Tania’s husband had been treating her like a princess since she married him, and it had been going on for over three decades. To her husband, Tania was the most important person in his life. After a brief silence, Tania said to her son, “What? Are you afraid I’ll criticize your wife for leaving the cooking to you while she does nothing? I mean, you just got back from a business trip, and you just got better from a long cold. She shouldn’t have let you work in the kitchen.“I’m not saying you can’t dote on your wife, but don’t do it excessively and spoil her. She’ll become egoistic and willful. What if it gives her a reason to do as she pleases and stir trouble for you?” Zachary’s face fell. “Fine, fine. I won’t talk ill about Serenity. Look at you. I’m just bringing a few points to your attention. It’s not like I’m saying she’s acting this way now, but you’re already giving me an attitude. Look at your long face.” Serenity would be thrilled to find out she was living a real Ci
It did not sit well with Tania that her son was so thoughtful toward her daughter-in-law. It was a good thing her daughter-in-law showed more consideration than her son. “Let me try.”Tania took a bite out of the food Serenity served her. After getting a taste, Tania wanted to say that her son was a better cook than Serenity, but it was not something she could say in good conscience. Tania debated in her mind for a while before deciding to go for the truth. “Zack can’t beat Serenity. You should spend some time in the kitchen and cook for Serenity more often.” It could help the couple to bond too. Tania trailed on, “But you usually are busy at work…” “Don’t worry, Mom. I won’t let Zachary into the kitchen during workdays.” Mrs. Lane was part of the family now. Tania was pleased with Serenity’s stance. “Do you want the shrimp, Mom?” Zachary asked his mother. “I had dinner, but Serenity asked me to be the judge of who is the better cook between you two. That’s why I t
After dinner, Zachary cleared the table while Serenity wiped and tidied the place. She then ventured out of the dining room to take a seat opposite her mother-in-law. Serenity looked at the time and said, “Mom, why don’t you drive the car into the driveway and stay the night?” “It’s okay. I’ll head back in a bit. Your father-in-law doesn’t feel comfortable if I’m not at home with him.” After her son took over the company, her husband retired and had not left Tania’s side since. Her husband could not get used to Tania staying away from home. Serenity was envious of her parents-in-law’s relationship. They had been together for decades and were still faithful to each other into their golden years. “Mom, I didn’t know Zachary bought this villa. He never told me. I only heard about it now. The place is bigger than the apartment in Brynfield. It feels empty that it’s just the two of us here. How about you move in with Dad?” Tania was taken aback. “You want to live with your in-
Tania stared intently at her son for a while before breaking the silence. “You call the shots for your own affairs. I can only give you some advice. I’m going back before your dad gets worried. Are you and your wife coming home for New Year?” “Didn’t Nana tell you? I’ll be back with Seren to the old residence for New Year.” “The old residence. Oh, you’re referring to that mansion. No wonder your nana has been going there lately.” It turned out her son wanted to take Serenity back to Whitmore Mansion to celebrate New Year’s holiday. The place had been through the vicissitude of life and reflected the former glory of the Yorks’ ancestors. “How long are you planning to keep up with the act?” “I got it thought out, Mom. I know what I’m doing. I’ll let the whole of Wiltspoon know about my marriage to Seren when the time comes.” He could get a start on wedding planning. Zachary envisioned a beautiful ending, but only God knew how reality would pan out. Tania replied, “Sure. I
On the other end of the line, Clive curtly said, “I’ll reveal to Serenity who you are if I don’t see you there. She might not be angry about the other things you hide from her, but the fact that you’re the great Mr. York will rub her the wrong way because of Elisa.” Black in the face, Zachary snapped back, “I said I’ll be there. Just wait for me.” The nerve of Clive to threaten him! “I’m the older cousin. Shouldn’t you be the one to wait for me?” Zachary coldly uttered, “The Grand Hotel belongs to you. You can be there any time. If you change the location to the Wiltspoon Hotel, I’ll arrive early and welcome you in the presidential suite.” “Is something riding on your guilty conscience? Are you scared? Is that why you’re making me wait for you?” “Clive, cut the crap.” Clive chuckled. “I’m older than you. You can’t change the fact that Serenity is my cousin. You don’t have to acknowledge me as the older figure if you don’t want to be Serenity’s husband. It’s rude that you
Clive relayed the whole phone conversation he had with Zachary to his wife, clearing any doubts that he swung both ways. Zachary did not tell Serenity about the call from Clive to meet up. He went back into the house and joined his wife on the sofa to watch TV. They enjoyed the TV program until Serenity started to yawn. Zachary eagerly turned off the TV and carried her upstairs. Back in the bedroom, Zachary lay in bed with Serenity to chat for a while. The conversation ended when the person next to him stopped speaking. Tilting his head, Zachary realized Serenity had drifted into slumberland. Zachary heaved himself up and drew close to her before murmuring, “Seren. Seren.” Serenity was asleep to realize what was going on around her. With his mind at ease, Zachary kissed her cheeks and tenderly uttered, “Goodnight, Seren.” He then lifted the covers and tiptoed out of bed. Zachary tucked Serenity in, grabbed his coat, and snuck out of the bedroom. Out of the villa, Z
