Ch. 581..590

Chapter 581

Chapter 581

Liam paused and looked at Matthew coldly.

"Why? Do you think I'll watch Yale drag the whole Hamertons down and do nothing?"

Matthew was baffled.

"Compared to stealing, justice over family is far nobler!"

With that, Liam shook Matthew off and left.

Before Matthew could react, his mind blanked as he watched his father leave quickly.

After a plunge in temperature, Centrolis got to welcome a rare, nice winter day.

The mist cleared, and the sky recovered its blue. An unanticipated light drizzle of snow covered the city in a dust of beautiful silver. The air smelled fresh and crisp.

Cordelia swept the snow in the yard and made cute snowmen from it.

When she was done, Zephyr hugged her from the back and wrapped her icy, red hands in his to warm them up.

"What do you think? Pretty, aren't they?" Cordelia was triumphant.

"Of course." Zephyr smiled gently.

It felt great now. The storm was over, the sky was azure blue, the winter sun was warm, and he and Cordelia were making snowmen. Peace and joy seemed to have come knocking on their door. "Hmm... if only Ginger were here." Cordelia sighed. "It'd be like this snowman too. And its orange fur must look so pretty in the snow!"

"Huh?" Zephyr arched his brow.

They were spending quality alone time, and she was thinking about a cat? It seemed that sending Ginger to Xyla's was not enough-it had to go further... like Robert. This way, the two of them would be restricted by each other and would not appear before him again!

Zephyr cackled as he fantasized about it.

"Darling, what are you thinking about?"

Cordelia tilted a curious head at him, seeing how he was silent for so long.

Zephyr snapped back to reality and replied in passing, "Oh, I... I'm missing Ginger too."

"Really?" Cordelia's eyes lit up. "Let's get it back, okay?"

"No!" Zephyr blurted.

Cordelia looked surprised.

"Honey, I mean..." Zephyr deployed all of his brain cells. "Dad and mom have finally reunited now, and Ginger's... Ginger's quite bothersome getting between them, right?" "Didn't hear about it," Cordelia answered seriously. "My mom likes it a lot. Dad too. He brought the Siamese over, and it's playing with Ginger all day long."

Zephyr held Cordelia's face and rubbed it gently with a tender and doting gaze.

With the ill feeling erased, the girl was finally willing to call Rowan dad.

He could still remember what Rowan looked like when he heard it. It was like the sky had hit him. His brows were raised high, his eyes bulged, and even his ears twitched.

The more powerful a man was outside, the more useless he was back home. Zephyr thought about it. It was unbelievable how this rule applied to everyone around him.

As for Cordelia changing her name back to "Cordelia Irwin", it was completed swiftly. It was just that she was already used to the name that had accompanied her for over 20 years, and others either addressed her by Mrs. Hamerton or just Cordelia usually, so the last name did not seem to matter that much—as long as it said "Irwin" on her ID.

"Oh yeah, darling," Zephyr said with a chuckle. "Grandpa's hosting a family dinner this weekend and asked us to go together."

Chapter 582

Chapter 582

"Mm." Cordelia nodded. "I heard it from mom. Think there are a lot of people invited."

"Yeah, other than everyone in the family, there are also those who are closer to us from the three major families. Fredric and Seth will be attending too. They're both very important guests." Zephyr lowered his head to rub their noses together. "Of course, the main purpose of this dinner is to celebrate Mr. and Mrs. Irwin!"

Hamerton Manor was merrily filled with guests come weekend.

Liam was a traditionalist, but he had hosted a sophisticated event this time, an exception, to cater to the younger generation.

Fredric was a huge contributor to the matter and was the Hamertons' VIP. In addition to being a famous lawyer in Centrolis and an eligible bachelor, he became the center of attention. Zephyr's female cousins, who made a long trip here, surrounded Fredric, so the latter did not even have the chance to take a bite.

Seth kept Zennie company, but the little princess wore a constant pout. The doctor kept her company, but in actuality, they were eating while she was tested on math-he could even make up a problem about how a cake could be divided!

