“Norton, women prefer sweet-talkers and men who know how to coax them. You may have made mistakes in the past but I am sure Sabrina would forgive you if you are sincere.Don’t let her go easily if you still like her.” Jenna encouraged him as she stood up.


    Norton’s eyes lit up momentarilybut were soon extinguished by self-doubt.


    Norton had just started his careerand he hadn’t had much achievement yet. General Delia had high expectations. So, he didn’t have the confidence to approach Sabrina yet.


    Jenna smiled and advised him.“Norton,no matter what you do, always keep in mind that as long as you work hard and treat people with sincerity,you will get what you give out to them. The universe never mistreats anyone. You’re not young anymore. Not only do you have to elerate your career advancement,you should also be mature and earnest when ites to your rtionship. Women are emotional beings. As long as you are genuine and patient, you might just get what you have always wanted.”


    Norton listened to Jenna’s words. He looked at Sabrina, who was jogging in the Ink Garden, and his mind stirred.


    Jenna left after she finished her sentence.


    Norton stood there for a while before walking towards Sabrina in resolute steps.


    “Sabrina, have you been well? Thank you for your help in taking care of the Richards Group.” Norton followed behind Sabrina and gradually picked up the pace to jog along.


    The familiar scent of Norton travelled along the morning breeze towards her. Her face flushed redder as she jogged. She pursed her lips and turned to face him with a distant expression.


    “I came here to help because Grandma always treated me well and also because Jenna was here. It has nothing to do with you. You really didn’t have to thank me.” Sabrina stopped and answered coldly.


    Norton was embarrassed and stuttered. He was the one who was at fault after all and Sabrina has every right to be mad.


    Sabrina turned around and started jogging again.


    “Sabrina, I’ve let you down in the past. I know that I’ve hurt you. Please give me a chance to make it up to you, alright?” Norton followed behind her and blocked her way, pleading with her in a sincere tone.


    Sabrina nced at him and snorted. “Mr. Richards, there’s really no need for that. I’ve already given up on you. There’s no future between us.”


    She had no reason to trust him anymore, judging from the things he had done in the past and how he deceived her.


    “Sabrina, I know I lost your respectbut I’ll prove myself to you. I am sure you’d ept me again when you see how much I have changed.” Norton refused to give up and followed her shamelessly.


    Sabrina remained unmoved and ignored him.


    Nortonfollowed behind her patiently.


    Sabrina jogged as Norton followed. The two of them ran on the running track in the Ink Garden.


    Sabrina felt a sudden annoyance.


    After the secondp, the footsteps behind seemed to have disappeared. She felt a little surprised and curious, and turned her head to look.


    Norton was standing under a parasol tree talking on the phone. The morning sun shone on his tall figure. He lookedperfect from the side view.


    It was apparent that her mind was in chaos. She didn’t even hear when Norton’s phone rang.


    She looked around and calmed down slowly.


    Sabrina felt that Norton had truly changed. He had be much more mature and reliable.


    He looked less gloomy and more confident. He also exuded an air of unswerving determination, with a radiant glow on his face.


    The change in Norton’s movements seemed to be captivating her even more.


    Sabrina suddenly noticed that her heart had always belonged to Norton. Even when she tried to ignore those feelings she had for him, his shadow would always linger on the back of her mind and appear out of the blue to interfere with her determination to move forward.


    Her heart was pounding fast.


    She ran anotherp and stopped. She bit her lip and stood still on the track.


    Norton was still talking on the phone. He looked serious and focused. It seemed as if he was giving orders.


    Sabrina didn’t want to be near him again. She ran away towards the exit after a moment of consideration.


    Breakfast was served at the Ink Garden. It was a rare andblissful event for Richards Manor as Old Master Richards’ family had all gathered due to Vivian’s illness. The long rectangr table was filled with all sorts of sumptuous dishes. The family sat ording to their seniority, with joyful expressions on their faces.


    “Norton, how is the Americanpany now?” ude had resolved some of the misunderstanding he had with Norton over the years after the kidnapping incident.He wasn’t as guarded as he used to be when it came to Norton now. He knew Jenna had sent Norton to the United States to start a newpany and he supported the idea. He was rather pleased at his achievement thus far as Norton was his only son.


    “Don’t worry, Dad. Thepany is doing great and has huge potential there. Jenna had nned everything well in the States. Sess wille naturally,” he replied joyfully. Norton had heard about how Trevor and Hansen had sacrificed themselves to save ude and he was very touched by their actions.


    ude nodded approvingly.


    “That’s good. You must do your best and produce phenomenal results.Richards Group is still trapped in a sticky situation. Luxury cars have always been the backbone industry of Richards Group. Therefore, it must continue. You must make sure that thepany will be strong enough to support and back Richards Group when necessary.” ude reminded him.


    ude was not a fool. The Richards Group was not out of the woods yet. There was still a long way to go for them. He already knew the crimes of the Xanthe family when he was still living in Africa but he could not find any evidence against them. He was well aware of Yadriel’s means of doing things. It is important and essential for the family to unite and fight against the enemy now.


    “Rest assured, father. I’ll do my best. I won’t let you down,” Norton replied confidently with a smile.


