Ch. 1651..1655
Chapter 1651
Madam Stockton and Queenie were outside the house.
After Caprice cheered John up and the father and daughter went to bed, both of them sighed a breath of relief. Queenie exclaimed, “Who would have thought Sherry never cheated on John?!”
Madam Stockton frowned. “It’s all my fault.”
Queenie protruded her lips. “| made some mistakes as well. When Sherry brought you to the hospital after the crash, | listened to Julie and thought it was her who caused the crash. | slapped her...”
She had been regretting her actions ever since she learned the truth. Madam Stockton said in a small voice, “It’s all my fault. | shouldn’t have stopped her from seeing your brother.”
“Thankfully, Sherry is still alive,” Queenie said with a sigh. “Mom, we shouldn’t blame ourselves now since it won't do the situation any good. When John brings Sherry back, we will make it up to her.”
Madam Stockton hummed a positive reply. “That's all we can do for now. Let’s hope your brother can bring Sherry back.” A few hours later, the sun rose over the horizon and hung brightly in the sky.
The silver MPV cruised out of the Stockton Residence and headed towards the airport.
The driver and Jason were at the front, and Aunt Wanda was in the middle. John and Caprice were in the rear seat.
The girl only realized they had left the Carters’ when she woke up, and she had been wanting to see Liam ever since. She used her father’s phone to video call Liam.
However, rather than it just being a call, it was more like a live stream of the boy playing with a Rubik’s cube quietly.
Caprice was also playing with her own Rubik’s cube. Her hands never stopped, but her eyes never moved from the screen either. She looked absolutely serious as she watched Liam play with the Rubik’s cube.
It was until a notification popped on the screen. It was from Peter.
John said to her, “Caprice, Uncle Peter is calling me.”
Caprice then said to Liam, “Liam, Uncle Peter is calling. | have to go now. I’ll call you later.” Liam simply hummed a reply. John smiled. He took the phone and answered Peter's call.
Peter said, “Sir, I’ve just contacted Mr. Brown. He said that it was all an act. Nine years ago, he agreed to play along with Ms. Fowler's plan to break up with you. They were dressed back then, and he said that Ms. Fowler knew it was going to rain that day based on the weather forecast and that you would be home early. That was why they were there waiting for you to come in. And...”
Last night, after Madam Stockton revealed the truth to him, John asked Peter to verify it
with Mason.
This call was an update on that matter. Although the result was expected, it still tightened
his chest.
Amoment of silence later he asked, “And what?”
Peter continued in a small voice, “And...when you stood in the rain for the entire night, Ms. Fowler was there too. Mr. Brown said that she tried getting her to go in, but she refused to. She even tossed the umbrella away. She fell sick after that but disappeared when she recovered.”
John’s hand holding his phone, petrified. He choked on his emotions, and it silenced him for quite a while.
It was Peter who asked to confirm his presence after the long silence. “Sir, are you there? Is there anything else?”
John moved his dry lips and said, “That's all.”
The call ended.
The car cruised steadily towards the airport.
John turned away to the window after he hung up the phone. He did not want to reveal his emotions to his daughter.
His mind, however, was replaying what Peter said to him.
She had stood in the rain for the whole night as well!
Was she not a woman who would leave after completing her task?
They had broken up, yet she had accompanied him in the rain for the whole night.
Why could she not act like the cold-blooded woman that she wanted to be?
Chapter 1652
Chapter 1652 His throat tightened.
While he was holding back his emotions, a tiny and soft hand touched his face. His gaze shifted, and he immediately swapped his emotions away for a smile.
However, before he could regain his composure, the girl’s adorable voice asked, “Daddy, why is your hand tightened? Let go, don’t squeeze the phone.”
The girl even tried to pry his fingers away.
John was left speechless.
The girl was thinking about video-calling Liam.
The pain in his chest dissipated. He put on a helpless smile and released the phone. Caprice hugged his phone into her arms and used her face to unlock it. She then video- called Liam.
The call got through in an instant.
Liam's adorable and handsome face appeared on the screen once more.
Caprice called his name adorably, “Liam...”
Liam hummed a reply and said, “Have you solved your Rubik’s cube?” He asked about the Rubik's cube in her hand.
Caprice’s eyes flickered. “I don’t know. | don’t know how to solve it.”
“Bring it closer. I'll have a look at it.”
Caprice obediently moved the Rubik’s cube, which she had never even tried to solve, closer to the camera.
Liam had a glance and said, “Turn the top to the left, then right to the front...” He patiently explained it to her.
Caprice obediently turned the Rubik’s cube with his instruction and swiftly solved it. Her eyes gleamed. “Thank you, Liam! You're awesome!”
Liam nodded. “Mix it up. We'll do it again.” “Okay.” Caprice nodded and mixed up the Rubik’s cube once more.
John watched from the side. The happiness on the girl's face lifted his heavy mood a little. He caressed the girl's head and imagined it as Sherry.
