LM
CHAPTERS 1001 - 1007
1001
“Ah.. Brother Lucas, wait a minute, I’m not.. I’m not ready yet.” Janell Joy Carter was a little nervous, so nervous that she was already stuttering.
Janell Joy’s purpose for asking Nathaniel Cooper to introduce her to his mother was to distract him. She had never thought of meeting her future mother-in-law officially like this. Even though Nathaniel’s mother had passed away, she was still Nathaniel’s mother, and she should respect the elders. No matter what, Janell Joy felt that she should be more formal.
“Okay, I’ll give you some more time to prepare then.” Nathaniel rubbed her head with a smile and looked at his mother’s grave and said, “Mom, this little girl is not ready yet. Please wait for a while longer.”
Before he could finish his words, Janell Joy was already pinching Nathaniel’s waist. He turned his head and his eyes met with her aggrieved eyes. Her eyes looked as if she was blaming him for saying that to his mother.
“Little girl, what’s wrong?” Nathaniel said innocently. Did he say something wrong?
Janell Joy glanced at him and whispered, “This is the first time that I’m meeting my future mother-in-law. I can’t leave a bad impression on her, so you mustn’t talk any nonsense.”
Her future mother-in-law was a very important person. It was the first time for her to meet Brother Lucas's biological mother. Of course, she had to prepare well and leave a good impression on her elders.
But Brother Lucas had been calling her 'little girl’. What if her future mother-in-law didn’t like the fact that she was 12 years younger than Brother Lucas?
Thinking about it, Janell Joy glared at Nathaniel again. He was already an adult, why couldn’t he think before he spoke?
That was what Janell Joy was thinking, but Nathaniel was only focusing on what she addressed his mother as – “future mother-in-law!”
Janell Joy had said so much, but he only registered those words. He looked at Janell Joy, and his eyes became even more gentle as if he wanted to melt her into his gentleness.
“Janell..”
“Brother Lucas, what’s wrong?” His look in his eyes was so strange. Janell Joy had never seen him looking at her like this before.
Was he looking at her like this because he thought that she didn’t look good today?
Janell Joy hurriedly touched her own face. It was still the same, nothing happened to her face. But maybe it was because she was so worried about him that she hadn’t slept for the whole night. And because of that, she probably had dark circles under her eyes which made her face look a little lifeless.
However, it was not her fault. She was worried about him. Speaking of this, he was the one to blame for.
“Why?” Nathaniel asked in a deep voice.
“What do you mean?” Janell Joy was confused by his question. She blinked her beautiful eyes, raised her hand and waved it in front of his eyes. “Brother Lucas, what’s wrong? Please don’t scare me!”
Nathaniel grabbed her hand and held it tightly in his hands. He said in a low voice, “Janell, why do you think I am the one?”
Not only Janell Joy was excellent herself, but she was also the daughter of the owner of Shengtian Corporation Inc.
With an appearance and background like hers, there were all kinds of men who she could choose from. Those who had power, money, and strength… But why did she think that he was the one for her?
Janell Joy pouted and said discontentedly, “If it’s not you, then are you asking me to be with another man?”
Janell Joy didn’t know the reason either. She didn’t know why, but when she found him again, her feelings for him were uncontrollable.
Initially, she had thought that her feelings for Nathaniel were because of her dependence on him when she was a child, and not because of love. However, she could no longer deny that she had indeed fallen for him and wanted to be with him for the rest of her life.
Perhaps, it was their fate. She had accidentally saved his life when she was younger, and ever since, they could no longer break away from each other’s life.
Nathaniel said, “Janell.”
There were a lot of things that were unexplainable, just like his feelings for her. He didn’t know when his feelings for her had changed.
When she was very young, he would always hold her in his arms, played with her and watched cartoons with her. At that time, he had never thought that this little girl would be the girl he would want to marry in the future.
Thinking of the past, Nathaniel shook his head and chuckled. “Yeah, I am certain that you are the one too. There wouldn’t be anyone else in this lifetime.”
Janell Joy was satisfied and smiled at him. “Yes, since we have already decided on each other, there’s no need for any reason, right?”
He held her hand and walked closer to his mother’s grave. “Janell, this is my mother who had given birth to me and raised me.”
Nathaniel suddenly introduced his mother to Janell Joy in a serious manner. Janell Joy was stunned for a moment and immediately bowed respectfully. “Auntie, nice to meet you!”
Nathaniel added, “Mom, the girl who I’m holding hands with now is called Janell Joy Carter. She is my future wife and your future daughter-in-law.”
Nathaniel held Janell Joy’s hand tightly and introduced his beloved girl to his deceased mother.
The Collins family had an unwritten custom which was to introduce one’s partner and relationship before the elders of the family. This was taken very seriously and officially in the family, even more important than getting a legal marriage certificate.
Nathaniel’s mother was a member of the Collins family, and he was also half a member of the Collins family. At this time, for him to introduce Janell Joy to his mother would mean that he was determined for Janell Joy to be his wife.
Janell Joy was a little nervous. She quietly took a deep breath and said, “Auntie, I will take good care of Brother Lucas in the future and love him with all my heart. When you are not here, I will never let him be lonely.”
Nathaniel lowered his head and kissed on her forehead. “I’m sure that Mom will be satisfied with such a thoughtful daughter-in-law like you.”
