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At Ford Group, Lia had hit another wall in her dealings with the person in charge of K&H. The other side only asked them to submit a proposal, but no follow–up came after that.
Normally, even if they weren’t satisfied with the proposal, they wouldn’t respond so ambiguously. Lia found it odd and decided to report the matter.
“Mr. Ford, you don’t seem surprised,” she said.
Coby raised an eyebrow. “Are you worried about him?”
She teased him. “I’m talking about work.” He had clearly misunderstood.
The man smiled faintly. “K&H has been laying the groundwork in the domestic market for a long time. It’s unlikely they’d back out of a mall project unless something serious happened. Let’s wait and see for now.”
Some things were better left unsaid for now. So he thought.
“Alright.” Lia agreed, sensing there might be a deeper meaning behind his words.
Coby stood and walked over to her, tucking a stray strand of her hair behind her ear. “Lia, we’re going home today. My mom wants to see you.”
Lia looked a bit guilty. “I’m sorry. I should visit more often.”
“If you went back often, Mom would start worrying about our relationship. An occasional visit is best,” he said.
Coby suspected there was more to his mom wanting to see Lia than just a casual visit.
Lia smiled brightly. “She wouldn’t think that.”
In all their time together, they’d rarely fought. He handled everything so well, while she felt like she was the lazy one in the relationship.
“Why wouldn’t she?” he asked, gently tapping her nose.
Lia wrapped her arms around his neck and playfully said, “Because Coby is the best.”
His smile deepened as he pinched her delicate chin. “So that’s what you think of me, huh?”
“Yep.” Lia leaned in and kissed his lips. “I’m heading out now. You keep working.”
Watching her slender figure leave, he couldn’t help but feel overjoyed.
Back in the Secretary’s Office, Lia noticed Millie and Phoebe looking distressed, exchanging worried glances.
“What’s wrong with you two?” Lia asked.
“Lia, it’s Ms. Norton…” Phoebe began.
Before she could finish, Nancy walked out of the meeting room, her chin arrogantly tilted when she saw Lia.
“Ms. Norton.” Lia greeted, finally understanding why the others looked so upset.
“Ms. Phillips, I’d like to have a word with you.” With that, Nancy walked back into the meeting room.
“Lia, should I call Mr. Ford?” Phoebe asked, worried Nancy might bully her.
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“Yeah, Lia, let Mr. Ford handle this.” Millie chimed in.
“It’s fine. I’ll see what she wants. No need to inform Mr. Ford yet Lia replied.
Nancy already knew about their relationship. Lia didn’t think she came here just to stir up trouble.
“But, Lia…” said Phoebe.
“You two get back to work. I’ll handle this.” Lia insisted.
Lia brought a cup of coffee to the meeting room and said politely. “Here’s some coffee, Ms. Norton.”
“The coffee they make is awful.” Nancy shrugged. She just wanted to intimidate them a little.
Lia smiled without responding.
。
Nancy took a sip and looked at this calm, composed woman. “So Ms. Phillips, you and Mr. Ford are really together?”
“As you can see,” Lia replied evenly.
“It bothers me that you got the man I wanted so easily,” Nancy admitted.
“If you looked at it from a different angle, maybe it wouldn’t feel so bad.” Lia suggested, understanding her feelings.
“What angle?” Nancy asked, genuinely curious.
“You’re the woman Mr. Ford couldn’t have,” Lia said with a smile
Nancy broke into a smile. “You’re quite the smooth talker, Ms. Phillips. Ever thought about working somewhere else?”
“Not at the moment, but thanks for the offer, Ms. Norton,” said Lia.
“If I were a man, I might like you too.” Nancy remarked.
“Thank you for the compliment,” Lia replied, treating it as a joke.
Nancy hadn’t come to pick a fight; she just needed to vent her frustration. Now, most of that frustration had dissipated.
After all, she was the woman Coby couldn’t have.
“This is boring. I’m leaving,” said Nancy.
Lia’s grace made her feel petty in comparison. She found the whole thing boring.
“I’ll see Ms. Norton out,” said Lia.
After sending Nancy off, Phoebe and Millie approached Lia with curiosity. “Lia, why was Ms. Norton so happy? What did you say to her?”
“Nothing much. Don’t overthink it. Ms. Norton just happened to be passing by and decided to check in,” Lia replied. “Huh? Just came by to check in?” Phoebe and Millie exchanged puzzled looks, completely baffled.
Lia sometimes found Nancy quite cute. Deep down, she was just a spoiled young lady who couldn’t stand being rejected. After work, Lia and Coby returned to the Ford family mansion.
Quinn anxiously pulled Lia into the bedroom. “Lia, Coby told us you were in danger last night. Were you frightened?”
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“I just found out about this! Lia, are you okay?” Molly asked with concern.
