Isaac did not answer right away, and instead asked, "Are you sick?"Irene took her hand off her stomach and denied it. "No… it's just my hip. It's sore from standing all day." Aside from the first glance, she had not been looking at Isaac since, and said even as she kept her gaze lowered, "It's late. We should go home."She started to leave, and tried to keep herself standing straight as much as possible, reluctant to let Isaac see that she was ill.Isaac remained where he was.Suddenly, he asked, "How long do you need?"Irene's back stiffened for a moment, and she began to stride off.She did not want to talk about it, and with him at that.Isaac quickly caught up, and took her hand despite his reluctance.She struggled a little, but she allowed herself to be pulled along since she could not free herself.He had parked his car outside, and the lights flickered as he whipped out his key and pressed a button. While he opened the door, Irene held the car door in place."Isa
The only thing Isaac could come up with was that he had upset Irene.But when he thought about it, he did not do anything that would make her unhappy, did he?"Did I upset you?" Irene had calmed down in turn, and realized that she made a mistake—she should not have taken it out on Isaac."I'm sorry," she apologized."It's alright," he replied.Irene was quiet for a moment, before she murmured while her lips quivered, "Shouldn't you be saying that we don't have to apologize to each other?"Isaac chuckled. "We should always apologize when we're at fault, or we'd start tantrums on a whim."He actually did not want to be cagey or too polite, because it meant that they were distant—that their feelings for each other were getting bland.And he did not want that!Even so, Irene was feeling miserable after what happened, and right now, he should be doing his best to ease her mind.He was certainly not that magnanimous, but he simply understood that what happened was not her fault,
"Let's meet up, Irene!"Isaac looked up, as if to ask who it was.Irene shook her head— she did not recognize the number or the voice.Isaac pressed the button for the speaker and asked, "Who are you?"Beep, beep…The caller hung up right then, seemingly because they could not hear Irene's voice.Irene frowned. "Who could it be?"Isaac shook his head. "I have no idea."In truth, he had a hunch that it was Harvey, who was on the run, calling with a voice-changing application.Noting the number, he sent it to James and had him look into it."It's just the emergency room available at this hour, right?" he then asked."Yeah," Irene replied, nodding—she was actually fine, and a little hot soup would be enough for her to feel better. Still, she got checked anyway. Afterwards, her doctor told her that he could prescribe her painkillers if she could not stand the pain.Knowing the serious side effects, and that it cured the symptom but not the cause, she refused, and left the cli
Irene found the voice familiar, as if she had just heard it last night.She turned around and found Moneypenny standing behind her.She could not help taking one step backward while asking warily, "What do you want?""We need to talk," Moneypenny said, and quickly explained, "Master Jefferson doesn't know that I'm here. In fact, he's too sick to order me around. Coming to see you was my own decision.""We have nothing to talk about." Irene refused him right away, and started toward the building again.Still, Moneypenny jogged up and stood in front of her. "Master Jefferson has made errors in judgements, but having you marry Master Isaac was definitely the best thing he had ever done."Irene knows that Moneypenny was appealing to her emotion, just as she never forgot everything Henry did—be it good or bad.She had decided to see past it since it was in the past, but she would still hold Henry's treatment of Isaac against him.He was clearly treating Isaac unfairly, when he was t
Lulu's back struck the floor the instant she fell and there was a dull thud!Her head was left ringing and she started to black out. Ricky quickly scrambled to his feet. "I'm so sorry! I just wanted to hug you, but my foot slipped. Did you hit your head?"Lulu narrowed her eyes, her sight of Ricky blurred as her consciousness started to fade!"Lulu? Lulu?" Ricky called out to her, even smacking her face.But she did not respond. Panicking, Ricky whipped out his phone, but he fumbled and dropped it on the floor. Still, Lulu stirred as he quickly reached for it."Urgh…" she murmured, feeling like her head was splitting. Ricky heard her and he quickly turned back to her, calling her name. "Lulu?"She was frowning as she said, "Help me up." Ricky helped her to the couch, asking in concern, "Did you hit your head? Do you want to get checked?"Lulu looked at him and shook her head. "No.""But you—""You can send Barbara and Tobias home now, Ricky," she said, cutting him sh
Irene stared closely at the person on the screen right then. He was looking left and right, ensuring that no one was around, before walking to Irene's seat. The cameras clearly recorded him spiking her cup, and Irene's hands clenched at her sides even as she watched.As her expressions darkened, she told the head of security, "Send me a copy."The man said, "But we're not supposed to do it without the director's approval…""Just give it to me. I'll talk to the director myself.""But…""He's going to retire soon, and everyone in this building knows that I'm the one who will succeed him," Irene snapped, her tone becoming stern just then. "Or do I not have that much authority?"As the man hesitated, Irene demanded again, "Send it to me.""Okay," he replied—he had no intention of upsetting Irene since he wanted to keep his job.If he did, Irene might harass him or just come up with some convolute excuse to fire him once she became director.It was difficult to get a stable job
Irene hurried toward her, calling out, "Lulu?"She felt that Lulu had been much colder to her ever since she lost her memory, so she was surprised that Lulu would come here on her own."Come in!" Irene smiled.Lulu was silent for a while, but she soon said, "Let's go to a restaurant. It's my treat.""Dinner should be ready—""I want to speak with you alone," Lulu insisted, holding her gaze.Sensing that, Irene nodded. "Alright, let's go. We can have my chauffeur drive us."Lulu nodded since she took a taxi here, and those would never come here, or it would take them a lot of time.With that, Irene had her chauffeur take them to a quiet restaurant, and the one her chauffeur brought them to was a good one.It had no main lobbies and consisted of all private rooms, while the furnishing was elaborate and exquisite.As they took their seats, Irene ordered the both of them, since she knew what Lulu liked.Food was served quickly, and Lulu pursed her lips when she saw what the wait
Irene quickly pushed the check back to Lulu, but Lulu caught her wrist."It's not for you. It's for Ricky."It only left Irene even more confused. "Why?""I owe him that much, and this won't even make up for what he lost," Lulu said. "You must have heard by now—Spencer Holdings went bankrupt because of me."It was all her savings and the money she got from selling her house in Sunny City. She had asked an ex-colleague to help her sell the house. It was not supposed to be done so quickly, but her ex-colleague just happened to be looking to buy a house and bought it off her hands directly after checking it out. The ex-colleague hence transferred the money first, and would wait until Lulu returned to finish the paperwork."It wasn't you. I know what happened, and it's the Slates and the Lindts—""Irene," Lulu said, cutting her short. "I need a clear conscience. You and I know that they wouldn't have done it to Ricky or Spencer Holdings if he and I weren't close. Don't turn me do
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