After work, Jasper returned home to find a note on the fridge, alongside gifts on the cabinet and the black card he had given to Imogen earlier. Feeling irritated, he loosened his tie, shed his coat, and threw it onto the bed. Sitting on the edge, he leaned forward with his hands cradling his forehead. He closed his eyes, his breaths deepening with each passing moment. Today, she returned the gifts and the bank card. Tomorrow, it could very well be divorce papers. The more Jasper dwelled on it, the heavier his heart grew. After a moment of contemplation, he left his room and approached Imogen's door. His knocks met with silence. Knowing she was inside, he spoke softly, "Imogen, can we talk?" Still, there was no response. He called out again, "Imogen..." A soft voice from within replied, "I'm going to sleep." Checking the time, Jasper realized it was still early. He lingered at the door for a while before reluctantly returning to his room. He showered and changed int
Imogen woke in Jasper's arms the next morning. As she opened her eyes, she was greeted by his handsome face. His features were sharp and captivating, and the dark stubble on his jaw added to his rugged charm. Imogen swallowed nervously and raised her hand to gently touch his chin. With her heart fluttering and breath quickening, she bit her lip unconsciously. The warmth of his face and the roughness of the stubble felt so real. When she first saw Jasper, she impulsively agreed to a flash marriage mainly because she was captivated by his looks. As they spent more time together, she thought she had struck gold with a wonderful husband. Little did she know Jasper was indeed a treasure far beyond reach for a woman like her. Suddenly, Jasper's dreamy eyes opened and met hers. Startled, Imogen quickly pulled her hand back, avoiding his gaze and moving away. Jasper reached out and pulled her back, whispering, "Were you touching me?" Imogen lowered her eyes, unable to meet hi
At the dining table, Imogen ate silently, her mind tangled with conflicting emotions.She knew she didn’t deserve Jasper. Yet, like anyone, she was drawn to beautiful things and captivated by remarkable people. She, too, desired wealth and power. Her feelings for Jasper were genuine. But he was too dazzling, making her feel unworthy, timid, and afraid to entertain any thoughts about him. It reminded her of middle school—feeling infatuated but overwhelmed by fear, uncertainty, and insecurity. Rejection and avoidance were the only strategies she knew.After breakfast, Jasper offered to drive her to work, but she declined. Helpless, Jasper let her be, allowing her to do whatever made her comfortable. After a long day at work, Imogen returned home in the evening. She was surprised to find several maids in the house. They greeted her respectfully when they saw her. "Good evening, Madam." Imogen felt uneasy and overwhelmed by the formal atmosphere. She cautiously responded before q
No matter how influential Zoey's parents were, they couldn't compare to Jasper's. It seemed only he could have resolved the issue. "Thank you, Jasper," Imogen said.Jasper gave a bittersweet smile and replied gently, "Don't mention it. It feels too formal for that." "Jasper, I want to—" Imogen started, but before she could finish, Jasper's expression darkened, and he interrupted her, "No, I won't agree." Imogen smiled helplessly. She hadn't even finished her sentence. Was he so afraid she'd mention divorce? "I wasn't done speaking," she said. "Anything but divorce, Imogen. I can give you anything else," Jasper responded. "I want to return to Norvania Aerospace Academy for an exchange program." Without hesitation, Jasper blurted, "You can attend the program, but you're not allowed to stay overnight at school." Imogen quickly nodded, her spirits lifted, and her smile grew brighter. Seeing her smiling sweetly at him, Jasper felt his heart flutter. He leaned in slowly,
Imogen could feel the changes in Jasper's body. His breath tickled the back of her neck, sending waves of heat through her, leaving her breathless. His large hands effortlessly found sensitive spots on her body, teasing her both intentionally and unintentionally. Imogen surrendered herself in his embrace. When it came to intimacy, he was adept without needing any guidance. Imogen's body tensed and subtly tightened. Jasper wrapped his arms around her slender waist and slowly pulled her closer. Imogen closed her eyes. Unsure of what to do, she allowed him to take the lead. "Imogen, is this okay for you?" he murmured huskily, his voice deep and seductive. With her eyes shut, Imogen nodded, her hands nervously gripping the blanket. With her consent, Jasper grew notably excited. He desired to explore more intimate positions with her, hoping to captivate her and earn her affection, even if it was solely for his prowess in this aspect. Their intimacy unfolded over an hour, rende
