Ch. 541..550

Chapter 541

Chapter 541

"What about winning awards? Can't keep up with having a guardian angel!"

Frederic could hear the sarcasm in Millie's tone and knew the complexity of the entertainment industry. Michelle had to depend on Trinity to survive. He took a discreet glance at Trinity only to see the latter's reddened eyes and felt his heart clench for no reason.

Cordelia padded to Michelle. "How are you getting used to the set life, Ms. Carmichael?"

Frederic was happy to see Cordelia's concern for Michelle and immediately gestured for the latter to speak more to Cordelia.

Despite that, Michelle's gaze toward Cordelia was obviously one of jealousy and fear.

"I brought you a unique set of tea." Cordelia waved a hand with a smile, and someone behind her took out what was in the small basket.

The dessert on the pretty porcelain was in the shape of a snake.

"Ms. Carmichael, don't have such a hot temper when you've just joined the crew. Be like this snake. It's good to be cooler."

Everyone knew that Cordelia was calling Michelle a snake. They said nothing but were secretly laughing.

"Ms. Carmichael, these doggy-shaped cookies are great too." Cordelia picked up a dish of cookies from the side. "They're designed to be female doggies, you know. Try them! "Why? You don't like them?" Cordelia asked intentionally. "Another socialite had this tea before you, and she thought it was great! It'd be a waste not to try them."

"You" Michelle was furious, but she dared not say anything. When she met Cordelia's stern gaze, she felt shivers run down her back.

Frederic swiftly understood what Cordelia meant and knew that this conflict was most likely Michelle's fault. However, he still stepped forward to put himself in front of her.

Even if the entire world was pointing fingers at Michelle, he refused to give up. He was willing to turn against the world for her.

Frederic said softly, "Cordelia, Michelle has just joined the crew and has a lot of things she doesn't know. She'll need lots of guidance and understanding from you all."

"I don't have to understand her." Cordelia smiled while looking at him. "I'm just here to check on the outcome according to schedule. But I'd like you to understand Ms. Lulham. She's the most tired one in this whole filming crew!"

"Yes, it's "

"And I heard that this scene's been stuck forever, is it?"

"Yeah." Millie spoke again. "It's supposed to be a real slap, but Ms. Trinity here feels bad for Michelle and doesn't allow it!"

"Wouldn't this affect the progress then?"

Cordelia took a seat behind the monitor, and the assistant director understood it instantly, yelling into the speaker to get everyone ready.

The camera was set, and the actors had done their touch-ups. Millie stood where she was supposed to be as well. Michelle was the only one standing rooted at a loss.

"What's the matter?" Cordelia raised a brow. "You really don't want to shoot anymore?"

Frederic dared not confront Cordelia. This production was really a big one that would benefit Michelle's career, so he asked her to hold out until they were done with this take.

Michelle was incredibly reluctant, standing across Millie after a simple touch-up.

"Since we want the effect, do it real! Ms. Lulham, what do you think?"

Trinity took a deep breath and nodded weakly.

Millie smiled, more than ready.

"No, I disagree!" Michelle stomped her foot in panic. "Frederic, say something!"

"Frederic's not the director. What do you want him to say?" Cordelia was stern. "Michelle Carmichael, don't drag the whole crew down because of you alone! The investors reserve the right to hold you accountable!"

"Cordelia, you-"

"Let's start!"

Chapter 542

Chapter 542

Trinity met Cordelia's eyes and smiled, perking herself up.

"Get ready." She picked up the walkie-talkie and kept a serious gaze on the screen. "Action!"

"B*tch!" When the camera zoomed into Millie, the award-winning actress did not disappoint. She raised her arm and slapped Michelle!

Michelle gasped and held her cheek automatically, seeing stars from the pain.

Millie's hair was disheveled, and the buttons of her collar popped. She was living her character-a feisty woman. She pointed at Michelle and scolded vehemently, "SI*t! How dare you snatch my man!? Look at yourself first!"

Millie somehow felt what she said. She was engrossed, imagining herself to be Trinity as she glared at Michelle.

"Good, wonderful!" The assistant director instructed from the side, "Watch your emotions. Hmm... give me more! Yes, camera zoom in... Continue with the lines!"

"Get up now! Fight back! Hah, pretending to be weak in front of me? It might work on the men but not me!

"I'm going to kill you today!"

Millie was excellent with her lines. Her expressions and movements hit the nail on the head as well. The scene was smoothly concluded.

"Nice one!" Trinity finally wore a pleased smile.

With the scene over, the rock weighing her down was put aside as well. She swiftly forgot about the discord earlier and brightly got ready for the next scene.

Michelle was no longer involved after the scene. She was pale with cold hands and feet as she trembled from Millie's slap. When she moved aside, she kept a vicious gaze on Cordelia and Trinity.

