Robert did not know what to say because his sister was right."Layla, there's no hurry. Take it slow," Elliot said. "Fate works in the strangest ways. You won't find what you want if you look for it. Participate in more events, and who knows, maybe you will find someone who is meant to be in your life.""Dad, I thought you didn't want me to come home too late. Everyone needs to work during the day, and most social events take place at night…" Layla chuckled.Avery, too, could not help but giggle. "Your dad lives in his own bubble. He didn't have to put much effort into getting himself a wife, so he thinks it's that easy for everyone.""I can tell," Layla said. "Can I come home before nine from now on, then?""As long as you take your bodyguard with you, yes," Avery said before Elliot had the chance to say anything."I'm going out tonight, then. I will be home late," Layla chirped. "I want to go to the night market. Robert, come with me!""Sis, if you are going there to look for
If she did not need to work, her parents would have taken her to Bridgedale.It had been a year since Layla had started working at Tate Industries. Time had flown by.It had been a year of growth for her.Her parents had begun to stay out of her personal and work life. Though she struggled to adjust, she knew that it was a necessary burden if she wanted to grow as a person.That night she returned home after a long day at the office. She thought that silence would be the only one there to greet her, but when she got home Kiara and Rose were there. Shea had brought them over."Layla, your parents haven't arrived at Bridgedale, right? I didn't want you to feel bored alone at home, so I brought Kiara and Rose here," Shea said with a smile."You are the best, Aunt Shea! Mom and Dad took Robert with them to Bridgedale, and I was kind of upset about it this morning, but I feel so much better to see you guys here."Layla patted Kiara on the head before doing the same to Rose."What ar
At eight in the morning, Irene arrived at the Hightide Church.She did not remember much about the church as she had been young when she left the church. She only remembered a few details about the dorm she had lived in. However, she felt something for the church.She never had a home, but the church felt like the closest thing she had to home. When she arrived the church had just opened, and she approached a member of the staff who was on duty. "Is Sister Arya here?"The staff was shocked for a moment before nodding. "Do you have an appointment?"Irene shook her head. "No. There's a dormitory behind the church with a lot of kids, and I used to live there when I was little.""What’s your name? Your name when you lived here.""Irene.""Sure. Hang on a minute." The staff turned and hurried toward the backyard.Irene intended to wait there, but she could not help but follow the person she had spoken to, who was now heading toward the backyard.Shortly after, Sister Arya came ou
Rose immediately darted off toward the backyard.Kiara was about to catch up with her sister when Rose skipped ahead of her again. "Mom! Hurry! Rose is running off!" Kiara yelled toward Shea.Shea was more tepid by nature, and Kiara was just like her."Let's just sit and rest in the dormitory. Your sister will find us later," Shea said gently."No! We need to catch up with Rose. I want to see what her best friend looks like," Kiara said before dragging her mother toward the backyard.Meanwhile, Irene and Sister Arya had been chatting in the backyard for half an hour when Sister Arya suddenly remembered something."Rose called me last night and said that she is coming to visit today. If you don't want to see her, I won't keep you here for lunch," she said.Irene paused and panicked at the coincidence.After a brief moment of consideration, she decided to leave. She had accomplished what she had come here for and had no regrets. Just as she bid farewell to Sister Arya, she hear
Shea and Rose had the same innocent look in their eyes and anyone could sense how passionate they were from the way they spoke."Irene, just say yes! Rose keeps talking about you! You have always been her best friend," Shea said with a smile. "She spends most of her time with Kiara, so she doesn't have any other close friends."Irene turned to look at the girl next to Shea, who was slimmer and shorter.Kiara looked at Irene sheepishly, not daring to speak."Irene, this is my younger sister, Kiara." Seeing as how Irene did not say anything, Rose pulled Kiara to her and made the introductions.Irene nodded."It's settled then. I will call Wesley and tell him to get a room ready." Shea smiled before walking away to make the phone call.It was too late for Irene to protest, and she asked dazedly, "Who is Wesley?""That's our dad," Rose said. "Aunt Avery took me down the hill and they are the people who adopted me. They treat me like their own. Even Kiara sees me as her real sister,
Irene remained silent."Why don't you come in?" Shea asked after going inside."Mom, Irene is a little shy. I'll wait outside with her!" Rose said before turning to Kiara. "Go help Mom with the bags."Kiara immediately hurried over to her mother. Shortly after, Elliot's staff appeared with their belongings. One of them said to Shea, "Since Rose's best friend is here, it's only natural that you want to welcome her into your house. I will tell Layla later when she comes home.""I'll call Layla and tell her myself," Shea said politely. "Thank you.""You're welcome." The servant walked past Irene and glanced at her. "Is this Rose's best friend?""Yeah! Isn't she adorable? Just as cute as my Rose," Shea said. "If only she wasn't an adult, I would have adopted her as my daughter as well."Shea did not need to work, so she had more patience when it came to caring for children. "What a pretty young lady. She kind of looks like—" The servant choked on her words because the young lady
After dinner, Rose took Irene to her room. "Irene, there's so much that I want to tell you. Let's sleep together tonight"! she said.After a brief moment of hesitation, Irene nodded. "Sure!"She could tell that Rose had indeed seen her as a friend, and it brought back memories of when they were children.Once the children left, Wesley headed into his study room and Shea followed him curiously."Honey, what are you doing?""I remember that we have a camera here. Is it in the study?"Shea thought about it and nodded. "I think so. Why do you need the camera? Do you want to take some photos? You could have just used your phone! Smartphones these days are just as advanced as cameras..."Only professional photographers would use cameras, and smartphones were sufficient when it came to satisfying the needs of regular people. "Professional cameras give better results. Our daughter is going out with Irene, right? I'm going to give them the camera; they might need it," he said."How sw
It had been years, but Elliot and Avery had never quite been able to give up on Ivy.They had searched for Ivy for years but had not been able to find her. Though Wesley wanted to help them, his ability to help them was limited.Seeing Irene had given him hope that she might be Ivy.It was possible that two unrelated people could look similar, but the chances were rather slim.Meanwhile, Rose showed Irene everything that she owned to Irene, including the accessories, jewelry, and daily necessities she received as gifts from her parents or other relatives. Since they showered her with gifts, she never had to buy anything for herself."I know I'm not related to my parents by blood, and I was really scared when I first got here. I thought that they would abandon me," said Rose who was sitting on her bed. "I'm sure you understand that feeling. I didn't dare to make mistakes or act wilfully. Luckily, everyone has been really kind to me throughout the years...""I know, Rose. I can see
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