Ch. 1041..1050

Chapter 1041

Once they got in the car, the driver immediately started the engine and drove off.

In frustration, Imogen leaned against the window, putting some distance between herself and Jasper. "Jasper, why do you have to put me on the spot?"

Jasper closed his eyes and reclined against the seat, feigning sleep. "Putting you on the spot?"

"Isn't it obvious? I don't want to be in the same space as you. I—"

"Imogen," Jasper interrupted, "You can hate me, be angry with me, or even hit me. But you cannot divorce me."

Imogen, still fuming, retorted, "This marriage is a sham. It was never valid!"

"A sham?" Jasper chuckled bitterly, slowly opening his eyes and turning to look at her, his gaze deep and mesmerizing. "Do you think anyone would believe that?" he uttered.

Imogen was rendered speechless by his question. She had heard of people marrying for money or appearances, but she had never heard of a wealthy man deceiving someone as poor as herself into marriage.Content is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

"I-I..." she stammered, unable to complete her sentence.

A heavy silence fell over, filling Imogen with a deep gloom and unease.

She didn't truly want a divorce either. But Jasper was far from her league, and their worlds were miles apart. Imogen was painfully aware of this disparity. With Jasper unwilling to divorce, she was at a loss for what to do.

When they arrived home, Imogen retreated to the room while Jasper, as he often did, went to the kitchen to prepare dinner for her.

He had transformed from a man who had never touched a kitchen utensil into someone who loved cooking and embraced it wholeheartedly.

After washing up and changing into

her comfy home clothes, Imogen emerged from the room and heard sounds echoing from the kitchen She froze for a moment before rushing in and quickly snatching the spatula from Jasper's hand. Mr. Morrison, you don't need to cook for me anymore. I can't accept it!"

In the process of her grabbing, Jasper accidentally touched the edge of the hot iron pan, feeling a sharp pain from the burn. He quickly withdrew his hand, his brow furrowing as he sucked in a breath. He then raised his hand again to check on the burn.

Seeing the burn, Imogen's anxiety spiked. She immediately dropped the spatula and grabbed his large hand, her heart aching as she inspected the reddened mark. "You're burned."

She pulled him over to the sink, holding his hand under the running water, gently rubbing the injured skin.

Jasper remained silent. His eyes were full of intense affection as he gazed at her beautiful features, unable to look away even for a second. "Does it still hurt?" Imogen asked softly, lifting her head.

When her eyes met his fiery gaze, Imogen's face flushed immediately, her heart pounding wildly. She quickly looked down, avoiding his eyes.

As soon as she released his hand, Jasper immediately clasped hers again, holding it under the water. She tried to pull away, but he held on tightly. She wanted to escape, but he wouldn't let her.

Her cheeks flushed a deep red as she lowered her head. "Jasper, let go of me."

With his free hand, Jasper reached over to turn off the stove. Then, in a swift motion, he pulled Imogen close, cupping her face with both hands, and leaned down, kissing her passionately.

Imogen was caught off guard by his advance, her fists clenching as she pounded on Jasper's firm chest.

Her efforts had little effect on him, feeling more like a gentle massage than anything else. The more she struggled, the deeper he kissed her.

Chapter 1042

Imogen found herself completely lost in Jasper's deep, commanding kiss, unable to pull away.

She didn't know when she had started to give in, but his kiss made her lose control and her body responded in ways she couldn't comprehend.

His dominant presence left her weak. She melted in his arms. Under the intensity of his kiss, she felt light-headed, her mind going blank. Jasper's lips and tongue were tantalizing, while his strong chest felt warm against her. His body radiated heat.

Imogen's legs grew weak, and before she knew it, he had guided her out of the kitchen.

Their bedroom was upstairs, but fearing she might regain her senses and push him away, Jasper pressed her onto the living room couch instead. Disoriented by his kisses, Imogen's breathing became erratic, and her body grew uncomfortably warm.

Jasper's hands roamed freely, heightening the heated, intimate atmosphere. He reached for the remote on the coffee table, dimming the lights to create a romantic, shadowy ambiance.