Josiah came with Kelly and was the focal point of attention at that instant. There were talks about a union between the Bayers and the Tanners. The Bayer parents had always been open, and their attitude was increasingly clear. It seemed that the rumor was true.

The union of both families would mean a joint of equal power, and the pair was a match made in heaven. It was a joyous occasion, no matter how one looked at it.

What was most interesting was that Janine and Kate had attended the event together. Henry, sandwiched between his ex and current wife, looked done with life as he stayed silent.

Janine and Kate, who took in how he looked, rolled their eyes at him in unison and smiled at each other despite Henry being in the center, greeting each other warmly.

"Kate!"

"Janine! Oh, you're gorgeous today!"

"Not more than you! You look more than ten years younger dressed like this!"

"Oh yeah, I recently stumbled upon some research about the secret to longevity..."

"What?"

"To stay beautiful and live long, one has to stay away from men!"

A loud and bright bark of laughter erupted from them as they chatted. "Hahaha!"

Henry was rendered speechless. There was so much pressure sandwiched between them that he snuck off to the side with his plate to eat in peace.

Cordelia weaved through the guests with a hand on Zephyr's arm.

As Mrs. Hamerton, she had to socialize-although she was tipsy two glasses later. Zephyr helped her to the side with a hand on her waist, and Liam came over to check on them. "Cordelia, you okay?"

"I'm fine." Cordelia smiled. "Don't worry, grandpa. This amount of alcohol can't beat me!"

"You should still drink less!" Liam's gaze was loving. "I know that you're happy today. I'll have to give Mr. Irwin a toast later too!"

When Rowan was mentioned, Zephyr furrowed his brows. He seemed to have overheard the older man and Xyla talking about Southeast Aciatic...

He was a little worried and asked Cordelia, "Darling, did dad tell you anything about... what we do for the future?"

"The future?" Cordelia blinked and teased him purposely. "Oh, I think so!"

Zephyr grew nervous.

Cordelia chuckled. "Dad said that he'd take us back to Southeast Aciatic after he's done with business here!"

"What?" Zephyr nearly yelled.

What was the old geezer thinking? Did he get his permission to take his wife back to Southeast Aciatic!?

Chapter 583

Chapter 583

Zephyr had already scolded Rowan over a thousand times in his mind. Despite what was brewing in him, he dared not express his rage verbally and could only ask Cordelia softly, "Really?" Cordelia nodded. "My mom's lived in Southeast Aciatic all her life. There's no fault in it that she wants to return to her hometown and settle there, right?"

"Well... yes." Zephyr could only go along with what she said.

"Southeast Aciatic's traditional and reserved. Carter and I are both Irwins, so we have to reunite and restore our identities, right?"

Zephyr licked his lips and continued to nod. "Mm... that's true."

Cordelia could not help giggling and patted his suit. "So, I'll go back with my parents. You be good here—"

"What!?"

Before she finished, Zephyr's raised voice interrupted her.

Cordelia looked innocent. "You don't want to let me leave?"

"Of course!"

"Then... come along with me?"

Zephyr froze and met Cordelia's playful eyes.

She said with a chuckle, "Darling, didn't you say that it's you marrying into my family and not the other way around?"

Zephyr was baffled. He did not expect that he had dug himself such a huge trap in the past!

"Son, you said something like that before?" Janine popped a head over to ask when she heard them.

Zephyr coughed. It was to stop his mother from broadcasting it, but the woman's loud voice was like a speaker as she laughed.

"Cordelia, he really told you that before? Hahaha... this is wonderful! I made a promise with your mom last time. My son is her son too! It's coming true!"

She patted Zephyr with a bright grin.

Zephyr looked at his mother in disbelief as if he was looking at an alien.

Janine's loud voice meant that the people around them now knew that Zephyr had once said something like this just to keep his wife happy, and they all threw Cordelia envious and happy gazes. Liam heard the commotion and walked over slowly.

Janine said with a smile, "Son, I've got no objection! Men and women are equals now. Doesn't matter who's marrying in whose family, right?"

Zephyr took a deep breath and hugged Cordelia tightly with a wince.

Henry asked weakly, "How... How could this be? Whose last name is their child taking then..."