Millie was feeling amazing. With her shawl draped over her, she sashayed past Michelle, not forgetting to roll her eyes in disdain.

The set went back to its order. Trinity was fully concentrated on work while the other actors worked well together.

Michelle was the only one looking at Frederic with wet eyes as if she had suffered some immeasurable grievance.

Frederic frowned and hesitated, but he made his way to Trinity.

"Can I talk to you in private?"

There was a pause before Trinity nodded.

They went to a restroom not too far from the set.

"This is for Michelle, isn't it?" Trinity asked Frederic directly.

Even though her hands were sweating from her nerves, she fought to speak first. "It's not that I want it that way, but she doesn't have the professionalism required of an actor. There are many more scenes after this. Some require them to roll about in the sand, and some others to fall off the stairs...

"If she keeps this up, I'll consider switching her out!"

"Trinity..." Frederic spoke hesitantly.

He met her bright, determined eyes. Her expression was one of resolution, but a wryness tugged the corners of her lips.

Frederic felt his heart jot suddenly, like a stone causing ripples when it was tossed into the lake.

The ripples vanished soon after, though.

"Don't worry. I know what's work and personal. I won't ask you of anything because of her." Frederic smiled. "It's just... I have something to pass to you."

Trinity paused. "What is it?"

Frederic pulled a small charm out of his pocket. It was red with beautiful embroidery on it.

"I have a client who is relatively superstitious. Before going to court last week, I went to the church with him to calm him down. I saw this and thought that it's quite rare." Trinity's heart skipped a beat. She clutched the charm, not daring to look up into his eyes.

"I hope it brings you good luck!" Frederic said softly, "I also hope that the film's a hit and you'll win another award!"

Trinity smiled with a lowered head. The fog that clouded her earlier was all gone. As long as he turned back for a glance at her, she felt that the whole world was bright and sunny.

Chapter 543

Chapter 543

"Thank you."

"We're good bros, right? No worries!" Frederic chuckled and lowered his head to look at her. "Uh... you're not angry anymore now?"

"Huh?"

"I know that you're a rational and mature girl. You're friendly and genuine too. So... Michelle must have been in the wrong to have angered you like that. I'll apologize on her behalf. Stop being mad, okay?" Trinity froze. The haze that had just dissipated came back in full force again.

All in all, he had gifted her the charm because of Michelle.

She was sensible to him, so the sensible one should be forgiving and understanding, benevolent and merciful, not be calculative even when wronged-because only children who threw tantrums would be given candies!

Trinity could not get herself to act like Michelle. She despised that too.

That was why she could never compare to Michelle in Frederic's eyes.

There was a bitter smile on Trinity's face. When she looked down, the charm did not look so radiant anymore.

Later, the men gathered in the bar.

Zephyr had not wanted to go, but Josiah had said that he did not have to pay for it, so he went.

Josiah kept chuckling when he saw him.

"Z, I remember sis-in-law spending all her money on you back in Jangasas! Why are you... so pathetic now?"

Zephyr threw him a sharp look and enjoyed the Chiraz on his own.

"Yeap!" Nicholas laughed while playing. "Josiah, have you seen a rich heir with only 70 dollars on him?"

"As if you're any better, Nicholas!" blurted Josiah. "How long has it been since you last smoked?"

"Damn you!"

Nicholas abandoned his game to beat the man up.

Zephyr pretended to cut them off but took the opportunity to hit Josiah as well. The room was instantly filled with the latter's cries.

The three of them messed around, giggling, leaving Frederic on the side, who was drinking quietly as if there was a transparent wall between them that put them in two different worlds. "Hey, Frederic!" Josiah went over to pat him on the shoulder. "We're out drinking. Why are you still so down?"

Frederic's brows were furrowed together as he stayed silent.

Zephyr thought of what Cordelia had told him about what happened on set today and understood it swiftly. The stubborn man was acting like this because of Michelle again. "Are you unhappy because she suffered a grievance?" Zephyr asked frankly.

Frederic's gaze dimmed as his fingers on the glass clenched.

Josiah looked around, asking with a pair of clueless eyes, "Who's she?"

Nicholas quickly dragged him away to hang out outside.

Zephyr took a seat next to Frederic. There was a moment of silence before he asked him with a frown, "Frederic, do you think what she experienced on set is a grievance?

"I heard that the award-winning actress was hit with a whip by the actress she was acting with back when she had just made her debut. And her parts were all cut in the end. "Do you think that's fair?"

Frederic looked up at him. He opened his mouth but did not say a thing.

"You're a lawyer. You should know best that there's no absolute fairness in this world! Michelle's a rookie. It's normal for her to suffer a little. You don't have to feel bad for her."

"But-"

"But the director of the film is Trinity." Zephyr's gaze was cryptic. "So, you think she should give in to Michelle because of you?”

Chapter 544

Chapter 544

"Z..."

