Ch. 2101..2110

Chapter 2101

After hearing the story, Jay exclaimed, "What a tough woman!"

Baby Robbie asked him, "Daddy, who do you think is tougher? Mommy or Yasmin Cohen?"

Jay remembered the time when Angeline was on Mount Pearl and chose to run away from home. If he had not begged her to stay and she just so happened to be sick and needed him, Jay was not sure if Angeline would still be by his side.

Jay felt cold chills just thinking about it. It turned out that Angeline was taking reference from a pioneer like Yasmin Cohen. People like that would not compromise when it came to love. They knew to walk away when it was time.

That was why Angeline had persuaded Aunt Crystal to leave Uncle Spencer.

When they got back to Chateau de Selene, Baby Robbie said to Jay anxiously, "Daddy, please clear all misunderstandings with Mommy before you leave Imperial Capital. You'll be separated for a while after this and I don't want any cracks in your relationship with Mommy."

Jay gently touched Baby Robbie's head and comforted

him, saying, "Don't worry, I'll make sure that things are alright before I leave."

Angel hobbled over with a keyboard and shoved it into Jay's hands. "Daddy, take this and Mommy will forgive you."

Jay was not sure how to react. "Angel, who taught you this?"

Angel said, "Uncle Zayne told me that there are three magic tools to subdue women-keyboard, cactus, and washboard."

Jay's handsome face turned awkward.

"Stupid Zayne."

Jay took the keyboard and went upstairs. Walking into the master bedroom, he saw Angeline sitting on the bed with swollen eyes and sighing.

Jay walked over and looked at her silently. After a long time, he said in a loving voice, "I didn't mean to blame you. I was just worried about you. Look at you, I can tell that you're upset." Angeline plunged into his arms and said, "I can't just stand back!"

Jay patted her back and felt her fragile body trembling with fear. He felt distressed and said, "I know you have good intentions, but it's a complicated matter. I don't care that you saved Aunt Crystal but broke the hearts of the Yorks family. Angeline, I only care about you. I don't want you to live in guilt. It's not

good for your health."

After Angeline calmed down, she realized that encouraging Aunt Crystal to stand up to Spencer Yorks was a little extreme. However, at that time, she could not think of another way. She could not just sit back and watch Aunt Crystal suffer.

Angeline felt guilty. "Jaybie, what should I do now?"

Jay said in a gentle voice, "Don't blame yourself. Angeline, I'll take care of this, okay?"

"How are you planning to do that?" Angeline looked at him guiltily. Every time she got into trouble, he would clean up the mess for her.

Jay said, "As long as you promise me that you won't follow Yasmin Cohen's footsteps. I want to spend my life with you. No matter what happens, I've got your back."

Angeline was a little ashamed. She had acted rashly when she mentioned Yasmin Cohen.

"I'm sorry, Jaybie," Angeline said, ashamed.

Jay was relieved and said, "No worries."

Angeline looked at the keyboard in Jay's hand and smiled. "Why? Are you going to kneel on it?" Jay said, "If you ever run away from me, I'll kneel in front of you and ask for your forgiveness."

Chapter 2102

Chapter 2102

Angeline snatched the keyboard from him and said bashfully, "A man only kneels to God and their parents. Meanwhile, you're kneeling to your wife. Are you not afraid of getting laughed at?" Jay smiled at her uninhibitedly and said, "As long as you're happy, I don't mind if others laugh at me."

Angeline was utterly moved by this as Jay would often consider her feelings at all times. She hugged him even tighter because she was so touched by him. Then, she pressed her face against his chest. Her eyes were filled with the unwillingness to part from him.

"When are you leaving, Jaybie?"

"You decide for me," said Jay softly.

Angeline replied, "I will not."

Jay was smiling. "Can't bear to let me go?"

"Yeah."

Jay hugged her tenderly and said, "I'll come back as fast as I can."

Angeline finally made up her mind and replied, "Then ... you should go as soon as possible so that you can come back sooner."

Jay said, "I'll leave the day after tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay," said Angelina as she nodded reluctantly.

In order to resolve the matters in the Yorks family, Jay decided to give Cole a call.

When Cole answered the call, he said in a strange tone, "Sir Ares, I'm no longer a member of the Yorks family. If you're looking for me to help someone with the surname Yorks, I'm not going to be polite anymore. Bye-bye."