"Professor Winkler, there's another issue with the program and I wish to discuss it with you." "What's the issue?" "It's about the endurance—" Her words were cut short by Mila. "Imogen, why don't we meet in person to discuss it?" "Meet in person?" Imogen asked, surprised. "Well, it's the weekend. Are you busy today?" "No, not at all." "Great. I'll send a driver to pick you up. Just give me your address." Imogen felt ill at ease and quickly declined. "No need for the trouble. I'll take a taxi. Please send me your address, Professor Winkler." "Alright," Mila replied warmly. After hanging up, Mila sent Imogen the address. Imogen took a taxi and arrived half an hour later at a gated community of standalone villas. The driver remarked, "These villas are for important national figures. I can't go inside. You'll have to get off here." Imogen got out and looked at the tall, sturdy walls and the strict security at the gate. Inside the residential area lived national of
Mila glanced at the time and suggested, "Why not make it today? My son has the day off. I'll ask him to come over." Feeling awkward, Imogen quickly shook her head. "That's not necessary, Professor Winkler. You don't need to have him come over just for me." Being extremely fond of Imogen, Mila ignored her protests and made the call. Jasper's voice came through the line, "Mom, what's up?" "Are you off today? Do you have time to come over? I'd like to introduce you to a new friend." Jasper responded coolly, "I don't have time today. I'm at a gathering." "Are you still working on a weekend?" "Yeah." Annoyed, Mila protested, "Can you stop wasting all your time on work? It's the weekend. You should spare some time to mingle around with people." "Mom, I don't have time to go back..." "Fine, next time then." "Alright." Something suddenly came to her mind, and Mila inquired curiously, "By the way, there's news online about you and Oakley's granddaughter checking into a
Mila walked out hastily, joyfully welcoming Nathan home. Imogen stood quietly in the living room, watching the doorway. A strikingly handsome, authoritative middle-aged man entered, his gentle smile lighting up the room. Without changing his shoes, he wrapped Mila in a warm embrace and kissed her lips. "Surprised to see me?" he said tenderly. "Yeah, I thought you weren't coming home today," Mila replied with a smile, gently pushing him away. Nathan chuckled affectionately. "I wanted to surprise you." Then he pulled her close for a deeper kiss. Imogen lowered her head and looked away, feeling utterly awkward. Mila quickly pushed against his chest, whispering, "Nathan, stop. We have a guest." Nathan paused, curiosity lighting up his eyes as he looked toward the living room. "A guest?" Mila hummed in response and handed him his slippers. "Change your shoes and come. I'll introduce you to a friend." "Your friend?" Nathan asked as he changed his shoes. "Yes. She's much
Jasper became concerned as Imogen placed her hand over her heart. He asked, "Are you experiencing any chest pains? Have you consulted a doctor? I can take you for a check-up."Imogen reassured him, gently holding his arm. "Jasper, I'm fine. I'm just trying to figure out how to balance my future family and career."Jasper smiled knowingly, gently patting her head before pulling her into an embrace. He recognized her uniqueness—her drive to pursue her career and showcase her skills and talents. The thought of being a stay-at-home mother or merely a trophy wife held no appeal for her whatsoever.Holding her close, Jasper murmured, "Imogen, have you forgotten about your husband's financial prowess?"Imogen couldn't suppress a chuckle.Jasper reassured her of his commitment, "As long as you're on board, I can arrange a driver to drive you to work, an assistant to handle all your tasks, and you won't have to worry about anything. When you return home, there will be maids and me to ens
After returning from her journey across the globe, Imogen headed straight to the hospital. During her travels, she started noticing subtle changes in her body—nausea, fatigue, and a stronger need for rest. Her hunch was confirmed when tests revealed she was pregnant.She felt a blend of anticipation and apprehension. The idea of being pregnant raised thoughts of focusing on family life and raising children. Yet, she valued her career and was steadily demonstrating her skills. She wasn't ready to give it up just yet.When Imogen arrived home and stepped through the front door, she found Gregory and Carol were there. They had just returned from their trip as well, bringing back gifts. "Hi, Mom, Dad," Imogen greeted them.Still excited about their travels, Gregory and Carol eagerly recounted their adventures to Jasper.When Jasper heard Imogen's voice, he quickly stood and walked over to her, taking her hand. "Imogen, I woke up early and didn't see you around. Where did you go?"