Imogen didn't even realize when her clothes had been removed or how quickly things had escalated. She was utterly lost in the moment. It wasn't until a sharp pain snapped her back to reality that she regained her senses.

She cried out, turning her head away from his kiss, pounding her fists weakly against his chest. "Jasper, you bastard... you... bastard..."

"I'm sorry, Imogen," Jasper murmured, his voice pained, but he didn't stop.

Despite her tears and protests, despite the ungentlemanly way he was acting, he felt it necessary to claim her, to sever her thoughts of divorce. He wanted to leave her with no room to escape him.

Before, he had avoided touching her, hoping she would fall in love with him first. But now, that hope seemed impossible.

Imogen sobbed beneath him,

overwhelmed by pain, fear, and anger, feeling utterly disrespected. He had claimed her innocence, in her moment of confusion and desire, before seeking her consent.

She had once thought Jasper was perfect, someone far beyond her reach. But now, she despised him, a hatred born from her frustration and rage. She didn't know how she endured the long, painful ordeal.

Jasper kissed her tears away, caressed her face, and whispered apologies, yet remained unyielding in his desire to possess her completely.

Late into the night, Imogen retreated to her room and took a shower. With her aching legs, she curled up in her bed, silently crying herself to sleep. In the brightly lit living room, Jasper sat on the couch after putting on his clothes. He stared solemnly at the blood-stained couch, lost in thought.

He knew he had gone too far, but he didn't regret it. He also knew Imogen would hate him for this. The realization of it pained him deeply as if a weight pressing on his chest, making it hard to breathe.

He shut his eyes and leaned back on the couch. With an arm draping over them to block out the light, Jasper remained silent, battling his sorrow.

The couch was made of leather.

After composing himself, Jasper brought over some cleanser to remove the bloodstains. After tidying up the living room, he went to bed.

Around 1:00 am and still wide awake, Imogen suddenly heard her phone chimed twice. Picking it up, she saw messages from Jasper.

"Imogen, I admit I was wrong to deceive you about the marriage, to hide my identity. What I did in the living room was unforgivable, but I was desperate.

"Please, give our marriage some time. I promise I will do everything I can to be the husband you deserve."

Chapter 1043

Imogen read Jasper's message and angrily slammed her phone onto the bed. "Jasper, you bastard! Do you think having money, power, and influence makes you so great? All you do is bully me!"

She didn't bother to reply to his messages.

After a night's rest, Imogen woke up the next morning feeling much better. She got ready quickly and left for work early. By the time Jasper woke up, she was already gone.

Imogen had taken the day off to return to the space agency and continue her work. She met several distinguished professors who admired her talent but regretted that her lack of formal education prevented her from joining the agency.

During lunch, Imogen went to the cafeteria with a few professors.

Being young and attractive, she was well-liked. Mila, in particular, took a special interest in her.

"Imogen, how old are you?" she asked.

"I'm 27," Imogen replied.

Mila looked surprised. "Wow, you look so young. You're the same age as my son."

"How many children do you have, Professor Winkler?" Imogen asked.

"Just one, my only son," Mila smiled.

Imogen hummed in response while eating.

The others started teasing. "Professor Winkler, are you trying to set Imogen up with your son?"

Mila laughed awkwardly. "No, no. My son isn't a good match for someone like Imogen."

"Are you sure you're not saying the opposite?" another professor teased.

Imogen felt exceptionally awkward, so she could only force a smile.

Mila quickly explained, "I mean it. Of course, I hope my son can marry a good girl like Imogen, but he..."

Mila sighed helplessly when she thought of Jasper's sexual orientation.

For 27 years, he had shown no interest in women. It was either a problem with his sexual orientation or his sexual function. Either way, he wasn't suitable for Imogen.

Feeling the awkwardness in Imogen, Mila quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, Imogen. I didn't mean any harm. Please don't take it personally."

Imogen smiled back. "It's okay, Professor Winkler."