When his mother was alive, she had dived into the vortex of power for a man and never had a good life herself. He thought that if his mother would ever get another chance, she would never choose that man again. She would definitely change her way of life.
After visiting his deceased mother, Nathaniel thought of something else. “Janell, why did you come here?”
“I came here with my two feet.” Janell Joy smiled at him. “No matter where my Brother Lucas is, as long as I think about him, I would be able to find him.”
When Janell Joy was watching TV, she saw that Griffin Cooper was helping the others and at that very moment, she really wanted to grow a pair of wings and fly to Brother Lucas immediately.
Although Brother Lucas never showed any emotions when he saw that his biological father was helping the outsiders, Janell Joy could still see the sorrow which was deep in his heart.
Even if she couldn’t do anything for him, she still had to be by his side to keep him company. At least whenever he was sad and had no one to comfort him, she could still be there.
Nathaniel wanted to say something, but he didn’t. He just gently hugged her in his arms and said, “Janell, thank you!”
“Brother Lucas, why are you thanking me? Does that mean you want to marry me?” Janell Joy winked at him playfully. She smiled with her eyebrows curved, and her cheeks had already turned red.
“Brother Lucas, do you know how happy I am to be able to look at you standing by my side safe and sound?”
1002
He definitely didn’t know that.
When she learned that he might have been killed, she felt that her entire world had collapsed. Fortunately, he was safe and he could still stand by her side, enjoying the romantic snowy night with her.
“I’m sorry!” Looking at Janell Joy, Nathaniel said in a deep voice. His tone carried a sense of remorse he was unable to express using words.
“Brother Lucas, why are you apologizing to me again? You must have forgotten what I have said. I have already told you that I only want you to be safe.” Her request was so simple. As long as he was fine, that would be enough for her.
“Yes, I remember.” He nodded and couldn’t help but to hold her even tighter into his arms. Suddenly, something came to his mind. “Janell, let me bring you somewhere else to see something.”
“Okay.” She did not question him at all, instead, she chose to trust him unconditionally. No matter where he would take her, she would follow him closely without any hesitation!
She had been so determined ever since she had confirmed that he was the one for her!
The heavy snowfall had finally stopped, and the sun was shining brightly. The day’s temperature had risen by several degrees. With the company of her favorite person, Janell Joy didn’t feel cold at all even when she was walking on the white snow.
On top of that, when Brother Lucas was holding her hand tightly, his warm palm was gradually transferring his heat to her hand, making her feel even warmer. With a surge of joy in her heart, Janell Joy couldn’t help but hum to a cheerful song.
The lyrics were, “My hand in yours, let’s walk together… I’m going to marry you tomorrow…!"
“Janell, you’re still young, let’s wait a little longer.”
Upon hearing this, Janell Joy immediately frowned and pouted at him discontentedly, “Brother Lucas, what are you thinking about? I’m only singing.”
This man actually dared to laugh at her. Janell Joy secretly vowed that when he would formally propose to her in the future, she would definitely torture him severely and let him know what a woman’s heart was like.
“I’m sorry! I thought that you were hinting me!” Nathaniel raised his eyebrows slightly and his lips were full of smiles. Obviously, he was teasing her.
Janell Joy was dumbstruck. She would remember this firmly and get her revenge on him in the future.
“What’s wrong? Are you angry?” Nathaniel pinched her face. “Alright, I’ll admit that I was a little too anxious. I’ve been waiting for you to grow up for so many years.”
Janell Joy was very pleased by this statement. She leaned into his arms and said, “I’m already 18 years old. I’m already an adult.”
This time, she was really hinting at him. He should be able to grasp what she had meant, but Nathaniel didn’t answer her and continued to move up the mountain while holding onto her hand.
Since it had been snowing heavily for the past week, the path leading to the mountain was covered with thick snow. Every step they took had left a deep footprint on the ground, After a long time, Janell Joy was already too tired to walk, and her steps gradually became heavier.
“Janell..” Nathaniel suddenly stopped in his tracks. He crouched down and patted on his back. “Come, I’ll cary you.”
Janell Joy had some vague memories. When she was four years old, Brother Lucas was already very tall. Janell Joy did not know exactly how tall he was but she could remember that she had always thought he was so tall like a giant.
At that time, she liked to pester him and made him carry her on his back. She just didn’t want to walk by herself. Brother Lucas loved her very much. As long as she asked for it, he wouldn’t refuse her. He was either holding her, carrying her on his back, or even letting her sit on his shoulder. Now that she had already grown up, how could he still..
Janell Joy looked at his sturdy back in a daze and did not get on it for a long time. On one hand, she could vaguely remember some of the past events, and on the other hand, how could she let him tire himself out?
“Janell, get on quickly.” Nathaniel urged.
“Brother Lucas, I’ll walk by myself.” She smiled at him. “I like it when you hold my hand. Like that, I can feel more like your girlfriend, and not like a child.”
In Janell Joy’s memory, she had seen her cold father carry her mother on his back, but it was different for her. She didn’t want the others to think that she was just a burden to Brother Lucas.
Many people perceived marriage as a matter between two people. They wouldn’t have to care about what the others had to say, but Janell Joy had never thought so.
