After their breakfast, Amanda was still in a sour mood but when she saw how excited the kids were, she decided she will not let her emotions ruin their vacation.
After packing their stuffs for pool swim, she went out of the room with a happy mood and they all proceed to the pool side.
She was checking her bag but she forgot to bring the sunblock, she asked Mark to play with the kids first while she went back to their room.
She was reaching the pool when she heard a lot of young girls squealing and giggling while playing in the water.
Her blood immediately shot up to her head when she saw the scene in the pool. The girls in their revealing bikinis splashing water with each other on the other end while Mark and the kids were p
Mark suggested to stroll along the beach so they can watch the sunset. She decided to wear a white floral maxi dress and flip flops. Then let her hair loose to complement her beach attire. She looked like a fairy in a garden. Mark wore a light blue long sleeved shirt and matched it with a casual khaki shorts and sandals. With his physique and looks, even the simplest set of clothes looked like it was plucked out of a fashion show.The sun was still up when they went out and she really enjoyed the sea breeze. They walked hand-in-hand while talking and planning about their future together. Their plans for the kids, their education and occupation.It was a lovely feeling for Amanda and she knew that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Mark. She just needs to fill him up with the half of her life story. She thought how diffi
Amanda was still on cloud nine when they went back to their room. She cannot wait to share her happiness with Jack and finally she could really claim Penny as her own daughter.As soon as they reached their room, Mrs. Mills immediately pulled Mark to the side and silently whispered ‘CM’.Amanda who was oblivious to their topic just went to the kids to show her ring.“Mom, does it mean you’re getting married?” Jack exclaimed while hugging her.“Mommy, mommy” Penny sense Jack’s excitement and went to join the hug.“Yes, Jack. Mommy and daddy are getting married in the future” Amanda said excitedly.
She almost burst out laughing when she saw Mark’s face turned crimson looking like he could murder someone.“Val, as much as I’m delighted to your engagement. What does it have to do with me? I’m getting married myself” she raised her left-hand to show her sparkling ring.“Oh really?” Valerie scoffed.“I’m assuming you’re getting married to him?” she said pointing her finger at Mark.“Yes and no one else” she said with full of conviction. Now that she has Mark’s promise, she can declare to everyone she will only marry Mark Hunter.“You’re confident, we’ll see” Valer
After seeing them leave, Mrs. Mills immediately went to the designated Council Meeting room hidden inside the Henley’s resort.Each province has a dedicated Council Meeting room which is a complete replica of each other.The room size, the furniture and fixtures, the position of the chairs and table.The table with five sides is located in the middle of the room. Each side has a corresponding chair for each province representative.Seated in order were Victor Henley of the West Province, an empty seat for Sebastian Golding of the North, Benjamin Smith of the East Province, Frank Mills of the Capitol Metropolitan and as always, another empty seat designated for the son or daughter of the South Province (the one who is y
“Speak” Mr. Henley urged Uncle Ben to continue.“Master Golding’s condition has been worsening in a rapid state. It seems his compulsive behaviour was aggravated by his lack of heir and his doctor recently has diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease” Uncle Ben started his report.“He is afraid that he will die without an heir and the people of the Northern Province would be lost without guidance” Uncle Ben continued.“What do you mean without an heir? He has two daughters. Anyone of the young ladies could assume his position” Mr. Mills enquired.“Lady Valerie has already expressed her intention to go back to the Southern Province. Even her plans have been affected by Ma
The next morning, after being informed of the scheduled meet-up with Amanda, Sebastian was in a jolly mood.His smile was a refreshing welcome to the people at the table and they could not help but feel optimistic about Sebastian.“Good morning, good morning, let’s toast to the gift of friendship and brotherhood and for the good times ahead” Sebastian raised his coffee cup and chuckled at himself.He felt silly.“I must admit, I was a bit rash yesterday, I think my body could not endure the long flights anymore” if he could meet Amanda, he wouldn’t mind admitting his fault to his brothers.“We all understand, Sebastian. Anything c
She was still in a daze when the door from the old master’s room clicked open.“It’s nice of you to visit Ms. North. To whom do we owe the pleasure?” Mr. Golding’s voice was cold and distant as soon as he went out of the room and sat down at the sofa.He had a deep afternoon nap and he felt very light.He even had a dream of his little Mandy crying in his arms.But when he remembered what Amanda did five years ago, he suddenly felt bitterness in his heart and his stubborn self is fuelled by his pride.“Mr. Golding…” Amanda stood up and slightly bowed her head in acknowledgement.
