Ch. 621..630

Chapter 621

Mila didn't immediately accept Nathan's proposal. Instead, she feigned sleep. It wasn't that she didn't want to marry him. She simply couldn't commit at the moment.

She wished to wait until Oliver was apprehended and Loretta had her vengeance before she could fully embrace marriage with Nathan. With Oliver still on the loose, she couldn't find peace.

The following morning, the doctor arrived to examine Nathan. He ensured Nathan's wound wouldn't become infected before approving his release from the hospital.

Back at Hoffis Manor, Nathan rushed to Jasper's room, eager to reunite with his son after a month apart. As he embraced Jasper, he couldn't help but marvel at how much the child had grown in such a short time.

Seated nearby, Mila observed Nathan cradling their child. She couldn't shake the feeling that the little one seemed tiny and protected in Nathan's embrace.

Nathan's affectionate smile, tender gaze, and striking features painted a beautiful picture in Mila's eyes.

Jasper beamed at Nathan, prompting him to laugh.

"Do you still know who I am?" Nathan asked.

The door creaked open, and a little head popped into the room. It was three-year-old Elio.

Mila noticed him and waved, "Hey, Elio, come here."

Nathan turned to see Elio peeking in as well.

Elio glanced at Mila and then at Nathan, hesitating for a moment before saying in his innocent voice, "I want to hold neffy."

Nathan looked puzzled. "Neffy?"

Mila pointed at Jasper and clarified, "He means Jasper. Jasper is his nephew."

Nathan gestured for Elio to come closer.

Elio approached with small steps, his innocent eyes showing a hint of timidity.

Nathan crouched down, carefully placed Jasper in Elio's arms, and patiently instructed him to hold the baby steadily. "Elio, his name is Jasper Morrison. You can call, Kim by his name, or you can call him Jay."

"Jay." Elio happily kissed the baby, his eyes shining with delight. "Wanda, Nathan, Jay is so cute. Can I keep him?"

Nathan and Mila shared a smile at Elio's innocence.

"Sorry, Elio, but you can't," Mila gently told him as she crouched to his eye level. "We only have one baby, we can't give him away."

"Why don't you get another one then?" Elio pouted, holding Jasper tighter.

"Just ask Mom and Dad for another sibling," Mila suggested.

Nathan stifled a chuckle,

appreciating the sincere interaction between the siblings. He knew it

wasn't something he should

intervene in. Seated on the floor, he helped Elio in supporting Jasper's bottom.

Elio sighed. "Mommy and Daddy said they're too old to have more babies."

Mila pretended to be upset and said, "Well, before you came along, Mom and Dad only had me, and all their love was just for me. But now, with you here, their love is divided between us."

"You still get love from Nathan, right?" Elio gestured toward Nathan.

Nathan quickly held Jasper with both hands. He knew he couldn't rely on a three-year-old to hold onto a three-month-old baby.

Mila felt pleased and asked softly, "Elio, what exactly do you want?"

"I want your baby."

"You can visit him daily but can't take him away."

Chapter 622

Chapter 622

"I want to take Jay with me. I want to feed him, give him baths, dress him, and sleep with him," Elio said. "He's not a toy, Elio," Mila replied.

"He's more than just a toy. He cries, he laughs, he even makes cute little sounds," Elio explained.

Jasper looked at Elio with big, round eyes and a toothless grin, then made a soft cooing sound.

Elio laughed excitedly. "Jay made that cute sound again. He did it again."

Then, he left with Jay in his arms. "Jay, let's go play in the room."

Nathan quickly got up to watch over both children, ignoring his leg injuries as he followed them outside.

Mila sighed helplessly, stood up, and followed them out.

Tristan and Michaela were in the living room. When they saw Nathan carrying Elio and Jasper downstairs, they hurried over to help. "Nate, your leg is injured. How can you manage carrying two children?" Michaela took Elio, while Tristan held Jay.

"This little injury doesn't matter," Nathan reassured, feeling that everyone was overly concerned.

