In Love, Never Say Never

“Actually…”

Ding, ding, ding!

Just when I was about to resolve the conflict between them, the emcee, who was standing on the podium, tapped a spoon against his glass in front of the microphone. Hence, I could only swallow back the words at the tip of my tongue.

“Today is Mr. William Queen’s seventieth birthday. May the coming years bring even more happiness and good health to him. Now, let’s invite his son, Mr. Bryson to come up and say a few words!”

With that, Bryson went up on stage as the guests applauded.

“Thank you to all my friends for coming to celebrate my father’s birthday today. There’s nothing really great about me, but one thing about me that hasn’t disappointed my family is my ability to make money. Despite that, my father still worries about me, so I wish him a long life full of happiness and good health!”

“What a filial son!”

The emcee expertly hyped up the atmosphere and the hall immediately erupted with thunderous applause.

Right then, a figure flashed below the stage and walked directly to the emcee. After whispering a few words, he passed a square wooden box to the emcee and swiftly stepped off the stage.

The podium was quite far from my position, so I couldn’t see the person clearly, but he looked vaguely familiar to me. I just couldn’t put a finger on where I had seen him before.

Soon, the emcee spoke into the microphone again. “Ladies and gentlemen, it seems like you’re all very lucky today. Ms. Thora Ziegler knew that Mr. Queen Sr. likes antiques, so she specially searched for a very precious item to present as a birthday gift to him. The gift is currently in my hands. Everyone, please take a look!”

The emcee held the box with both hands and opened it in front of the guests. Following that, the cameraman in charge of recording the event aimed the lens at the box. In the next second, the antique inside the box was displayed on the large screen behind the podium. It was a Turlen bead.

The emcee gazed at the item in his hand and didn’t forget to explain excitedly, “If I’m not mistaken, this is the earliest bead found in ancient Turlen and it’s worth more than two hundred and fifty million! Last year, after the auction in M Country, a private buyer kept it as a collection and it hasn’t emerged since then. What a surprise to know that it was, in fact, Ms. Ziegler who bought it! This is truly remarkable!”

This emcee was considered rather knowledgeable. To me, it was merely a bead the size of a finger. I never expected it to be of such great value.

Most importantly, the bead’s price provided some food for thought. Two hundred and fifty million seemed to have a strong interrelation with the lawsuit.

The guests present had seen their fair share of the world started discussing among themselves in hushed whispers.

“Isn’t it obvious from the price that the Zieglers are settling things peacefully with Bryson? Perhaps this gift can resolve the conflict between both families.”

“This was completely out of my expectations. Here we were, waiting to see that woman make a fool out of herself, but it looks like she came prepared.”

“True. If she didn’t, the company she established on her own would be crushed. Since she publicly presented the bead as a birthday gift, there’s no way Bryson can reject it. It seems like he won’t be able to get his revenge anymore.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Thora Ziegler is really something. After swindling him out of two hundred million, she’s compensating him with a measly amount of fifty million. Remind me not to get on her bad side…”

Most of the discussions were about the same, with many of the guests aiming hostile and mocking remarks at her, but at the end of the day, they were just envious of how well she played her cards and wished they could master the ability of defeating someone without lifting a finger as well.

Amid the animated discussions, the strain in Bryson’s smile as he stood on stage was evident, but like everyone expected, a son would never make a scene at his own father’s birthday banquet. Very soon, he regained his composure. Gracefully accepting the bead from the emcee, he studied it casually before nodding, making sure to plaster a satisfied look on his face.

Just when everyone thought that Bryson was going to begrudgingly accept Thora’s indirect apology, he closed the wooden box, took the microphone and walked off the stage. Stopping at the nearest table, he picked up a bottle of whiskey and poured three glasses full before facing the crowd with a broad smile.

“Ms. Ziegler.” Bryson easily found Thora among the crowd. Subsequently, the spotlight fell on her and the people around her. “I really don’t know how to thank you for such an extravagant gift. Why don’t I offer you three toasts as an expression of my gratitude? I wonder if you’ll accept, Ms. Ziegler?”

In love, never say never chapter 1327

“Wow, I never expected Bryson to pull such a trick. At least he’s doing right by us men.”

“The glasses are filled to the brim. Wouldn’t drinking all three burn a hole right through the stomach? Isn’t he a little bit too savage?”

“What do you know? Let this serve as a lesson for that conniving woman!”

“Hmp! You guys don’t know yet, do you? To kickstart her business when she first established her company, she’d already damaged her stomach from too much social drinking. She won’t merely suffer from drinking these three glasses of whiskey, she’d probably lose her life! I never expected Bryson Queen to be such a ruthless man!”

I was bewildered by all the gossip, wondering which part was true and which was false. However, when I noticed Thora remaining motionless after a long time, I surmised that the larger part of it was true.

Just like when Bryson received the gift on stage, Thora was caught between a rock and a hard place, hesitating to agree to drink the glasses of whiskey.