"So what should I call you now? Mister?" Jay was a flexible man as well. Seeing that Cole was unwilling to return to the Yorks family, he took the initiative to sever their relationship as cousins. Cole hesitated for a moment.

Since he had left the Yorks family, he was no longer a Yorks. He had changed his surname to Sullivan as well.

"I'm Mr. Sullivan."

Jay curled his lips. "Little Sully?"

Cole scoffed. "You must be doing this on purpose. That nickname is horrid. Just call me Sir Sullivan from now on."

Jay replied, "Are you deranged? You're much younger than I am. Is it appropriate for you to ask me, Sir Ares, to call you Sir Sullivan?"

Since Cole had just left the Yorks family, he had not thought of a good name just yet. However, after

getting ridiculed by Jay, Cole decided to toss the matter aside and said, "Stop the nonsense. What do you want?"

"I'm heading to Sacred Land the day after tomorrow. Are you coming?"

Cole was somewhat depressed and wanted to head out for some leisure time as well. He said without hesitation, "I'm coming."

"This trip will be very dangerous. If I'm not mistaken, it might even cost you your life. So do everything you have to do before you leave."

"There's nothing left for me to do," said Cole.

"Aren't you going to say goodbye to Spencer, the man who brought you up?"

"I have nothing to do with him anymore."

"Cole Yorks, he was the one who raised you. You have an obligation to provide for him," Jay reminded him.

Cole became taciturn instead.

Jay reminded him of another matter, "And your son as well. Aren't you going to see him? Perhaps this might even be your last time laying your eyes on him." Cole finally realized that Jay's call harbored an ulterior motive.

"If you were me, what would you do?" He suddenly became more frustrated. He was dejected and his willpower had decreased.

Jay said, "I don't really care about right or wrong, only human relationships. Whoever has devoted themselves to me, I'll devote myself to them as well."

Cole forced out a bitter chuckle and said, "You're merely here as a mediator for the Yorks family."

Jay replied, "I heard that your mother ran away to become an anchorite when you were still young. Your dad and grandpa were the ones who had painstakingly brought you up. Since you weren't a parent in the past, you certainly wouldn't have understood the hardship of raising a child. But now that you've taken care of Dawn, you should know how much effort your father and grandfather have put into raising you. Do you truly have the heart to forsake your relationship with them?"

Chapter 2103

Chapter 2103

Cole said, "I know this very well. If it weren't for their years of nurturing, I would've completely severed ties with the Yorks family. But the Yorks have turned their backs on my mother and I'm the only person that my mother can rely on now. If I'm not on her side, my mom's life will genuinely be too pitiful."

Jay replied, "One's character often determines their destiny. Perhaps the Yorks are responsible for your mother's bitter hardships, but she played a role in it as well. If she hadn't chosen to run off to be an anchorite after that conflict with your father but bravely confronted him about it, perhaps your dad's decade-long relationship with Sandra wouldn't have happened. Now, she wants your father to forget Sandra. You should know how hard this must be for him."

Cole furrowed his eyebrows. "I know for sure that you're merely here to act as a mediator for the Yorks family now."

Jay said, "I'm merely stating it out after an objective and fair assessment."

Cole furiously scoffed. "If this were to happen to Angeline, I have every reason to believe that she'd make the same decision as my mother."

Jay's unfathomable eyes were as deep as the ocean when he said, "Truthfully speaking, if I had made such a mistake, Angeline wouldn't have waited until she was an old woman before choosing to leave me. Although she's quite similar to your mother, Angeline is still more decisive than her and wouldn't have stalled this for so long. She's surely not such a passive person as well."

Cole said, "What are you trying to say here? I've been listening to you speak for a long time now and I think you're grumbling about my mother being unwise when she was young, that she only stood up to fight when she's older, right?"

Jay nodded.

"When she was younger, she gave up your father to Sandra. If you count the years, your dad and Sandra have spent more time together as husband and wife than your dad and your mom. It's reasonable that your father considers Sandra as his wife and stands behind her."

Cole roared at him, "Have you forgotten how Sandra had previously harmed your darling Angeline? How can you speak up for the vile-hearted woman?"

Jay said furiously, "Cole Yorks, Sandra is not the only person I should be hating but the entire Yorks family. Because all of them have harmed my dear Angeline before-you as well."

