Zachary hummed in response. When he saw Callum holding a cactus, he asked, “Did you buy that?” “Yeah, I went to Spring Blossoms before work.”“Spring Blossoms?” Zachary found the name a little familiar. He seemed to have heard it from his beloved wife before.Callum did not hide it and said honestly, “It’s Ms. Camryn’s flower store. The name of the store is so unoriginal.”Zachary said faintly, “Flowers blossom during spring.”Callum choked.“Since you went all the way there, why didn’t you buy more potted plants?”Callum pouted and said, “I didn’t go there to buy flowers. I bought this cactus because I had no choice.”He could not just leave without buying anything when he caused her to prick her hand with the thorns.“Wouldn’t a ball cactus look nicer if you place it next to your desktop? Normal cacti have longer thorns. Be careful not to get pricked.”Zachary made a few passing remarks and entered the office building. He left his brother behind and went upstairs first.C
Camryn was very surprised to hear that.He was from York Corporation.Was he an employee of York Corporation or someone from the York family?Camryn could not tell.She thought, ‘I’ll ask Serenity who that number belongs to the next time she comes to my store to buy flowers.’Serenity did not know Callum had begun to approach Camryn. After Zachary sent her to the bookstore, she chatted with Jasmine for a while before her old classmates she invited over to help weave the handicrafts arrived. Serenity told them to weave a small trinket according to her instructions.She first had to make sure that their skills were not rusty, then she took a lot of materials from the small storeroom and distributed them to everyone to take home and weave.After sending them off, Serenity turned and was just about to go back into the store when Elisa arrived in her car. She watched Elisa park in front of the bookstore and get out of the car.“Seren.”Elisa walked over to Serenity with a smile. “W
Whether it was Serenity’s hometown or the neighboring villages, the young worked in the cities while only the older generation stayed behind. The elderly could not do much farm work, so the fields were deserted. Since there was someone rich who wanted to rent the fields from them, they would not refuse the opportunity to earn money.Serenity and Jasmine were very pleased to hear this.After Elisa finished updating them about the investment project, she looked at Serenity and hesitated a moment before saying, “That was the good news. Time for the bad news. Seren, I also got someone to inquire about what your relatives were up to while talking about contracting the land.”“Everything they’ve done has been bad news. Just say it, Elisa. I’m prepared to hear whatever it is they’re doing recently. At most, they hauled away the bricks, sand, and gravel and sold them.”“The trucks of materials you sent to rebuild the house were still there. They were stacked properly untouched. Your relati
“They can try every dirty trick under the sun, but we’re not going to change our minds about taking them to court. We’ll only take what is ours and nothing more,” Serenity spoke firmly. She was not a heartless person, but she could show no mercy when it came to her money-hungry relatives. It would take Serenity a lifetime to get over the hurt from her childhood. “Of course. They can talk and make up stories all they want. We’ll take the legal route, so it’s a fair game for them and us.” Elisa said, “I have never met anyone more shameless than them. Are you sure your father is their blood family, Seren?” “I believe so. My father shared an uncanny resemblance with his old man. They’re just playing favorites…. That’s the case with some parents—they dote on the oldest and youngest while the middle child tends to get ignored. “I will request for a DNA test if they put up a defense, saying that my father isn’t their child in court. The DNA test will prove the blood relations. “
Serenity said with a smile, “I know, I know. I’m the luckiest woman alive. I will count my blessings. I mean, I do count blessings.” Her best friends and family were easily paid off by Zachary, and now they always put in the good word for him. Well, Zachary was good to Serenity. “I don’t know what I should get him.” Serenity puckered her brows. Her two best friends believed Serenity was tormenting them by showing off her relationship. It did not affect Jasmine much though as Josh was nice to her too. However, as someone without a partner, Elisa was envious and jealous. “Zachary used to have everything but a wife. Though that’s settled because you’re now married to him. He needs children in his life now. Hurry up and make babies. Get a pair of twins—a girl and a boy.” With an adorable kid like Sonny in mind, Elisa uttered, “You can have lots of children if they are as cute and smart as Sonny. Zachary can afford to raise them anyway. “Seren, any good news from you? I m
Serenity was shocked. She was in the wrong business. In fact, why set up her own business? She could just give Zachary children. Her wealth could be built through giving birth. Jasmine gasped in awe; as expected from the wealthy. The push present was a lot of money, and Grandma May was not the only giver. The other family members would be showering with cash gifts too. “Seren, you can be rich by having children,” Jasmine commented with a smile. Elisa grabbed Jasmine’s hand and caressed the charm bracelet Jasmine got from Mrs. Bucham, uttering, “Jasmine, you don’t need to be envious of Seren. Your future mother-in-law gave you a family heirloom. I thought my eyes deceived me, but now that I had a close examination, I’m certain this is the Buchams’ family heirloom.” Jasmine was at a loss for words. “The Buchams’ family heirloom? How can you tell?” It never occurred to Jasmine that Mrs. Bucham would give her the family heirloom during their first encounter. Did Jasmine p
It never occurred to Serenity that Mr. York turned out to be her husband. “Seren, it’s all in the past. I quit daydreaming the moment he saw me as his cousin-in-law. He has done a lot for you but never anything for me. He wouldn’t even talk to me in the past.” Serenity was not the only reason Elisa could get over Zachary. Elisa was able to tell that Zachary had no feelings for her as he only had eyes for Serenity. “Come to think of it, my best friend shares a similar experience with you except their roles were reversed—she took Zachary’s role. She hid her identity when she was together with her boyfriend, but the guy left her for someone rich. Apparently, the new girl had money and connections, so he didn’t need to work as hard to advance in his career.” Serenity remarked, “She should be relieved that she saw the man’s true colors before they got married.” “That’s what I told her too.” Elisa grabbed her car keys. “I got to go, Seren. Do you have time to draft the contract?
