Catherine and Blake spent two days in Paris before Halsey urged them to return home.
The next morning, Halsey found Blake strolling in the garden.
"Blake, can we talk?" Halsey asked gently.
"Of course," Blake replied, his expression cool but manner amicable.
"I want to transfer my company to your name. Consider it a peace offering to my future son-in-law, hoping you'll take good care of Catherine. I'm at ease leaving the company in your hands," Halsey said after a moment of hesitation.
Blake frowned. "Why me?"
"You're capable. The Royal Group has flourished under you. Catherine is still young, and I'm worried she might buckle under the pressure," Halsey explained.
"Do you trust me that much?" Blake asked with a touch of mockery.
"You're more reliable than I imagined," Halsey admitted.
"I can't accept it," Blake refused firmly.
Halsey was taken aback. "Why? Is it too small?"
"A profitable company is valuable
"If the kid were yours, you'd love him!" Richard frowned."But I'm your son too, and I don't feel particularly liked by you."Richard's face turned livid with anger.Seeing Richard speechless, Nick coldly said, "So, I'll only like a son born to a woman I love. Just like you. If that woman had a son for you, you definitely wouldn't treat me as dispensable. I feel like a neglected child.""Enough! I gave you whatever I can already!" Richard interrupted.Nick's words had struck a chord.The reason he didn't value Nick was because he disliked his mother.Richard had always been unwilling to admit it, but now that his son had pointed it out, he became angry out of shame.With a stern face, Nick opened the door and left.Emerson's health was deteriorating. The cold weather made him increasingly uncomfortable.Most of Patricia's energy was devoted to caring for him.Fortunately, the two children were with Abigail,
After dinner, Richard and Nick didn't linger. They greeted Emerson upstairs and left.Back in the bedroom, Blake's handsome face was clouded with gloom.Catherine sat beside him and gently comforted, "They're gone. Don't let them get to you. It's not worth it!""I know, but I can't help it. This feeling is killing me," Blake said, rubbing his temples.Catherine leaned on his shoulder. "Don't think about it. Emerson's not doing well. Let's focus on taking care of him."Blake nodded. "I'll try to hold on. Once this period's over, I'll make them pay double."Catherine felt helpless seeing his pain but couldn't do anything to ease it.***Late at night, Sunny and Leo were heading home after dinner, both tired.As their car approached Leo's apartment, Sunny glanced out the window and froze.She thought she'd seen Olivia.She sat up straight and looked again.Sure enough, a figure scrambled into a car and
"Is your hand better?" Olivia nervously checked Olivia's left hand."Did you go to Leo's neighborhood last night?""Yes, I've been waiting at the entrance for days and came here specially to corner you today."Sunny took her home. Olivia collapsed on the sofa and said, "Life on the run is exhausting."Sunny poured a glass of water and asked, "Want something to eat?""Is there any food? I'm starving."After Sunny bought food and returned, she found Olivia already fast asleep on the sofa. An hour later, a phone call woke Olivia up—it was Leo calling to urge her."Leo, I need to have lunch with my mom today. Is it okay if I come back to the company in the afternoon?"Leo agreed readily.Sunny lied to Leo. She was worried that Leo might ask questions or suggest coming with her.Fortunately, Leo didn't say much and just asked her to come back early.After hanging up, Sunny saw Olivia, who had been woken up
"I had someone call Tasha, and she said your mom was home for dinner, so I came over." Leo had been particularly clingy with Sunny lately. Not having her even for lunch felt off, so he packed some food, deciding to eat with her.He didn't expect to see Olivia.Worse still, Sunny actually stood in front of Olivia, as if shielding her.Sunny's mind was blank. She underestimated her importance to Leo.Olivia, seeing Leo's dark expression and the flicker of anger in his eyes, panicked too.She pushed Sunny aside, stepped forward, and said humbly, "Leo, I was planning to apologize to you anyway.""Really?" Leo's voice was icy cold. Though addressing Olivia, his gaze pinned Sunny, as if trying to see through her pale face to her true thoughts.Olivia nodded earnestly. "Yes, I was going to seek your forgiveness. We were just discussing having Sunny call you later...""Enough! I don't want to hear your lies. Keep running if you will."