In Michaela's arms, Elio exclaimed, "Mommy, I want to look after Jay. I want to take care of Jay."

Michaela comforted him, "Alright, you can take care of him."

"Wanda won't let me," Elio pointed toward Mila, who was descending the stairs. He pouted and complained, "Wanda is being selfish." Michaela chuckled. "Once Wanda sees Jay is a little older and can walk, she'll naturally allow you to look after him."

Elio was excited. "Really?"

Michaela confirmed, "Absolutely."

Elio turned to Mila. "Really, Wanda?"

Mila felt torn. She had worried that Michaela would spoil Elio. Nevertheless, she nodded, "Yes, I'll let you take care of him. Just don't regret it later."

Elio beamed. "I won't regret it. I'll make sure Jay grows up healthy and strong, and I'll work hard to buy him plenty of toys."

Mila quickly grabbed her phone, opened the camera app, and pointed it at Elio. "Elio, say that again on camera. I need proof." Tristan and Nathan couldn't help but smile as they watched the heartwarming and playful scene unfold before them.

Facing the camera, Elio spoke with

utmost sincerity, "I'll take care of Jay every step of the way. I'll bathe him, dress him, feed him, change his diapers, tuck him in at night, Dead him stories, and protect him.

"After I grow up, I'll work hard to buy him plenty of toys."

Mila pressed for more details. "And for how long do you plan to do all this?"

Elio paused and carefully considered. "For many, many years, even a hundred thousand years."

Mila's smile widened as she turned

off the

Camera and saved the video. incredibly fortunate to have

you as his uncle to care for him."

Tristan laughed heartily as he settled on the couch. He beckoned and said, "Nate, come join us on the couch."

Nathan responded with a hum and settled on the couch.

"Mr. and Mrs. Hoffis, there are two guests outside who want to see Mr. Morrison," Robert announced from the doorway. Nathan was surprised and turned to look at the entrance.

Curious, Mila asked, "Who are they?"

"They claim to be friends of Mr. Morrison. They know he's out of the hospital and came to visit him," Robert explained. "Let them in," Mila instructed.

Since the guests were Nathan's friends, Tristan and Michaela hurried to the door to greet them.

Cameron and Fenna entered, bearing gifts.

"Nate," Cameron greeted with a warm smile.

He walked over to Nathan with

Fenna beside him. "Fenna told me about your injury and

hospitalization. I heard you were discharged today, so I came by to see you."

Chapter 623

Chapter 623

Nathan smiled in response.

Robert took the gifts for Nathan.

Cameron approached Nathan, draped his arm around Nathan's shoulders, and patted him. Taking a quick look at Nathan, Cameron asked, "You doing okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good," Nathan replied.

Cameron was still his friend, so he was polite.

Fenna greeted politely, "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Hoffis."

Since Fenna and Cameron were Nathan's friends, Tristan and Michaela warmly invited them in. "Please, come inside."

Cameron also quickly greeted, "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Hoffis."

"Hello," the couple replied together. "Come on in and take a seat."

Mila sat on the couch, keeping an eye on Jasper and Elio. When she saw the guests arriving, she smiled warmly, but inside, she felt disgusted.

Fenna had visited Nathan in the hospital the previous night but came to Hoffis Manor again, using Cameron as an excuse.

Cameron approached Mila and greeted her, "Hey, Wanda, it's been a while."

"Hello, Cameron," Mila replied politely. She stood up and motioned for them to sit. "Please, have a seat."

Fenna didn't acknowledge Mila, as her attention was solely on Nathan. She smiled warmly at him.

Tristan and Michaela didn't notice anything unusual. They remained polite to Fenna, inviting her to join them for coffee and snacks.

Cameron expressed concern about Nathan's well-being, specifically inquiring about his recent month-long absence and whether he had suffered any injuries.

Meanwhile, Fenna was playing with Elio. She occasionally remarked on Elio's adorableness before Michaela.

Suddenly, her attention shifted to Jasper, who was in Mila's arms, and she asked, "Is that Nate's son?"

Fenna's question completely disregarded Mila's role as Jasper's mother, catching Mila off guard.