Janell Joy felt that marriage was between two families and not just two people. Moreover, with Brother Lucas's current status, their marriage might even affect the entire Country A.
Although the entire country was on Brother Lucas's shoulders, he was not alone. Janell Joy wanted to be able to stand by his side. As he had acknowledged her as his life partner, she also wanted to get the citizen’s approval.
“Girlfriend?” Nathaniel said softly. His voice was soft, with indescribable love and tenderness.
Janell Joy smiles cutely and said, “Am I not your girlfriend?”
“Of course you are.” He had already instinctively regarded her as his wife. He had neglected the fact that before becoming his wife, she was still his girlfriend. “Is there anything wrong with a boyfriend carrying his girlfriend?”
Janell Joy pretended to be very wronged and said, “Brother Lucas, we are not even married yet and you are already not listening to me. Then when we get married in the future, are you going to bully me all the time?”
“Oh, you little girl!” Nathaniel really had no way to deal with her, so he had to listen to her. He then held her hand and continued to move forward in the snow.
However, other than holding her hand, he was also holding onto her waist, so that he could help her when she had accidentally stepped too deep into the snow.
After passing through the snow covered ground, they had finally arrived at the top of the mountain. There was a sightseeing pavilion on the top of the mountain. Standing there, they could see the entire North Palace.
“Brother Lucas, I never knew that there is such a beautiful place in the back mountain of the North Palace.” Janell Joy looked around. The view was very nice. Not only could she enjoy the beauty of the North Palace, but she could also admire the view of the man-made lake on the other side.
Nathaniel nodded and said, “Yes, this place is called Easy Hill. Just like the man-made lake that you are looking at, it’s man-made.”
Janell Joy was a little surprised. “How much manpower and material did it cost to build such a tall hill?”
“It should have cost a lot of money, but I haven’t asked about the details.” Nathaniel then looked around and said, “This mountain was built by my Grandfather for my Grandmother.”
“Brother Lucas, your Grandfather must have loved your Grandmother very much.” Janell Joy remembered that her Grandfather also loved her Grandmother very much, so he bought the mountain where they first met and named it Olivia Mountain after her, as proof of their love.
“No.” The look on Nathaniel’s face suddenly became a little sad. “The marriage between my Grandfather and my Grandmother was also purely political. The only thing they had in common was their focus on politics and power. There was nothing else.”
He smiled helplessly and said, “The marriage between two generations of the Cooper family I’ve come into contact with were all political, I’ve never felt the warmth and affection from them. Perhaps this is the price that the Cooper family has to pay in order to be in control of this country.”
1003
There was a sharp contrast between the Cooper family and the Carter family. In the recent two generations, the marriages in the Cooper family were all for political benefit, but the marriages in the Carter family were purely based on love.
Nathaniel Cooper had always lived in a cold family filled with political turmoil ever since he was a child. Janell Joy Carter, on the other hand, grew up in a warm and loving family.
When Janell Joy was very young, her father had taught her one thing that was how to love. To love herself, to love her family, and to love her genuine friends.
As for Nathaniel, he had learned one thing since he was a child too, that was, political strategies. No matter how strong the opponent was, no matter who the opponent was, and no matter by what means, he must find a way to defeat them.
“Brother Lucas...” Janell Joy turned around and hugged him tightly around his waist. “Brother Lucas, don’t be afraid, you have me. I will try my best so that we can have a happy family together, just like my grandparents and my parents.”
Her words were always so comforting that it had always managed to warm up his cold heart in an instant. Nathaniel smiled and said, “Janell, you know what? It was only after I had gone to the Carter family that I have realized that there was such family life that existed in the world.”
The husband loved and doted on his wife and the wife took great care of her husband. Everyone cared about each other. They would gather every night to eat together and live a harmonious life.
In the past, Nathaniel had never experienced it before. In his mind, every family should be the same as his family. They would sleep separately in their own rooms and eat their own meals.
The only time that the entire family would come together to have a meal was definitely during the festivals, but it was purely an act to show off to their citizens.
Janell Joy hugged him even tighter. “Brother Lucas, the past is already in the past. Let’s not dwell on it anymore. For now on, I will be by your side and we will live a good life together.”
“Okay.” He nodded. “I brought you here today because I wanted to tell you some stories about my grandparents.”
By telling the stories, he could constantly remind himself that no matter what had happened, he must not follow the footsteps of his elders. He didn’t want to live that cold and heartless life anymore. He wanted to take Janell Joy’s hand and live a normal life with her.
“Okay, tell me, I want to listen to it.” Janell Joy was still hugging him tightly. She wanted to let him feel her with her actions that she would stay with him forever.
Nathaniel looked into the distance and said slowly, “My grandmother was born rich. Not only was she rich, but she also was a startling beauty. There were so many men who wanted to marry her that there was enough to surround the entire North Palace. However, she had never taken a fancy on those men who were chosen by her family. She was only fond of one man.”
“That gentleman’s name was Eason Sam. He was an outstanding and knowledgeable man. But because of his poor family background, he couldn’t display his talent at that time, so he could only be a private tutor for the wealthy.”
“When the two of them met, it was the perfect story of a young and handsome man meeting a beautiful lady. They had good impressions of each other. The seeds of love had then unknowingly sprouted in their hearts.”