"I'm sorry." Sunny bowed her head, covered her face with her hands, and shook it violently. "Sorry, I really don't know what to do."Leo looked at her like a frightened child, muttering this sentence over and over.But he didn't want to hear her apologies."Maybe I loved the wrong person. Since you never tell me the truth, fine, let's stop torturing each other. Breaking up is the wisest choice," Leo steeled himself again, slammed the things he was carrying onto the table, and turned to leave.Sunny heard the door close heavily again, as if it had slammed right into her heart.She trembled all over.They must had been enemies in their past life.Sunny sneered at herself. That was why this life was full of torment.Leo went downstairs, got into his car. His mind went blank.He didn't know why he was so heartless, but he was just really angry, especially since he placed Sunny in the most important position, yet had to endur
Olivia promised not to run and cooperated fully.That night, she detailed how Richard had found and bribed her to lure Mark.After settling Olivia in Blake's vacant villa, Leo left past eleven.Hungry and tired, he recalled cooking with Sunny—her average but heartwarming home cooking.On impulse, he drove to Sunny's building, seeing the light in her apartment.Regretting his harsh words, he hesitated but finally, masked and hat-clad, knocked on her door.Sunny opened it, red-eyed from crying.They stood in silence."Why are you here again?" Sunny asked hoarsely."Olivia came to me," Leo said, pushing the door open.Sunny's face stiffened. "Did you send her to the police?""Not yet. I have other plans. Don't ask," Leo said.The air grew tense. Leo stepped closer, tucking her hair behind her ear. "My words this afternoon—did they hurt you?"Sunny widened her eyes. "Of course not. I d
Third Person's POVNow, none of them dared to return home after midnight. They all felt as if going home was like admitting to a mistake, so they prepared mental scripts, thinking about how to deal with the questioning.This was the subtle difference between being unmarried and married in their minds."Blake, you and Catherine are already engaged. When do you plan to get married? How about having the wedding on the same day as ours? It might become a beautiful story," Benjamin asked with a smile, thinking that getting married on the same day could be quite a tale."Forget it. I don't want to run to two wedding venues in one day." Howard was the first to object, already looking forward to attending two wedding feasts.The corners of Blake's mouth twitched into a smile. "I might actually get married before you. My grandmother has already set the date for us.""Ah?" The other two were filled with shock. So sudden?Blake nodded. "I've alr
Third Person's POV"Staring at me?" Blake suddenly turned his head, his sapphire eyes sweeping over her flushed cheeks, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips."N-no!" Catherine hastily lowered her head, her fingers crumpling the book pages, yet not a word entered her mind.Blake let out a low chuckle and strode to her side, his long leg bracing against the sofa back, trapping her in the soft confines."Is it nervous to stare at your fiancé?" He deliberately emphasized the word "fiancé," his warm breath grazing her reddening earlobe. "Or have you already decided I'm your 'husband'?"Catherine's heartbeat skipped. They were engaged, but the word "husband" still sent a blush to her cheeks."Don't jump the gun, we're not married yet," she whispered, her gaze involuntarily sliding downward as he began unbuttoning his shirt—his defined chest faintly visible beneath the white fabric, each button like a droplet being undone by
Third Person's POV"Of course not! You have such a piano gift. I love listening," Leo didn't dare to discourage the little one. Otherwise, Blake would scold him again."Really? Then sit and listen to me play again!" Hedwig insisted.Leo inwardly groaned but stayed at his mother's gaze.When the song finally ended, he almost wanted to flee. "Hedwig, something's come up at the company. I have to go!"Watching his mother patiently guide Hedwig, Leo daydreamed—if he ever had a daughter, he'd definitely leave her in Abigail's care. Only her gentle temperament could raise a well-behaved child.Back at the company, Leo found Sunny had come in at some point—he'd told her to rest at home. Seems this woman just couldn't stay idle."Miss me?" Leo stood before her with a self-assured smile.Sunny paused, then nodded coyly. "It's so boring at home!""Since you're here, keep working on your script and study the character,"
Third Person's POV"Nothing really, just curious," Patricia sighed. "To be honest, I admire you both. If that happened to me, I might not be as poised as you are."Abigail grew even more embarrassed."How about Leo and Sunny?" Patricia changed the subject. "Haven't you called to check in?""No, Leo's not one for sharing personal stuff," Abigail said with a light laugh.Patricia frowned, then leaned in suddenly. "You've met Olivia, right? Don't you think Sunny resembles her a bit?"Abigail stiffened, recalling the resemblance but not daring to dwell on it—could the world really be that coincidental?"Probably no connection," she said with a frown."True, there are plenty of people with the same surname," Patricia agreed, though she noticed the flicker of doubt in Abigail's eyes.Two children bounced into the room, Hedwig holding up a pale purple flower. "Granny, look at the flower Noah put on me. Isn't it pretty?"