Mila smiled in response and continued with her meal.

The conversation carried on, with another professor inquiring, "Imogen, do you have a boyfriend?"

Imogen hesitated, and thoughts of Jasper clouded her mind. Her mood darkened, but she couldn't deny the truth.

"I'm married," she replied.

Mila appeared slightly disappointed.

Imogen met her gaze and offered a shy smile before returning to her meal.

Mila sighed inwardly. Every time she

heard of someone Jasper's age

marrying, it frustrated her. She silently cursed Jasper for his apparent ineptitude.

If he wasn't interested in women, finding a man would suffice. At least he should be in a relationship. The more he avoided both, the more Mila worried about his well-being. Her anxiety about his marriage prospects grew, prompting her desire for him to marry sooner.

"Where's your husband from?" someone else asked.

"From Phoenicia," Imogen replied.

"What does he do?"

"He owns his own company."

"That's impressive, being a business owner."

Imogen gave a bitter smile, not wanting to prolong the discussion.

Whether he was impressive or not didn't matter. She needed to divorce him before his parents discovered her true identity. She wanted to avoid suppression, eviction, or being targeted.

After completing her work, Imogen visited her parents' house to collect the gifts Jasper had sent.

Back home, she placed all the items in Jasper's room and left a note on the fridge door.

"I've already eaten. Please don't disturb me."

Chapter 1044

After work, Jasper returned home to find a note on the fridge, alongside gifts on the cab and the black card he had given to Imogen earlier. Feeling irritated, he loosened his tie, shed his coat, and threw it onto the bed. Sitting on the edge, he leaned forward with his hands cradling his forehead.

He closed his eyes, his breaths deepening with each passing moment.

Today, she returned the gifts and the bank card. Tomorrow, it could very well be divorce papers. The more Jasper dwelled on it, the heavier his heart grew.

After a moment of contemplation, he left his room and approached Imogen's door. His knocks met with silence. Knowing she was inside, he spoke softly, "Imogen, can we talk?"

Still, there was no response.

He called out again, "Imogen..."

A soft voice from within replied, "I'm going to sleep."

Checking the time, Jasper realized it was still early. He lingered at the door for a while before reluctantly returning to his room.

He showered and changed into pajamas. Around 9:00 pm, he returned to Imogen's room again, but this time, he bypassed knocking and used his fingerprint to unlock the door. Closing it behind him, he left the room in darkness.

Imogen, still wide awake, heard the door open and nervously turned to look over. A tall, muscular figure entered.

Imogen's body tensed as she clutched the sheets tightly, her eyes wide with astonishment as Jasper walked into the room.

He removed his shoes and slid under the covers beside her.

Imogen's breath came raggedly as she timidly asked, "Jasper, what are you doing?"

Turning to face her, Jasper's long fingers gently encircled Imogen's slender waist, drawing her close into his embrace.

Imogen stiffened, her back damp with sweat, nervously swallowing.

A lingering scent of shower gel surrounded Jasper, adding to Imogen's already anxious state. She attempted to free herself from his grip, but Jasper held her tighter as she moved.

"You-" Imogen began, but before she could finish, Jasper interrupted, "Don't move if you don't want to experience the pain again."

His warning silenced Imogen. She swallowed hard, and her body tensed further, frozen in place.

She cautiously inquired, "What exactly do you want?"

With his eyes closed, Jasper spoke contentedly in a husky tone, "I want to fall asleep holding my wife."

"But I don't want to," Imogen protested.

"Endure it. You'll get used to having me around," Jasper insisted.

Imogen endured quietly, whispering, "Jasper, you're being too dominant."

Jasper's voice turned serious. "From now on, we will be sleeping together.

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"Except for your period or when you're unwell, I'll be sleeping with you every other day. If you can handle it, we'll do it once every day,

or even multiple times."

Imogen's embarrassment and frustration grew as she raised her voice, "Jasper, are you insane?"

Jasper felt like he was being pushed to madness. He was driven to madness by the looming threat of divorce.