“Mr. York.” The bodyguard spoke up once more. Zachary turned his attention to the bodyguard. The bodyguard uttered, “Mr. Stone said you need to get it yourself to show your sincerity. You can’t let your bodyguards run the errand for you. Your respect for Mr. Stone represents your love for Ms. Hunt.” In other words, Zachary would be insulting Clive if he did not make the purchase himself. It meant he did not love Serenity enough to give Clive basic respect. Clive’s terrorization saw Zachary seething with rage. Yet, Clive got him where it hurt. Although Serenity and Mrs. Stone had not known each other for long, they were related by blood. Zachary could not take the Stones lightly. Without another word, Zachary turned on his heel and left. He went to get a gift for Clive. The major supermarkets were closed. Zachary had to go to a convenience store that operated 24/7. He did not take his time to pick a gift. Instead, he led his security team into the convenience sto
Zachary could not hide the embarrassment on his handsome face when he got a good look at the item. Clive gave Zachary hell. Zachary reacted by going all the way to the convenience store and clearing the shelves. He did not even look at what he grabbed, so he had no idea the sanitary pads were caught among the stuff. “You have a wife.” Zachary threw the pack of sanitary pads back to Clive. Clive burst into laughter. Clive laughed so hard that Zachary wanted to pounce on him and strangle him! In all the years of fighting, Zachary had never been so awkward before Clive. Clive could not stop guffawing for a long time. Rubbing his belly, he said, “Zachary, are you trying to make me laugh to my grave so you can inherit my family’s fortune? Man, you’re killing me.” “You better have a will written out to pass down your inheritance to me before you die laughing.” Clive’s laughter mellowed into a chuckle. “You probably won’t think much about my fortune. I’m not as wealthy as yo
Liberty and Sonny had a lot to share with each other. Meanwhile, Caroline had not gone home yet. She told Liberty she was going home after they separated but ended up going shopping instead. It was still early. There were too many cars on the road. Even a fool would not choose that time to make a move. To play along with her brothers’ scheme, she had to go shopping and only head home late at night. That would make it easier for Adrian and his brothers to take action. Darren sent Caroline a message to tell her that the Dott brothers and Clark brothers were waiting to ambush her when she was on her way back. When she approached them, they would hit her car with theirs. Her dying on the spot would be the best-case scenario. If she did not die, they would kidnap her. Adrian was already waiting in a deserted place by the sea. They planned to chop her up and throw her body into the sea. The fish in the sea would eat her up. The Clark brothers were cruel. Caroline wa
Sonny himself needed taking care of. Duncan said, “Summer vacation, then. Since it’s a long holiday, you can be in Jensburg for two months.“Once you graduate from preschool and come over to Jensburg for elementary school, you’ll be able to see your mom every day. I’ll also move my business to Jensburg. That way, the three of us can reunite as a family.”While Lewis & Co. had businesses in Jensburg, there were not many. Since Liberty would be living in Jensburg permanently, Duncan increased his investments there to expand into a new market. Therefore, he had to be in Jensburg as the CEO. It also presented him with the opportunity to accompany Liberty and Sonny there. Sonny pouted. “Okay.“Mom, you haven’t answered my questions.”Sonny turned his attention back to Liberty. Liberty smiled. “I’m not as busy tonight, so I don’t have to work till late. I’m on my way home now. I called you because I knew you’d be going to bed soon.“Do you miss me, Sonny? I miss you so much.”“
Serenity shouted from the stairs, “Sonny, your mom’s on the phone.”Sonny was concentrating on his game of chess with Liam. Naturally, he was not as good as Grandpa Liam. He lost most of the time, aside from the few games Grandpa Liam let him win. However, even if Sonny always ended up losing, he was determined. Liam realized Sonny would change his strategy after every loss. He would learn from his mistakes and even emulate Liam’s playstyle. Sonny had a versatile mind. He was clever. Liam thought, ‘Maybe this is why our family loves Sonny.’Sonny was intelligent, studious, and thoughtful. Serenity was about to give birth. If Liam’s grandson would be as adorable as Sonny, he would not mind having a few more. “Let’s pause this round for now, Grandpa Liam. We can continue after I talk to Mom on the phone.”Liam smiled. “You should go to bed soon, Sonny. You still have to go to school tomorrow. We can leave this here and continue tomorrow evening. I promise not to move the