Frederic's throat constricted. He was usually good in words but could only break out in cold sweat in front of Zephyr now. Moreover, he had never seen Zephyr so stern.

"It's not wrong to like a person, but you've got to know what kind of person it is you like!" Zephyr said sternly, "You can only determine if it's worthy to love a person when you know them for who they truly are!"

"Z." Frederic chuckled and emptied his wine. "Did you decide to love Cordelia after you got to know her for how she is? No! I can bet that you liked her at first sight!"

Zephyr's gaze darkened. "What are you trying to say?"

Frederic did not answer but poured himself another glass.

"Cordelia's not like that woman!" Zephyr's voice was cold. "Don't compare the two of them!"

"What?" Frederic scoffed, taking advantage of his tipsy state. "Your girl's the apple of your eye, and the one I like is worthless?"

"You-"

This dumb*ss! If Michelle truly cared about him, she would have gotten together with him a long time ago and not kept him hanging for years!

It was so obvious that the woman was using him, and he stayed stubborn.

"She'll like me..." Frederic took the bottle and gulped it down.

He had never drunk like this. He was a lawyer and had to constantly keep his cool and be alert. Today, however, he lost his composure. Zephyr looked at him, heaved a heavy sigh, and left the room.

Frederic was the last one to leave the bar. It was already late into the night, and he had drunk a lot, so he staggered a little while he walked.

If he remembered correctly, this was the first time he had let himself go like this since growing up.

The Constables were a famous scholarly family in Centrolis, and his family was strict in educating him.

Before Frederic graduated from university, he had never had a sip of alcohol. It was after he started working and had to socialize that he took sips here and there.

Relationships-wise, he was a piece of blank paper. With how strict his family was, he was forbidden from dating too early. Michelle was like a shine of light to him, a fantasy in his youth.

It was not that Frederic did not know about Michelle's attitude toward him. It was just that he had never lost growing up. He had good grades and a smooth career. Everything came easy to him. That was why he could not lose... not even when it was difficult.

Frederic shook his head and took the steps down toward the car park. His substitute driver was already there. He passed the car key to the substitute driver, but the latter had never driven such a nice car and actually cut the engine off after tinkering with it.

The substitute driver turned to him in embarrassment. "Sir, I'm so sorry."

Frederic sighed helplessly. He waved to dismiss the serviceman and hesitated to call his assistant when a sports car skidded to a brake in front of him.

The headlights were so bright that he could barely open his eyes.

It was when the car door opened that he saw the person coming to him with a smile was Yale.

"Oh, Mr. Constable!" Yale went over to pat his car. "What? Car broke down? Come on. I'll give you a ride home!"

"No thanks, Mr. Yale." Frederic took a step back. "I can ask my assistant."

"They got to sleep this late in the night, right?" Yale scoffed. "Right, you can get my cousin here! Aren't you guys best bros? The kind who'll come with just one call?" Frederic glanced at him with a blank face while Yale smirked cryptically.

He had been tipped off before he came that Zephyr and Frederic were drinking in this bar, but Zephyr had somehow left first. Zephyr had also not been looking good when he left. Yale had also heard about Michelle, so he was able to connect the dots speedily.

Yale lowered his voice. "Mr. Constable, Zephyr and Cordelia are obviously oppressing Michelle. Can't you see that?"

Frederic wanted to shake him off impatiently, but he had drunk too much and lost his balance. He staggered and had to hold on to the wall.

"It's true!" Yale persisted. "Think about it. Back at Tanners' party, Michelle offended Cordelia, and Zephyr boycotted her on the spot. You pleaded her case, but she went to Trinity's crew!

"And who's Trinity Lulham? That little b*tch Cordelia's best friend!"

"What are you saying?" Frederic frowned.

He knew that Trinity and Cordelia worked together but had no idea that they were close in private as well.

Yale had a cigarette between his lips and took two puffs nonchalantly. The smoke he puffed out smelled strong, and Frederic could not help furrowing his brows. He instinctively thought that the smell was odd but could not pinpoint what felt strange.

"Hah, so Cordelia's definitely taking Trinity's side and squashing your love!" Yale said with a cackle, "Tough days are ahead for Ms. Carmichael!"

"That's impossible!" Frederic looked at him coldly. "Cordelia's open and straightforward in doing things. She won't play dirty tricks like this!"

"Her? Open and straightforward?" Yale laughed dryly and looked menacing. "Hah! It's because of this b*tch and her gossiping that my grandfather cut Yale Residence's budget! He took away my personal bodyguards too!

"What's that if not dirty tricks?"

"Mr. Yale, you asked for these," Frederic said flatly. "Anything else I can help you with now? Please move. I'm leaving!"

"Frederic, don't be ungrateful!" Yale was angry. "Can you live with the fact that Cordelia made your love's life difficult and made her get slapped? Are you a f*cking man!?"

