The two babies were a few months old and they could already roll over and have baby talks with the adults.Laurence said, “I often see Clo-clo. She recognizes me, so of course she smiles at me. You rarely play with her, and since she doesn’t recognize you, she won’t smile at you. You can play with Connor. My little sister is fine with me.”From time to time, Connor’s little legs kicked Sonny’s hands placed on the stroller. This little one was restless; he was either quiet when asleep or constantly moving, crying, and wanting adults to hold him.Even handing him a toy to play with would only last for a couple of minutes before he threw it away and started crying.Chloe, as usual, did not like to cry. If the siblings lay together, Connor would keep crying, and Chloe’s little feet would kick her brother, seemingly disdainful of him being a crybaby.Sonny bent down to kiss Chloe, but Laurence blocked him.“You can’t kiss Clo-clo. Uncle Ben said none of us can kiss her, but we must pr
“Sonny, come here.”Jane waved to Sonny.Sonny walked over to Jane, who pulled him closer and lifted him, placing him on her lap. She asked softly, “Did you fight with Laurence?”“No.”Sonny denied. He spoke with innocence, “But Laurence was right. Chloe really is his little sister. He also calls you Mama, so Clo-clo belongs to him.“Aunt Jane, I really like Chloe and really want a little sister. How about you give your Chloe to me? Please?”Jane chuckled. “We can’t give her away.”Chloe was like a little princess at FC Manor, receiving endless adoration from everyone. People from outside were allowed to hold her for only a short while as the family was worried someone might take their little princess away.“Why can’t you give her away? How about I buy her? I have money, and I’ll give all my money to you, okay?”Jane laughed. “You can’t buy her either. Clo-clo is a person, not an item for sale. Sonny, you are also Chloe’s brother. Don’t listen to Laurence’s nonsense. He is as
Sonny hugged his neck and planted a kiss on both sides of his face. Josh smiled in satisfaction. “You did a good job. Come here, I’ll give you a remote-controlled plane.”“Thank you, Josh.”Sonny happily accepted the large box.Josh set him down at an opportune moment. “Laurence, let’s go play with the plane.”Sonny called out to his friend. Upon a clearer inspection of the guests in the room, Josh remarked, “I didn’t know Laurence was here. I didn’t prepare a gift for you. I’ll make it up to you next time, alright?”“Laurence, I’ll give you this new plane. I’ll get another one, and we can play outside.”Generously, Sonny passed his new remote-controlled plane to Laurence.He had numerous of the same plane, all gifts from his uncles and aunts, Josh included.He also had many remote-controlled toy cars and even more windmills.Dunc often gave him windmills.Recently, since Sonny had shown less interest in windmills, Dunc changed it up a bit. However, when he saw that Son
Jasmine said, “That’s right. Do you think your family owns Wiltspoon? Does a visitor have to ask for the Bucham family’s permission before coming?”Josh smiled. “I didn’t say that. I just relayed what my subordinates reported.”Josh would seldom tell Zachary about any tycoons’ visits but now was a critical period.Liberty had gone to Jensburg. Lisa Hunt was the youngest daughter of the previous matriarch of the Fishers, a special family among prominent families. They knew the true reason behind Liberty’s trip to Jensburg. Now, a tycoon appeared out of nowhere and his background could not be traced. He came and left in a rush, so the Bucham family’s informants reported that suspicious person to their superiors. Julian was still wooing his girl at Summervale, so Josh was left in charge of the happenings in Wiltspoon and any reports would reach Josh. If there was anything he could not handle, he would consult Julian or Walter. “Josh, do you think that person came from Jensb
Ben nodded. The twins’ naps could last up to two to three hours as long as their stomachs were filled. Once the wives were out of earshot, Zachary told Ben, “You guys are probably being watched. To be specific, someone is after Laurence.”Ben’s gaze turned serious. Josh was confused. Zachary explained, “Josh said a suspicious man came to Wiltspoon with bodyguards and only stayed briefly. You and your family just happened to visit Wiltspoon with Laurence today. I think these incidents may be related somehow.”Ben was FC & Co.’s owner and a well-known figure in Annenburg. Anyone who dared set their eyes on Ben could not be underestimated. More importantly, they knew there was a totem on Laurence’s back and the vengeance he sought. Laurence’s family was murdered. He only escaped because his nanny fled with him to Meadspring. Those who had wiped Laurence’s family out had been hunting him down since. However, Jane found Laurence and adopted him as her son. He was safe becaus
“Laurence will be leaving in two days. He’ll only be back again next year. Let’s just let him enjoy himself while he’s here.”Zachary and Josh nodded. They promised to keep the secret. Laurence was still young. He knew nothing about the responsibility of avenging his family. He did not understand why his teachers were particularly strict with him too. No one expected him to kill, but they had to make sure that he did not get killed. Laurence needed the ability to protect himself. As for his revenge, the law would take care of that. Once Laurence grew up and gathered enough evidence, all of his enemies would be brought to justice. After the Lafayettes’ case, they learned how to use the law to seek justice. They get their revenge while keeping their hands clean, otherwise it could affect the rest of their lives. The Lafayettes had been doing well since. Those who had hurt them had received their punishment. Perhaps death would have been a better choice for them, as l
Liberty planned to walk around for market research. However, she was not surprised at Belinda’s men blocking her way.She knew Belinda would send someone to her, but she did not expect it to happen that fast. “What do you need?”Belinda’s bodyguard said respectfully, “Madam Fisher is hosting a banquet at her manor tonight, and she extends her invitation to you, Ms. Hunt. She hopes you don’t decline since you’re relatives anyway.“Madam Fisher has also prepared a room for you to stay in. She feels bad for letting you stay in a hotel.”Even if the said hotel belonged to York Corporation. Liberty said, “Please tell Madam Fisher that I’ll be there for dinner tonight, but I’ll kindly refuse the offer to stay in her house. I’m fine with living in a hotel. I don’t want to impose.”Fisher Manor was Belinda’s territory and she had absolute power at that place. It would be easy for her to commit a crime against Liberty. If Liberty moved into Fisher Manor, she could lose her life.
Kevin said, “I’m meeting Hayden at her office later. I’ll ask her if she has time tonight. We won’t have to worry about Madam Fisher attacking you if we’re there with you. We’re letting her know that even if you came here alone, you have people backing you.“She’ll have to think twice before murdering you in Jensburg. She has to be wary of Hayden’s influence in Jensburg, if not ours.”“Is it a good idea to get Hayden involved? The Queens and Fishers have been coexisting peacefully. We can’t drag her into this because of our grudge against the Fishers.”Getting Kevin involved was inevitable as Serenity was Kevin’s sister-in-law. Even if Kevin did nothing, Belinda would still consider him as Liberty’s ally. Kevin said, “Don’t say that. Hayden’s my future wife. She’ll be the York family’s young missus and Serenity’s sister-in-law. People will know that she’s on our side without her doing anything.”Liberty laughed at him. “You’re declaring her as your wife even though you haven’t wo
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