Serenity said, “I’m okay. Am I not sitting here all fine? But my car was smashed. Zachary drove me to work this morning.” Liberty nervously asked, “Who was it? Was it those people again?” She thought it was their relatives again. “No. It’s the Newman family. Well, the sister of the woman I helped before, to be precise. I got into two arguments with her, so she hired a few thugs to get back at me.” “I can’t believe it! Where is the law?” Liberty reproached. “Did you call the cops?” “Yeah.” Serenity looked at her nephew in her sister’s arms and replied, “I’ll be fine, Liberty. Zachary assigned another two bodyguards to protect me. I’m letting you know now in case you and Sonny might be dragged into this.“How about you move in with us, Liberty? We can look after one another, and it’s safer for all of us.” Liberty answered, “I’m renting in quite a safe neighborhood. Since you called the cops, they would’ve learned their lesson and wouldn’t try something again. We’re livin
Lilian often messed with the medicinal herbs her master cultivated, which led to her being chased and scolded by him.It seemed her son had inherited her restless nature.“How’s Sonny been lately?”Liberty had been on edge these past few days because Caroline had been preparing to lure her three brothers into a trap and had not had time to call her son.“Same as usual, but it seems like things have soured again with the Browns.”Serenity added, “Sonny still answers when Hank calls him, but he doesn’t seem happy when his grandparents visit. He doesn’t like going to the Browns’ place, and he doesn’t want to take their calls either.“Hank’s mother and sister are truly incorrigible. They must have been badmouthing you and Duncan in front of Sonny again, which is why he’s upset with them.”During the holidays, Sonny had stayed with the Browns for a few days and started to warm up to them.However, who would have thought that the mother and daughter would start spouting nonsense in f
Once the baby was born, he would apply the knowledge he had learned over the past few months to care for the baby. He was determined to be a competent and responsible father.Serenity released her arms from around him and shifted to her side.Zachary let go, too, allowing her to turn.Then, she planted countless gentle kisses on his face.“Babe, with you here, the baby and I will be just fine. Don’t worry too much,” Serenity comforted softly after kissing him.“You are my rock. If even you are nervous, I’ll start feeling anxious too, and that won’t be good.”Hearing this, Zachary immediately said, “Seren, don’t worry. I’ll protect both of you. Alright, I won’t be so nervous anymore.”He gently touched her rounded belly again. “Lil’ Bun should be a calm kid. He’s not that mischievous.”He felt that the baby’s movements were not too intense.Serenity wanted to tell him that there were times when the baby kicked more vigorously, but she decided against it, knowing it would only m
“Just hit the gym a few more times. Lately, you’ve been spending less time there.”Every day after work, he would come home and orbit around her. As a result, he had less time to work out.It was normal to gain a few pounds eating well and exercising less. Did he really think he could eat anything without gaining weight?The reason he could maintain a model-like physique before was that he exercised daily.“Ow.” Serenity suddenly cried out in pain.This startled Zachary so much that he nearly jumped up, asking anxiously, “Is it stomach pain? Are you going into labor? Let’s go to the hospital right away.”He was about to pick her up, but Serenity stopped him by pressing his hand.“Don’t be so nervous, Zachary. It's not time yet. It’s not happening so soon. It’s just the baby kicking again. His kicks are getting stronger.”As she entered the later stages of pregnancy, the little one inside her was growing stronger. Sometimes, a couple of kicks from the baby could actually hurt.
