Laurence looked slightly embarrassed. “I haven’t finished knitting yet. I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t had time to continue. Once this busy period passes, I’ll make time to finish that sweater.“I’ll try my best to have it ready before winter so I can give it to Noelle. As for Xavier and Devon, let them learn if they want to. If I can learn to knit a sweater for Noelle, they can certainly do the same for Callie and Clo.“If they truly love them, then there’s nothing they wouldn’t do for them.”Laurence was the perfect example. Because he genuinely loved Noelle, he was willing to do anything for her.No one around him knew how to knit. It was just an offhand suggestion from Chloe, but he had taken it seriously and learned it.“True. As elders, we can tell at a glance whether someone’s feelings are genuine.”When it came to his precious daughter’s future happiness, Zachary had exceptionally high standards for his future son-in-law.If Xavier’s feelings contained even the

While the two men chatted inside the house, Noelle accompanied Serenity and the others on a walk.Jane asked her, “Laurence took over Longbottom Corp today. Did everything go smoothly?”“Yes. Ever since Mr. Laurence came to Havenmill, he’s been keeping an eye on Longbottom Corporation. He understands all the industries the company is involved in, so taking over wasn’t a problem for him.“As for Manny, he did try to make things difficult for Mr. Laurence. He tried to use an important client to pressure Mr. Laurence, but it was easily resolved. The client didn’t dare to say anything either.”Jane finally relaxed. “That’s good. We weren’t that worried about him, but if things really become difficult, you have to tell us. Laurence sometimes refuses to ask us for help.”Laurence was the eldest among the children. It might also be because he had no biological parents or siblings, which caused him to develop such an independent personality. Other than matters of the heart, where he had s

After a moment of silence, Noelle said, “I’ll think about it some more and give Mr. Laurence my answer in two days.”“Mm. Think carefully. Remember what we told you. Don’t overcomplicate things.”Noelle nodded.Her heart felt warm.She was an orphan. Her life was unfortunate, but in a way, fortunate. She met Doc, who had taken her in. Because she often accompanied Laurence to visit the Johnsons and the Yorks, the elders of these prominent families had come to know her and grow fond of her.They all treated her and Laurence extremely well. Whatever Laurence had, she would too. Sometimes, she would even receive what Laurence did not have.Those families all favored daughters over sons because they shared one common trait and that was that their families had more men than women. Thus, they treasured women especially. They had very few daughters of their own, so even someone like Noelle, who could not even be considered a goddaughter, was able to experience parental love and warmth f

“If there’s nothing else, son, I’m hanging up. I’m on a walk with Jane and Lilian.”“Mom, when will you guys be back?”Heath hurriedly asked out of fear that if he was too slow about it, his mother would hang up on him.He noticed that whenever they were on holiday, they were always very impatient when they were on calls with him.Were they annoyed he was disturbing their lovey-dovey time?They had been married for decades now and were even more affectionate than young couples were. It was truly enviable.Heath hoped one day he too would find someone who shared his values and that they remained deeply in love into their old age.Grandma May was not around anymore.If she were, she would definitely help them out with finding matches.Liam and Tania were worried too, but they did not get as personally involved like Grandma May did when she was arranging her grandsons’ matches.He really missed his great-nana. Why had God not let her live until she was a hundred and twenty?“I

“That’s just how she is. When the urge comes, she’ll just drag my dad off for a holiday on a whim. The moment they make a run for it, I have to take over everything at home and at work. It’s so tiring. It’s seriously not easy being the head of the family.”Sonny laughed. “Of course it isn’t. You’re in a good position, though, with so many younger cousins to help share the burden. You mainly handle matters at the HQ, so it’s pretty easy for you. Besides, you’ve got Xavier.”“I don’t have anyone else to rely on. Jiggy has her own responsibilities, so I can’t rely on her.”He only had one sister and they both had their own responsibilities and burdens to bear.If they really had to compare, Jeanne had a heavier weight on her shoulders.She bore the burden of a whole family.At Sonny’s remarks, Heath gave it a moment of thought, then agreed with a smile, “When you put it like that, I am very lucky. It’s true that every single one of my cousins is very impressive and they help me shar