Janine's face fell swiftly. After all these years, she thought that they could be courteous and be friends when they could not remain husband and wife since they had a son together. Why was she never on the same page with this man, though?

Why did it matter whose last name their child was taking? As long as it was Zephyr and Cordelia's child! They could make more otherwise. Then they would have both Hamertons and Irwins!

She then turned to Henry with the same death glare that Zephyr looked at Robert with and retorted, "My last name, alright?"

Henry's heart lurched, and he stepped several steps back. "Y-You-"

"Goodness, stop talking!" Kate thrust a plate of food to Henry and glanced at him with disdain. "I agree, Janine! What difference does it make to whoever's marrying into whose family? Off with the old-school rules!"

"Y-You both-"

"Alright!" Kate gave him a push. "Hurry up, be good. Go eat over there!"

With his ex and current wife's pressure, Henry could only head to the couch holding a full plate of food.

Zephyr watched his father with an amused and sympathetic gaze.

Chapter 584

Chapter 584

Hamerton men were great-except that they caved as soon as it was their wife.

It was said that the Hamerton ancestors were high-ranking generals, noblemen, and scholars who were ruthless and iron-willed outside, but they were at their wives' beck and call once they got home, indulging the women to no end.

Nicholas had once said that paranoia was passed down in the Hamertons. Actually, it was loving their wives that was etched in their genes.

Cordelia said softly, "Darling, see? Mom agrees too!"

Zephyr raised a brow. "Mom agrees but grandpa? Grandpa-"

"Zephyr." Liam's expression was relatively solemn as he walked over from the crowd.

Cordelia was a little embarrassed as she tugged Zephyr's sleeve and shook her head at him. Her intention was to joke with him, but she would be shooting herself in the foot if she upset the old man. "Grandpa, don't misunderstand!" Cordelia smiled. "I'm just mentioning this in passing to Zephyr..."

"How could something so big be mentioned in passing!?" Liam raised his voice.

Cordelia's heart clenched as her hands gripped her dress anxiously.

Liam squinted, raking his eyes across the both of them.

"Zephyr, you really said that?"

"Yes." Zephyr held Cordelia's hand discreetly and explained indifferently, "Back then, it was because... you kept objecting to our marriage, so I said that to coax her. Of course, I did think about it because I don' want her to suffer from any grievances!"

"Darling..." Cordelia called him softly and kept shooting him looks to stop him from continuing.

They had finally gotten Liam's approval. She did not want to spoil the old man's good impression of her because of something petty like this.

Liam's face was blank. The atmosphere felt a little heavy, and the music naturally stopped. Everyone looked at him in worry, thinking that something bad would happen.

A silent moment later, Liam suddenly said, "Mm, since you've said that, go ahead with it!"

Everyone was bewildered.

Zephyr looked like he choked on air.

Cordelia was surprised, but a surge of warmth gushed in her. The complicated feelings she felt were hard to describe.

"Grandpa..." Zephyr chuckled dryly. "You want me to marry into the Irwins?"

"You're a man. A man ought to keep his word!" Liam glared at him. "When have I objected? I feel like it's my loss when my precious granddaughter marries you!" "Grandpa, you-"

Zephyr chuckled and tried to hide behind Cordelia.

He suddenly recalled that Cordelia was the one who had stepped up and put herself in front of him back in Jangasas whenever something happened, worried that he would suffer a loss. He was happy to hide behind her, bliss filling him to the brim as he watched how she did everything she could for him.

Now that they were back in Centrolis, he was still the same man who hid behind his girl.

Before he met Cordelia, he had never known that it felt so wonderful to hide behind a woman!

The music sounded once more. The conductor had asked the band to switch to a lighthearted melody, and the banquet went on, merrier than earlier.

Janine and Kate exchanged a smile.

"It looks like the old man lost his potential of having dementia."

"Hmm... did it get cured by Mr. Irwin's needles?"

"Say, you think Henry will grow a pair if he gets acupuncture too?"

"Maybe! Come on, let's go ask Mr. Irwin!"

