Walter was passing the phone to his wife. Stacy looked at the phone and said, “That rascal already hung up.”“How dare he end my call?”Walter was furious when he saw the ended call. He sighed. “This rascal is really making us worry. He didn’t like any of the blind dates we set up for him in the past. Now that there’s someone who can save him, he becomes hesitant and isn’t his usual decisive self.“How hard is it to confess, propose, get married, and have a child?” Walter muttered. They were truly more worried than Julian himself. Stacy said, “Julian doesn’t have any dating experience. He’s different from other people and is just exploring things now. Anyway, there won’t be other men around Quinn because Julian’s there in Summervale. Don’t worry.“Marriage is forever. It shouldn’t be rushed. It takes two to tango, especially in a marriage. We can’t force Quinn to marry Julian with our family’s influence. If that happens, we’ll become the Crawfords’ enemies instead of in-laws.
Quinn asked him while smiling. “As a matter of fact, I did. It’ll bring tens of millions of profit. I’ll treat everyone to a meal to celebrate tonight.”Quinn said, “Don’t do that. Cooking more dishes at home will do. Eating at a hotel is expensive. My mom won’t think it’s worth it. She’ll just nag at us youngsters wasting money. She often says that the money spent on a meal at a hotel can be used to buy enough ingredients for a banquet.”Julian knew Zoey did not really mean what she said. If he did treat her to a hotel meal, she would be more eager than anyone else. She would even dress up gorgeously and look like Quinn’s sister. He said, “It’s okay. I’m immune to Zoey’s nagging. Money earned should be spent. We should enjoy life and not mistreat ourselves.”When Julian first started staying with the Crawfords, they thought he would only be visiting for a couple of days. However, he had yet to leave. The Crawfords did not say anything because he was already treated as family. Z
Julian smiled. “What will my subordinates do if I take on everything myself? I have to give them chances. It’s good enough that I’m at the company during the day.”Back in Wiltspoon, he would be absent for as long as half a month. The senior executives handled every company matter. He would only return to the office if there were any urgent issues. How could a busy person like him go to the office every day? He was not just handling the business side of things but many other areas as well. Walter was the head of the family but had retired early, so Julian was in charge of most of his undertakings. “You sound like other people should be honored that you’re even going to work. The company is yours. The money earned will go into your pocket, not your employees. If you have a business engagement at night, let us know. You don’t have to worry about coming home to a locked door. Just call me, and I’ll open the door for you.”Zoey usually locked the door at eleven o’clock at night. Th
“She’s fine. I brought her to the hospital for a checkup this morning. The baby is growing well. I was beside her when the doctor did an ultrasound. The baby is moving, but Jasmine hasn’t felt any movements yet. She’s fourteen weeks along. The doctor said the fetal movement is usually felt in the sixteenth week.”Julian wanted to correct Josh that it would be weird if the baby did not move at all. It seemed like Josh’s speech was getting jumbled up. However, he understood that Josh was simply inexperienced as a first-time father. If Quinn had gotten pregnant after their marriage, he would probably have the same reaction as Josh. However, that would not be happening anytime soon. Julian had not even confessed yet. He did not know when he could finally have his girl and become a father himself. Hopefully, it would happen before he turned forty. Some people married at a young age and became grandfathers at the age of forty, whereas Julian’s wish was to be a father before that age
“How did you confess to Jasmine back then? Did she accept it right away? Or did she reject you before? Did you feel embarrassed after getting rejected? How did you adjust your mindset?“Don’t laugh at me, Josh. It’s the first time I've ever liked a girl in my life. I have zero experience. Although I’ve witnessed Zachary and Serenity’s journey, they’re different. They got married first.”Julian found it embarrassing to ask for Josh’s help in relationship matters. It was unbecoming of him as the next head of the Bucham family. However, he could not think of anyone else to pose his question to. He did not like letting others know about his private affairs. Usually, he would be the one prying instead. Josh said, “Oh shush. Aren’t you wooing Quinn right now? I can see that you’re treating her very well. She’s not a fool. She probably knows your feelings. Maybe she’s just waiting for your confession.“Jasmine and I just went with the flow. Zachary and Serenity introduced us. We fe
“Everything’s fine now. You should cherish your time with Jasmine since it’s your day off. I’ll get back to work and fetch Quinn from the gym later in the evening to have dinner at home together.”Josh knew Julian was living with the Crawfords. He said, “You should build a good relationship with the Crawfords while you’re there. That way, even if Quinn is hesitant, her family will persuade her to accept you.”Getting her parents on Julian’s side was of utmost importance. Josh was well-liked among the Soxes. Julian said confidently, “The Crawfords like me.”Zoey no longer treated Julian like a stranger. If he and Quinn ate something unhealthy, Zoey would also scold him while preparing him healthier meals for the following days. The initial awkwardness no longer existed between them. Zoey was probably treating Julian like a son-in-law already. That was why she told him off too whenever he did something she disapproved of. “I guessed so. I believe in you, Julian. All the best
