Jason quickly looked around and whispered, “There shouldn’t be anyone around to hear us, right?”Even in their own home, they dared not speak loudly.It made Jason feel quite uncomfortable. He was becoming increasingly disenchanted with the rules of the Fisher family.Unlike other families where sons were the successors, daughters took over in the Fisher family.Within the Fisher family, daughters held a higher position than sons. Even though they shared the blood of the Fishers, being born as males meant they would not have the opportunity to take charge of household affairs.“Caroline and the others have gone far. They shouldn’t be able to hear us. I’m just reminding you three that if you cherish your side chicks, don’t bring it up openly. Don’t let my sisters-in-law find out. Even if Mom wants to favor you, she will still deal with you if their families come to make a fuss.“Would you agree to a divorce then?”Adrian said, “The women outside are just for fun, not wife materia
Justin urged everyone to enter the house quickly.The four siblings were concerned that Caroline might speak ill of them in front of their mother, so they did not want to chat outside for too long and hurriedly entered the house.After Caroline brought Liberty inside, everyone in the room looked at Liberty, finding her very familiar.Belinda sat in the main seat without moving. The seats beside her were occupied by people of status within the family.“Liberty, you’re here.”Belinda politely said, then instructed the butler, “Bring a chair for Ms. Hunt and let her sit.”Liberty scanned the room. When the butler brought a small stool over, she sarcastically said to Belinda, “If you’re not genuine in hosting a guest, there’s no need to put on a show. I came from afar, and you deliberately sent someone to wait at Fortress Hotel for a long time, to extend the invitation. Yet, there isn’t even a proper seat. Your hospitality is truly eye-opening.”After saying this, Liberty turned and
“Liberty.”Caroline walked over, standing in front of Liberty, and solemnly apologized, “Liberty, my mom is getting old and sometimes acts a bit confused. What she says and does can be a bit excessive. I apologize on behalf of my mom.”Liberty responded, “This matter has nothing to do with you, Ms. Fisher. If Madam Fisher doesn’t consider me a guest, then there’s no need for me to stay any longer. I’ll take my leave.”With that, she led her bodyguards, bypassed Caroline, and headed outside.Belinda was infuriated by Caroline and irritated by Liberty’s assertiveness. When she went to visit the Stones in Wiltspoon, Audrey had requested her to allow Liberty to compete with Caroline and to treat Liberty as the legitimate heir of the Fisher family, providing her with the status and treatment befitting the position. Belinda was not willing, knowing that Liberty’s arrival was part of a scheme to secure her position as the successor. So, Belinda intentionally hosted a family banquet and
“Tonight, Liberty is not only an honored guest of our family but also an opportunity for everyone to know who she is and what her status is in the family. When you get home, speak well of her to your family members. In the future, when you encounter Liberty, treat her with respect.”All eyes were on Belinda.She was displeased with Caroline taking matters into her own hands, but she also understood the dynamics of the family. In this family, sooner or later, decisions were made by the heir.Uplifting Liberty to the successor’s position was also a significant test for Caroline.Celine might not have the capability to compete with Caroline, but Liberty did.Belinda considered that if Caroline was willing to raise Liberty’s status and compete fairly, she would comply. If Caroline won, she would legitimately hold the position of matriarch, and there would be no more whispers and backbiting.However, if Caroline lost... the position would return to the elder sister’s lineage.Belinda
“Then, if you need help in the future, make sure to tell Audrey. Even though she doesn’t have complete control in Jensburg, she has a wide network and can help you in many ways. You came this time for business, right?”Liberty said, “Of course, I’m here for business. What else would I be here for? What did Madam Fisher think I was here for?”Liberty questioned Belinda.Belinda laughed. “I thought you came to acknowledge your roots and revert to bearing the Fisher surname.”“As long as Fisher's blood runs through me, I’m a descendant of the Fishers. I don’t need to acknowledge or revert to any roots as ultimately the fact that I am a descendant of the former head of the Fisher family won’t be erased.”Belinda fell silent.It seemed that Liberty always spoke with a sharp tongue, just like Audrey.Audrey’s personality and abilities were like Tiara’s. Liberty was a replica of her sister, which meant that in terms of bloodline, Liberty was indeed the most promising to compete with he