Unfazed, Jasper replied, "Isn't it normal for husband and wife to sleep together? A harmonious sex life is crucial for nurturing our love."

"We're getting divorced," Imogen insisted.

"I won't let that happen."

"Even so, you can't do this," Imogen retorted.

"Doing it more often will bring us closer emotionally."

"What kind of twisted logic is that?"

Jasper sighed bitterly and buried his head in Imogen's neck. Inhaling her intoxicating scent, his emotions were in turmoil as he murmured, "It's true."

BUMS

Through his experiences, he realized he liked Imogen a lot before. But ever since their intimation yesterday, he now craved her intensely, both physically and

Jasper felt his love for Imogen grew even more, even to the point of madness.

Chapter 1045

Imogen woke in Jasper's arms the next morning.

As she opened her eyes, she was greeted by his handsome face. His features were sharp and captivating, and the dark stubble on his jaw added to his rugged charm.

Imogen swallowed nervously and raised her hand to gently touch his chin. With her heart fluttering and breath quickening, she bit her lip unconsciously.

The warmth of his face and the roughness of the stubble felt so real.

When she first saw Jasper, she impulsively agreed to a flash marriage mainly because she was captivated by his looks.

As they spent more time together, she thought she had struck gold with a wonderful husband. Little did she know Jasper was indeed a treasure far beyond reach for a woman like her.

Suddenly, Jasper's dreamy eyes opened and met hers.

Startled, Imogen quickly pulled her hand back, avoiding his gaze and moving away.

Jasper reached out and pulled her back, whispering, "Were you touching me?"

Imogen lowered her eyes, unable to meet his gaze.

Jasper sighed softly and, with his head against her hair and his eyes closed, he said in a gentle tone, "Get some more sleep. I'll make you breakfast. What would you like?"

Flustered, Imogen replied, "No, you don't have to do that. I can make my own breakfast."

Jasper frowned slightly but his tone remained tender. "Imogen, I'm your husband, not your boss or anyone remarkable that you need to be nervous around."

Imogen responded, "But you are my boss."

"We're at home now," Jasper sighed helplessly, a hint of bitterness in his smile. He murmured near her neck, "You're the princess I want to spoil." His breath tickled Imogen's neck, making her body tense and causing her to shrink back nervously.

Jasper's words touched her deeply, leaving her unsure of how to respond.

Reluctantly, he kissed her cheek and got out of bed. He tucked the covers around her and kissed her forehead gently, his eyes filled with warmth. "Sleep a bit longer. I'll call you when breakfast is ready."

Imogen tried to get up. "Let me cook," she offered.

Jasper gently pressed her back down, his tone more serious. "My wife doesn't need to do housework."

Feeling guilty, Imogen hesitated before asking, "Before I moved in, did you have many maids here?" Jasper paused for a moment before nodding.

"And this villa belongs to you, right?"

Jasper patted her head. "Yeah. I had the maids leave so you wouldn't get suspicious of me."

Imogen felt a pang of guilt. He was a wealthy man unaccustomed to doing housework. Now, after their marriage, he was juggling work and cooking for her.

"You should go back to how things

were. You don't have to

accommodate me," she said. Her

heart ached for him. She wanted to help, but he wouldn't let her, and this wasn't sustainable.

Jasper was a busy CEO with important matters to attend to, and he had never done housework since childhood. Yet here he was, doing all this for her. Imogen felt deeply apologetic.

Jasper smiled warmly. "Whatever you say." With that, he got up to wash up. Soon after, he headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Imogen got up too and went to the bathroom. As soon as she entered, she found her toothbrush with toothpaste already on it and a cup filled with water.

Even in the smallest details, Jasper's thoughtfulness shone through.

In just two months, Jasper had learned her preferences, knowing exactly what she liked to eat and always preparing her favorite dishes.

Chapter 1046

At the dining table, Imogen ate silently, her mind tangled with conflicting emotions.

She knew she didn't deserve Jasper. Yet, like anyone, she was drawn to beautiful things and captivated by remarkable people. She, too, desired wealth and power.