Chapter 585

Chapter 585

Rowan had long heard the jolly chatter here and was coming over with Xyla hand in hand.

Liam immediately recovered to his serious front to flash a smile and exchange polite pleasantries. Both of them then took wine glasses from the waiter and emptied them. After the drink, Liam asked, "When are you planning to go back to Southeast Aciatic, Mr. Irwin?"

"The joint hospital project has only made 1/3 of its progress. I'll only go back after the hospital's built!"

"Oh..." Liam calculated the time. "I'll have Zephyr prepare in advance then! He'll be giving you problems when he's in Southeast Aciatic in the future!"

"What?" Rowan paused. "Who said he's coming too?"

Liam widened his eyes in confusion.

Cordelia went between them with a smile. “Grandpa, I was just joking with Zephyr, saying that I'm going back to Southeast Aciatic!"

"Yeah!" Xyla said with a smile, "Cordelia's your granddaughter-in-law. Of course, she'll be staying in Centrolis with you!"

"But Zephyr says he's marrying himself into your family!"

"Really?" Rowan's eyes bulged.

"No way!" Xyla hit Rowan and turned to Liam. "Elder Mr. Hamerton, Southeast Aciatic is a very traditional place. I'd love to keep my daughter around me, but it wouldn't go well with the custom. So... please take good care of Cordelia!"

"Xyla, let her come back with us!" Rowan said softly, "Let Zephyr take our last name too. I can teach him everything I know..."

"You crazy? Don't even think about it!" Xyla warned him. "Cordelia is Zephyr's wife. She has to be where Zephyr is!"

"But-"

"One more word, and you can return to Southeast Aciatic on your own!"

Rowan's cheeks were puffed as he hung his head in silence.

Zephyr was tickled. It seemed that the Hamerton men were not the only ones scared of their wives!

Cordelia stayed in his arms. When the song came on, Zephyr held her hand on the dancefloor.

Cordelia looked into his eyes, seeing her reflection in them. She smiled sweetly. As her hand was held in his palm, the gentleness and warmth from his palm went straight to her heart. The song slowed, and she rested her head against his shoulder, calling him softly next to his ear, "Honey..."

"Hmm, what is it?"

"I have something to tell you."

She looked up at him and saw the love brimming his gaze.

"What?" he asked with a smile.

Cordelia pressed her lips together. "We... seem to never have said those three words to each other." Zephyr was stunned. It felt like his ears were bewitched as the soft and sweet voice echoed in them.

"Darling, let me be the first one to say it.

"Zephyr Hamerton, listen carefully...

"I love you... I said, I love you!"

After a moment, Zephyr looked at her with a silly grin.

The two of them were not people who uttered this often. What they said to each other the most were "I'm here", "Don't be scared", "It's okay", or "I miss you"-there was no "I love you". Zephyr thought that the three words should be expressed in actions, but he did not expect them to sound so heavenly when they came from her.

The three words stood for their promises to each other in this lifetime.

Zephyr squinted and smiled.

"I love you too." His voice was deep and husky. "Darling, I love you.

"Cordelia, let's tell each other often from now on, okay?"

"Huh?"

"I heard that these three words are magical. They keep people young." Zephyr smiled and pressed a kiss on her forehead. "We'll tell each other a few times a day, and we won't ever get old!"

In stark contrast to the lively party in the manor's main building was Yale Residence's desolation.

Yale was spread out on the couch with a cigarette between his lips. Matthew rolled his eyes as he looked at him, feeling immensely irritated.

They were the only two who missed the family event.

It would never have happened before. Matthew was one who seized every chance he had to make his presence known to Liam, and the usual family banquet had him acting like a circus monkey. He thought about today's banquet and figured he should not embarrass himself. After all, Yale had only been bailed out.

Previously, Liam chose justice over family, but the Hamertons' team of lawyers would not dare to actually enforce it on Yale. They had done their best to minimize his crime to the lowest until he could be released on parole.

Yale was back to Yale Residence just like that, but he could not go back to his original days. He had no money, no power, and no status now. He was also looked down on by his cousins. Even Matthew felt embarrassed.

