Nathan strolled over to Suzanne, captivated by her portrayal of his backyard on canvas. "I'm offering a hundred million for this masterpiece. Any particular charity in mind?" he inquired with genuine interest.Caught off guard, Suzanne hesitated before responding, "Any charity will do…"Locking eyes with her, Nathan directed Cole. "Arrange a one hundred million donation to an educational institution in rural areas."While Cole hastened to carry out the order, Suzanne carefully rolled up her artwork and handed it to Nathan. "On behalf of the institution, we express our deepest gratitude," Suzanne stated earnestly.As Nathan accepted the painting, his stern expression softened into a smile. Confused by the distant exchange, the onlookers couldn't help but wonder about the true nature of Nathan and Suzanne's relationship.Meanwhile, the internet erupted with excitement over the breaking news. Inkwell, the acclaimed painter, had returned after three years to expose her imitator
Nathan peered into Suzanne's bright and hopeful eyes, captivated by her gentle yet resolute demeanor. Despite her apparent meekness, she exuded a quiet confidence and radiance.As Nathan remained silent, Suzanne grew uneasy and hurriedly asked, "Can you help me run a background check on Inkwell? I'm curious to uncover the truth behind this persona.""I've previously looked into them. They've covered their tracks well," Nathan replied.Suzanne persisted, "Are you certain there's nothing to uncover?""The only lead we have is your voice during conversations with charity institutions. Mrs. Potter has confirmed your identity as Inkwell earlier," Nathan explained.Suzanne was about to refute his assertion when doubt crept in. She cast a nervous glance at Nathan, unsure whether she could trust him."Can I trust you, Nathan?" she asked for assurance.Yet, Nathan let out a wry chuckle. "What do you think?"Suzanne hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. Too many weird things ha
Nathan's expression crumbled instantly. As he released Suzanne's arm in sorrow, he silently retreated a few steps with eyes downcast.Suzanne was confused about the sudden shift in his demeanor, but she couldn't have cared less. Her heart had already shattered when Nathan sent that disappointing message. She no longer desired to remain his wife, especially knowing he intended to marry Sally immediately following Vera's passing."No need to worry about upsetting Grandma, Nathan. Her illness has taken away her memory of me. Let's not delay any further and proceed with the divorce," Suzanne murmured, suppressing the pain throbbing in her chest.With a heavy heart, Nathan questioned softly, "Is that what you truly want?""It is," Suzanne affirmed, her heart heavy with sorrow as tears welled in her eyes.For three years, She had harbored deep affection and admiration for Nathan. Whenever he visited Vera, she would watch them interact from afar while losing in her own reverie. She
In despair, Suzanne pleaded, her voice trembling, "I beg you, Nathan. Please, don't let my last admiration for you crumble into disillusionment. I can't take this anymore. I—"Before she could complete her sentence, Nathan seized her arm and pulled her into a tight embrace. Nestling in his arms, Suzanne tensed up at the sudden intimacy as her heart raced with anxiety.As he held her delicate frame, Nathan breathed in the scent of her hair, feeling a sense of solace wash over his pain. At that moment, he wished he could keep her close forever.Drawing near, Nathan whispered into Suzanne's ear, "You said you married me out of love, and I admit I long to build a life with you. I assure you, I only spoke the truth. "While I once had feelings for Sally, that's all in the past. I may not understand women well, but I wish you could tell me plainly if Sally's presence upsets you. I can't bear to hear talk of divorce."The mere mention of divorce stabbed at his heart, a deeper agony than
Suzanne finally regained her composure as she met Nathan's earnest gaze. His touch brought a soothing warmth to her cheeks."Were we pitted against each other?" she asked sheepishly.When Nathan affirmed with a nod, Suzanne attempted to pursue further. Yet, she found herself stumbling over her words.With a deep sigh, Nathan stated sternly, "Next time you're upset, don't jump straight to divorce. Talk to me about it, alright?"Suzanne stared at him with tearful eyes and nodded obediently. Seeing that, Nathan felt a wave of relief wash over him as his fingers hesitatingly trailed down her delicate face.An uneasy silence then settled between them. Suzanne fidgeted, her gaze shifting nervously until it settled on Nathan's shoulder."Is your wound alright?" she asked with concern, oblivious to Nathan's intense stare fixed on her rosy lips.When Nathan hummed in response, Suzanne breathed a sigh of relief at his reassurance. "Let's head back then," she suggested, her embarrassmen
Layla arrogantly jabbed a finger in Suzanne's direction, her voice dripping with disdain. "Don't let your fame as a painter get to your head. You don't hold a candle to Sally! "She's the only worthy match for the general of the Norvanian military. You? You're nothing!"Rendered speechless, Suzanne clenched her fists tightly. She wasn't experienced in arguing with someone so unreasonable.In that tense moment, Nathan entered the scene. His cold gaze cast an icy chill over the room.Everyone was visibly unsettled by his arrival. Even Layla, whose arrogance faltered in the face of his presence. Yet, she remained convinced of her assertion—that Nathan's heart belonged to Sally, and he would shield her from any harm.Contrary to her expectations, Nathan strode toward Suzanne and enveloped her in his embrace. Stiffening at his touch, Suzanne cautiously looked up at him. "Listen, Layla. Whether you accept it or not, Suzanne will be my one and only wife," Nathan declared firmly.Layla
"We can hold hands and head upstairs together," Suzanne shyly suggested. Her intention was to piss Sally off by appearing intimately close to Nathan."You want us to hold hands?" Nathan questioned, arching an eyebrow.Realizing he might not be on board, Suzanne awkwardly explained, "I just want Sally to see that she doesn't stand a chance and hopefully back off."To her surprise, Nathan suddenly leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Simply holding hands won't be enough."Caught off guard, Suzanne was stunned when Nathan pressed his lips softly against hers. The onlookers were astounded, inwardly questioning if that was the same serious and aloof Nathan they knew.Before anyone could collect their thoughts, Nathan lifted Suzanne off her feet. Startled, Suzanne instinctively encircled her arms around his neck and nestled her head against his chest. Although Suzanne had initiated the idea of appearing intimate to provoke Sally, she couldn't quell her fluttering heart at Nathan's une
With his arms gently resting on her sides, Nathan stared down at Suzanne intensely and swallowed hard. His breathing grew heavy with anticipation, stirring an ambiguous tension in the air."Could you please let me up?" Suzanne urged, her voice trembled with urgency."Oh, Suzy…" Nathan's deep, baritone voice caressed her ears, dripping with desire.At the sound of his intimate address, Suzanne felt her heart practically explode. Even her veins pulsed with uncontrollable excitement. At that moment, she had sensed his intentions. Before Suzanne could utter anything, Nathan pressed against her and captured her lips in a passionate kiss. A soft moan escaped Suzanne, and Nathan seized the opportunity to deepen the kiss.The kiss was so intense that Suzanne struggled to maintain her composure. She slowly succumbed to the overwhelming bliss, instinctively wrapping her arms around Nathan's neck. Nathan gently tilted her head, running his fingers through her hair as he deepened the kiss.
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