Ch. 1986..1990

Chapter 1986

"Caprice has been the daughter of the richest family in Glanchester this entire time?!" Kenneth expressed in disbelief.

Jonathan commented uncertainly, "It does seem that way, doesn't it?"

Moses pursed his lips and stayed silent.

With the dramatic collapse of VV Entertainment and everything that transpired overnight, they heard some rumors going around. Word was that Heather Manson had spelled her family's demise by pissing off the Stocktons when she picked on their daughter. Some of Heather's friends were involved as well, and their families ended up no better for it.

One of the people who begged for Caprice's forgiveness just now was someone Moses and Kenneth had worked with briefly. Based on what they knew, this person managed to find out that Caprice was enrolled in Sparkrow University and had made the trip here to beg for forgiveness in person.

This was the reason they were here at all. They wanted to see for themselves just who the supposed daughter of the richest family in Glanchester was.

Never in their wildest imagination would they have thought that the mysterious figure had been Caprice all along! This explained why she managed to find investors for their company back then.

Moses hung his head low as he turned and walked towards the parking lot.

Kenneth and Jonathan exchanged a look then silently trailed after him.

Kenneth reflected soberly, "| was wondering how she managed to end up with the owner of Carter Tech City. It turns out she was someone of such formidable background this entire time. | can't believe | thought she was nothing more than a commoner. | must have been blind to not see it.”

Everyone knew that the Stocktons only had one child and that this child was to be the successor of the family's fortune. Caprice was the prodigious child.

Even if she never amounted to anything at all, she would still legally inherit a mass of fortune easily worth billions. This was not the kind of wealth just anybody could stumble into.

Jonathan stayed silent the entire while. He thought about what he had done to Caprice during the start of the summer break when she had just started working at their company. He had taken her to that sort of venue for dinner. He suddenly broke out ina cold sweat upon recalling that faint memory.

If Caprice had held a grudge against him for that, what would have happened to him and Moses? What would have happened to their company?

"Sigh..." Kenneth sighed weakly behind Moses.

He always had the impression that Moses was just like any common man who was drawn like a moth to a flame to any common beautiful woman. It turned out now that he could not be any more mistaken. Moses had an extremely refined taste and was able to spot royalty out of a heap of commoners.

It was a shame that it was doomed to be an unrequited love.

Now that he thought about it, Caprice had an extremely mild temper for someone who came from such an influential family and was born with a golden spoon. It did not seem like she held any sort of grudges at all.

Because if she did, Moses and his company would have been brought to ruin a long, long time ago.

It was a smooth drive back to the Carters’.

Caprice sat between her parents and was grinning throughout the entire drive. She originally planned to visit Liam again tomorrow, but as luck would have it, she got to see him right away.

Ding!

Her phone rang.

She reached for her phone. Piper had sent her several texts.

"Caprice, you're famous on the campus forum. Everybody knows about your father now."

"Freya and Lana found out about it as well, so it's pretty much public knowledge at this point."

‘They asked me if | was in on the secret this entire time, and | didn’t know how to explain it to them. Why don’t you tell them instead?"

Caprice replied with a frown, "Alright, I'll talk to them.” "Caprice, what's wrong?" Sherry asked.

John shot a concerned look at her as well.

 

Chapter 1987

Caprice told her parents everything, "Mom, Dad, my friends told me that everyone at university is talking about me right now. It looks like they know that you two are my parents now."

Sherry smiled. "It's okay, your Aunt Sylvia has already contacted the university. They are going to deal with it.

These posts are going to be taken down in no time.”

John chimed in, "You don't have to feel ashamed of being our daughter. It doesn't matter that they know now."

Caprice pouted. "Okay."

It was true that it was no big deal at the end of the day. Still, she had to explain things to Lana and Freya.

She turned on her phone again and swiped to their group chat. She sent an emoji to test the waters.

Lana was the first to reply. She had always been quick to anger and had reacted by sending a sticker of an angry stickman. Caprice replied with an emoji awkward smile.

Then, it was Freya who joined in the conversation. "Caprice, don't you have anything to tell us?"

Caprice replied, "I can't hop on a video call right now, so I'll explain it by text. Everything that I'm about to tell you is the truth." Freya replied, "Alright, shoot."

Lana said the same, "Sure, go ahead."

As for Piper, she sent a funny sticker of a penguin grabbing a pack of popcorn.

Caprice took a deep breath and began typing out a lengthy paragraph. "Freya, Lana, | didn't mean to hide the truth from you two this entire time. I've always treated you two as my close friends. The only reason | kept everything a secret is that | only wanted to live a normal life as a regular university student, whereby | can make friends without worrying about what they think of me. Also, | was planning to tell you two at some point."