Upon hearing this, Belinda first frowned, then set down her cutleries, stood up, and said to her children, “Mr. Queen is here. Follow me to greet him.”It was not surprising for Belinda that Kevin had arrived.Liberty was associated with the Yorks and Stones.Although Kevin the third young master of the Yorks was intimidating, the influence of the York family in Jensburg was not as strong as the Queen family, which made Belinda more concerned about the Queen family.Hayden’s uninvited arrival was likely at the behest of Kevin to support Liberty, hinting at the Fishers that Liberty was not without influential support, and that was the Queen family.Upon hearing that Hayden had arrived, Celine felt quite nervous. She hurriedly glanced at the clothes she was wearing tonight. Knowing that her mother only invited Liberty over, she did not deliberately change into an evening gown, just wearing casual clothes. Should she go upstairs now to change into a formal dress?Maybe it was too
Celine did not want to go, but if she did not take food upstairs to Hunter while her mother asked in Hayden’s presence, Hayden would think she was an unfilial daughter.People in Jensburg knew that the Fisher family favored Celine over Caroline, saying the fake heiress was favored over the real successor.If Celine was not filial, she would lose her reputation. Celine hoped to rely on the Fisher family and marry into a prestigious family as a young missus.Therefore, as per Belinda’s order, she prepared food and drinks for Hunter and took them upstairs.When Emma saw Celine going upstairs, she exchanged a glance with her sisters-in-law and carried on as if nothing was wrong, continuing to eat and drink.Liberty noticed the exchange between Emma and Ava and felt they were hiding something, though since it was Celine, she supposed it did not concern her.Liberty conversed casually with Caroline and occasionally exchanged words with Hayden.Hayden was reserved in front of others, wi
“Your mom is getting older, busy with work, and her thoughts are all wrapped up in the company and fostering Caroline. She hasn’t paid attention to me. Although I’m also getting older, my health is fine, and I still have some needs. She doesn’t fulfill her duties as a wife and doesn’t even let me have a quickie.”Hunter, perhaps due to the alcohol or frustration with his wife, vented all his dissatisfaction to his daughter.Seeing her father’s painful and angry state, Celine involuntarily sat down to drink and kept him company. She still sympathized with her father.Downstairs, the banquet was lively, but her father had to hide upstairs, unwilling to face people; just because he made the mistakes many men do.The guests downstairs were also uncomfortable, mainly due to the addition of three esteemed guests.They could not grasp why Belinda organized this banquet. The atmosphere lacked liveliness.“Liberty, what kind of business are you planning to invest in?” Belinda asked, see
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
Austin replied, “Both Mr. Louis and Mr. Phillip woke up very early, especially Mr. Phillip. He gets up earlier than Mr. Louis every morning. It’s really hard on him, getting up so early in such cold weather.”Sometimes, he himself felt like staying in bed a little longer, reluctant to leave the warm comfort of his blankets.Even after the New Year, Satbury remained quite cold. In contrast, over in Wiltspoon, the temperatures had begun to reach a high of over seventy degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime, with nighttime lows around fifty degrees.The two provinces and cities were simply incomparable. The temperatures in Wiltspoon were just so very comfortable for Satbury locals.Isabella smiled and said, “Phillip is just afraid he’ll get here too late and that you’ll assume he’s not coming over for breakfast, then not prepare any for him. He's such a little foodie.”The house was never short of snacks for the little ones. In fact, any goodies were always reserved for them first.Yet,
