Elaine followed the man into the room. There were only five people, and Juan sat in the middle. The man next to him was pouring him a glass of wine. โMr. Saldana, sheโs here.โThe person next to him asked her to take a seat, so she walked over and sat down as a courtesy. โHow may I help you, Mr. Saldana?โJuan poured her a glass. โAre you close with Ian?โShe replied, โI know him, but weโre not close.โHe chuckled. โHow well do you know him?โElaine casually replied, โI know that heโs your son out of wedlock.โMr. Saldanaโs expression froze. โIf he told you that, you must be special to him.โHe handed the wine glass to her, and she took it out of courtesy.At that moment, the door of the room opened.The man standing outside looked at Elaine, who was sitting next to Juan. โWhy are you here?โShe wanted to say that his father had invited her, but Juan laughed before she could. โI heard youโre quite close with this lady, so I wanted to meet her.โIan walked to the table, pic
Elaine had her hand on the side of her forehead. โIsnโt he your father?โIanโs face tensed. โHe has never treated me as his son.โShe parted her lips but didnโt say anything.She had noticed that the relationship between Ian and his father was interesting. Rather than father and son, they were pretty alert around each other.She turned to look at him. โWhy did he ask to speak to me?โHe didnโt answer but asked, โWhat do you think?โโBecause I know you?โโWhy else?โElaine chuckled. โThen why did you tell him that weโre getting married? Wouldnโt he take the chance to ask me for drinks then?โโHe wouldnโt.โIan was certain about his answer, and that surprised Elaine. โWhat do you mean?โโBecause he thinks that it wouldnโt be worth his time.โElaine looked at him. โYou know him very well.โIan stopped his car at the red light and looked at her. โItโs not always a good thing when I know someone very well.โShe paused and didnโt answer. Ian was undercover once, so he had to
Elaine walked past the car and entered the courtyard.Ian watched as she walked inside. After a short while, he started the engine and left.โฆA few days later, Quincy returned with some information about Ian. However, when he handed Nolan a copy of the information, he frowned when he saw the name on it.[Ian Saldana]As he flipped through the document, he said, โThis name rings a bell.โโOf course. He was the boss of Glitz,โ replied Quincy.Nolan did not say anything.Meanwhile, Edward was equally surprised when he found out Ianโs identity.He had his secretary go confirm Ian's identity at the ministry.Ian had indeed been a member of the ministry and was once an undercover agent of the higher-ups. He used fake names when he went on missions.He had also served as the head of the crimes unit when he was young and had excellent abilities.He would have been the deputy director by now if he had not resigned.Just when Edward was immersed in his thoughts, someone knocked on
When Maisie was having a meal with Barbara in the restaurant, the latter told her about the engagement of the Xaviers.โElaine is getting an engagement?โ Barbara looked at her and asked, โYou donโt know about it?โMaisie did not say anything. It went without saying that she knew about the engagement. It was just that she did not know to who she was engaged. After all, the Xaviers kept the identity of the man a secret.She couldnโt help but imagine the scene she would see that day.However, she did not expect the scene she imagined to come soon. As they left the restaurant after finishing the meal with Barbara, they bumped into Ian and Elaine in the corridor.Both of them had just come out of the elevator. Elaine was walking beside him with her head held low.Then, she bumped into Ianโs back and subconsciously raised her head. She saw that the people standing in front of them were Maisie and Barbara.Barbara froze in her tracks. When she met Ianโs gaze, she was stunned, and a
โIโm not meddling with your private life,โ Elaine replied as she rested her chin on her palm. โIโm just curious about it. Itโs a whole different thing.โIan did not reply. Since he did not reply, Elaine was even more confident that he must be hiding something. After all, womenโs intuition was always right. She took a sip of her soup and continued. โIf youโre worried that I might go around and tell everyone about your past, you can rest assured. My lips are tightly sealed. However, if you still refuse to tell me anything, I wonโt force you either.โHe laughed and said, โThank you for your understanding, Ms. Xavier.โโIโm going back to my company after the meal. Iโll leave the engagement banquet in your hands, Mr. Saldana,โ said Elaine.โLet me take you back.โShe was stunned. โI donโt think thatโs necessary, right?โโWell, even if our marriage is fake, we still need to put on a show. Donโt you think so?โ Ian replied flatly. Elaine fell silent.Ian sent her back to J Tech In
A white suit was harder to pull off than a black one. Not only did it require the wearer to have a good physique, but the wearer also needed a good appearance.Ian wasn't tanned or pale. He was in the middle, but the color white fit him perfectly and made him look like he was glowing under the light.It was mainly because of his good appearance. He looked mature and regal despite wearing a light-colored suit.He only turned his head around and looked at Elaine walking toward him when someone noticed her.All the staff left, leaving only the two of them in the corridor.Elaine stopped in front of him, and nobody knew if she was nervous, but she seemed a little stiff. "Isnโt the ceremony about to start?"โYeah,โ he replied softly as he studied her. โThis dress looks good on you.โElaine lifted her head and met his gaze, but she soon averted her eyes. โThank you. You look good in the suit as well.โHe moved to the side and said, โShall we go in now?โShe nodded, and Ian extended