After the divorce, her life went on an upward trajectory.Hank’s, on the other hand, went on a downward spiral, although that was due to Zachary. He had orchestrated Hank’s downfall behind the scenes, causing him to lose his job. No other employer dared to hire him either.Initially, Hank hoped to join Stone Group, as the Stones and the Yorks were sworn rivals.He thought that if he could make a name for himself within Stone Group, he could wield its influence to take revenge on Zachary.However, who could have expected that Audrey Stone was actually Liberty and Serenity’s biological aunt?Audrey had spent decades searching for her sister, only to find just her two nieces in the end. She doted on them as if they were her own daughters.Elisa and Serenity, who could have been considered love rivals, unexpectedly became close friends. Instead of fighting, they became as close as sisters, and Elisa even gave up on Zachary, whom she had admired for years.Now, she had found her own
Duncan held his wife’s hand and said, “Don’t worry about her. Fletcher’s secretly protecting her and she won’t be in any life-threatening danger.“You’ve been working all day. You must be tired.” Duncan patted his shoulder. “Lean on me.”Liberty smiled and rested her head on his shoulder as he immediately wrapped his arm around hers.“Duncan.”“Hmm?”“It’s wonderful to have you. I finally have someone to rely on too.”In the past, she had been the one her sister and son relied on. Now, she had someone to lean on as well.Duncan said affectionately, “It’s even more wonderful to have you. You’re my support too, my pillar of strength. I really thank God for bringing us together.”He thanked God that they met, got to know each other, fell in love, and would spend the rest of their lives together.“Do you remember the first time we met?”Duncan chuckled. “How could I forget? You were pushing a stroller with Sonny in it, and you accidentally bumped into my car.“My brand-new car g
It would prevent them from ending up with nothing.“Mr. Lewis is coming over. You should go to him.”As they entered the hotel, they saw Duncan slowly walking over. His two bodyguards followed behind him, pushing a wheelchair. People coming in and out of the hotel could not help but glance at Duncan. The hotel manager wanted to help him, but Duncan declined.Liberty took a deep breath and said to Caroline, “Call me if anything happens. Good luck.”“Thank you!” Caroline said and smiled. “We’ll both have good luck.”Liberty walked over to Duncan.Caroline, on the other hand, turned and walked out.“Duncan.” Liberty stepped forward to support him. “Let’s go home.”Duncan let her help him, and the couple slowly made their way out.“Ms. Fisher left.”“Yes, she didn’t tell me, but I think it’s probably happening tonight. Adrian Clark and his brothers left work on time this evening instead of staying late, and they’ve finished everything assigned to them.”Duncan whispered, “They h
Meanwhile, in a private room at Fortress Hotel in Jensburg, Caroline and Liberty stood up together and shook hands with their client, having successfully closed a business deal.The two of them escorted the client downstairs.After the client got into their car and left, Caroline turned to Liberty and said, “Liberty, it's getting late. Mr. Lewis is still waiting for you inside, so go get him and head home early to rest. The weather is really cold.“He still has trouble with his legs and isn’t used to the cold here, after all.”Duncan had caught a cold on his third day here.After seeing a doctor and taking medication, he was still coughing a little.Liberty did not move. Instead, she asked Caroline, “Are they making their move tonight?”“How would I know? They’ll act whenever they want. I’m just waiting. It’s likely to be soon, though. I’ve spread the word that Darren is on a business trip for half a month.”She did not want Liberty to worry, so she did not tell her that her fi
How long had it been since she last truly appreciated the night view of Satbury?Every day, she left home early and returned late, rushing from one place to another, with endless meetings, piles of documents to process, and countless business deals to negotiate.It always felt like there was not enough time.Before she knew it, time had flown by.It seemed just yesterday she had taken over the family business, but in the blink of an eye, several years had passed.Back when she first took over, many people had looked down on her, doubting her ability to manage the O'Connors’ vast empire. Many had wanted to devour the O'Connor family, to carve it up and take a share for themselves.Her parents’ generation was utterly mediocre, and after her grandparents passed away, they could not hold things together.As a result, the O'Connors’ family business declined and they lost a significant amount of money.On top of that, their extended relatives tried to exploit the situation, digging p
Isabella smiled, “Every time I hear you talk about your family, my heart gets restless, and I feel like going to meet them myself.”She even felt the urge to join their family, but she could not bring herself to say that out loud.Austin treated her very well. Tati said that when Austin looked at her, there was a sparkle in his eyes, and she kept saying that Austin had come here for her.Technically, Austin could indeed be considered to have come here for her, but it was really because of her picky palate and because she was hiring a private chef.To put it bluntly, Austin had come for the sake of culinary art.Sometimes, when Isabella locked eyes with Austin and saw him looking at her so intently, she could not help but wonder if he felt something for her.However, such thoughts were always quickly brushed aside.She and Austin were simply employer and employee.Austin treated her well because she was his employer. If there were any issues with the dishes he prepared, she coul