Their car stopped outside the front entrance of Twinrise Enterprises.Stan alighted, walking around the car to open the door for Irene.Arching her back as she got out, she then stood upright before the building.Even if she was not used to this, she did her best to make herself look imposing.After all, she understood that if she appeared too weak in Isaac's absence, the company would fall to chaos. She needed to look strong, even if she had to pretend!Stan was actually concerned if Irene could keep everyone in line, but she never seemed to be cowed.It afforded him slight relief.But this time, Irene was not acting like before—she was solemn throughout, without a hint of a smile.She had Stan gather the executives, but not in the conference room.She wanted to speak to them in full view of everyone in the building.Once everyone was there, Stan headed to Isaac's office to inform Irene. "Mrs. Jefferson…"He found her sitting behind Isaac's desk, clicking on various pages
Irene smiled faintly, appearing almost harmless just then.But her words were far from that. "I don't want to hear further rumors that would jinx my husband. I'm sorry, but if I catch anyone saying such things, they will be dismissed."Everyone was immediately quiet, since they had all discussed that possibility. Naturally, none of them want to be fired either, since this company's benefits were the best.That was when Stan's phone rang. It was a ruse he and James had planned beforehand, calling in the middle of the meeting after Stan changed James's caller ID to 'Isaac Jefferson' instead.He deliberately angled his phone so that others could see it before he answered the call. "Yes, Mr. Jefferson. She's here with me. I'll pass her the phone now."Irene played along too, taking the phone and saying softly, "I'll be back soon. Don't worry."With that, everyone believed that Isaac was calling. They used the same tactic at the meeting at other subsidiaries, and after a tour
Isaac became silent.He was perfectly fine before he fell. How could his vision turn bad from that?He would have not argued if he hurt his legs, since he did feel the agony from his right leg before he blacked out!"Let me get you some water," the woman said, and she brought him a glass of water.Isaac did not drink it. Instead, he asked, "Where am I?""Dunesia," the woman replied."Where specifically?" Isaac pressed. The woman answered, but Isaac had never heard of it—like most foreigners, he only knew the more famous locations and not remote areas."Can I make a phone call?" Isaac asked."What is that?" the woman asked in return, leaving Isaac speechless.Was he really in Dunesia? Why would she not know what a phone call was?It seemed a little unlikely, so who were these people?Isaac remained impassive and said nothing after that, so the woman said, "Please get some rest! My husband and I still have to harvest the grapes from the vineyard."And with that, she left—
As the image—a photo, to be precise—opened, James and Stan craned their necks for a look."Mr. Jefferson?" Stan blurted just then.However, Irene remained still.She and Isaac had been together for a while, and having shared a bed, she knew his body best.While the man in the photo was almost of the same height and body shape, that was all there was to it!In fact, Irene was positive that it was not Isaac.Then, another text arrived.[There, a photo of the man himself. Do you believe me now?]Irene replied instantly: [That's not Isaac!]Stan was perplexed by her reply. "Wait, that's not Mr. Jefferson?""No," Irene replied assuredly. "How are you so sure?" Stan exclaimed. "Those clothes and figures are obviously him, and there's that black cloth on his face. You can't say it isn't just because you don't see it!"Irene looked up at him then. "Don't you get why they're not showing us his face?"Zachary and James immediately understood.A little slow on the uptake, Stan aske
Zachary was left baffled by the question for a long while.Staring at Irene in confusion, he asked, "Why would you suddenly ask that?"The timing could not have been poorer, and he was left weirded out!Still, before Irene could answer, he gave her a serious look and said, "Of course I love children, Irene, but do you really think I still have the chance?""What chance?" Irene asked."To be a dad," Zachary replied, really keen on rolling his eyes just then. Did she just forget what she asked?"Just remember to cherish any nice girls you meet," Irene told him."I know," Zachary replied—he certainly would. He then smiled. "That question was weird."Irene looked out into the distance. "It just… came to mind."Zachary did not think so, however. "I heard from James that you were visiting Lulu. Was she in labor?" he asked, pausing for a moment before adding, "Was it a boy or a girl? Does the baby resemble her or Martin?""It's a girl," Irene replied. "She takes after Lulu."
The woman pretended not to hear him and urged, "Eat before the food gets cold."Isaac frowned as she was clearly avoiding the subject. He asked, "May I know why you're keeping me here?" "I don't understand what you're saying," the woman said and turned to leave. The furrow over Isaac's brow only deepened. -Marie left the house and went to Thomas, her husband, who was working at the vineyard.Thomas sat on the ground and took off his gloves.Marie sat beside him and asked, "What should we do with that man?"Thomas kept his gaze lowered and ate in silence, probably unable to come up with anything.Marie then suggested gingerly, "Why don't we just let him go?" Thomas kept eating in silence, and it was only when he was done that he looked up and repeated, "Let him go?""Yes," Marie nodded. "He's a Zidonian. He probably isn't—""Don't you think it's weird he showed up here, in such an isolated location?" Thomas asked, staring at his wife. "Our vineyard is a cover to what
Isaac asked in confusion, "Tell what?""Didn't you see anything since you were brought here?" Marie asked.Isaac shook his head. "No. Nothing.""Really?" Marie pressed on."No," Isaac said assuredly. "Nothing at all."Marie nodded and walked up to help him walk. "You don't look like a bad man. Zidonian, right?"Isaac nodded. "Yes."Helping him back to his room, she told him, "Get some rest."-As Marie and Thomas got in bed that night, she said, "He said he saw nothing.""Do you think he'd admit it if he did?" Thomas asked in return."But he's Zidonian," Marie argued. "He probably won't—""They might have sent a Zidonian to find us so that we'd let down our guard." Thomas was certainly paranoid, and even Marie had a hard time understanding him. "If you believe that, we should've left him to die and save ourselves the trouble!""I would've—if he wasn't blind," Thomas replied.The vineyard was actually a front, and the truth was that they were rearing a certain species of
Irene turned around. "Yes?""Pierre was just here, but I told him not to wake you," Eagle told her. "The tutors are here.""Okay," Irene said and started to carry Tommy to the living room.However, Tommy had gotten too heavy, so she had him walk on his own halfway through.Meanwhile, Pierre brought in the tutors—there were four of them, two men and two women, and they were all Franconians. They all appeared to be good people, though one of the men and one of the women were a little older while the other two were younger.Pierre passed their resumes to Irene. It showed that they were all university graduates, and three had experience as tutors.Irene glanced at the older woman, who was on the pudgy side and looked kindly.She looked like the patient type, which Irene needed in a tutor. Beckoning to Pierre, she softly told her the one she picked, but Tommy was suddenly pointing at the younger woman and saying, "I like her, Mommy."Irene was left staring at him for a moment.
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