Her feelings for Jasper were genuine. But he was too dazzling, making her feel unworthy, timid, and afraid to entertain any thoughts about him.

It reminded her of middle school-feeling infatuated but overwhelmed by fear, uncertainty, and insecurity. Rejection and avoidance were the only strategies she knew.

After breakfast, Jasper offered to drive her to work, but she declined. Helpless, Jasper let her be, allowing her to do whatever made her comfortable. After a long day at work, Imogen returned home in the evening. She was surprised to find several maids in the house. They greeted her respectfully when they saw her. "Good evening, Madam."

Imogen felt uneasy and overwhelmed by the formal atmosphere. She cautiously responded before quickly retreating to her room.

Just as she entered her room, her phone rang. It was Carol calling.

Carol's excited and shocked voice came through, "Imogen, did you know? Zoey's degree has been revoked!

"The principal of Norvania Aerospace Academy personally visited to apologize, admitting their mistake in the review process. They even offered you an opportunity for an exchange study at the academy."

Imogen stood frozen in disbelief. She wondered if she had heard Carol correctly. The truth about Zoey impersonating her and taking her place had finally been revealed.

She struggled to contain her excitement as she asked anxiously, "Weren't her parents really influential? How did this happen?"

"I was wondering the same thing. Whoever handled it did so effortlessly. It seems her parents were also punished!" Carol replied.

Glancing toward the door, Imogen heard the maids greeting someone. It seemed that Jasper had returned. She quickly said goodbye to Carol, hung up the phone, and walked to the door.

Just as she opened it, she heard Jasper asking the maids, "Where's Imogen?"

"In her room, sir," one of the maids replied politely. "Dinner is ready. Would you like to dine now?"

"Not yet. I'll wait for Imogen."

"Okay, sir," the maid responded.

Jasper's footsteps echoed as he ascended the stairs. Imogen, hearing him approach, quickly shut the door and returned to her room. She sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her phone.

The door was knocked upon. Imogen stood up the moment Jasper opened the door and entered.

"Imogen, dinner is ready. Let's go eat," he said.

"Y-You..." Imogen stammered, wanting to greet him but finding her words stuck.

Jasper took off his coat, then his watch, and walked to the nightstand to place them down. He treated this room as his own, shedding his clothes naturally and putting them away.

Imogen watched

him, hesitant. She

wanted to ask about Zoey, to

confirm if he was the one who had

resolved the issue. After a few

seconds of hesitation, she looked at Jasper with a deep, questioning gaze.

As Jasper turned around, he noticed her strange expression. He walked over, gently cupping her face in his warm hands, and bent down to ask softly, "What's wrong?"

Feeling the warmth of his hands on her face, Imogen blushed, her skin heating under his touch. With a fluttering heart, she whispered, "Jasper, was it you who dealt with Zoey?"

"You found out?" Jasper looked slightly surprised.

Imogen's heart swelled with emotion. So it was him after all.

Chapter 1047

No matter how influential Zoey's parents were, they couldn't compare to Jasper's. It seemed only he could have resolved the issue. "Thank you, Jasper," Imogen said.

Jasper gave a bittersweet smile and replied gently, "Don't mention it. It feels too formal for that."

"Jasper, I want to-" Imogen started, but before she could finish, Jasper's expression darkened, and he interrupted her, "No, I won't agree." Imogen smiled helplessly. She hadn't even finished her sentence. Was he so afraid she'd mention divorce?

"I wasn't done speaking," she said.

"Anything but divorce, Imogen. I can give you anything else," Jasper responded.

"I want to return to Norvania Aerospace Academy for an exchange program."

Without hesitation, Jasper blurted, "You can attend the program, but you're not allowed to stay overnight at school."

Imogen quickly nodded, her spirits lifted, and her smile grew brighter.

Seeing her smiling sweetly at him, Jasper felt his heart flutter. He leaned in slowly, wanting to kiss her.

