"Is Grandma okay? She's fine, isn't she?" Mila's anguished cry tore through the air. Her heart shattered into a million pieces, drowning in a sea of grief as her legs buckled beneath her. Phoebe swiftly followed suit, enfolding her in a tight embrace as they knelt together on the ground, their bodies intertwined in sorrow. Mila's cries reverberated, her entire being trembling with despair. She felt utterly powerless to witness Loretta's demise before her eyes and unable to intervene. From her earliest memories to this very moment, Loretta had been the beacon of love and warmth in Mila's life, and now she had vanished, leaving behind only emptiness. Not even a trace remained. Mila clutched at her shirt, twisting the fabric into knots over her chest, as if trying to contain the anguish threatening to consume her. But the pain pierced through her, each breath growing shallower, each heartbeat echoing her grief. With the regret of never having the chance to meet Loretta for the o
Mila seethed with anger, each word a furious accusation. "All you want is money! I would give you all of our family assets, why did you have to kill my grandmother? Why harm my family?" Oliver chuckled indifferently, "Now that the Hoffis family's finances are locked within the country and I'm now a fugitive in Norvania, if I fail to do something to assert my strength, you'd underestimate my ability." A shadow darkened Mila's face, her fists clenched tightly, a wave of hatred flooding her heart. Oliver continued, "I've recently married a woman named Avery. She'll oversee all family assets and become the group owner tomorrow. With Zach's appointment letter and the asset transfer agreement, she will hold the reins of power. "If you wish to spare your family the fate that befell Loretta, don't intervene in Avery's inheritance. And keep Nathan at bay. If I fail to access the funds again, your family will face dire consequences." For Mila, nothing outweighed the importance of her f
The dial tone barely sounded before Mila abruptly ended the call, her actions leaving Phoebe puzzled. "Why did you hang up, Mila?" Mila's voice was heavy with sadness. "He doesn't want to see me or have any contact with me. You speak to him." Phoebe's disbelief was evident. "How is that possible?" Mila remained silent and retreated under the covers to seek solace in the darkness. Her emotions were weighed down by sorrow as she closed her eyes to rest.Still bewildered, Phoebe answered the incoming call, discovering it was Nathan returning the call. "Mr. Morrison, it's Phoebe." Nathan paused briefly before inquiring, "Is Chubs awake?" Phoebe replied, "Yes." He then asked about her physical condition, to which Phoebe replied, "She's fine, just quite upset." Nathan then asked, "Was there something you needed to discuss?" Glancing at Mila, who remained hidden beneath the covers, Phoebe hesitated before answering, "Mila suspects there might be a spy in your research team."
Phoebe was curious about what had happened between Mila and Nathan, but she held back from asking. After all, relationships were private matters, and outsiders couldn't contribute much.Mila and Phoebe checked into a hotel together.In the following days, Mila remained occupied with managing Loretta's affairs.Since Loretta preferred a modest funeral and to have all her family members present, Mila chose not to hold an elaborate ceremony.Instead, she found a serene cemetery and laid Loretta's remaining ashes to rest there.Mila disconnected from the outside world, avoiding news updates and corporate matters. Each day, she secluded herself in the hotel, working through her grief.Simultaneously, she began studying the map of Norvania, hoping to uncover clues about where Oliver might have hidden her family.In the evening, Phoebe returned to their room with food she had picked up from the hotel lobby.Concerned, she urged, "Mila, please have something to eat. You've barely eaten
The night was serene, with Hudson Manor illuminated brightly.Fenna returned home very late, finding Cameron sprawled on the sofa, his face flushed and smelling strongly of alcohol.Fenna frowned disapprovingly. "Why are you drinking so heavily at this hour?"Cameron offered a faint smile, replying, "I had no choice. I needed to get Nate intoxicated."Taking a seat beside him, Fenna asked, "Why did you want Nate to get drunk?"Cameron looked up, a mischievous smirk on his face. With a touch of excitement, he revealed, "Today, Wanda came to see me. She told me she wants Nathan..."Upon hearing this, Fenna's complexion turned pale, and her hands clenched into fists.Cameron chuckled, continuing, "I thought she was going to propose to Nate. I never expected that even after being married for over six months, they had yet to consummate their marriage. It surprised me so much that—"Before he could finish his sentence, Fenna stood up abruptly, hurrying to leave.Cameron quickly caug
It was 2:00 am, and a light glowed from a room on the second floor of Sudvilla.Mila sat on the edge of the bed, silently observing Nathan, who was intoxicated.Despite the flush of alcohol, his striking features remained sharp and defined, with deep, captivating eyes and a ruggedly handsome appearance.Knowing she would be leaving the next day, Mila had resorted to desperate measures, pleading with Cameron to get Nathan drunk.As Mila contemplated her impending departure, a troubling thought gnawed at her: the uncertainty of her safe return.Alongside this unease, the possibility of her and Nathan drifting apart loomed, eventually becoming strangers to each other.A wave of sadness washed over her, tears silently tracing down her cheeks.Reaching out, Mila gently caressed Nathan's cheek.She had been sitting on the edge of the bed for three hours now. As she looked upon his handsome features, it felt as though she could never grow weary of the sight.Despite having reached
Were Nathan's desires solely dictated by logic?Considering that sex was a primal instinct; if every encounter was solely guided by rationality, perhaps it lacked the essence of love.Mila slowly got up, wiping her tears away. She resolved to make one final attempt. If unsuccessful, she would completely let go of Nathan, peacefully return to Sunterland, and continue her scientific research.She would entrust her family's safety to the governments of Norvania and Sunterland.As for herself, she had no intention of ever returning.Mila untied her ponytail, letting her silky, long hair fall over her shoulders.Bowing her head, she began to unbutton her clothing. She removed each garment from her body, one by one.Mila felt her entire body flush with embarrassment, her heart racing and her breath growing unsteady.She couldn't shake the memory of Nathan's words: "I have no feelings for you. Even if you were to dance naked before me, I wouldn't spare you a second glance, let alone t
In Sunterland, Mila's secret return sparked considerable excitement among the nation's leaders, who personally greeted her.However, the jubilation was short-lived as Mila promptly submitted her resignation letter.Despite her continual efforts to quit, her requests were consistently turned down.Several counselors were dispatched to engage with Mila, providing guidance and trying to convince her to stay.With Phoebe's absence, the research institute arranged for a new assistant to manage Mila's daily affairs.Mila remained occupied with her work during the days but dedicated additional time to preparing for her departure.She meticulously compiled all her research on hydronium into comprehensive data reports to be handed over to the government.…A month elapsed.At 7:00 am, Mila awoke feeling uneasy, rushing to the bathroom with the urge to vomit.Her stomach churned violently, yet she struggled to expel anything, experiencing dry heaves instead.After a spell of vomiting,
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