Jasper thought the idea was brilliant and agreed, "Let's plan our route and leave next week."Imogen gently pushed him back, her hands on his chest. "Sure, but let me get up first. We'll map out our journey, set a schedule, and go on a trip for our wedding."Jasper took her wrists and lifted them above the pillow. "Let's discuss this tomorrow. I have some pressing matters to attend to at the moment."Imogen was about to respond when Jasper leaned in and kissed her deeply. Their lips intertwined with passion.…A week later, Imogen received another call from Yulia's lawyer, who conveyed Yulia's apologies and expressed her desire for Imogen's forgiveness. Yulia also requested Imogen to intervene with Nathan on her behalf.Imogen decided to ignore the request. She believed in the fairness of the law. It reminded her of Zoey, who had fraudulently claimed her degree and ended up in prison at Jasper's behest.As for Yulia, she had orchestrated attacks on Gregory, caused Carol to lose
Imogen's heart raced as she slowly hugged Jasper, her voice bashful yet resolute. "Jasper, you'll always have a place in my heart."Jasper tensed slightly, his senses on high alert. He met her eyes. A glint of anticipation sparked in his gaze as he eagerly murmured, "Say it one more time. Say it—""I love you, Jasper," Imogen said gently.Jasper's eyes immediately filled with tears as he held Imogen tightly, his body shaking. Overwhelmed by emotion, he could only whisper her name into her ear. "Imogen… Imogen…""Do you love me?" Imogen asked, her voice tinged with shyness.Jasper frowned. "I do love you. Haven't you always known?""I still want to hear it," Imogen said."I love you. I love you with all my heart," Jasper declared, gazing at her with intense passion and unwavering resolve.Feeling a bit stiff from his tight hug, Imogen gently pushed him away. "I love you, too, but I must get up and go to work.""Not today," Jasper responded, scooping and carrying her back to bed
"If it's a gift, why not accept it?" Mila whispered.Gregory quickly took the check, looking unsure of his next move.Once his money was accepted, Oakley assumed the issue was settled. He took Yulia's hand and began to leave the ward, saying, "Well, I'll leave with Yulia for now."Still feeling resentful, Yulia glanced back and shot Imogen a glare as they departed.The ward fell silent. Feeling uneasy, Gregory and Carol exchanged anxious glances."Nate, we can't go easy on them," Mila whispered.Nathan smiled knowingly. He took Mila's hand, gently caressed it, and said quietly, "Don't worry. I'll ensure our in-laws get the justice they deserve."Mila nodded, feeling reassured. Gregory and Carol, who were listening nearby, felt deeply moved and grateful.Since Gregory was injured and confined to bed, the meeting between Jasper's and Imogen's parents ended earlier than expected. After saying goodbye to their parents, Jasper and Imogen headed home. On their way home, Jasper felt
Yulia was renowned for her boldness and strong-willed nature. Aware of Oakley's wealth, influence, and dual reputation in legal and illicit circles, she feared no one and held a contemptuous attitude toward others, including senior military figures."You need to apologize to Ms. Imogen immediately," Oakley whispered urgently.Pointing at Imogen, Yulia muttered irritably, "Her? Oh, please! If anyone owes an apology, it's her to me."Oakley wiped his forehead nervously, trembling with anxiety. Everyone's expressions around them darkened visibly. Jasper suppressed his anger; his hands clenched into fists.Before he could speak, Yulia grumbled, "Jay, you blocked me before understanding everything, and then you terminated our contract. That's just too much."Mila couldn't shake her worry for Jasper. If he couldn't manage his relationship with Yulia appropriately, it could severely impact his marriage. Concerned that he might not handle it well, Mila intervened. "Ms. Gibson, please resp
Carol no longer believed the portrayal of wealthy women on television.Jasper took Imogen's hand, and they sat down on the couch together, feeling anxious. It was their parents' first meeting, and the hospital setting added to the tension. If things went wrong and their relationship soured, their future would look bleak.Imogen was particularly anxious. Her palms were growing clammy. Jasper pulled out a tissue and gently wiped her palms before reassuringly saying, "There's no need to be nervous. My parents are easygoing."Offering an awkward smile, Imogen teased him, whispering, "You seem more nervous than I am, don't you think?"Jasper chuckled but offered no reply. Dealing with Gregory and Carol was sure to be a bit daunting.Typically reserved around strangers, Nathan found it difficult to start a conversation at that moment. Meanwhile, Gregory and Carol felt apprehensive and cautious, worried that any misstep could upset the Morrisons and cause problems for Imogen.Sensing th
Mila approached them with a bouquet, smiling. "Yes, we're in the right place. We've come to visit you, our in-laws."The term "in-laws" caught Gregory off guard as he lay in the bed. Despite his injuries, he quickly propped himself up, struggling to sit upright. Carol, equally surprised, cautiously accepted the gift from Nathan's outstretched hands.Jasper and Imogen took the next elevator, so they hadn't reached the ward yet.Nathan quickly set his things down and hurried over, gently placing a reassuring hand on Gregory's shoulder. "You're injured. Don't get up. Just lie down and rest.""General Morrison, I…" Gregory's voice faltered in distress.Carol's hands trembled uncontrollably as she glanced nervously at Mila, worried that Mila and Nathan had overheard her argument with Gregory.Nathan spoke in a gentle tone, "Please, don't call me General Morrison. It sounds too formal. You both are older than me. Just call me Nathan, and I'll call you two by name in return."Mila came
In the hospital ward, Gregory had been asleep for over an hour when the nurse woke him to change his medication.After the change, Carol peeled an orange for him to eat. They shared the segments, chatting idly."Imogen really picked a good husband. Even these oranges he bought are unusually sweet," Carol said, marveling at the oranges. Gregory glanced at the orange and said, "They must be expensive.""Yes, they're sold by the piece in big supermarkets. Also, they're more expensive than beef and lamb," Carol said before eating another sweet segment.Gregory pondered for a moment. Then he curiously asked, "Someone ruined our house's floor. Do you think Jasper would help us repair it?"Carol shot him a look and replied, "Listen, don't burden Imogen with this. Don't even bring it up.""Why would it burden Imogen? With Jasper's wealth, this is nothing.""Enough," Carol snapped. "That's his business. No matter how poor we are, we shouldn't ask for what isn't ours." "You're too stu