“Thanks, Serenity. I feel more confident after you said that. You’re right. Zachary’s food is excellent, but I cook more often and enjoy it more than he does. I guess I still stand a chance against other people.”Not only that, Austin had invested in the food and beverage industry. He often traveled to many places to try out local delicacies and learned various cuisines. Sometimes, he would repeat a dish several times to polish it to perfection. He was also skilled in making home-style dishes and all sorts of intricate desserts. The bottom line was he would dabble in anything related to food. That was probably enough to win over Ms. O’Connor’s palate.“That’s the spirit. A son of the Yorks must be confident. Believe in yourself and Nana. She must’ve chosen Ms. O’Connor for you because she knew you’d succeed in wooing her.“Think about it. She’s a foodie but picky. On the other hand, you love cooking and are able to cook a variety of dishes. It’s as if you two are made for ea
“Can I tell Zachary about this?”After some contemplation, Austin said, “I don’t mind. I’ll probably need his help in the future anyway. He won’t know how to help me if he doesn’t know anything.”Serenity chuckled. “Zachary can help you with work, but he’s useless in the relationship department. You can come to me instead. I’m better than Zachary at that.”Zachary was clueless about women. According to him, he had taken all his effort to understand Serenity and had none left for other women. Every woman’s personality was different. Therefore, asking Zachary about women was useless.Even if someone had a similar personality to Serenity, they were still different people.As his brother, Austin knew Zachary well. Since Serenity offered to help him, he would simply take her up on it.Having Serenity’s help was equivalent to having Zachary’s.It was common knowledge that Zachary was a doting husband.In the past, no one in Wiltspoon’s business world dared to displease Zachary.
“He’s right, Tania. Why didn’t you take me with you? We’re husband and wife. We shouldn’t be apart from each other. Have you ever thought how I’d feel when you left me at home?“You could’ve told me that you missed Zachary and Serenity. I would’ve come here with you.”Looking at Sonny sitting on Tania’s lap, he added, “I missed Sonny too.”Sonny looked toward Tania and Liam, then Austin and Serenity. He did not know how he got involved in the conversation.He just wanted Tania to watch cartoons with him.Grandpa Liam came after and he held Grandma Tania’s hand to say many things. Grandma Tania’s face turned red. In the end, she told little Sonny to watch the TV himself and went upstairs with Grandpa Liam.A few minutes after Grandma Tania and Grandpa Liam returned downstairs, Aunt Ser and Uncle Austin came inside. “I missed Grandma Tania too,” said Sonny. Everyone laughed. Sonny was confused but laughed along as well. Serenity told him, “You should go upstairs for a showe
After Serenity and Sonny went upstairs, Austin apologized to his mother again. Tania said, “I’m not angry anymore. Your dad and Serenity were right, Austin. You’re an adult. You know what you should do and be responsible for it. I don’t have to boss you around anymore.“You’re not Zachary. Since you don’t have to manage the family, you can do whatever you want. I’m fine as long as you don’t break any laws.”It would be great if he could bring with him her future daughter-in-law when he returned. However, Tania did not voice her thoughts. Since Austin never mentioned anything about wooing a girl, she pretended not to know. He would naturally let her know when his relationship was stable. No matter which girl it would be, Tania would accept her so long as Austin liked her. She had even accepted Serenity. Well, her future second daughter-in-law was someone who could afford to hire a private chef. It meant that she was well-off. What could Tania possibly dislike about her?
Sonny still wanted to play. “Seren, I’ll read him a story.”Tania was worried Serenity would tire herself. Before Serenity could say a word, she took a storybook from the bedside shelf and was about to start reading. Serenity did not reject her mother-in-law’s offer. She scooted over and said, “I’ll check on the luggage Sonny packed himself.”That was in case Sonny left anything out. While Tania read Sonny a story, Serenity checked the items in his luggage. Sonny had packed a set of thick pajamas. Through the adults’ conversations, he knew that Jensburg was cold. It would even snow heavily sometimes. Therefore, he took the thickest pajamas he had. Next, he packed two days’ worth of clothes and brought a thick jacket, a hat, a scarf, gloves, and some daily necessities. Aside from that, he also stuffed two of his favorite toys and snacks into the luggage. After checking Sonny’s luggage, Serenity opened his closet and added two more sweaters. It was filled to the brim.
True enough, Zachary arrived home at midnight. He drank a little alcohol but was not drunk. Austin, who had been waiting for Zachary’s return, walked out when he heard the sound of a car outside. Zachary’s car had stopped in front of the door. A bodyguard got out of the car. When he spotted Austin, he greeted him and quickly opened the door for Zachary. He wanted to help Zachary get out of the car but was refused. “I’m not drunk,” said Zachary. “Zachary.”Austin stepped forward and extended a hand to help him. However, he was pushed away as well. “Why are you here, Austin?”Zachary was surprised to see his brother. “I just had one glass. I’m not drunk, and I don’t need any help.”“I was waiting for you because I have something to tell you.”Austin still supported Zachary. When he smelled the alcohol, he said, “You must’ve drunk a strong one. You reek of alcohol.”“The talk was going well, so I had some.”Zachary sniffed himself as he walked into the house. He aske
Needless to ask, Zachary figured his little brother had been sitting and snacking while watching television, waiting for him to come home.Austin quickly poured a glass of water for Zachary.He placed the glass in front of Zachary and then stood to the side with a smile on his handsome face, as if on standby to act upon his brother’s next command at any second.Zachary looked up at him before saying in his low voice, “Sit down.”“Okay—thanks, Zack.”Austin hurriedly sat down.“You’re being so polite. And yet you say you haven’t caused any trouble? Tell me what you’ve done for our parents to argue.”“Zack, I really didn’t do anything. I just—I just want to go to Satbury in Windermere.”“What for? It’s so close to Christmas and you’re going so far away. Are you not planning to spend Christmas at home? If Nana finds out about this, she’ll be the first in line to skin you alive.”The old woman liked each and every child and grandchild to come home for Christmas.It was even merri
After a pause, Austin chuckled. “Well, Nana’s given me a mission. I have to act on it sooner or later.“I can’t be like Kevin who did nothing for six whole months and still isn’t married yet as a result.”Austin thought that it was not bad being one of the younger kids. They could at least learn from their older brothers’ mistakes and avoid making them themselves.“Nana usually picks the right person to suit your temperament.”Zachary then asked, “When are you leaving?”“Next Monday. I’ll use these two days to make the necessary arrangements for matters on hand. Please help me take care of those I don’t manage to cover in time.”“So soon?”Zachary frowned.Austin was a little embarrassed as he said, “The O’Connors are one of the most prestigious families in Satbury. They usually offer their employees a very attractive salary and excellent benefits, but the main thing is that Ms. O’Connor is a foodie. Many people would like to apply for the challenge.“It was rumored that if a
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