Jay said in dismay, "Angeline took a great deal of effort to teach me how to abandon personal vengeance for the sake of the bigger picture. But here you are, trying to reopen old wounds. You don't know how much my heart aches every time I remember how the Yorks have hurt my Angeline."

Cole spat out, "But you've lost the ability to tell right from wrong."

Jay said, "Angeline said that a lot of things have their own merits and demerits. It's just harder to determine all the pros and cons when it comes to familial matters, as there's no winner or loser when it comes to this."

Cole was slightly taken aback. "Then why did she persuade my mom to leave my dad?"

Jay replied, "When she urged your mother to leave, it was because she wanted to save your mother's heart from pain. But seeing Grandpa and Uncle so aggrieved, my dear Angeline feels guilty again. Cole fell into deep silence.

After some time, Cole said, "Tell her not to feel guilty. I'll go back to the Yorks family."

Jay nodded and said, "Okay."

Cole sighed again before asking, "So you're leaving Imperial Capital the day after tomorrow?"

Jay said, "Grayson's and Andy's bodies are going through tremendous amounts of changes every day. We have to find Blood Lily from Sacred Land as soon as possible before the unthinkable happens." Cole said, "Angeline is willing to let you leave?"

Jay said, "She's not. It's just that she's thinking of the safety of everyone in Imperial Capital. She has to let m

/Je go.

Cole suddenly showed a bright smile, saying, "As expected from the woman I loved."

Chapter 2104

Chapter 2104

A sharp light flashed across Jay's eyes when he said, "Are you seeking death, Cole Yorks?"

Cole said, "Come on. You're a big old man now. Aren't you tired of getting jealous all day long? Don't worry, I've learned to let go of my obsession with Angeline."

Jay gritted his teeth, saying, "Call her Cousin Angeline."

Cole shot a speechless glare and muttered, "I'm merely addressing her by her name. Why are you becoming s o serious?"

Jay seemed to be in slight disbelief when he said," Why'd you suddenly let go of your obsession?"

Cole replied, "After knowing you for so long, I finally understood why I lost. You have an indomitable spirit, and you're able to walk through fire. You're able to disregard all living things, yet you're able to bend your back just to serve Angeline willingly. You're truly suitable for a woman like Angeline. When she's weak and helpless, you can be her blue sky and support her. But when she's firm and resolute, you're able to sit back and depend on her."

Jay furrowed his brows. "Where did you get so many random metaphors? The only thing that's important i

n our relationship is that I love her and she loves me back. After countless compromises, we've ultimately reached our current state."

Cole was thoroughly dumbfounded,

Jay continued, "You'll find a woman you love as well. As long as you treat her sincerely, I believe that when you're older, you'll have no regrets being with her."

Cole pursed his lips, saying, "I know you're trying to talk me into something, and I'm not hearing it."

"Is that what I'm doing?" Jay said.

Cole replied, "You're trying to have me get together with Shirley for Dawn's sake, right? Don't you already know that Shirley and I are polar opposites? She works all day every day because it makes her feel more fulfilled, and material wealth gives her a sense of security. On the contrary, I'm never one who worries about materialistic things and will never disdainfully sell my soul for money."

Jay scoffed at him and said, "Don't make yourself sound so lofty. May I interpret this to you from another perspective? Sis Shirley is brimming with passion in her life, so she's forging ahead and striving hard to diligently improve herself. On the other hand, you have never engaged in honest work, are lazy, and never thought of improving yourself. You and Sis Shirley are akin to an easy bathhouse pool and a ceaselessly flowing river. The two of you are indeed unsuitable for one another because pools tend to dry up one day while rivers will forever be flowing, up until they've reached famous mountains and greater rivers."

Cole was staring blankly upon hearing Jay's words. He said, "Can you not make it sound so bad?"

Jay replied, "I get it now. You're looking down on my Sis Shirley, huh? You think that you're a top student who graduated from a famous university while my Sis Shirley is just a woman with no academic qualifications, right? So that's the reason you're so proud and conceited? Perhaps you think the role she should be playing is something more humble or modest? However, in the eyes of a bystander, you're a guy with nothing more than declining talents while our Sis Shirley is a diamond in the making. She's getting brighter with each passing day after much polishing."

Cole felt utterly defeated at the moment. If Jay continued to speak, his pride would be crushed by him.

