โItโs good that everything has ended and everyoneโs fine,โ Serenity said.Since it was over, the weight on their chest was finally lifted. โAre you coming back next week, Liberty? And when are Aunt Audrey and the rest returning?โ Serenity asked.โTheyโll probably wait until my vacation starts. Grandpa True wants to stay a little longer. After all, he had lived in Jensburg for decades. Itโs his hometown.โPatrick was old and weak. Doc had said he could live for at most two to three more years. If things went wrong, he could even pass away next year. The next time Patrick returned to Jensburg, it would be in the form of ashes. He had thought of requesting Mrs. Stone to send his ashes back to Jensburg after he died. He hoped to be buried beside the Fisher familyโs private cemetery. That way, he could watch over Madam Tiara forever. โZachary and Clive will probably be back in a few days. Theyโre staying for a little while to inspect their familiesโ businesses here.โSerenity sm
Caroline had discovered the truth. Indeed, her mom had killed her sisters to become the matriarch of the family. Previously, she had already told Mrs. Stone that she would not take over the Fisher family if the truth turned out to be what everyone suspected. She would hand everything over to Mrs. Stone. It would be up to Mrs. Stone to decide whether to take on the responsibility or pass the baton to Liberty. Either way, Caroline did not care. She simply wanted to return everything that did not belong to her in the first place.โAunt Audreyโs right. You should settle your marriage with Duncan first.โSuddenly, Liberty went quiet.โWhatโs wrong, Sis? Havenโt you made a decision yet? Didnโt you say you were going to get your marriage license before the year ends?โDuncan was already planning a proposal.โIโve made up my mind, but I still feel worried about actually doing it. Will Sonny be able to accept it? Will Duncan be okay with me staying in Jensburg so often for such lon
โEveryone can see how well Duncan treats Sonny. I think even a blind person can feel his love for Sonny. You donโt have to worry about that at all.โDuncan would be the best stepfather. He was already treating Sonny like his own. โSonny has a close relationship with Duncan as well. He isnโt as close to Hank anymore.โโI know, Seren. I wonโt overthink anymore and get my marriage license with Duncan before the year's end. Iโve known him for some time and understand him well enough. I wonโt regret getting married to him.โLiberty had felt lost for a moment. After talking to Serenity, she returned to her senses and started thinking rationally again. She and Duncan had gone through his parentsโ objections and his car accident. The Lewis family were no longer opposed to their relationship, and Duncan was already recovering from his injuries. The Lewises did not even mind if Duncan had to marry into her family.His parents could also accept their daughter taking her last name if they
Serenity was happy and was about to head downstairs after her call when she heard a sound behind her.When she turned, she saw Jane and smiled. โWhen did you get here?โโIโve been here for a while. I didnโt make a sound because you were on a call with Liberty.โIs everything okay now?โJane had known how that night ended. Her brother and sister-in-law were at the scene, after all. They did not help out much and simply supported Mrs. Stone. Laurent and Suzy had gone there to watch the chaos unfold. Since Patrick and the legendary masters were in Jensburg, Suzy also wanted to meet her teacher. After everything ended, Dan followed Laurent and Suzy back to Meadspring. Silver and the rest tagged along too. On the other hand, Sugar returned to the Doyle family. Having been away for so long, her parents would scold her if she did not return to help the family out soon. As for her and Dylanโs relationship, there was no rush at all. He did not even know she was the Chameleon F
Jane filled her car with things to bring to her adoptive parents and grandparents. In return, her adoptive parents would load her car with fresh produce from their farm. Of course, Jane and her in-laws would never refuse their kindness. Whenever she returned from visiting her parents, the Johnson family members would surround her and split the fresh produce she brought back among themselves. Jane knew her in-laws were only excited about the fresh produce because they adored her. She felt lucky to have married into the Johnson family. โThatโs your parentsโ way of showing their love for you,โ Serenity said enviously.Her parents were no longer around. She would never be able to experience a love like that. Serenity did not have a family to return to. Although the house was still standing, her parents had passed away. Going back would only make her sad. Although Serenityโs relationship with her grandparents had improved a little, it could not compare to the closeness Jane s
Jane smiled. โArenโt you going to tell Dad about this?โโNo. He wonโt stop me from going anywhere. Heโll probably drive up on his own later.โโOkay. Letโs go.โJane lifted Chloe and held Laurenceโs hand while Antonia followed her with Connor in her arms. Serenity pulled Sonny along.โWhere are Cherylโs children?โ Jane asked as she thought of her nephews.โTheyโre asleep. Their nanny brought them back. We shouldnโt bring them along. Theyโre too naughty and probably canโt sit still at your momโs house. Besides, their parents arenโt coming along. Itโll be troublesome if they get hurt.โAntonia would be more than happy to take care of the boys at FC Manor. The house was lively with more children around. However, she and Jane would only bring them out if either Ethan or Cheryl were tagging along.Taking care of someone elseโs child was a huge responsibility. It would be fine if nothing happened but, if an accident occurred and the child was hurt, it would be difficult to expl
