Ch. 1786..1790
Chapter 1786
In the past, she used to think that Sherry was the problem and the reason why her parents refused to be associated with her. After all that happened, she realized that Sherry did not have it easy growing up.
She was prejudiced against from the moment she was born. She was supposed to be the crowned jewel of the family but ended up being discarded far away to a remote village. It was only after she grew up that her parents reluctantly took her in again, but not without lingering resentment that was wholly unjustified. They treated their adopted daughter far better than they did their biological daughter.
After Sherry severed ties with them, they were the ones who ended up crawling back for help after facing financial difficulties. The worst of it was that when their adopted daughter almost got Sherry killed, they never stopped to reconsider their actions and wonder if they were in the wrong. Instead, they dedicated all their efforts to saving their adopted daughter instead of trying to talk to Sherry and right their wrongs.
Growing up, she never received even a trace of affection from her parents. Her terrible luck did not stop in her adulthood because she ended up stuck with John.
Madam Stockton could not fathom how Sherry endured everything by herself.
She sighed and gently caressed Caprice’s cheeks and muttered to herself in a low voice, “She’s a fine girl, she deserves to be treated better.”
Queenie was taken aback.
She knew that her mother was regretful of how she had treated Sherry all these years, but this was the first time she heard such kind words about Sherry uttered from her mother’s lips.
She smiled and encouraged her mother. “Mom, we can be kinder to her from now on.” Madam Stockton smiled. “Yes.”
She vowed that she would, but she doubted that Sherry cared for her affection by this point. Inside the hospital.
Sherry was awakened by faint murmuring.
When she pried her eyes open, she saw a doctor attending to John.
Two nurses were assisting the doctor.
They were all crowded by John’s side of the bed.
It was a rather cramped space, barely enough for the three to move around.
They usually operated from her side of the bed, which was currently unavailable since she was occupying the space. She felt her cheeks growing hot with embarrassment as she awkwardly rose from the bed. Upon noticing that she was awake, John smiled at her.
The doctor and the two nurses greeted her with polite smiles as well.
The doctor informed John, “You’ve made good recovery progress. For the time being, I'd still advise that you focus on resting and avoid performing strenuous exercises.”
As he said this, he darted a knowing glance at Sherry and tried to hint at something. The two nurses were doing their best to stifle their laughter. Sherry felt her cheeks glowing beet red. She wished she had never woken up in the first place.
The doctor’s playful insinuations seemed to have gone over John’s head. He nodded curtly and thanked the doctor, “Alright, thank you, doctor.”
With that, the doctor left with the nurses.
John lay back on the bed and turned to face Sherry. He smiled affectionately with a warm glow in his eyes and asked, “Why is your face so red?”
He gently caressed Sherry’s cheeks with the tips of his fingers.
Sherry was incredibly vexed by this point and slapped his hands out of the way, and she quickly rolled out. of bed. Before she managed to make her escape, she felt his arm tugging on her wrist.
She was pulled into his arm with nearly her entire weight resting on top of him.
“Get your stinky hands off me.” She groaned.
John grinned, there was a certain alluring flavor to the way he smiled.
“Stay with me a little longer,” he said.
Sherry shot a look at him. “It’s getting late, it’s time for breakfast.”
“Give me a kiss.”
She glared at him sharply. “Do you want me to kick your butt?”
“If that’s what it takes for me to get a kiss, | say go for it,” he said in a cocky manner. Sherry felt something swelling up inside her.
This scumbag and his ridiculous games...
Her cheeks were reddened like ripe tomatoes. She cried out, “Stop it and let go of me!” ‘I'll let go if you kiss me,” he said calmly.
Sherry grimaced. “Don’t test my patience, I'll break your arm!”
He was completely unfazed still. “Go ahead, don’t forget to kiss me after.”
She was completely speechless.
As she glared at him, he looked back at her tenderly.
They shared a moment staring into each other’s eyes. Suddenly he pressed down on the back of her head. She felt her head driven forward, her lips planted against his.
He kissed her with more passion than the last time.
They stayed in that position for a while until he released his lips at last.
Chapter 1787
Sherry glared at him, a stark redness filled her cheeks. “Move your hand.”
John smiled and shifted his palm away from her.
Sherry was granted freedom at last. She turned around and prepared to get out of bed.
The moment she turned around, she was greeted by the sight of several figures standing by the entrance. It was Madam Stockton and Queenie, standing stiffly side by side.
When they saw Sherry turning around, they smiled at her awkwardly.
Queenie stated awkwardly, “I didn’t see anything.”
Madam Stockton remarked dryly as well, “...yeah, | didn’t see anything either.”