Frederic went stiff and stood there like he was frozen. It was probably the alcohol, but he felt suffocated, especially when he recalled how Cordelia had given Michelle the snake and dog desserts in front of everyone... insulting her explicitly and implicitly. She had left Michelle no room for pride.

Frederic's hands balled into fists, shaking a little.

"Mr. Constable, think about it. What will Zephyr do if his girl's being bullied like that? Hah, is his girl the most precious in the world, and others are not even humans?

"Think about it some more. What does Ms. Carmichael wish for the most now?" Yale's eyes gleamed viciously. "For you to vent for her! Take tenfold or even a hundredfold revenge for her for how Cordelia bullied her!

"Who knows? She might see you differently after that... Wouldn't it be a matter of course for you to bag the girl then?"

Chapter 545

Chapter 545

Yale scanned Frederic up and down. He stepped forward to ask when he saw the latter staying quiet for some time. "Mr. Constable, did you think about it?"

"My business is none of your concern." Frederic looked at him coldly. "On the contrary, you should look after yourself if you're free, Mr. Yale. Hah, you don't look too good. Is it hard getting it up nowadays?" "Who the f*ck are you commenting on!?"

"It's beneficial to control yourself accordingly!" Frederic smirked cryptically and patted the man's shoulder. "Impotence and baldness would be unfortunate when you're so young. You'd be embarrassing the Hamertons then!"

"You-"

Yale wanted to react physically, but Frederic caught his wrist and threw him feet away. He was drunk, but he was pretty strong.

Frederic smiled and walked out of the carpark.

Yale knew that Zephyr's close friends were not helpless weaklings, but he did not expect a mere lawyer to fight him like this!

Cordelia had removed his personal bodyguards too, so he did not have any men of his own!

The car beside Yale became his venting punching bag, and he kicked it hard.

The car's alarm rang abruptly.

It was too late for Yale to leave. A few brawny men came out of the bar. They looked intoxicated and aggressive as they glared at him. "Who the f*ck kicked my car!?"

Yale jolted. Before he could react, one of the men yanked him by the back of his collar.

"What are you doing? You... Are you blind? Do you not know who I am?"

The man studied him carefully with a squint before he shook his head.

"Who's this idiot?"

"You-"

"How dare you b*stard kick my car!? We're teaching you a lesson!"

"I'm Yale Hamerton, the eldest descendant of the Hamertons!"

The men laughed. "Right, and I'm fucking Zephyr Hamerton! Hahaha..."

"Come here, kneel down to my car!"

The carpark was instantly filled with the dull thuds of a fight and Yale's cries.

Rowan's allergy reaction was gradually getting better.

Xyla had been taking care of him during this period but had never said one word to him.

There were a few times that Rowan wanted to hold her hand, but she avoided it tactfully, not even looking at him.

The man was anxious, but he was helpless. He scratched his head and racked his brain before finally getting an idea.

Rowan had just finished his IV drip that day, and Xyla was peeling an apple. Out of the corner of her eyes, she caught a glimpse of him lying stiffly on the bed like he was frozen.

She looked over and saw that the man was turning purple from not breathing! Shocked, she thought his allergy reaction was flaring up again but noticed something off upon scrutiny.

She was going to ring the bell for the nurse but pulled her hand back. Recomposing herself, she pulled out two needles from Rowan's bag and stabbed them down, aiming for the veins on his arm... "Ow!" cried Rowan, caught by surprise, and nearly sprang up from the bed.

"No, no, no... Not here!" he cried.

"T-This will block the nerves!" he said as he pulled the needles out. As soon as he looked up, he was met with Xyla's snicker.

"Hah, so you were acting?"

It was only then Rowan knew that he had been careless and froze holding the two needles. He looked at his wrist and stabbed the needles in a safe spot, pretending to have a distraught gaze as he did it and muttering, "Oh, I really felt horrible just now. My allergy hasn't been healing..."

Chapter 546

Chapter 546

"Stop pretending!" Xyla was mad. "Rowan, do you think you're the only one who's an expert in medicine? Can you deceive someone who is not as smart as me instead!?"

She pointed at his arm. She was laughing from rage. "Look! The place that you poked and I did isn't the same acupoint!"

"Xyla..."

Rowan called out to her weakly, and then he smiled like an idiot.

Why was she the same when she was young!?

He remembered that she would poke him with a needle when she was mad. Sometimes, he would be poked over ten times when he talked with women. Half of his body would be numb.

He thought it was strange that an over-10-year-old girl could poke a needle so accurately.

He realized it made sense. She was the princess of the Irwins. The family had been the royalty's doctors for generations. She was blessed with talent and knowledge in medicine, unlike him, who had to work hard and take small steps to get what he had.

There were no shortcuts-he had to push through, just like the revenge that year.

The moment Xyla broke up with him, he had been heartbroken but had pushed through.

He could no longer do that now. He could not go on.

