"That won't be necessary. I'll see how things go when I meet them," Lucas said firmly. "Lucas, don't be afraid. While we might not be on their level, we can't appear weak either. You have to show confidence. Otherwise, they might look down on you," Caspian said. Lucas remained silent. Caspian changed his approach. "All right. Just be polite when you meet them. Don't act arrogantly in front of them. After all, they're way ahead of us." "You should go to sleep." "I can't sleep! I'm definitely going to have insomnia after hearing what you just said. Hayden Tate is my idol, you know?" Caspian protested. "I'm going to sleep." With that, Lucas hung up the phone. The next morning, there was a loud knocking on Lucas' front door. Still half asleep, Lucas got out of bed and opened the door. Caspian immediately walked in. "Lucas, why are you still sleeping? How can you sleep at a time like this? I didn't sleep a wink last night, and I still can't sleep now," Caspian said around
Ivy chuckled. "I don't need you to tell me that!" Caspian laughed. "All right, then! Just wait at the hotel! We will come by later." "Sure!" After ending the call, Caspian turned to look at Lucas. "Get Ivy to give you a few pointers later. The two of us have horrible taste, and she is better at picking clothes." "Did you really have to wake her up this early in the morning?" Lucas asked. "Ivy wasn't upset. She was quite excited when she heard that we were going shopping!" "She wouldn’t show it even if she was upset," Lucas retorted. "Ivy isn't like that! Besides, it's not really that early! She may be a lady of high status, but she has a great temper," Caspian said. Lucas fell silent and turned his focus back to his food. After breakfast, Caspian dragged Lucas to the hotel Ivy was staying in. Ivy was in the lobby and approached them with a smile when she spotted them. Lucas handed Ivy the bag of food they had packed for her. Ivy took the breakfast and said, "Tha
Ivy handed the clothes to Lucas. "Go try these on and see if they fit." Lucas headed into the fitting room, and Ivy waited on the couch, feeling content and buoyant. The salesperson took the opportunity to talk to Ivy. "Your boyfriend is so handsome and obedient. I envy you!" "He hasn't always been this obedient, but his temper has improved greatly compared to how he was in the past," Ivy said. In the past, Lucas was her employer, and she was his servant. Though Lucas would throw temper tantrums occasionally, he would always end up listening to her so long as she stood her ground. In general, Lucas was a reasonable person. "You two have just graduated, right? You look so young!" the salesperson said. "Yeah!" "Would you like to check out a few outfits for yourself? We sell matching couple outfits!" Ivy beamed. "Sure! Show me the couple outfits!" The salesperson immediately led Ivy to where the matching outfits were. Lucas walked out of the fitting room, and Ivy immed
"Don't start calling him that!" Lucas protested. "Hahaha! I have faith in you! Ivy loves you so much that she is sure to compliment you! After being separated for years, I'm sure her family feels guilty about being apart from her. Even if they aren't pleased with her choice of partner, they will let her do as she pleases. We can bet on that!" "I don't want to bet. Just leave already! I'm tired!" Lucas said. He had been woken up early that morning by Caspian and spent the whole day out with Ivy, so he was drained. "Don't be such a wuss!" Caspian said. "Leave, already! Don't come by my house again tomorrow morning! As a matter of fact, don't ever do it again!" "All right! I will come to see you after your brother-in-law leaves, okay?" Caspian said. "I told you not to call him that!" "All right, all right!" Caspian said. Meanwhile, Hayden and Shelly were walking out of the Taronia airport. Shelly held onto Hayden's arm and said, "When you meet Ivy later, please, whatev
"All right, I'm on my way," Lucas said. Ivy hung up the phone in relief. A little while later, Hayden and Shelly arrived at the hotel. Ivy immediately greeted them with a smile. "Hayden, Shelly. Did you enjoy your honeymoon?" "We had a great time! We didn't check any travel guides for Taronia, though, so you'll have to be our guide!" Shelly said. Ivy scratched her head. "I haven't been around Taronia either. I'll ask Lucas when he arrives. You should go check in first. I'll wait here for Lucas. He should be here soon." Just then, Ivy looked toward the hotel entrance and saw Lucas walking in. Excitedly, she called out, "Lucas!" Lucas quickened his pace and approached them. Hayden went to the front desk to check in while Shelly and Ivy stood together, waiting for Lucas. Lucas walked up to them, and Ivy immediately introduced Shelly to him. "Lucas, this is my sister-in-law." Lucas greeted politely, "Hello." Shelly could not help but chuckle. "Just call me by my name,
Shelly nodded. "All right. We are unpacking now, and Ivy and Lucas are waiting for us in the hotel restaurant on the first floor." Avery chimed in, "Lucas seems a bit reserved. Try to strike up a conversation with him later." Shelly smiled and replied, "Sure thing." After the call ended, Hayden walked over to Shelly and said, "You guys are being too nice to Lucas. He might think it's easy to win us over. That's not a good thing." "I was just having a normal conversation with him downstairs, right?" Shelly argued. Hayden raised an eyebrow. "It was pretty clear it wasn't normal. You even had him call you by your name." Shelly chuckled as she explained, "It's normal for him to address me that way. He's the same age as Ivy, so it would be weird for him to address me any other way." "You're just being too nice to him," Hayden said. Shelly shrugged. "I'm like this with everyone! It's not just Lucas." "I know. What I mean is, you shouldn't be too friendly. After all, we're h
Ivy blushed. "I didn't play games before because my studies were so demanding. Now that I've graduated, I can learn to play." "There's no need to learn such a thing. Playing games is a waste of time," Hayden remarked. Ivy remained silent, and Lucas wondered if Hayden was picking on him. Shelly gently squeezed Hayden's hand, reminding him that he was being a bit harsh. "Well, playing games occasionally can be good," Shelly intervened. "It helps you relax. Although I don't play complex games, I enjoy simple ones, like matching and card games." Lucas managed a polite smile. He did not know how to respond or what to say because the games he was developing were nothing like what Shelly was describing. There seemed no way for him to continue the conversation with three people who did not play games. "Lucas, even though we don't understand games, I believe you can do well," Ivy encouraged. "Should we talk about something else?" Lucas suggested. Shelly laughed, breaking the t
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
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