Nathan couldn't muster the courage to see Mila leave. Perhaps he might not feel so sad if he didn't watch her go.Phoebe, who was driving, felt unsure of what to do when she saw Mila crying.After arriving at Hoffis Manor, Mila walked into the living room with heavy steps. She noticed Zach and Loretta sitting on the couch. They were happy to see her but became upset when they saw her puffy eyes."Did Nate mistreat you?" Zach asked angrily.Loretta was heartbroken. She couldn't hide her frustration as she questioned, "What's wrong with Nate? Why did he make you cry? Where is he? I'll make sure he pays for this."Mila took their hands and said tearfully, "No, this has nothing to do with Nate."Tears welled up in Loretta's eyes as she gently touched Mila's cheeks. "Why were you crying so much, then? Did you not sleep well last night?"Mila guided them to sit on the couch before dropping to her knees. Zach and Loretta were both flustered. They tried to help Mila up, but she resisted
Despite her sadness, Loretta chose to compromise out of her love for Mila. She helped Mila to her feet and wiped away her tears.Loretta was heartbroken, yet she looked affectionately into Mila's eyes and said, "Even though it's difficult for me to say goodbye, I won't try to stop you since you've decided to leave. All I want is for you to be happy."Mila experienced an overwhelming pain that made her difficult to breathe. She felt a mixture of emotions—touched yet burdened by guilt. Tears streamed down her cheeks as her body trembled. She hugged Loretta tightly and tearfully murmured, "Thank you, Grandma."Zach let out a helpless sigh. After quietly brushing tears from his eyes, he rose to his feet and gently patted Mila's back. His distress was too great for him to utter even a single word.Mila was raised in a loving family whose support empowered her to pursue her dreams without any doubt. As her departure drew near, she spent a significant amount of time each day with Zach and
Mila's heart raced as she waited for the call to go through. She was so nervous that her stomach felt queasy. Her breathing grew erratic.Finally, the phone connected."Hello," Nathan said. His voice was captivating but noticeably lacking its usual energy. It was as if he had lost his spirit.Mila was flooded with pent-up emotions the moment she heard his voice. She struggled to hold back tears while covering her mouth. Despite her efforts, tears streamed down her face and pooled in her palm.She wanted to talk, but her throat felt like it was on fire. She couldn't utter a word. She was afraid that she would burst into tears if she moved her hand away from her mouth.She wasn't the type to take risks for love. Instead, she was usually level-headed and focused on her career. She never thought she could feel so fragile.Nathan patiently waited for Wanda to respond on the other end of the phone. Yet, there was only silence even though he had waited for what felt like an eternity. He
Nathan wasn't sure why Mila was crying—maybe she didn't want to leave, or perhaps she just felt guilty. All he knew was that hearing her voice made him feel okay.Even though Nathan and Mila were never officially together, the intense pain he felt in his chest was unbearable. It was as if his heart was being torn apart, and he wished he could just end the pain by dying. He wanted to tell her so many things, but he knew he wouldn't get the chance anymore."I have to go take care of something, so I'll hang up now," Nathan said calmly.He wanted to hang up before his emotions got the better of him. He was afraid that if he didn't hang up soon, he might end up buying a plane ticket on impulse, and fly to Mila to make her stay with him.After hanging up, Nathan tossed his phone onto the desk. He sank into his chair, feeling completely powerless, as if his spirit had abandoned him. He leaned his head back and shut his eyes.To withstand the torment, he clenched his fists so tightly that
"Humans can be even more terrifying than beasts when they lose their sanity." Nathan sighed.Sensing Nathan's gloominess and recalling how Lucas had betrayed him, Cole stepped forward and pledged, "General Morrison, I'll never betray you for money like that scoundrel, Lucas. You can trust me completely. I'm fully devoted to you, without any doubt."Nathan felt a twinge of gratitude as he responded, "I trust you.""Thank you, General Morrison," Cole responded solemnly.As the night deepened, the lights in the military base office continued to glow, burning through the darkness.…When Mila woke up the next day, her eyes were red and swollen from crying. She had a rough night's sleep, and her face was still puffy. After freshening up, she put on a simple dress, slung a black shoulder bag over her shoulder, tied her hair into a ponytail, and went downstairs.Phoebe and Simon were having breakfast. Phoebe got up, but before she could say anything, Mila spoke first, "I need to go to
After Mila and the others reached the Morrison residence, she discussed her plan to take Daniel overseas for treatment with Gary and Florence. Both of them showed their support for the idea. They were willing to give it a shot as long as there was a chance to save Daniel.However, convincing Daniel to go along with treatment in Sunterland was proving to be difficult. Gary and Florence left the decision-making entirely to Mila.When Mila went to see Daniel at Maple Abode, she noticed a significant transformation. He had shaved his face and trimmed his hair short. He looked rejuvenated and fresh in his casual white outfit. Although his appearance had changed, his physique remained frail and lifeless, as if devoid of soul.Sienna wheeled Daniel out onto the balcony so he could soak up the sunlight. He sat there quietly with his eyes shut, not reacting even when Mila said hello.Mila introduced Simon to Sienna. Then, they all gathered on the couch and enjoyed some coffee while Mila exp
Mila shifted her gaze to Daniel. Despite his gaunt appearance, she believed he still had the strength to manage Sienna, given his towering six-and-a-half-foot frame and years of training."I trust Sienna. She surely knows how to care for Dan in her own way," Mila said softly.Shortly after, they spotted Sienna hauling two large suitcases down the stairs. Simon and Phoebe hurried to lend a hand. Meanwhile, Mila wheeled Daniel outside.After everyone had settled into the car, they left the Morrison residence and headed toward Hoffis Manor. Mila occupied the passenger seat. Her eyes were fixed on the passing scenery as she became lost in her own thoughts.After some time, Daniel's hoarse voice came from the backseat of the car. Firmly, he uttered, "Take me back.""We're going to Hoffis Manor with Wanda and the others to retrieve their luggage. Then, we're heading to the airport. I've brought your passport as well. We're taking you abroad to get treatment," Sienna explained."Take me
"If you refuse to eat, I'll treat you like livestock and force-feed you using a funnel. If you refuse to sleep, I'll give you sleeping pills. Regardless, I'll keep a close eye on you and prevent any suicide attempts. You're my cash cow for life," Sienna declared.Her words angered everyone in the car."Wanda, fire her!" Daniel yelled with frustration.This marked the first instance he had addressed Mila by her name since his injury. Mila spun around eagerly, tears already welling in her eyes. Even though she disagreed with Sienna's approaches, they appeared to be effective."Dan, I can't fire her. If you're unhappy with her, figure out a way to handle it yourself," Mila said with a hint of happiness.Daniel took a deep breath and stopped struggling. He slumped down and fell silent. Sienna slowly got off him and returned to her seat. She glanced at him before calming herself and quietly catching her breath. The fierceness she had displayed was all an act. Her hands trembled incessa
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