“During their time, the social ethos was relatively conservative. Once a woman got pregnant before marriage, she would be regarded as a shameful object by society and would be severely punished. My Grandmother was ordered to be punished, but my Grandfather saved her.”
“My Grandfather saved her not because of love, but because of her family background. In the early days, during the founding of Country A, the government was caught in a financial crisis. My Grandfather needed money and the support of a rich family, which was why he wanted to marry my Grandmother.”
“What my Grandfather had done did save her life, but it had failed to save my grandmother’s beloved man. My grandmother didn’t even get to see the gentleman’s body for the last time. The man’s body was wrapped in a broken mat and thrown into the wilderness behind the North Palace.”
“It was only later that my grandmother had found his body, but it had already begun to rot. She cried for a long time while holding the rotten body, and even had the idea of dying with him.”
“Grandpa came to her rescue once again. He told her that only the weak would choose death as a way of escape. She should regain her strength so that she could find out the person who had killed her man and to get revenge on them.”
“The hatred in Grandma’s heart was instantly ignited. She no longer tried to kill herself and agreed to marry Grandpa. But on one condition, that was to bury her beloved man well and to build a tomb for him.”
“Therefore, in order to marry Grandma and to get the support of her family, Grandpa had built this Hill City and buried the body here, even if he was criticized for exhausting the people and the country’s funds. He then named it Easy Hill, named after the man Eason.”
As Janell Joy listened to Nathaniel who was telling the story, she stared at him with her beautiful eyes and asked, “Brother Lucas, does that mean that the man was buried under our feet? This Hill City is not a hill, but a huge tomb?”
Nathaniel didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at her question. He had said so much, and yet she was asking such a funny question.
He shook his head and said, “Janell, do you know why I am telling you this?”
Janell Joy who was smart really couldn’t figure it out this time. She shook her head honestly and said, “Brother Lucas, I don’t know."
Nathaniel stroked her head and said, “I wanted to say that when love comes, you must cherish it. Don’t wait until you have lost it only to regret it. I also wanted to say that people’s desire to pursue power is endless and unscrupulous. It’s terrible and it’s so terrible that it’s beyond your imagination.”
“But I believe that my Brother Lucas will never be like that.” Janell Joy firmly believed in him. She believed in her Brother Janell.
“Janell, it’s not that I won’t, but I already did.” Nathaniel’s eyes darkened and he paused for a long time. “I, like my elders, have done a lot of shady things in order to be the President of Country A. What I have done for power was far beyond what my elders did in the past.”
After that, he lowered his head slightly. He looked at Janell Joy and carefully observed the change in her expression. He thought that as long as Janell Joy would express her disgust a little for what he had done, he would bear the pain and let her go.
To let her return to her bright world of sunlight to live a carefree and happy life that she deserved, but only without him.
Just as he was staring at Janell Joy, she was putting her hand on his big palm and said without hesitation, “Brother Lucas, it wouldn’t matter at all! No matter what you have become, you are still my beloved Brother Lucas!”
Even if he had done countless awful things, even if he had become a bloodthirsty demon, even if he had changed dramatically, as long as he had her in his heart, she would be with him, follow him, and she would never leave him!
1004
“Janell..”
There was so much that Nathaniel Cooper had wanted to say to Janell Joy Carter, but except for calling her name, he didn’t know what to say to her.
He looked at her cheeks, which were rosy from the cold, and her big bright eyes. His Adam’s apple suddenly bobbed twice out of desire.
Suddenly, before Janell Joy could react, he stretched out his big hand and grabbed the back of her head. He pushed her towards him and lowered his head to kiss her passionately.
His kiss was fierce and thirsty as if he had been waiting for it for millions of years. As soon as he touched her warm and soft red lips, his kiss immediately went out of control.
“Brother..”
Janell Joy wanted to call his name, but her breath was almost swallowed by him so that she couldn’t even utter a sound and she could only let him do whatever he wanted to her.
Janell Joy felt that his kiss was different from any other kisses that she had ever had with him. In addition to his strong possessive desire, there seemed to be a lot of fear and worry in his kiss.
Janell Joy knew what he was afraid of. He was afraid of losing her, and he was afraid that he would be left alone so that he would not have anyone who he could share his innermost feelings with.
In the political vortex of power, Brother Lucas had lost too much over the years. He could never believe in anyone, even his closest relatives, and there were also spies that were planted by his enemy in the North Palace.
It could be said that he was constantly surrounded by danger.
After a long time, when Janell Joy was already catching for her breath, Nathaniel finally let go of her. He touched her red lips and smiled. “Did you like it?”
“Yes, I liked it.” Janell Joy nodded forcefully with her cheeks blushin
In front of Nathaniel, Janell Joy would never hide her true feelings. If she liked it, she would say it out loud, otherwise, he wouldn’t know.
“Silly girl, didn’t your mother teach you that as a noble young lady, you should be more reserved?” He said it as if he was scolding her, but his eyes and tone were still filled with love and affection.
“Brother Lucas, don’t you like me being direct?” Because it was him, she could say whatever she wanted. The others would definitely not have such preferential treatment.
“I like it! No matter how my Janell is, I like it!” Just like her feelings for him, no matter what she had become, he would still like her.
“Hehe.” Janell Joy laughed and scratched her head in embarrassment. “Brother Lucas, can you promise me one thing?”