“Don’t worry. We’re fine.” Lia reassured them, surprised they had heard about it.
“You must be extra careful when you go out in the future. This happening right after your relationship went public is no coincidence.” Quinn warned, her tone serious.
“But don’t worry. Coby and his dad will handle this. I was kidnapped once too. You can even say Bruce is experienced now.” She added.
“You’ve been kidnapped?“, Lia was surprised.
“She was pregnant with Coby back then. I heard Dad had these people…” Molly made a throat–cutting gesture.
Lia was shocked. She didn’t expect Bruce to have a dark side.
Quinn tapped Molly on the head. “Molly! Don’t speak nonsense
Molly smiled. “I heard it from Grandma!”
“Well, it’s nothing like that. These guys are in jail now. The only one who died was the one who gave the order,” said Quinn.
Quinn loved it when Bruce got angry. Most of the time, he was like a block of wood, but when he was upset, he looked irresistibly handsome. Of course, she had to be careful not to push him too far–if she did, she would have to pay in bed. “Dad gets angry only for Mom’s sake.” Molly chimed in. “Lia, you wouldn’t know, but my dad is absolutely glued to my mom.”
In the past, she and her brother often felt neglected, almost like fatherless children, because their dad’s attention was entirely on their mom.
Lia smiled and nodded. It was clear to see.
Quinn pursed her lips. “Don’t be fooled by how quiet he usually is. If you really make him angry, even I’d be scared.”
“Mom, don’t you provoke Dad every day?” Molly teased.
“You don’t understand. That’s our way of loving each other. Every couple has their own way of getting along. Look at Coby and Lia–they’re so sweet and loving.”
Lia never knew how to respond to such compliments and always ended up blushing.
Curious as ever, Molly asked, “Lia, between you and my brother, who likes to make the move?”
“Uh… we… he does,” Lia replied, her cheeks instantly turning red.
“I figured,” Molly said with a sly grin.
Her brother was the reserved type–he didn’t show much outwardly, but in private, she had sent him plenty of clothes as gifts to spice up their romance.
Quinn decided to speak up for women everywhere. “Men should always initiate. That’s their job!”
Molly whispered mischievously, “But Mom, didn’t you take the initiative with Dad?”
The mention of that made Quinn huff. “Well, your dad was such a blockhead. If I hadn’t made the first move, you brother wouldn’t even exist.”
“Fair enough,” said Molly.
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Lia quietly listened, enjoying the warm and lively family dynamic.
“Molly, what’s going on between you and that boy from the Walker family?” Quinn asked.
Quinn and Mrs. Walker were best friends, and it was a surprising twist when that boy started liking her daughter.
“There’s nothing going on!” Molly protested, feeling helpless. She had known her mom would find out eventually.
“His mother is very fond of you,” Quinn said with a knowing smile.
Molly’s scalp tingled as she saw her mother’s cheerful expression. “Mom, this is the modern age. Arranged matches are out of fashion.”
“I’m just saying it’s up to you. If you don’t like him, I won’t force it,” said Quinn.
Having experienced it all herself, Quinn never interfered in her children’s choice of partners.
“It’s not that I dislike him.” Molly admitted. “It’s just… hard to describe.”
Quinn’s smile widened as she teased. “Oh, so you do like him?”
Molly finally caught on and pouted. “Mom, you’re trying to trick me into confessing!”
“Not at all,” Quinn said with mock innocence. But her intentions were already crystal clear.
“Lia, you see how sneaky she is?” Molly turned to Lia for support.
“Uh…” Lia hesitated, as she always did in such moments. She had no idea whose side to take.
“Alright, back to business. Lia, the day after tomorrow I’m hosting a welcome party for a friend. I’d like you to come so I can introduce you to her,” Quinn said.
Quinn planned to gradually help her integrate into the family’s social circle, knowing it would be important in the future. “Sure, Mom.” Lia agreed with a nod, understanding the intention.
“This friend has been my close companion for years. She just returned to the country, and we haven’t seen each other in ages,” said Quinn.
“Mom, should I go too?” Molly asked.
“You should. She has a son, and who knows, you might like him.” Quinn teased.
“Mom, you’re making fun of me again. I’m not going. Let Lia go instead.” Molly declared, deciding to steer clear of the potential awkwardness.
“Hahaha.” Quinn chuckled, her thoughts clear as day. Molly used to love joining in on the fun, but now she seemed to have changed.
Meanwhile, in the study, Bruce and Coby sat on opposite sides of the room.
“What’s your plan?” Bruce asked.
“I’ll protect my wife,” Coby replied, knowing exactly what his father was referring to.
Bruce had always been strict with his son, but Coby had never disappointed him.
Bruce patted his son’s shoulder. “Your mother wants grandchildren.”
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Coby replied coldly, “I don’t have the time.”
Bruce’s expression twitched. “Are you joking?”