"Please... stop talking."

Jay continued, "Once I leave Imperial Capital, Sis Shirley will bring Dawn to Tourmaline Estate to keep my dear Angeline company. Angelina told me that she wants to take this opportunity to have a good chat with her sister. Since Sis Shirley isn't getting any younger, she needs to stop waiting for a man like yourself. This time around, Angeline said that she'll persuade Sis Shirley to marry herself off."

Jay could imagine that Cole's expressionless face on the other end of the line was now blue without even looking at him. He smiled and continued, "My dearest cousin, once we return from Sacred Land, perhaps Sis Shirley would have given birth to another younger sibling for Dawn."

Cole was in a towering rage and said, "You keep harboring evil intentions..."

Chapter 2105

Chapter 2105

After Jay hung up the phone, Cole could not calm down for quite some time.

Was he really living his life so meaninglessly?

His devastating life was indeed inferior to Shirley's currently dazzling lifestyle. It was no wonder Sir Ares despised him.

When he thought about the fact that he was leaving Imperial Capital with Jay soon, Cole decided to visit his son Dawn.

He came to the Severe family's house in Swallow City. When Dawn heard that he had come over, he quickly ran out of the house and spread his arms while shouting affectionately from afar, "Daddy!" Cole hugged Dawn tightly into his arms.

Although Cole and Shirley were not married, Dawn had never been cold toward his father just because his parents were living separately.

Shirley had played a considerable part in this as she constantly described Cole as a perfect hero in front of Dawn.

Cole was forever grateful to Shirley because of this.

"Why haven't you come to see me for so long, Daddy?"

Dawn acted coyly in his arms.

Cole explained, "Daddy has been a little busy recently. But even if I have no time to come over, you can always ask Mommy to bring you to Imperial Capital to look for me."

Dawn pouted and said, "Daddy, Mommy has been busy as well recently. She's been going on dates with Uncle Greene."

When Cole heard this, the expression on his face instantly stiffened.

"Dawn, Mommy and Uncle Greene are merely colleagues. They're only hanging out together for work. They're not going on dates," Cole corrected him.

In his mind, if Shirley and Francis honestly had feelings for each other, they would have gotten together long ago.

Dawn remained firm in his opinion. He swore while patting his chest and said, "I'm telling you the truth, Daddy. Mommy told me herself that after she and Uncle Greene get married, she'll give me another brother."

When Dawn put it that way, Cole started to feel a drum beating inside his heart.

He was inexplicably flustered and tried to look for the cause of the panic in his heart. However, it seemed to have come out of nowhere.

Ultimately, he secretly thought, 'Maybe I'm not fond of the idea of Shirley giving Dawn a younger brother because I'm afraid Dawn will no longer receive the same amount of attention.'

When Shirley came downstairs and saw Cole, she was stunned for a moment. Then, she smiled at him and said, "You're here for a visit?"

Cole looked at Shirley and noticed that her face was a little pale. Then, Cole asked in concern, "Your complexion doesn't look so good. Are you sick?"

Shirley replied to him calmly, "I've been busy with work nowadays, so I'm completely burned out. I even stayed in the hospital for a few days."

Cole said, "Why didn't you tell me when something like this happened? I could've at least taken care of Dawn for you so that you'd be at ease while recovering."

Sis Shirley's eyes appeared dimmer. She hesitated for a long time before suddenly raising her head and saying to Cole very seriously, "Cole, what I need is a husband, not a man who takes care of my child alongside me."

Cole was stunned. "What do you mean by that?"

Sis Shirley appeared lonesome when she said, "When I got sick, I finally understood something. Only a husband and a wife would share life's joys and sorrows with each other forever because when one of them falls into a trough, the other one will stick with them no matter what."

After a slight pause, Sis Shirley finally revealed, "I'm getting married, Cole."

Cole was thoroughly stunned when he heard the news.

He thought that Shirley would always be waiting for him.

Their love was destined to be a tussle.

He had tried to pursue Angeline, but it was to no avail.

Shirley had tried to chase after him, but her efforts did not come to fruition

Chapter 2106

Chapter 2106

Even though he was unwilling to yield and be with Shirley just for the sake of it, he still could not help admitting that they were fellow sufferers who empathized with one another. They were most fitting to be a couple.

