Paul's birthday banquet was held at another hotel. That was not his original plan. He just wanted to invite a few close friends to gather at home. However, Agnes disagreed.Normally, she would organize business banquets now and then, inviting some prominent figures to strengthen their relationships. Now, with such a good reason, she couldn't pass up the opportunity.Paul understood that she was doing this for the Baker family, so he went along with it. However, Agnes didn't tell him that she had invited not only various influential figures but also their daughters.Seeing a large group of young women dressed up and attending the event, he couldn't help but frown and shook his head with a wry smile.This was supposed to be a birthday celebration, but it looked more like a blind date event.Agnes was afraid he would resist, so she explained, "I know that people of your generation prefer to make their own choices and don't like parents interfering in marriage matters. I'm not forcing
Lucian had only intended to tease him a little. It was entirely Paul's business whether or not he was going on a blind date. But, it was clear that he hadn't yet given up on Calista.So, he changed his mind. He would not know peace until Paul chose to settle down. It was as if someone was watching him with a gardening hoe in hand and was waiting for the right moment to trespass into his territory and start digging.Paul stood on the sidelines as Lucian and Agnes chimed in in unison to set things up for him. Lucian was a real bastard. Agnes clutched onto the brochure as if it were a precious treasure."I'll be looking into it. Thank you, Lucian. I'll come with a gift when you and Calista get married."The words were meant for Paul's ears. They didn't need him to dwell on it and not move on.Once Agnes had left, Paul asked Lucian sarcastically, "Is the Northwood Corporation switching things up and becoming a matchmaking agency?"He had arranged a blind date for him and prepared a
Calista noticed the uncontrollable joy on Lucian's face and teased him."Did I have it wrong? We aren't married yet. So, you're just my boyfriend now …" "You're right," Lucian immediately cut her off."You've agreed to my proposal. We're engaged now."He stroked the ring around her finger."You're not allowed to back out of it."Calista had only wanted to tease him. But, with Lucian giving her such earnest looks, she collected herself and refrained from teasing him any further. She avoided his gaze and responded with a soft hum.People kept approaching Lucian to offer him a toast. Calista was his ex-wife. Yet, the two of them appeared hand in hand in such a high-profile manner. It seemed that good things were about to happen. That was why they attracted a lot of attention. Having worked all day, all she wanted now was to be left alone to eat in peace. But everyone who came to toast him would inevitably snub her. Calista wasn't a fan of socializing, much less dealing with di
With the money in hand, Lucian felt like he was holding a hot potato. He couldn't wait to rid himself of it. "It's no trouble at all.""I did borrow money from you. Of course, I would return it to you," Calista said."It's not a loan. It's a gift. You married me. It was always yours.""I don't need the money right now. You can keep it."There was no way Lucian would yield. Their marriage was on the horizon. What if Calista recalled his use of the three million dollars to threaten her and keep her trapped in the marriage? He would be the one losing out."Just convert it into company shares. Keeping it in the bank would be no different from me lending it to someone else. If I encounter another 'intern on probation', I might end up with nothing and owe money to the bank.""Okay. I'll have Mr. Prescott bring you a contract tomorrow."After Paul left, he approached Cade with a glass of wine in hand."You're here late.""Something came up."He arrived just in time to see Lucian
Lucian looked up in the direction of the voice. It was Cailyn. She had just walked out. She was wearing a long down coat with fuzzy earmuffs and gloves. The man lowered his hand and shook his head."No thanks."Cailyn noticed the cigarette in his hand that had yet to burn out and put on a stern demeanor."The doctor said you should quit smoking and drinking given your current condition.""Sure," Lucian responded coldly to the woman's admonition.Cailyn wanted to say more. Just as she did, the man who had been as cold as ice looked in a certain direction. His tense features softened. He left after politely excusing himself.Lucian went up to Calista, snaked his arm around her waist, and gathered her into his embrace."What are you doing out here?""I came out here to look for you. You were gone for a while. I thought you fell into the toilet," Calista joked before taking a sidelong glance at Cailyn. But, the latter had already turned the other way. All she could make out was a
Calista had barely set foot into the snack shop when she caught sight of Yara. She was sitting by a window. She had likely gotten bored of waiting and was drawing a pig on the table by dipping into her tea."Are you drawing … Mr. Howard?"Yara had been startled. She nearly knocked over her cup of tea."You nearly scared me to death. It's a brand new year. Why do you have to mention him of all people?"She looked around while speaking and heaved a long sigh of relief. Timothy was nowhere to be found. She leaned back languidly against her seat."Speak of the devil and he shall appear. Have you heard of that saying? Never mention that name in my presence again. You'll be summoning him without fail."Calista took notice of Yara's aversion to Timothy's name and frowned."Has he been tormenting you?"Yara shook her head."No. I had a meal with him when I picked up the dog last time. I haven't seen him since.""Do you hate him?" Calista asked.If that were the case, she could kee
Yara fell silent. Timothy had placed a voice recorder in front of her. "Go on.""What is this?""If you don't plan on getting it together, I'll just have to speak with Uncle Steven and Aunt Tabitha the next time we meet."Yara glared at him. He was such a despicable man. Even though her mother appeared carefree and somewhat unreliable, she was far from lax when it came to her family's upbringing. If Yara, the heiress of the Quinn family, used foul language, it would reflect poorly on her family name. If her mother found out, there would be consequences.Timothy was hitting her where it hurt the most and left her no room to resist. With Lucian and Timothy around, what else could they talk about besides their daily trifles?While they were heading to the restroom together, Yara asked Calista in confusion, "Does your husband have a problem with me? Why does he look at me as if I'm a thief? He glares at me every time I talk to you."Calista didn't answer."Oh my god …" Yara dr
As soon as Yara walked through the door, she was greeted by a dog pouncing on her. It wagged its tail in excitement while whining. It showed no signs of being near death as Timothy had described.The dog had grown noticeably plump after Timothy had cared for it. It was far from being the skinny creature it used to be. Being pounced on made her stagger back and fall into the man's arms.Her hand was suspended awkwardly in the air. She didn't know where to rest it. So, she ultimately decided to settle it on the dog's head while it was in her arms. After giving it a few pats, her hand was drenched in the dog's saliva."Have you named it yet?"She turned around to grab Timothy's clothes. She wiped off the drool on his expensive clothes while he wasn't paying attention. The man looked down and frowned slightly as she wiped down her hand.Yara paused, laughed awkwardly, and sheepishly withdrew her hand."I didn't know you were skilled at raising dogs. It's well-fed and chubby now."