"Keep smoking!" Matthew huffed. "You'll smoke yourself to death one day!"

Yale looked at him and snickered.

"Son, are you going to let yourself go like this?"

Yale did not answer him but asked instead, "Dad, are you going to let Zephyr and Cordelia go like this?"

"I..." Matthew was caught speechless.

That was his plan. He could not beat them anyway, so he would behave and stay in his lane as long as they still treated him as their second uncle. As for Yale, he hoped his son could get some management position in the Hamerton Group.

Right now, it seemed that Yale had other plans.

"I won't let them live in peace!" Yale got up and padded to the window. The main building was brightly lit, and one could easily tell how merry it must be over there. Yale pressed the cigarette bud in the flower pot.

"Yale." Matthew was worried. "What... What are you going to do? Cut it out. Your grandfather hasn't been easy to handle recently. Don't shoot yourself in the foot!" "Dad, you're so useless!" Yale suddenly trained his eyes on him. The sinister gaze felt foreign to Matthew.

"You've been fawning over grandpa for life, and what did you get? You conspired against Zephyr repeatedly, but it only made grandpa dote on the kid more!" "Oh, so you're better?" Matthew was enraged. "You got yourself caught just stealing a set of medicinal formulas! And you have the cheek to criticize me?" A hasty knock sounded on the door, causing Yale to growl in annoyance, "Who is it!?"

The servant answered timidly, "Mr. Yale, it's... it's Ms. Carmichael. She's in a hurry to meet you!"

Chapter 586

Chapter 586

Yale was instantly irritated upon hearing Michelle's name. The woman was nothing but trouble!

"Mr. Yale." The servant waited for his response nervously. "Ms. Carmichael, should I—"

Before the sentence was completed, Michelle barged in.

Matthew was shocked. He knew that his son was a playboy and usually hooked up with celebrities and models. There was a Yelena earlier, his plaything he kept by his side, but he did not expect his son to be such a womanizer!

Matthew was furious. "Yale Hamerton! You-All you do is playing with these sl*ts!"

Yale rolled his eyes and waved a hand for his butler to send Matthew out.

Matthew walked off scolding, "I'm your father, and I can't even nag you? Go on then, have fun! You're going to kill yourself like this one day! Useless brat..."

Yale was fuming inside and grabbed a cup from the table to throw it at the wall.

The shard flew to Michelle's face, and she fumbled back with a scream, looking at him with her hands covering her face in horror.

After a moment, Yale took a deep breath and sneered at her. "What brings you here?"

Michelle's mind went blank. She could not remember whatever she wanted to question him just now.

"Oh, I..." She did her best to control her trembling voice. "I just wanted to ask you w-why my videos aren't trending recently, Mr. Yale." Yale frowned and shot her an annoyed look.

"Mr. Yale!" Michelle was anxious. "I don't have many likes and generate basically no traffic... W-What's going on!?"

"You're f*cking useless, that's what. What does it have to do with me?"

"Mr. Yale, you said that you'd make me famous..."

"Yes, I did! So?" Yale glared at her. "I spent money on you and bought trending spots for you, but you just can't get famous. What can I do?" Michelle stood by the wall, shaking.

What Yale said was the truth. To pull Fredric to his side previously, he had spent a good fortune to make Michelle famous.

It was just unexpected that Trinity's new film, which had yet to be screened, had gone viral because of Michelle's popularity. The audience did not mind Michelle too much, and the trending hashtags were all: "Trinity Lulham's new production" and "Millie's amazing performance".

There were even paparazzi who managed to capture photos of Trinity and Neil eating together and chatting with smiles. They looked matching, but they provided no explanation to the press, saying they were only focused on their work.

It had undoubtedly stirred a scandal.

News like these shoved Michelle to an incredibly awkward spot. The film got famous, but not her, no one listened to her music, and waves of influencers replaced her despite her frequent uploads on social media platforms.

She had only hurried here because she panicked after learning that something had happened to Yale recently.

"Hah, I think you just aren't meant to be famous!" Yale mocked her. "Even that fool Fredric isn't taking your side now!"

Michelle was stunned and bit her lips.