However, he never expected Shirley to withdraw from their little competition.

What else could he say to her right now other than magnanimously giving her his blessing?" Congratulations to you."

Sis Shirley said somewhat disappointedly and frustratedly, "I used to think that since we have Dawn, I'd be able to wait for you to change your mind and give our son a complete home. I thought that I was willing to wait foolishly. It's just that... time doesn't wait for anyone, Cole. I don't particularly appreciate wasting my time on something hopeless. And I was afraid that you wouldn't turn around to look at me until the day I died. So, I'm truly sorry that I'm choosing to give up."

Cole muttered, "I respect your decision. However, once you're married and have another child with your husband, there's no need for Dawn to compete for attention with his younger siblings. I think Dawn's custody should be handed to me."

Shirley was evidently unable to part with Dawn, so her attitude became more firm as well. "I gave birth to Dawn and I was the person who raised him, so you can't compete for his custody with me, Cole." Cole picked Dawn up and proceeded to walk outside." This matter will be left for the court to decide."

Hence, Cole and Sis Shirley seemed to have parted on bad terms.

Sis Shirley looked at the unusually overbearing Cole and felt utterly aggrieved.

"What's wrong with that guy?" Sis Shirley said as she sighed.

When Cole took Dawn back to Chateau de Selene, Jay's eyes instantly widened when he saw the father and son.

"Why on earth did you bring Dawn to our house, Cole?"

Cole said, "Shirley is planning on finding Dawn a stepfather and I simply don't agree to it. That's why I've brought him here. You know that I can't go back to the Yorks family's villa for now, so I'm hoping Angeline can take care of my Dawn for the time being."

Jay furiously scoffed. "Do you think Angeline is running a charity here? She already has her hands full taking care of Angel alone. How would she have the energy to care for Dawn as well? Moreover, Dawn and Angel are simply incompatible with one another.

They'll fight each time they meet. You're well aware of this too."

Cole said, "It's not that Dawn is incompatible with Angel but that Angel is simply incompatible with any other children. Tell me, who hasn't received a beating from Angel before?"

Jay's method of shielding his daughter was getting more inhumane as he said, "Your son is the one with bandit blood flowing inside of him. He's combative and is always provoking my daughter. It's just that he has failed to beat up Angel each time. Stop overlooking your son's shortcomings and continuously pinning the blame on my daughter."

Cole was agitated by him and placed Dawn on the ground while provocatively saying, "Dawn, go and look for Angel and have a real fight with her. I want to let them know that it's not that you can't beat her but you're merely letting her win."

Dawn went on to hide behind Cole and was unwilling to come forth.

Jay shook his head and said, "Your son gets frightened as soon as he hears my daughter's name. Yet you're asking him to provoke Angel? Don't try to make him fall ill out of fear."

Cole looked at Dawn resentfully and asked, "Are you that afraid of Angel?"

Dawn said, Tm not afraid of her, but I can't fight her."

"Why not?"

"Great-grandpa doesn't allow it."

Cole scoffed angrily. "Well, I'm allowing it. Fight her, and if you win, I'll reward you with a lollipop."

Dawn stepped inside the house with his short legs and yelled out, "Angel Ares, come out!"

Angel stepped out with her hands behind her back.

"What do you want, Dawn Severe?"

"I wanna fight."

Angel waved her hands, saying, "Well, I don't wanna."

Chapter 2107

Chapter 2107

Dawn spared no effort for the lollipop. He violently pushed Angel and provocatively said, "I'm going to beat you up today so that Daddy will reward me with a lollipop."

Angel rolled her eyes at him and took out a ten-dollar bill from her pocket. Then, she handed it to Dawn and said, "I can give you money and you can buy a lot of lollipops with this. As long as you lose to me now, I'll give this to you." 1

Dawn took the money and put it into his pocket. Then, he fell onto the ground on purpose and pretended to cry out, "Daddy, my bum hurts..."

Cole and Jay were both dumbstruck upon witnessing the two children's manipulation.

Cole smacked his forehead, simply unable to watch his dramatic son getting bribed by Angel with a mere ten-dollar bill. Dawn had utterly disregarded his masculinity.

It was a wholly disgraceful act.

Moreover, Jay did not expect his daughter to be so cunning.

