Mila drew in a deep breath, silently coaxing herself not to succumb to anger toward Loretta. After all, she had been misled by the deceitful Sally, so blaming her wouldn't resolve anything. Zach simmered with restrained fury, fixing a piercing gaze on Loretta. "You…" After enduring Oliver and Sally's relentless pressure, he couldn't bear to be pushed to the brink of madness by his irrational wife, Loretta. It became clear to him why Mila hesitated to reveal the truth to her. With Loretta's irrational behavior, disclosing it would be futile. Loretta leveled a warning finger at Mila. "Whether it's Zach or Oliver, don't indulge in illusions. Allowing you to stay here is already the extent of my patience for your kind." Mila offered a helpless smile. "Please don't get upset, Madam Hoffis. It won't happen. Let's eat." Loretta snorted and resumed eating. Sally regarded Mila with a pensive frown. "Hey, did you truly cut all ties with Nate?" "Completely," Mila affirmed. Sall
"Do we still have to wait?" Phoebe asked urgently. "Yes." "But there's an urgent matter at hand," Phoebe pressed on, her voice fraught with tension. "Sally is plotting something sinister against General Morrison." "What exactly is she planning?" "She intends to marry him within two months, perhaps even carry his child," Phoebe explained. Mila's eyes widened in a mixture of shock and indignation, the weight of Phoebe's revelation settling heavily upon her. "She's aiming to trap him into marriage. There's a high probability she'll resort to drugging him, then forcing herself on him…" Mila's breath hitched, and her grip on the bedsheet tightened as she absorbed the gravity of the situation. Taking a moment to compose herself, she spoke with determination, "Nate is wary of her. She won't find it easy to get close to him." "But General Morrison may not have the same level of vigilance toward Loretta, his subordinates, maids, or even his own family," Phoebe said. She adde
The next morning, Mila got up early to pack her bags. She said that she didn't want to protect Nathan, but her actions were quicker than anyone's.Phoebe was still asleep in her room.After packing her bags, Mila went to Zach's room to say goodbye.Zach was afraid the walls had ears, so he didn't say much. He only told Mila to take care of herself, then handed her a black card.Mila didn't accept the money.After saying goodbye, Mila left Zach's room.As she walked out of Hoffis Manor, she ran into Oliver.Oliver stopped Mila in her tracks. He said with a smile, "First time seeing you up so early. Where are you heading to with your baggage? Where's your friend?"Mila's expression darkened. She looked at Oliver with an unfriendly gaze as her hatred for him grew stronger. With stoic composure, she said softly, "Just going out for a bit.""I'll escort you," Oliver said."No need," she replied. "Didn't you tell my parents that you came to stay at Hoffis Manor because of me? W
"Hey Mila, your intentions are really obvious."Phoebe dialed Mila's phone number, but she didn't pick up the phone. Phoebe felt puzzled, so she dialed again. The second time, the phone was turned off.Phoebe had a sense of foreboding, so she hurriedly rushed out of the room. She asked the maid on the first floor, "When did my friend leave?"The maid replied, "I think around 7:00 am."Phoebe grew increasingly unsettled. She paced back and forth in the living room while nervously dialing Nathan's number.After a few rings, Nathan answered. His voice was light and indifferent as he asked, "What's up?"Phoebe tensely inquired, "General Morrison, did Mila come to see you?"Nathan was skeptical. He asked, "Chubs wanted to see me?"Phoebe pressed on, "She's not at your place now?""No, she's not," Nathan replied."Then where could she have gone?" Phoebe grew increasingly restless and agitated..Nathan was very nervous. He demanded, "Explain clearly. What is going on?"Phoebe repl
Oliver stood with his hands in his pockets. His smile was gentle, but his gaze was sinister. His demeanor could send shivers down anyone's spine. Mila remained motionless. She calmly stared at him.Oliver walked toward her, then sat on the edge of the bed. With one hand supporting him, he leaned on the bed, slowly approaching her. His other hand gently caressed her cheek.His hand moved very slowly down from her face, gently tracing the contour of her neck. It continued to her shoulder, almost reaching her chest.Mila felt her stomach in knots. She felt nauseous and had the urge to vomit. She was overwhelmed with disgust, as if she was about to fall apart.However, she showed no reaction, only staring at Oliver with an indifferent gaze.Mila's indifference struck Oliver. His hands stopped just beneath her collarbone for a moment. "Aren't you afraid of me?" he asked with a fierce gaze.Mila was gagged with a piece of cloth. She was unable to speak or give any response.Oliver w
In Sudvilla, Nathan pondered after watching the surveillance footage that Phoebe brought in.From the surveillance footage, there was no concrete evidence proving that Oliver kidnapped Mila and secretly took her away. But the possibility was too high to be ignored.Phoebe was growing frantic. "Mr. Morrison, please send someone out to find Mila. If we delay any longer, I'm afraid that Mila will die!"Nathan replied with a frown on his face, "He also loves Chubs. I don't think he will harm her.""That's bullshit! That lunatic not only caused the death of Mila's parents but also secretly performed surgery on her, which caused her to lose her memory."If Mila falls into his hands, God knows what will happen to her! Mr. Morrison, you have to think of a way!"Nathan clenched his fist and looked at Phoebe with a gloomy face. He masked his internal turmoil as he calmly said, "I have already sent my men to search for her."But why did Chubs come looking for me with her baggage early in t
Phoebe replied, "It's a research institute.""What kind of research institute?" Nathan asked."Just a regular one. I'm her personal assistant, not her work assistant."The more Nathan listened, the more nervous he became. His heart raced, and he pressed on, "Then where is her work assistant?"Phoebe said, "He's dead.""Her work assistant was a highly respected old professor, wasn't he?"Phoebe was taken aback. She stared intensely at Nathan as if asking how did he know. She stared at him dumbfounded for a moment, without answering.Nathan understood Phoebe's implication by looking at her expression. Even without her response, he could guess the truth. But without solid evidence, he couldn't bring himself to believe it.At that moment, someone knocked on the office door."Come in," Nathan called out.Cole hurriedly entered the room. He sounded urgent as he said, "General Morrison, we've found her."Nathan stood up abruptly. He opened a drawer, grabbed a handgun, and dashed ou
Oliver was a doctor, so he was capable of sedating a person easily.Oliver adjusted his glasses. He said leisurely, "Nate, you've always been calm and rational. Why are you so reckless this time?"Storming into my house with so many people, I can sue you for trespassing."Nathan walked over and sat on the sofa. He remained composed as he said calmly, "You might as well add one more charge."Oliver was confused. He asked, "What do you mean?"Nathan ignored his question. With a commanding presence, he calmly said, "Search."His men quickly dispersed, searching every corner of the house. Phoebe also rushed into the rooms.Oliver stood up abruptly. Oliver's face turned pale as he saw this. He looked at Nathan with disbelief, "Nathan, are you really going to break the law deliberately?""I'm enforcing the law," Nathan calmly responded."You'd better find something," Oliver warned. "If you don't, I'll take legal action against you to the end."Nathan wore a serious expression. He r
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