Audrey agreed. “You can come over with Sonny after picking him up.”After a pause, she added, “Doc said Uncle True’s days are limited. We should let him meet Sonny.”Everyone exchanged glances with each other. Serenity asked, “What illness does he have?”“It might have been a side effect from his past injury. The elderly usually fall sick easily. Uncle True is very old.”Audrey sighed and stopped talking. The legendary doctor had even told them to be mentally prepared. “I’ll come over in the evening after picking Sonny up.”Serenity understood that Patrick was of advanced age. At this age, they usually passed away once their wishes were fulfilled.“Should I ask Liberty to come back?”“Not yet. Uncle True hasn’t given us the evidence. I don’t think anything will happen for now. I’ll invite him to stay here the next time he comes. We’ll take care of him until he leaves us.”Patrick was not married or bore any children. He viewed Audrey and Lisa as his own. Audrey felt
“We should return to Wildridge Manor and inform Nana of this, Seren. She probably wishes to meet the masters.”They were born in the same generation. Grandma May was already a notable figure in Wiltspoon back then. Those grand masters probably knew her as well. Upon recalling that Serenity had woken up early, Zachary changed his mind. He said, “You can go back and rest. I’ll go to the manor. If Nana wants to come, I’ll drive her over.”Serenity replied, “I’m not tired. I’ll go with you.“We haven’t gone back for some time anyway. We can stay there with Sonny for the weekend. We should also tell them that I’ll be taking him to Annenburg when winter break starts next week.”Zachary asked worriedly, “Will it be exhausting for you? Get some rest if you feel tired. Don’t overdo it.”Serenity straightened her back and patted her bump. “The baby isn’t that big yet. I won’t get tired that easily.”“Don’t pat your bump. The baby might’ve woken up from his sleep because of that.”Za
Ever since Serenity got pregnant, Zachary had the urge to be with his wife 24/7.It was Serenity who stopped him from clinging to her.She had work to do.Since Serenity was working while pregnant, Zachary had no excuse to skip work. He had to earn money to spend on the baby.Sonny said it was a boy.If that were true, then Zachary would have to earn more money for his son to be able to own a house and a car in the future. Zachary did not lack money. In fact, he could confidently say that the one thing he had the most was money.Of course, no one would say no to more money. The amount he earned was enough to last his son for a lifetime.The money could be inherited by Zachary’s grandchildren and future generations to come. He hoped the York family would still hold its position as the wealthiest family in Wiltspoon for a long time.“Is Alex going to work next year?”Serenity had always felt that Alex was still very young.“He looks like a high schooler. His baby face makes h
Serenity said, “If you’re this nervous now, will you drive off to the hospital by yourself, without me, when I’m in labor like Elisa did when Alice’s water broke? Zachary replied in a serious tone, “Don’t compare me to Elisa, okay? I won’t do such a thing. I may get nervous, but I won’t forget about you. I want to be in the delivery room with you.”“You will?”“That’s right. I’ll be there with you. No matter what happens, I’ll be by your side.”Serenity smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Zack.“Thank you for loving me and being so nice to me.”Zachary corrected her again. “Call me babe. I like it better that way. I should be the one thanking you for carrying our children. You’re a great hero in our family.”“Let’s stop thanking each other.”Serenity snuggled into his embrace again with a grin and hugged him tight. Happiness filled her to the brim. Zachary used to be a man of few words, yet he became someone who could utter such loving words to her. He changed so much for her
“No. The baby is fine.”Serenity’s in-laws were being overprotective of her. It also meant that they were concerned about her and the baby. “That’s good. I’m just scared of hearing that something has happened to you.”Tania was relieved. She said, “I have a friend whose daughter-in-law is pregnant too. She was five months along, but the baby died in the womb the day before yesterday. She was utterly devastated. The baby boy had been developing well. They had no idea why he died. “Enough with that. Our Seren and her baby are healthy and fine.”Tania was so worried because she had heard about the story of her friend’s daughter-in-law.“The baby died in the womb at five months?”Tania held Serenity’s hand. They walked into the house together. Zachary was left behind. He was used to his parents revolving around Serenity whenever they returned to the manor. Even the baby in Serenity’s womb was more important to them than he was. ‘Mom and Dad couldn’t have become grandparents
Tania added, “The York family hasn’t had a daughter for generations. If we get a baby girl, we’ll shower her with love. I hope she can live a carefree life and do whatever she likes. I don’t wish to place a heavy burden on her.“She’ll have many brothers to take up those responsibilities in her stead. I can guarantee that she’ll never have to lift a finger.”After thinking about it, Serenity smiled. “You’re right. I guess, in this sense, it’s better to have a son shoulder the burden of the heir.”She was satisfied after knowing Tania’s opinion. Serenity did not want her daughter to bear the heavy responsibility either. Well, she would have to give birth to a daughter before thinking about that. Sonny kept saying that the baby in her womb was his little brother. Her instincts told her Sonny was right too.Even if she would come to have both sons and daughters, the daughter would probably only arrive at her second or third pregnancy. “Is Dad not home?” Serenity asked when she
Did he gain weight? No way. Zachary worked out every day and stayed on the same diet he had even before his marriage. He definitely did not put on weight. His weight was usually maintained at a certain range. “I did take some of Serenity’s supplements… But that was because she couldn’t finish them and insisted I had some.”Zachary wanted to say that he would never take his wife’s supplements. However, he dared not say it when he remembered that he had been helping her finish her supplements every day. Anyway, he was more concerned about his appearance. He quickly asked Serenity, “Did I gain weight, Seren? Do I have a pot belly now?”He pinched his stomach. Serenity doubled over with laughter. Her husband’s reaction amused her. It turned out that he cared a lot about his image. “You didn’t gain weight or have a pot belly, honey. Your body is still the best, and you’ve maintained it well. I’m telling the truth. Mom was just teasing you.”It was hilarious.Zachary
Even though there was a nanny and a butler at home, a mother would still have to devote her attention to caring for her child. Sometimes, this would keep her so busy her husband would be neglected.By then, there would be little chance for the couple to have time alone together like they did now. Tania understood this from experience.“Alright. Once winter break starts, I’ll bring Sonny back for a couple of days.” Serenity could not bear to ruin Tania’s joy, so she decided to bring Sonny back to visit before their week-long trip to Annenburg. They would be back by Christmas.“Just for a couple of days? Is Sonny going to Jensburg?” Tania asked in concern. “Jensburg is so cold, and it snows often. Will Sonny be able to bear it? He might find it fun if it’s only for a short visit once in a while, but he might catch a cold if he stays there every day. It’s hard for us to adapt to the bitter cold over there.”The temperature in Wiltspoon usually dropped around ten degrees and everyone w
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