Caprice was held tightly in Queenie’s arms. She cast a look as sharp as the point of an arrow at Sherry and John, her eyes wide with astonishment.
When she met Sherry’s eyes, she asked without any hint of reservation, “Mommy, what were you doing lying on top of Daddy just now?”
Sherry did not know how to answer. Madam Stockton and Queenie coughed dryly and avoided looking at Sherry. Sherry glared at John.
He lay candidly on the bed, seemingly completely unbothered by the strange circumstance they found themselves in. He acted as if he was not the one who started it.
He smiled at Sherry, then turned to Caprice. “Mommy and | were just talking, we weren't doing anything else.” Caprice murmured something indistinct, then she asked, “What were you two talking about? | want to know!” “It's a secret, | can’t tell you.”
Caprice became grumpy. “Okay then.”
Sherry heaved a sigh of relief.
With Madam Stockton and Queenie keeping an eye on Caprice, Sherry could focus on her work without worry. The day passed in the blink of an eye.
As evening rolled around, Caprice began to get sleepy. She crawled into bed with John and fell asleep. Sherry did not ask Madam Stockton and Queenie to take her back to the hotel this time.
After Madam Stockton and Queenie left, Sherry washed up and joined John in bed.
John was still wide awake as he was attending to some urgent matters on his laptop.
Sherry took Caprice from his lap and tucked her in the center of the bed. Then, she put her arms around Caprice and closed her eyes.
Aweek passed, and most of the days were rather uneventful.
John had made good recovery progress and was finally allowed to check out of the hospital.
This morning, Sherry took John back to her place along with Madam Stockton and Queenie.
The doctor instructed John to prioritize rest in the coming days.
After returning home, he was installed in the bedroom and assumed the same routine as during his stay in the hospital. Soon, Caprice became sleepy. She crawled into bed with John and dozed off.
Madam Stockton and Queenie entered the bedroom.
Queenie asked in a hushed voice, “Sherry, is this your place?”
Sherry nodded.
Queenie seemed puzzled. “Why didn’t you get a bigger place?” Sherry answered nonchalantly, “I live by myself, just a small and cozy space will do.” “But you're going to be living with my brother and Caprice in the future, this house isn’t big enough for the three of you.”
Sherry was about to say something when Madam Stockton interjected. She assured Queenie with complete certainty. “They're going back to Glanchester eventually. This is only a temporary situation for them.”
“Ohh.” Queenie did not doubt her at all. “I see.”
Sherry grimaced.
“We're not going back for now,” John announced out of nowhere.
Sherry was intrigued to hear this.
Both Madam Stockton and Queenie shot a queer look at John.
Queenie asked curiously, “Haven't you two made up already? Why aren’t you going back?”
John first peered at Sherry before answering resolutely, “Sherry still has a lot of responsibilities here, | don’t expect her to abandon her duties and leave. We'll stay here for a while until the time is right for her.”
“But...” Queenie seemed like she was going to protest, but Madam Stockton promptly stepped in.
She was uncharacteristically sympathetic. “Alright, I'm sure you two have everything under control.”
Chapter 1788
John said soberly, “Yeah”
With that, Madam Stockton took Queenie and made her leave the room. Queenie was still trying desperately to get a word in.
Sherry was blindsided by what happened.
She did not expect John to be so supportive, nor did she expect Madam Stockton to be so understanding.
After Madam Stockton and Queenie left, she turned to John and asked curtly, “You've been here long enough Haven't you begun missing home?”
Glanchester was his base of operation, and most of his assets were in there as well. He had spent a considerable amount of time in Coastrock, so it was not reasonable to expect him to spend much longer here.
“Peter and the others are keeping things in order for me. Besides, | can manage well enough remotely” He assured Sherry. “Don’t worry.”
She stated with a troubled expression, “My work is in Coastrock, I’m not leaving anytime soon.” He smiled, his voice still gentle and reassuring. “I know, just focus on your work and don’t worry about the rest.”
Sherry tried to put things as bluntly as she could. “I’m saying that you're free to head back if you have things you need to take care of. You don’t need to feel pressured to stay by my side.”
John smiled. “Alright, but | don’t have anything urgent to attend to.” Peter was more than capable of holding down the fort.
He wanted to be wherever Sherry was. After finally winning her trust again, he was not going to allow himself to be separated from her again. He would not allow anyone to swoop in on her in his absence.
Sherry observed him. He spoke with lucidity and confidence, he had everything under control. She gave in. “Alright.” Meanwhile, in the living room.
After Madam Stockton took Queenie out of the bedroom, Queenie immediately protested. “Mom, why wouldn’t you let John take Sherry back to Glanchester?”