Cole was still trying to save some dignity for his son. Instead of exposing his tricks, he walked up to Dawn

and picked him up. Then, he asked caringly, "Oh no, did you fall?"

Dawn stopped crying and burst into a smile. "It doesn't hurt anymore."

Cole looked at the ten-dollar bill in his son's hand that he was tightly gripping and asked resentfully, "Do you even know how much that is?"

"Ten dollars."

"If you return that money to Angel, Daddy will give you 100 dollars to fight her again. What do you think?"

Dawn drooped his little head and said, "Daddy, didn't you say that boys must be gentlemanly? Girls are weaker, so we have to protect them, not bully them."

Cole glanced over at Angel and saw that she currently had her hands on her hips while looking at him smugly. Cole was somewhat fuming as he pointed at the boasting little Angel, saying, "My son, I have to make things clear right now. A beautiful and smart girl like that is the most deceptive of them all. Do not for a second think that she's the weakling because she belongs in another category of girls-tough girls." Jay's handsome face turned darker as he scoffed at Cole. "Is this how you educate your kids? You're trying to create a gap in their relationship."

Cole shouted helplessly, "How else should I be educating him? Your daughter is practically a fighter jet. If my son keeps being considerate of her, he'll be eaten alive by those gentler and cuter girls in the

future."

Angel pouted in dissatisfaction. "Well, I don't wanna be gentle or cute anyway."

Then, Jay chimed in, "Angel, why don't you bring Brother Dawn out to play? I have a few things to discuss with your Uncle Cole." "Okay." Angel ran over to Dawn and pulled his hand, saying, "Let's go, Dawn. We'll go play." She was acting like the big sister instead. Dawn obediently followed her and walked away.

Cole looked at the two little children and teased, "I'm guessing your little Angel won't be able to get married in the future."

However, Jay was brimming with confidence as he said, "A man who possesses his own indomitable power will come to like my Angel."

Cole rolled his eyes at him and snarled, "You're raising your perfect little daughter to be so crooked. Wouldn't it be better if she were more like Angeline? Gentle, considerate, and lovely. Why did you raise her to be more like you? She's so unruly and cunning at such a young age. It's a pity for such a beautiful girl like herself."

Jay hated it whenever someone talked badly of his baby girl. Cole's derogation of Angel had successfully angered Sir Ares.

Sir Ares became sharp-tongued once more and said,"

Well, of course, an ignorant and incompetent man such as yourself would love for all girls in the world to be gentle, considerate, and simple-minded. Otherwise, how else can men like you deceive poor women into being your wives?"

Cole was immediately enraged.

Chapter 2108

Chapter 2108

Angeline hurriedly went out to stop the argument when she heard the quarreling outside the door.

"It's normal for the children to fight but it's the two of you who are quarreling instead. Don't you think it's childish? Head inside and make arrangements for your trip to Sacred Land."

Jay's expression naturally became gloomy after getting scolded by his wife. He resentfully glared at Cole and said, "Go in."

After entering, Angeline made a pot of chrysanthemum tea and poured a glass for Jay and Cole.

When the two men saw the calming tea, they understood that Angeline intended to get rid of their hostile air so that they could chat peacefully.

"Cousin Cole, you and Jaybie are leaving Imperial Capital soon, so why did you bring Dawn to Tourmaline Estate?" Angeline asked suspiciously.

A trace of pain flashed across Cole's eyes. It took him quite some time before he could say, "Your big sister is getting married, and I don't want Dawn to grow up in a new family. So I'm trying to fight for his custody and take care of my son on my own from now on."

Angeline was somewhat startled. "Sis Shirley is getting married? With who? Why haven't I heard anything about it?"

Cole said, "She fell ill before this, and apparently Francis was the one who took care of her. I guess she must've had a new awakening about life that she's now determined to marry Francis right after getting ill. The only thing I can do is support her decision."

Jay jeered at him, his tone sounding as though he was rejoicing in Cole's misfortune.

"What did I say to you just now? An ignorant and incompetent man such as yourself can only deceive those innocent and simple-minded girls. An excellent woman like Sis Shirley finally knows that you're not husband material."

Angeline felt that Jay was too harsh with his words and gave him a condemning look.

Cole was not that angry. On the contrary, he quietly entertained Jay and said, "You truly do hold every single grudge and seek vengeance for everything small, don't you? It seems like the rumor is true now that I see how you're acting."

