Sienna was growing increasingly frustrated as she spoke, her voice rising with each word. "The second blind date is even more absurd! Our families are alike, both struggling to make ends meet, but his mother…"Oh, it's unbelievable! She suggested we get engaged and move in together. Then, once I become pregnant and have a son, we can have a wedding. She wants to combine the wedding with the baby's sip-and-see party."The point is I need to have a son. Without one, there won't be any wedding gifts!" Sienna grumbled. She was completely unaware that they had already entered the maple forest.Listening to Sienna's story, Mila felt sympathy and amused. Encountering such peculiarities in her life was indeed uncommon.Sienna continued, "My mom won't let up about marriage. She set me up on blind dates every day. It's driving me up the wall!""But why though?""Why do you think? My younger brother found a girlfriend, and now they're hurrying to tie the knot."Mila was perplexed. "But h
Sienna felt a rush of familiarity as she stepped into Daniel's house. The living room was neat and organized, and she sat on the couch as a guest for the first time.Daniel sat directly across from her, making her feel a bit awkward.In the meantime, Mila headed to the kitchen to brew some coffee.The atmosphere was quiet, with neither Sienna nor Daniel saying a word. Sienna stole a glance at Daniel, finding comfort in the sight of his robust and healthy appearance.As Mila brought the coffee, she noticed the tension and asked, "You two haven't seen each other in a while, why aren't you talking?"Sienna awkwardly smiled as she took the coffee from Mila. "Thank you."Mila then handed a cup of warm coffee to Daniel. He said, "Thank you."Sitting beside Sienna, Mila smiled and suggested, "You both seem tense. Why not talk about something cheerful?"Sienna lowered her head slowly, taking a sip of coffee. She wondered if there was anything joyful in her life worth sharing. However
While Mila and Sienna were regretful, Daniel said, "Listen to your mother."Mila and Sienna turned to him, feeling surprised and confused.Daniel slowly clenched his fists, his chest rising and falling with emotion, and his face growing serious. "Don't get married too early."With an awkward smile, Sienna replied, "Daniel, I'm already 26. It's not exactly early.""Guys are unreliable."Taken aback, Sienna asked, "Then, who should I rely on?""You should rely on yourself."Mila and Sienna both agreed with Daniel's words, believing he was being genuine. Little did they realize, he was setting the stage for what he was about to say.Daniel cleared his throat and continued, "Sienna, return to work. I'll give you a raise."Mila couldn't help but smile.Sienna gaped at Daniel in disbelief. She was too stunned to respond immediately. Tens of thousands a month, just to care for an ordinary blind person? Sienna felt undeserving of such a generous salary.When Daniel didn't get a repl
Daniel's Adam's apple bobbed as he searched for the right words, his voice husky and hesitant. "Sienna, if you're willing, I'll transfer all my shares from the family to you. My salary, savings from my insurance, a few properties, and some investment projects—"But before Daniel could finish laying out his financial situation to express his sincerity, Sienna interrupted, "I appreciate your generosity, but I don't want to be kept as a mistress." Daniel's fist tightened, silencing his words. He forced a bitter smile and lowered his head in silence. Sienna's emotions churned within her. Drawing a deep breath, she gathered her courage and said, "Daniel, my family isn't wealthy, and I'm just a writer, struggling to earn a living through my online novels. But I have my principles; I won't accept being kept." His grip on his fist intensified, discomfort gnawing at him. Exhaling softly, Sienna's voice lightened as she smiled gently. "I hope to find someone with shared values, to buil
Soon after, Nathan sent a document over to Mila without any accompanying message. Mila clicked open and found a recorded message inside. She listened attentively as Avery's voice filled the recording. Avery's voice came through. "You sly fox, you actually hid a 28-billion mansion? You sure know how to keep secrets." Confused, Zach asked, "What are you talking about?" Mila's heart ached as she heard Zach's voice. Overwhelmed with emotions, she covered her mouth to muffle her sobs. Avery pressed on, "Still pretending, are you?" Zach countered, "What do you want?" Avery instructed, "Draft a new will. Transfer the mansion to Oliver. Trust me, it's in your best interest to do as I said. Or else, you, your son, daughter-in-law, and grandson won't see another sunrise." It dawned on Mila how risky Nathan's move had been. Without any direct contact with Zach, Nathan had gambled on guessing his reactions and intentions. Had Zach denied it all or been uncooperative, the plan would
Battling her restless anxiety, Mila endured a sleepless night, her heart filled with anticipation. As the second day dawned, Nathan was still nowhere to be seen. Hesitant to disturb him with a call, Mila found herself trapped in a torturous cycle of hope and apprehension. Time seemed to stretch endlessly and each passing second weighed heavily on her. Her gaze fixed unwaveringly on the door, longing for Nathan's return. Yet, he remained absent. By the late hours of the third day, Mila stumbled upon breaking news while scrolling through her phone. A fierce gun battle had erupted at Memorial Heights, with residents capturing the chaos on video and sharing it online. The darkness of the night concealed the faces, leaving only the echoing sounds of gunfire. Driven by overwhelming concern, Mila dialed Nathan's number, only to be greeted by the automated message indicating his phone was switched off. She tossed her phone aside and sank onto her bed in discouragement. Her heart
Nathan's intense gaze met Mila's as he tenderly stroked her long hair. Anxiously pursing her lips, Mila asked, "Nate, how's the plan going?" "Let's save that talk for the morning, alright?" His eyes lingered on her soft pink lips, a subtle tension evident in the movement of his Adam's apple. "Okay," Mila replied softly. Her hand gently caressed his seemingly weary face. "You must be exhausted. How about a bath to relax? Then you can get some rest." "I'm not tired." Nathan's voice was husky and his eyes were glowing like embers. "I'll take a shower. Wait for me." Assuming he had something to share, Mila nodded. "Alright."Nathan stood, shedding his jacket before placing his phone on the bedside table and heading into the bathroom. Mila sat up to check his phone and found it dead. She quickly fetched a charger and plugged it in. Tidying up the bed sheets, she settled into the space he intended to sleep in, warming it for him. Ten minutes later, the sound of the bathroom do
Mila firmly held Nathan's wrist, her dazed eyes meeting his intense gaze. Panting softly, she said, "Nate, it's four in the morning. You haven't been getting enough rest lately. You can't keep this up." Nathan withdrew his hand and gently caressed her cheek with a look of deep affection, his voice tinged with a hint of hurt. "Are you not feeling well, or are you trying to distance yourself from me?" Quick to reassure, Mila explained, "It's been two months, and I feel perfectly fine. I'm just worried about you." Without a second thought, Nathan draped himself with the blanket, swiftly discarding the towel underneath. In an instant, he pressed his body against her abdomen, his desire palpable. Sleep was far from his mind now. Mila stiffened, her body tensing as her cheeks flushed. She turned her face away shyly and bit her lip.Leaning in, Nathan whispered in her ear, "If it's your health you're concerned about, I can wait. But if you're worried about me being tired, I can't.
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