Nathan's expression turned serious, and he stopped conversing with Cameron. He cast a displeased glance at Fenna.

"Jay's hungry. I'll take him upstairs to the maternity nurse for feeding," Mila announced. She got up and turned to Cameron. "You guys keep chatting. I'll head up first."

"Sure," Cameron replied.

After Mila left the living room, Fenna smiled gently and casually remarked, "Jay isn't breastfed?"

"No," Michaela replied.

"The child was premature and weak. He should be breastfed. Is Wanda afraid of suffering? Why can't she endure it for the sake of the child?" Fenna grumbled softly.

As a mother herself, Michaela enjoyed discussing parenting topics. However, she sensed a hint of unfriendliness in Fenna's words toward Mila.

Given Fenna's friendship with Nathan, Michaela kept her smile intact and responded, "Ms. Hudson, you haven't had children yet, have you?"

"Not yet," Fenna replied with a thin smile. "But if I did, I wouldn't want my child to be born prematurely or have to rely on formula."

"Ms. Hudson, your perspective is commendable." Michaela played along. "But I heard from Phoebe that when Wanda gave birth, there were complications.

"The baby was premature and

needed to be in an incubator. Wanda

had a hard time producing breast

milk because she was going through

a tough emotional time, not because she didn't want to breastfeed."

Nathan's heart sank as he heard this. Guilt flooded back, not just concerning Mila but especially toward Jasper.

Yet, Fenna seemed unaware of her

fault. She swiftly changed the

subject as she turned to Nathan.

"Nate, why didn't you stay in

ver

Sudvilla? What made you stay at

Hoffis Manor?"

Michaela panicked. She feared that Mila and Nathan might consider moving away.

In a rush, she explained, "Wanda and Nate are married. So, Wanda's home is also Nate's, and having everyone together makes the house feel more lively."

Chapter 624

Chapter 624

Michaela's sense of security had vanished during her years of confinement.

It was only in Nathan's presence, as she observed the soldiers from the nearby military base coming and going, that she found solace.

Meanwhile, Nathan ignored Fenna's question and turned to Cameron. "Let's head to the study. I have something to discuss with you."

"Sure," Cameron replied, rising from his seat. He addressed Fenna, "You stay here with Mr. and Mrs. Hoffis in the living room. I need to talk to Nate."

Fenna nodded with a smile. Her eyes fixed on Nathan as she replied, "Got it. You guys go ahead."

As Nathan and Cameron disappeared into the study, Fenna's gaze wandered around the living room. "Your house is incredibly spacious and elegant, Mr. and Mrs. Hoffis." Michaela and Tristan exchanged glances, feeling uneasy with Fenna's presence.

"It's nothing special," Michaela replied tersely.

Fenna glanced toward the second floor and asked, "How many maternity nurses does Jay have?"

"We have two maternity nurses who alternate shifts to look after Jay," Michaela explained.

"And what about Wanda?"

"Wanda has Phoebe attending to her, and we also have maids to assist, so we don't require another maternity nurse."

"I see."

"You seem really interested in Wanda's personal life," Michaela said.

"We're good friends, so naturally, I have to care more," Fenna replied casually.

"Oh, how long have you two been friends?"

"It's been over ten years now."

"Ten years? But why haven't I heard Wanda talk about you before?"

Fenna realized the confusion and

chuckled. "Ah, you've got it mixed up.

I've been close friends with Nate

for

over a decade, not Wanda. I haven't

known her for that long."

Michaela finally understood why Mila had taken Jasper upstairs and hadn't returned to greet the guests.

The way Fenna looked at Nathan didn't resemble that of a friend-it felt more like the gaze of someone in love, intense and passionate.

"Would it be possible for me to tour your house?" Fenna asked boldly.

Michaela and Tristan exchanged a glance. Even though they weren't keen on it, they knew they had to be hospitable to their guest.

"Robert, could you please show Ms. Hudson around?" Michaela called out.