Yale was going upstairs when the woman broke down, crying hysterically.

Michelle was pretty much in despair. She had been under the impression that Yale would discard Yelena and that she could take the opportunity and rise up in position, only for the man to use her as a pawn to pull Fredric to his side.

When she went back to confess to Fredric, it was like the latter had changed into a different person and ignored her.

Yale was refusing to pay for her now. Her career in show business was ending before it even started.

Chapter 587

Chapter 587

The more Michelle thought about it, the more indignant she was. However, there was nothing she could do. Bawling was the only way for her to vent right now.

Yale was irritated and was going to ask his men to get Michelle out when his phone buzzed. He received a photo of a man's blurry side profile.

Yale could recognize at a glance that it was Marcus!

He then received a text.

[Marcus is in Centrolis.]

A vicious glint flashed in Yale's eyes.

It made sense. William was doomed, so Marcus could no longer stay in Jangasas. He had to find ways to survive.

Centrolis was his best choice since Yale was there.

Yale smirked and looked thoughtful as he kept his eyes on his phone. His plan of swapping the real heir with the impersonator did not get to be executed previously, and now that Marcus was here again, the heavens were giving him another chance!

He must not miss this again. He had to use this perfect timing to eliminate Zephyr and make Marcus his pawn.

As for Michelle, she was a nuisance. He would let Marcus deal with her!

While Yale made his plan, he cracked a sinister smirk and stepped closer to Michelle.

"Ms. Carmichael, stop crying. It's no use crying with what's already happened!"

Michelle stopped crying and looked up at him.

Yale snickered. "If you really want to be famous, it's useless to simply depend on me!"

"What?"

"You've got to hook up with Zephyr!"

Michelle froze before she shook her head fervently.

"No, no way! Mr. Zephyr only has his wife in his mind! I've gotten a taste of what he can do!"

"Hah, that's only for show!"

Yale inched closer to her.

The man was almost pale as a sheet. His thin shoulders propped his large shirt up like a hanger. There was a sinister sense in his gaze when he smiled, making one feel like they had seen a ghost when they looked at him.

"Michelle, think about it," he said in a strange tone. "Was it in an event when you tried to flirt with him? Were there plenty of eyes watching you?"

Michelle stayed silent and nodded lightly.

"Hah, Zephyr's the best at putting up a show! Of course, he has to act like he loves his wife to bits in front of others! That's how he earns everyone's favor!"

Michelle stared at him skeptically. Thinking about it, what Yale said seemed to make sense.

These rich heirs liked giving themselves some kind of labels or titles. The reputation of a good husband, especially, was a crowd-pleaser. By establishing his own image, it would be much easier to fight for the family assets in the future. It seemed that Cordelia was not as lucky. She was just Zephyr's tool in fighting for power and interests.

Yale lowered his voice. "Michelle, no man in this world doesn't cheat! You wouldn't think that Zephyr's a saint, would you?"

"But Mr. Yale, we... We've fallen out because of what happened last time. Could I possibly get close to Mr. Z again?"

Yale beamed widely upon seeing that the fish had taken his bait.

He patted Michelle's shoulder and promised confidently, "Don't worry. Zephyr and I are family, no matter how we fight! It's easy for me to meet him...

"I'll call you along when we meet the next time, but it's up to you how you hook up with him then, understand?"

Chapter 588

Chapter 588

Late night at Royal Manor...

The temperature had dropped outside. The lawn was covered with a blanket of frost, but passion was brewing under the fleece blanket in the house...

Zephyr rested against the bed, satiated, while Cordelia was soundly asleep in his arms after their activity.

He kissed his wife and pulled his arm out from under her head a while later to gently open the bedside table's drawer and pull up the wad of cash.

He counted the cash note by note under the dim light. '$10, $20, $30...' He grinned gleefully when he got to the eighth note as if this was his first time seeing so much money.

Zephyr swiftly put the cash back after counting them, but the delight did not last. He thought it seemed like he had not worked hard enough this month as the cash was not much. It was obvious it meant that he could work harder!

Moreover, it should not be when no fruit was borne despite his hard work.

