"Mommy is number one, Nicole is second, and Grandpa and Grandma are tied for third, and..." Joshua trailed off.Shawn raised an eyebrow. "I'm not even in the top three?""You... barely make fifth. Fourth is Great Grandpa," Joshua replied. "Just because you bought me a star.""Thank you so much.""You're welcome, Shawn. By this calculation, Uncle Aurum ranks sixth."Shawn let out a cold laugh. "In your heart, he's just behind me.""For now, that's the order. You need to work hard and strive to get into the top three. Keep it up," Joshua said, patting Shawn on the shoulder. Shawn did not even glance at him and walked straight into the living room.Gale watched this scene with amazement. "You two are so oddly affectionate today. Did your relationship suddenly improve?"Joshua eagerly wrapped an arm around Shawn's neck. "We just collaborated on something big!""What big thing?""We..."Shawn suddenly coughed twice."Secret. Can't tell you." Joshua quickly changed his tune.
Shawn looked at Joshua again. "Now do you understand how I felt when you ranked me fifth?"Fifth was bad enough, but he was so reluctant to even place him there and even ranked Aurum directly behind him. Ha! Now, with Nicole's help, Shawn had taken sweet revenge, delivering a blow that left Joshua reeling.Joshua clutched his chest dramatically, feigning distress. "It's okay, it's okay. Nicole, go on."Nicole blinked, puzzled. "Joshua, is this ranking so hard to accept? Usually, parents are ranked first and second."Nicole tried to comfort him. "If you want to be second in my heart, you can be."A glimmer of hope sparked in Joshua's eyes."Daddy and Mommy can share the first place, and you can be second," Nicole said happily. "How about that?"Joshua was speechless. What was so great about that? He was still behind Shawn.Nicole looked at Shawn, confused. "Daddy, what's wrong with Joshua?"She was a bit uneasy."Nothing. Don't worry about him. So, Nicole, who's fourth in your
Joshua turned away. "Here we go again with the PDA, hmph! Think of us single folks!"Gale laughed as she leaned into Shawn's embrace. Home felt so warm. This was what a complete and harmonious family looked like. No matter what challenges they faced outside, their home was filled with love and joy. Darkness and hatred had no place in this happy family."Oh, by the way. When you came back, you barely stepped inside before leaving again. Joshua said it was an emergency meeting at the company?" Gale said, lifting her head from Shawn's chest."Yes, that's right.""What was so urgent on a weekend?"Shawn raised an eyebrow. "Mrs. Wood is suddenly curious about my work?""Am I not allowed to care?""Of course, you can. After all, you are the major shareholder of Wood Group. I work for you and have an obligation to report to you anytime. You also have the right to inquire," Shawn replied.Gale laughed and tried to cover his mouth. "You and your smooth talk.""I'm serious." Shawn grasp
"I even know your bank account password."Gale frowned, feeling uneasy. "Shawn, be honest with me. Stop kidding around. Are you doing this because something happened? Or are you trying to prevent something in the future?" she said, pulling his earlobe gently.Shawn knew that such a sudden move would raise suspicions. Being evasive was not a solution. He glanced at their two children: one watching cartoons, the other tirelessly working on a Rubik's cube. It was a happy and heartwarming scene. Shawn cherished these moments with his family of four. He wanted to enjoy this kind of life forever and feared losing it.Shawn lowered his head onto her shoulder, "The Wood family has always been complex."Gale was taken aback. Since returning to Sea City with the children, she and Shawn had not discussed the Wood family in such seriousness.She asked, "Shawn, your stepmother and your stepbrother no longer pose any threat. Now, the main figures in the Wood family are your father, you, me, a
She had been indulged for so long that she had developed a slight temper. She could not bear even the slightest grievance now, almost on the verge of tears. This was not the Gale everyone knew. Shawn had spoiled her into becoming pampered and fragile.In the past, Gale had thought being too delicate was not good; she needed to be independent and strong. Now, she realized that being cherished and spoiled for a lifetime was a blessing.Sniffling, Gale forcefully held back her tears. Shawn, of course, noticed the tremor in her voice. His heart clenched painfully. It hurt. Seeing her cry pained him more than anything."Silly..." Shawn kissed her gently on the corner of her eye. "I was just talking hypothetically with you. It's not real.""Hypothetical talk is not allowed!""Do you rely on me that much?" He pinched her nose lightly. "My Galey, you used to never cry so easily. Now, you shed tears at the drop of a hat, you're even more fragile than Nicole.""It's all because you've spoi
"No, no! You're being too pessimistic!" Galey shook her head repeatedly. "We will be very happy together and grow old watching Joshua and Nicole grow up, get married, and have children. We'll be an old man and old lady together."She nudged his nose. "I already have silver hair. Do I look like an old man?""Not at all, you don't!" Shawn chuckled softly. Galey wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling anxious despite his assurances, as if he might leave at any moment. She wanted to hold onto him, to feel his presence."You said you're afraid something might happen to you, so you've transferred all the shares to me… Aren't you worried something might happen to me?" Galey asked."Don't say silly things, I will protect you.""But what if, hypothetically..." Galey shrugged, using his words against him. "Isn't that what you just said? We're both human; accidents can happen unexpectedly in the future."Shawn replied, "Galey, haven't you forgotten... I am the president of Wood Group? I
In the CEO's office of Wood Group, the lawyer arrived early and meticulously reviewed contracts with Shawn, confirming each clause with him one by one. It was crucial to double-check everything because it involved billions of assets within the group."I won't keep a single share under my name. Transfer them all to my wife," Shawn said calmly."Mr. Wood, should we add a clause where Mrs. Wood holds the shares on behalf of Master Joshua and Miss Nicole, to be transferred to them once they reach adulthood?" the lawyer asked cautiously"Maybe, maybe not," Shawn replied.The lawyer could not help but advise, "Mr. Wood, to be safe, I strongly recommend adding it. Just in case, I mean, hypothetically..."This task was difficult, and the lawyer was clearly uneasy."If Mrs. Wood divorces you in the future, all these shares will belong solely to her, and you won't get anything. Are you sure about unconditionally transferring everything to Mrs. Wood?"Who could guarantee lifelong fidelity
Saying this, Shawn glanced at the time on his watch. "Gale will be here soon. Don't say anything suspicious in front of her. She's perceptive and tends to overthink, got it?"Joe sighed repeatedly. "I've seen men dote on their wives but never like you.""If you marry Summer, would you do the same as I did?" Shawn asked.Joe nodded. "I would.""Then what else is there to say?" Shawn left Joe speechless with his logical retort. Footsteps could be heard outside the door. They were soft and gentle, so everyone could tell it was Gale. Shawn nudged Joe with his foot and gestured with his eyes."Okay, okay, I get it." Joe nodded repeatedly. "Don't worry, I'll be tactful."Shawn replied softly, "That's for the best."As Gale walked in through the door, she smiled. "Oh? So many people here, Joe and Sonny.""Mrs. Wood, I've drafted all the terms of this contract, so I needed to sync up with Mr. Wood. Since he's fine with it, please review the contract," Sonny, the lawyer, greeted her.G