Robert politely approached and motioned for Fenna to follow him. He guided her through a tour, showing her various shared spaces and the outdoor courtyard.

They meandered through lush

gardens and explored the indoor

amenities. They stopped by the media room, gym, lounge, sunroom, spa bathroom, children's playroom, entertainment room, and more.

Fenna was awestruck by the opulence, and her initial feelings of superiority began to fade as she compared her life to this extravagant setting.

It dawned on her that her perceptions of wealthy homes were far from reality.

The presence of numerous maids.

and a kitchen larger than her living room, Bustling with three chefs highlighted the stark differences between her world and theirs.

Fenna finally understood why Mila lacked basic household skills. She convinced herself that Nathan's love for Mila likely stemmed from her family's wealth.

"Where's Nate's room?" Fenna asked.

Robert hesitated briefly before responding, "It's on the second floor."

"Show me," Fenna requested casually.

Robert managed a smile and politely replied, "I'm sorry, Ms. Hudson, it's not appropriate to tour the private quarters."

"Why not? I'm a close friend of Mr. Morrison's and a respected guest of the Hoffises. Why can't you show me there?"

Maintaining his composure, Robert explained, "I regret to inform you but I lack the authority to grant access to Mr. and Mrs. Morrison's private spaces. "Perhaps you could ask Mr. Morrison himself later. My apologies for any inconvenience."

Chapter 625

Chapter 625

Fenna's face darkened as she questioned, "So, Nate and Wanda sleep together?"

Robert's smile vanished in an instant. He regarded Fenna with disbelief, wondering if she was out of her mind.

Fenna quickly clarified, "They didn't sleep together during their time at the military base."

Robert's expression hardened. "Ms. Hudson, if you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to."

With that, he turned away to deal with his own affairs.

...

Meanwhile, in the study, Cameron's expression soured as he heard Nathan's words.

He rested his head in his hands, his expression filled with concern as he spoke, "I know Fenna's had feelings for you for years, and she's always been devoted.

"I thought she'd eventually move on since you're married and happy with Wanda. I didn't realize she was so fixated."

"I think it's time to consider professional help for her. Her feelings for me are becoming obsessive. It's affecting my life," Nathan said.

Cameron turned to Nathan nervously. "Has she done anything extreme?"

"Not yet, but I'm worried she might."

"I'm sorry, Nate. I had no idea. She said you were hurt, and I rushed over. She insisted on coming, saying she wanted to see Wanda and the baby. I didn't think much of it." Nathan comforted Cameron with a pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry. Next time, let's meet without Fenna."

"Sure," Cameron replied anxiously. "So, Fenna transferred to Project 905 because of you?"

Nathan grimly nodded.

"You are going to work with Project 905?"

"We have a new project starting soon that involves them."

"That explains it," Cameron said, slapping his thigh in frustration. "How did she learn about your plans?"

"It wasn't hard. Her best friend is the President's daughter," Nathan replied.

"Lillian shouldn't be underestimated either. She recently had fallen

with her father over supportin uter

in the elections."

Nathan tensed. "Lillian and the President had a falling out?"

"Yeah, a lot happened while you were away. ve realized Yale is more complex than he seems. Marrying Lillian is probably part of some plan. Unfortunately, she's so in love with him, that she believes everything he says."

"He's running for president?"

Cameron nodded. "Yes, and he has quite a few supporters. The elections start in three monthself Yale becomes president of Norvania, things will change a lot."

Suddenly, a loud noise came from outside.

Nathan and Cameron were startled. They quickly rushed out of the study.

Chapter 626

Chapter 626

Nathan and Cameron followed the sound to the living room, only to find it empty. They realized the noise was coming from Mila's studio and hurried over to see what was happening. The door was left open. The studio was filled with paintings hanging on the walls and some propped against the floor.

Fenna crouched down, feigning nervousness as she attempted to lift a sizable painting from the ground. She said sheepishly, "Sorry, Nate. I accidentally knocked over this painting." Nathan's face darkened, while Cameron hurried to help Fenna lift the painting. Yet, as they lifted it, Cameron's complexion drained of color, and he stood frozen in disbelief.