“Okay.” He agreed without asking her.
“Brother Lucas, you promised me so quickly. Aren’t you worried that I will sell you off?” Janell Joy leaned on his chest and listened to his heartbeat as she asked.
“Would you sell me off though?” He smiled gently as he enjoyed every second being with her. Even if they were only standing there and looking at the scenery, he still felt that he was the happiest man in this world.
“Of course I wouldn’t. Brother Lucas is mine, how could I sell you off?” Janell Joy raised her head slightly, just in time to meet his eyes that were looking down at her. At that instant, her face became even redder.
However, looking at the embarrassed look on her face, Nathaniel could not help but to lower his head and kiss her again. After thoroughly tasting her lips once again, he let her go and asked, “Silly girl, tell me, what’s the matter?”
Janell Joy said, “Brother Lucas, after you have done with those things, can you go to New York with me to see my family during the New Year?”
She had officially visited his mother, so she wanted to officially introduce him to her parents too.
She wanted to tell her grandparents and her parents that she had already grown up and had found a man she was willing to spend the rest of her life with. She hoped that they would give their blessings to them.
But Brother Lucas's identity was exceptional. Would he be willing to go?
Just when Janell Joy was thinking whether Nathaniel would agree to her request, Nathaniel immediately nodded heavily without asking any further questions and said, “Okay.”
Janell Joy had prepared herself mentally since a long time ago before she could muster the courage to ask him. After all, he had a special political identity, so it would be very troublesome for him to go abroad.
She thought that he would at least hesitate for a bit and ask her to give him some time to think about it, but he didn’t, he immediately gave her such a firm answer
“Brother Lucas, are you sure? Don’t you need some time to think about it again? With your identity, it is very troublesome to go abroad. Don’t you need time to think about it?” Janell Joy was worried that Brother Lucas hadn’t considered these problems, so she proposed that he should think about it carefully first before making any rash decisions.
“Silly girl, don’t worry, I know what I am doing. If I want to marry you, how can I not go and meet my future in-laws first?” He smiled, revealing his pearly white teeth, which were as bright as the sunshine.
Nathaniel knew that Janell Joy’s father, Edwin Carter, didn’t like him, and he didn’t want him to be the son-in-law of the Carter family. Although Edwin had stopped pestering Janell Joy to cut ties with Nathaniel, it was merely because of his love for his daughter, and not that he had already accepted Nathaniel.
No matter how much Edwin didn’t want to meet him and no matter how much he didn’t want him to become the son-in law of the Carter family, he would bear any kind of difficulties just for his beloved daughter.
But Nathaniel would work hard so that Edwin would accept him, not to accept him because of his love for his daughter, but to recognize Nathaniel’s love for Janell Joy.
Listening to Nathaniel’s answer, Janell Joy was happy as she said, “Brother Lucas, don’t worry. My father looks cold, but his heart is warm. As long as you get his approval, he will treat you as well as he treats me.”
“Mm, as long as you are with me, I’m not worried about anything." Nathaniel said softly as he held her in his arms and smelled the fragrance of her hair.
Even though Nathaniel knew that Edwin would never treat him like how he treated Janell Joy for the rest of his life, he didn’t say it out loud.
After all, Edwin had really doted on Janell Joy in his entire life. His love for Janell Joy was incomparable to that of any man in the world.
Of course, in this lifetime, there wouldn’t be any man who would have the ability to take over Edwin's position in Janell Joy’s heart, including Nathaniel himself.
Janell Joy wiggled in his arms and looked at the sunset. She then said, “Brother Lucas, the sun is about to go down. Let’s go back.”
Nathaniel nodded and said, “Okay, let’s go back.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Nathaniel’s phone suddenly rang. He picked it up and saw that it was Aaron Paul who had called.
At the sight of Aaron's name, Nathaniel instantly frowned. After letting it ring for a long time, he answered the call and said coldly, “What’s the matter?”
“Mr. President are you still mad at me?” Aaron's deep voice came from the phone. He sounded a little self-deprecating.
“You should really reflect on that.” Nathaniel said and was about to hang up the phone.
At the other end of the phone, Aaron shouted, “My dear Mr. President, it was you who had asked me to go undercover and you were the one who had asked me to get close to Hannah Elliott and her son. I have made such a great contribution. It’s fine if you don’t want to reward me, but why did you suspend me at work instead?”
1005
Nathaniel Cooper sneered. “Aaron, don’t think that I don’t know what you’re thinking. I’m warning you, if you dare to have those thoughts again next time I may not just suspend you at work.”
Nathaniel knew that Aaron Paul would not betray him, but Nathaniel also found out that Aaron wanted to take Janell Joy Carter away from him in secret.
Aaron's thoughts were already pushing Nathaniel’s limits. That was why he could not forgive Aaron so easily. That reckless guy needed to suffer a little, if not, he wouldn’t learn his lessons.
“Mr. President, hey, hey, listen to me…” Aaron still wanted to say something, but Nathaniel had already hung up the phone, which made him so anxious that he jumped. “I have been with you for decades and I am so loyal to you. Why would you bully me like this?”
Jackie Leves smiled and said happily, “That little girl is right beside him, and yet you still talk to him in a tone like that. It’s already a blessing that he didn’t go heavy with his punishment.”