Imogen gently turned her head, avoiding his kiss. His lips landed on her cheek instead. Undeterred, Jasper tried again, aiming for her lips, but she evaded him for the second time.

Unable to contain it any longer, Jasper cupped Imogen's face and kissed her deeply. Even though she had been kissed by him many times, she still felt shy.

Jasper held her close, kissing her passionately for a long time which almost tempted him to take her to bed.

Their intimacy moment persisted in the quiet of the room.

After dinner, Imogen returned to the room while Jasper went to his study. She got ready for bed, lying down with her phone to watch some videos. Suddenly, a piece of news popped up, dampening her mood.

The news broke that paparazzi had caught the CEO of Star Enterprise entering a hotel with a wealthy heiress. They spent two hours inside before leaving.

Even though only Jasper's back

appeared in the photo, Imogen recognized him instantly. The heiress was a popular social media influencer with millions of followers.

The more Imogen watched, the heavier her heart sank. She quickly researched the heiress's background and discovered her true status.

She was born into a powerful family. Her father was a real estate magnate, and her mother was a dancer. Their wealth and prestige were undeniable. Imogen felt increasingly distraught, a restlessness surging through her chest.

Just then, the door creaked open. Startled, she hastily set down her phone and looked up nervously.

"Still awake?" Jasper asked gently.

Imogen pulled the covers over her head, and in a bad mood, she murmured, "About to sleep."

Jasper smiled fondly and headed to the bathroom with his pajamas.

After 15 minutes, he returned to ne

bed in his pajamas and pulled back the covers before climbing in.

Imogen tensed and shifted to the edge of the mattress.

Noticing she was awake, Jasper leaned in close, his voice low. "Were you waiting for me?"

Imogen understood his implication, her cheeks burning crimson. Jasper had suggested sharing their nights every alternate day to strengthen their bond.

She hesitated to acknowledge it, but her current difficulty sleeping stemmed in part from this new arrangement.

Imogen remained silent. With closed

eyes, Jasper brushed his lips against

her earlobe. His chest pressed

warmly against her back, his hand gently wrapping around her waist, drawing her closer.

Imogen's body felt weak, involuntarily trembling. His hand slipped beneath her nightgown, tenderly caressing and touching her body.

Her breath quickened, her teeth biting into her lower lip to suppress her reactions. She clutched the blanket tightly as tension gripped her body.

Chapter 1048

Imogen could feel the changes in Jasper's body.

His breath tickled the back of her neck, sending waves of heat through her, leaving her breathless. His large hands effortlessly found sensitive spots on her body, teasing her both intentionally and unintentionally.

Imogen surrendered herself in his embrace. When it came to intimacy, he was adept without needing any guidance. Imogen's body tensed and subtly tightened.

Jasper wrapped his arms around her slender waist and slowly pulled her closer. Imogen closed her eyes. Unsure of what to do, she allowed him to take the lead.

"Imogen, is this okay for you?" he murmured huskily, his voice deep and seductive.

With her eyes shut, Imogen nodded, her hands nervously gripping the blanket.

With her consent, Jasper grew notably excited. He desired to explore more intimate positions with her, hoping to captivate her and earn her affection, even if it was solely for his prowess in this aspect.

Their intimacy unfolded over an hour, rendering Imogen in exhaustion. She felt a mix of contentment and unease, both spellbound and bashful. Eventually, she drifted off to sleep.

Jasper embraced her fragrant and soft body and fell asleep himself, thoroughly satisfied.

The next morning, as Imogen was sleeping groggily, she suddenly felt someone caressing her body. Slowly opening her eyes, she blinked sleepily and glanced at Jasper beside her.

Jasper was holding her waist, his hand gripping her thighs and slowly sliding them to his side.

"Good morning," he greeted softly. "Are you awake?"

Imogen forced a helpless smile and closed her heavy eyelids, muttering, "You're touching me. How could I not be awake?"

Jasper chuckled knowingly, his eyes filled with fondness and warmth as he slowly shifted upward.

Rubbing her eyes, Imogen asked, "What time is it?"

