“Mr. Bucham.” Julian had brought along two bodyguards to act as drivers. With Julian stepping out of the hotel, they immediately drew close. They were instructed not to tell Quinn that Julian was the heir to the Bucham family for fear of scaring her away. The bodyguards believed Julian was paranoid as his future wife feared nothing. Quinn would not be afraid to learn who Julian was. Julian gave a nod and told Quinn, “My car can’t fit everybody, so I hired two drivers. We can all travel comfortably in three cars instead of one.” “Thank you for going through all that trouble, Mr. Bucham. You have everything thought out.” Julian grinned. “It was no trouble at all. You weren’t afraid about getting into trouble when you saved me. You didn’t even know me then. All I did was help with the logistics and the pleasure’s all mine.” Quinn smiled. “Alright. We should stop thanking each other like we’re strangers. I’m not used to it.” She would rather cut to the chase. The pair w
Julian said to Quinn, “As far as I know, there’s a rose garden, sunflower garden, and another one with an assortment of flowers. But it’s October now, so there aren’t many flowers in bloom. Come spring, the gardens are a sight to behold.”Quinn rolled down the window and looked into the distance. She gasped in amazement and asked, “Is that the Yorks’ residence? Are those people from the family?” “The place there is the Yorks’ family home. The people you see are mostly their employees. They take care of the gardens and orchards. It takes a village to run the estate. “Some of them are distant relatives of the Yorks. “The family members stay in some of the houses there. The rest of the buildings are the workers’ lodging. The Yorks provide generous housing for their employees. Single employees get a unit with a separate kitchen and bathroom.“The employees with families get an apartment, which isn’t huge but spacious enough and well-equipped.” Quinn’s eyes widened in marvel. She
Julian said, “Ms. Crawford, you don’t have to be so polite. We’re friends now, and you also saved my life.”Quinn smiled. “Okay. Let’s not be too polite with each other. I find it awkward too. I prefer being casual, so being overly courteous makes me uncomfortable. You don’t have to keep mentioning that I’m your savior too, Mr. Bucham. I simply lent a hand by fighting while I was on a stroll after a meal.”Both of them laughed. Since Quinn had no intention of getting out of the car to admire the flowers, Julian drove straight up the hill. He guessed Quinn did not fancy flowers much. The car stopped midhill. Quinn spotted a security post that was meant to carry out car inspections. The security guards stationed at the post allowed Julian’s car to pass as soon as they saw him. Quinn was curious. “Why is there a roadblock?”“Well, Wildridge Manor belongs to the York family. Outsiders are prohibited from entering. There used to be only one security post at the manor’s gates. H
Julian grinned in return. He then introduced the butler to Quinn. “Ms. Crawford, this is Wildfridge Manor’s butler, Sam.“Sam, this is Ms. Crawford. Her family owns Power Fitness, and she saved my life.”Sam thought, ‘Are you kidding me, Mr. Bucham? Will a person like you require saving?’With Julian’s identity, who would dare to touch him? No one would be bold enough to offend him too. However, Zachary had specially instructed Sam to play along with whatever Julian said. “Hi, Ms. Crawford,” Sam greeted politely.Quinn replied embarrassedly, “Sorry for the sudden visit and all the trouble, Sam.”Sam smiled and said, “It’s a small matter. Mr. Bucham and Mr. Zachary are friends. Mr. Zachary had appointed me as your tour guide to show you around the manor today.”“Thank you, Sam.”Julian said, “I’ve been here twice, Sam. Although I don’t know this place well, I won’t lose my way. I think I can be Ms. Crawford’s tour guide. We shall not bother you since you’re busy.“Though w
“Grandma May.”Julian could not avoid her anymore. He greeted her happily. From Julian’s greetings, Quinn found out that the elderly woman walking over with a kind smile was Old Mrs. York. Based on her clothing, she looked plain and no different from an ordinary elderly woman. However, her natural classy aura was not something clothes could conceal. The old lady’s steps were steady, and she was in good health. She maintained her appearance well too, looking like a woman in her fifties or sixties, instead of her actual age. “Who’s this, Julian?”Grandma May’s gaze focused on Quinn. She pretended to be clueless and asked Julian. Julian dared not play tricks before an elder. He introduced Quinn to her earnestly. “Nice to meet you, Old Mrs. York,” Quinn greeted after Julian introduced them to each other. Grandma May smiled. “Hi, Ms. Crawford.”She eyed Quinn from head to toe. Her first impression of Quinn was great—young, beautiful, and down-to-earth. Grandma May was
Grandma May said to Quinn, “We’re all easy-going people, Ms. Crawford. You don’t have to be too cautious or feel you’re intruding. Just enjoy yourself here at this manor and come often if you like.”Quinn smiled. “I’ll definitely visit you again if my students have competitions here in the future.”She had finally met Grandma May in person, someone she had heard a lot about. The old lady was friendlier than she had imagined; also enthusiastic and hospitable, much like her own grandmother.“You can visit us without having to bring your students to Wiltspoon for competitions. Julian can pick you up, and you can be our guest and even stay overnight. We have plenty of rooms. You won’t get bored even after staying here for half a month.”Quinn simply smiled and gave a courteous reply. However, she dared not come as she pleased. She knew she owed Julian a huge favor just by visiting the manor once. Julian always talked about repaying her for saving his life. He took her and the childre
“Grandma May, you must be busy now as Zachary and Serenity’s wedding is coming soon. It’s your eldest grandson’s wedding after all. I shall not take up more of your precious time. I’ll stay with Quinn.”Julian was openly requesting the elderly woman not to steal his moments anymore. He needed a chance to show off his charms to Quinn. Grandma May smiled. “Zack’s wedding is coming, but I don’t have much to do. I’m old and even need a walking stick to move around. Do you think they’d dare order me around?“I simply have to move my mouth, and everything will be done accordingly. I have a lot of time, and people get bored easily when they’re too free.“Wildridge Manor hasn’t been this lively in a long while. I’ve never seen so many children having fun at my manor in so long. I like this atmosphere. You can show off all you want. I’m not stopping you.“If you can’t even win against an old woman, how will you fare when a rival appears? Will you admit defeat and give your destined woman
Quinn knew her students better than Julian did. She went with Julian’s suggestion and walked toward the tree he pointed at. There was a swing on the tree. “I noticed there are many swings around the manor,” Quinn said after sitting on the swing.“Indeed. Many of them were installed much later. Serenity likes to be on swings. Since Zachary is a doting husband, he installed many swings in the houses they owned.“That way, Serenity can sit on swings wherever they live.”“Mr. York treats Mrs. York so well. I’m so jealous.”There were many stories describing how Zachary spoilt Serenity. “Where’s Old Mrs. York?” Quinn asked curiously as she just saw the elderly woman here a moment ago.“Grandma May’s the anchor of the York family. She has to supervise many family matters. As Zachary’s wedding is around the corner, she’s busy planning for it. “By the way, can you extend your stay for several days?” Julian suddenly asked. “I can’t. The children have to return to school. Although
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