Third Person's POV"Olivia was the woman who had an affair with Mark back then? I thought you'd already dealt with her," Nick said with a cold sneer after hearing his father's request. He believed Mark's misplaced mercy back then was like burying a landmine for himself.Richard gritted his teeth. "Not killing her back then was my mistake, but now she must disappear.""Why did you spare her back then, Dad?" Nick's piercing gaze made Richard somewhat flustered."I thought she wouldn't betray me," Richard equivocated."Come on, loyalty that can be bought with money isn't loyalty at all," Nick sneered. "I know the truth—you couldn't bring yourself to kill her because she has the face of your first love. Lust truly does cloud judgment. Your obsession with that woman even drove Mom to her death!""Nick!" Richard roared, as if struck in a sore spot.Nick's eyes turned cold and he fell silent.Richard realized his approach was to
Third Person's POV"Staring at me?" Blake suddenly turned his head, his sapphire eyes sweeping over her flushed cheeks, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips."N-no!" Catherine hastily lowered her head, her fingers crumpling the book pages, yet not a word entered her mind.Blake let out a low chuckle and strode to her side, his long leg bracing against the sofa back, trapping her in the soft confines."Is it nervous to stare at your fiancé?" He deliberately emphasized the word "fiancé," his warm breath grazing her reddening earlobe. "Or have you already decided I'm your 'husband'?"Catherine's heartbeat skipped. They were engaged, but the word "husband" still sent a blush to her cheeks."Don't jump the gun, we're not married yet," she whispered, her gaze involuntarily sliding downward as he began unbuttoning his shirt—his defined chest faintly visible beneath the white fabric, each button like a droplet being undone by
Third Person's POVNow, none of them dared to return home after midnight. They all felt as if going home was like admitting to a mistake, so they prepared mental scripts, thinking about how to deal with the questioning.This was the subtle difference between being unmarried and married in their minds."Blake, you and Catherine are already engaged. When do you plan to get married? How about having the wedding on the same day as ours? It might become a beautiful story," Benjamin asked with a smile, thinking that getting married on the same day could be quite a tale."Forget it. I don't want to run to two wedding venues in one day." Howard was the first to object, already looking forward to attending two wedding feasts.The corners of Blake's mouth twitched into a smile. "I might actually get married before you. My grandmother has already set the date for us.""Ah?" The other two were filled with shock. So sudden?Blake nodded. "I've alr
Olivia promised not to run and cooperated fully.That night, she detailed how Richard had found and bribed her to lure Mark.After settling Olivia in Blake's vacant villa, Leo left past eleven.Hungry and tired, he recalled cooking with Sunny—her average but heartwarming home cooking.On impulse, he drove to Sunny's building, seeing the light in her apartment.Regretting his harsh words, he hesitated but finally, masked and hat-clad, knocked on her door.Sunny opened it, red-eyed from crying.They stood in silence."Why are you here again?" Sunny asked hoarsely."Olivia came to me," Leo said, pushing the door open.Sunny's face stiffened. "Did you send her to the police?""Not yet. I have other plans. Don't ask," Leo said.The air grew tense. Leo stepped closer, tucking her hair behind her ear. "My words this afternoon—did they hurt you?"Sunny widened her eyes. "Of course not. I d
"I'm sorry." Sunny bowed her head, covered her face with her hands, and shook it violently. "Sorry, I really don't know what to do."Leo looked at her like a frightened child, muttering this sentence over and over.But he didn't want to hear her apologies."Maybe I loved the wrong person. Since you never tell me the truth, fine, let's stop torturing each other. Breaking up is the wisest choice," Leo steeled himself again, slammed the things he was carrying onto the table, and turned to leave.Sunny heard the door close heavily again, as if it had slammed right into her heart.She trembled all over.They must had been enemies in their past life.Sunny sneered at herself. That was why this life was full of torment.Leo went downstairs, got into his car. His mind went blank.He didn't know why he was so heartless, but he was just really angry, especially since he placed Sunny in the most important position, yet had to endur
"I had someone call Tasha, and she said your mom was home for dinner, so I came over." Leo had been particularly clingy with Sunny lately. Not having her even for lunch felt off, so he packed some food, deciding to eat with her.He didn't expect to see Olivia.Worse still, Sunny actually stood in front of Olivia, as if shielding her.Sunny's mind was blank. She underestimated her importance to Leo.Olivia, seeing Leo's dark expression and the flicker of anger in his eyes, panicked too.She pushed Sunny aside, stepped forward, and said humbly, "Leo, I was planning to apologize to you anyway.""Really?" Leo's voice was icy cold. Though addressing Olivia, his gaze pinned Sunny, as if trying to see through her pale face to her true thoughts.Olivia nodded earnestly. "Yes, I was going to seek your forgiveness. We were just discussing having Sunny call you later...""Enough! I don't want to hear your lies. Keep running if you will."
"Is your hand better?" Olivia nervously checked Olivia's left hand."Did you go to Leo's neighborhood last night?""Yes, I've been waiting at the entrance for days and came here specially to corner you today."Sunny took her home. Olivia collapsed on the sofa and said, "Life on the run is exhausting."Sunny poured a glass of water and asked, "Want something to eat?""Is there any food? I'm starving."After Sunny bought food and returned, she found Olivia already fast asleep on the sofa. An hour later, a phone call woke Olivia up—it was Leo calling to urge her."Leo, I need to have lunch with my mom today. Is it okay if I come back to the company in the afternoon?"Leo agreed readily.Sunny lied to Leo. She was worried that Leo might ask questions or suggest coming with her.Fortunately, Leo didn't say much and just asked her to come back early.After hanging up, Sunny saw Olivia, who had been woken up