“That’s not necessary. It’s a small matter. You shouldn’t exert yourself just for this.” Zachary said coldly, “I’ll go on my own.”
“I said I will handle it. Didn’t you hear me?” Henry said angrily. “You’re no good at all with your arms this badly injured. Just stay there and get yourself treated. If you’re not well enough, who’s going to handle the mess in Nacht Group?”
Zachary could tell that his grandfather was dead serious this time, and decided not to argue. “Alright, you can go if you like. This problem was started by you, anyway.”
“You’re all grown up now to lecture your grandfather about right and wrong, aren’t you?” Henry shouted.
“Of course not, I wouldn’t dare,” Zachary answered sarcastically, weary of arguing with him. “That’s settled then. You go speak with the Blackwoods. I won’t interfere.”
“You worry about your marriage. Leave this to me.” Without waiting for a reply, Henry hung up.
“This old man…” Zachary couldn’t help smiling.
“You and your grandfather care for each other, but you both refuse to show your soft sides,” Charlotte teased. “Is this a hereditary trait of the Nachts?”
“You’d better get used to this, now that you’re marrying me.” Zachary placed an arm around her shoulder. “Let’s go home and rest. You’ll be able to sleep well tonight.”
“Alright.”
They exited the ward and found Mrs. Berry and the children fast asleep at the lounge.
Fifi was awake and energetic. She was helping herself to a melon when she saw Zachary and Charlotte. “Daddy! Mommy!” Fifi shouted as she flapped her wings.
“Hello, Fifi.” Charlotte coaxed Fifi to perch on her shoulder. “It’s good to be a parrot sometimes,” Charlotte said. “You wouldn’t have to worry about things.”
“Like you,” Zachary teased and picked up the triplets.
Charlotte woke Mrs. Berry up and they went home—tired but happy.
“Daddy, are we going to take pictures for the wedding?” Ellie opened her eyes groggily and whined. “My princess skirt is dirty now. Please remember to tell them to bring me a new skirt.”
“Will do.” Zachary planted a kiss on her hair.
“Mommy, I will protect you when I’m older…” Jamie muttered in his sleep as he drooled all over Zachary’s shoulder.
“Thank you for that, Jamie,” Charlotte said as she tousled his hair lovingly. She bent down and kissed Robbie, who clutched tightly to her clothes even in his sleep, as though he was afraid that she would be taken from him again.
Charlotte felt horribly guilty. She made a promise to herself to defend this family with her life and to face any difficulties together with Zachary. There would be no more ideas on running away.
The incident had brought them closer together, and nothing will be able to tear them apart ever again.
The next day, the family made their way happily to the beach for their photoshoot.
Zachary and Charlotte stood side by side on the beach and vowed in their hearts to spend their lives together, with the sea breeze whipping their hair gently.
The triplets were playing raucously nearby, with Fifi gliding over their heads. Mrs. Berry sat in a corner and watched the happy and contented family with a smile on her face.
Ben could not help but sigh at how wholesome Zachary and his family looked. He voiced his sudden desire to look for a girlfriend. Marino agreed with him.
Henry received the film of the family’s wedding photos. He smiled with content at the children’s happy faces.
“Cheeky rascal. What a nauseating sight!” Henry muttered as he studied Zachary’s handsome features.
“I’m sure you don’t mean it, sir,” Spencer said in a soft voice.
“Eh?” Henry looked up to him and frowned.
“Nothing, sir. I did not say anything.”
Spencer did not dare incur Henry’s wrath.
He went to the Blackwoods for negotiation the day before. He overturned their table in a rage and pointed a fierce finger dangerously close to Sharon’s nose as a warning. If she so much as touched the hair of a member of his family again, he would raze the very foundations of their ancestral home.
He was as ferocious as he was when he was at the peak of his youth.
Every gesture, every gaze struck fear into their hearts.
Sharon was petrified. She wept and begged for forgiveness, promising Henry she would never do it again.
Taylor felt guilty at how he had failed as a father.
Henry left Taylor a piece of advice. “You should manage your family assets wisely. It is all up to you now…”