Back when she was in elementary school, she had always been swarmed by all her classmates who were aware of her family background. The friendship she made struck her as being superficial, and she ended up transferring to another school because of it. Ever since then, she made a point to keep her parents’ identities a secret. Her parents respected her wishes as well and specifically instructed the school to not expose her identity.

This was how she managed to lead a relatively low-profile life. She did not keep it a secret from Freya and Lana intentionally.

In fact, while she was on the way back to the dormitory just now, an idea hatched into her mind. She thought about inviting her friends to join her engagement ceremony with

Liam next Saturday, where she would reveal her true identity to them as well.

After Caprice finished her monologue, Piper supplied," Freya, Lana, to be honest with you two, if it wasn’t because | went to her place a decade ago, | probably still wouldn't have known that she came from the richest family in Glanchester."

After that, nobody sent a message for several seconds.

That was until Lana’s message popped up on the screen.” Honestly, I’m not even angry. I’m just amused more than anything else. | can't believe that my roommate is the daughter of the richest man in Glanchester! Am | dreaming?"

She asked suddenly, "Caprice, you're not upset about me always farting next to you, are you?" Caprice laughed. "Of course not. I've had my fair share of farts too."

Piper joked, "Good point, | can smell it across the screen."

Freya chimed in, "I, for one, am upset about you two farting.”

Lana: "You got a problem? Do you want me to fart in your face right now?"

Freya: "Don't make me kick you out of the group."

Lana: "Ohh, save me Caprice and Piper!"

Piper: "Good luck with that. | can't help you."

Caprice: "I can't help you right now either. Good luck."

Freya: "Oh, right. Everyone on campus is talking about you right now. There’s a bunch of them lurking outside our dorm. | wouldn't come back for a while if | were you."

Lana: 'That’s right."

Caprice: "Yeap, I'm already on my way to Liam’s with my parents. I'll be back tomorrow.”

As soon as she notified them of her current plans, Lana asked, "Wait, you're going to Liam's?"

Just by reading the text, Caprice had a vague impression of the mischievous look on Lana's face as she sent the text. Then, it was Freya who asked, "Hey, Caprice, how are things progressing between you and Liam?"

Caprice beamed with joy and told them about her upcoming engagement to Liam next Saturday, and promptly invited them to the engagement ceremony.

Chapter 1988

Chapter 1988 Freya, Lana, and Piper gladly accepted her invitation.

After they wrapped up their conversation, Caprice logged on to the campus forum. She wanted to see how the situation was developing.

To her surprise, she was unable to access the forum. A message popped up that said the system was currently undergoing maintenance.

Meanwhile, she received a text Piper forwarded to her.

Since she was one of the committees of one of the social clubs at the university, she had received a notice the university officials issued to all the committee members.

The forwarded message read: "What happened this afternoon outside the dormitory this afternoon is a matter of privacy. | hope the students will respect the privacy of the involved student and not spread the information online. Please do your part in passing this message on to your friends.”

Caprice heaved a sigh of relief.

There was no chance they could hope to stop the rumors from circulating on the campus, but knowing that it was not on the internet was enough consolation. As long as the outside world did not know that the daughter of the Stocktons of Glanchester was enrolled in Sparkrow University, that was good enough for her.

By the time they reached Liam's place, the sun was just setting.

The evening sun cast a beautiful glow over the landscape, and the sky was a pastel gradient of amber and orange. Its elusive glow beat against the face of the man, who was standing outside the house, waiting for Caprice.

As soon as Caprice got out of the car, she bolted toward him immediately. She cried out brightly, "Liam!" Liam returned a smile and held his arms wide open. Caprice threw herself into his embrace.

He held onto her firmly like a treasured jewel. He asked in a soft, concerned voice, "Are you okay? What happened at the dorm just now?"

Caprice snuggled into his embrace and said softly, "I'm fine, but everyone on campus saw me and found out about my real identity.”

"| see.” Liam played with her hair before pulling away. Caprice grimaced unhappily.

Before she could utter a complaint, Liam looked behind her and greeted her parents solemnly, "Uncle John, Aunt Sherry, this is on me. | should have been more careful."

He should have considered that the families of Heather's friends would go to Caprice to ask for help.

Caprice's eyes were suddenly tinged with shock, and she quickly turned around.

John and Sherry were practically next to them.

John frowned sullenly.

Sherry smiled courteously. "It's fine. You were looking out for Caprice.”

Sylvia and Odell showed up as well.

