"Where's Candice," asked Elio."Mr. Hoffis, Candice just left with her bag," the employee replied respectfully.Without a word, Elio turned and dashed toward the elevator, jabbing the button impatiently. As he watched the floor numbers shift slowly, he pulled out his phone and dialed Candice's number.He listened to the connecting tone for a while before the call suddenly dropped. He dialed again, only for Candice to disconnect once more. After the third attempt ended in the same manner, he gave up resignedly.By the time Elio made it outside the first-floor lobby, Candice was nowhere to be found. Feeling dejected, he returned upstairs. He was distracted all day, unable to concentrate on his work.…As night descended, the neon lights from outside illuminated Elio through the glass window. He stood by the window staring at the night sky with his hands in his pockets.The bustling street below sharply contrasted with the emptiness he felt inside. He couldn't fathom why Candice ha
Elio felt a wave of panic and demanded angrily, "What are you implying?"Sean swallowed hard, his voice tinged with fear as he explained, "Mr. Hoffis, if a woman agrees to sleep with you but then avoids you, it's likely because she's intimidated by your wealth and influence. She doesn't actually have feelings for you."Elio suppressed his anger and emphasized each word sharply. "She isn't short of money, nor is she lacking in influence. She has everything."His words completely floored Sean. His mind was in overdrive, trying to process the fact that Elio had hooked up with Candice. It was like Elio was defying the Morrisons with every breath!Sean couldn't help but be in awe. It seemed like true love was indeed capable of conquering any challenge. Elio must have felt like he had no regrets left in his life."Mr. Hoffis, some women are naturally gentle and kind-hearted. Even if they come from powerful families, they can be very timid at heart."Having been sheltered since childhoo
Candice's emotions swirled as she anxiously muttered, "It's me."Elio's breathing grew heavy. Overcome with nerves, he found himself speechless for a long moment. Unsure of why Candice had called, he waited for her to continue."Are you… free?" Candice asked timidly, her voice barely above a whisper."Yes, I'm free," Elio replied immediately."Could we meet and talk in person?""Of course," Elio responded without hesitation. He then added, "Where should we meet? I can come to pick you up."Candice paused to think. Realizing that everywhere was crowded and they risked being seen, she decided on a safer approach. "You don't have to pick me up. I'll come to your place instead. I'll be there in half an hour.""Alright," Elio replied.Once she hung up, Candice rose to her feet, put on a mask, and stepped out of the public restroom.…Elio was sitting in his car en route to the airport. After ending the call, he firmly instructed, "Turn around and head back home.""But Mr. Hoffis,
Candice hung her head, her voice barely above a whisper as she uttered sadly, "I'm pregnant."Elio's heart skipped a beat at her revelation; excitement electrified every nerve and fiber of his being.He sprang up from his seat, almost feeling the urge to jump up and shout at the top of his lungs to release the excitement coursing through him. Yet, he managed to rein in his emotions.Candice was carrying his baby? Was he really going to be the father to Candice's child? It felt surreal, like a dream. He struggled to contain the overwhelming happiness within him.His reaction startled Candice. She glanced up and noticed his clenched fists, his back turned toward her, and his head tilted upward. She struggled to decipher his emotions.Was he, like her, grappling with the harshness of reality? Or did he share her sense of being lost and uncertain about the next steps?Candice had steeled herself for this conversation. Softly, she said, "Don't worry. I'm not here to force any responsi
Candice's heart thudded in her ears, threatening to break free. Her big, doe-like eyes were fixed on Elio, her mind reeling. The thought of Elio proposing was irresistibly enticing and she was bewildered by the sudden turn of events.Elio leaned forward, gracefully dropping to one knee while gently taking her hand. The gesture was so unexpected that Candice instinctively retreated, pressing herself against the couch as she stared at him in utter disbelief.Down on one knee, Elio gripped her hand firmly. His eyes were earnest and intense as he looked up at her. In a voice that was both tender and urgent, he asked, "Candice, will you marry me?"Candice was stunned. The thought that Elio would propose solely for the sake of their child overwhelmed her with a mix of joy and concern. With a hesitant tone, she replied, "Our families won't agree to this.""As long as you say yes, I'll handle everything else," Elio stated.Candice couldn't bear the thought of anything harming the child sh
What kind of photo is it that she mustn't see? Is it another woman? Feeling her patience wane, Candice said, "I'm going back now." Elio approached her and remarked, "I'll go with you and explain everything to your family." "No, you can't." Candice quickly stopped him, her nerves showing. "Let me first see how they feel about it. We can decide based on that." "No matter the situation or the outcome, I'm willing to bear it all alone. You don't have to worry about me," Elio reassured her. Worrying there might be unforeseen events, he was anxious to solidify their relationship and get the marriage certificate so he could finally be at ease. "There's no need to rush. Let's take it slow. I'll persuade my family, and you can do the same with yours. Is that okay?" Candice asked. Still, Elio was worried that something might go wrong. However, he couldn't be too hasty and risk scaring Candice, as it might potentially ruin everything. "Okay, I'll follow your lead." Candice curious
Josie looked somewhat taken aback. "Candice, you're here too?" Elio asked, "Is there something you need to talk to me about?" Josie forced a smile. "I wanted to discuss our wedding next month. Mrs. Hoffis has been pressuring me, and I had no idea what to do. I thought we could talk it over." Candice felt a wave of anxiety washing over her, and she nervously clenched her fists. Turning to Candice, Josie smiled and asked, "Candice, I wish to talk to Leo for a moment. Could you…?" Candice quickly responded, "I have something to attend to. You two talk, I'll head out." Just as she finished her words and was about to leave, Elio grabbed her wrist. "You don't need to go. Stay and listen." Candice was stunned.Josie's face darkened, and she said in embarrassment, "Leo, this isn't appropriate. This is between the two of us. Candice is an outsider." Elio replied solemnly, "She's not an outsider. She's my wife." Candice was shocked by his words. Josie was even more so. Both
Josie offered a wry smile, her gaze shifting to Candice, who sat quietly, absorbing the conversation. "Candice, you know, in terms of family hierarchy, you should call Leo 'uncle.' If you two end up together, how will your families cope? How will Aunt Chubs face such a complicated relationship?" she asked. The question caught Candice off guard. Before she could respond, Elio interjected angrily, "Are you here to cause trouble right in front of me?" Quickly, Josie defended herself, "As a friend, I'm just curious about how Candice plans to handle this. How is that causing trouble?" "This is between Candice and me. We'll figure it out. Focus on your issues. If you're done talking, you can leave," Elio said firmly. Josie's smile vanished, replaced by a serious expression. "Elio, our relationship might have been fake, but our years of friendship are real, aren't they?" "What are you trying to say?" Elio asked. "I'm advising you as a friend. Candice and you are never goin
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