Angeline seemed to have thought of something else, and there was a sly light in her eyes.

"So, Cousin Cole, Sis Shirley is getting married now. How do you feel about that?"

Cole shrugged his shoulders and said, "I wish them the best, obviously." "Don't you have the slightest feelings for my sister?" Angeline became somewhat anxious.

Cole pondered over it seriously and said, "Feelings? No. Affections? Perhaps a little bit."

"What's the difference?" Angeline tried to ask for help as she looked at Jay. She would habitually ask for guidance for things she could not understand.

"I suppose feelings are what you call love, whereas affections can be familial affection," said Jay.

Angeline merely slapped her thigh and laughed while saying, "Isn't that great, then?"

Cole and Jay stared at Angeline in a daze. Which part of it was great?

Angeline said enthusiastically, "A lot of husbands and wives often turn their love into familial affection instead. How many couples out there share the same bed yet turn out to be more like siblings in the end?" Cole looked at Jay somewhat intriguingly with hints of sympathy and ridicule.

Jay drooped his head and gloomily looked at Angeline.

Angeline continued to explain, "Love is a hormone that'll last several years at most. After a few years, a couple whose love turns into family affection will end up growing old together. Meanwhile, couples who fail to turn their love into kinship will end up getting separated instead."

Jay said in a huff, "Stop scrolling through Facebook so much in the future."

Angeline was dumbfounded.

Did she say something wrong?

It was undoubtedly a universally applicable truth.

Cole disagreed with her yet still showed a smile while saying, "Angeline, a couple who marries without love will only end up getting filled with resentments like my mom and dad. If your sister likes Francis, I have to respect her decision."

Chapter 2109

Chapter 2109

Angeline said somewhat disappointedly, "Truthfully, I always hoped that you and Sis Shirley would end up together. Not just because you have a child together, but because she truly likes you. You'll always have a special place in her heart, and now that the two of you are parting ways, I just feel that it's a great pity."

Jay embraced Angeline and said, "Don't be sad, Angeline. So many people in this world part ways almost every day, but you can rest assured that Jaybie and you will never be separated."

Afterward, he looked at Cole very smugly and said with some hidden meaning, "I'll always protect you and will never allow anyone to come between us."

Cole stared at him speechlessly and said, "I simply can't stand you. Stop trying to throw hints at me so frequently."

Jay said, "I wasn't doing that at all. Stop assuming things on your own."

Cole was so angry that he stopped replying to Jay.

However, Jay added fuel to the fire and said, "Sis Shirley and Francis are getting married now, so you're trying to take Dawn's custody from her. But how are you planning on doing that? Sis Shirley is no longer

the old Shirley Severe. She's now Severe Enterprise's chairman and has the resources to bring up Dawn. On the contrary, you have plenty of wealth as the young master of the Yorks family but do you dare disclose your family's wealth in court? You don't. Hence, in the eyes of the law, you're merely a parasite who has no job nor income and who's still living with the support of your parents. So as for the custody battle, there's no need for you to take it to court. I already know that you'll lose."

What Jay uttered might be unpleasant to hear, but it was logical. However, Cole was determined to win as well, saying, "It doesn't matter whatever goes down. I'll not hand Dawn over to Shirley, let alone allow him to call another man his daddy. I'll fight for Dawn's custody no matter what it takes."

Cole's resoluteness in not sparing a single cost to win this was making Angeline feel restless.

Although the Severes had a huge business now, how could they fight against the Yorks' more or less darker and illegal methods?

Cole proceeded to plead with Angeline, "Angeline, the only person I'm worried about after leaving Imperial Capital is Dawn. I know very well that children who get put into a new family will mostly live their lives pessimistically or depressively. So I'm asking you to take care of my kid for my sake."

Angeline knew that the trip to Sacred Land would be unpredictable, and she did not want Cole to leave with any regrets. Hence, she replied to him reluctantly," Don't worry. I'll treat Dawn as my own and raise him to be healthy, optimistic, and confident like Angel."

Upon receiving Angeline's word for it, Cole finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After Cole left, Angeline hurriedly gave Shirley a call. She wanted to know if the information about Shirley and Francis' marriage was real.

Who would have guessed that as soon as her call got through, Sis Shirley invited her to the wedding. "Little Angeline, I'm getting married. It's going to be held next month on the 28th."

