"What?! How is that even possible…" Erin trailed off.She had expected the trending topic to be about Nyla's cheating scandal—not her own affair with a male model! And… revealing photos…She quickly turned her head and noticed that the other side of the bed was empty. Instantly, she scowled."Lucy, I have something to take care of. I'll talk to you later," Erin said, hanging up quickly.She immediately dialed the male model's number, but his phone went straight to voicemail.Damn it! He must have set her up! She wouldn't let him off the hook!Just as Erin frantically thought about how to resolve the mess, her phone began ringing incessantly.Seeing her father's name on the screen, she involuntarily trembled and threw the phone onto the floor, too afraid to answer.Her parents had surely found out by now. Answering the call would be like digging her own grave.Although she had indulged herself on the side, the Hulles' upbringing had been strict.Since her engagement to Damon,
Damon's gaze turned icy. "Why do you ask?""Because, no matter what, Ms. Hulle is still your fiancee, and the Hulles have many cooperative projects with Prospectus Technology. Publicly revealing her affair with a male model would be detrimental to both parties," Luca reasoned.After a moment of silence, Damon replied coldly, "You're overthinking it. What I'm doing has nothing to do with her."Luca lowered his gaze, not fully convinced. If it weren't for Nyla, there would be no reason to expose Erin's scandal."Is there anything else?" Damon's voice was sharp.It prompted Luca to quickly answer, "No, I'll head out now.""Mr. Hulle might come by in the afternoon. Just let him into my office," Damon said."Understood, Mr. Sumner," Luca replied.…Not long after lunch, Patrick stormed into Damon's office. "Mr. Sumner, is this how you treat Erin? Isn't it a bit excessive?"Damon set down his documents and looked up at Patrick.Patrick stomped into the office and slammed the door
Damon smiled. "There's no need for you to worry about that, Mr. Hulle."Patrick had come and left in a huff. As soon as he stepped out of Prospectus Technology, he immediately called Clark."Clark, I won't let you get away with this scheme against me!" he roared.He hung up without waiting for a response.Clark was left bewildered. When he tried calling back, it showed that Patrick was already on another call.Richard, who had been watching, frowned. "What's going on?"Clark put away his phone and shook his head. "I don't know. Mr. Hulle said I schemed against him... I have no idea what he means."After a moment of thought, Richard quickly pieced things together, especially after hearing about Erin that morning."It looks like your uncle has found out about your meetings with Patrick," Richard suggested."I'll find out what's going on," Clark said.Not long after, he returned with information about the situation.Richard sighed and said quietly, "Your uncle's termination of
Seeing that Cyrus wanted to say more, Richard sneered. "Don't forget that you were the one who found the doctor to hypnotize him. You knew exactly what you were thinking back then, so don't pretend to be the good guy now."Cyrus' face fell, and he took a deep breath, choosing to remain silent.Beside them, Clark's eyes flashed with a cold glint.Only if Damon became a fool would he lose the chance to compete for the company and Nyla. In that case, Clark might even be able to snatch Prospectus Technology away from Damon.In the living room, each person was lost in their own thoughts, and for a moment, no one spoke.…Shortly after Damon returned to the company, Luca knocked on the door and entered."Mr. Sumner, the Hulles have announced that your engagement to Ms. Hulle has been dissolved. They're doing this to salvage their reputation," he informed.Damon nodded. "Mm, there's no need to concern ourselves with this matter anymore.""Understood," Luca replied.At Damon's villa…
"Alright, it's time for your nap. When your dad gets home from work tonight, you can ask him about going to the amusement park," Nyla announced."Okay!" Mason agreed.Excited, he took over an hour to fall asleep.After covering him with a blanket, Nyla got up and sat on the sofa. She picked up her phone and sent a message to Damon.From Mason's eager expression earlier, she figured it would make him very sad if Damon refused his request. Thus, before Damon returned, she needed to convince him to take Mason to the amusement park.She received no reply after sending the message.By evening, Nyla could no longer hold back and dialed Damon's number. It rang a few times before he picked up."Mr. Sumner, I sent you a message this afternoon. I'm not sure if you saw it," Nyla stated.Damon's cold voice came through the line. "I saw it."Nyla wanted to ask why he hadn't replied, but she then realized their only connection now was Mason. It was normal for Damon not to want to respond.
Mason was thrilled, his cheeks flushed with excitement.After Damon left, he looked up at Nyla and cheered, "Mommy, Daddy said yes!"Mason was usually a reserved child, so seeing him so expressive made Nyla smile. "Yeah, I heard that."…In the following days, Mason eagerly counted down to Saturday, looking forward to it more with each passing day.Finally, Saturday arrived, and Mason woke up early.Nyla, who had light sleep, got up when he did.After they finished breakfast, Damon came downstairs. Seeing Nyla and Mason waiting on the couch, particularly Mason's eager expression, made Damon subconsciously speed up his breakfast.When they left, it was not even 8:00 a.m. yet.Nyla felt a bit worried. "Do you think the amusement park will be open this early?"Damon looked up from his documents, his expression nonchalant. "No worries;. I rented out the entire park."Nyla was taken aback.Damon noted her reaction and asked, "What's wrong?""Mr. Sumner, you know the whole point
As time passed, more and more people filled the amusement park.Nyla held Mason's hand tightly, preventing him from running around too much and avoiding collisions with others or the risk of getting knocked over.Suddenly, Mason pointed excitedly at a ride not far away. "Mommy! I want to ride that!"Following Mason's gaze, Nyla felt troubled. He wanted to go on the swinging pendulum ride, but she had never liked high-altitude attractions.She turned to Damon and said, "Mr. Sumner, I'm not really a fan of high-altitude rides. Why don't you take Buddy on that one? I think there's a version for kids."Damon stared at her, speechless.Before he could respond, Mason dashed in front of him, hugging his leg and shaking it. "Daddy! I want to ride it! Please! Jasper said his dad took him on it several times when they went to the amusement park!"Seeing the eager look in Mason's eyes, Damon had no choice but to nod. "Fine, but I can only go once with you.""Great! Thanks, Daddy!" Mason e
The familiar scent of pine momentarily caught Nyla off guard. It wasn't until the crowd cleared that Damon let go of her."Are you okay?" His cool, deep voice came from above her.Nyla pressed her lips together and replied softly, "I'm fine.""Good to hear," Damon said."Daddy, can you and Mommy ride the carousel with me?" Mason looked up at Damon, completely unbothered by what had just happened and unaware that Nyla had zoned out.Damon thought the carousel was childish, something only kids and women would enjoy. Just as he was about to decline, Mason grabbed his leg, looking up at him with eager eyes.Caught in Mason's hopeful gaze, Damon found himself relenting. "Alright, let's do it."They lined up at the carousel. Just as they were about to get on, Nyla's phone suddenly rang.When she saw it was Oliver, she looked up at Damon. "I need to take this call. If we get to the front of the line, just take Buddy on the ride."Damon, towering over Nyla, caught a glimpse of the nam
"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