"Around seven," Jasper replied.

Imogen fell silent, her thoughts drifting to the gossip about Jasper that surfaced yesterday.

She had an urge to ask him about it but didn't dare to voice it. Despite contemplating divorce, she found herself oddly invested in their relationship.

Jasper had opposed the idea of

divorce, making it impossible forcher to leave the marriage. She felt torn between continuing and feeling insecure, fearing his family's strong opposition.

The whole situation left her overwhelmed with hesitation and anxiety.

V

Lost in thought, Imogen suddenly felt Jasper assertively taking possession of her. As he pressed deeper, she blushed and bit her lip, her body trembling. "Hmm"

"Imogen, let's do some morning exercise."

"You just..." Imogen panted, struggling to keep up with his pace. "You just did it last night. Are you really that needy?"

"This isn't being needy," Jasper sighed helplessly. He then kissed her lips, and her cheek, and slowly moved toward her earlobe.

He had been restraining himself. If he truly let go, fulfilling his normal desires, he'd want to spend the whole day in bed with her, doing nothing else.

Waves of heat filled the room.

Imogen wasn't in a rush to go to

work. Because of Jasper, her entire department.took special care of her, especially Gerald, who hardly let her do any work. She spent her days sitting in the office, doing her things, her presence seemingly insignificant.

When the weekend arrived, Jasper had a gathering elsewhere, so he wasn't home.

Imogen was in the study, reviewing data from the space agency, when she noticed a particularly subtle yet serious flaw.

She quickly picked up her phone and dialed Mila's number.

Mila answered promptly, her voice gentle, "Imogen, what's up?"

Chapter 1049

Chapter 1049

Chapter 1049

"Professor Winkler, there's another issue with the program and I wish to discuss it with you."

"What's the issue?"

"It's about the endurance" Her words were cut short by Mila.

"Imogen, why don't we meet in person to discuss it?"

"Meet in person?" Imogen asked, surprised.

"Well, it's the weekend. Are you busy today?"

"No, not at all."

"Great. I'll send a driver to pick you up. Just give me your address."

Imogen felt ill at ease and quickly declined. "No need for the trouble. I'll take a taxi. Please send me your address, Professor Winkler." "Alright," Mila replied warmly.

After hanging up, Mila sent Imogen the address. Imogen took a taxi and arrived half an hour later at a gated community of standalone villas.

The driver remarked, "These villas are for important national figures. I can't go inside. You'll have to get off here."

Imogen got out and looked at the tall, sturdy walls and the strict security at the gate. Inside the residential area lived national officials and champions. It was natural for exceptional scientists like Mila to reside there as well.

She sent Mila a message. Shortly after, Mila came out to greet her personally.

"Imogen," Mila said with a friendly smile. Despite being able to clear her entry with a phone call, Mila came out to meet Imogen out of respect and fondness.

"Hello, Professor Winkler," Imogen greeted with a nod.

Mila took her hand and said, "Come on, let's go to my place."

Imogen asked worriedly, "Will I be disturbing your family?"

Mila replied, "No, my son doesn't live with me, and my husband is busy at work."

"What does your husband work as?"

"He's a government employee."

"I see," Imogen responded.

Seeing that Imogen didn't probe further, Mila added, "My son has his own business."

"He must be very talented," Imogen said politely.

Mila sighed, "It's quite worrisome, actually."

"Why?"

"He won't get a girlfriend or even a boyfriend..."

Imogen forced a smile in embarrassment upon hearing Mila's statement.

They chatted as they walked, soon arriving at Sudvilla.

The Sudvilla neighborhood was filled with flowers, among them were Lupines.

Wealthy people rarely planted these flowers. As they passed through the garden, Imogen asked curiously, "Professor Winkler, do you like Lupines?"

A gentle smile graced Mila's lips. "My husband thinks I do."

"He planted them?"

"Yes."

"He's really good to you."

Mila smiled happily and nodded in agreement.