โIs he eating?โCaroline asked softly. โYes, but not much. He just stares into space most of the time. He also speaks to himself sometimes, but I canโt catch what he says.โThe caretaker responded politely and left the ward. Only Hunter and Caroline remained. Caroline pulled a chair and sat by the bedside. After staring at Hunter for a moment, she said, โMom is gone, Dad. The dead canโt be revived. We have to accept reality.โMom made too many mistakesโฆโCaroline stopped right there. Frankly speaking, death was a light punishment for her mom. Many people died because of her. Hunter turned his head, with some life returning to his eyes. He looked at Caroline for a while before saying, โI thought Iโd be happy with your mom gone, Carol. I didnโt expect my heart to feel so empty.โI loved your mom. I wouldnโt have married into the Fisher family if I didnโt.โYes, I did it for the money at first because the Clark family was going downhill back then. But, I had feelings f
Hunter let out a self-deprecating laugh before Caroline could answer. โBelinda never loved me. It was simply because not many people were willing to be a live-in son-in-law, except me. She only put up with me because she couldnโt get Mr. Fosterโs love yet had to give birth to a successor.โCaroline remained silent. She did not know whether Hunter ever had a place in Belindaโs heart. The answer could go both ways, but was there any meaning in pursuing it? Belinda was already dead. โI couldnโt move her heart even after decades of trying. Iโm a failure of a man, Carol.โIf she loved me even slightly, I wouldnโt have sought out excitement or cheated on her.โMost of the things I did was to get revenge on her.โCaroline pressed her lips together. โI think Mom did care about you. If she didnโt, she wouldnโt have had four children with you or got angry when you had an affair.โHunter saw a glimmer of hope at Carolineโs words. He asked, โIs it true? Did your mom love me?โHe ch
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.โHowโs Sonny been lately?โLiberty 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.โSame as usual, but it seems like things have soured again with the Browns.โSerenity added, โSonny still answers when Hank calls him, but he doesnโt seem happy when his grandparents visit. He doesnโt like going to the Brownsโ place, and he doesnโt want to take their calls either.โHankโs mother and sister are truly incorrigible. They must have been badmouthing you and Duncan in front of Sonny again, which is why heโs upset with them.โDuring 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.โBabe, with you here, the baby and I will be just fine. Donโt worry too much,โ Serenity comforted softly after kissing him.โYou are my rock. If even you are nervous, Iโll start feeling anxious too, and that wonโt be good.โHearing this, Zachary immediately said, โSeren, donโt worry. Iโll protect both of you. Alright, I wonโt be so nervous anymore.โHe gently touched her rounded belly again. โLilโ Bun should be a calm kid. Heโs not that mischievous.โHe felt that the babyโs 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
โJust hit the gym a few more times. Lately, youโve been spending less time there.โEvery 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.โOw.โ Serenity suddenly cried out in pain.This startled Zachary so much that he nearly jumped up, asking anxiously, โIs it stomach pain? Are you going into labor? Letโs go to the hospital right away.โHe was about to pick her up, but Serenity stopped him by pressing his hand.โDonโt be so nervous, Zachary. It's not time yet. Itโs not happening so soon. Itโs just the baby kicking again. His kicks are getting stronger.โAs 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 Serenityโs 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 Serenityโs 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 Zacharyโs eyes, his wifeโs 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.
โYou should have gotten rid of them all back then and cultivated a network of people loyal only to you.โ Manny felt that his father should not have spared those people in the first place.Tony said, โThere were too many of them, all relatives and friends with the same goal as us. We couldnโt eliminate them all at once.โBack 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 familyโs 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 Tonyโs call as he walked toward his car.โHey, Pops.โโHowโs it going, Manny? Has there been any progress?โTony was still in Carrieโs 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 mistressโa 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. Longbottomโs place and becoming the real missus
Tati also finished her plate of pastries.She followed Isabella out.โIsa, youโre always so busy and exhausted. If youโre 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. Itโs the same either way.โTati wanted Isabella to take the day off so Isabella could spend some time with Austin and nurture their relationship.However, Isabella still declined Tatiโs kind offer.She said, โNot today. Thereโs an important meeting today, and I have two important clients to meet. Iโm fine, really. Donโt worry. From now on, I wonโt touch alcohol.โGiven 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 someoneโs 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, โItโs all thanks to Ms. Isabellaโs guidance.โHe 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.โAfter eating the sweets, I feel much better.โ 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.โJust ignore him. Are you really going to skip work because of him?โIsabella added calmly to Tati, โIf you let him provoke you, heโll only cling to you even more. If you act like he doesnโt exist and donโt respond no matter what he does, heโll naturally give up once he sees that youโre completely unresponsive.โTati said, โIโm afraid that heโll go and bother Edith and Eleanor if he doesnโt get anywhere with me. They donโt have the same resolve as we do.โShe, therefore, decided to bear the brunt of it.โEvery time I see hi