“Master Leves, have I offended you?” Aaron looked at Jackie discontentedly and whined. “How can I work with you two constantly bullying me?”
Jackie quickly waved his hand and said, “Master Paul, if you want to whine, go somewhere else. Spare me the misery.”
Before Jackie finished his words, Aaron looked behind him and smiled very flatteringly. “Serene, it’s been a while. You are still so beautiful. I have never known how there would be such a beautiful girl like you, in this world.”
Jackie looked back and saw Serene Silas walking toward them. She replied politely, “Master Paul, it’s been a long time since we met! You’re still so handsome.” Serene said politely with a faint smile on her face, which made Jackie very dissatisfied.
He walked forward and pulled her away. “Serene, how many times do you want me to tell you this? You can’t smile that way to other men.”
Jackie was definitely a petty man. He couldn’t bear to have Serene interact with another man besides him.
However, Aaron was still talking behind them, “Serene, I'll treat you to dinner some other day. Your man is so domineering, you don’t have to tolerate him. You’re such a perfect woman, you can easily find a man who is much better than him.”
Jackie turned back and glared at him fiercely. “Aaron, if you say one more word, I’ll cut off your tongue.”
Jackie made up his mind to speak ill of Aaron in front of Nathaniel one day. If he did so, Aaron would be in a deeper mess.
“Master Leves, don’t get annoyed! I was just joking with you. I hope you can put in a good word for me with the President. Besides, we all know that Serene loves you so much. Even if she finds a man who is a hundred times better than you, she may not want him.” Aaron absolutely did this on purpose. Of course, he did it on purpose to make Jackie angry.
“Aaron!” Jackie turned around and wanted to beat Aaron up. but as soon as he stepped forward, he was stopped by Serene.
She smiled at him gently and said, “Master Paul is right. Even if there is a man who is a thousand times better than you, you are still my choice. Do you think that is wrong?”
Jackie responded coldly, “I don’t like other people talking about my woman. And you haven’t promised me not to smile so nicely at other men too.”
Men were sometimes really childish. She only greeted him out of politeness, but he was already so jealous. How childish! Serene shook her head helplessly. “Okay, okay, I'll listen to you. From now on, I'll look at everyone with a straight face. I won’t make you jealous.”
Jackie was satisfied this time. He lowered his head and nibbled on Serene’s earlobe. “That’s right. Men would always like obedient women.”
Serene did not answer him. She didn’t want to argue with him. He was so childish because he cared about her. She had never seen him being so domineering with other women except for her.
She only sighed, and Jackie began to nag again, “You sighed? Are you unhappy with me? Serene, just spill it, don’t keep it in your heart.”
Serene really wanted to roll her eyes. This man was going overboard. She wanted to warn him that she would grow tired of his antics one day.
“You rolled your eyes? Serene, what are you unhappy with me about? I’m speaking to you nicely now. If you are not happy, I am willing to change.” Jackie was still going on about the same topic, but he sounded a little worried.
It was because he cared too much about her that he became nervous. Because he cared too much, he didn’t want her to smile so nicely at other men.
She certainly didn’t know how beautiful she looked when she smiled. He was attracted by her smile. He was charmed by her for so many years, and he couldn’t forget her.
He didn’t want other men to fall in love with her because of her smile. The more competitors he had, the more dangerous it would be, and the higher the chances of losing her.
“Jackie, what are you thinking about? In my heart, you are the best. No matter what your strengths or weaknesses are, you are still you. I am willing to accept them.”
Serene snuggled into his arms and smiled at him. “Alright now, don’t worry. Give me a smile.”
“I’m so mad that I can’t smile anymore.” He lowered his head and bit her playfully, and then he smiled gently. “Serene, no matter what, you can’t escape from me anyway.”
Serene looked at him and said, “Jackie, didn’t I say it clear enough? I am your woman, and you are my man. In this life, we can’t be separated again.”
“Don’t look at me. I know. I say it every day just to remind you. I’m just worried that you will forget.” Suddenly, Jackie reached out and picked her up. “Let’s go, it’s our sweet time now.”
Serene’s face turned red and she punched him. “There are people around us. Be careful when you speak. Besides, the real murderer has not been caught yet. Don’t think about these things.”
“We know who the murderers are already. We only need one more piece of evidence.” Jackie smiled and suddenly said in a colder voice, “I’m not worried about not finding the real murderer, but just haven’t thought of a way to kill them most viciously.”
1006
"Jackie.."
"Mm?"
"When this matter is over, let's leave this place." Serene looked at him and said seriously, "I don't want to stay in this city anymore. I don't want to think about all this at all.
In the past two days, she had been quite jumpy. She was constantly fearful that something terrible would happen. She was worried that she might be separated from Jackie and that they would not be able to stay by each other's side till the end of time.
"Okay. I promise you, Similarly, Jackie did not want to stay in the city too. He wanted to forget the bad memories of the past and start a new life elsewhere with Serene.
Serene smiled gently and said, "Thank you!"
"You don't have to thank me with words. If you try your best later, it will be the greatest form of thanks to me." Even if he held her in his arms, Jackie could sway her effortlessly into their room like a gust of wind.
Serene rolled her eyes again. She was dumbstruck at his words.
