Mila dropped her head and whispered, "Nate, I'm sorry." Guilt filled her heart, and pain tore at her.Nathan forced himself to smile. He threw his head back and let his arms hang by his sides. Closing his eyes, he said, "I understand."Mila couldn't bear to look at him and left quickly. Nathan didn't go after her. He sat motionless on the wooden bench with his head up. Even closing his eyes couldn't keep the tears from running down his cheeks. His silhouette looked sad and lonely, bathed in the warm, yellow light.Mila quickly disappeared into the distance without a backward glance. Nathan put his hand to his forehead, hiding the tears at the corners of his eyes. Loneliness and pain overwhelmed him. It had been ten years since he felt such pain, and it was just as unbearable to feel it all over again.Mila left Alpine Estate and got into a taxi. She cried through the ride. The driver thought she had broken up with her boyfriend and tried to comfort her, but she didn't listen
Mila stopped in her tracks. Sally got to her feet and glared at Mila, gritting her teeth as she asked angrily, "Did you say something to Nate? Why has he suddenly decided not to marry me?"Mila remained silent. With a deadly stare, Sally emphasized each word, "Was it you? Did you see Nate last night? I'm asking you. Are you mute now?""Yes.""You bitch. I knew it was you." Sally's anger flared, and she raised her hand as if she was going to slap Mila.Before her hand could land, Phoebe dashed over and grabbed her wrist. A wave of numb pain shot through Sally's body, and she felt as if her wrist was about to snap. She couldn't help but cry out in pain.Sally shook free of Phoebe's grip and stepped back. Her eyes were watching Phoebe warily as she held her injured wrist. She was confused and slightly frightened as Phoebe, who looked fragile, had an unexpectedly strong grip.Phoebe shielded Mila behind her and smiled thinly. "Ms. Hoffis, this is a civilized society. Let's not slap o
"Grandpa, you're awake!" Sally ran over and grabbed Zach's arm. Pretending to be delighted, she brought tears to her eyes as she exclaimed, "Grandpa, you're finally awake! That's so great."Mila and Phoebe were particularly calm. Zach gazed lovingly at Mila before saying to Sally, "Help me to the couch."Sally wiped away her tears and helped him to the couch. Mila and Phoebe followed after them.Half an hour later, Oliver burst into the house. When he saw Zach on the couch, he had a look of shock and guilt on his face. Zach sipped his coffee calmly without even bothering to look at Oliver.Soon after, Loretta rushed over as well. Her hands were shaking with excitement when she saw Zach. Tears ran down her face as she walked up to him. "Zach! Zach, you're finally awake. Are you feeling alright?" she asked. "Thank God, you're getting better."Loretta touched Zach's face and body, but Zach brushed her hand away in displeasure and said, "Enough. Sit down."Oliver took a deep breath
Sally stood up as well. She yelled, "I disagree, too!"Zach ignored them entirely and calmly asked, "Ollie, Ms. York came here for you. Do you still have any feelings for her?"Mila turned her eyes toward Oliver. Her charming and gentle eyes made him melt. Even though he knew she was up to something else, he couldn't resist saying, "Let her stay."With a smile, Mila nodded to Oliver gratefully."From now on, Ms. York and her friend will be honored guests of the Hoffises. Nobody can kick them out," Zach warned."Grandpa.""You old fool."Suddenly, Sally's phone buzzed. She pulled out her phone in a huff and saw that it was a text message from Oliver. She shot him an annoyed look, wondering why he was texting her now. Oliver grimly tossed his phone on the table. As she read his message, Sally's face grew darker."Put the mission of getting close to Nathan on hold and stop dreaming about inheriting the Hoffises fortune for now. Zach seems to be in good shape and could live for a
All trains and flights to the Norvania frontier had been suspended. Renting a car was the only option Mila and Phoebe had. They took turns at the wheel for the drive to the Norvania frontier.Meanwhile, Mila tried to call Nathan again and again, but there was no answer. After an all-night drive, they were finally at the destination the next morning. Soldiers manning the checkpoint stopped them.The surroundings were nothing short of apocalyptic. Ambulances and rescue vehicles were coming and going. The sky was a murky grayish purple, and everyone was wearing dust masks."I'm sorry, but the Norvania frontier is now a disaster zone. Only rescue personnel are allowed to enter," one of the soldiers said.Nervously, Mila asked, "Where exactly did the explosion happen? How many were killed? Is the military base all right? Where's General Morrison? Is he okay?""Ma'am, I cannot reveal any of that information. Please leave."Tears filled Mila's eyes as she looked up at the purple haze th
Nathan could see that Mila's eyes were filled with worry and sadness. He had no idea who she was worried about or why she was there. He got out of the car and walked over to her.Mila quickly pulled a new dust mask from her bag and clumsily ripped open the wrapper. When he approached, she wasted no time helping him put it on. Her fingertips brushed over his ears. Suddenly, his words caught in his throat, and he could only stare at her in silence."Nate, the purple dust is toxic. You need a mask," Mila said."Go back," Nathan ordered. He had no desire to ask why she was there. He was only afraid that she might be in danger."Take me with you. I can help," Mila pleaded earnestly."We're short on manpower now, so I've got no one who could bring you back. Go back by the way you came. Leave at once," Nathan said sternly."Nate, let me help you," Mila insisted."Have you forgotten what you said before?" Nathan asked. He felt a pain in his heart.Mila fell silent. Her heart was achi
The wide streets of the military base were littered with supplies for the victims. Crowds of people were milling about. Mila and Phoebe got out of their vehicle, eager to be part of the relief efforts as soon as possible."Nate." A familiar voice grabbed Mila's attention. Fenna, clad in rescue gear, approached them. With her eyes fixed on Nathan, she asked tenderly, "You're back? Did you find a solution?"Noticing Mila, her face fell as she asked, "Why did you bring her here?"Nathan looked at Mila before turning to Fenna. "Thanks for the effort. You even came back from your break to help us out.""Don't mention it. The country's affairs are my business. Besides, I can't stand by and do nothing when you're in trouble," Fenna said earnestly. Then, she gestured to Mila. "So, what about her? Is she here to cause trouble?"When Mila saw how close Fenna and Nathan were, a pang of jealousy gripped her heart. Instead of dwelling on her jealousy, she greeted her politely, "Hi, Ms. Hudso
Mila and Phoebe squeezed in as the next elevator arrived. Most of the people on this elevator were the top experts from Norvania, who were here to deal with the aftermath of the explosion. Whispers filled the air in the elevator."Exactly what are these purple particles? It's the first time I've seen this phenomenon.""I've heard it was caused by an accident while developing the hydronium missiles.""Hydronium? Hasn't the researcher who developed hydronium already died? How is this possible?""There were two bottles left, but they're probably gone by now.""Are those purple particles the result of hydronium's reaction with something? The explosion had been terrifying. It felt like half the earth shook. Many continents were affected. There were earthquakes and even tsunamis—""Shh, we're here. Be quiet."The elevator chimed, and everyone got off. Mila and Phoebe shared a glance. They followed the others out of the elevator and into a large conference room.In the conference room
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