Jasmine smiled. “Of course. I knew about you when Serenity said she wanted to introduce you to me. You’re Zachary’s right-hand man. Although we didn’t belong to the same social circle back then, I heard your name often.”Josh chuckled. “I thought you didn’t like me. Our blind date didn’t go that well.”“Did it not? Anyway, I liked you a lot.”“Me too. We’re two peas in a pod. We both love gossip. I even had the impression that you only started dating me because you wanted juicy scoops.”Jasmine gave him a side-eye. “Although I love gossip, marriage is a big thing. I won’t get married to you just to get first-hand gossip. I’d never get married if I didn’t love the person. I chose you because I loved you, and our attraction was mutual.”Their relationship had been smooth sailing. There were no problems, nor were there love rivals. Their families were supportive of their relationship when they knew they were together. Josh’s parents adored Jasmine. When they visited the Soxes to
Zachary told Serenity what Josh shared about Jasmine wanting to bite his arm occasionally. Serenity was speechless. She would rather munch on a drumstick than an arm. Julian was envious of Josh and Jasmine’s lovey-dovey relationship. He hoped that he and Quinn could be as happy as they were. After the call with Josh, Julian was deep in thought. ‘Should I just confess? Or should I buy a bouquet for Quinn later?’He was worried that Quinn would think the bouquet was a waste of money because it was inedible. After a while of being torn over it, Julian finally called his secretary and said, “I want a bouquet of roses. Buy it for me now. I need it before I leave the office for the day.”The secretary was not surprised to receive such a request as Julian’s love for Quinn was pretty obvious. Quinn was the only person who had not realized it yet. The roses Julian bought were definitely meant for Ms. Crawford. “Okay. I’ll head to the florist now and get the bouquet. I promis
Zachary was also worried that Serenity would go into premature labor out of shock. He also persuaded her to go for her checkup in a gentle voice. They could not do anything but wait anyway.Serenity finally decided to conduct her prenatal checkup first. Zachary accompanied her. Just moments after they left, the door to the delivery suite opened. A nurse stood there and shouted, “Is Jasmine Sox’s husband here?”“Yes. I’m her husband,” replied Josh quickly. He dashed to the nurse. “You must save Jas, doctor. Save the mother no matter what.”His family members behind him also echoed, “That’s right. No matter what happens, you have to save Jasmine.”The nurse said, “The mother is fine. It’s just that she wants her husband to accompany her as she’s in a lot of pain.”Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.Josh was about to rush inside but was stopped by the nurse.She asked him to change his clothes before taking him inside the delivery suite.Jasmine was wailing in pain. When
With advanced medical technology, a premature baby could still be healthy if taken good care of in the incubator. Serenity said, “Jasmine should be at thirty-five weeks. I just don’t understand why she would suddenly go into labor. Did she fall at home?“Or did she eat something that made her go into labor?”Zachary said, “That’s most likely not the case. Josh’s cousin is Jasmine’s dietician and keeps an eye on her food every day. There’s no way Jasmine would’ve eaten something bad unless she ate it secretly.”Serenity and Zachary suddenly went silent. Pregnant women had weird appetites. Once they had a craving, they could not go unsatisfied. Sometimes, they would even crave fruits that were not in season. Serenity herself was one of them. Once, she woke up in the middle of the night craving mac and cheese. Of course, Zachary, the ever-doting husband, had to satisfy her request. However, where could he find mac and cheese at that hour?Ultimately, he had to drive to the
People would reap what they had sown. They would have to bear the consequences of their actions. Sometimes, interfering in another person’s fate would backfire. After chatting for some time, Serenity said, “I have to go for my checkup now, Liberty. Let’s talk again when you’re free another day.“By the way, I’ll get someone to bring Sonny to you this weekend. He misses you.”“Okay,” said Liberty. After the call ended, Serenity put her phone into her bag and stood up. She told the man behind the office desk, “It’s almost time, babe. Let’s go.”“Okay. I’m almost done.”Zachary quickly signed and stamped a document before closing it. He walked over with the document in hand. Serenity and Zachary left the office together. He handed the document to his secretary. The secretary did not expect him to pass the document to him personally. He had thought of entering Zachary’s office to request it later. The secretary watched Zachary and Serenity leave. He could not believe
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