"Are you sure you don't want to leave?" Nathan asked. "No, I'm staying. Just go ahead and undress," Mila replied, trying to appear composed while still facing away from him."Alright, I'll go ahead and take off my clothes."Mila's face turned red with embarrassment, her heart racing and nerves on edge. "Just get undressed already, why are you telling me? Hurry up," she urged.Remaining silent, Nathan quietly removed his pants.Mila felt a tingling sensation on her back. Beads of sweat formed on her skin, and her heart raced like she had just run a marathon. Her mind was filled with thoughts of Nathan's strong and muscular chest, his defined abs, and his enticing broad shoulders and slim waist.As Mila heard the water running, she turned to look.Seeing Nathan already submerged in the water, a sigh of relief escaped her lips. She then half-squatted beside the bathtub, grabbing the body wash and a washcloth."Is it safe for your shoulder injury to come into contact with water?
Mila felt a mix of embarrassment and joy in her heart. It appeared that Nathan's body was highly sensitive and unable to tolerate such situations.Softly, he asked, "Mila, would you mind stepping out for a moment? Wait for me by the door.""Sure," Mila replied, her grin subtly contained as she lowered her gaze. She casually stood up and left the bathroom, all the while appearing to look calm. Closing the door behind her, Mila found herself unable to contain her excitement any longer. She giggled, her flushed face hidden behind her hands.The scene from moments ago flashed through her mind.Lowering her hands, Mila looked down at them, feeling increasingly bashful. She didn't know how she had mustered the courage just moments ago to touch Nathan's crotch so boldly.Mila had never experienced such intense embarrassment before. She hurriedly made her way to the bed and threw herself onto it, burying her head under the covers.She wrestled with the impure thoughts clouding her mind
Mila simply wanted Fenna to witness her and Nathan being intimate.After their kiss, Mila shyly withdrew from Nathan's lips.Observing this, Fenna considered stepping. However, before she could act, Nathan was faster.He held the back of Mila's head with one hand while his other arm encircled her waist, forcefully drawing her into his embrace. He then enveloped her in a deep, passionate kiss.This sudden action caught Mila off guard. She found herself tightly pressed against Nathan's sturdy, broad chest, with no space between them.At that moment, it felt as though they existed in a world of their own.Fenna's expression darkened with anger as she turned and stormed away.With Mila's hands resting on Nathan's chest, he kissed her with such intensity that her entire body felt weak and powerless, devoid of strength.His strong arms enveloped her, and his kiss was forceful and unrestrained. He sucked and teased her lips and tongue as though driven by an insatiable craving, immersi
As Nathan emerged from the shower, his short hair was partially damp, framing his clean and attractive face.With his muscular chest and the alluring V-shaped line tracing down his slim waist, Nathan exuded a captivating allure.Standing just a few feet apart, Mila caught a subtle whiff of his shower gel, the scent lingering in the air.Despite her countless encounters with him, Mila still felt bashful at the sight of his body every time. Her cheeks flushed, and her heart raced with excitement.Summoning her courage, Mila casually asked, "Nate, why did you decide to shower so early in the morning?"Nathan cleared his throat with a faint cough, easing the hoarseness within. "I worked up quite a sweat during my morning run."With that, he strode past Mila and disappeared into the walk-in closet, leaving the towel he'd used to dry his hair draped over a nearby chair.Mila followed behind him, leaning against the mirror, her gaze filled with mischief as she eyed his figure. As Nat
Mila mustered a faint smile, masking her inner turmoil with an air of composure. "I'm fine. I'm gonna go," she said casually.With that, she swiftly pulled away from Nathan's embrace, dashed out of the walk-in closet, and left the room.Nathan turned to watch her departing silhouette. His heart churned with conflicting emotions as he struggled to comprehend Mila's motives.Why did she continue to seduce him if she didn't love him?Her words echoed in his mind: "If you return, we can still be husband and wife."Nathan rested his hands against the mirror, closing his eyes and bowing his head. As he drew in a deep breath, a pang pierced his chest.He was well-versed in the political strategies employed by various countries. Mila still had five years left on her contract, and Sunterland certainly wouldn't permit her to stay in Norvania.Regardless of whether it was five years or fifteen, Nathan was prepared to wait.Nonetheless, he couldn't help but wonder. Would the Mila of the fu
At that moment, Mila's phone buzzed. With a heavy heart, she retrieved her phone and glanced at the screen.It was a money transfer notification from Sienna. Watching Sienna diligently repay her debts month after month, Mila couldn't shake off her unease.Despite leading a challenging and hard life, Sienna remained steadfast and diligent. Mila held a deep admiration for her resilience.Were it not for her identity as Suzanne, Mila would never have crossed paths with a friend like Sienna, who resided at the fringes of society.Sienna possessed an average education, held an ordinary job, lacked familial support, and had no influential connections to rely on. She depended solely on her own perseverance and hard work.Despite grappling with financial difficulties, her family remained determined to save her father from cancer.They were willing to liquidate all their assets and incur significant debt, owing hundreds of thousands of dollars, in pursuit of his treatment and recovery.
Nathan fell into a momentary silence.Instead of questioning how Mila had learned of his accident, he nervously asked, "Chubs, are you outside?"Mila replied casually, "Yeah, I was on my way to meet Sienna and spotted you guys."With concern etched into his voice, Nathan asked, "Do you have a bodyguard with you? Is Phoebe there?"Mila paused briefly before replying, "I'm alone. I didn't bring anyone."Nathan's urgency grew as he pressed, "Share your location with me. I'll send someone over immediately."Once more, Mila fell silent, realizing Nathan hadn't been concerned about her question at all. Despite her worries about his car accident, he hadn't mentioned a word about it. Instead, he showed more concern for her safety."Nate, everything's fine. I'm just meeting up with a friend," Mila reassured him, hoping to alleviate his concern. "Phoebe will join me shortly."Nathan scolded Mila with a tone that struck a balance between sternness and care, resembling that of an older b
Mila was furious. The fact that Nathan seemed unaware of having such a superficial friend like Fenna by his side only intensified her rage further.What kind of sibling bond did he believe they shared? Was he blind to Fenna's obvious admiration for him?Shortly after Mila ended the call, Nathan immediately called her.Nonetheless, Mila declined the call, but her phone rang for the second time.Mila quickly sent a message explaining, "My phone ran out of battery."She then powered off her device.At that moment, the cab arrived at the riverside.A wide boulevard was adorned with an array of merchandise, drawing in numerous tourists leisurely strolling along the riverbank.Mila navigated through the lively crowd, scanning the stalls until she finally spotted Sienna at the far end.Sienna's booth showcased an assortment of affordable items, from basic handicrafts to trinkets, hair accessories, and jewelry."Wanda!" Sienna's face lit up with a smile as she noticed Mila, enthusias
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