"Xyla, can you let me speak-"

"You don't have to." Her voice was shaking. "When you recover and get discharged, let's pretend we never knew each other." "Xyla!"

She stared him directly into his eyes. "Rowan, don't forget your promise!"

Rowan was stunned. If he could turn back time, he would eagerly strangle himself when he made that promise.

What the h*ll? Why did he make that promise? He had even said they would not bother each other and never see each other again?

Someone must have hit him in the head!

He took a deep breath in and saw Xyla turning around. She looked old, no longer thin and beautiful like when she was young. Nevertheless, she was the only woman for him in the world.

He admitted that he had fallen in love with her back then for her intelligence and beauty.

Although she was old and not as beautiful as before, he was willing to hold her hand to catch fireflies in the rainforest with her.

He wanted to hold her hand to walk on the streets, buy her flowers when they passed by a florist, and kneel to give her the flowers.

She was the princess, and he was willing to be her knight for the rest of his life.

His voice deepened as he enunciated each word. "Xyla, I'm... taking back my words!"

Xyla felt a jolt in her heart. She turned around and stared at him.

He would do everything that he had promised her since they were young. He was a man of his word. That was how Irwin Pharmaceuticals was unshakable.

However, he broke his own rule now.

"Rowan..."

"Here." He took the Irwin Pharmaceuticals' jade stamp out of his pocket.

The beautiful mutton fat jade was crystal clear. It was priceless. That was the special symbol exclusive to Irwin Pharmaceuticals of Southeast Aciatic carved on it. The symbol was on Irwin Pharmaceuticals' bottles, the little wooden box, and the shawl she loved.

It was in The Fireflies' Light painting.

It was the Irwins' century-old glory, but she had almost extinguished it.

Fortunately, Rowan let the glory live. He even pushed the Irwins to a higher ground.

Xyla's eyes turned red, and tears flowed from her face.

"This stamp belongs to you." Rowan choked. "The entire Irwin Pharmaceuticals should go back to its owner."

"Rowan..." Xyla choked too. She only managed to speak after a while. "Don't you think it's too late to say all these now?"

Chapter 547

Chapter 547

Rowan felt a squeeze in his heart.

"Yes, I know it's too late. I should have taken you and Cordelia away from Jangasas when she was born!"

However, the Irwins had been in chaos back then. Some people in the family had been looking down on him because he had taken over the power. They had been hostile toward him and had tried to chase him out using external sources.

He had been dealing with those troubles while researching new medicine at the same time.

Moreover, he could not let Xyla return at that critical time. If she did, those people would definitely target her. They would use her or might take her and their daughter hostages to force him to do as they said. However, he regretted it now.

He should have brought her back instead of leaving her in Jangasas alone, letting her run into that b*stard, William!

He should have given their children a better life instead of letting Cordelia learn to be walking on eggshells and letting Carter have a hard time in school.

Families should stick together. No matter how hard life was, there was hope as long as they were together.

"Xyla... Can't you give me one more chance?" Rowan asked softly.

Xyla was heartbroken.

She knew everything that he had done for Irwin Pharmaceuticals. He had stopped using the old prescriptions. Instead, he had spent all of his time making new ones.

Although the way he had gotten his power was rather despicable, he never mistreated her family.

Her siblings held a high position in the subsidiary company. He had never troubled them.

He even fed her parents.

After all, the Irwins were the ones at a loss in the grudge from the past generation.

Xyla took a deep breath and wiped her tears. "Let me go, Rowan. I no longer hate you now. Can you stop looking for me? I just want to spend the rest of my life in peace..." "Let me do that with you!" Rowan had a slip of the tongue. "I'll be quiet. I won't talk if you ask me not to talk. I'll be your company!"

"But we can never go back to how we were before."

Her voice was soft, but each word was like a thorn in his skin. It was painful.

"No..." Rowan fell into silence for a moment and rushed over to grab her shoulder. He shoved the company stamp into her hand.

"We can go back. We have time! Xyla, I guarantee you that everything will get better. I'll use the rest of my life to remedy my mistakes..." She pursed her lips, trying her best not to cry.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door, and an angel-like voice sounded. "Do you feel better now, Uncle Irwin?"

Cordelia opened the door directly and happened to see the two of them close to each other. Rowan even had his hand on her mom's shoulder... Her mom's eyes were red. She seemed to have cried earlier, while Rowan seemed to be comforting her.

No matter what, when they stood together... They were a match made in heaven!

Cordelia was stunned.

She did not expect her mother to be quite a flirt! She flirted with Rowan within a short few days!

Cordelia smiled happily and quickly put down the stuff in her hands. She turned her head to signal Zephyr.

He guessed what had happened in the ward.

Looking at them, Rowan most probably apologized, and Xyla forgave him. They were good now.

"Ahem!" Zephyr faked a cough. Xyla pushed Rowan away and wiped her tears in panic.

