Nyla glanced at Mason, who was waiting at the table for dinner, and hesitated."Caroline, I really don't have time tonight. The nanny is on leave, and I'm not comfortable leaving Buddy at home alone," she explained."Why don't you bring him along? I can look after him for a while. Once you're done with the investor, you can take him back home," Caroline offered.Hearing Caroline's urgent tone, Nyla realized it would be difficult to avoid tonight's party.She bit her lip and said softly, "Let me ask Buddy."After ending the call, Nyla walked over to the dining table and crouched down to face Mason. "Buddy, Mommy needs to go to a celebration party tonight. I'm not comfortable leaving you at home alone. Would you like to come with me? It won't take long."Mason looked at her, thought for a few seconds, then nodded. "Okay."He jumped off his chair and headed to his bedroom.Nyla followed him and watched as he grabbed his portable language practice tape from his room. She felt a bit
As they chatted, the door to the venue suddenly swung open, plunging the room into silence.Someone stood up first, walking excitedly toward the entrance. "Mr. Sumner, I can't believe you're here!"Nyla turned around. The moment she saw the man at the door, her face went pale, and she froze in place.Her first instinct was to run.Remembering that Mason was still in the hotel, she quickly grabbed her phone from her bag and called Caroline.Mason looked almost identical to Damon. If Damon saw him, he would immediately realize Mason was his son. If Damon decided to fight for custody, she knew she wouldn't stand a chance."Caroline, take Buddy and leave right now!" she urged, her voice trembling.Caroline's confused voice came through the phone. "What happened?""I'll explain later. Just get him out of here!" Nyla pressed.Hearing the panic in Nyla's voice, Caroline didn't ask any more questions. "Okay. I'll take him out right away."After hanging up, Nyla finally let out a brea
Nyla didn't dwell on it and continued the conversation.After talking for a while, Damon weighed his options and decided to invest in Nyla's lab.By the time the party ended, it was already past 10:00 p.m.Nyla and Edgar stood at the entrance, bidding farewell to Damon and the other investors.…The secretary Damon had brought along was Luca Fleming. He had been with Prospectus Technology for four years and had been trained by Spencer, so his working style mirrored Spencer's.On the way back, Luca couldn't help but comment, "Ms. Kinsey is not only beautiful but also very capable. She must have a lot of admirers."Damon, engrossed in his documents, glanced up at him. "Are you interested in pursuing her?"Luca quickly waved his hands. "Oh, no, not at all! Someone like her would never go for someone like me."At least he had some self-awareness.Damon gave no further response and returned his attention to his files.He didn't disagree with Luca's assessment. Given the income Ny
If it weren't for Caroline, Nyla wouldn't be where she was today.Five years ago…After falling into the sea, Nyla miraculously survived when a kind stranger rescued her. At that time, she didn't want to return to Saintornia or have any ties with her past. Thus, she reached out to Caroline, who took her away.It took three months for her to fully regain her emotional stability.By then, everyone she knew in Saintornia believed she had died. She decided to take her mother's surname, and as for the baby she was carrying, he also miraculously survived.For the next few months, Nyla stayed in the apartment Caroline rented for her, preparing for her exams while managing her pregnancy.It wasn't until the following year that she had the opportunity to reapply for graduate school. From that point on, she juggled her studies and raising her child.…These past few years hadn't been easy, but Nyla felt content. If Damon hadn't suddenly reappeared, her life would have continued on its pe
Mason nodded. "Yes, I missed you."Oliver's smile widened, his gaze softening even more. "I missed you too, and I brought you a gift."As he spoke, he pulled out a set of books from behind him, almost as if performing a magic trick."Last time I saw you, you were reading this series at home, so I bought the original edition while I was abroad. Do you like it?" he asked.Mason's face lit up with joy. "Thank you, Uncle Oliver!"He eagerly took the books and flipped through them, his usually calm expression finally revealing the youthful excitement of a child his age.Nyla smiled wryly at Oliver. "You didn't have to go through all that trouble. That must have been expensive."Since moving to Capitarnia five years ago, it hadn't taken long for Oliver to find her.Over the years, he had helped her immensely—allowing her to focus on her work while keeping Mason's existence hidden.Like Caroline, Nyla owed Oliver so much.It wasn't that she hadn't noticed Oliver's feelings—she knew.