“Alright, enough about all that. Come, let me take you to my studio." Sylvia motioned at Sherry and took her hand. Odell gestured at John. "Two bottles of wine | ordered just arrived. Care to try ’em?"

John asked with suppressed interest, "What kind of wine?"

"You'll know it when you see them," Odell said mysteriously. John darted a look at Caprice and Liam, then he followed Odell to the wine cellar. Only Caprice and Liam were left.

She swiftly spun around and hugged Liam. She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with joy, "Liam, do you know what's next Saturday?"

He squinted and answered matter-of-factly, "It's the weekend."

Caprice frowned to express her disapproval.

Liam pinched the tip of her little nose. "What? It's the weekend, isn't it?"

Caprice had a feeling he was teasing her on purpose. She made a face and said sharply, "Say it before | get angry at you!" "Say what?" he asked in a puzzled manner.

“What's next Saturday? You know it!" She was yelling at this point.

Liam said coolly, "It's the weekend."

Chapter 1989

Chapter 1989 Caprice eyed him darkly without a word. She pressed both her palms against Liam and shoved him away with all her strength.

Then, she began stomping away with her cheeks puffed up. She had barely taken a step when she felt a large hand seizing her from behind.

Within a second, she was pulled back into Liam’s arms. His long, slender arms bound themselves around her body like a chain, so there was no way she could wring herself free. With that, he lowered himself and planted a kiss on her lips.

Caprice opened her eyes after the kiss, there was a restlessness rising inside her. Just like that, her grumpiness had left her completely,

It took a while before Liam willingly let go of her, but his face, handsome as always, was still mere inches from hers. He locked his dark eyes on her, eyes as sharp as that of a hawk's.

He said firmly, "Next Saturday is the day you will finally become my fiancee."

Caprice felt her face slowly grow hot. She buried her face to hide her embarrassment and let out a shy chuckle. Liam hugged her as tightly as he could, and a soft smile began forming on his lips.

Now that her true identity was exposed, Caprice had turned into a micro-celebrity at Sparkrow University.

Despite the university official's best attempts at covering everything up and limiting the discussion, the news eventually made it out of the campus.

When Caprice returned to university for the start of the new semester, the paparazzi were on her tail.

By that point, John and Sherry had already returned to Glanchester. The paparazzi posted their fresh haul of the day -a batch of pictures of Caprice Stockton on an entertainment site based in Westchester-which immediately garnered a lot of attention. The post was taken down in no time, and later that evening after Caprice's class ended, Liam picked her up and took her to Isabel’s place.

The place was staffed with a professional security force. Isabel would be living with her and keeping her company. It was a safe place for her to be, and her parents did not have to worry about her either.

She took Liam’s advice. She would go to university during the day and retreat to the apartment after class. The week flew by.

On Friday, Caprice requested a day off her classes so she could go home to Glanchester. The crew of Freya, Lana, and Piper went with her as well.

The engagement ceremony was going to be held at her house tomorrow. This meant that her friends were going to sleep over at her place as well and spend time in the city for the weekend.

After a three hours drive, the car stopped at the gate of her house.

“Freya, Piper, we're here,” Caprice called them.

Piper perked up, then she woke Freya and Lana up.

The two were still in a daze after the long drive. They hobbled out of the car with Caprice and Piper.

The bodyguards opened the gates for them. The housekeeper had heard about Caprice's return and was already waiting by the entrance for her. Upon noticing her and her friends, she smiled brightly and greeted them," Good afternoon, miss."

"Uncle Marlow!" Caprice called out after the housekeeper before introducing her friends to him, "These are all my close friends. This is Piper. You already know her. These two are Freya and Lana."

The housekeeper smiled warmly and greeted them, "Good to see you all, Miss Piper, Miss Freya, and Miss Lana." Piper smiled politely.

Lana and Freya returned a polite greeting as well.

Marlow turned to address Caprice, "Miss, Madam Stockton has been going on about you for a long time. She’s already waiting for you in your courtyard, so why don't you go inside with your friends right away?”

"Okay."

Caprice grunted before stepping into the shuttle car with her friends.

There were no doors on both sides of the shuttle car, only an erected barrier to prevent passengers from falling off. This meant they got to enjoy the view on the way to the house.

"Caprice, this is where you live?" Lana was mesmerized.

Freya commented, "I feel like I've entered the garden of Eden."

It was an unbelievably vast piece of land, the prime of luxury.

Caprice said with a smile, ‘This is home as | know it. If you girls want to, we can come out for a stroll after we meet my grandma." She had always been proud of her beautiful home as well.

Freya was very understanding. "No, you need to get engaged tomorrow! You need to prepare for the big day."