In a world where power and money were supreme, both sides would never be able to truly end their dispute if they didn’t put down their egos and apologize.

At that moment, everyone’s eyes were focused on Thora as they waited for her response with bated breaths. The air seemed to freeze and except for the faint static sound coming from the microphone, the entire hall was quiet.

Finally, after a good ten seconds, Thora’s expression changed subtly and she walked toward Bryson. Without a word, she polished off all three glasses of whiskey.

The guests couldn’t help from gasping aloud. Even Bryson was taken aback, probably not expecting her to be so cooperative.

After downing three glasses of whiskey, Thora didn’t look too good, but things didn’t seem to be as exaggerated as the gossiping crowd made it sound. Under the hollers of the emcee and the guests, she even shook hands to make peace with Bryson.

Everyone was naturally happy to see their harmonious interaction. Soon after, Thora and Bryson returned to enjoying the banquet.

I kept my attention on Thora the whole time, but the crowd was too thick and I lost sight of her in the blink of an eye. Later on, Emma informed me that she had already left through the back door.

Thora left, Bryson brought a cheque

day of celebration. This is my reward to you and Brooklyn.

he stuffed the cheque into

down, I saw one hundred and fifty million written on it. Although I knew Bryson was loaded, this still came

be collected as the attorney fees. Even if Bryson paid us the hundred million as promised, it would

a bit too much?” I

so much, Ms. Stovall. You both deserve this. Besides, we already agreed on this. The extra

I had no choice but to temporarily accept it and get Brooklyn

pay a price. Although Bryson didn’t look like he was laying out a trap for me, there was no way to be completely certain. Hence, I thought it wouldn’t hurt

woman is probably hooked up to an IV drip

mean, Mr. Stovall?”

that Thora’s stomach can’t handle alcohol?”

face instantly fell. “I had no

and saying dismally, “Jesus! I simply wanted to do things the way we do it at home. To the Queens, an apology isn’t an apology until alcohol is involved. If I knew about this earlier, I would never have asked her to

fine. Serves her right anyway. There’s no need to feel guilty

a trip to the hospital. Sorry

never say

behavior was actually comical and genuinely

bit. The moment Bryson heard that Thora might be hospitalized, he became so nervous and even left

was currently at loggerheads with her. I couldn’t help but feel suspicious when he abruptly

seen whether

left, should we leave too?” Emma was probably tired. We had an

affirmed that I had already greeted most of them, so there was really no

banquet ranked first on social media, with

showering, I lay in bed while scrolling through social media, but inadvertently caught a glimpse of a headline that was soaring

Hospital

any better, they’d think they’re in a love triangle after reading this

of the three of them entering the same hospital at different times. Not

this topic kept posting the latest information. At present, only photos of Bryson leaving the hospital were taken. Hence, it was safe to

looked like her condition was quite

the site several times, hoping to see some news about Ashton, but the

that Ashton was

my heart

allow her

he hasn’t even called to update me. I understand that he wants to gain Thora’s trust, but he doesn’t have to try so hard, right? Can he even sleep well in the

about it, the angrier I got. In the end, I called

up the call very quickly. “Why aren’t you

ask you the same thing.” I intentionally

“Hospital,” Ashton replied.

anger and didn’t know what to say all of

Did something happen?” Ashton

a hundred million in legal fee and wanted to share the news with you,” I said while grabbing the pillow

are ideal wife material, hmm? At this rate, I won’t be able to catch up with your money-making

spoke honeyed words when they felt

that. Once you collaborate with Thora, I’m afraid money would fall into your lap with a mere snap

probably sense that I was

sigh. After a few seconds, he found his voice again. “The medical team that’s developing the antidote for you just happened to be in this hospital, so I’m staying back to check their progress. Did you think I

pillow aside to sit upright. Pressing my

the trials will commence immediately. If it’s a success, they’ll make it available for your use at once. When that time comes, our hands and feet will no longer be tied. We’ll be able to deal

say

and continued speaking through puffed cheeks, “Get home as

foreign and sounded like it belonged to a man.

to the voice before turning back to me. “I have to deal with some stuff here, so you should go on to bed without me. I’ll text

hung up before I could manage a “goodbye”

call history, something

with his work, my phone buzzed—it was a WhatsApp

broke out on my face, thinking that he

noticed a faint glow coming from Summer’s room. Seeing that her

awake at this hour. She sat before her brightly lit computer with her head leaning down, doing

this happened was when Stella tried to get close to Summer. I already transferred Stella to the Logistics Department and made sure

in me as I tiptoed behind Summer to get a better look. It turned out that Summer was practicing some fourth-grade math questions with the guidance of an online

sight before me. Summer had just started school, yet she had somehow attained this

head was still lowered, focusing on the fourth-grade workbook before her. She was so

can such a tiny human being look so mature

startle her before asking my question, “What are you up to,

me whilst eagerly motioning to the contents of her workbook. “Math equations are so fun, and Mr. Cress said I’m really good at solving them! He even assigned some extra homework so that I can practice.