Apple turned back, picked up the exquisitely wrapped gift bags, and strode out.When she closed the office door behind her, she did it with such force that it slammed shut with a loud bang.Once outside, she pulled out her phone and recorded a short selfie video. In it, she held up the gifts, and the camera panned to show the floor where Dylan’s office was located, then lingered on his office door.After she was done, she sent it to an old classmate with instructions to forward it to other classmates who were in touch with Imogen, ensuring it would eventually reach her rival.She was sending a message to Imogen that she had her eyes on Dylan, too, and she was not giving up.Dylan was simply an exceptional man. One rejection would not make her back down. If she did not at least try, she would never be satisfied.Even if she failed in the end, at least she would not regret not making the effort.Imogen very soon received the video.However, she did not get angry about it. She imm

The tea the secretary had prepared for him sat untouched.The platter of fruit and snacks remained just as pristine. He had not taken a single bite.Why was Imogen not answering his calls? Was she angry? Had she misunderstood him?Dylan regretted not replying to her immediately after receiving the video. In his panic to rush over and explain in person, he had left her hanging.Imogen would not misunderstand, right? She had warned him about Apple long ago and told him outright that the woman was her nemesis, to which he had promised her that he would only ever love her.In his eyes, no other woman could compare.As he waited, he mentally berated himself. He felt he still did not understand women well enough and needed to study harder and learn from experience.The next time something like this happened, he would send her a message first, even if he would still race over to explain things face-to-face after.He could not make the same mistake again.Just as he turned to once aga

Dylan grinned like a fool.After exchanging sweet nothings for a while, Imogen finally returned to work, but not before discreetly retrieving her phone from beneath the folder, making sure he never realized she had left it behind on purpose.As she focused on her tasks, Dylan secretly snapped a photo of her in concentration. He promptly posted it on his social media with the caption: [The future mother of my children].His brothers hit like and flooded the comments instantly, asking if he had finally succeeded in winning her over.Smugly, he replied: [Jen agreed to be my girlfriend.]The collective response was a chorus of skepticism: [Anything can happen before your marriage is official.]Dylan internally scoffed. Peter and the rest were just being sour grapes because they were jealous they had not locked things down with their respective lady loves yet.His love was unwavering, and so was Imogen’s. Once they committed, it was for life. It was only a matter of time before they

River could not resist doting on his little niece.Five years ago, he had arrived in Solville alone, determined to build his own legacy. Among his brothers and cousins, he and the younger ones were the last to venture out independently. He had deliberately chosen Solville, which was over 1,200 miles from Wiltspoon, to carve his own path.Starting from a managing role, he took over the struggling company and turned it around. Now, he owned half its shares, transitioning from employee to a bona fide boss.These years of relentless work meant rare trips home. He maintained a low profile in Solville, which kept his identity as the seventh young master of the Wiltspoon Yorks under wraps.His older brothers and cousins had all married and started families, so he now had a veritable brood of nephews.This little girl in his arms was his only niece so far.Born a year and a half ago to Zachary and Serenity, she was already walking and babbling simple words. With her doll-like features, s

River asked in concern.“I’ve been too busy lately and haven’t had time to visit Nana.”Serenity replied, “Nana’s health is holding up, but given her age, she’s started showing some common ailments of the elderly. “The family doctor comes by periodically to give her check-ups and prescriptions to help regulate her condition, but lately, Nana has been acting more and more like a child. She refuses to take her medicine every day. We have to coax her into it.“When she found out I was coming to Solville, she wanted to come along, but Zachary managed to talk her out of it. Her health just isn’t what it used to be.”Serenity hoped the old lady would live to a hundred, just like Mr. Foster, who passed away peacefully as a centenarian. His funeral had been a celebration of a full life.“Nana is still worried about you and the others, you know. She says she doesn’t have the energy anymore to run around and scout for potential wives for you like she used to.“She mentioned that she pers