James was at the airport, waiting to receive Irene and Isaac as their flight landed. As they left the airport, Isaac asked, "Are you done with that issue?""Yeah," James replied very softly, subtly sneaking a glance at Irene and refraining from going into detail.Irene, who was holding Isaac's arm, was aware why James was being vague.He did not want to talk about it in front of her since she was personally involved.Even so, she had a right to know when they would apprehend the mastermind."Just give it to us straight, James," she told him then. James lowered his gaze. "It's not like I want to keep it from you—I just did not want to upset you.""I'm fine. Just tell us," Irene said, her words sharp and clear.Still, James remained silent for a long while before saying, "The gang had a long criminal record in Braston. They bailed from the city the instant that the police started a search for them, and they had been to other cities before they came here. It's the same story in
Finn followed Irene into the building as he said, "I'm not too sure myself, but he's refusing to put his signature on the agreement, even though he agreed to sign it earlier!"Before Irene left for Franconia, she had made the acquaintance of Professor Lowe thanks to Professor Novsky's introduction.Since Professor Lowe had the technical ability to cut the foil down to 0.03 mm, Irene was going to commission him for his work.While it would even be more ideal if he joined them, Irene had made the offer, and Professor Lowe agreed earlier that he would take the job.And now, he seemed to be reneging on that agreement, which left Irene frowning."Is he here right now?" she asked."Yeah, he actually just arrived to see you. I've asked him to wait at the conference room."Irene started striding in that direction, and opened the door instantly the instant she reached it.The vast room was empty save for one person in a chair—seeing that Irene was standing at the door, Professor Lowe ro
The news was supposed to be something worth celebrating, but Irene found it implausible when she thought about it.After all, James had yet to catch on to the trail of that gang—how would they apprehend them so quickly?She called Isaac's number then, and he answered soon enough."Did you get the gang who hurt Erin?" she asked immediately."You saw the news?""Yeah. Did you really get them? That was fast…"So fast that she found it unbelievable."That's because it's fake," Isaac explained patiently. "We're not going to get them when they're in hiding, which is why we're putting up the fake news that we got them. Once they see it, they'd think—""Got it." Irene was quick enough to catch on. "They'd think that we got the wrong perps and be less wary since there are people to take the fall for them. They would come out of their holes, and we can get them when they do.""Exactly," Isaac said, then asked, "Did you call me just for that?"Irene wanted to ask him to help with Profes
Eagle paused for a moment. "I'd say counter-espionage and marksmanship…""That's enough." Irene cut him short. "I get the picture.""Are you dissatisfied with my performance, ma'am?" Eagle asked calmly."No, I was just asking," Irene quickly explained. "Oh." Eagle clearly sighed in relief. Irene mused to herself for a moment and eventually asked, "Do you know any hackers? Or do you have colleagues who are proficient in hacking?""Do you require their services?" Eagle asked."Yes," Irene replied. "Then I would be able to help. My division does have some experts," Eagle replied.Irene was delighted, "Really? Thanks!""That's not necessary, ma'am. Just ask me anytime you need help," Eagle said respectfully.Irene, however, did not enjoy ordering people around from a lofty position, or speaking as if she was above the rest. Everyone was equal in her eyes.Irene told Eagle about the situation with New Sun Pharman then. "I don't need details about their business. I want to a
The gang came out of hiding, strutting as they headed straight to a bar. All that hiding had left them with a terrible case of cabin fever, and now that they felt safe, they were naturally overjoyed and eager to let loose.It was time for chicks, alcohol, and debauchery. …Meanwhile, James had been keeping a tight surveillance on all entertainment centers and transit areas soon after he had spread the fake news that the police caught that gang.Since neither he nor Isaac could be sure if they were in the city, they had to go loud. Soon, they caught the gang's trail."They're at KK Bar."James hurried to look at the footage, his gaze darkening when he confirmed that it was the gang, and hurried to KK Bar with his men.At the bar in question, the lanky man and his gang were enjoying themselves to the fullest, taking a private room and several alluring ladies.Their clothes were off, their empty beer bottles covering the entire table.Some were singing and dancing on the tab
The rest of the gang were left dumbstruck by the sheer cruelty of the scene. Soon, the man blacked out from sheer agony as the acid burned through his flesh.Even so, James simply gestured for one of his men to throw a bucket of water in his face, waking him. The man cringed and sobbed his pain! He was not getting any action now after losing his manhood!Even so, James remained calm, as if it had nothing to do with him."We're just getting started and you're already breaking down?" He got up and stamped a foot on the man's face. "You're a career criminal, but you can't even stand that at all? You're really full of yourself!"The man's cheek hit the floor, while the other cheek was deformed under James's foot!The rest of the gang were now afraid. It was obvious that James was ruthless and would not hold back at all!The lanky man gave in right then—he did not want to lose his manhood too!"We were paid to abduct that woman and play with her…"James turned toward him. "T
James reported, "We have nothing to go on. The mastermind was very cautious." It was certainly worrying that they could not uncover the mastermind—it meant a time bomb was lurking in the shadows and going to blow up at any moment, catching them completely off guard!Isaac was scowling—he was worried too."Why don't we try to lure them out too?" James suggested.Since the mastermind's target was Irene, they just had to let Irene appear isolated while Eagle kept an eye on her from the shadows.That just might lure the mastermind out of hiding and they could set up an ambush to grab them in one swift stroke! While it was certainly an idea, there was no assurance that it would all go according to plan, and Isaac would never risk Irene."Let me think about it." Isaac needed a perfect plan, and James understood that too.Naturally, all that was left was to handle what was right in front of him for now, and he glanced nearby at the group of scumbags.Although he felt that it was be
No matter how Isaac thought about it, his son had clearly stolen Irene from him! And Tommy would not have come into existence without him!With Tommy still in his arms, he started to leave. "You're sleeping with your baby brother." Tommy blinked his large eyes, not making sense of any of it just then… until Isaac put him on the bed with his baby brother.Realizing that his papa was stealing his mama away, he grabbed the hem of Isaac's shirt and got up. "I want to sleep with Mama, not baby brother."Isaac watched speechlessly as Tommy got out of bed and scampered back to his room.Isaac sighed feebly.Whatever. He just had to squeeze a bit with them for the night.And yet, after he took a shower and returned downstairs, Isaac found Tommy curled up in Irene's arms and even leveling a challenging look at Isaac, as if to say that Irene was his.Isaac stood by the bed, watching his son for seconds, but he eventually gave in. Lying down on his side over the rather narrow edge behi
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