On the four-foot square wooden board lay a portrait painted by Mila, depicting her family of three. However, it was marred by splatters of black ink.

Cameron's voice rang out in dismay. "How could you damage someone else's painting?"

Fenna's expression fell as she gestured toward the spilled ink on the floor, explaining, "I didn't mean to. I was just exploring and accidentally bumped into this painting. It fell and knocked over the ink on the floor."

Cameron nervously glanced at the spilled ink, then shifted his gaze to Nathan's somber visage. "Nate, I'm truly sorry. How can we make this right with the painting?"

Nathan's hands were tucked in his pockets as his expression soured, his anger simmering. He had no idea Mila was painting a family portrait of them in the studio, let alone see the finished painting. And now it was ruined.

How could Mila, known for her usual carefulness and responsibility, have left the ink on the floor?

"This isn't your concern," Nathan told Cameron. "Fenna is 26, not 16. She needs to own up to her mistakes."

"I'm sorry, Nate, it's my fault. I was just being careless," Fenna muttered apologetically.

"Just careless, huh? Or was it on purpose? You know the truth," Nathan replied sarcastically.

He entered the studio slowly, his gaze falling sadly upon the painting they had just lifted. A sharp pang of heartache engulfed him.

Mila cherished her time, and it was difficult to imagine the effort and emotion she put into creating such a beautiful painting.

Nathan thought Fenna must be wicked to stir up trouble in his home. His expression hardened as he spoke firmly, "Inkwell's paintings are worth at least a million dollars."

Fenna was taken aback. "Who's Inkwell?"

Nathan's tone became sharper. "The painting you destroyed is worth at least a million dollars."

Fenna scoffed and smirked before

i.ne

looking up at Nathan. "Come on, Nate, I understand you're upset, but seriously? I didn't mean to do it. Plus, who would value such simple paintings at a million? Who are you trying to fool?"

Cameron gripped Fenna's hand tightly, frustration evident in his grip. "Fenna, this is too much. Wanda is a well-known philanthropic artist in Sunterland-Inkwell.

"Her top-selling painting went for tens of millions at auction and is showcased in museums. Why would you damage her artwork?"

Fenna's expression shifted instantly

to seriousness, her voice trembling as she responded, "What? A philanthropic artist in Sunterland? How can a painting fetch tens of millions? Cam, are you crazy?"

Cameron was furious, holding his forehead with both hands. He muttered anxiously, "You're the one who's crazy."

At the same time, Mila heard the noise downstairs and hurried into the studio. Seeing the portrait she had spent a week working on destroyed, she was stunned. Her heart felt like it was breaking.

During the days when Nathan

vanished, she fretted over his

absence. In her darkest times, she channeled her longing for him and her love for their child into her art, hoping to find comfort for her soul.

And now, it was all ruined.

Her emotions were a tangled mess of frustration and powerlessness. She wanted to scream out her anger but felt completely impotent.

Fenna still couldn't grasp the gravity of the situation and continued to defend herself. "It's just a painting, after all. Demanding millions is nothing but blackmail!"

Chapter 627

Chapter 627

Cameron was frustrated and stamped his foot. "Why did you have to touch someone else's stuff? How will you fix this?"

"I can only pay a few tens of thousands at most," Fenna said firmly.

A voice from the doorway interrupted. "Just leave."

Nathan turned and saw Mila, looking upset and cold. He walked over, feeling sorry, and took her hand to comfort her. "Don't be upset, Wanda. I'll make sure Fenna takes responsibility for this."

Cameron looked guilty and quickly apologized to Mila. "I'm really sorry, Wanda. Fenna accidentally damaged the painting. We'll compensate but can we discuss the price?"

Fenna looked nervous, biting her lip as she glanced at Mila.

To Mila, the painting held immense personal value. She respected Cameron and understood his concern for Fenna.

Mila realized that making Fenna pay would burden Cameron, especially since they were government employees with modest incomes.

Out of consideration for Cameron, Mila repeated coldly, "Just leave. There's no need for compensation."

