After dinner, the family gathered in the living room, nibbling on fruit and chatting.Cole entered the house hand in hand with Phoebe.When Michaela spotted them, she welcomed them warmly. "Cole, Phoebe, come join us and grab some fruit."Cole nodded politely and exchanged greetings with everyone before standing respectfully beside Nathan. His cheeks flushed slightly as he shyly said, "General Morrison, I need to talk to you about something."Nathan motioned toward the empty couch across from him. "Take a seat and let's talk."Cole held Phoebe's hand as they settled onto the couch facing Nathan.Mila smiled as she watched Phoebe's shy demeanor, sensing that something wonderful was about to unfold. Anticipation filled her.Cole cleared his throat nervously before saying, "General Morrison, Mrs. Morrison, we would like..."Phoebe glanced at him bashfully, silently encouraging him to speak his mind.All eyes in the room were fixed on him, awaiting his words.Cole stuttered, "W-W
The weather was perfect for Cole and Phoebe's wedding day, with sunny skies and a light breeze. It took two hours to get to the venue. Mila, Nathan, the Morrisons, and the Hoffises were all invited.The generosity of the Morrisons and Hoffises was staggering, their gifts alone could have easily bought Cole and Phoebe another house.Mila presented Phoebe with a million-dollar jewelry set, while Nathan surprised Cole with a luxury car of the same value.The Gilberts were thrilled and overwhelmed by the grandeur of the event. They never imagined that their humble rural wedding would attract such esteemed guests, including the wealthiest family in Norvania, the Norvanian general, and several other dignitaries and military comrades.Cole's parents had underestimated Cole's role, believing he was just a regular assistant to Nathan. The prestigious guest list filled them with pride, giving them something to boast about for the rest of their lives.Norvanian weddings were steeped in tradi
Mila's sympathy for Daniel deepened as she took a seat. "Daniel, if you don't grab this opportunity now, who knows if another one will come along."Daniel shook his head. "There wasn't much of an opportunity to begin with."Sighing, Mila muttered, "I wonder if that guy with Sienna is a blind date or her boyfriend. I'm not sure what to say to her either.""Did Phoebe only invite Sienna?" Daniel asked."Yeah.""Isn't that telling?""Telling of what?"Daniel tried to hide his disappointment behind a fake smile. "She brought her boyfriend along to join in the excitement. Then, she would reveal that she's getting married soon, right before you and Phoebe. Naturally, that would dash any hope I had."Mila felt even more sympathetic. "Daniel, why are you so negative? You used to be different. What happened to your confidence and open-mindedness?"Daniel reached for his phone and pressed the call button for the driver. "Wanda, please apologize to Phoebe and Cole on my behalf. I'm not f
Sienna settled into her car seat, a peculiar uneasiness washing over her. It wasn't overpowering, but rather a persistent discomfort, akin to a hand clutching her heart, causing her breath to catch.She sighed and mustered a smile before she asked, "Felix, if you were rich, powerful, and held a government position, would you consider marrying someone like me?"Felix burst into laughter. "Are you kidding? If I had such a status, I'd definitely choose a partner from a similar background. You're struggling financially, without any influence, not even a stable job."Let's face reality, Sienna. We should look for partners who align with our social status."Sienna forced a bitter smile, her gaze falling as she sighed. Deep down, she knew Felix was speaking the truth. She shouldn't indulge in fantasies that weren't grounded in reality.Suddenly, Felix studied Sienna before speaking again, "Sienna, you're stunning and have an amazing physique. You'd be the ideal mistress for a wealthy or
Cole froze, his phone in his grip, his face registering pure shock. Mila too, had her expression hardened, a surge of anxiety knotting her insides. Without exchanging a word, the three of them left the room, rushing to the lounge to find Cameron. "Cameron, has Fenna taken Nate?" Mila's voice quivered with urgency. Cameron's eyes widened in shock. Without hesitation, he dialed Fenna's number. Seconds later, he lowered the phone with a pale expression and stuttered, "She's turned it off." In that instant, Cameron felt a dread deeper than anyone else. If Fenna had truly done something unethical, not only would she face legal consequences, but her life could also be at risk. No amount of influence could shield her from that. Taking a seat to steady herself, Mila asked after a moment of reflection, "Did you drive here?" Cameron nodded. "Yes. I drank, but Fenna didn't. I was counting on her to drive me home." "Where's your car?" Without a second thought, Cameron dashed o
As Mila and the group approached the motel, the receptionist whispered, "Looks like we've got more police coming." A police officer inquired, "What do you mean?" Pointing toward the elevator, the receptionist explained, "Someone called the police, and the manager just took a few police upstairs." Not waiting for more, the police pressed, "Did a woman named Fenna check in tonight with an intoxicated man?" Before the receptionist could respond, Mila and Cameron moved past the police, heading straight for the elevator to check the floor. It halted at the third floor. Mila pressed the button again, and soon, Cole and Phoebe joined them. "It's the third floor." The police from the front desk caught up, and together, they ascended to the third floor. Outside room 302, the earlier police officers were still knocking on the door. Cole pushed through impatiently and stated, "Stop knocking. Break it down, I'll cover the cost." As soon as he finished his words, he kicked the d
Over and over, Fenna played out the same narrative, and Mila had reached her limit. Cameron led Fenna away with the police. Cole carried Nathan, while Mila and Phoebe guided him out of the motel. The night seemed destined for endless torment. Unable to take Nathan, who was deeply ensnared in a drug-induced slumber, home with her, Mila chose to stay at the hotel. Cole returned home with Phoebe. In the quiet stillness of the early morning, Mila tenderly wiped Nathan's feverish body, trying to cool his soaring temperature. Despite his drug-induced sleep, he appeared restless, as if the drug still held him in its grip. Mila pondered if easing some of his tension might offer him some relief. She undressed them both and leaned in to kiss Nathan softly, positioning herself above him. Just as she prepared to close the distance between them, Nathan's eyes snapped open. Taken aback, Mila pulled back, her voice trembling. "Nate, are you awake?" Frowning, Nathan stared at he
Mila set her phone aside, pulling the covers up to sleep. The next morning greeted her with a refreshed feeling. After freshening up, she checked the time and felt it was the right moment to check on Nathan. As she opened the door, she was taken aback to find Nathan standing there, still and silent, blocking her path. Their eyes met, and she found herself taken aback yet again. A soft smile graced Nathan's lips, his eyes clear but tinged with a touch of resignation. "Are you fully awake now?" Mila teased lightly. "Is it really you?" "Yes, did you think I was some sort of imagination?" "With how I felt yesterday, it wouldn't have been surprising," Nathan admitted. "Still not feeling well?" Mila inquired. "Yeah," he replied. With that, Nathan gently ushered her into the room, closing the door behind them. He lifted her off the ground, his lips finding hers as he carried her to the bed. Mila had assumed that by morning, the effects of the drug would have faded. To he