"Eh, mom? Why are you blushing?" Cordelia teased her.

Xyla did not blush at first, but she really did after being teased.

The former smiled in joy. "Mom, Uncle Irwin! Seems like you guys are having a good time!”

Xylem said nothing. Rowan stood up straight after hearing that. He tidied up his clothes, looking bright.

"Oh yeah, mom, since you guys are having a good time, I'll just say it." Cordelia smiled, "Uncle Irwin is actually the boyfriend that I wanted to introduce to you!" "What did you say?"

"It's true..." Cordelia showed her tongue. "I saw that you're lonely, so I thought of fixing you with someone suitable... Sigh, if I can be blunt, I want you to get married!" "You damned girl!" Xyla glared at her.

"Forget it. She's just doing this out of kindness!" Rowan was secretly over the moon.

It was better to have a daughter who would fix them up. Unlike that kid Carter who was always drowning himself in the lab. How would he think about his parents' happiness!? Xyla said while grabbing Cordelia's hands, "Why did you come here? Don't you need to work today?"

"I..." Cordelia revealed a mysterious smile and turned her head to look at Zephyr.

He had an alluring look in his eyes. He went forward to grab her shoulder softly. "Tell them."

"I'll do it!" Cordelia's face was filled with joy. "Mom, Uncle Irwin, I have a big announcement! Zephyr and I... are going to get our marriage certificate later in the afternoon!"

"What?" Rowan and Xyla screamed at the same time.

However, they had different expressions.

Her mother was surprised and happy, while her father was surprised and... panicky.

"Is that true, Cordelia, Zen?" Xyla looked at them with excitement. "Amazing, amazing! Get it quickly, and then I'll have a big burden lifted!" She sobbed from the joy as she hugged Cordelia. "I'm so happy!"

Cordelia felt warm inside. "Mom..."

Zephyr called out too. "Mom!"

Rowan stared at him fixedly and puffed his cheeks like a pufferfish.

What was wrong with this kid? Was he not going to marry an heiress?

Did he... get it wrong?

Rowan rolled his eyes while thinking about it many times. He was unwilling. "Are you really marrying Cordelia?"

Zephyr glared at him.

'This guy! He's so annoying.'

However, he was his father-in-law, after all. He would still have to be polite. "Sir, of course, I'm marrying Cordelia."

"Then why are you only getting the certificate instead of holding a wedding ceremony?"

"Because "

Before Zephyr was done, Rowan tackled him.

"Oh, I know! Do the Hamertons think that Cordelia is a cheap bride? Hah, a marriage certificate is less than 10 dollars! What, are you trying to trap her like that? That's all? What-" "Shut it!" Xyla roared fiercely.

The ward became silent instantly.

That did not only make Rowan shut his mouth. Cordelia and Zephyr stood aside, looking at her quietly and not daring to breathe loudly.

Chapter 548

Chapter 548

"Mom..." Cordelia called out weakly a moment later. She watched her mom carefully. "A-Are you alright?"

Xyla was full of energy. "Mm-hmm, I'm alright!" She brought the apple that she had yet to finish peeling over while speaking. She pierced the knife on the apple-it was majestic. Cordelia kept quiet.

From what she remembered, her mom had been a soft person, apart from the time when she was ill.

However, her mind had been a mess back then. She did not know what she did when she was throwing tantrums.

She had never been so strict since she felt better now.

Xyla looked at Rowan, who had become a good boy from her roar. He buried his head quietly while sitting by the bed and rubbing his palms. The bed was quite high, and their legs did not touch the floor. Their legs were dangling.

He looked like Ginger when Zephyr used to scream at it.

Cordelia covered her mouth to smile secretly. 'Hmm... He looks like Humpty-Dumpty.'

She could not hold back and almost laughed out loud. At that moment, a warm, big hand was placed on her back, and she was stunned.

She saw Zephyr smiling at her and saying to Rowan softly, "Don't worry, sir. My grandpa wants us to get the certificate first so that he can hand down the Hamertons to her legally.

"There'll definitely be a wedding ceremony, and it'll be grand. It's already in planning. As there are many details, we dare not be reckless. That's why it's taking some time." Cordelia was quite shocked.

Zephyr's tone and behavior... It was not how he usually treated Rowan! It was his first time being so patient with him.

Meanwhile, Zephyr felt a squeeze in his heart. Perhaps he imagined his future after seeing Xyla's majesty... Connecting with his current status in the Hamertons-he was not loved by his grandfather and mother he suddenly felt emphatic with Rowan.

It felt like they were in the same boat. Therefore, his tone became soft instinctively.

Life was hard. Why would a man trouble another man?

He released a heavy sigh...

Rowan looked at him, and his lips quivered. There seemed to be a sparkle in his eyes.

There seemed to be many things hiding the moment they locked eyes.