Cameron forcefully pushed Fenna's head down, prompting her to nod at Mila.

"Thank you, Wanda," Cameron said while nodding solemnly.

Through gritted teeth, Fenna questioned, "Cam, what are you doing?"

After Cameron apologized, he escorted Fenna out. "Nate, Wanda, I'll take her away first. I'm so sorry. I'll come personally to apologize next time."

Fenna was forcefully pulled out of the studio, struggling against being dragged away.

Tears filled Mila's eyes as she walked toward the painting. She wanted to touch it, but the pain was too much, so she held back.

Nathan's heart broke to see her so upset. He went to her and hugged her tightly.

With her eyes closed, Mila held onto him tightly, seeking solace in his embrace as tears flowed silently. She resembled her younger self-a gentle yet fragile soul who endured her pain alone.

Nathan tenderly stroked her hair and questioned, "Why not confront her? Even if money isn't a problem, you shouldn't have to endure this disrespect."

"I don't want to cause trouble for Cameron," Mila muttered.

Nathan smiled sadly. He gently kissed her forehead and sighed. "You're just too good-natured and too easily taken advantage of."

"I'm not always a pushover.

Remember when that imposter Sally

destroyed Grandma's birthday

present that I worked so hard on,

and wrecked the gown you gave me? slapped her right there and dragged her out by her hair.

Nathan looked concerned. He gently held her face and asked, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"You seemed to prefer that imposter then," Mila grumbled.

Nathan's expression turned serious, his voice showing nervousness as he explained, "I've only had feelings for you, Wanda. I just mistook her for you, but I never loved her."

"But, back then-"

Nathan quickly interrupted, "If I truly loved her, why would I have followed Grandma's advice and married you?" Mila was stumped.

"If I truly loved her, I would have married her outright. Am I that easily swayed by others?"

"But weren't you pressured into marrying me because Grandma threatened you?" Mila asked.

Nathan had never opened up like this before, but now that they were married, he felt no need to hide his emotions.

He pulled Mila close and explained, "Actually, my decision to marry you back then wasn't solely because of Grandma's threat."

"Then, what was the reason?" Mila asked.

 

Chapter 628

Chapter 628

"From the moment I first saw you, you reminded me of someone I'd loved for years. But then, Sally returned, and everyone in the Hoffis family claimed she was their granddaughter.

"We hadn't seen each other in a decade, so I had no clue what had become of you. I never questioned your family. After all, how could close relatives not recognize their own granddaughter?" Nathan explained.

Mila's somber mood lightened a bit. "So, did you fall in love with me at first sight?"

"Not exactly. It was more like a strong sense of familiarity. Some inexplicable feelings drew me to you back then," Nathan replied.

Mila gazed at him, feeling thankful. "Nate, thank you for not wanting to divorce back then, and for your persistence. That's why we didn't drift apart."

Nathan gently cupped her face and looked at her intently. "Regarding your painting, we can't just ignore what happened. Even if you're not upset, I am." Curious, Mila asked, "What do you propose?"

Nathan pointed toward the corner where the surveillance camera was and firmly said, "Adults should take responsibility for their impulsive actions.

"If she dares to damage your painting now, who knows what else she might do in the future."

Mila smiled softly, feeling comforted.

She thought about Nathan's feelings and didn't want to make things tough for his friends. Meanwhile, Nathan was worried about her and was determined to make things right for her.

"Okay, you take care of this," Mila said. She wrapped her arms around his neck, tiptoed, and pecked his lips.

Nathan was ready to respond passionately, but her lips left him before he could. He felt a strong desire surging within him. He asked in a rough voice, "Finished kissing?"

Mila nodded and responded with a hum.

Nathan took her wrist and led her outside.

"What's wrong?"

"Let's go back to the room."

Mila's cheeks turned crimson as she responded, "Nate, your leg is injured, and it's still daytime."

"It won't matter."

Back in their room, Nathan locked the door and drew the curtains closed. The room plunged into darkness.