Elaine turned her head around to look at Ian, who was talking with Nolan right now, and pressed her lips.Lucy came up to her and said, โEli.โShe turned around and replied, โYeah?โAfter Lucy whispered something into her ear, Elaine put the glass on the table and exited the banquet hall with her.Maisie stood at her spot as she watched them exit the hall.On the balcony, Elaine stood behind a flower pot covering half of her body. โLet me guess. Youโre going to talk me out of this again, are you?โโI just think you've made a rash decision. Are you sure you won't regret it?โCrossing her arms in front of her chest, Elaine said, โEven if Iโm going to regret it, itโs my own business.โLucy lowered her head and said, โI know. I know I shouldnโt say something like this to you at your engagement ceremony. Even though weโre not related by blood, youโre still my sister. I truly hope that you can find your happiness.โElaine remained silent.โEli, I know you're just having a marriage
Ian did not answer.Elaine also felt that she had spoken out of turn because they had agreed not to interfere with each otherโs life. โIโm sorry, I didnโt mean it. I just think that if youโre regretting it, itโll be better for us to stay engaged for the time being.โBeing engaged will make it easier for you to seize power too.โโIโve never liked to force others. Even though heโs the one who proposed the marriage at the beginning, the purpose of the marriage has always been the benefit that each of us will get from the marriage at the end of the day. We wonโt have anything to do with each other, let alone fall for each other.โBut Iโve been a little hesitant recently, hesitant about my decision.โIโve never been afraid of a marriage of convenience as I could still keep the life that I want after the marriage. Getting a divorce can be done any time if I find out we donโt suit each other. The whole thing will still be acceptable to me as long as itโs not troublesome.โBut after list
โDaisie.โ Leah and Morrison walked up to her with wine glasses. โYou look so pretty today.โโThank you,โ Daisie said with a smile.Leah lifted her wine glass. โI propose a toast. Morrison and I wish you a happy marriage.โDaisie clinked glasses with her. โSame goes for you and Morrison.โAfter the toast, Cameron walked up to Daisie with Waylon. Behind them were Freyja, Colton, Maisie, and Nolan.Maisie raised her hand and caressed her on the cheek. โYou were great earlier today.โShe giggled. โReally?โNolan added, โYouโll forever be our dazzling pride, so yes.โDaisie grinned as if she was still the little princess of the family.Nollace came over. โDad, Mom, a toast to the both of you. Thank you for letting me have Daisieโs hand.โโConsider yourself lucky.โ Nolan snorted softly, picked up his wine glass, and clinked glasses with him. โYouโd better treat my daughter well from now on.โNollace glanced at Daisie. โDonโt worry. Sheโll forever be my one and only.โMaisie chuck
In order to make way for the wedding carriage, other vehicles had been forbidden from accessing the route from the palace to the cathedral.Daisie looked out of the carriageโthe streets were crowded with citizens, and they were all there to witness this grand scene.Nollace, sitting on the side, was wearing a double-breasted dark blue military jacket. He looked tall and broad, and there were two St. Patrickโs Stars on his epaulets, one on each side, a full set of medals on his chest, and other complicated decorations.He held the back of Daisieโs hand and smiled suddenly. โYou have sweaty palms.โDaisie looked back at him and responded with a trembling voice, โIโm nervous.โHe lifted her hand and kissed the back of her hand. โIโm here, so donโt be nervous. Just take it easy.โDaisieโs gaze landed on his wedding jacket. โYou look nice in this uniform.โNollace chuckled. โAnd my bride looks stunning too.โArriving at the cathedral, Nollace was separated from Daisie. Accompanied b
โBy the way, whereโs Cameron?โ asked Morrison.Waylon replied, โSheโs accompanying her father on a stroll. Iโm going to go meet them already, so Iโll leave you to yourselves for now. You can do whatever you want with your free time.โAfter saying that, he got up and left the couple.Morrison shook his head. โHeโs changed now that he has a wife.โโYouโre speaking as if you havenโt changed.โ Leah got up instantly and left the restaurant.Morrison put his cup down and caught up to her immediately. โHey, why would you leave me behind? Wait for me.โMaisie and Saydie came out of the private room and ran into Nolan and Quincy in the corridor.Quincy nodded. โMrs. Goldmann.โMaisie stopped in front of Nolan, and Nolan grabbed her by her hand. โHave you finished catching up?โโOf course. Didnโt you want to go to the Hathawaysโ villa with Dad in the afternoon?โNolan smiled. โI was waiting for you. Weโre just going over to have a meal together.โQuincy walked up to Saydieโs side and