At that moment, their souls were hugging, and they had internal monologues with each other.

"Father-in-law!"

"Son-in-law!"

"We're family!"

"Yes! I'll treat you like my son when you marry into the Irwins!"

"Err, I think you got that wrong. Forget it. Father-in-law, since I'm your son, can you give me an allowance?"

"I'm sorry, my son. I've just given the company stamp to your mother-in-law!"

"You b*stard!"

"Cordelia, come with me."

Xyla's voice snapped the daydreaming duo back to reality.

Cordelia was stunned. She locked eyes with her gentle mother when she lifted her eyes. "You're getting married, so there are some things that I want to talk to you about. Come with me. I need to speak with you alone."

"Okay."

Cordelia held Xyla's arm and walked out of the ward.

Zephyr and Rowan were the only ones left in the ward. The former felt awkward. Just when he was catching up to them, Rowan got him to stop.

"Hey, where are you going!?"

Rowan looked at him like he was an idiot.

"The ladies are talking, so why are you following?"

Zephyr's face turned grim. His eyes were ferocious as he stood where he was.

"Mothers have to pass down their experiences as a mother and a wife before their daughters get married," Rowan conveniently served him tea while smiling. "This is the tradition!"

Chapter 549

Chapter 549

Zephyr could only come back and sit on the couch while pouting.

Rowan looked at him with a cryptic look in his eyes.

"About you marrying Cordelia..."

"How many times are you going to ask that?" Zephyr enunciated each word coldly. "It's true. My grandfather has agreed to it!"

"Hmm, I know." Rowan smiled. He was not sure whether to be happy or sad. He was lucky to be able to see his daughter getting married, but he did not have the right to hold her hand through the red carpet and give her away to the groom.

Zephyr paused and said softly, "My grandfather indeed minded Cordelia's background at first, and he hoped you'd take her as your goddaughter... But I told him about your relationship with her yesterday." Rowan's eyes widened. He could not say anything while staring at him.

"He's very happy since finding out that she's your daughter. Sir, aren't you going to seize the opportunity to acknowledge her as your daughter?"

"..."

Rowan was choking. He had yet to gain forgiveness from Xyla.

Zephyr took a deep breath, "Sir, you made some mistakes in the past, but as long as you face them and remedy them with all of your heart, I believe everything will get better."

Rowan looked terrible. He only spoke a moment later. "Cordelia won't forgive me."

"Even if she won't, your conscience will be clear, at least."

"I don't want my daughter hating me!" Rowan's eyes were red. "I'd rather have what I have now, caring and loving for her as an uncle!"

"But the more you drag it, the more troublesome it will be!" Zephyr looked into his eyes. "I know that very well!"

He had had a terrible experience with his identity.

He had kept dragging it out on telling Cordelia his real identity. However, the more he had been afraid of losing her, the more he had not wanted to tell and the more hurt she had felt. Fortunately, he had moved past that now.

However, Cordelia had accepted his identity because of her love for him.

What about Rowan? He had not grown up with her. He was not a father to her, letting her suffer for over 20 years for nothing. How could she forgive him easily?

Zephyr sighed. He walked over to pat his father-in-law's shoulder when he saw how sad he was. "I'll help you."

Rowan sniffed and tried his best to suppress the sadness that was rushing inside him.

He only said a moment later, "Now that you're my son-in-inlaw, there are some things that I'd like to say to you alone as well."

"Okay."

Rowan raised his eyes to look at him and enunciated each word in all seriousness. "Zephyr, please... take care of my daughter." Zephyr was moved and nodded.

Rowan forced a smile. He turned his head and took a small medicine bottle out of his bag.

The bottle was exquisite. There was the special Irwin Pharmaceuticals' brand imprinted on it. Zephyr was stunned.

Rowan then said, "Use the usual dosage. You remember how to use it, right?"

"Yes, I do." Zephyr took it over and held it in his hand.

"You're lucky that you survived the plane accident." Rowan chuckled. "It'll take time for you to heal. However, it'll be easier now that you'll marry Cordelia. I'll check on you regularly." "Thanks..." Zephyr wanted to call him dad but decided to swallow it as the word dangled around his lips.

However, Rowan did not mind it. He was still rummaging through his bag. He took out another bottle.

This one was clearly smaller than the other one and of different color too. It was dark red, and it seemed to have a different pattern on it. It was mysterious. "What's this?"

"This is... for you too." Rowan shoved it into his hand.

Zephyr did not understand what it was.

Rowan faked a cough as he was hesitating. "You don't have to consume this often, just once per week. There are... pills inside. Just consume one, not one more! Understand?"

Chapter 550

Chapter 550

Zephyr's memory was great. He remembered the dosage, but Rowan did not say what the medicine was. "Sir, what's this?"

Rowan stared at him and revealed a sly smirk.

"Don't worry. It's beneficial to you!"