As they entered Sudvilla, Imogen noticed that the living room walls were lined with books, packed tightly together. She was surprised to see that scientists were inseparable from their books, even in their daily lives.

The two of them went inside and immediately headed to the study to address the program issue on the computer. After a long session of research and discussion, Imogen

finally resolved the problem.

Mila invited her to stay for a meal. Imogen sat on the living room couch, looking around at the house's layout.

With a plate of freshly cut fruit in her hands, Mila approached. "Imogen, have some fruit."

Imogen sat up straight and politely remarked, "Thanks, Professor Winkler."

Mila, pleased, sat down and gazed at Imogen with obvious fondness in her eyes. She sat across from ker and stated, "Imogen, you should visit more often when you have time."

"Sure," Imogen replied courteously.

"I'll introduce you to my son when there's a chance," Mila added.

Imogen smiled awkwardly as she ate the fruit. "I'm married."

Mila quickly clarified, "Don't misunderstand, I don't mean to set you up. I just think you two could be friends."

Chapter 1050

Mila glanced at the time and suggested, "Why not make it today? My son has the day off. I'll ask him to come over."

Feeling awkward, Imogen quickly shook her head. "That's not necessary, Professor Winkler. You don't need to have him come over just for me." Being extremely fond of Imogen, Mila ignored her protests and made the call.

Jasper's voice came through the line, "Mom, what's up?"

"Are you off today? Do you have time to come over? I'd like to introduce you to a new friend."

Jasper responded coolly, "I don't have time today. I'm at a gathering."

"Are you still working on a weekend?"

"Yeah."

Annoyed, Mila protested, "Can you stop wasting all your time on work? It's the weekend. You should spare some time to mingle around with people." "Mom, I don't have time to go back..."

"Fine, next time then."

"Alright."

Something suddenly came to her mind, and Mila inquired curiously, "By the way, there's news online about you and Oakley's granddaughter checking into a hotel. What's that about?"

"It's just a misunderstanding."

"It better be. We can't be tied to the Gibsons. I'd rather you stay single forever than marry her."

After all, the Gibson family had a history tied to gangsters, and even though they had become more legitimate, they still engaged in shady activities. "Got it, Mom." Jasper sounded a bit impatient. "I'm really busy. I have to go."

After Jasper hung up, Mila turned to the embarrassed Imogen with a warm smile. "Sorry about that."

Imogen bit her lip and shook her head. "It's fine."

Mila extended her invitation again. "Please stay for dinner."

Imogen quickly responded, "No, really, I—"

"It's no big deal." Mila interrupted, her hospitality unwavering. "It's just dinner anyway. Consider it keeping me company."

Unable to refuse, Imogen reluctantly agreed, steeling herself as best she could.

The two chatted in the living room for a long time.

By evening, Imogen received a message from Jasper. "Imogen, where are you?"

Imogen texted back, "I'm at a professor's house."

"When will you be back? Do you need me to pick you up?"

"No. I'll take a taxi back."

"It's already late. I'm worried about you. Send me your location before you leave."

"Okay," Imogen replied, then put down her phone and looked at Mila.

Mila's eyes sparkled with jealousy. "Is that your husband?"

Imogen gave a small, embarrassed smile and nodded. "Yeah."

"Is he worried about you?"

Imogen smiled and nodded again.

Mila continued, "You two must be very much in love."

This question made Imogen freeze awkwardly. She had no idea how to respond.

Should she say that she and Jasper were in love when she had been contemplating divorce? But denying it didn't feel right either, given how Jasper doted on her.

"Sort of," Imogen replied with a tight-lipped smile.

At that moment, the sound of a car pulling up echoed outside.

Mila stood up in surprise and peered outside. "No way, could it be my husband?"

Imogen, curious, also glanced outside. Is Professor Winkler's husband back?" she pondered, wondering if she should take her leave.

Footsteps approached, and Mila, still surprised, went to greet the newcomer. "It's really him!" she exclaimed.

Caught off guard by this unexpected meeting, Imogen quickly stood up, waiting respectfully and politely to greet the newcomer.