"Good girl, Irene. I know that you are the most obedient girl there is." Grandma patted her on the head. "I love you so much.""I love you, too, Grandma.""As long as you listen to me, I will treat you like my own grandchild and raise you with everything I have.""Grandma, I am your grandchild!" Irene said sweetly."Hahaha! I know that you are upset, but Madam will settle this. Once this is resolved, you won't have to keep that ugly scar on anymore," Grandma said."Okay! I will listen to you, Grandma." Irene could sense how much Grandma cared for her and accepted the reality as it was.In the afternoon, Grandma returned home with Irene after buying clothes.Madam saw them and immediately walked over to scan Irene up and down. "These new clothes look great!" She handed Irene a few books. "I bought you some books. I'll start teaching you how to read starting tonight.""Madam, are you going to live with us from now on?" Grandma asked in shock.Madam nodded. Seeing how Irene had s
There was a pair of sparkly earrings inside.Avery had taken a long time thinking of what to get Eric as she did not know what Eric liked, so she did not know what would be the appropriate gift.In the end, she went online to search for Eric's photos for inspiration and after viewing a few photos, she noticed that Eric looked wonderful with earrings and talked to Elliot about buying him a pair of earrings."Thank you! I will keep this well." He closed the box and placed it into his pocket."Do you not like them?" Avery asked nervously. "I don't really know what you like and you can basically buy anything you like.""Of course, I like it! I like anything you buy for me. I just don't wear earrings during holidays. I will put them on the next time I work," Eric said."Sorry for all the trouble these past two days. Mike told me that he didn't even have to bother checking on the kids because you were looking after them.""Layla is older now so she doesn't really need me to do anythin
"You don't have to force yourself to be nice to me. It's really not necessary," Eric reassured him. "I think I might stop coming here altogether if you act too friendly.""Haha..." Elliot chuckled. "Avery said she sees you as her little brother, and her little brother is mine, so...""That's fine. I can be Avery's little brother, but I don't want to be your little brother," said Eric, refusing.Elliot was slightly offended at first, but he soon let it go. As long as Eric saw Avery as a sister, it did not matter if he treated Elliot as a brother or not.Everyone took their seats for dinner, and Layla said, "Mommy, did you have fun on your honeymoon?"Avery was slightly shocked by the question. "It was alright."They had taken a stroll along the beach on the first day, and they had ran into some tourists from Aryadelle who had recognized them and asked them whether they could take a photo with them.The next day, they had stayed in their room and did not go outside at all. They ha
"Should I recruit someone for you?" Elliot asked. "I can refer any eligible candidates to you.""I'll do it myself! You are busy with your own things. You don't have to focus on hiring someone for me.""Alright! I'll go back and have a look and send it to you if everything is fine.""Sure."Once they were out of the airport, Elliot told the driver to send Avery to her office.Tate Industries was in the direction opposite to Sterling Group, and the airport was located in the middle of the two buildings. Avery had decided to return to Tate Industries at a last minute's notice.She had been feeling rather confused as to what she was supposed to do next. She had two choices: one was to return to medical research, which she was more passionate about; or she could return to Tate Industries.She hesitated for a long time before choosing the latter, simply because she would have no time for her family if she had chosen the former.After everything that had happened, she felt that her
Avery stared at him in shock. "Avery, don't overthink this. The kids are growing up, and they have their own thoughts. As long as they don't make horrible mistakes and focus on their studies, we don't have to be so nervous," Elliot said and left, leaving Avery to walk into the building. As soon as she entered the office, Avery immediately called the new Vice President, who hurried to Avery's office shortly after.Avery was slightly taken by surprise as she did not think that he would look so young. Though she knew that he was actually in his forties, he seemed to have maintained his health well, and he looked to be in his thirties."Hello, President Tate. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Melvin Thornton. Glad to meet your acquaintance. You look far more beautiful than you do in photos.""Hello, Mr. Thornton.""There's no need for such formality! Just call me Melvin," he said. "Frankly, I feel a little hurt that you didn't invite me to your wedding."She froze for a mom
He then sent her a text message. [Do not hire guys.][???] Avery replied.[I will hire a man, and you will hire a woman. Alright?][... You really are petty, aren't you?][I'll be upset if you say that.][You can't be so sexist in your workplace! Anyone who qualifies should get the job, no matter their gender! Can we not be so stubborn?][So you are okay with me hiring a female assistant?]Without hesitation, Avery replied. [Of course! What's there to worry about? You have plenty of pretty secretaries in your office. When have I ever said a word about them? Not only are your secretaries pretty, but so are most of your female employees. I can't help but suspect that your company is hiring them for their looks.][I don't know. I've never placed such a request with human resource. I will go ask them about it.][Save it! I'm just chit-chatting. It's going to be embarrassing if you actually ask others about this! I think your company is filled with capable people who have good look