He was a bastard, and he admitted it, but no matter how Sherry felt about him now or even refused to see him, he had to get her back. 1
After all, she had given birth to their child and could be his only woman in this life!
The evening sun at Coastrock City slowly set over the horizon. The orange blaze from the sun painted the clouds sky red and made the sea glimmer brightly.
Awhite MPV cruised steadily by the seaside.
Sherry was dozing off inside. The window was half wound down, and the sun shed its warm glory on her sleepy face.
Then, a sudden breeze assaulted her face.
She quivered and immediately opened her eyes. She looked around nervously but quickly sighed a breath of relief.
“Sis, what’s wrong?”
Carl was beside her. His face propped on his hand as he stared at Sherry lazily.
Sherry said, “It’s nothing. The breeze is a little strong.”
Carl sighed and said in slight disappointment, “I thought you were having a nightmare. | was going to give you a loving hug.” Sherry rolled her eyes at him.
Carl giggled. He then said to Brandon, the driver, “Brandon, wind up the window.”
Brandon nodded and wound up all the windows.
Chapter 1653
Chapter 1653 Sherry leaned back on the seat and stared at the sea view outside the window.
She just had a nightmare of John surrounding her in an alleyway with a bunch of thugs, and they tried to bring her back to Glenchester for imprisonment. It was short, but it haunted her for quite a while.
Her brows unconsciously furrowed. “Sis, what’s with that look on your face?” Carl’s voice entered her ears. Sherry turned around and saw his face.
The man had unknowingly gotten closer to her, and his face was less than one millimeter away from hers. He extended his neck to approach her, startling her.
Sherry sighed exasperatedly. Carl moved back but remained seated beside her. He stared at her for a while and asked with a smile, “Are you afraid that my grandmother will give you a hard time later?”
Sherry was taken aback but did not answer his question. She had forgotten about Madam Sager’s eightieth birthday dinner after waking up from the nightmare.
Madam Sager was a difficult person to please, thus she would avoid the old lady whenever possible. Carl took her silence as a tacit agreement. He added, “Don’t worry, Mom and | will be there. She won't do anything to you.”
Sherry hummed a reply. She did not want to engage with the old lady but was not afraid to do so if forced. She might be Carl’s fiance to the public, but it was just a fake arrangement
so that he could take over the company. Once Carl had full control of the company, the engagement would be called off. She was not going to marry into the Sagers, hence she was not afraid of the old lady.
As they conversed, the car turned off the freeway, made two turns, and arrived at the seaside mansion, designed to resemble a neo-classical building.
It was the Sager’s old house, where Madam Sager and her grandchildren lived.
A few decades ago, Carl’s grandfather and his siblings lived here. When Carl’s grandfather passed away, Carl's father inherited the house and the whole extended family moved in.
Mrs. Sager and her husband used to live here as well, but after her husband passed away, Mrs. Sager moved out. Carl was known to be a playboy, therefore he rarely came home. The only ones who continued to live in the mansion were Madam Sager and her daughter’s family.
The place looked aged from the outside but was well-maintained. Time did not dampen its grandness at all. The car stopped outside the gate, and the guards came over for inspection.
Carl popped his head out of the window and shouted at the guard, “Hey, you! Can’t you see that it’s me? Open the gate! Now!”
The guard nervously and respectfully said, “Yes, sir. I'll open the gates right away.” The gate opened and the car drove in.
After cruising through a long garden, they reached a massive castle. A well-dressed butler and two male servants came over with the most polite smiles.
Sherry and Carl got out of the car together. The butler said, “Young master, welcome back. Madam and the others are waiting for you inside.”
Carl ignored him. He held Sherry’s hand and headed into the building. He said to Sherry,” Sis, stay close to me. You can talk to anyone you like, or you can just keep quiet. Your choice.”
Sherry smiled. “I got it.”
After walking through a long corridor, the duo finally reached the grand and majestic living hall. Many of the guests had arrived and they were all mingling.
Sherry spotted Lisa Sager, drinking alone at the corner, and Lisa spotted her too.
Lisa put her glass down and headed over to Sherry. She held Sherry’s hand and sized her up carefully. “Sherry, why are you here? Feeling better already?”
Chapter 1654
Chapter 1654 Sherry smiled at her. “I should really be here to attend Madam Sager’s birthday. Don’t worry, I'm fine now.”
Lisa did not request her attendance, but she had received the invitation to the event from the Sagers’ butler. Since she was an important employee of the Sagers’ company and even headed a few of the departments, even if she was not Car!’s fake fiance, it would be inappropriate for her to miss it.
Lisa pursed her lips. She looked at Carl and grumbled, “Why didn’t you stop her? Don’t you know that your grandmother and your aunts are vicious?”
Carl awkwardly scratched his nose. “I know, but I’m here. They won't do anything to Sis either.”
Lisa glared at him one more time. “You go greet your aunts and grandmother. Sherry is staying here with me.” Carl was left speechless. “Mom, come on. It’s inappropriate.”
Sherry wanted to echo, but Lisa held her hand tightly.