Even when she attended banquets, she would show up in formal clothing. Isabella did not remember the last time she wore a dress. Perhaps it was when she was in third grade. In fact, she liked wearing pretty princessy dresses when she was young. Her mother had told her that.As Isabella was the first child and extremely adorable, Delphine had dolled her up like a princess. Her pretty dresses filled the closet. Her parents, aunts, uncles, and relatives would always gift her many beautiful dresses. As she grew up, perhaps when she was in fourth grade, she stopped wearing dresses. Regardless of who gave her new pieces, she would refuse to wear them and give them to her cousins instead. After everyone realized she disliked dresses, they gradually stopped giving her them. Delphine had asked Isabella why she disliked wearing dresses. Isabella reasoned that she could not walk quickly enough while wearing one. She valued speed and efficiency. Delphine said she had alway
While the private chefs Ms. Isabella had hired in the past were respectful, they were leaning toward flattery instead of sincere dedication, like how Austin was toward Ms. Isabella.Dominic was experienced. He could sense that Ms. Isabella treated Austin differently. She was also a special existence to Austin. It was normal for young people to be attracted to each other. Initially, Dominic wanted to advise Austin not to even think about dating Ms. Isabella. However, upon discovering that Austin was a young master of a wealthy family, he decided not to interfere. Dominic was glad that he did nothing.Austin returned to the house. Instead of heading straight to the kitchen, he went upstairs. He stopped outside of Isabella’s room and knocked on the door lightly. No response came from within the room. Perhaps Austin was too soft when he knocked. He knocked on the door again with more force and asked, “Are you up yet, Ms. Isabella? It’s time to have breakfast.”Isabella w
Austin was extremely patient with the boys. Although they occasionally caused trouble, most of them were minor issues. They would never do something they were not allowed to do.After breakfast, Austin brought them their bags. With a boy in each hand, he left the house. It was to prevent the boys from saying he was playing favorites. Dominic was used to that scene. Initially, Austin was simply Ms. Isabella’s private chef. However, he gradually took on more responsibilities.He would take the two young masters to school. If he had time in the evening, he would also fetch them from school. Austin also made sure Louis and Phillip did their homework, supervised their hobby classes, and played with them. Sometimes, he would even teach them martial arts and train with them. Dominic felt Austin was an all-rounder. It seemed like there was nothing Austin could not do. No wonder Ms. Isabella thought highly of Austin. However, Austin was a young master of a wealthy family. He w
Louis and Phillip were downstairs having the breakfast Austin had prepared for them. The food was different every morning, and everything was delicious.Having gotten used to Austin’s cooking, Louis and Phillip could no longer stand the food provided in the school. They thought the food there was terrible. Louis was enrolled in an elementary school not far from home. As he was a first grader, he did not need to stay in the dormitories and could have his lunch and dinner at home. Phillip, who was a year younger than him, was still in preschool. He would have breakfast and dinner at home. Actually, the preschool did provide breakfast, but Phillip refused to eat in school and insisted on having breakfast at home. In order to eat the breakfast Austin made, he would get up early in the morning without the adults waking him. After putting on his clothes and washing up, he would head to Louis’s place with his bag. “Austin.”Louis suddenly asked, “Did my sister come back last n
Isabella had always thought Tati was teasing her. Therefore, she did not take her words seriously. She thought it was completely normal for Austin to treat her well as she was his boss. From Austin’s perspective, she was his source of income. Now that Isabella pondered about it deeper, she realized perhaps Austin did come to Satbury for her. It was not just to be her chef. He always said Grandma May only gave the York lads a year to pursue their fiancées. However, Austin had never left since he started working for Isabella. Even if he did, it was to accompany her on business trips. He was busy feeding and taking care of her every day and had never gone to pursue his so-called fiancée. He did not even try to gather information on her. Was he not anxious?A year would go by pretty quickly. Although it felt like it had not been long since Austin started working for Isabella, three months had passed. Time really flew. Three months had gone by in the blink of an eye. Neve