"It's just a vase of water. You are overthinking things," Avery said cheerfully. "You might have moved in with Eric but you will always be my daughter!""Mom, I wasn't feeling sad about this and now that you've said that, I don't feel like leaving.""Then stay," Elliot added.Layla chuckled and walked over to Elliot. "Dad, are you going to get Robert to work for you during the holidays? You can just hand him over to your vice president, so you won't have to worry.""I'm worried that the vice president would go soft on him. I never asked Robert to intern at my company. He was the one who brought it up."Layla immediately turned to look at Robert in awe, not expecting him to become such a responsible man."Why are you staring at me, Layla? You were the one who said that you want me to help Dad with work, right?" Robert felt chills down his spine when he saw the way Layla was looking at him."That's great! If you've decided to do it, make sure to give it your best," Layla said."I
"Dad, are you talking about the same competitor as before?" Layla asked worriedly after taking her seat.Elliot raised an eyebrow. "You know which company we are talking about?""Of course! You never told me in person, but I overheard you while you were on a virtual meeting in your study!" Layla used to spend a lot of time with her father, and since Elliot had always seen Layla as a child, he would not avoid her when he was in business meetings."Geo Worldwide Cooperation, right? I know this firm even if I've never heard anything from you," Layla blurted out. "The owner of this firm is kind of weird. It's like he is crazy, but he sure is sharp when it matters. Whenever your company chooses a project to work with, this firm would follow your lead."Robert chuckled. "Dad showed me the information about Geo Worldwide Cooperation earlier, and I thought that he intended on sending me to work in that company as a spy."Layla shot him a glare. "You have the imagination of a movie directo
She stepped on the brake to wait for the next green light, but the car behind her did not intend on stopping."Baam!"The car behind bumped into the back of Layla's car and her car shook before the airbag was released.Startled, Layla closed her eyes, feeling like her heart was about to leap out of her chest.Shortly after the airbag was released, someone knocked on her car window and she instinctively opened the door.As soon as she opened the door, the person outside reached out to anchor her."Miss, are you alright? I'm sorry! My husband didn't mean to bump into you. He just didn't expect you to stop... There's still a few seconds before the light turns red, and you would have gone through if you hadn't stopped." The woman appeared to be apologizing but was actually trying to pin the blame on Layla.Layla stood and felt the rain on her face. She wiped away the rain, and once she confirmed that she did not feel any discomfort, she pushed the woman aside and walked back to the
"I've already settled it with the person who bumped into my car. They will be responsible for the cost of repairs." Layla attempted to downplay the severity of the situation. "Look at the flowers. These are from the backyard of my parent's house, and my mom arranged them. They look so pretty that I decided to take them home.""You settled it without getting checked at the hospital?" Eric refused to change the subject. "Did you settle it in private because you were in a hurry to get home?""I'm fine! I would have gone to the hospital if I was feeling unwell. It was a light bump, and the airbag was deployed. I was just startled by the airbag—""How can you say that it was a light bump when the airbag deployed?" Eric was certain that Layla was trying to understate the situation and said, "Let's go to the closest hospital to have you checked.""What? To see if I have a concussion?" She pulled her arm away. "I told you that I'm fine, so why won't you believe me?" she shouted and walked
Layla got ahead of him and said, "I can get you to help if I have a headache in the middle of the night."Eric instantly swallowed the words he meant to say, and after a few moments of silence, he said, "You will take the bed, and I will sleep on the floor."She strode in and shut the door behind her. "What point are you trying to prove? Even my parents have approved of us... Wait, no. All my relatives know that we are together. We are bound to sleep in the same bed at some point, right? Don't worry. I won't do anything to you, not when you are this weak."She set her pillow down next to him, and Eric pursed his lips at the sight of their pillows resting next to one another.He felt conflicted and awkward, but Layla was right.From the moment he handed his keys to Layla, he had accepted that he would be spending the rest of his days with her."I'll tell you the truth!" Layla lifted the blanket and got in bed as she stared at his flushed face. "I have had trouble sleeping in a str
Ivy had not expected Layla to act on her promise from the night before.Before ending the call, Ivy asked, "Layla, why are you staying home with Eric today? Is he feeling unwell?"Layla chuckled. "He is fine. He just wants me to stay home with him.""Is he becoming that clingy now?" Ivy giggled. "You must be over the moon, then.""It's not what you think. Don't tell our parents, but another car bumped into mine last night. I'm fine, though. He is worried about me, so he requested that I stay home with him. He didn't say it out loud, but I can guess as much."The smile on Ivy's face instantly faded. "Are you really alright, Layla?""It's just a small accident. The car needs to be repaired, but I'm alright. Don't tell Mom and Dad," Layla explained."Okay. Stay home and rest, then. If you feel unwell, remember to go to the hospital at once.""Haha, I won't let anything happen to myself. Eric keeps thinking that he doesn't have much longer to live, so I told him last night that I w
"Why don't we send a bodyguard with Ivy?" Elliot scowled worriedly."Do you think that Ivy would be okay with that? She is living as an ordinary person right now, so she will be fine." Avery packed cupcakes and chewing gum and other things that would help keep Ivy awake.Elliot knew that Avery had a point, and he was completely helpless when it came to Ivy. From the moment he agreed not to announce Ivy's identity to the public, he was destined to face various challenges."Should we get her some energy drinks?" Elliot wanted to help as well.He knew that Ivy was dedicated to the internship, and if something went wrong, Ivy would be devastated."I plan on getting her some energy drink." Avery had thought of that as well. "We will go get some together later.""Yeah. We should get some rest after we come home later! We need to stay up late tonight." Elliot was fine with staying up at night, but he was concerned about Avery. "We can always watch the recording tomorrow. Harry said that
"It's fine, Mom. Mr. Gardner talked to me about it before, and I was the one who decided to work that day," Ivy said calmly. "I'm the youngest amongst the interns this year, and I should be the one to take that shift."That shift required her to leave home by ten. It meant she would be counting down the end of the year at the station. It was the first New Year's that Ivy would be spending with her family, and even Avery, who did not care much about details, struggled to accept that her daughter would be spending New Year's Eve alone."Hayden hates companies that value seniority." Avery knew that she could not change Ivy's mind but still wanted to discuss the matter. "Willingness to compromise might give others the license to bully you. Sometimes, it's easier to be more demanding and selfish."Ivy nodded and noted Avery's advice."Mom, I guess I'm just used to it." Ivy had told herself that she could not be picky because she only managed to get the opportunity with Harry's help, a
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