Mila smiled bashfully. Nathan's previous restraint had astonished her, but now he seemed different. She approached him.

Nathan wrapped his arm around her slender waist, his hand cradling her head as he whispered in her ear, "Want to take a shower?" "Sure, but you go first."

"Together," Nathan said huskily.

Mila blushed instantly and declined. "No, it's fine. You go ahead. It would be too awkward for both of us to shower together."

Nathan's breath turned warmer. He kissed her fervently while slowly removing her clothes.

Mila assumed he was skipping the shower and about to dive into bed Yet, amid his passionate kisses, her clothes slipped away, and he carried her toward the bathroom.

She spotted the bandaged wound on his leg, but he didn't seem bothered by it. They weren't just taking a shower. It marked another phase in Mila's exploration of intimacy.

She surrendered herself to Nathan's

passionate affection. Later, they went from the shower to the bed. It seemed he was releasing all the

desire he had bottled up for the past month.

Mila understood she would need time to get used to Nathan's high level of intimacy.

He was robust and had ample endurance from working out regularly, whereas she was naturally fragile and not used to such physical exertion.

After their intense encounter, Mila lay on the bed, feeling drained of energy. She struggled to keep her eyes open.

Nathan gently used a warm towel to cleanse her body before enveloping her in his arms, and they both drifted off to sleep, feeling content.

Chapter 629

Chapter 629

It was time for lunch. Robert knocked on the door twice, but since there was no response, he decided not to disturb Nathan and Mila further. They slept until evening. Mila was still half-asleep when she faintly heard Nathan's voice near her ear, "Wanda, are you getting up for dinner?"

"No," Mila grumbled.

"Then, go back to sleep."

"Okay." Mila nestled into his arms.

Since she wasn't wearing any clothes, the warmth of their skin caused a spark between them. Nathan felt a familiar surge of desire within him once again.

For the first time, he acted without asking Mila's permission. Gently, he drew closer to her, wrapping his arms around her and lifting her legs onto his waist. Still in a daze, Mila realized Nathan was kissing her. Later, she let out a soft moan and her body shivered. Then, she drifted into a blissful dream.

A few days later, Fenna arrived at Lillian's place bearing a court summons. Yale was with Lillian, who was pregnant, watching dramas at home. Fenna barged in angrily. "Lillian, I'm furious!"

Lillian quickly stood up from Yale's embrace, nervously asking, "What's wrong?"

"Wanda wants to take legal action against me!" Fenna growled.

Yale's expression instantly grew more serious, and he frowned at Fenna.

Lillian guided Fenna to sit down on the couch. "Let me take a look."

She took the summons and examined it closely. Yale leaned in to get a better view.

"It's Nathan who's taking you to court," Yale remarked sarcastically. "What did you damage that he's demanding ten million in compensation?" "It's a painting," Fenna replied through clenched teeth.

"Nate wouldn't do this to me. He knows I don't have ten million. I don't even have one million! How could I possibly afford it?

"It must be Wanda's doing! She must have pressured Nate again to come after me."

"What kind of painting could be worth ten million?" Lillian's fists clenched in anger as she returned the summons to Fenna. "Forget about them. They're just trying to squeeze an outrageous amount of money out of you, right?"

Yale crossed his legs, casting a disapproving glance at the meaningless drama showing before him. He calmly stated, "They aren't

S money, and this isn'Dabout

money."

"What does Wanda want, then?" Fenna asked, her tone icy.

Yale smirked and gestured toward the summons. "Take a closer look at who's suing you. It's Nathan, not Wanda."

"She's using Nate's name to sue me. That's the cruelest part of her scheme."

Yale emitted a cold snort, too indifferent to continue the conversation.

Lillian took Yale's arm and pleaded, "Darling, can you help my friend? Find a way to fix this."

Yale answered confidently, "There's

no need to fix it. Wanda doesn't

need money, and Nathan isn't

interested in it either. They probably just want to teach Fenna a lesson and make her accountable.

