In the living room, Robert took the seat next to Elliot. "Dad, it's not that I don't want to work alongside you. I just wanted to get some experience with Hayden...""Can't you do that with me?" Elliot asked.Robert considered the proposition for a moment, before saying, "I want to work for Hayden first before coming to work for you... Dad, I love you and I love Mom...""I know that you love your mom," Elliot said, hinting that he doubted Robert's love for him. "Have you considered how I would feel when you told your brother that you want to work for him behind my back?""I didn't tell Mom either.""Which means you don't love us at all.""It's not like that, Dad. I wanted to get this past Hayden first before telling you, but Hayden made me work as a mechanic… It took me a while to get the hang of it, and Hayden still won't let me work there. He insisted that I talk to you two first." Had Robert known that this would happen, he would have told his father his plans long ago."You
Robert nodded obediently as he watched his mother walk away dazedly.Elliot shot up from the couch and hurried after Avery."Avery, why are we going back all of a sudden?" Elliot caught up to her and grabbed her arm.Robert wanted to know what was happening as well, so he ran over to eavesdrop."Look at this." Avery showed Elliot the photo Wesley sent her.Robert stood by the stairway and watched as his parents stared at the phone. Unfortunately, he was too far away to see anything."What are you looking at? Can I see?" He wanted to follow them up the stairs.To his bewilderment, his parents, who had spoiled him rotten since birth, completely ignored him and went to the second floor.Shaken to the core, Robert immediately dialed Hayden's number. "Hayden, our parents are going home today and asked me to drop them off at the airport later. Do you know anything about this?""Do you know something about this that I don't?"Robert froze at his answer and said, "Did Mom tell you?"
In the living room on the first floor, Robert's phone rang. It was a call from Hayden. "I forgot to tell you that I'm going back to Aryadelle as well. I will leave latest by tomorrow. You love my company, right? You can have my office for a while."Robert felt even more confused. "Why are you all going back? What happened? No one is telling me anything!""Because it isn't confirmed yet.""Oh... But if that's the case, why are you all in such a hurry to go back? What exactly is going on, Hayden?" Robert did not want to be kept in the dark. "I will call you Big Brother if you tell me...""Even if you don't call me that, I'm still your big brother." Hayden did not waver."If you refuse to tell me the truth, I am going to kiss you the next time I see you!" Robert threatened, knowing that Hayden hated to be touched....Shortly after, Elliot headed down the stairs holding the bags in one hand and Avery's hand in the other. Robert immediately went over to take the bags from him. "
At half past four in the middle of the night, Rose came out of her room alongside Irene.The two were preparing to go out to watch the sunrise and had decided before going to sleep the night before that they would not wake anyone this early in the day.They two came out and Rose turned on the flashlight on her smartphone, but the lights in the living room opened in a 'snap'.Wesley was fully dressed and stood in the living room. "I was wondering if the two of you overslept. I was about to go inside and wake you!" He said, before heading out with them with a bag in hand."Dad, we can go ourselves. You should go back to your room to rest!" Rose said, knowing that her father had to work."Haha. It's my rest day today, so I can go with you and then come home to sleep later," Wesley said. "Besides, it's been a while since I saw the sunrise. I want to tag along and take some photos to show your mom later."Irene spotted the swallow under Wesley's eyes and knew that he must not have had
Avery felt the same as Elliot and was desperate to see Irene, whether or not she was indeed their daughter.Agreeing with Elliot's idea, the two leaped into action and headed into a shop to purchase gifts."Honey, I'm nervous." Avery felt weak as she picked out gifts.Had it been in the past, Elliot would have comforted her."Me, too." Elliot seemed even more nervous. "I think my shirt is wet. Should we go home to shower first?"Avery walked around him and glanced at his back to find the back of his shirt drenched in sweat."You do need a shower," she said, and reached for his forehead, noticing he seemed flushed.He was not running a fever and Avery touched her own forehead.They were inside a shop with air conditioners so her skin was slightly cold to the touch."You are even more nervous than I am." Avery took all the gifts to the counter for payment.The two headed out and Avery took Elliot's hand. "You are sweating."Elliot was sweating profusely. "I can't control mysel
"Shush, Kiara. Your sister is still sleeping!" Wesley whispered, before handing the gifts to her.Kiara pouted and accepted the gifts."Rose and Irene are sleeping?" Avery whispered.Wesley nodded."Let's talk outside, then!" Avery did not want to wake them. Had she known that Irene was asleep, she would not hurry to Wesley's house with Elliot."They won't wake up!" Kiara muttered. "They just fell asleep. They went outside to watch the sunrise on their own and didn't call me along! I'm so mad at them!"Shea tapped Kiara on the shoulder. "Rose can take you the next time. There's nothing to be mad about.""Oh... So they went to see the sunrise... They sure know how to have fun!" Avery chuckled and sat down on the couch.Shea noticed that Elliot's shirt was drenched and said, "Big Brother, why don't you take a shower? You can change into Wesley's clothes.""Elliot, go shower! Since we are already here, I'm sure that you would want to stay." Avery felt much calmer."Yeah, I'll ta
Avery glanced at him and noticed the polo shirt indeed looked too tight on him."Get someone from home to send you some clothes, then," Avery said. "You have a great figure so it's okay for you to wear something this tight. It's fine." She took the opportunity to touch his abdomen."..."Kiara was not far away and could not help but chuckle at the sight."Kiara is watching! Mind your image," Elliot reminded.Avery shot a grin at Kiara's direction. "Your uncle looks great, right?""Yeah! I think Uncle looks great in Dad's clothes! Layla would think so, too, if she sees you!" Kiara sat down next to them. "Uncle, I don't think you should change. You look good like this!""See? Kiara said you look great, so Irene will like it as well," Avery consoled him.Elliot felt slightly reassured."Uncle, Aunty, do you like Irene so much? You haven't even seen her before!" Kiara was confused"We've seen her photo. Your dad was the one who sent it to us." Avery did not intend to hide their i
She wanted to agree to Avery's request, but wanted to respect Irene's wishes at the same time."Once Irene is awake, I will talk to her, okay? I don't know what she might feel about this or how she would react... but I'm glad. If she really is your daughter, we will be able to play together all the time from now on," Rose said excitedly."Yeah.""I'll drink some water and go back to my room, then," Rose said."Sure. Talk to her and let me know if something happens. You can message me, too." Avery was worried that Irene might not want to see them and had an alternative plan.After finishing her water, Rose returned to her room. Avery went to sit on the couch and waited anxiously, while Elliot paced back and forth in the living room.Inside the room, Irene opened her eyes as soon as Rose walked in."Did I wake you?" Rose walked over to the bed with a smile. "Are you waking up? Thirsty?"Irene rubbed her eyes and sat up. "I'm awake."Rose handed her a glass of water. "Irene, we h
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