They belonged in Glanchester. Madam Stockton said in a hushed, urgent voice, “Can't you see that she doesn’t want to go back?” Queenie was perplexed by this. “She’s made up with John, hasn’t she? Why wouldn’t she want to go back?”
“Sager Corporation is based in Coastrock and she’s a senior executive, why would she want to leave? She has a lot of commitment and responsibilities here. What do you think will happen to her work if she goes
back to Glanceshter?”
Queenie finally understood, but she continued to grumble. “But our family business is based in Glanchester. Is John supposed to live here with Sherry and Caprice for the rest of his life?”
“Don’t worry about that, your brother will figure things out.”
Queenie frowned and still seemed skeptical. “Mom, | don’t want to be so far away from John, Sherry, and
Caprice all the time”
Madam Stockton teased her “How old are you? You’re still acting like a child if you feel lonely, go find yourself a partner” Queenie pouted “I don’t want to, | don’t plan on finding one anytime soon
Madam Stockton peered at her and expressed somberly, “Queenie, you're twenty seven
Queenie was getting rather annoyed, so she turned around and went to sit next to a window
Madam Stockton sighed weakly
She had said everything that needed to be said In the past, she would have continued to impose her will on Queenie However, everything that happened lately had softened her, so she decided it was better to not interfere with her children’s affairs
There was an important meeting that required Sherry to attend in person The meeting lasted until nearly noon.
After the meeting. Sherry thought of Madam Stockton and Queenie who were still at her place She hurried home so she could take them somewhere nice for lunch. She stepped into the house and mmediately noticed an assortment of steaming hot dishes laid out on the dining table
John was resting on the couch reading a book. He was dressed casually.
Queenie was watching cartoons with Caprice.
Madam Stockton emerged from the kitchen in an apron. She was balancing a bowl of soup in hand Sherry was shocked by the display.
Upon noticing her, Madam Stockton smiled and motioned to the dining table. “Sherry, you came back just in time! | just finished making soup. Come on, have a seat and eat with us.”
“...Okay.” Sherry was amused by the full course laid out on the dining table.
Madam Stockton must have seen the entranced look in her eyes. She explained with a shade of embarrassment, “John ordered these from a restaurant. The soup is the only thing | made myself.”
Chapter 1789
Sherry glanced at John.
John nudged his chin at the dining table. “I put the receipt over there.”
Sherry returned a look at him before approaching the dining table and helping Madam Stockton with the bowl of soup. John rose as well and approached the dining table.
Madam Stockton turned to Queenie and Caprice “Queenie, Caprice, it’s time for lunch.”
Caprice cried out “Okay!” brightly and led Queenie over to the dining table
They had a wonderful lunch.
After the meal
Madam Stockton put down her utensils, then she turned to Sherry and John to announce, “John, Sherry. I'll be leaving with Queenie later.”
Sherry was caught off guard by this.
Why the rush? Then again, John’s condition was relatively stable now, so there was no longer an urgent need for them to be here.
John nodded. “Alright, I’ll have Jason send you two off.”
Madam Stockton nodded briefly.
Sherry volunteered. “I don’t have anything planned, why don’t | take you two to the airport with Caprice?” John made a look.
Madam Stockton was rather taken aback. She was very delighted to accept the offer. “Alright.”
After the meal, they took a short rest before departing. Sherry took the sleeping Caprice in her arms and went to the car with Madam Stockton and Queenie. Jason drove them to the airport.
Shortly after they left, a red sports car screeched to a stop outside the apartment complex.
Carl got out of the car with a large bouquet of lilies in hand that he bought on the way here from a florist. He went to Sherry’s unit and promptly knocked on the door.
The door was opened in no time.
He was greeted by a man dressed in casual attire, the sort you would only wear at home. The man was tall and of a fair complexion, but he still seemed slightly sickly.
The moment John recognized Carl, he greeted him with a faint smile, “Master Sager, what brought you here?”
Carl stole a peek behind John into the house. Then, he traced the shape of a formal smile on his lips. “I heard that you were discharged from the hospital, so | figured I'll pay you a visit.”
As he said this, he thrust the bouquet of lilies forward.
“Very kind of you, Master Sager. This is perfect because we were going to swap out the flowers in the living room with fresh ones. Would you mind doing it for me? I’m still not feeling very well.”
John swiftly turned and headed into the house after uttering his request. Carl cocked an eyebrow. “Sure.” He trailed after John.
John sat down on the couch.
Carl looked around the house while he replaced the flowers in the vase and asked casually, “Is Sherry not home?”