She said so many heartfelt words, and yet all she could do was submit to her fate? He would still be capturing her into the room and eating her up!
This man was simply a fighter among beasts.
------
At Moon Bay.
Angela Carter had specially ordered the housekeeper to prepare a lot of delicious dishes. She wanted to entertain the future son-in-law of the Carter family lavishly.
It was all a part of Angela's plan. She knew the purpose of this grand welcome for this future son-in-law of the Carter family. It was all because she wanted to test him!
All kinds of dishes were served on the table. Angela took off her apron, then she took Levi's little hand and asked, "Levi, do you remember what I taught you?"
Levi removed his hand away and rolled his eyes at her. "Mom, you're the one who always forgets things, not me, alright?"
Levi's words irritated Angela instantly. She grabbed Levi's ear and said, "Brat how dare you complain about your mother?"
Levi responded loudly, " I'm not complaining about you. I'm just telling the truth."
Angela warned him, "I'm telling you, watch your tone. Otherwise, I'll tell your Dad and he will spank you."
Levi pouted and said, "Mom, do you know that people who don't listen to the truth will never improve in life?"
Angela replied, "It's not up to you to tell me that. How old are you?! How dare you give me a lecture?"
"Levi, have you made your Mom angry again?" Victor was coming out of his study, He came over to Levi's side and said, "Kid, you must be longing for a spank huh."
"Dad, if you can't tell right from wrong again, you're going to spoil your woman, and she will cause chaos!" Levi was innocent. He was the youngest member of the family, but every time they were together, they bullied him.
Most of the time, he suspected that he was not really their child. He speculated he must have been a child Angela had picked up from the rubbish dump. Hence, they bullied him so frequently.
He was a smart child. He would never give up a good fight, and he knew which move would work against his mother. After considering it for a while, he pursed his lips and looked so pitiful as if he was about to cry. "Mom, am I a child you picked up from the dumpsters? You're already bullying me, but you're even influencing Dad to bully me too… I'm definitely not your child."
"Victor, I was just joking with the kid. What are you doing here?" Angela pushed all the blame to Victor. She pulled Levi into her arms in a hurry. "Levi, I was just playing with you. Your Dad and I love you so much. How could you say that I picked you up somewhere?"
"Really? Are you sure?" Levi rubbed his eyes, looking both pitiful and adorable.
"Brat, you already know how to act at such a young age!" Victor went to him and picked him up as he said, "How do you think I should punish you?"
Levi blinked and two drops of tears rolled down from his eyes, "Mom.."
Although Angela always bullied Levi, the fact was every mother loved her son. When she saw her son's tears, her heart ached. "Victor, let go of my son.
Victor replied indifferently, "Your son is putting up an act!"
Angela said, "His mother is an actress, why can't he be acting?"
Victor was taken aback. He had been tricked by Levi again.
Although Levi was still a child, he was more cunning than a fox, he always knew where their weaknesses were. Levi then said, "Mom, Dad is staring at me."
Angela spoke loudly, "Victor!"
Victor was also getting agitated, "Levi, you wait and see! You're definitely going to get beaten up!"
Angela yelled even louder, "Victor!"
Victor kept his peace this time. He didn't dare to make a sound. After all, Angela became more and more unbridled in front of him day by day. This was because he spoiled her so much. Therefore, he should take full responsibility.
"Little Aunt, you are bullying Great Uncle again!" Janell Joy opened the door and came in. She shook her head. "I could even hear your loud voices from outside."
"He provoked us first." What Angela was best at in her life was to turn the truth upside down. She could even sound reasonable even if she wasn't.
Janell Joy certainly knew her Little Aunt's character. She smiled and took Levi from Angela's arms. "Levi, I brought you something nice."
"Sister, didn't you bring your husband home?" Levi looked behind Janell Joy, but he didn't see Nathaniel Cooper. Then, he looked up at his mother.
"He asked me to come upstairs first. He will come up later." When they came from Easy Hill, Janell Joy received a phone call from Angela, who requested her to bring Nathaniel back to Moon Bay for dinner. Thus, Nathaniel accepted the invitation and came with her.
On the way there, Nathaniel had asked his subordinates to prepare a big gift. Since he was going to officially meet the elders in her family, he needed to prepare a nice gift for them. Hence, he asked Janell Joy to go upstairs first.
Levi received his mother's hint and said, "Sis, can I sit with him later?"
Janell Joy nodded, "Of course you can."
Levi asked again, "Can I ask him to carry me?"
Janell Joy poked his head and said, "Levi, you are almost eight years old. You are not a baby any longer. You'd better not pester others to carry you all the time."
Levi then said, "You are so stingy."
Janell Joy refuted, "Levi, be careful what you say. Why did you say that?"
The naughty boy didn't know how to speak appropriately at all! She really wanted to give him a spanking!
1007
Seeing that Janell Joy wanted to hit him, Angela immediately stood up and pulled Levi behind her. She smiled and said, “Janell, since President Cooper is here, ask him to come up quickly.”
When she heard his name, Janell Joy had a better mood. She immediately forgot that Levi said that she was stingy. She turned around and walked away, “I’ll ask him to come up now.”
Victor stopped her and said, “Janell, wait a minute, I have something to say to you.”
Janell Joy stopped and looked back. “Great Uncle, what do you want to say to me?”