Zachary, afraid that his wife might refuse to spend time with him at his office in the future, emphasized that he was not busy today.He had already cleared his morning schedule because he needed to accompany his beloved wife for her prenatal checkup.His secretary was well aware of Serenity’s checkup dates. Whenever he saw Serenity turn up at the office with his boss, his secretary would quietly adjust his schedule.Sometimes, on the day of the Serenity’s checkup, his secretary would not schedule any appointments for Zachary at all.Even if appointments were scheduled, Zachary would request they be canceled or rescheduled.Now, in Zachary’s eyes, his wife’s matters were the most important.With Alex now able to share the workload, Zachary felt that he, as the eldest of his generation who had shouldered the bulk of the burden for so many years, deserved a break.Plus, there was the elite team the company had trained; if not now, then when would they be put to use?Everyone was
Tony turned around and left.Only after hearing the door close did Carrie dare to open her eyes.She had woken up while Tony and his son were on the phone, but she did not dare move, fearing that Tony might suspect her of eavesdropping.Just now, when that old lecher stood by the bed looking at her, there was definitely a murderous glint in his eyes. She could feel it.Sooner or later, he would kill her.Carrie was filled with panic. She wanted to escape but was afraid she would not succeed. No one was there to help her.For a moment, Carrie even considered running to Camryn to confess everything, but she quickly dismissed the thought. The reason she ended up in this situation was entirely due to Camryn.She and Camryn were sworn enemies. Their conflict would not end until one of them was dead. However, even if she died, she would drag Camryn down with her.-Meanwhile, in the CEO's office at York Corporation, Zachary, seated at his desk, kept glancing up at his pregnant wife.
“You should have gotten rid of them all back then and cultivated a network of people loyal only to you.” Manny felt that his father should not have spared those people in the first place.Tony said, “There were too many of them, all relatives and friends with the same goal as us. We couldn’t eliminate them all at once.”Back then, he had incited everyone to join him in wiping out the entire main family, sparing neither the elderly nor the children.It was because they were all from the collateral branches, jealous of the main family’s long-standing control, and shared a common goal that his conspiracy succeeded.He had also spent over a decade waiting for the right opportunity.Who would have thought that even after wiping out the main family, he still could not obtain the family seal, token, or totem? Without these, he could not become the true head of the family and could only act as a proxy. Many of the connections loyal to the head remained inaccessible.Moreover, much of the
It was his father. Manny composed himself and picked up Tony’s call as he walked toward his car.“Hey, Pops.”“How’s it going, Manny? Has there been any progress?”Tony was still in Carrie’s room at the moment, but had gotten up and walked to the balcony to call his son.Carrie was still fast asleep, though her face was set in a frown. She was obviously discomfited.Tony had pestered her for the majority of last night, so it would be weird if she did not feel any discomfort.Despite her begging, Tony would not let her go. He even forcefully drugged her to make her mess around with him while out of it. He was simply an old pervert.Before she passed out, she cursed him in her heart. However, she knew that Tony only treated her so roughly because she was just his mistress—a tool for him to vent his frustrations on.If she really was his wife, he definitely would not treat her like this.In the past, she had ambitions of taking Mrs. Longbottom’s place and becoming the real missus
Tati also finished her plate of pastries.She followed Isabella out.“Isa, you’re always so busy and exhausted. If you’re feeling even a little unwell, you should have a good rest. Stay home for the day. I can handle the work you have on hand. It’s the same either way.”Tati wanted Isabella to take the day off so Isabella could spend some time with Austin and nurture their relationship.However, Isabella still declined Tati’s kind offer.She said, “Not today. There’s an important meeting today, and I have two important clients to meet. I’m fine, really. Don’t worry. From now on, I won’t touch alcohol.”Given her current status and position, no one would dare to force her to drink during social engagements.Many people also knew that Isabella would not drink outside her home, fearing that she might fall victim to someone’s schemes.However, Isabella would occasionally make an exception. When she was in a good mood, she would have a couple of drinks.Hearing this, Tati stopped t
Austin still smiled gently and said, “It’s all thanks to Ms. Isabella’s guidance.”He felt that he had indeed improved a lot.Grandma May really understood him well. The wife she picked for him could actually help improve his culinary skills.“After eating the sweets, I feel much better.” Tati picked up another piece of pastry and ate it.Austin quietly retreated, not wanting to disturb their conversation and also to avoid overhearing their private matters.“Just ignore him. Are you really going to skip work because of him?”Isabella added calmly to Tati, “If you let him provoke you, he’ll only cling to you even more. If you act like he doesn’t exist and don’t respond no matter what he does, he’ll naturally give up once he sees that you’re completely unresponsive.”Tati said, “I’m afraid that he’ll go and bother Edith and Eleanor if he doesn’t get anywhere with me. They don’t have the same resolve as we do.”She, therefore, decided to bear the brunt of it.“Every time I see hi