Erin's face lit up with joy. Just as she was about to say something, she noticed that Damon had suddenly stopped walking.Puzzled, she looked up and saw him staring ahead. She followed his gaze but saw nothing unusual."Damon, what's wrong?" she asked."Nothing. Weren't you hungry? Let's go," he replied, his tone calm.They entered the restaurant, where a server led them to a private room.In the room next door, Oliver handed the menu to Nyla."Nyla, why don't you pick what you'd like to eat? Tonight's dinner is on me to celebrate your success in developing the new drug," he said."You already got gifts for both me and Buddy. I should treat tonight, especially since I just received a bonus," Nyla replied.Oliver relented. "Alright."Nyla ordered a few of the restaurant's signature dishes and handed the menu back to Oliver. "Why don't you choose a few more?"After the orders were placed, Oliver looked at her and said gently, "You've spent the last few years pouring most of you
Erin found herself in a daze as she stared into Damon's calm eyes.She remembered how he used to look at Nyla—his gaze filled with warmth and tenderness. It was a stark contrast to how he regarded her.In the three years they had been engaged, Damon had never looked at her like that.When he glanced her way, his expression remained calm, indifferent, and distant—as if he were above it all.Sometimes, Erin wondered if he had agreed to the engagement merely because he saw her as a suitable match.Pushing aside the chaotic thoughts swirling in her mind, she spoke softly. "It's nothing. I'm probably just tired from the flight."She sat beside Damon, biting her lip before finally summoning the courage to ask, "Damon, how about we get married this year? Now that you've taken over the Sumner Group and everything is stable, I really want to get married."Damon didn't answer right away. Instead, he asked coldly, "Why the sudden rush to get married?"He had only gotten engaged to Erin to
Before Damon got engaged to Erin, he had already realized that he had no physical desire for any woman. Even if a woman stood naked in front of him, it did nothing for him.He later consulted a doctor, who suggested that it might be a lingering effect of the car accident he had been in. The doctor had even recommended trying adult films, but that didn't work either.Not only was there no physical reaction, but Damon also felt nothing emotionally.After trying for a while, he accepted his reality and decided marriage wasn't in the cards for him.He had assumed he would never be interested in women—until that day in the elevator when Nyla bumped into him. Suddenly, he felt electrified by the contact.At first, he thought it was just a fluke. However, when he saw her again at the celebration party, he felt something strange stir inside him.He couldn't quite identify what it was, but instinctively, he wanted to resist it. Yet despite his resistance, his eyes were drawn to her.Damo
"That's more like it," Valarie chirped.Nyla couldn't help but say, "Valarie, stop bullying Brandon all the time."Brandon turned to her and sighed dramatically. "Aunt Nyla, since you mentioned it, I have to say something. You have no idea what I've been through these past six months, I— Ouch!"Before he could finish, Valarie pinched his waist. "What was that? Tell me, Brandon. Have you been unhappy these past six months?""N-No... I've been very happy..." Brandon winced."Have I bullied you then?" Valarie pressed."No..." Brandon murmured.Valarie huffed. "If not, then keep your mouth shut, or Nyla will really think I mistreat you." Brandon gave her a pitiful look, lowering his head like a scolded puppy.Before they married, Valarie had been gentle and beautiful in his eyes. But after marriage, he realized how wrong he had been.Gentle and beautiful? All an illusion.If he stayed out drinking and came home late, he'd have to choose between sleeping on the couch or outside.
Taking Mia to work was exhausting, but every time she smiled at Damon, it made everything worth it."She'll be fine. Didn't you just say she loves us both equally? She'll cry for a bit, but if you stop taking her to the office, she'll get used to being at home," Nyla reasoned.Seeing Nyla's determination, Damon finally relented. "Alright, we'll try it tomorrow. But if she cries too much, you'll have to take her to the office.""Deal!" Nyla said....After getting ready for work the next morning, Damon kissed Mia on the cheek and headed for the door.As soon as he changed his shoes at the entrance, she reached her little arms toward him, asking to be held. She had grown so accustomed to going to the office with him every day that it had become a reflex.Damon glanced at Nyla. "Nyla, maybe today we should—"Nyla interrupted, "Nope. You go to work. And if you're free for lunch, don't bother coming home. If you need to work late, no rush to come back either."Damon chuckled. "You'
"Brandon, from now on, I'm entrusting Valarie to you," Jonathan said. "She's been spoiled by us and can be a little willful at times. I hope you'll be patient with her in your marriage, and I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together."Brandon held Valarie's hand tightly, his expression solemn. "Dad, don't worry. I'll cherish her with all my heart."Jonathan nodded, stepping down from the stage. He discreetly wiped away his tears.After exchanging vows and rings, Valarie and Brandon sealed their love with a kiss, surrounded by cheers and applause.…On the way home from the wedding, Nyla glanced at Damon. "I saw Mr. Weir wipe his tears so many times today. When Bunny gets married, you'll definitely be just like him, sneaking off somewhere to cry."Damon's grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly, his gaze sharpening. "No one will ever be good enough for my daughter. If she never gets married, we'll take care of her for the rest of our lives."Nyla raised an eyebrow and