“Yeah.” John picked up the teapot and poured two cups of tea. He took a gentle sip from one of them and continued, “She’s driving my mother and my sister to the airport. Caprice went as well.”
Carl was intrigued by this. Sherry was driving John’s mother and sister to the airport? It was his impression that Sherry and Madam Stockton had never been on good terms.
If she willingly volunteered to send Madam Stockton to the airport, the dynamic of their relationship must have taken a turn for the better in recent days.
Following that line of logic, he supposed that Sherry had made up with John as well.
After he was done with the flowers, he leaned against the dining table and broached the matter. “There’s another reason | came to visit you.”
This stirred John’s curiosity. “Is there something you wanted to tell me?”
“Ada was arrested. Ron’s hands are tied because his new wife keeps him on a tight leash. It doesn’t seem like he’s going to bother with what happens to Ada from here on. | hired the best lawyer in Coastrock. We'll make Ada pay for her actions.”
John smiled and thanked him, “I appreciate it, Master Sager.”
Chapter 1790
“Please, I’m the reason things turned out this way.” Carl took a breath before adding, “Besides, I’m not doing this for you.” Something stirred in John’s eyes. “Then | shall thank you in place of Sherry.”
Carl bit down on his lip.
After a somber silence, he looked at John again. The previous nonchalant look in his eyes had grown standoffish and guarded.
He declared without warning, “Master Stockton, even though Sherry chose to be with you, | still consider her as close as family. You'd better not mistreat her in the future or else | won’t go easy on you. Mark my words!”
John zipped his lips into a thin smile and assured him. “That won't happen.”
“| sure hope it won't.” Carl straightened himself. “Also, thanks for the tipoff about Ron.”
With that, he stepped out of the apartment, shutting the door behind him.
John smiled and took a sip of his tea.
Meanwhile, Jason had safely transported Sherry, Madam Stockton, and Queenie to the airport.
Madam Stockton was very reluctant to part with Caprice. She held tightly onto Caprice’s hand for a long time and refused to let go.
Sherry and Queenie chatted for a while.
They waited until the last minute before boarding to step through the gate.
Sherry went home with Caprice.
Jason was driving while Sherry sat in the back with Caprice in her arms.
She had rolled the windows down so she could feel the gentle breeze coming from the direction of the sea. Caprice lay comfortably against her chest. She suddenly told Sherry, “Mommy, I’m a little sad.”
Sherry was startled.
Caprice looked perfectly happy when they were with Madam Stockton and Queenie back at the airport. She snuggled to both Madam Stockton and Queenie the entire time and had playful exchanges with them.
Why the sudden shift?
She considered for a moment and asked Caprice softly, “Do you miss Grandma and Aunt Queenie?” Caprice whimpered weakly. “Hm.”
Sherry fell silent for a moment.
Madam Stockton and Queenie had been with them for a little over a week and spent nearly the entirety of their stay with Caprice. She must have bonded with them over this period. It was understandable that she would feel sad about them leaving.
She gently patted her head and tried to comfort her. “Don’t be sad, we'll see them more often in the future.
“Okay.” Caprice sounded convinced. She suddenly asked, “Mommy, when are we going home? | want to visit brother Liam in Westchester. | miss him.”
Sherry was put in a tough spot, she answered hesitantly, “Mommy can’t be sure yet. Could you give mommy some time to think about it?”
“Okay.” Caprice was very agreeable. Sherry hugged Caprice tightly, completely enchanted by her adorable appearance, the way her lips formed a shape when she pouted.
She knew that Caprice was missing home Furthermore, John’s business was based in Glanchester It was selfish for her to make them stay in Coastrock for her sake.
The problem was that with Carl taking over Sager Corporation, he needed capable help by his side at all times She had far too many responsibilities here, so her presence was crucial and she simply could not afford to leave abruptly.
Most importantly, she did not want to lose her job. Although John would give her all the money she needed, she did not want to be reduced to a mere housewife. She wanted to provide for herself.
Perhaps after John was fully recovered, she could ask him to take Caprice back to Glanchester Whenever she had time, she would head back to Glanchester to join the family. She could travel back and forth between two cities.
It seemed like a good idea to her, at least it managed to calm her restless heart for now.
She wrapped her arms tightly around Caprice. Soon, the car stopped outside the apartment.
She got out of the car and carried Caprice snugly in her arms. They were back home in no time.
Caprice sprang out of Sherry’s arms and bolted toward John who was sitting on the couch while crying out, “Daddy!” John hugged her and turned to Sherry. “Are my mom and Queenie flying back already?”
“Yeah.”
The bouquet of fresh lilies in the vase on the table immediately caught her attention. She became curious and asked, “Did you buy these flowers?”