Mila looked at Jasper, her face creased with worry. Her gaze held the same poignant mix of heartache and resignation as a mother watching her son come out of the closet.Feeling flustered under her gaze, Jasper hurried to explain, "Mom, I'm not gay. I'm straight, completely straight. I'm interested in women, not men.""Then, why don't you have a girlfriend?""I haven't found the right person yet," Jasper replied."So, you're not interested in women," Mila stated firmly.Jasper simply held his forehead and sank back onto the couch, uncertain how to reply.After pondering for a moment, Mila suggested, "How about I arrange a blind date for you?"Jasper let out a heavy sigh. "Mom, I'm only 26. Isn't it a bit ridiculous to start setting up blind dates?""You're a 26-year-old man who hasn't even held a woman's hand. That's what's truly ridiculous," Mila retorted. "You're a catch, and many women are interested in you, yet you've remained single all this time. There must be something w
Candice woke up early in the morning, her body aching all over. She had hardly slept a wink last night, unable to recall how many times Elio had been passionately intimate with her. All she knew was that his desire had been fervent and relentless.Seeing Elio peacefully asleep beside her, Candice closed her eyes with relief, hoping to steal a bit more rest. Mila's words consumed her thoughts. Candice wondered if she would never marry without Michaela's approval.Due to Elio's extraordinary nature, even a simple outing could expose him to dangers like being drugged. Candice felt their relationship hanging by a thread. She wondered if registering their marriage first might be wise. This way, it could deter other women who still harbored fantasies about Elio.With these thoughts swirling in her mind, Candice drifted back into slumber. In her dream, she saw Elio holding hands with a bride, running through a picturesque meadow. Her heart raced with anticipation, assuming she was the brid
"No," Elio stated."I'll go along with your plan," Candice replied. She rested her cheek against his sturdy shoulder and closed his eyes, cherishing the warmth of his embrace.…By 4:00 pm, a crowd had assembled at city hall. Among them were Candice's extended family, including Mila and Jasper. Everyone was eager to witness the couple's marriage registration.Reporters immediately engulfed Elio and Candice as they emerged from city hall. Flashbulbs popped and microphones were thrust toward Elio. The reporters bombarded him with questions about whether he was married, details about his bride, and his thoughts on marriage.Usually reluctant with reporters, Elio found himself willingly engaged this time. Holding Candice's hand, he introduced her with pride and joy as his wife."How did you two meet? Who pursued whom?" asked a reporter."We've known each other since childhood. I've had a crush on her since we were young, and I was the one who pursued her," Elio answered.The report
"Tristan, did you just say I'm being unreasonable?" Michaela shouted furiously. The line went dead from the other end. Michaela, still seething, hurled her phone across the room, shattering it. Yet, even this violent act couldn't quell her anger. She felt deeply disrespected by both Elio and Tristan. Now, even Mila and Jasper had kept her in the dark. The thought that everyone closest to her was drifting away because of Candice's marriage filled her with profound disappointment. Picking up the two shattered phones, Josie approached and sat beside Michaela, gently consoling her, "Mrs. Hoffis, don't be upset. You must take care of your health. We can address Leo's marriage gradually." "Josie, do you have any suggestions?" Michaela asked, her voice edged with desperation. Josie shook her head, looking equally frustrated. Just then, Mila walked briskly into the room, her voice calm and soothing. "Nothing will work." Hearing her voice, both women turned to look at Mila. S
It was six months later that Nathan returned to Phoenicia from the frontier. He and Mila had been living apart for more than half a year, and countless times, he had asked Mila when she would return to the frontier and the lab. Even after years of marriage, he was still as attached to her as ever. Mila replied, "I need to stay in Phoenicia to handle something important." However, she never specified what it was. Now, he finally understood—it was to settle old scores and new grievances together. Philip had been reported for embezzlement and bribery, leading to his downfall. Fenna herself was arrested for involving in kidnapping abroad, committing crimes against Candice, and taking bribes. The couple ended up behind bars. During these six months, Michaela, who was still bedridden, learned of the events and felt shocked. She was grateful that Josie had not married into their family. Otherwise, their business could have been implicated. There was another major event, which was
Mervyn nodded. "Yeah, it doesn't matter anymore." "What are you talking about?" Candice asked, confused. "Why don't I understand?"Elio smiled gently and whispered, "You don't need to understand. Come on, let's have a drink with Mom and Dad.""Okay." Candice picked up her glass of juice, waved goodbye to Mervyn, and walked toward Michaela and Tristan. Mervyn watched as they walked away, unable to resist taking another big gulp of his drink. Michaela was sitting gracefully in her wheelchair, maintaining her usual elegance. Elio and Candice approached and greeted politely, "Mom, Dad, let's toast." Michaela forced a smile, her gaze on Candice was affectionate yet lacking genuine approval and admiration. Deep down, she believed Candice wasn't capable enough for Elio. Nonetheless, it didn't affect their relationship, as no one cared about Michaela's opinion. On the other hand, Tristan was delighted. He raised his glass enthusiastically, showering them with blessings and well
It was unusual. Just then, Candice and Elio approached. Setting aside their family affairs, the three raised their glasses in a toast with Candice and Elio. They began with heartfelt wishes, laughing and conversing freely. Unexpectedly, the conversation veered toward Jasper. "Now, all the kids at home are married. Even Candice is married. It's just him left, a bachelor without a girlfriend," Mila said. Jasper countered, "Mom, my cousins are all in their 30s. Isn't that normal for them to be married?" Mila persisted, "But Candice is younger than you and already married!" Nathan interjected, "Let's give him some time. No rush. Let's see when he's 30, or maybe 40. Who knows, perhaps he'll get married in his 50s. There's still plenty of time ahead." Jasper was speechless, offering a faint smile. "Dad, you're really good at comforting people." Observing the concern from Mila and Nathan, Elio reassured them. "Don't worry. Jasper definitely likes women. In the past, he—" Bef
The summer heat in Phoenicia was scorching, leaving the streets almost deserted. A figure dressed in a giant frog costume hurried to the café entrance. She set down her pile of little frogs in a corner and removed her heavy frog head, revealing her sweat-drenched but beautiful features. Glazing up at the signboard, she blinked and anxiously muttered, "This must be the place." Hugging the frog's head, she walked in and looked around. There was only one young man in the entire café. From a distance, he appeared strikingly handsome with an air of elegance and sophistication. "The quality of this setup was high," she thought. No wonder her mother warned her not to come back home if she still couldn't get married this time. Breathless, she walked over, sat down in front of the man, and apologized politely, "I'm sorry, I was chased by the city officials because of my job. I got lost and ended up being half an hour late. I'm so sorry." At the sound of her voice, Jasper looked
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