Chapter 289: The Grand Finale

Chapter 289: Chapter 289: The Grand Finale

Although they were both busy with their careers, they didn’t forget to spice things up a little after getting home from work.

Evan Ford gradually grew tired of spending one night at his place and the next at Anne’s. So, he packed his bags and delivered himself right to her doorstep.

And so, their life of passionate cohabitation began.

Anne also grew increasingly adept at "educating" Evan Ford. The little toys she had collected filled an entire box, and she had to take her time picking one out before each use.

Their harmonious life together continued for a year before the old lady couldn’t stand it anymore, urging them to get their marriage license and hold the wedding.

Unable to withstand the old lady’s relentless pestering, they finally got their license at the end of the year and held the wedding.

Given how the old lady was nagging them day in and day out, everyone assumed they would be the first to have a baby. To their surprise, Nina Halloway beat them to it. They only found out when the media broke the story online.

"My brother is going to be a dad."

Anne gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. She couldn’t help but glance at Evan Ford, who was next to her holding a book and pretending to read. "Do you want to be a dad?"

"Not particularly, no."

’A baby would get in the way of his and Anne’s time alone together.’

Anne stared at him for a moment, then silently reached over and flipped his upside-down book the right way up.

Evan Ford: ...

It was a rare weekend, and Evan Ford was being exceptionally provocative. He followed her around all day, trailing after her everywhere she went and dropping heavy hints that she hadn’t slapped his ass yet.

She’d deliberately kept him hanging all day. When they returned from their after-dinner walk, he was sulking, his face an icy mask. He grabbed a book and sat down beside her.

"You’re acting a little strange today."

The moment she spoke, Evan Ford immediately tossed aside the book—of which he hadn’t read a single word. He crossed his arms and looked at her with a very serious expression. "You seem to have grown distant since we got married."

"Have I?"

"It’s the weekend. How can you not be passionate?"

?

"Didn’t you get my hints?"

...

’Is he about to lose his composure?’

’She wasn’t so desperate as to jump him in broad daylight. Couldn’t he at least wait until dark?’

"Have you lost interest in me?" Evan Ford asked, his chin tilted up. He was clearly feeling aggrieved but was still trying to maintain a proud and petulant facade.

Anne bit her lip; she was a complete sucker for this act.

She stood up and yanked Evan Ford off the sofa.

SMACK! SMACK! She gave him a couple of firm slaps.

A blush immediately crept up the man’s cheeks.

"I picked up a package for you after work yesterday," he said. "Discreet shipping. You buy a new toy?"

"Can’t hide anything from you, can I?"

She grabbed his collar, her movements a bit rough. "What are you gawking at? Carry me!"

A faint smirk touched Evan Ford’s lips. He bent down, scooped her into his arms, and carried her to the bedroom.

...

Time flew by.

Two years passed in the blink of an eye.

Reid Group was now a leading force in the industry. If Alaric Blackwood had wanted to, he could have acquired the Blackwood Group at any time, but he chose to let his own father off the hook.

Quentin Blackwood, however, wanted to hand the company over to his son and proactively proposed that Alaric acquire the Blackwood Group.

He wanted to retire and win back Mandy Halloway.

Mandy Halloway, however, gave him no such opportunity. When the time was right, she left to travel the world with Zane Lancaster.

The two had fallen in love but never got a marriage license. They much preferred a free, unrestrained life where they could do as they pleased.

As for Sophie Shaw, she continued to go in for regular check-ups after her bone marrow transplant.

She took anti-rejection medication for nearly a year. Once all her vital signs were normal, she stopped taking it.

Over those three years, her life with Alaric Blackwood carried on as usual—working during the day and sleeping in each other’s arms at night.

But from time to time, Alaric Blackwood would give her a little "surprise."

One day while showering, she accidentally broke the bracelet Alaric Blackwood had given her. He’d told her it was waterproof, so she had never taken it off. When it broke, she was surprised to see a tiny object with a small, flashing red dot fall out.

She put on her bathrobe, picked up the tiny object from the floor, and left the bathroom to find Alaric Blackwood in his study.

"What is this?"

Alaric Blackwood froze.

"Confession brings leniency; resistance brings severity."

Sophie Shaw tossed the object onto the desk in front of Alaric Blackwood. He leaned back against his leather chair, cleared his throat, and said with a perfectly straight face, "It’s probably just a small part from inside the bracelet."

