a media blackout, but the fact that it still made the news meant there was a conspiracy at hand."What can you do?" Sheryl asked."Henry Jefferson was rushed to a hospital, wasn't he?" Irene said. "I'll find out the extent of his condition, so that they wouldn't keep smearing I
Before Irene could answer, Isaac promptly said, "No. She's busy—he can talk to me if he wants.""Master Jefferson says he wants to meet her regardless," Moneypenny insisted. Isaac had more to say, but Irene stopped him. "I'll go."She wondered what the old man had to say, too.Isaac regarded her in silence for heartbeats and nodded. "Go."Irene hence followed Moneypenny into Henry's ward, where the old man was leaning against the headboard, looking withered and weary. His eyes were lifeless and yellow, and undoubtedly sickly."You're here. It's been a while. How have you been?" he asked amicably."Good." Irene replied politely."I'm sure you're smart enough to tell why I asked for you, right?" Henry quickly cut to the chase. Irene, however, decided to play dumb. "Forgive my ignorance, but I don't."Henry held her gaze for a while. "It seems that after spending so much time with him, Isaac's glib nature has rubbed off on you. You used to be tamer."Sighing, he said. "I wa
Isaac remained unaffected—even as calm as a pond.His angular fingers curled up, hooking Irene's hair, and twirled repeatedly. "What do you think we should name our youngest?"Irene turned to look at him, not sure what he was thinking just then and unable to even guess it.He grinned. "What's that look for? Well, I do look good."Irene did not continue about Henry just then, since it appeared that Isaac really did not want to talk about him. Making a straight face, she said, "No, you don't. In fact, you're hideous."Isaac pulled her into his arms right then, holding her chin in place to make her look at him. "Speak from your conscience.""I am," Irene replied with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.Isaac leaned closer then. "Fine. Tell me, what makes me ugly?"She held Isaac's gaze just then, her pupils darting everywhere and glinting luminously. Everything from his chiseled face, to his dark eyes and sharp nose, all made him attractive."Your face, your eyes…" She tried to
Erin was playing hide-and-seek with Tommy, and she inadvertently bumped into Isaac.The sight of his scowl left her heart skipping up to her throat. "I-I'm sorry. That was an accident."Irene quickly put a hand on his arm and smiled. "I brought her here as a guest."Isaac wheeled on her just then, confused by why she did it. Irene simply told Erin to keep playing with Tommy while she dragged Isaac further into their room."Why the long face?"Isaac simply planted himself on bed and glanced at her sideways. "What, am I supposed to be smiling?"Irene sat beside him, wrapping an arm around his, and cajoled, "Calm down. I know you dislike outsiders, but I had considerations when I brought her here. Just think about it: she's with James now, and they might get married later—the man is your right-hand man, while she's raised by your mom. There is a connection."Putting her head on his shoulder, she added, "I don't want you to go without a family."Isaac simply looked at her. "You'r