A happy smile adorned Sally's face. Her excitement seemed a little over the top, as though she was trying to show off."Really? Wendy and Cheryl want to show me something amazing? Wow, I can't wait to see it!"Then, she nodded at Suzanne before continuing politely, "Well then, Suzanne, Madam Florence and I will be taking our leave. We'll hang out with you later."After that, Sally and Florence walked away happily while holding hands.Suzanne felt hollow on the inside. She didn't know what else to feel at the moment. Hence, she could only sink back into her chair and take a sip from her glass of lemon water.She remained silent as though she was an outsider merely spectating the banquet. Her presence formed a jarring contrast to the boisterous banquet that was going on in full swing around her. It made her look extremely out of place.Ten minutes later, Sally returned to Suzanne's table. This time, she brought Wendy Lynch, the eldest sister-in-law, and Cheryl Manson, the second
Nathan was clad in a custom-made black tuxedo. Not only did it bring out the outline of his lean figure, but it also made him look elegant and refined. He looked extremely handsome in it.Suzanne could only stare into Nathan's mesmerizing eyes. Whenever she saw him, her heart would start pounding wildly. She tended to freeze up as well.Right now, she was so nervous that she didn't know what to say.Meanwhile, a small frown graced Nathan's features as he studied Suzanne's appearance. A hint of disappointment flickered across his eyes.He respected Suzanne's decision. That was why he didn't force her to wear the dress, nor did he question her why she didn't wear it."Have you met Grandma yet?" Nathan asked coolly.Suzanne shook her head wordlessly in response. She was afraid that the trembling in her voice might betray her feelings of sadness and aggrievance if she were to speak.Nathan was the type whose presence could reassure Suzanne greatly. She wanted nothing more than to re
Feeling quite touched, Suzanne turned to look up at Nathan, who stood next to her. He was only six feet tall, yet he exhibited a powerful air that made him look reliable and dependable.Sally approached Vera with a paper tube in hand. She flashed her a smile before saying, "Grandma, I'm Sally Hoffis. Do you still remember me?"Vera's smile slowly faded away as she narrowed her eyes in response. Of course, she'd always remember that homewrecker's stupid face."Not really," Vera replied lightly.Sally didn't mind that answer at all. It was completely normal for Vera to forget her, seeing as she had Alzheimer's.She couldn't care less about what Vera thought. All she wanted to do was steal the thunder at the birthday banquet so that she could leave an even more flawless impression on Nathan and the Morrisons.Sally wanted to amaze everyone in the banquet hall with both her beauty and her compassion for Vera."Bring them in!" she ordered loudly.A few housekeepers moved a few table
Suzanne felt awkward because of Vera's sudden shout. Her cheeks flushed slightly in embarrassment.But Vera intended to humiliate Sally in public, so she pointed at the painting. "It's fine if this is an imitation. Thank you for the gift, but please don't tell anyone you meet that this painting is authentic."Everyone in the banquet hall was stunned.Sally's complexion paled for a moment before her cheeks turned crimson out of fury. "What do you know about paintings?" she questioned Suzanne. "Do you even know the art of ink painting? Have you ever seen an actual painting created by Inkwell? Who gave you the right to call my painting an imitation?"Suzanne was stuck between a rock and a hard place. If she was proven to be wrong, then she'd end up humiliating herself in front of everyone.However, Vera didn't think of it that way.Only experts in art could tell authentic paintings from their fake counterparts when it came to famous paintings. Since someone had claimed that Sally'
Suzanne could only look at Nathan helplessly. Confusion and uneasiness filled her beautiful eyes.Nathan felt as though his heart had melted into a puddle. Never did he realize that Suzanne's helpless and vulnerable gaze would leave such a huge impact on him.He walked over to Suzanne and leaned in to murmur into her ear. "Suzanne, all the guests here are our friends and family. To tell you the truth, no one cares about the authenticity of famous paintings or your skill level. "This is just an event that's thrown in to please Grandma. It's fine as long as you show her how much you care for her. Everything else doesn't matter, so you don't have to care about it. Just paint whatever you want."Nathan's words reassured Suzanne greatly.He continued, "Do you know how to imitate paintings?"Suzanne replied, albeit in an uncertain manner, "Yeah, I guess. It's easy to imitate other paintings."Nathan said reassuringly, "Then, you can imitate one of Inkwell's paintings. The painting be
"I'm so lucky to be able to meet you while I'm still alive, Inkwell! You're my favorite artist!""It turns out that you really are a young woman, Inkwell! I used to watch your painting videos. When I saw your dainty hands, I figured that you must be a woman. "But your artwork depicts the determination and grit commonly found in ambitious men. All of your paintings are so majestic that I can't help but marvel in awe.""Your ink wash paintings are extremely poetic and breathtaking. There are so many elements and hidden meanings in your artwork. I really, really like them."Suzanne was disoriented from the things she had just heard. She could only stay rooted to the spot, shell-shocked, as she was unable to register what was going on.Vera, on the other hand, had already teared up from how emotional she was. She knew from the start that Suzanne was extremely talented. However, she didn't realize that Suzanne was actually a famous painter who had never revealed her identity before.
A few days later, Cole was in Nathan's office, reporting on his investigation."Mr. Morrison, the account Inkwell has used to upload her videos was created by a public account under an orphanage in Sunterland. "The donations and subs she earns from her streams are directed into the bank account of this particular orphanage as well. But the director of the orphanage told me that she had never seen Inkwell in person."The channel Inkwell uses to sell her artwork is quite special, too. She auctions her paintings away on the Internet. "The account numbers used to accept the payment are all linked to orphanages and charity organizations of various regions in the country. She's never touched any of the money."Also, Inkwell doesn't have a company or a team running things on her behalf. Whenever she streams, she remains silent the whole time. All she does is paint."Her account was last active three years ago. Since then, Inkwell has completely vanished from the face of the earth."N
Samuel was so frightened that his face went pale. He gritted his teeth while glaring at Suzanne angrily, though he soon backed away from her out of fear."You really are something else, huh, Suzanne! Just you wait! I'll definitely get my revenge!" he yelled.After that, he turned and fled from the scene with his tail tucked between his legs.Suzanne put her phone away while huffing in disdain. Clearly, she didn't take Samuel's warning to heart.A tall and lean man, exuding dominance, could be seen standing amidst the crowd some distance away from the stall. It was safe to say that he was the most attractive man in the crowd based on his extraordinary charm and the way he carried himself.Cole, who stood next to the man, remarked in a low tone, "Mr. Morrison, it seems that Mrs. Morrison has her own principles."Nathan made no response to the remark. Instead, he headed over to the stall in huge strides. Cole quickly trailed after him.Suzanne had just sat back down on the stool. S
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