"Of course! When's the wedding?" Nyla asked.Valarie shook her head. "We haven't decided yet. He'll come to my house in a few days to discuss it with my parents."Nyla raised an eyebrow. "You're about to get really busy. Planning a wedding alone will take a lot of work.""Yeah, I'm already getting a headache just thinking about it," Valarie replied....For the next few months, Valarie was completely consumed by wedding preparations and work, barely having time to catch her breath.The wedding was set for August 8th, leaving them with less than six months to finalize everything.Valarie even traveled abroad several times to meet with designers and ensure her wedding dress was exactly what she wanted.Beyond the dress, she and Brandon spent hours discussing every detail—from the venue to the wedding favors and bouquet choices....After months of nonstop planning, the big day finally arrived.Valarie was already up, getting her hair and makeup done at 2:00 a.m.By the time N
Valarie looked up and saw the approaching glow.When the figure finally stopped in front of her, she realized it was Brandon.Frowning, she asked, "Where did you go? I waited so long for you. And what are you hiding behind your back?"Brandon flipped his phone face-down on the table, revealing the flowers he had hidden. Then he dropped to one knee."Valarie, I had planned a perfect proposal for you, but when you asked earlier about the meaning of wearing a wedding dress, I knew I couldn't wait any longer."Before I met you, my life revolved solely around work. I never paused for anyone—I never cared whether the sun was rising or setting, or if the moon was full or waning. But everything changed after I met you."I began cherishing the thought of greeting you every morning, sharing meals with you, and standing by your side for life."Valarie, I want every morning to begin with us waking up together, and every night to end with us holding each other as we fall asleep."Finally, B
Of course, every time they visited Valarie's home, Phoebe would subtly—or sometimes not so subtly—hint that they should get married.Brandon had always assumed Valarie wasn't interested in marriage since she never responded to those hints. He hadn't considered proposing.But today, seeing her so excited about picking out baby clothes made him start to imagine a future with her—building a family, raising a child.That thought filled his heart with warmth.After more than three hours of shopping, they finally left the mall, their arms full of bags.Once they loaded everything into the car, Valarie turned to Brandon. "I'm starving. Let's grab something to eat."Brandon nodded. "Sure. What are you in the mood for?""I'm not picky. Is there anything good around here? I don't feel like going too far," she replied.Brandon paused, then said, "There's a place with ethnic cuisine nearby. I went there once for a business meeting—it was pretty authentic. Want to give it a try?""Sounds g
Nyla was silent for a moment before nodding. "Alright. If you ever need Damon to help figure out Brandon's thoughts, just let me know.""I will. Don't worry about us, though. You just gave birth. Your main priority should be resting," Valarie said."Okay," Nyla replied.Valarie lingered in the bedroom for a while, but when she saw Nyla looking tired, she stood up and left.Downstairs, only Brandon was in the living room.Valarie walked over to him and asked, "Where's Damon?""He had something to take care of for work, so he went to the study. How's Aunt Nyla?" Brandon asked."She seems to be doing well, and the baby is adorable. Oh, right, I forgot to ask what the baby's name is. I only know her nickname is Bunny," Valarie said.Just thinking about Mia Sumner's cute little face made Valarie smile. She was already looking forward to the day the baby would call her godmother.A flicker of something crossed Brandon's eyes. "You really like kids, huh?""Of course! I've said befor
Once they were in the car, Nyla suddenly recalled Damon's phone call earlier. "By the way, what did Alexander want?"After a brief pause, Damon glanced at her. "He said Ms. Kinsey left you an inheritance and asked when we'd be able to go to Meristate to take care of it."Nyla pressed her lips together before replying, "Call him later and tell him to donate it or keep it for himself. I don't want it.""Alright," Damon replied.When they arrived home, Damon helped Nyla settle onto the couch, placing a pillow behind her back for support. Then, he said seriously, "Nyla, you've been through enough. Let's not have any more kids after this."During her first pregnancy with Mason, Damon hadn't been around, so he hadn't realized how difficult it was for her.Now, experiencing this pregnancy with her, every checkup and blood draw made his heart ache.Once Nyla gave birth, he planned to get a vasectomy. Two kids were enough for them.Nyla shot him a look. "This wasn't exactly planned, was
More than half an hour later, Nyla finally stirred from her nap.When she opened her eyes, she found Damon sitting by her bed, watching her. She froze for a moment, caught off guard.Rubbing her eyes, she realized he was still there and confirmed she wasn't dreaming.She slowly sat up, her voice still heavy with sleep. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be in your study working?""I missed you, so I came to see you," Damon replied.Nyla narrowed her eyes. "You definitely have something to say if you're here all of a sudden."Damon chuckled, a little helpless. "I guess I can't fool you.""Of course not. I know you too well. Ever since I got pregnant, you've never come to see me like this in the afternoon," Nyla said."Alright. Go freshen up first, and I'll wait for you downstairs," Damon suggested."Okay," Nyla replied.After washing up, she went downstairs and sat beside Damon. "Alright, tell me. What's going on? You're acting all mysterious."Damon hesitated for a moment befo