"But I'll have to know what this does, right?"

Rowan grinned and enunciated each word clearly. "Improving your libido!"

Pfft!

Zephyr almost did not hold back the urge to slam the bottle on his head.

Improving his libido? This old fox! He was the one who needed that!

Cordelia and Zephyr decided to collect their marriage certificate in the afternoon.

Their good friends were there to witness the holy moment in the tiny hall at the Civil Affairs Bureau.

They took pictures and took the oath. The moment they stamped on the certificate, Zephyr's heart was pounding.

Cordelia was smiling with excitement. She leaned on his chest coquettishly and felt safe as she felt his powerful heartbeat.

He played with her long hair and kissed her forehead.

Nicholas congratulated them. "Congratulations! You guys have been through a lot, but it's all perfect now!"

Linda was sobbing. She hugged Cordelia tightly and could not say anything.

Eventually, Nicholas separated them. "Wifey, her husband is right here. Don't hug her like that. You need to watch out!" "Hey!" Linda laughed.

Josiah got a small confetti cannon. As a bang sounded, beautiful confetti fell from above.

He was cheering and clapping.

Nicholas frowned as he looked at him, not sure whether to laugh or cry. "You sure are great at creating the atmosphere!"

"Of course!" Josiah was proud. "I prepared something for the wedding ceremony!"

"What are you going to do?" Nicholas had a bad feeling.

"I'm going to sing!"

The people pretended to run away.

Josiah felt wronged. "Why? Kelly said I have a great voice!"

Kelly was laughing hard at what he said.

She visited the hospital yesterday. The doctor was surprised by her speed of recovery. It was considered a miracle for such a recovery when it came to a congenital disease. The doctor even asked her. "Miss, what special medicine have you been consuming lately?"

She smirked and said nothing.

Josiah was the medicine that cured her!

Meanwhile, she was the only one in the world who thought Josiah, who was terrible at singing, could actually sing.

She held his hand. As she was in the wheelchair, she could only lift her head to look at him every time.

However, he was worried that she would be tired of raising her head, so every time she held his hand, he would squat down. Kelly patted his head, and joy filled her face.

"Oh yes, brother!" Zennie asked caringly. "How's the ceremony with sis going to be? What style is it?"

"You're still calling her sis?" Zephyr frowned and waved the certificate in his hand. "You should call her sister-in-law!"

"Oh... I got used to calling her that."

"No, you must change your habit!"

"Oh, I will... I'll call you brother-in-law then!"

Zephyr widened his eyes instantly,

Zennie giggled while covering her mouth.

Great, all of his family members were bullying him.

Nevertheless...

He hugged Cordelia while failing to hide the smile on his face.

That was his whole world that he was hugging, so he was not scared that his family bullied him. With her there, he would always have a place in the world.

"Tell me, what's the wedding going to be like!"

Zennie was urging, but someone patted her head with a book.

"Can you stop doing that?"

Zennie felt a squeeze in her heart. She saw Seth's helpless face when she lifted her eyes.

She pouted. She had been under the impression she could take a break today since she accompanied her brother and sister-in-law to collect their marriage certificate. Never had she thought Seth would bring the exam simulation questions over.

He had said there was a table in the hall that she could use.

He had even said although the environment was noisy, it would serve as a test for her! If she could ignore the noise, she would be able to focus on the exam!

"Zennie, the exam is coming. You must seize every second!"

"Okay, okay. I'll start doing..." She accepted her fate and started doing the college entrance exam simulation questions.

Seth smiled happily. He sat next to her and explained to her patiently.

However, Cordelia had yet to come up with a plan for their wedding. The one that the Hamertons suggested was too luxurious. She was the family's bookkeeper now, so she had to be responsible.

It would be ridiculous if she cut expenses while organizing a grand wedding.

Kelly chuckled and said, "If you don't mind, let me design the wedding for you."

"What?" Cordelia's eyes lit up. "You're well-versed in design?"

"Of course!" Josiah looked proud. "Although she doesn't go out, she has been attending online courses. She even got a bachelor's degree from a design university!"

"I know you don't want an extravagant one." Kelly smiled. "I understand. I'm managing the Tanner Group now, after all. I can't slack off for a second. I can't let anyone have leverage on me, especially." Cordelia held her hand. They looked at each other and smiled.

"Don't worry. I'll definitely design the best wedding that's within your budget!"

"Thanks!" Cordelia smiled.

"Err... Kelly," Josiah smiled like a fool, “Remember to save me a spot to sing!"

The people said at the same time, "Go away!"

Trinity was busy taking photos for them, while Robert was happily standing at the back with Ginger in his hands. The cat was upset. It meowed at Zephyr twice and looked away.

The sunlight shone through the windows, and the hall was filled with joy.

Only one person had been pacing outside the hall for a long time. He could not take the hardest step out, after all.

However, Zephyr noticed him.