"As for what the judge decides and the amount they demand you to pay, it doesn't matter in the end. They won't pursue you for the debt, so don't stress." Fenna lowered her head in distress.

Lillian's mood soured in response. With clenched teeth, she expressed her frustration, "Wanda is truly awful! She's suing you for millions overa painting, despite having a fortune that could last generations. It's too cruel."

Yale's eyes sparkled as he glanced at Fenna. "Fenna."

Fenna looked up. "What?"

"Do you want to get back at Wanda?"

"I do."

A subtle hint of malicious flickered in Yale's eyes as he said, "I'll help you."

Chapter 630

Chapter 630

The soft spring breeze blew as the sun disappeared behind the hills.

On a tennis court at a private club, Nathan and Donald were playing a match. Soaked in sweat, Donald looked tired and was breathing heavily. However, Nathan seemed completely relaxed. After a few rounds, it was clear that Donald was struggling to keep up. He raised his hand, asking for a break. "Let's take a breather and continue later."

Nathan stopped playing and walked casually to the bench. He grabbed two bottles of water and handed one to Donald.

Gasping for air, Donald said, "I can't keep pace with you youngsters anymore. I'm getting old, and my stamina's fading."

Nathan smirked, taking a sip of water without saying anything flattering.

"What's up with the tension between you and Lillian lately?" Nathan asked bluntly.

Donald's face tightened. "Since when did you start prying into my family business? That's not like you."

"I'm not interested in your family drama. It's about her husband, Yale," Nathan clarified.

Donald slumped onto the bench, wiping sweat off his face with a towel. "What about Yale?"

Nathan's expression turned serious as he sat beside Donald. "I suspect there's something off about Yale's identity. I need your help to get his DNA."

Donald looked surprised. "Is he some kind of criminal?"

"We don't have proof yet. I don't want to accuse him without evidence," Nathan explained.

Donald smiled thinly. "Why involve me for something so small? Just arrest him and do the tests!"

"He's extremely cautious, and we can't afford to alert him." Nathan reasoned.

Donald took a sip of water and said, "Listen, when Lillian married him, I investigated him. He's clean and hasn't done anything shady. So, stop fixating on Yale."

Nathan looked at him, puzzled. He couldn't believe what Donald was saying.

With a sigh, Donald looked ahead and mumbled, "General Morrison, I'm not like you. The president's job in Norvania changes every few years, while you can stick around as defense general until you retire.

"Even though it might seem like I

have a higher rank, I don't have much real power. Every decision I make has to go through red tape. Unlike you, who commands several military groups and runs Norvania's biggest military base.

"I've got three months until retirement. Please, don't stir up trouble for me. Let me retire peacefully, and when the new president takes over, you can scrutinize them all you want."

Nathan may not have agreed, but he grasped Donald's motive: self-preservation and a peaceful retirement.

He realized that if there were any significant problems with Yale, Donald would likely be affected as well.

Knowing this, Nathan foresaw how former political adversaries could exploit the situation to undermine Donald and make his remaining time unbearable.

After a brief pause, Nathan cautiously asked, "Your tension with Lillian-it's because of Yale, right?"

Donald remained silent.

Recognizing Donald's reluctance to delve deeper, Nathan chose not to push the matter further. He had hoped to glean more insight by mentioning Lillian, but now he saw it was a dead end.

"Ready for another game?" Nathan stood up and asked.

Donald grinned. "Nah, let's stop for now. I'm feeling the strain on these old bones."

"Sure thing. I'll head out," Nathan said politely, bidding farewell.

Donald waved gloomily as Nathan left.

Nathan went to the men's locker room to freshen up and change. Then, he got into Cole's car and drove off. During the ride, Nathan attended to some work matters.

As they neared the entrance of Hoffis Manor, Cole abruptly halted the car and announced, "General Morrison, it's Fenna."

Nathan peered out the window and spotted Fenna holding the court summons while blocking their path.

Setting aside his papers, Nathan opened the door and exited the car

Fenna stormed over and waved the summons furiously. "Nate, what's this all about? You're demanding ten million? Has Wanda lost her mind over money?"