Nathan's face was exceptionally gloomy and his eyes were filled with distress. As he tried to catch his breath, his chest heaved unevenly.Suzanne had never witnessed Nathan in such a panicked state and was momentarily stunned.From the time Nathan entered the ward, he didn't utter a word.Suzanne cleared her throat and spoke softly, "I have to thank Mr. Vega for his timely rescue. I'm fine now."Nathan remained silent, his rapid breathing showing no signs of calming down.Suzanne felt extremely intimidated by his behavior. The gradually enveloping hostility that radiated from him sent shivers down her spine.She proceeded to raise her injured hands and explained patiently, "The assailant tried to stab my chest with a dagger. I had no choice but to use my hands to stop it, and the dagger veered off. The doctor said it's just a flesh wound; it will heal soon."Looking at Suzanne's hands that were wrapped in bandages, Nathan slowly clenched his fists. The chilling sound of his knu
After regaining his composure, Nathan realized that he had overreacted and responded excessively.He stood up and cleared his throat. Then, Nathan asked solemnly, "Tell me, what do you remember about the person who did this? Was it a man or a woman?"Suzanne thought seriously for a moment before shaking her head. "He was dressed in all black, wearing a black hat and a black mask. I couldn't see his face."Nathan continued, "What about his height and build?""He—"Just then, an urgent voice interrupted Suzanne."Nate! Nate!"Sally rushed into the ward, looking bewildered. "Nate, there you are! I just arrived and the place is heavily guarded. Everyone's busy investigating something. What's going on?"Suzanne lowered her head in annoyance, suddenly feeling at a loss for words.Then, Sally turned to Suzanne on the bed, widening her eyes with an exaggerated expression of shock.She asked sarcastically, "Oh my God, Suzanne! You're injured? What happened? Why are you injured? Who d
Nathan's face darkened as he seethed with anger. "Revealing other people's past scandals, digging into their weaknesses, and mocking them to their face—Is that how you should behave?""But I was just speculating that her attempted murder might be connected to her past relationships."Furious, Nathan berated her in an icy tone. "You could've just said so instead of giving a lengthy dissertation no one asked for."Sally pouted. "Nate, I know I was wrong. I didn't mean it. I spoke without thinking. Please don't be angry."Bullshit. It was clear she intentionally said all that to personally attack Suzanne.Nathan grabbed her arm, continuing to walk out of the field hospital while instructing, "I'll have someone escort you home. Don't come back again."Sally struggled to pull her hand away, saying, "Nate, I'm not leaving. I just got here, and I want to stay with you.""I don't need your company.""Nate, let go of me. I'm not leaving!" Sally was rudely dragged away; her struggle wa
The night hung quietly beneath the soft moonlight. Outside the hospital, only the rustle of trees broke the silence. Nathan entered the ward with quiet footsteps.As Suzanne's caregiver, Emily was about to greet him. Instead, he signaled her to stay silent with a wave of his hand. Catching the cue, she quietly made her way out of the ward.Suzanne was peacefully sleeping on the hospital bed. Nathan settled into a nearby chair, keeping an eye on her while she slept.Even without a hint of makeup, her face was flawless and lovely. Her features gave her an especially gentle and serene look when she was asleep.Suzanne had a resilient personality and a multitude of talents. Nathan struggled to wrap his head around the idea that someone so gentle and innocent might be putting on a front.He wasn't sure if his powers of observation were failing him or if Suzanne was just exceptionally skilled at hiding her true self.As the night wore on, Nathan stuck around in Suzanne's ward for sev
Emily tenderly stroked Suzanne's back, playing the part of a comforting mother. "Mrs. Morrison, don't be too upset. General Morrison is busy with work. He's been knee-deep in sorting out drill plans; and after what you've been through, the whole military base is on high alert."Everyone's under scrutiny. He can't break away from his duties during the day, so he's giving up his downtime just to be by your side. Trust me, General Morrison does care about you."Suzanne felt a little better hearing the reassurance. She snuggled into Emily's embrace like a kid seeking comfort. "Do you really think he cares about someone like me?"Emily continued to soothe her with gentle pats. "Mrs. Morrison, even though we've only known each other for a short time, I'm aware that you're a great person. Why doubt yourself?"It seemed like Suzanne had found someone to confide in. She held onto Emily's shoulder and tearfully exclaimed, "Emily, I truly love him. What should I do?"Emily grinned with a t
As Nathan approached Suzanne, she felt his warmth and caught a whiff of his shampoo. Her heart started to race, and she had the urge to pull her hand back.Nathan held onto her hand, unwrapping the bandage to take a look at the wound. The stitches were still in place on her palm, and there was no sign of the wound scabbing over yet. Nathan's expression grew solemn.Suzanne felt a twinge of guilt and thought about pulling her hand back, but Nathan gripped it even tighter. He carefully rewrapped her wound and casually said, "This unscabbed wound needs to stay dry. I can help with bathing and changing the dressing. What do you say?"Her cheeks burned, and she whispered, "I've asked Emily for help.""Just let me know if you need anything. Hold off on going out until we arrest the culprit. Just give me a heads up if you want to go somewhere, I'll arrange for someone to protect you," Nathan advised.A sweet warmth suffused Suzanne as she watched him wrapping the bandage. She wishe
"I hope you and Dr. Lawrence from Norvania can collaborate and resolve this issue to maximize the potential of hydronium," Nathan said.Alan replied earnestly. Though deep down, he wasn't confident about it.…At noon, Lucas walked into the cafeteria with a tray in hand. Unsure about Suzanne's food preferences, he decided to scoop a bit of everything. The tray ended up stacked high with various dishes that could easily feed a person for a couple of days. As Lucas made his way out, he bumped into Nathan and Cole."General Morrison, good afternoon," Lucas greeted.Nathan gave a small nod in acknowledgment.Cole eyed the assortment of food on Lucas' tray and teased, "Hungry today? Do you think you can finish all of that?"Lucas shrugged. "I had no clue about Mrs. Morrison's food preferences, so I just grabbed a bit of everything. I didn't realize there'd be this much variety, and the tray filled up faster than I expected."Cole chuckled. "Judging by Mrs. Morrison's amazing fig
The door creaked open, and Suzanne glanced up from her book. When she spotted Nathan entering with her meal, her face lit up in surprise."Why are you suddenly the one bringing me food?" Suzanne asked as she stood up."I swung by to grab some things and figured I'd bring over the meal in Lucas' stead," Nathan replied calmly.He placed the meal and utensils on the dining table before walking over to the bedside table. He casually opened the drawer, and simply closed it without grabbing anything.Suzanne was a little flustered by the towering heap of food before her. She had no clue where to start.Nathan approached with a grin. "Consider it Lucas' way of showing you some care."Suzanne furrowed her brows and gave Nathan a pleading look. "It's way too much. I can't possibly finish all this by myself."Nathan regarded her seriously as he uttered, "Don't let the food go to waste."Suzanne was stumped by his words. She had expected him to say that.After pausing for a moment, she q
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