"Who are you?" Candice asked. The man replied respectfully, "I'm Sean Lowe, the CEO's assistant." Candice nodded in greeting. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Lowe." "Ms. Candice, please come in," Sean said, opening the door for her. Candice hesitated for a few seconds, wondering why they had questioned the waiter who had accidentally dirtied her evening gown. It was such a minor incident, and even if it was intentional, it didn't really bother her. She stepped into the office. It was spacious, bright, and elegantly decorated. In front of the window walls stood a clean, impressive desk. The handsome man behind it, dressed in a sleek black suit, exuded charm as he worked intently. As soon as she saw him, Candice felt inexplicably nervous, her heart pounding erratically. Taking a deep breath, she pondered how to address him. Calling him "uncle" was out of the question. "Mr. Hoffis, you wanted to see me?" Candice approached politely. Elio was momentarily stunned. He barely glanced
Elio glanced at the contract briefly before closing it and placing it in the drawer. Candice asked, "Mr. Hoffis, is there anything else?" Elio looked up at her indifferently. His cool and unreadable gaze unsettled Candice, making her heart race. "You—" Elio started to speak but was interrupted by the sound of the door opening. "Leo," called out Josie's gentle voice. Josie, who walked in without knocking, paused for a moment when she saw Candice. She quickly smiled and said, "Candice, you're here too?"Candice nodded politely. "Hello, Josie." Josie beamed. "Am I interrupting? Should I come back later?" Elio immediately interjected, "No need." He then turned to Candice and said, "That's all for now. You may leave." Candice felt a pang in her chest. She didn't understand why she felt so sad. Josie was Elio's first girlfriend, and they had been dating for years. They were getting engaged next month. Of course, she could enter without knocking. Elio must have allowed
Candice's uneasiness grew. "Then I'll go to the economy class. I'm just an ordinary employee. It's not appropriate for me to be in first class." She was about to get up when Elio's voice, lazy yet commanding, stopped her. "Sit down. I paid for your ticket privately. It's not on the company's dime." Candice quickly pulled out her phone. "Then I'll pay you back. How much is it?" With a sharp sound, Elio snapped his book shut. He removed his glasses, folded them neatly, and placed them on the table beside him before closing his eyes as if to rest. Holding her phone, Candice was stunned for a moment but received no response from Elio. She then slowly put it away. Elio was truly unpredictable. During the flight, neither of them spoke. Elio alternated between reading and resting his eyes, while Candice spent the time sketching designs. After they landed, Candice followed Sadie and another renowned ND designer, Emerson Hartford, to check in at a five-star hotel. Sitting on the l
After checking in, Candice took the room key from Sadie and followed the bellhop upstairs. When she opened the door to her room, she stood in stunned disbelief. Quickly, she turned back and asked Sadie, "Ms. Lloyd, did I get the wrong room key?" Sadie smiled softly and responded, "Nope. That is your room." With that, Sadie entered her room and shut the door, leaving Candice at a loss. Candice walked back into her room, which turned out to be the most luxurious suite in the five-star hotel. The opulent decor, complete with a living room, kitchen, and a spacious balcony garden, was overwhelming. More notably, the suite had three bedrooms. As she explored, the bellhop politely asked, "Miss, which room would you like?" Feeling that it was all too extravagant and a waste for just one person, Candice replied, "Any will do." The bellhop placed her luggage in the master bedroom and then left. Candice entered the master bedroom. As she gazed at the spacious and luxurious surroun
After suppressing his feelings for so many years, Elio found himself lacking the courage to touch Candice's face. He mocked himself inwardly. What a coward he was. But he couldn't wait any longer. He had no more time to waste. Standing up, he entered the bedroom and retrieved a plush blanket, gently draping it over Candice before retreating to his own room. By the nightstand, he removed his watch and loosened his tie. At that instant, his phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, he saw it was Michaela calling. Due to the time difference, it was midnight here but noon back in Norvania. He shed his tie and blazer before answering the call. His voice was low and hoarse. "Mom, what's going on?" From the other end, Michaela's furious voice erupted. "Elio, have you lost your mind? Why did you take Candice out of the country? What are you trying to do? You rascal, you promised me you'd manage the overseas company for ten years before coming back!" Elio remained silent. Michaela
During middle school, Elio spent countless hours poring over foreign language articles in his study. His world echoed with the presence of teachers, test papers, and homework. That year, Zach passed away, marking the most painful and helpless period of his life. One day, outside the study's balcony, Candice tugged at Elio's glass door with a kite in her hand. When he opened the door, Candice handed him the string. "Uncle Elio, my cousin said you seem pitiful and you're always studying. Take a break. Let's look at the sky, and fly a kite." It was then, during his middle school years, that he first flew a kite. For the first time, he lifted his head to see the color of the sky and watch the kite soar. He felt utterly inferior even to a mere kite. Afterward, Candice often snuck behind the balcony, secretly handing him items as entertainment like game consoles, chess sets, comics, dartboards, and even water guns. She laughed a lot as if her life had never known sorrow or worr
The golden sunlight streamed into the balcony garden, where flowers bloomed and greenery thrived. Candice awoke naturally, groggily reaching for her phone. One glance at the time made her bolt upright in bed. She hurriedly threw off the covers and rushed into the bathroom. After freshening up and getting dressed, she grabbed her bag and left her room. Passing through the living room, she saw Elio sitting at the dining table with two plates of breakfast and two glasses of milk in front of him. "Good morning," Candice said nervously as she approached. "I didn't hear the alarm. I'm sorry. Is there any work planned for today?" Elio, with his usual calm demeanor, gestured to the plate opposite him. "I made an extra portion. Join me for breakfast." He made this? Candice looked at the breakfast in surprise. There was a peeled and sliced egg, some blanched broccoli, a pancake, and some fruits. It looked both exquisite and healthy but was presented quite plainly, certainly not the wor
In the morning, they visited the event site. The team was busy setting up and decorating, and the basic framework of the venue was almost complete. After working there for a while, they had to head to the branch office for a meeting. The meeting started at 11:00 am and went on until 1:00 pm. Candice sat in the corner, her stomach growling and she yawned frequently. She rubbed her tired neck, swaying gently in her seat. When her gaze inadvertently met Elio's, she immediately straightened up, adopting a posture of utmost attention, even holding her breath. Anxious waves crashed over her. Candice worried that Elio might have noticed her small fidgeting actions and found it absurd. She mentally scolded herself for being so careless. As the meeting carried on, Sean appeared suddenly and whispered in Candice's ear. "Ms. Candice, please come with me." Swiftly gathering her notebook, Candice inquired cautiously, "Is something wrong?" With a gesture, Sean beckoned her to follow.
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