The clock struck noon as Suzanne made her way back to the Morrison Residence. She deliberately arrived late in hopes of avoiding any encounters with Sally. Yet to her surprise, Sally was still in the house.Upon entering, Sally approached with a feigned smile. "Welcome back, Suzanne."Suzanne cringed at the sound of her name on Sally's lips but maintained her composure, considering Nathan's family was present."Mind joining us for a moment, Suzanne?" Florence beckoned.Suzanne exchanged pleasantries with her in-laws before Wendy ushered her to the couch with Sally trailing behind.The air crackled with tension, evident in the troubled expressions of Florence and Gary, and the hesitant speech of the others. Sensing something amiss, Suzanne had a bad hunch.When Florence hesitated once more, Suzanne decisively asked, "Is there something you need from me, Florence?"Forced to respond, Florence wore a strained smile and deferred to Gary. "I'll let Gary speak for me."Shocked, Gar
As she studied, Suzanne felt like some contents of the books looked familiar and that she must have read them before. Now that she was re-reading them, they left a strong impression on her. The Morrison family staff were so shocked seeing her studying so intently that they whispered about her among themselves. "Mrs. Morrison must have been an excellent student. She must have gone through at least hundreds of psychology books in half a month!""I saw her studying till late into the night. She probably intends to take the examination to qualify as a psychological counselor.""She's really focused when she studies! She didn't even realize that I went in to clean up the room. She gave herself a huge scare when she bumped into me when she got up to get herself a glass of water.""Yes, she's really impressive!"What Suzanne didn't expect was that in the days that she had busied herself with studying the psychology of women like Sally and how to deal with them, Sally had kept a low pr
People often claimed that unrequited love was an internal battlefield. Right at this moment, Suzanne couldn't agree more. She clearly missed Nathan so dearly with her entire being, but she was conflicted and afraid. She dared not even look at him openly, yet she stole countless glances at him from the corner of her eye. She clearly knew that he held another woman dear in his heart, and it pained her to know that. She hated and resented the fact, yet she could not bear to let him go. She clearly yearned for him to be back, and she was both elated and anxious that he was, yet she feigned calmness and nonchalance. She put so much effort into it so that he wouldn't notice any trace of her feelings for him, as though that would make her unrequited love less painful.The moment Nathan stepped into the living room, Sally rushed over excitedly. "Nate!"Caught off guard, Nathan was trapped in her embrace. Sally clung tightly to his waist, frustrating him. Nathan's brow furrowed as he
Halfway through dinner, Suzanne suddenly remembered the mess she'd left in the study and the bedroom. Hence, she hurriedly went upstairs to clean them up. After she was done, she returned downstairs to finish her meal.She wondered where Nathan and Cole had disappeared to after heading upstairs. Could Nathan possibly not wish to share a room with her since Sally was there, so he decided to rest in the guest room?That was highly likely. When Suzanne returned to the dining table, everyone had already finished their meals and left. She sat down dejectedly and continued eating. She couldn't even taste her food due to her heavy mood. Over in the living room, after Sally set her phone down, she called out in an anxious and urgent tone, "Mrs. Morrison, I just called Lucas. He told me that Nate suffered a gunshot to his shoulder last night. "They had just extracted the bullet not too long ago. But Nate didn't want to be hospitalized and insisted on coming home."Florence covered her
Nathan slowly walked toward her and sat down on the other side of the bed. They had their backs toward each other, and Nathan rested his elbows on his thighs. He supported his head on his hands, closed his eyes, and let out a long breath.The tension in the room was high, and he couldn't help but feel exhausted. Suzanne only asked him one question and didn't say any more. A while later, Nathan asked, "Why did Sally move in?"Suzanne smiled wryly. "She's moved in for more than half a month now.""And you didn't stop her?""I have no right to do that."Nathan fell silent. Moments later, he asked again, "Are you planning on taking a qualification exam?""No.""Are you comfortable staying here?""It's alright.""Did Sally make things hard for you?""No."After asking all he had to ask, the room fell into a deathly silence once more. The tension in the room was palpable.Nathan had tried to strike up a conversation with her by asking her so many questions, but she only gave hi
Suzanne fixed her gaze on Nathan's bandaged shoulder, not daring to look anywhere else. She felt a subtle warmth radiating off her entire body as her fingers trembled ever so slightly.The room was so silent she could almost hear her own heartbeat.There was something off about Nathan too. She could feel his fiery gaze locked on her, and his labored breathing matched the rise and fall of his chest. Perhaps it was because of the pain, he sat bolt upright, unmoving.Suzanne had to inch closer as he was seated on the bed, causing his gaze to fall uncomfortably on her chest. She shifted slightly to the side. "I'll remove the gauze now. Tell me if it hurts," Suzanne said softly. He could hear her concern for him in her voice. Nathan hummed in response, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily. Suzanne slowly peeled the gauze off his wound, but as it was stuck tightly, it pulled on his skin. She carefully removed it with both hands as she was worried that she might cause him pain.Wi
Suzanne was dumbfounded, a mixture of shock and disbelief etched on her expression as Nathan pressed down on her. He balanced himself with one elbow, and his weight bore down on Suzanne. His handsome face hovered mere inches away from her, and their breaths were intermingling in the air. Tension surged through Suzanne. Her breath quickened, and her voice trembled as she asked, "What are you doing?" Nathan's gaze held her captive. His breath was warm against her skin, his chest sturdy, and his features irresistibly close. Lost in the moment, Suzanne felt overwhelmed by Nathan's proximity. Morals and emotions took a back seat as she succumbed to the allure of the man she admired. Her mind was clouded with shyness, nervousness, and perhaps even anticipation. Nathan's Adam's apple bobbed as he leaned in, his voice husky and dry as he fixed his gaze on her lips. With eager anticipation, he slowly closed the gap between them, longing for a kiss. Suzanne's nerves tingled as his
Suzanne lay still, feigning sleep with her back facing Nathan. Her fingertips stealthily traced her lips, still tingling from Nathan's kiss. A hollow ache settled in her chest, mingling with a confusing blend of excitement and sadness. Throughout the night, she mulled over the reason for Nathan's kiss. She wondered if it was merely a fleeting moment of passion or if it was driven by his desires. The former seemed unlikely, while the latter felt strained, especially considering Nathan's character and his recent injury. Nathan made no further moves, merely switching off the light and settling on the other side of the bed, slipping into a quiet slumber. Suzanne couldn't fathom the thoughts swirling in his mind. As the next morning dawned, Suzanne was roused by a persistent knocking. She caught a glimpse of Nathan as he opened the door and left to join the rest for breakfast. She shook off her drowsiness and got up slowly, feeling gloomy as she went to freshen up. Dressed and
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