Zephyr scratched his head with furrowed brows. He did not really want a child, but the pressure was real recently as everyone had their eyes on Cordelia's stomach.

There was no doubt that Rowan and Xyla's biggest wish was to see Cordelia pregnant before they left Centrolis.

Janine did not quite pay attention to this in the past, but she had now made her choice between her best friend and her son, ganging up with the former to force her son to upgrade them to grandmothers. Henry joined in the fun occasionally, posting adorable baby photos in their family group chat.

Liam was just one step away from wearing "I want grandkids" on him.

Zephyr's current biggest fear was his grandfather asking him back to eat!

The men gathered in the exclusive booth in the bar once more the next day.

Josiah, Nicholas, and Robert were engrossed in a card game, while Zephyr and Fredric were silent on each end of the couch.

Josiah asked quietly as they shuffled the cards, "What's up with the two of them?"

"Not sure about Fredric, but our sir..." Robert cackled.

Josiah's curiosity was piqued instantly. "Spill!"

"Nothing much, actually," replied Robert. "He's just being urged to have a baby!"

"Hah!" Josiah nearly spat the alcohol he drank. "Never mind that he's getting married into Cordelia's family. He can have a baby now too? Does he have the ability to?" Nicholas and Robert looked at him like they were looking at an idiot.

"Mr. Bayer, what are you talking about? It's their parents urging him to get our madam pregnant!"

Before Josiah could utter an "oh", Zephyr, who had somehow got behind him, punched him on the head.

Nicholas pulled Zephyr to the side with a chuckle.

The men stopped playing cards and got together to drink and chat.

Nicholas asked, "Why are you the only one urged? Shouldn't they ask Cordelia too?"

Zephyr pursed his lips. "They're worried that it'll pressure her, so they don't."

Everyone was rendered speechless.

Their statuses in their families were apparent now.

Nicholas suddenly felt empathic and could not help but want to teach him all his tricks.

"I have some experience in this! I didn't get to become a father last time, but Linda got pregnant anyway!"

Zephyr glanced at him with a blank face. "Mm, go on."

Nicholas thought about it. "Didn't you say that Cordelia's weaker previously?"

"Weaker, yes, but not infertile. And my father-in-law's been treating her with acupuncture and tonics recently. Should be effective!"

Chapter 589

Chapter 589

"It's your problem then?"

"F*ck off!"

"Why so angry? I'm not saying that you have a dysfunction!" Nicholas lowered his voice. "I mean... have you been doing it too often?"

Zephyr sent him a death glare.

Nicholas gave him an abrupt punch in the chest, seeing his expression. "I'm right, huh!? Insider tip, you can't do it too often. Hold it for a few days, and once the time's right, go all out, and that's how you hit the bullseye!"

Zephyr was scowling impatiently. "Where do you get all this nonsense from?"

"It's science." Nicholas looked at him seriously.

'Right!' Zephyr cursed at him in his mind.

He was only earning a few dollars when he was not being 'scientific'. How would he work hard and make money if he were to go the 'scientific' route!?

While Nicholas and Zephyr were in a heated conversation, Fredric's dejected back by the bar felt out of place.

"Hey, Fredric!" Josiah went over to pat him with his wine. "Stop spacing out alone! Come hang with us!"

"I..." Fredric looked hesitant. He looked down promptly once he met Zephyr's stern gaze.

Zephyr poured himself some alcohol and said softly, "What is it? Go on."

Fredric hesitated. It made everyone think that he was being sad over Michelle again.

When they had already drafted their pieces of advice for him, he suddenly asked, "Z, is Trinity really dating Neil?"

Everyone was baffled.

Zephyr looked into his eyes with a smile that did not reach his own.

"How would I know?"

"Right?" Josiah responded without much thought, "Ask Trinity if you want to know the truth!"

Fredric kept his lips pressed together without a word.

"Fredric, you're acting weird today. Why do you suddenly care about Trinity? We thought that you were all gloomy and sad here because of Michelle again!"

Fredric chuckled wryly after a pause. "I've seen her for who she is. I don't feel much for her now..."

