In Wiltspoon, Liberty’s businesses ran smoothly due to Serenity and Zachary’s influence. Even if she believed in her abilities, Zachary’s contribution could not be eliminated. “It does feel underwhelming when everything goes smoothly, thanks to Serenity and Zachary.“Unlike you, I face multiple challenges despite the company belonging to my family. Even if I achieved something, people would say that I’ve taken someone else’s achievements as my own.”“Ignore what people say. It’s fine as long as you know it was your effort.”Caroline laughed and added, “I don’t care about them. If I did, I wouldn’t be able to hold onto this position firmly.”Liberty patted her shoulder. “Good luck.”“You too.”While they were competitors, they held great admiration for each other. Liberty and Audrey thought that the Fisher family would be much better if Caroline were the matriarch. However, being Tiara’s descendants, they had to determine whether the previous matriarch had passed away due
He still felt the cold even if he wore multiple layers of clothes. “Mom, Dunc, and I already went shopping this morning.”That was Sonny’s main reason for declining Caroline’s invitation. Caroline smiled. “Okay. I’ll take you to a theme park next time if the opportunity comes.”“Okay,” Sonny agreed happily. Caroline left Fortress Hotel after a couple of hours.When she was in the car, she told Darren, “Take me to the largest children’s theme park in Jensburg.”Darren looked at her and asked, “Are you going to play?”Caroline pressed her lips together and said, “No, but I want to watch. Only children’s innocent smiles can heal my wounded heart.”“You’re exaggerating. You’re young. Don’t sound so tragic.”“I’ve experienced too much. Even if I’m young, I feel old at heart.”Darren smiled. “You can have as much fun as you want at the theme park. I’ll be with you.”“Okay.”“Please fasten your seatbelt. I’m going to start driving.”Caroline fastened her seatbelt. Then, she l
“We’ll talk about this in the future. If you need me, I’ll be glad to be of service.”Caroline smiled. “Don’t speak of yourself like a male escort.”Darren’s ears turned red. “Mr. Fletcher, do the assistants not talk about relationships at all? Your ears are red just from a question.“You must be inexperienced in romantic relationships.”Darren started driving and said, “We learn everything but love.”Love was instinctive, and not something to be learned. He could be cold-hearted with any other woman. However, his ruthlessness seemed to disappear when it came to Caroline. Perhaps it was because he knew that he could only fall in love with his master. Therefore, he had never held his guard up against her. After spending time with Caroline, he gradually fell for her. Darren did not expect her to reciprocate his feelings. He was satisfied with loving and protecting her secretly. Of course, it would be great if she felt the same about him. “That’s good. Love is beautif
Otherwise, Belinda would not be looking for him fervently. “I’ll talk to Zachary to get him to contact the Bucham family for them to arrange someone to tail Madam Fisher. Their people are skilled at remaining undetected. They are more suitable than our men for the job.”If Belinda were going to meet Tiara’s assistant, she would be alert about someone following her. The usual detectives or bodyguards would be easily discovered and exposed if they were to tail her. If Belinda noticed, she would suspect that Caroline had leaked her schedule. She had only told Caroline about it. “Mm, you should inform Zachary about it as soon as possible. I’ll pretend I don’t know a thing. I won’t send anyone to tail Madam Fisher on my end.“You’re right, Liberty. We should act as if we’re clueless.“This might be a test for Caroline. Even if Caroline is her daughter, she might not trust her completely.”Audrey suspected that Belinda was testing Caroline. While Caroline was Belinda’s biolog
Liberty found an excuse to end the call. She then watched Duncan, who was playing with Sonny. Everyone liked to tease her and Duncan. Liberty walked over and sat beside the boys. She smiled at Sonny and asked, “Shall we spend the holidays with Dunc?”Sonny replied, “Of course. Who else will he spend it with?”Liberty was rendered speechless. Her son had long considered Duncan as family and was accustomed to his presence. She patted his head and looked toward Duncan. She asked, “I’ll try to be back before the city hall closes for the holidays. We can sign the papers and get our marriage license first. After your legs fully recover, we can hold a wedding. What do you think?”Duncan refused. “I don’t want us to get married in secret. I want to officially propose to you and hear you say yes before we get our marriage license.“While I can walk short distances now, it’s still difficult for me to go down on one knee to propose. Give me some time. I can’t make it in time befor
Belinda’s expression warmed somewhat. She said, “That child must be making up for her past. Maybe she never had the chance to visit a theme park before.”Whenever she thought of the abuse Caroline had suffered at the hands of the girls’ adoptive family, Belinda hated Celine. The audacity of Celine blaming the Fishers. She had never thought of how her parents mistreated Caroline. Celine had lived in luxury since she was young. She had been to foreign countries multiple times, let alone children's theme parks. On the other hand, Caroline just only experienced the thrill a theme park offered. “Ms. Caroline had a tough past.”The assistant, Mr. Gordon, felt sorry for Caroline as well. He had disliked Celine all along. In the past, when he had not known Celine was a fake, he suppressed his distaste for her as he had to respect her with Celine being the future matriarch. He dared not reveal his true feelings. However, after the truth was exposed, Mr. Gordon finally realized
They were all intimate pictures of Adrian and Celine. Adrian and his brothers would appear at Summitview occasionally. Every time they did, they had multiple bags with them. It was obvious they were bringing supplies over for Celine. Belinda’s heart ached from rage. She despised Celine. Celine and Hunter may have been set up, but Belinda simply could not come to terms with it. Therefore, she could no longer tolerate Celine’s presence in Fisher Manor. She also took back everything that had been given to Celine. Celine could blame or resent her, but ultimately, she was not her daughter. If Celine had decided to leave Jensburg after the incident, Belinda would have asked Mr. Gordon to give her enough money to provide her with a comfortable life. However, Celine chose revenge instead. Belinda sneered. “I wanted to let you live. You didn’t cherish it but chose to take the deadlier path instead, Celine. Don’t blame me for being cruel.”She could kill her sisters, let alone
Jason’s two children were the youngest of Belinda’s grandchildren. They were in preschool and usually stayed with their maternal grandmother, whose house was near the preschool. It was more convenient for the kids. Since that was the arrangement, Belinda would make monthly bank transfers to her in-laws for her grandchildren’s living expenses. “Tell Emma to meet me upstairs when she’s back.”“Okay, Madam Fisher. Incidentally, dinner is ready,” Elaine reminded her. After a brief silence, Belinda said, “I don’t have an appetite.”Neither her husband nor children were around. She could not enjoy her food as before. Besides, her appetite was further ruined by her bad mood. “You hadn’t had much for lunch. A lot of time has passed since then. You should eat.”“I don’t feel like it.”Belinda hung up. Elaine sighed. Not long after, Caroline returned. Darren had given her a ride back. She held cotton candy in one hand and two chocolate-dipped apple slices in the other. Da
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