He did not expect Layla to look for a suitor beyond the borders of Aryadelle. The whole thing seemed rather absurd to him."Hmm, her father and brother helped her with this. She decided that she wanted to get to know more members of the opposite sex since she did not know that many men," said Avery explaining the matter to him. "How are you and your girlfriend? Have you planned on getting married?"Eric said, "Not yet. I thought Layla intended on getting married quickly and that is why such an advert has been put out.""If she meets someone compatible and wants to get married, we won't stop her," Avery said. "Layla is twenty-five this year. She is of a suitable age to get married."Eric was silent for a few seconds before responding with a somewhat strangled sound."Eric, you don't have to feel guilty. I know that you probably like Layla, too. After all, you saw her growing up. Layla suddenly confessing her feelings to you must have frightened you, right?" Avery's tone was relax
The last post that irene had seen on Avery's social media page was Rose's eighteenth birthday. Avery recently posted another photo. The photo was the vista from the hill. Irene immediately recognized that it was the Hightide Church. She faintly recognized the surroundings despite not having been there in years.She still remembered her grandmother's warnings of how Avery was a bad person but that did not appear to be true. Rose looked so happy and she would frequently visit Hightide Church, so Irene could tell that Avery was a great person.She could not help but react to Avery's post.Avery had over a million fans, and though her following could not be compared to the following that idols and actresses had, she had plenty of loyal admirers who commented and reacted to each of her posts.Irene stared dazedly at the photo and felt the sudden urge to return to the church, but she knew that she did not have enough money to do so for the time being.Once she had the money, she decid
Everyone was talking about Layla, who had started accepting global applications for a husband."It would be great if Layla Tate would marry into this family." Mr. Woods glanced at his sons. Both his eldest and second eldest sons fell within the age requirements; apart from the fact that they did not own 1.5 billion dollars, Mr. Woods was certain that his sons were eligible matches."Haha. We don't have 1.5 billion so they won't pick us." Mrs. Woods had seen the news as well and had allowed herself to daydream about having Layla as her daughter-in-law. It was a shame that they met none of the requirements apart from the age of their sons."I thought about it and I think the Fosters made such harsh requirements because they intend to offer an enormous dowry to whoever marries their daughter," Mr. Woods said. "We might not have 1.5 billion, but maybe we can try to figure something out.""Are you going to take a loan or something? Can you even borrow that much?" Sam asked."Are you in
It's normal. If I'm a guy and I see that Layla is looking for suitors, I can't help but try." Done with her skincare routine, Avery walked over to Elliot and glanced at the screen of his laptop, where Elliot happened to be looking at Sam's email."This kid looks sweet." She glanced through the portfolio and saw the words 'accept marrying into the Foster Family instead' in red and bold. "Haha, this kid says he can marry into our family instead!""Layla is way out of his league! There are countless men who would give up their family names to marry into our family. Am I supposed to be impressed just because he put those words in red bold?! Something is wrong with his head!" Elliot said before deleting Sam's email."Stop going through these, Elliot. I don't want you to get insomnia later." She closed his laptop and took it away."What if Layla never finds her perfect match, Avery?" Elliot was not in any hurry before, but his mind had swung to the other extreme, now that Layla had start
Avery lay down and covered her body with the blanket."You can't betray me, Avery!" He laid down next to her and turned off the lights."What are you talking about? You are overthinking things." She covered him with the blanket as well."Eric really didn't lure you over to his side?" He wrapped an arm around her waist."You heard every word I said when I was on the phone with him, didn't you?" She chuckled. "You can go behind my back and ask him about it.""I don't sneak around like that," he said pridefully. "If I go to see him in private, I might not be able to hold back the urge to beat him up.""Don't do that, Elliot," Avery said. "You are too old to fight with him, and you are just going to get hurt. I will be sad if you get hurt.""... Avery, I'm not that fragile.""Guys will always be teenagers at heart, but you need to face reality. You are losing calcium as you age, and you can't do things that you did when you were younger. If something happens, it will take you much
That was life. Not everything could go one's way and regrets were precisely what made life unforgettable.Soon, a month passed.As the temperature rose, the snow began to melt. Though it was cold, Irene was excited.Her tutor complimented her progress and reassured her that she would surely get into Turlington University if she maintained her performance during the exam.Apart from that, her birthday was approaching.Eighteen felt like a turning point in her life, it was a moment where one transformed into an adult overnight. "Mr. Lucas, after dinner tomorrow, I need to head home." Irene started discussing the schedule for the next day. "We will meet up at the cinema, okay?""Why the cinema?"She hesitated for a moment. "I thought I told you that I will tell you my secret on my birthday?"Lucas had not forgotten about it, but he did not understand why she had to tell him the secret in a cinema. "You can only tell me the secret in a cinema?""Not really. I just didn't want to
"Whatever.""I'll get going now. See you tomorrow!" Irene picked up her backpack and left with the garbage bag in hand as usual.She had never once looked back when she left, and Lucas felt lonely at that moment.When his mother had decided to hand him over to his father, she had not discussed her decision with him and called his father over instead.Irene had rushed home, and when she reached her apartment, she was drenched in sweat. Once she locked the door, she set her backpack down and went into the shower.She felt slightly tired from working the whole day and knew that she would not be able to focus if she started studying right away. Having a shower first would sober her up, and she would be able to focus better.In the South Block, Lucas had just come out of the shower when he heard a knock on the front door. He immediately put on a t-shirt and walked out of his bedroom.As expected, someone was knocking on the door, and he strode over to open the door."I was wondering
The door to the South Block closed, and Lucas returned to his bedroom. He picked up his phone to inform Irene that he would not be able to spend her birthday with her.He hesitated as he contemplated whether to text or call her. If he called her, Irene would certainly ask why, and Lucas did not want to tell her that he could not keep his promise because he had to go to Kasey's birthday party instead.Feeling embarrassed for being forced to make such a decision, he struggled for a while before texting Irene.[Let's not watch a movie tomorrow.]Irene walked out of the shower and picked up her phone to check the time when she noticed a message from Lucas."We are not going to the movies tomorrow? What happened?" she thought before replying. [Alright.]Lucas felt slightly upset when he received her reply and wondered why she had not asked him why. She could be rather persistent at times, like when she had dragged him to his lessons. Irene gripped the phone. She wanted to ask him wh
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