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“You’ve been working for so long. Isn’t it normal to want a long vacation?” said Bruce.
In the past, he didn’t mind sacrificing personal time, but now he wanted to spend more time with his wife.
Bruce had been looking forward to early retirement, but now his son was throwing this curveball.
“Handle the wedding first, Then we’ll talk,” Bruce said firmly.
Coby raised an eyebrow. “Did you have the same talk with Grandpa when you got married?”
“Your mother and I had it much tougher back then.” Bruce admitted.
Coby smirked. “Because you were stubborn and refused to admit you loved her?”
Learning from his father’s mistakes, Coby had been straightforward in expressing his feelings.
Though Bruce was irritated by the comment, he couldn’t deny the truth of it.
Later that night, around ten, Lia returned to their room to find Coby sitting on the sofa, waiting for her.
“What were you talking about for so long?” he asked, getting up as she entered.
“Nothing much, just some trivial things,” Lia replied as she headed to the wardrobe to grab her pajamas.
“Remy?” he asked.
Lia looked at him in surprise. “Coby, you already know?”
“I treated him like a good friend, and now he’s got his eyes on my sister,” Coby said, feeling like his territory had been invaded.
“What’s your opinion on that?” Lia asked curiously.
“He deserves it. Does he think Molly is that easy to pursue?” Coby scoffed, eager to see how things unfolded.
“Are you sure he’s your good friend?” Lia teased.
“Do you expect me to accept him as my brother–in–law? Not a chance–at least not now.”
“I don’t know either,” Lia said thoughtfully.
It really depended on Molly’s feelings. The most they could do was offer advice.
“Let’s not talk about them. Let’s talk about us,” Coby said, steering the conversation back.
Coby wasn’t interested in discussing other men when he was with his wife.
“Us? What about us?” Lia asked, puzzled.
“It’s late. We should go to bed,” he said.
Lia chuckled softly. “Can’t you be serious for once?”
“I’m always serious, but whenever I’m with you, I just want to…”
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Lia arrived at Angel Orphanage. The last time she visited, she hadn’t brought anything, which made her feel guilty. This time, she made sure to bring gifts to share with everyone.
Lia returned on her own. After distributing the items and chatting for a while, she prepared to leave.
“No need to come pick me up. I’ll be back soon. Just focus on your event and don’t worry about me,” she said over the phone.
While walking at the crossroads, Lia was busy talking on the phone with Coby and didn’t notice the person around the corner. The two collided directly.
The other person’s hand hit the garden steps, nearly causing her to trip. Lia quickly hung up the phone and hurriedly helped the middle–aged woman in front of her. “Sorry, are you hurt?”
“I’m fine.” The woman wearing sunglasses shook her head.
She hadn’t noticed either, as she was too busy looking at the young woman.
“Sorry, your hand is bleeding. Please sit here, I’ll go buy some band–aids.” Lia helped her sit on a bench by the roadside and then hurried off to buy the band–aids.
“Madam.” The bodyguards approached to check.
“It’s fine, you can leave now,” said the woman.
Several bodyguards quickly backed away.
Lia returned with the band–aids and sighed in relief when she saw the woman still sitting there.
“Sorry, I was too careless,” said Lia.
“It’s okay, I didn’t see you either,” the woman replied.
After helping the woman apply the band–aid, Lia noticed the woman was staring at her.
“Is there something on my face?” Lia touched her face.
The woman smiled and asked, “No, miss, how old are you?”
“Twenty–five.” Lia thought it was strange, but answered honestly.
“No wonder I feel a sense of familiarity. If my daughter were here, she’d be about your age.” The woman sighed.
Lia thought the elegant woman in front of her was only around forty, but was surprised to learn her daughter was the same age as herself.
“I’m over fifty. Time waits for no one,” she said.
“I really wouldn’t have guessed your age.” Lia commented.
“Miss, do you live around here?” the woman asked.
“No, I’m here to visit Angel Orphanage and see the children,” said Lia.
“What a coincidence, I was planning to visit Angel Orphanage too. The woman looked surprised.
She seemed to like Lia even more. ‘A kind–hearted girl,‘ she thought.
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“Are you here to see the children too?” asked Lia.
“I…” The woman paused, then smiled and said, “I guess so.”
“Can you walk? Let me take you there.” Lia was about to help her but she didn’t want to trouble her.
“No need, it’s just a small scratch. It’s no big deal,” said the woman.
Just in case, Lia left her phone number. “If you feel uncomfortable, call this number and I’ll take you to the hospital for a checkup.”
“Thank you, you’re very thoughtful. Go ahead with your business. I should go now.” Sierra Yeats took the card from her
hand.
“Okay, bye.” Lia thought the woman might have something urgent to do, so she didn’t want to bother her further.
“Bye.” Sierra watched her leave, then looked at the card in her hand. “Lia.”
