Stan said, "It's me, Mrs. Jefferson."Irene's eyes lowered slightly and said flatly, "Yeah.""The crisis is over for now," Stan continued. "You can move back to the castle."The mastermind, Hector, had been deported back to Zidonia and would be sentenced to death in no time at all since he was responsible for a handful of deaths."Okay," Irene replied and quickly asked about Isaac. "Did the doctors say when he'll be better?"Stan was silent for a while before answering, "The doctor said soon."Irene did not even need to guess—while Stan paused, he was actually asking Isaac what to say."Stan, is he hiding something from me?" she asked then with a threatening edge in her voice.Stan was speechless.He felt so awkward being caught in the middle!He certainly would not dare to speak out of turn where Isaac was concerned, but that meant he had trouble answering Irene too.If he said something wrong, he would have to suffer Isaac's abuse.He then thought to himself that it would

Once Irene opened the door, she found Zachary tiptoeing back to her room.She called out to him, "Where have you been?"Zachary turned around and smiled. "Nowhere.""Did anyone tell you that I called you?" Irene asked him.An unnatural reaction appeared on Zachary's face, and he somehow looked awkward. "You called me?""Yes I did," Irene told him with no uncertainty, "and it was a woman who answered, saying you were taking a shower. I told her to tell you to call me back when you're done. She didn't tell you, did she?"Zachary chuckled. "Nope, she didn't.""Are you serious about her?" Irene asked her.Zachary walked over and sat on the couch. "What do you mean?""The woman who answered my call," Irene said.Zachary appeared nonchalant. "She's just a woman. What's with the seriousness? Just need to satisfy my physical needs."Irene frowned, speechless. "Giving up on yourself, are you?""No, but I'm no saint who's above worldly needs," Zachary said seriously. "Is it really so

Irene's heart was seized with anxiety even as she put down her phone.She had to go back as soon as she could to find out what happened to Lulu—or more specifically, Martin, that Lulu could not raise her child.However, when she opened the door, she saw Zachary standing outside, his hand raised and ready to knock.He was caught by surprise when the door suddenly opened, though he soon came to his senses. "Were you talking to Lulu?" he asked, and shrugged before Irene could answer. "You don't have to hide from me if you were—I'm over it, and she isn't the only woman in the world."Irene pursed her lips, and asked, "Is that why any woman would get to bed you? Because you're over it?"Zachary was speechless—he knew what Irene was referring to but did not deny it.He even said, "I think this is just fine. I mean, what's the issue? With no strings attached to my relationships, I don't have to get upset.""You really should clean up your act. You're a father now," Irene told him. "I

Irene was frowning, but she lowered her voice. "Lulu is not telling you because she has her reasons—""What reasons could she have? She chose the wrong man and refuses to admit it. She's afraid to say it, to let others know that she was blind," Zachary huffed, upset at Lulu's silence.She just had to say that Martin messed up, and he would stand up for her and beat Martin up for her!Even if they were not lovers, they could be family—he could at least do that much for her.On the other hand, Irene was watching Lulu, who kept her head lowered as she held Jean in her arms.Irene could sense that Lulu did not want to part with her baby, that she was compelled to leave Jean in someone else's care. While Zachary was not exactly a stranger, Lulu was still the one who carried Jean for ten months, and they were dearest to each other.As a mother, Irene understood that feeling.Rising to her feet then, she said, "I'm hungry. I'm going to get some food."Irene was sure that although Lu

Zachary lowered his eyes. "It was an accident."Irene's face fell.She knew that Martin's work was dangerous, but to learn that he was hurt again left her in disbelief.It was not easy for Lulu to find someone, after all."Is it serious?" she asked softly.Zachary nodded. "They haven't found his body."He knew because Lulu told him eventually after he asked.Irene had to sit on the edge of the bed. "How could that happen?"Zachary sighed lengthily in turn, unsure if he should be pleased or upset.After all, Lulu would not have given Jean to him if Martin was alright.Zachary thought he would at best watch Jean from afar and go his entire life without hearing her call him daddy. Even if he was entrusted with Jean after Martin's accident, it also meant an end to Lulu's bliss.Looking at Irene then, he said, "Lulu was blaming herself. That's why she gave Jean to me.""What do you mean?" Irene asked."She and Martin had a fight, which was why Martin took the role of handler,