Victor walked to her side, raised his hand, and rubbed her head. “Janell, your parents are not by your side. Angela and I are your only family here. If there’s anything happening to you, you need to tell us. Don’t keep it in your heart.”
"I know that,” she replied. Janell Joy really did not treat the James family as outsiders. After all, the relationship between the two families was very close,
Victor patted her on the shoulder and said, “Okay, go ahead. Bring your sweetheart here and we’ll have a meal with him.”
“Thank you, Great Uncle. I’ll ask him to come up right now. Please wait for a moment!” Janell nodded, turned around, and ran downstairs to fetch Nathaniel Cooper.
She knew that it wasn’t her Great Uncle and Little Aunt’s idea to invite Brother Lucas to have dinner at home. It must be her own family who wanted him to come. Her family always loved and supported her silently and never gave her any pressure.
Watching Janell Joy leave, Victor turned to look at Angela, who had a devious expression on her face, “I need to warn you, don’t do anything unexpected later!”
Angela glanced at him and snorted, “Hmm, I just want to test that guy! Do you think you can stop me?”
Victor said, “Anyway, he is related to you by blood! Shouldn’t you help him?”
Angela rolled her eyes and said, “How is he my relative? How can the Cooper family be my relatives? I only have the Carter family in my heart."
Victor didn’t hide the reason why he came to Coast City from Angela. Angela also knew that he was here to investigate something. As for the death of her parents, it did bother Angela before, but in the end, she chose to seal up the entire incident in her heart.
It was because she knew that her parents and Victor's father were acting on behalf of their own countries’ best interests. No matter what they did, they had valid reasons.
Now that this matter was brought up again, it grazed upon the sealed-up wound in the deepest part of Angela's heart, causing her to think of these saddening incidents from her past.
According to the information obtained by Victor, it was very likely Griffin Cooper had deliberately caused the incident to happen. He wanted to get rid of his own biological sister and brother-in-law.
As for his purpose of doing so, Angela didn’t know what it was. She was even more confused about the relationship between her parents and Griffin. She could not guess what Griffin was planning to do, back then.
He was an uncle whom she had never met, and also a probable murderer of her parents. He was such a terrible person, so Angela did not intend to treat him as a relative for the rest of her life.
“When the incident happened that year, Griffin had not yet married his wife from the Collins family, and Nathaniel was not yet born. It could be assumed that Nathaniel knew nothing about that matter, and it was impossible for him to be involved in it. He is innocent in this matter,” Victor repeated this again, as he was afraid that Angela would do or say something senseless when Nathaniel arrived.
Angela glared at him again and said, “Victor, what are you thinking about? Am I such an irrational person?”
Of course, she knew that matter had nothing to do with Nathaniel. She had never thought about venting her anger on Nathaniel because of that matter. Otherwise, why would she prepare such a sumptuous dinner to welcome him?
“Mom, you are irrational!” Levi suddenly said this sentence out loud, which made Angela want to throw this silly son of hers out of the window.
“Levi, are you actually my son? You must be sent from heavens to torture me.”
The brat was irritating her! She should’ve let Victor beat him up and allowed Janell Joy to scold him. Then, would Levi know that his mother was the best person he had.
“Mom, Dad said that you were sent from heaven to torture him.” After Levi said that, he managed to piss Victor off as well!
Victor frowned and picked up the little fellow. “Brat, if I don’t teach you a lesson today, I’m not going to forgive myself.”
“Mom, help! Dad is serious this time!” Levi struggled hard. Compared to Victor, he was really small in stature. He couldn’t fight back at all!
Angela's heart ached for her son, but when she thought of the fact that the little one was always making things difficult for her, she decided to let him suffer so that he would not bully her in the future.
“Mom, if you don’t save me, who will help you with your plan later?” At such a crucial moment, Levi used his trump card.
Angela immediately raised her hand and surrendered.
“Victor, please forgive him this time. Next time… Next time when you’re teaching him a lesson, I won’t interrupt you.”
Victor glared at her. “Angela, did you not hear what I just said to him?”
Angela smiled and said, “Oh Captain James, we would never dare offend you! Besides, I swear we didn’t hear what you just said anyway. Please don’t do this.”
Levi nodded vigorously. “Dad, did you say anything at all?” Well, the little one was really so witty! He knew that he needed to play along well.
Angela said with a smile, “Captain James, I have specially prepared a few of your favorite dishes for you today. You are so kindhearted, just forgive our son.”
Playing along with his mother, Levi nodded his little head adorably. “Dad, I’m only an eight-year-old boy, a handsome boy”
Victor's heart had long been moved by the mother and son. His eyes were smiling, but he still said with a serious face, “Brat, where did you learn to say that?”
Levi said seriously, “When I hung out with the people from the military, they called me that. They asked me if I had a girlfriend, and said that I am much more good looking than you. They asked me not to find a girlfriend as rude as Mom in the future.”
Angela immediately shouted, “Who said that? Tell me his name. How dare they talk behind my back like that? Victor, you have to teach your men a lesson.”
However, Victor let go of Levi’s hand and pinched his smooth little face. “Boy, you finally said something right tonight.”
Angela said angrily, “Victor, what do you mean by that? You can forgo the fact that they say that I am rude, but can you stand them saying that you are not good looking?”
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