"Nate, it's Wanda. Lucas and Oliver, along with a group of armed thugs, have forcibly entered my home and planted explosives throughout the house. My grandparents, Phoebe, Simon, Dan, and Sienna are also here with me. We're being held hostage."They're demanding 50 billion and have threatened to detonate the explosives if we call the police. They've arranged for a helicopter in the backyard for their escape."After sending the message, Mila quickly switched off the virtual computer screen and hid the necklace under her shirt collar. Seeing nothing unusual outside, she left the bathroom and returned to her room.She wasn't certain if Nathan would receive the message or what action he might take—whether he would notify the authorities or organize a rescue mission. Everything was uncertain.As time passed, Mila's anxiety mounted as she remained unsure about the situation with the others. She paced in her room. Suddenly, she heard the sounds of scuffling and the curses of men coming fr
After dealing with the two men, Mila rushed over to help Phoebe up and check her injuries. "Phoebe, where does it hurt? Tell me. Where's the blood coming from?"Phoebe shook her head. "I'm fine. I just coughed up some blood from getting kicked in the chest and abdomen. No visible wounds, so it's probably internal.""Those jerks," Mila cursed.Phoebe managed a weak smile.Mila gave her a stern look and asked disapprovingly, "You're a black belt in taekwondo. Plus, you're skilled in judo and boxing, too, right? How did you end up so vulnerable? Couldn't you handle just those two guys?""You think I didn't want to fight back?""Why didn't you, then?""If I resisted, they would have targeted you."Tears welled up in Mila's eyes instantly. Her heart ached at the sight of Phoebe battered and bruised. Overwhelmed with emotion, she hugged Phoebe tightly. Phoebe was undoubtedly strong. Her vulnerability didn't stem from herself but from her love for Mila."Mila, I'm truly okay. But rig
Lucas drew a deep breath, quelling his rage as he stowed away Mila's gun, muttering curses under his breath directed at Oliver. "This lovestruck fool is indeed a failure. We've witnessed the might of this gun before, yet he let her bring it in. Piece of shit." With that, Lucas pivoted and strode away, his voice firm as he issued commands. "Clean up these bodies and lock these women up separately." "Anyone who dares to lay a hand on them will lose his dick," Lucas thundered. "Do you understand?" "Yes, Mr. Vega," his subordinates chorused in response. Without delay, the burly men escorted Mila out of the room.As Lucas' figure receded, Mila desperately cried out, her voice echoing through the corridor. "Please, get a doctor for Phoebe. She's suffering from internal injuries. Please, get help for her." Ignoring her pleas, Lucas continued on his way, his steps resolute. Separated from Phoebe once more, Mila persisted in banging on the door as she was confined to her room, her
Mila gently removed the hand covering her mouth, her voice soft as she stated, "Nate, my grandparents are being held." Nathan explained, "Lucas has been with me for years. He is skilled in self-protection and counter-surveillance." Confusion filled Mila's voice. "What do you mean?" "Your grandparents have been relocated. They're no longer at Hoffis Manor." Mila's heart sank instantly, a heavy sorrow settling within her. First, it was her parents, and now her grandparents. Oliver, that accursed man, deserved every bit of hatred. "What about the others?" Mila pressed. Nathan, brimming with confidence, said, "Let's not rush. Give it a few more minutes." Mila had absolute trust in Nathan. She relaxed her guard and waited silently. With each passing minute, Nathan's comforting scent surrounded Mila. His warm breath brushed her cheek, his strong presence mere inches away. His commanding and overwhelming masculinity sent shivers down her spine. Mila asked nervously, "Nate, c
"Cole, get her to the hospital immediately," Nathan commanded. Without hesitation, Cole swiftly responded, lifting Phoebe and bolting outside. Mila trailed closely behind. Just as she reached the doorway, her steps faltered, and she turned back to Nathan. Her voice tense with urgency as she instructed, "Daniel and the others are still trapped in other rooms. You have to rescue them." Nathan's gaze darkened as he silently nodded in acknowledgment, a sharp pang of pain gripping his heart. With her plea delivered, Mila's mind couldn't entertain any other thoughts as she hurriedly chased after Cole's retreating form. Nathan emerged from the room. Leaning against the railing, he observed the scene below with a cold detachment, his expression unreadable as he surveyed the criminals bound in the center of the living room. Meanwhile, in the other rooms, forensic experts continued their search for explosives.Descending the stairs, Nathan was met with the sight of Sienna wheeling o
Nathan's deep gaze darkened. "You seem to understand me quite well." Lucas's response was a cold sneer. "After all, I've followed you for so many years. I know your ways." "Given that, how dare you do such actions behind my back?" Nathan's voice remained composed but hinted at an underlying threat. Lucas defiantly raised his chin, his expression fierce. "Fortune favors the bold. Without risks, where's the reward?"Nathan stood up slowly, his voice as gentle as a breeze. "I fear you may have riches but lack the life to enjoy them." With that, he turned and settled onto the couch. Although his gaze was seemingly devoid of emotion, it betrayed a sense of discomfort. Beneath the façade, Nathan felt a pang of unease. After years of camaraderie with Lucas, to witness it come to this now was not his desire. The soldiers of the military camp escorted the prisoners into vehicles while the recovered bombs were loaded into anti-riot trucks. Soon, the rain ceased, and dawn broke.
Mila turned toward him, her voice laden with curiosity. "What about the love of family? Shouldn't that be valued too?" Simon lapsed into silence. "I'm passionate about my career, but I also hold love for my homeland, my family, and him," Mila affirmed. "I changed my nationality to access greater research opportunities and knowledge, but in doing so, I sacrificed the relationships I cherished," Mila sighed, her tone heavy with sorrow. "Was my choice truly the right one?" Simon met Mila's gaze. Her melancholic expression and teary eyes stirred something within him. Suddenly, he spoke up, "Mila, there might still be a way for you to return." Mila was taken aback, her eyes nervously locked onto his. Simon reached out, drawing her closer. "Listen closely." Mila leaned in without hesitation. With a hand cupping her ear, Simon whispered a series of words.Mila blinked, her eyes lighting up with newfound hope. After hearing Simon's words, she beamed with gratitude. "Thank you,
Cole readily agreed, "Sure." Right after Mila exited the ward, Phoebe and Cole found themselves enveloped in a tranquil atmosphere as they exchanged awkward glances. Cole hastily searched for a topic to break the silence. "Would you like some fruit? Let me slice an apple for you." Phoebe nodded, saying, "Thank you." Cole felt a sudden stiffness, his movements becoming clumsy and uncoordinated. He wandered inside the ward, scanning the surroundings until he realized the apple was right before him. Frantically, he searched for a knife, circling until he spotted it beside the fruits. His fumbling actions brought a smile to Phoebe's lips. Three days later, Phoebe had made a full recovery. On the day of her discharge, Cole arrived to pick them up. Seated in Cole's car, Mila inquired, "Cole, is Nate in Phoenicia?" "He is," Cole responded. "Is he busy?" Mila probed. "He's quite busy," Cole responded honestly. He pondered, "When is Mr. Morrison ever not busy?" "That's al
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