At noon, the news of Elliot hiring a new assistant became the talk of the town, as people like Elliot rarely hired outsiders. If he needed an assistant, he could choose one of his existing staff or take his pick from companies in the similar field, but he did not do so.The reason that everyone was talking about it was the offering that came with the job; according to the hiring advertisement, the assistant would receive a starting annual salary of 1.5 million and the sky was the limit. If the candidate performed well, they might be rewarded with some of the company's shares as well.No one could resist such an offer. Though it was rather difficult to meet all the requirements stated, there were still plenty of people who were eligible.Like Avery had mentioned, he would not have to worry about acquiring talents when he made a good offer."Elliot is hiring an assistant." Natalie's lips curled into a smile when she saw the news report."We already knew, right?" Holly said. "So, did
Madam nodded. "I know, but the question right now is whether Irene will be bullied by the other children at school.""If they dared try, she would surely fight back. I have already told her everything," the old woman said.Madam shook her head. "The school won't allow fighting. I'll take her to school later and talk to her teacher.""Okay. Let Irene try this school and see whether it works out or not. If it doesn't, she doesn't have to attend kindergarten. She won't learn much from it, anyway." The old woman cared about Irene. "She is used to playing with children in the chapel. Now that she's locked up at home all day, she's really depressed. She used to sleep well. She would fall asleep as soon as she lay in bed. Now, she can't sleep. Even if she does fall asleep, she wakes up in the middle of the night. I'm really afraid that she will actually be depressed if this continues.""I know that she's unhappy, but, until everything has been clearly investigated, she must remain that wa
Three years later…Ivy and Robert stood at the airport in Aryadelle, anxiously waiting."It's been three years! Your boyfriend is finally here to see you!" Robert exclaimed before shifting the conversation. "He's not here to break up with you, is he? After all, you haven't seen each other in three years. A lot can change."Ivy sighed, "Robert, can you not jinx it? Although we haven't met in three years, we talk on the phone and video call every day!"Robert quipped, "Digital romance.""Anyway, he promised me that he's going to settle down in Aryadelle this time, and we won't be apart again," Ivy said. Robert smirked. "He's got a strong sense of pride. When he meets Dad later, they might not hit it off, and he'll buy a ticket to leave tonight!"Feeling helpless, Ivy was at a loss for words. Just then, a familiar voice called out, "Ivy!"Ivy immediately looked over to the source of the voice and saw Lucas stepping out of the exit, dragging his suitcase behind him. A smile sp
Mr. Woods did not expect Hayden to be so direct, and he found himself momentarily caught off guard. He had come to ask Hayden for money, but he had not thought about exactly how much he wanted. After all, Hayden's family was extremely wealthy, and he did not want to ask for too little and feel shortchanged, nor did he want to risk asking for too much and having Hayden refuse. It was a tough decision. After a brief internal struggle, Mr. Woods turned to Hayden and said, "I know your family is one of the wealthiest in Aryadelle, so why don't you name the price? I trust you won't mistreat my son and our family." Hayden furrowed his brows slightly. Shelly, noticing his hesitation, quickly chimed in, "Uncle, why don't you make an offer? We're not very familiar with this process. If you insist on us naming a price, we might need to consult my father-in-law." "Elliot Foster, you mean?" Mr. Woods asked. Shelly nodded. "Yes. My father-in-law isn't as easygoing as my husband. After a
"All right. Let's find a place nearby to sit and talk." Mr. Woods breathed a sigh of relief. "Good! Our house is actually nearby. Would you like to visit? Ivy has been with us for many years, and our staff has a close relationship with her." Hayden glanced at Shelly and asked, "Should we go?" "Sure!" Shelly said. Mr. Woods immediately invited Hayden and Shelly into his car and drove them to the Woods' mansion. Upon arriving, Mr. Woods instructed the servants to serve tea and refreshments. He pointed to the butler and said to Hayden, "This is our butler. He hired Ivy's grandmother." Hayden nodded. Mr. Woods then introduced Hayden: "This is Irene's older brother, the renowned businessman Mr. Hayden Tate." "Hello, Mr. Tate. Irene was a wonderful young lady," the butler said. "We all liked her very much. When we heard of her passing, we were truly saddened. Fortunately, she didn't actually pass away! Ivy is a very sensible and resilient girl, one of the strongest I've eve
