Chapter 283

Jessica bolted. Connor, panicked, scooped up his daughter and lunged after her. "Jessica, what are you doing? We're supposed to be traveling!" His voice cracked. But Jessica wouldn't stop. She rushed to Carly, her face a mask of shock, then a sneer.

Connor, still clutching his daughter, pursued her, only to be slapped hard across the face. "So that's who had you captivated," Jessica sneered. "Your first love."

Carly and Ronald stared, dumbfounded. Stacey, watching from the sidelines, her expression darkening, said to Carly, "Let's go. It's been years."

"Don't leave!" Jessica's voice was a sharp command.

Ronald stepped in front of Carly, his gaze fixed on Jessica. "What do you want?"

Jessica, after a long look, finally recognized him. "Ronald?"

Ronald frowned. "It's none of your business." He turned to Carly. "Mom, let's go."

"Wait!" Jessica shouted. "Does Ronald still have the Zane surname?" She turned to Connor. "Since you're divorced from Carly, let's change his surname. Let him take his mother's."

Connor was exasperated. "Jessica, be reasonable!"

Jessica's fury erupted. "Unreasonable? You and your mother hate me because I only have a daughter! I want Ronald's surname changed today! If not, I'm leaving, and you two can rot!"

Connor glared, his face grim. "Jessica!"

From beside Jessica, her little girl piped up, "I hate you!" Ronald frowned, but a flicker of interest crossed his face. He’d wanted to change his name for years. "Let's change it," he said to Connor. "I don't want to be a Zane."

Connor stiffened. "No! You're a Zane for life!"

Ronald sneered. "Are you kidding? If I didn't need both parents' consent, I would have done it already. I'll change it when I'm old enough, even if you don't agree."

Connor's face blazed. "You—"

Jessica, pleased, exchanged a few words with Ronald, promising to convince Connor. After they left, Carly's worries lingered.

"Will changing his name affect Ronald's grades?" she fretted.

"It's handled," Hayden assured her.

Carly was stunned, then realized the ease with which Becky and Hayden could smooth things over. The thought of Ronald bearing her surname filled her with a quiet joy.

The rest of their trip was unexpectedly pleasant. They extended their stay, returning to Strico in the Hoggard family helicopter.

Ronald and Jeremy, newly graduated from junior high, were already planning their game company. Jeremy's business acumen, honed from years of exposure to the Hoggard world, impressed even Carly. She trusted her sons.

Stacey and Hayden didn't interfere with Jeremy and Ronald's venture. A month later, the boys launched their game. Stacey and Hayden, surprised, downloaded it. It was simple but appealing.

"Jeremy is brilliant," Stacey declared after several days of playing.

"And Ronald," Hayden added with a chuckle.

"Yes, and Ronald," Stacey agreed, smiling. "They're so smart."

"You're smart, too," Hayden said, laughing. Carter's Jewel thrived under Stacey’s leadership.

"I wonder if Ronald will change his surname," Stacey mused.

Hayden paused. "I don't know, but it doesn't matter."

Stacey nodded. "No, it doesn't." Ronald, she knew, could handle the Zanes.

As Stacey reflected on this, Hayden pulled her close, showering her with kisses. Even after years, their love was strong. Every evening, Hayden cherished their time together.