Nathan rubbed his temple and checked the time on his wristwatch. Then, he ordered, "Look into Oliver Hoffis' records in the past ten years."Cole replied, "Will do, Mr. Morrison."Nathan turned to Lucas. "Lucas, send some men to monitor Sally. Figure out how Sally and Oliver got in touch with the Dark Shadows Society."Lucas sounded reluctant. He pleaded, "Mr. Morrison…"Nathan went ahead, "Also, send some bodyguards to protect Zach and Loretta Hoffis. I don't want anything happening to them."Lucas was practically trembling from anguish. "Mr. Morrison, you've been busy enough with the Norvanian military. Why would you waste time on her family matters? She's not worth your effort after what she had done to you."Nathan disregarded Lucas' protests. He got out of the car and entered the main complex of Sudvilla. Lucas and Cole followed suit.Nathan walked past the living room and headed to the study. His two assistants followed behind closely with much concern.Lucas called out t
Cameron casually took a sip of his drink before responding, "You're not."Nathan let out a sigh. "Love in this life often feels like an insignificant desire. Marriage or not, it's not a matter of life and death."Cameron chuckled in response, a sense of irony in his voice. He took another sip of his drink, strolled to the nearby sofa, and settled in with his legs crossed."You appear quite composed. It seems like you're not as emotionally affected as they say. Divorce doesn't seem to faze you much, does it?"Nathan remained silent, instead reaching for a box of liquor from the desk. He walked over to Cameron and placed it on the coffee table."Take the alcohol home and drink it. I don't have time to keep you company," Nathan replied curtly, settling the bottle down before returning to his desk to resume work.Cameron, still seated with his legs crossed, watched Nathan intently, lost in thought as he sipped his drink.Initially, Cameron had come to share a drink with Nathan, but
Mila's response came swiftly, "I was doing alright."Feeling a familiar ache in his heart, Nathan slowly closed his eyes, his voice strained as he murmured, "Where did you study? Where did you work? You...""Nate," Mila interrupted his probing questions, her tone heavy with emotion as she avoided delving into the past. "It's all behind us now. There's no point dwelling on it."But was it truly relegated to the past?Nathan pursed his lips bitterly, resisting the urge to press further.Over the past decade, there had been countless words he yearned to express to her. He wanted to ensure she was doing well and to learn about every facet of her life.Even if it meant merely being a friend, a neighbor who cared.Mila's voice came slowly, "Nate, goodbye."Nathan stayed silent, listening to the emptiness of the line. A part of him still hoped she would reach out to him again.Mila hadn't specified when she would retrieve her belongings. Maybe she had no intention of seeing him again
Mila exited Sudvilla, dragging her suitcase behind her.Phoebe emerged from the car, swiftly taking Mila's suitcase and stowing it in the trunk.Seated in the passenger seat, Mila stared out at the landscape, tears welling up in her eyes, an unfamiliar sense of discomfort engulfing her heart.It felt as though her heart was being pricked by a thousand needles, the ache nearly unbearable, Nathan's memory haunting her every thought.Phoebe settled into the driver's seat, starting the engine before pulling away from the curb. "Mila, when are we heading back to Sunterland?" she inquired.Mila turned her gaze to the passing scenery outside the window, her voice calm as she asked, "Did you make the report?""Yes, I did," Phoebe responded solemnly. "The country needs you and is eager for your return as soon as possible."Mila's lips twisted in bitterness as she took a deep breath. "You shouldn't have rushed to report it.""Why not?" "I need to handle things here first. It's not goin
Nathan remained silent for a moment before humming in response. Mila lowered her gaze, her fingers gently stroking the teddy bear in her arms as she murmured, "I've transferred 600 thousand dollars to your account."Nathan's response was another quiet, noncommittal hum. His composed and indifferent demeanor sent a wave of panic through Mila's chest.Despite her desire to maintain distance and avoid any contact with him, she found herself torn and overwhelmed by conflicting emotions, the turmoil almost driving her to the brink of madness.She missed him dearly, desperately longing to see him again. Feeling at a loss for words, Mila simply said, "Never mind, goodbye."Before she could say anything more, Nathan abruptly ended the call.Mila gazed at her phone screen, tears cascading down her cheeks uncontrollably.Across from her, Phoebe sat munching on potato chips, her gaze filled with confusion as she observed Mila's unexpected emotional outburst.Phoebe asked helplessly, "Mil
"What's our plan?" Mila hesitated briefly before turning to Phoebe. "We're going to stay at Hoffis Manor," she declared.Phoebe's expression turned incredulous. "Stay at Hoffis Manor? Are you serious?"Mila sighed. "It's the only way you can be close enough to protect my grandparents."Without further discussion, Phoebe headed inside to pack their belongings.An hour later, in the luxurious villa of Hoffis Manor, Mila and Phoebe stood in the living room, each with a suitcase beside them.The staff of Hoffis Manor exchanged puzzled glances, their skepticism evident as they observed the two unfamiliar women.Loretta was equally stunned, gazing at their suitcases with disbelief. She couldn't help but feel shocked and slightly amused by the situation."When did Hoffis Manor become a shelter?" Loretta's tone dripped with disdain. "Who gave you the audacity to assume you can stay in my house? It's laughable and embarrassing. Where do you get the nerve to make such requests?"Mila r
Sally looked bewildered. "I stole your husband?"Mila nodded, her expression on the verge of tears. "Yes, you stole my husband. When he divorced me, he confessed that he had always loved his childhood sweetheart."Sally's eyebrows knitted together in surprise, her face reflecting a mix of disbelief and uncertainty as she glanced toward Oliver.Oliver narrowed his enigmatic eyes, a slight smile tugging at his lips as he adjusted his glasses. "How long do you plan to stay?""Until I can come to terms with my previous marriage.""Very well, make yourself at home," Oliver declared.Sally angrily interjected, "Uncle Oliver, have you lost your mind? It's clear she has ulterior motives."Oliver shot Sally a cold glare, his eyes brimming with hostility. Sally recoiled, too intimidated to speak further.Pointing at Phoebe, Oliver asked, "And who is she?"Mila held Phoebe's hand and introduced her, stating, "This is my friend, Phoebe Baskins. She's currently facing some financial diff
Mila reached for the pen gun under her pillow. As she pointed it directly at the person over her body, she suddenly heard Nathan's voice. She quickly withdrew the pen gun.Nathan's voice calmed her immediately. However, she could feel that his body was unusually warm, and his breath burned her skin. She tried to speak, but her voice was muffled by his hand.Having felt something pressing against his waist a few moments earlier, Nathan pulled out Mila's hand, which was hiding under the pillow. The moonlight that streamed into the room cast a glow on the pen gun she held in her hand."Do you think you can protect yourself with that pen alone?" Nathan asked.Mila tried to pull her hand away to hide the weapon. The pen Nathan was referring to was actually a finely crafted weapon Mila had designed three years ago that was both powerful and inconspicuous.She struggled for a moment until Nathan slowly freed her mouth. After taking a deep breath, she exclaimed, "You're the one who's out
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