"Oh!" Josiah was struck with another realization. "So, you mean you have feelings for Trinity now?"

Fredric froze and felt his heart thump. He could not pinpoint why either, but when he saw the photo of Trinity chatting happily with Neil, he felt a clench in his heart. Fredric licked his lips. "Z, I... I was just asking."

Zephyr took a deep breath.

What was it again? The man was basically giving himself away!

If the booth was not dim, he would want to record Fredric's expression and keep it so he could embarrass him in the future.

"I can't answer this." Zephyr chuckled. "Besides, I think it'll be pretty nice if Trinity does end up together with Neil. They match in status and have similar interests. Good match!"

"Z, now you're in the wrong!" Josiah turned to him with a frown. "Didn't you hate Neil in the past? Almost shelved the guy too? And you're talking for him today?"

"That's in the past," Zephyr replied calmly. "He's Cordelia's cousin now. That means he's my cousin too. Naturally, I'll take my family's side!"

He looked at Fredric after he spoke, and the latter remained unmoved.

Zephyr was rendered speechless. He was unable to force the truth from Fredric despite this?

Chapter 590

Chapter 590

"Oh... family? Fredric nodded with a cryptic smile.

Was Zephyr not the green-eyed monster who raged whenever Neil was mentioned previously?

Fredric was aware but said nothing, sipping wine on his own. He was a lawyer who had seen plenty, after all. How would he be intimidated by just a few words from Zephyr?

Hence, he counterattacked and smiled at Zephyr. "Z, you're cousins with Neil now, huh? I'd just like to remind you that Southeast Aciatic is traditional and conservative. Many reputable major families make cousins get married to secure their statuses.

"So, it's not impossible for cousins to be together in Southeast Aciatic. It's legal over there!"

Fredric emphasized the words 'cousins' and 'legal'.

It was just unexpected that Zephyr did not take the bait.

The man sank into the couch with his arm on the back of the couch. His other arm swirled the wine glass slowly with a vague smile.

"I've heard about this." Zephyr was cool as a cucumber.

Fredric paused. "What?"

"How could I not pay more mind to the customs and traditions of my wife's hometown?"

"Z?"

Zephyr's gaze was deep, and a teasing smile was on his sculpted face.

"Forget that I've already married Cordelia. Even if we hadn't gotten married, it'd be impossible between Neil and her."

Josiah, who was usually slow and clueless, was the first to react and spat out his wine.

Right, the man's father-in-law had already given him a strengthening tonic-how could others be a possible husband candidate when Zephyr was this favored!?

Josiah laughed.

Fredric was puzzled. "Is Z... so confident?"

"Yes." Josiah patted his shoulder with a smile. "Very confident!"

Zephyr jutted his chin a little with triumph.

Fredric was thinking of scaring him a little, only to be defeated by his immense pressure and exceptional confidence. He had failed. He should have known that Zephyr had always been unfazed, no matter the situation.

It seemed that he had to come clean first if he wanted to pull anything out of Zephyr.

"Fine, I admit it." Fredric sighed. "I did feel kind of strange when I saw Trinity's photo with Neil."

"What kind of strange?" Zephyr narrowed his eyes.

"It's..." Fredric was unable to explain.

The men stayed quiet... until Josiah fired the shot.

"Fredric, it's not that you feel strange. Trinity has spoiled you!"

Fredric was stunned.

Josiah actually felt quite bad for Trinity. He could see her feelings for Fredric back when they were in school, and he knew that it must definitely be her who had left Fredric the love letter in the boys' locker

room.

He remembered that Trinity used to be a long-haired girly girl too, but she cut her hair short, put on boots, and wore a biker jacket later, losing herself to become more like a boy.

She had done all these for Fredric, but the latter's heart was never on her.

Josiah sighed. "Fredric, don't you see it yet? Trinity was always around you in the past, but you never cared and only focused on Michelle. Now that you've seen Michelle for who she is, yet Trinity doesn't care about you anymore, you feel disappointed! Am I right?"

The booth was pin-drop silent after he spoke.

A moment later, Nicholas and Robert clapped their hands the hardest they could to applaud Josiah.