    Trevor and ude both nodded.


    Sabrina was sitting next to Jenna. She lowered her head and ate her breakfast without a word.


    “Norton, you’re a grown up now. You should start thinking about yourself when thepany gets on track.” Maria reminded him. She was always worried about Norton’s marriage and has cried many times in secret over this.As she saw how Norton had changed to be so capable and confident, she felt more assured about his future to establish a family of his own.


    Norton’s face turned sour. He nced at Sabrina before burying himself in his breakfast.


    “Madam Madeline sent someone over to propose a marriage again a few days ago. She wanted to marry her youngest granddaughter, Carme, to you. She’s been here several times before.” Maria sat next to Norton, and looked lovingly at him.She then added with a smile, “Let’s arrange for a meeting since you are back? Carme is beautiful and she’s a youngdy from a well-known family. I honestly think she’s not bad at all.”


    Jenna was stunned when she heard that.


    Madam Madeline had indeed sent someone to discuss the possible union of Norton and Carme. Jenna was the head of the family. So, she knew what had happened. Carme Newton was the youngest daughter of the Newtons’ eldest son. She was well-educatedand it was said that she ran a rather sessful business.She wasn’t young anymore but she hadn’t found anyone she liked.To put it simply,Carmewas a sessful business woman who was still single.


    Vivian was aware of this when she was still alert but shedid notment much regarding the marriage arrangement.Shedid, however, decline the offer tactfully with the excuse that Norton had a history of being jailed.


    The family knew that Madam Madelinewanted Carme to marry Norton as she was interested in the Richards family’s wealth and influence. Madam Madeline wanted them to get married so that she could infiltrate the family.


    Madam Madelinehad always been an astute woman. The marriages in the Newton family had always been arranged between families within their own ss. They only focused on profits even when it came to marriages. Frederic Newton’s marriage was a good example of it.


    The Richards family’s influence and wealth in A City was unrivalled. The Old Madam had long wanted to ally herself with the Richards family. She took it as an opportunity by using Norton’s mistakes as an excuse to arrange a marriage. She thought the Richards family would be desperate as Norton had a record and was jailed before.


    Madam Madeline thought the marriage offer would be a sign of respect towards the Richards familyand believed that the Richards family would be extremely grateful for the offer.


    “Mom, Grandma is on her deathbedand I’m here to see her. Let’s talk about marriageter.” Norton’s gaze once again fell on Sabrina. She was drinking her milk slowly, pretending as if nothing had happened.He felt a wave of disappointment and replied to Maria half-heartedly.


    “No, you have to meet Carme this time,and get to know her first.Look at you. You are not young anymore. You should have started nning for a family long ago. I am still looking forward to having a grandson. Now that someone has taken a fancy to you, and shees from a pretty noble and well-respected family too. Don’t miss this opportunity.” Maria nagged disapprovingly as she saw how disinterested Norton appeared.


    Norton’s brows furrowed. He looked irritated.


    “Alright, let’s not talk about this matter anymore. He’s already an adult. Hecould make his own decision.” ude chimed in faintly when he heard the conversation.


    Maria stoppedining after ude intervened.


    The breakfast still ended in a warm and harmonious atmosphere.


    The central air-conditioning of the luxury hotel was cool and cozy. The suite was cool like the spring weather although it was a hot summer.


    Madam Lilian got up early today. After drinking a cup of green tea, she walked around the room.


    She was very excitedand her face had a healthy glow.


    Quina had gone to the hospital to get the DNA test results. She would soon know whether Sara was indeed her biological daughter.


    It had been 50 years. The day Madam Lilian had been looking forward to had finally arrived that day.


    What an exciting moment it was!


    Although she had affirmed and confirmed Sara from the bottom of her heart, she still wanted to see the scientific proof.


    Madam Lilian was detailed and careful. She couldn’t be sloppy even though she thought of Sara as her own daughter.


    She was in a good mood that day. She wore a deep red dress and even matched it with a maroon shawl as a celebratory sign.


    If the results were confirmed, then she would visit the Francist Community immediately with Quina to meet and acknowledge Sara. Then, they could have a good talk as mother and daughter.Madam Lilian nned topensate her for all the lost time.


    Whenever she thought about Sara’s tragic situation, Madam Lilian’s eyes would turn redand her heart would ache.


    That poor child.


    She took a deep breath andthought about ways of making it up to Sara. She wanted her to be happy. Madam Lilian wanted to y the role of her mother.


    Time ticked bybut Quina was still nowhere to be seen.


    Madam Lilian paced back and forth anxiously in the room. She was so excited. She was looking forward to Quina’s arrival yet was also afraid of the moment when they finally acknowledged each other as mother and daughter.


    She didn’t know if Sara would acknowledge her as her mother. After all, Madam Lilian was absent from Sara’s life when she was growing up. She was never there for her when she was in distress and needed help.


    If she was being honest with her feelings, Madam Lilian would probably feel too ashamed to see Sara when the moment arrived.


    Her heart wandered as her restless footsteps echoed in the room.She couldn’t calm herself down.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Time passed by slowly.


    The door was pushed open quietly.


    Quina walked in with a smile.