Angeline felt like she was struck by lightning.

"Is it with Francis, Sis Shirley?"

"Yeah."

"Do you love him?" Angeline was somewhat stirred up.

Shirley smiled bitterly and said, "You already know that some people aren't destined to have love in their lives."

"Why did you make such a hasty decision, Sis Shirley?" Angeline kept feeling like something odd was going on.

"After falling ill, Francis was the one who took care of me day and night. I started thinking that isn't the essence of love finding someone who will share joys and sorrows with you and a person who'll live with you together for life? Since I've already met someone who will do all of that with me, there's no need to waste more time. I'm 40, Angeline. I can't wait any longer."

Angeline muttered, "I respect any decision you make, Sis Shirley. But what about Dawn?"

Chapter 2110

Chapter 2110

Sis Shirley was determined when she said, "He's my child that I brought up, and I was the person who gave birth to him. I'll not give up on him no matter what happens." "What if Cole insists on Dawn's custody? Are you truly going to court with him?"

"Yes."

Angeline did not expect that the beautiful marriage she had been looking forward to would end up like this.

Then, Angeline brought up Cole's trip to Sacred Land and said, "Sis Shirley, something major has happened i n Imperial Capital. Grayson and Andy have caught a disease, so Cole and Jaybie are leaving Imperial Capital to find the antidote. It'll be an unpredictable trip, so you have to think about the future between you and Cole carefully."

Shirley seemed to have fallen into deep thought for quite some time.

After a while, Shirley's voice sounded choked up when she said, "If he wants to go, then let him."

Angeline heard the sobbing tone in Sis Shirley's voice and knew that she was definitely reluctant to part

with Cole. Moreover, with Cole's departure this time around, he would no longer have the chance to do anything about Sis Shirley getting married. As such, she must be feeling dejected over her destiny with Cole.

"Sis Shirley, he even said that he'd fight for Dawn's custody at all cost," said Angelina.

Shirley roared angrily, "Why does he only want the son but not the mother? Has he always been so cruel?"

Angelina said, "Sis Shirley, he said that he doesn't have feelings for you, but he has affections. I think that he doesn't want to marry you, not because he's cruel, but because he's afraid of hurting you. After all, he doesn't want to repeat the mistakes his father previously made."

Shirley's sobbing voice was heard saying, "What else can I do? I've waited for him for so many years now but he's barely moved by me. I don't want to wait any longer."

Angeline knew that since Sis Shirley had made a decision, her mood was rather complicated now.

The next day.

Josie and Zayne had come to Chateau de Selene for a visit.

Zayne excitedly ran over to Jay and told him, "Big Brother, my wife has agreed to let me go to Sacred Land with you.

Jay glared at him somewhat speechlessly. "Do you think we're going there to travel?"

Josie said next to him, "Take Zayne as well, Brother. He's been staying at home taking care of the baby and doing housework these few years that he's getting depressed. So I thought perhaps he should head out there to regain his sense of masculinity. He might feel a lot better after."

Jay said, "Since you've already discussed it, then I have nothing to say."

Angeline looked at Zayne and secretly called him over, inquiring, "Do you have any clue as to how your best friend Francis managed to attract our Shirley?"

Zayne widened his mouth in surprise. "Francis and Sis Shirley? How is that possible?"

Angeline said in bewilderment, "When Francis used to hang out with you all those years ago, all of us suspected that he was batting for the other team. He's been single for so many years and never had a scandal. You... were very close to him before. Are the rumors true?"

Zayne muttered, "It's 100% true."

Angeline was dumbstruck.

Zayne returned to his senses and shouted, "They're getting married?! Are they becoming nominal

husband and wife? Francis withers in front of women. If he marries Sis Shirley, won't it be nothing but

disastrous for her?"

Angeline's heart grew even more somber.

"This won't do. I have to tell Sis Shirley. I can't let her end up as a grass widow," said Zayne angrily.

Angelina stopped him, saying, "No need. I think Sis Shirley probably knows about this. You should know what kind of person Francis is by now, right?"

Zayne nodded. "That's true. Francis would never deceive Sis Shirley."

"Then, what on earth are those two thinking?" Zayne scratched the back of his head in confusion.

Angelina muttered, "After all, sticking together for warmth is better than helplessly living alone."