Lisa stared at her son. “It’s appropriate if | say so. Go over there right now!”
Carl helplessly pursed his lips. He pocketed his hands and went deeper into the living hall.
Madam Sager and the others were looking at them.
Fortunately, Sherry was further away from them, but despite the distance, she could
already sense their arrogant and frosty gaze.
However, when Carl went over, all their attention was shifted to him. Only a few of them continued to stare at Sherry and Lisa, and their hostile gazes were brazen.
Lisa turned to Sherry. “Child, | didn’t want to bring you here because it’s for your own good.” Sherry smiled. “I know.” The Sagers tried to invite her to events multiple times, both secretly and openly, but she had rejected all the invitations. However, since Carl was taking over the company, it would be inappropriate for her to continue rejecting the invitations.
She was not afraid of Madam Sager, but she had scruples against the others in the Sagers, such as Madam Sager’s daughter, Anne, and her husband, Ron.
Anne was also a shareholder in the company and Ron was an executive manager. They had two sons, both of whom were older than Carl. Their family was known for their ruthless ambitions.
Carl had just lost his father, and his aunt had already tried to snatch the company from him. She used many dirty tactics, and her family was the main cause of the company’s previous decline. If it were not for Lisa who tried everything to stop them, the company would have gone bankrupt.
Even though Lisa had become the person in charge of the company, they still had their eyes on the company. More importantly,
they were close to Madam Sager and the other extended families.
Sherry was Carl's fiance by name, and if she declined the invitation to Madam Sager’s birthday dinner, it would only make Madam Sager and the other families mad. She had never worked with them before, and they would never give her a hard time, but they would divert their problems to Lisa.
Understanding Lisa’s concern, Sherry said, “Aunt Lisa, don’t worry. This is Madam Sager’s birthday dinner. The most they can do is look down on me. Nothing bad will happen tonight.”
Lisa nodded in agreement. “I suppose so, but you’d better stay by my side. Don’t wander off alone.” Sherry smiled. “Okay.”
Lisa smiled at her before they walked in together.
The living hall had a grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
Madam Sager was sitting in between her daughter and son-in-law. Both Anne and Ron’s sons, and their wives, were beside them. There were other extended families of the Sagers around them as well.
Carl had greeted all of them and was sitting down on one of the couches. He crossed his legs and wore a frivolous look on his face.
Chapter 1655
Judging from Carl's frivolous look, he had probably cracked the whip in front of them.
Sherry and Lisa went up to them.
Other than Madam Sager’s obvious frosty expression, the others welcomed them with a fake smile.
Sherry responded with a professional smile and revealed the present she prepared for Madam Sager. “Madam Sager, this is my present to you. Happy birthday and may you be healthy and happy.”
Madam Sager kept her frosty look. She looked away instantly as if looking Sherry in the eye would contaminate her eyes. She did not respond or talk to Sherry, which made things. awkward.
Both Anne and Ron, plus others who looked down on Sherry, gloated at her.
Sherry frowned. She was upset by the old lady's reaction, but she could not afford to offend her. All she could do was endure the cold shoulder.
“Grandma, are you getting so old that you can’t hear properly?” Carl said all of a sudden. He then retracted his leg from the table and stood up from the couch.
However, he might or might not have been intentional when he kicked off one of the ornaments from the tea table. The ornament fell to the floor and the clunk echoed across the living hall.
Sherry was startled, and so were Madam Sager, Anne, and the others.
“Oh my, how careless of me. Did | scare you guys?” Carl said as he walked to Sherry’s side. He put his foot on the other tea table in front of Madam Sager.
There were quite a number of expensive ornaments on the tea table, and he could ruin all of them with a simple kick.
Madam Stockton’s eyes narrowed.
Ron immediately responded with a fake smile. “It's nothing.”
Anne then looked at Madam Sager. “Mother, Carl’s fiance has a present for you.”
Madam Sager frowned. “Just put it there.”
The present was then moved to the rack behind the couch, where the other presents were kept.
Carl retracted his foot and smiled at them. “Grandma, Aunt Anne, you guys continue. It's Sherry’s first time here, so | want to give her a tour of the house.”
Anne echoed, “Sounds like a good idea, but dinner is starting soon. Don’t wander off too far.”
Carl then signaled his mother with a quick glance before he grabbed Sherry and left.
When they finally got out of the living hall, it felt like Sherry had just escaped from suffocation hell. She pulled her hand away from Carl and said, “Carl, it’s really depressing in there.”
Lisa came from a lesser background as well. Her family members were farmers in a rural village.
Sherry attended the birthday dinner as an outsider, yet she was already given the cold. shoulder. She had no idea how Lisa made it through all these years.
Carl's gaze shifted. He asked, “Did they make you uncomfortable?”
Sherry sighed. “I’m fine, but | believe your mother is having a hard time inside.”
Carl walked in front of her and then leaned against the pillar. He crossed his arms and smiled. “After my old man died, my mother and | don’t live here anymore. She doesn’t even come back here, so you don’t need to worry about her.”