Sienna put on a bitter smile. "Sorry, Clement. I already ended things with him."Clement didn't seem surprised. He replied casually, "Well, then you'll need to handle it on your own.""Can you suggest another solution?" Sienna asked calmly.Clement couldn't help but smile, his admiration for Sienna growing. "You're sharp. I'm starting to like you more. Here's the deal: help me with a few tasks, and I'll waive your brother's debt. Plus, I'll give you an extra five million and a villa worth ten million."Sienna's unease deepened, but she tried to mirror Shelly's greedy expression whenever money was involved. Her eyes gleamed, and she parted her lips in exaggerated surprise.Clement was pleased to see her reaction. He reached into a drawer, retrieved a box, and offered it to Sienna. "You don't have to decide right away. Take your time to think about it, and let me know when you've reached a decision. Consider this a gift for our meeting."Sienna accepted the box and lifted its lid
Sienna showed up at Daniel's place unannounced. Despite dating for over two months, this was her first time entering his home. Inside, she found an elegantly simple interior. The living room was big, bright, spotless, and neatly arranged, making it truly welcoming.Sienna opened the shoe cabinet and discovered a brand-new pair of women's slippers waiting for her. It warmed her heart. With a smile, she slipped them on and made her way to the living room.She placed the phone and jewelry box on the coffee table, then settled onto the couch, quietly awaiting Daniel's return from work. As she waited, she mulled over how she would broach the subject with him.After waiting for a while, Sienna decided to start preparing dinner, planning to share a meal with Daniel upon his return. As night descended, she nodded off while scrolling through her phone.…As Daniel's car pulled into the driveway, he was surprised to see the lights on inside the house. After exiting the car, he quietly app
Sienna thought she was usually open-minded, but Daniel had a way of making her feel overwhelmed.She looked down bashfully and muttered, "I'd rather not talk about this anymore."Daniel smiled affectionately at her and gently patted her head. "Have you had dinner?"Sienna glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already after 9:00 pm. She had cooked dinner around 7:00 pm, waiting for him to come home. Unexpectedly, she ended up falling asleep for over two hours.She wasn't feeling hungry anymore."I've lost my appetite," Sienna said as she stood up from his lap and moved to the couch. With a serious expression, she picked up the black box and the phone from the table. "Daniel, we need to talk."Daniel sat up straight, leaning in toward her with a solemn expression.Sienna passed the items to Daniel and explained, "A man named Clement Russo gave me this fancy set of diamond jewelry and a phone as a bribe."Daniel accepted the jewelry box, opened it, and examined the diamonds clo
Sienna's nose twinged. She realized that Daniel had sensed for a while that she might end their relationship. She couldn't bring herself to use Daniel's money to settle Felix's debt.The sadness in Daniel's eyes pained her deeply."Daniel, Clement framed Felix by putting him in debt and using it to manipulate me. He even offered me money to help him. My family doesn't have the funds to clear the debt, so I feel powerless."Feeling sorrow, Daniel ran his fingers through his hair. "I've already told you. I have the money.""I can't accept your money. Right now, I see only two options. One is to hire a lawyer and sue him for setting up the gambling scam, and the other is to betray him and act as your informant."With that, Sienna pulled out her phone from her pocket. "I recorded my conversation with him, but I'm not sure if it can serve as evidence."Daniel sank back into the couch helplessly. "You're already considering ending things with me, which is why you refuse my money, right
Sienna couldn't hold back her tears as she covered her mouth. She felt intense pain in her heart and was unable to speak a single word.Felix kneeled on the ground and sobbed uncontrollably. "Sienna, I don't want to live either. I'm so sorry to you and Mom. It's my greed that brought us this tragedy."Sienna knew that despite Felix's greed, it stemmed from his desire to give Shelly a more comfortable life."Why did you have to tell Mom about the gambling debt?" Sienna's voice quivered as she choked back sobs. Felix buried his face in his hands, crying out, "Sienna, I promise I didn't do it. When I came back, Mom was already crying uncontrollably, and then she climbed out the balcony."Sniffling and fighting back tears, Sienna made her way toward the balcony. "Mom, I know I messed up. Can you please come back inside? Let's talk this through. If you leave like this, what will happen to Felix and me? We'll be haunted by guilt forever. Please…"Sienna's voice cracked, tears streamin
The living room was unsettlingly silent. The clock on the wall showed it was 12:30 am.Sienna looked at Felix, who sat quietly with his head down, then turned to Shelly, who seemed to have calmed down.Sienna's heart felt heavy, making it difficult to catch her breath. The tension in the house was overwhelming, almost pushing her to the edge of madness."Mom, Felix was tricked into this. We need to involve the police," Sienna urged. She took a deep breath before continuing, "My boyfriend works in anti-drug enforcement, but his job doesn't put us in danger. Please try to understand—"Shelly interrupted, her voice filled with anger, "Those criminals targeted Felix because of your boyfriend. They wouldn't have done this otherwise. Can't you see how serious this is?"Sienna hung her head, unable to reply. Her heart throbbed with pain.Felix hesitantly asked, "Sienna, is what Mom said is true? When did you start seeing a cop? Did Clement trick me into that two-million-dollar debt be
The next morning, Sienna sought out Clement to return his phone and jewelry. "I'm sorry, but I can't keep these. And I can't help you, either," she said calmly. With a cigarette dangling from his lips, Clement sat with crossed legs. He frowned as he asked, "So you're refusing to settle Felix's debt or accept the money and the villa?"Initially, Sienna accepted those gifts to keep Clement at bay while she strategized with Daniel on how to infiltrate Clement's inner circle. She wanted to gather crucial information for Daniel.However, since Daniel disagreed with her approach, Sienna saw no reason to continue the facade."Clement, please consider letting Felix go. He's innocent. The gambling debt was a setup. Can we just let it go?" Sienna asked.Clement erupted into laughter as if he'd heard the funniest joke ever.Sienna knew her request was a long shot, but she kept her composure. "If you won't release Felix, I'll take legal action to protect our rights."Clement flicked the as
Daniel peered into the box and spotted the gifts he had given Sienna. When he met her gaze, he noticed her eyes were red and streaked with tears.As Daniel moved closer to Sienna, she instinctively retreated. In the past, whenever she met Daniel, she would readily yield to his hugs and kisses.Sienna dreaded that if Daniel kissed her again, she wouldn't find the strength to end their relationship."What's wrong?" Daniel's expression darkened, his voice tinged with sadness. Seeing the things she brought and the way she avoided him, he felt a tightening sensation in his chest.Sienna slowly clenched her fists as she fought to hold back tears. She tried to maintain a composed facade as she faced him. "Daniel, I'm sorry. Let's—""Sisi, is there something weighing on you that you can't handle?" Daniel cut her off abruptly before she could utter the words "break up".Sienna forced a tight smile and shook her head. "No.""Is it because of Felix's debts?""No. I'm taking legal action a
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