Caprice insisted, "Don't worry, my grandma and mother have everything sorted out already. All | need to do is to be present tomorrow."

 

Chapter 1990

Freya seemed like she was going to object when Piper stepped in. "Freya, let Caprice show us around if she wants. This place is huge, and there have to be a lot of interesting spots that only she knows about. It’s been a long time since

| last came here, and | want to check the place out."

Freya smiled and obliged, "Okay."

Lana cautiously took out her phone and asked, "Can | take pictures?"

Caprice smiled. "If you'd like."

After a short drive, they arrived at the house at last.

Caprice led them into her courtyard.

Madam Stockton must have heard them arriving as she had one of the housemaids walk her outside to greet them. "Caprice!" the old lady cried out shrilly.

"Grandma!" Caprice chirped after her, then she ran up to her to give her a big hug. Piper, Freya, and Lana approached and greeted Madam Stockton politely. Madam Stockton was a wonderful host, and she quickly invited them inside.

With that, everyone stepped into the living room.

Madam Stockton excuse herself after a brief chat with them.

Then, Caprice showed them around the place. They checked out several scenic spots, took some pictures, and whiled away the day merrily with plenty of conversations. Evening fell upon them eventually.

Madam Stockton's housemaids showed up to tell them that dinner was ready, and to head over to Madam Stockton’s to eat dinner with her.

Both John and Sherry were not home yet because they were occupied with work. After a brief dinner, Caprice took her friends back to her courtyard.

Her section of the house was very spacious as well. Apart from her personal bedroom, there was another guest room with two large double beds.

She was going to install her friends in the guest room. After she took a shower in her room, she went to join them in the guest room and ended up deciding to spend the night there as well.

Her friends were in a good mood and barely felt a hint of tiredness as they chatted away merrily. Caprice joined in on the fun.

Time always seemed to pass faster whenever she was with her friends. She ended up sleeping far later than usual but managed to get enough rest.

The girls woke up the next morning.

After they had breakfast, they began to get ready for the day. Her friends helped her with her makeup and helped her get changed into a bright red dress. It perfectly complimented her fair skin without taking away from her youthful, vibrant charm.

They had just finished putting her in the dress when Sherry knocked on the door.

She greeted them before turning to address Caprice," Caprice, are you ready? Liam and his family are here.” "Yeah, I’m ready.” Caprice stepped out of the dresser.

Her friends followed closely behind her, and all of them wore bright smiles.

They walked out of the courtyard and entered the shuttle car together. They were driven to an open field where the engagement ceremony was going to be held.

The decorations were dreamy and stupendously beautiful. Almost all of their relatives showed up. Madam Stockton was busy chatting with everyone while Caprice’s parents were keeping Liam's parents entertained.

Caprice immediately spotted Liam standing between Isabel and Flint. He wore a well-tailored fine black suit that accentuated his figure and height. As usual, he looked effortlessly charming and exuded a fine air of elegance.

Caprice’s eyes lit up as she quickly trotted toward her soon- to-be fiance. Liam spotted her too and walked toward her as well. The two joined together.

If they were not in public, she would have thrown herself into his arms and run her hands all over his muscular frame. Words could not describe how handsome he looked today; she was completely mesmerized.

She could not resist the urge to at least intertwine her hands with his.

Liam responded by firmly taking her hand as well. With his free hand, he gently tipped her chin upward with his fingers to face him. This way, he got to take a close look at her beautifully made-up face.

“How do | look today?" Caprice asked eagerly with a wide grin on her face.

Liam said without skipping a beat, "Not bad.”

Upon saying this, he gulped. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down following the movement of his saliva. Caprice did not seem to notice anything off about him. She made a face. "Not bad? Is that all?”

Her friends had showered her endlessly with compliments about how beautiful she looked since this morning. Liam seemed to consider it for a moment before adding, "A little more than not bad."

Caprice's eyes glimmered suggestively as she pressed him for more compliments, "Anything else for me?" Liam pursed his lips into a faint smile. "Very pretty."

Was that all?

She scoffed.

She jabbed at him playfully with a fist and whispered sharply, "Just you wait.”

After the engagement ceremony was over and the guests had left, she was going to punish him severely. "Hm." Liam chuckled lowly. He was more than willing to wait.

Caprice shot a glare at him.

‘Liam, you two are getting engaged today. It's not a good idea to tease our Caprice here, is it?" Flint approached them, dressed in a classy tuxedo.

He casually put an arm on Caprice's shoulder in a friendly manner and spoke to her in a candid voice, "Caprice, do you want me to give my brother a firm talking to for you?"

Before Caprice could utter a word, Liam said sharply, "You have three seconds to take your stinky hands off her."