When Amanda went back to her apartment, she now felt conflicted on how to proceed.She was deciding between being firm to stand her ground or to reconcile with her father.Her father’s condition didn’t go unnoticed to her.Just one look and she knew that something was wrong with her father in addition to the medicine that she noticed in his tea.The abrupt change of his mindset was also remarkable.Could she turn her back from her father after knowing that she is all that he has?On the other hand, could Mark wait for her to settle her own business?She
Just as announced, the Golding-Mills wedding will be held on the first day of Spring.Since Amanda’s body was still very weak, they decided to hold the wedding in a private ceremony in the Golding estate.Only the big four families were present.The Henleys, the Smiths, the Mills and the Goldings.Valerie came back from abroad as a maid-of-honour while Monica, Fiona and Brenda were tasked as bridesmaids.In the groom’s entourage, Dexter Henley is the best man while Jake, Simon and Adam were groomsmen.Jack carried the ring while the cute little Penny showered the aisle with flowers.Amanda looked like a goddess in her white dress.Her hair was adorned with flowers matched with a simple make-up.When Penny saw her, she immediately ran to her mommy and walked beside her.Jack looked confused and also wanted to join the girls but he knew this is an important event.He went to the girls and led Penn
The guards immediately secured Harley and Meredith and the whole household was turned upside down.When Amanda opened her eyes, her arms felt numb.There was an IV drip attached to her left arm.She tried to sit up but she felt dizzy instantly.When the door opened, John Fields came in with a food tray with a big smile on his face.“You, my lady, should eat more healthy foods.”“I heard you’ve been nibbling on bacons when you’re bored?” John smiled at her warmly.“Oh John, help me call Mark. I have something important to tell him” she said excitedly with a weak body.“John, I think Mark is Jack’s real father”“I know it’s a long shot. But it’s worth to run a test” she thought she said her words properly.Harley’s blurred words were echoing in her mind.‘Tattoo on lower abdomen’‘Jack of d
“They say that it’s takes a village to raise a child” General Mills said meaningfully.“It seems like you need the whole country to raise yours” he roared with gritted teeth.This is not acceptable to him.He was initially fond of Amanda and he really likes her but this action is really serious.She should not play with people’s lives no matter how repulsive they seem.“Feel free to take her” Sebastian said while scratching his head.He also doesn’t know how to save his face right now.Even though they are good friends with the Mills family, everything can be put aside if it concerns a person’s life.The old men were still bantering about Amanda’s action when they heard Mark laughing from the guest room.“I told you she’s getting bolder” he said to the old master Golding.“She’s, she’s done this before” he s
The next day Amanda woke up in a happy mood.She rang her bell and ordered the servant for her breakfast.“Get me Nellie” she said when she was greeted by a new servant.“My lady, I’m afraid Nellie won’t be able to serve you anymore” the servant said with tearful eye.“Why?” she asked in confusion.“She’s being punished my lady, in the garden” the servant could not help her tears anymore.“She will be beaten to death if she did not reveal who ordered her to assassinate young master Mills” the servant said pleadingly.“A-a-assassinate?” she said in shocked.How could it be?She only ordered Nellie to drug the young master and to sleep with him.She never ordered for an assassination.Is it possible that someone wanted to murder young master Mills?She could not be implicated, but she could not let Nellie die beca
“Meredith could not bear a child; I always knew your eggs would come in handy”“We hired a surrogate to conceive the child”“The father comes from a rich family.”“Either family, we could ask for support for the child” Harley said shamelessly.“Why use other person’s sperm then? If you want to have a child with Meredith why use other people?” she asked in disbelief.“Believe it or not, I don’t want Jack to know that he has half-siblings” Harley tried his best to show his sincerity.“Half?” she scoffed.“Why? Are your offspring only consist of upper or lower part?”“How could you call someone ‘half’?” her hatred is visible in her cold stare.“I know you don’t want to believe me. Anyway, I’m not from a rich family” he said self-deprecatingly.“But for our s
Mark felt goosebumps in his arms.He looked inside the house wanting to curse at the old man.“I asked grandpa to bring me” the little boy said defending the old man.“Well, he shouldn’t. Not without me or your mom”“Whatever Harley said to you, just ignore it. Don’t let it affect you, okay?” he hugged the little guy tighter.“It’s okay, dad. I just looked at him.”“We didn’t have any resemblance at all” he said while kicking the ball up and down.“Does mommy know?” Mark doubted Amanda would agree to this meet-up.“No, she said she would stay in her room until the announcement has been cancelled”“Knowing her, she won’t come out anytime soon” he chuckled at her mom.“Jack, what does he looked like? How did you feel when you saw him?”“Were you excited?” he som
“Would you like to send a reply?” Jack enquired referring to the letter.She scribbled some notes and passed the paper to Jack.“Let the servant send it. You don’t need to go there yourself” she reminded him.“I want to go. Unless you want to play ball with me?” she just grins at Jack.Jack knew she wouldn’t play outside with him.“When are you coming out of your room?” Jack was about to leave when he turned around to ask her.“When they retract the marriage announcement” she said honestly.Jack just shrugged his shoulder then close the door.He went directly to the old master’s study room and knocked.“Grandpa, can I meet Harley today? Mom doesn’t want to leave her room until the announcement is cancelled” he started.“She said that?” the old master wanted to confirm.Although he has expected Amanda
She hasn’t finished her slice when she heard a knock and her father came in.When he saw what she’s eating, he immediately ordered the servant to take it away.“Where did you get this rubbish?” the old man asked.“This is not from the kitchen. Who gave it to you?” he looked around and found the open letter.When she still did not reply, the old master summoned Uncle Ben.“Fire the servant who brought her food” Uncle Ben immediately nodded his head.“I-I-I bought it. The servant has nothing to do with it” she would not allow the poor girl to get fired.“Fire the whole kitchen staff” Uncle Ben again nodded his head.“You still want to lie to me?” Sebastian challenged her and started reading the letter.She could only press her lips in defiance.“Mark sent it for me” she admitted instantly when she saw Uncle Ben pulling ou
“Golding? Mom, are you related?” he asked in confusion.“Yes” both Goldings replied casually.“We already tried to trace it before haven’t we Sebastian?” Mrs. Mills recalled their relationship.“Yes, I think our common ancestor is 10 generations back. But then, who cares” Sebastian agreed.“Your mother treats me more of an enemy instead of a relative, anyways” he just shrugged his shoulders.“Don’t worry son, everybody is related to everybody in Diamond Country” General Mills added.“That’s why it’s important to handle your matters cautiously” the general sighed.“Dad, I need to talk to Meredith. I need to know if there are other people who used my seeds” he explained.“No one used your seeds. I made sure that the clinic would seal your donations and not to release it before”“Tsk, wha