Ivy's eyes were red as she said, "Hayden, Lucas' mother has passed away, so I won't be able to spend time with you for a few days." "It's okay. Given what has happened, we're not in the mood for fun either. After we attend his mother's funeral, Shelly and I will return," Hayden said. Ivy nodded. "How are funerals handled here?" Hayden asked. Given Lucas' relationship with Ivy, his younger sister, he felt a sense of duty to help Lucas with the funeral arrangements. "It's similar to how it's done back at home. Wealthy people can have elaborate funerals, and those with less money can opt for simpler ceremonies. Those who can't afford much at all can forgo the ceremony and opt for a simple burial," Ivy said. "What if someone wants a more elaborate funeral?" "Hayden, do you want to help with his mother's funeral? He doesn't have any close relatives here, so there's no need for an elaborate ceremony," she explained. "I see. Go and talk to him about it. I'll help with whatever I
Lucas hung up, tears welling in his eyes. Ivy stood by his side and asked, "What's wrong, Lucas?" "My mom has passed away. You should keep your brother company! I need to head back to the hospital." "I will come along! Aunty seemed fine just now, so why did she suddenly pass away?" The two hurried toward the car, completely forgetting about Hayden and Shelly. Hayden and Shelly watched as they left awkwardly, and Shelly said, "Honey, let's go to the hospital. I think Lucas' mother has passed away." "Sure." The two caught a taxi and hurried after Lucas. Meanwhile, in the hospital, Lucas arrived to first encounter the doctor and then his father. Mr. Woods tried ingratiating himself with his son, saying, "Lucas, I came to the hospital to see your mother, but when I arrived, she had already passed away. What a shame!" "Are you sure she had already passed away before you came? I was here earlier today, and when I saw her, she was still alive!" Lucas said. Mr. Woods reto
Mr. Woods sneered, "What do you mean? Are you looking down on me? Although the Woods family has fallen on hard times, we're still a prominent family in Taronia! Lucas may be foolish, but are you any wiser? If it weren't for me backing Lucas, would the Fosters even look at him?" "Shut up! The Foster family isn't narrow-minded like you! Ivy's family doesn't dislike Lucas, so don't go causing trouble! They don't want to see you at all!" Lucas' mother retorted. Mr. Woods scoffed. "Is that so? Do you really think they don't look down on him? Why wouldn't they? Are they planning to make Lucas marry into their family instead of the other way round?" "It's none of your business! You never cared about Lucas, and now that he's independent, he doesn't need you anymore! You wouldn't have come to me repeatedly if Ivy wasn't Elliot Foster's daughter and if she wasn't interested in Lucas. Do you really think I have no idea what you are plotting?" Mr. Woods countered, "What nonsense are you ta
Ivy did not hesitate, immediately shaking her head. "I'm not leaving. Don't worry about me; just focus on yourself." "Staying here is just a waste of time." "I've been studying and interning so hard for so long. What's wrong with taking a break now?" Ivy argued. Before long, Hayden and Shelly had finished their shopping, and Ivy and Lucas immediately joined them to go to the hospital. Lucas' mother had no idea that Ivy's brother and sister-in-law were coming to visit her, so she appeared a bit uncomfortable when they arrived. She tried to sit up, but her body failed her. Ivy raised the head of the hospital bed. "Aunty, my big brother and sister-in-law came over to Taronia for a visit. They wanted to see Lucas and you." "Oh, this is really embarrassing. It's a blessing for my son to know Ivy..." Lucas' mother muttered sheepishly. Shelly reassured, "Aunty, don't say that. Lucas is outstanding. Otherwise, Ivy wouldn't have fallen for him." Lucas' mother continued, "I've
Throughout the meal, Ivy found it hard to enjoy her food. Lucas and Hayden discussed everything that mattered, and the conversation went smoother than anyone had anticipated. Hayden was not upset, nor was Lucas. It was a better scenario than what Ivy had hoped for, but she still felt depressed. "Lucas, my husband and I would like to pay your mother a visit. Would that be okay?" Shelly asked after finishing her food. "Sure," Lucas said. "Don't we need to ask your mom first?" Ivy asked. "It's fine. We can just head over right away and introduce them once we arrive." Lucas' mother grew weaker every day and had stopped using her phone altogether, so it was her nurse, whom Lucas had hired, who reported his mother's condition to him daily. "You restarted your business and have to take care of your mother simultaneously; you're really strong. Most people would crumble under the pressure," Shelly commented. "Ivy had a tougher life before. She didn't crumble, so I won't eith
After what Ivy said, Lucas added, "I want to focus on my career for now. Marriage is secondary until I become more successful." Hayden sneered. "Running a business isn't as simple as it seems. What if you fail or never achieve anything out of the ordinary?" "If that happens, I won't drag Ivy down," Lucas said. "At least you know your place." Ivy felt as though her cheeks were on fire. "Hayden, even if Lucas fails, I won't give up on him. I won't let him go just because of his financial state." Shelly grabbed Hayden's hand again, signaling to him to control his temper; he could be rude to others, but he could not be so demanding with Ivy. Ivy sensed that she was slightly out of line, and her tone eased. "Hayden, we shouldn’t judge people based on their wealth. Our family is rich enough, and there really aren't that many people out there who can compare to our financial state, so why does it matter how wealthy my partner is?" "Ivy is right. Love matters most. Even if we man