Daisie grinned from ear to ear. โThen Iโll wear this crown on my wedding day, which can be considered an endorsement for my momโs jewelry company and design.โNollace hugged her from behind. โYou can do anything as long as you like it.โโฆThe members of the Goldmanns arrived in Yaramoor two days before the wedding and stayed in the hotel arranged by Nollace. The royal family had reserved the entire hotel for receiving distinguished guests from Zlokova who came to attend the wedding.Members from the Bouchers and the Lucases showed up, and Sunny was also present.There were also some familiar faces from the Zlokovian entertainment industry. Hannah, Amy, James, and Charlie, who were close friends with Daisie, all came.Leah and Morrison were also on the invitation list.When Maisie came to the restaurant, the waiter led her into a private room.As soon as she saw the man sitting inside, she smiled and exclaimed, โGodfather!โStrix slowly turned around.She had not seen him for
The rest of the people laughed.The night came, and the entire city was shrouded in a mist of neon light. Daisie and Nollace returned to Taylorton after having their dinner.Her hair was wet as she got out of the shower. Nollace took over her towel and helped her to dry her hair.She sat in front of her dresser and looked at the person behind her through the mirror. There was a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth as she said, โNolly, Iโm really looking forward to our wedding.โโReally?โ Nollace gently dried the soft tips of her hair. โIโm looking forward to it too.โโI can say that my life is perfect now, right? Since I can marry and walk down the aisle with the man I love the most.โHe laughed out loud and leaned down to her ear. โYou know what? All the wishes in my life have come true as well.โDaisie turned her head around. โWhat are your wishes?โโMarry you, give you a wedding, and have our own kids.โShe was stunned. Slowly, her face turned red due to her embarrassme
โYeah, itโs true,โ replied Zephir.โIt seems like youโve finally become more mature after coming back from your vacation.โ Naomi patted his shoulder. โI wish you all the best in your future endeavors.โ He smiled at her but did not say anything.โฆSoon, it was the end of the month. Their vacation had come to an end, and they returned to Bassburgh.Maisie and Nolan were waiting for them in the courtyard. After getting out of the car, Daisie ran up to them. โMommy! Daddy!โShe hugged both of them.Nolan petted her head and smiled helplessly. โYouโre an adult now. You should stop acting like a kid.โShe smiled back at them and said, โBut I know Iโll always be your kid in your eyes.โMaisie chuckled and looked at the other people. โIt seems like you guys had a lot of fun. Anyway, come in first. We should eat together tonight.โFreyja and Cameron went to look for their kids after they went into the house. Charm and her two cousins were staying in the same room. All of them were sl
Nollace looked at them. โWhat a coincidence.โโMorrison and I were here earlier than you guys,โ said Leah. โWe only found out that you guys were here when Daisie posted a photo on her Facebook page.โDaisie pulled Leah to the seat and said, โThen you should stay a few more days with us.โAfter Morrison took his seat, Waylon introduced him to Freyja and Daisie. โSheโs my sister-in-law, Freyja, and sheโs my sister. Her name is Daisie.โโIโve seen them before at your wedding,โ said Morrison. โYour sister is my wifeโs classmate. She has told me before.โโSince when did I become your wife? Thereโs a chance I may not marry you in the future,โ said Leah.โWeโre already engaged. If you donโt want to marry me, who else are you going to marry?โ Morrison frowned, causing the crowd to break out in a burst of laughter, save for Daisie.She looked at Leah in disbelief and asked, โEngaged? When did you get engaged, Leah?โ Leah cleared her throat and replied, โWell, I forgot to inform you abo
The stall owner said, โ$10 for three chances.โโ$10 for three chances only? Thatโs expensive,โ commented Freyja.The stall owner raised his head and said, โIโm the cheapest around here. Other stalls offer $15 for three chances.โ Daisie tugged at Freyja and said, โLet's just give him the money. It isn't easy for them to set up a stall here anyway, so let's have some fun.โAfter that, she gave $20 to the stall owner and said, โPlease give us six hoops.โThe stall owner gave her six hoops. She had her eyes set on a bracelet. Although she knew it was fake, it was rather beautiful. She held a hoop and threw it toward the bracelet.However, she did not get it.She threw another two hoops at the bracelet, but her attempts failed, much to her chagrin. She had only three hoops left.Seeing that Daisie was prepared to give up, Cameron took over the rest of the hoops in her hand and said, โLeave it to me.โShe squinted and aimed at the bracelet. After that, she threw the hoop at it an
The night of the old town was silent. The air was filled with nothing but the humming of insects. There was a lamp hanging outside of the tent on the grass. The atmosphere was quiet. Daisie was tossing and turning in the sleeping bag as sleep just wouldn't come to her. Suddenly, an arm appeared across her waist as she was brought into a chest. โWhatโs the matter? You canโt sleep?โโYeahโฆโ She buried her head in his chest and said, โI want to go to take a leak, but Iโm a little bit scared.โNollace kissed her forehead and said, โIโll go with you then.โBoth of them came out of the tent. Nollace took a flashlight and led Daisie to a row of trees in the distance. Daisie turned her head and said, โYou wait for me here.โNollace nodded. โJust shout my name if you need anything.โShe walked into the forest and stopped in front of a tree not far away from Nollace.After she had done her business, she hastily got out of the forest and held tightly to Nollaceโs arm. โAlright, letโs go