"Did I say it came from the bracelet?"

...

"Speak! What is this?"

"It’s just a small part."

"What kind of part flashes red?"

"Everything’s high-tech these days."

"Still not going to tell me the truth?"

The moment Sophie Shaw’s tone turned stern, Alaric Blackwood instantly caved. "A tracking device."

"Why would you plant a tracker on me? Don’t tell me you were afraid I’d cheat..."

"No, it was for your safety."

"Don’t you ever do something like this again."

"I was wrong, honey. I was wrong."

As always, Alaric Blackwood was quick to admit his mistake. He stood up, walked over to Sophie Shaw, and pulled her into his arms.

"Forgive me. I really know I was wrong."

"Don’t let it happen again."

Sophie Shaw had just gotten out of the shower, and a light, fresh scent clung to her.

After she finished speaking, she tried to push him away to go back to the bedroom and do her skincare routine, but he just held her even tighter.

"What are you doing? Let go!"

"You’ve been off your medication for more than two years now," he murmured. "The medicine should have completely left your system."

"And?"

"My little swimmers want to find their mommy."

Sophie Shaw froze. Before she could process his words, she was suddenly airborne, thrown over Alaric Blackwood’s shoulder.

"Hey!"

"Don’t be so impulsive!"

...

Moments later, she was tossed onto the large bed in their room.

From that night on, Alaric Blackwood never used protection again.

After more than half a year of trying, she became pregnant.

A year later, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy, whom they named Julian Blackwood.

Having likely inherited Alaric Blackwood’s excellent genes, Julian Blackwood brought home a little girl from his class when he was in the fifth grade. "This is my future wife, Zoe Osborne," he announced.

Sophie Shaw: ...

Alaric Blackwood: ...

With the introductions made, Julian Blackwood took Zoe Osborne’s hand, led her to the living room sofa, turned on the TV, and the two of them became completely engrossed in an episode of Peppa Pig.

"This is all your fault."

Sophie Shaw discreetly pinched Alaric Blackwood’s side.

The man tried to dodge but failed, wincing from the pinch. "How is this my fault?" he grumbled.

"You’re the one who spoils him."

"What’s wrong with it? The boy is precocious. He’s already planned out his future marriage at such a young age."

With that, Alaric Blackwood walked over to the sofa. He perched on the armrest and looked at the two little ones. "Osborne," he asked with a smile, "have you finished your homework?"

Zoe Osborne looked up at him. "I’m not Julian Blackwood. I finished mine ages ago."

Alaric Blackwood reached out and tugged his son’s ear. "Upstairs. Homework. Now."

"He won’t do it," Zoe Osborne said. "He always copies mine. If I don’t let him, he corners me after school."

Julian Blackwood: ...

"He forced me to come here today. I never said I’d be his wife when I grow up. He’s so dumb, he can’t even copy homework correctly."

Julian Blackwood rolled his eyes at her. "What do you know? I made mistakes on purpose. Otherwise, the teacher would’ve noticed."

"Always trying to be clever."

Zoe Osborne stood up, planting her small hands on her hips. Her authoritative air was even more impressive than Alaric Blackwood’s. "No more Peppa Pig. You’re a big boy now, why are you still watching cartoons? Your father told you to go upstairs and do your homework."

Scolded by her, Julian Blackwood actually got up meekly and headed upstairs.

Zoe Osborne didn’t follow him. She glanced at the darkening sky outside and turned to Alaric Blackwood. "Handsome Uncle, could you please call my dad and have him come pick me up?"

After rattling off her father’s phone number, the little girl added, "My house isn’t far. I live just back there."

She pointed toward a maple forest, where a manor-like building stood. It was the residence of Mr. Osborne.

"My dad’s name is Caleb Osborne."

Alaric Blackwood let out a soft "Oh." So this little girl was the daughter of Caleb Osborne, the leading figure in the furniture industry.

’Things are getting more and more interesting,’ he thought.

He crossed his arms, a smile playing on his lips as he looked at Zoe Osborne. "Since you live so close, in the same neighborhood, why don’t I just walk you home?"

Zoe Osborne thought for a moment. "Okay."

Alaric Blackwood gestured for her to follow, then turned to Sophie Shaw. "Honey, I’m going to walk the kid home. Might as well pay a visit to my future in-laws while I’m at it."

(The End)