Chapter 54

“Yes, I know,” Blake nodded, unfazed.

The clerk, noting his nonchalance, immediately asked him to pay for the rake. “Your phone number?”

Blake complied. The digits were all the same. The clerk was stunned. It was unprecedented. After entering the number, she was shocked. Blake was a distinguished VIP customer of Happy Sweets, one of only a few worldwide. VIP customer numbers were recorded in the system; they received complimentary service.

“Well?” Blake asked nonchalantly.

“I’ll write down the address for you. Don’t forget to deliver it,” Blake instructed.

The clerk excitedly provided pen and paper; he wrote down the address in beautiful script. After Blake left, she immediately messaged the group chat, announcing the supreme VIP customer. Happy Sweets offered a $3000 bonus for serving such a client.

Thomas was at home, anxiously awaiting Blake’s return. Yolanda remained calm and expressionless. The housekeeper announced, “Mr. Blake is back.”

“Really? I’ll go welcome him myself!” Thomas exclaimed, delighted at seeing Blake after so long. Connie Yates (his first wife) and Penny Yates (his second wife) hurried to see him, surprised he had returned safe and sound after being left unattended in the northern suburbs.

They went outside. Blake arrived on an electric bike.

“Blake’s riding an electric bike?” Connie mocked.

Penny clicked her tongue. “He looks so pitiful.”

Their remarks were deliberately sarcastic. Seeing Blake, Thomas felt a pang of heartache. He thought, Our family is among the top ten richest, yet my son returns on an electric bike?

“Blake!” he shouted excitedly.

“Dad,” Blake nodded.

Thomas embraced him, stammering, “You’re recovered? Really?”

“Yes,” Blake nodded.

Chapter 51

“You’ve recovered so well. You must have met someone…miraculous.”

“Well, I’m back. I’m going to light you guys up for the family fortune.” Everyone was surprised by his unexpected response.

“Blake, we’re glad you’re back. Thomas and I worried about you,” Yolanda said, breaking the silence.

“Right. Now that I’ve recovered, you’re all worried about me. I was a cripple in the northern suburbs; no one cared.” Yolanda sighed.

Thomas realized Blake seemed changed. He used to be quiet and reserved, aloof. Now, he was talkative and sharp-tongued.

“I was just kidding. Don’t take it seriously. As a family, we should love and care for each other. Right, Dad?”

“Of course. We’re family. Let bygones be bygones,” Thomas quickly smoothed things over.

Mort stepped forward. “Blake, you’ve changed. You actually like to joke now?”

Blake nodded. “Indeed, I’ve changed. After all, I went through a lot.”

“Don’t just stand here. Let’s go inside and eat,” Thomas said, patting Blake’s shoulder.

At the table, everyone ate absentmindedly. Blake was used to this. After eating, Thomas summoned him to the study.

Blake briefly recounted his ordeal, explaining the Galvez family saved him, and he recovered under Isabel’s care.

Thomas sighed, “Who knows? The engagement suggested by the fortune teller turned out so well for you. Remember, you were against it, protesting I arranged a fiancée without your consent. Now you know I only wanted the best for you.”

“Yes, I’m grateful, Dad,” Blake said, admitting that without Thomas’s insistence on the fortune teller’s suggestion and arranging the engagement with the Galvez family, he might not have met Isabel.

Thomas said, “I admire the Galvez family. They’re stand-up people. To think they cared for you after what happened. I used to look down on their background, but not anymore. By the way, bring your fiancée; I want to meet her.”

“I will,” Blake promised.

Thomas added, “Also, I want you back at the company. Of all my sons, I value you most. I have high hopes for you.”

“Thank you, Dad. I’ll join you in a few days,” Blake nodded. He had made significant profits for the company as CEO of Yates Corporation; he was a business prodigy, valued by Thomas for his intelligence.

When Blake left the study, Yolanda waited outside.

She asked, “What did Thomas talk to you about?”

“He wants me back at the company. I’m letting you down this time,” he replied coldly.

Having returned, he no longer needed her love; he was indifferent.

“Do you hate me?” Yolanda asked.

“No. You think too highly of yourself. You’re not worth it,” he said, then left.

Yolanda fumed, thinking, Blake has always been nice to me. How can he be so cold now?

Chapter 31

At the University of Ardenfall, Isabel finished class and was startled. I subconsciously looked for Blake. Seriously? Has it become a habit?

“Isabel, are you looking for me?” Blake appeared behind her.

“What? That’s rich,” she turned around.

“I saw you looking for me. Since I said I’d pick you up, let’s go.” He took her hand.

“You…” She tried to pull away.

But he said, “Don’t move. I just want to hold your hand. Humor me, for the sake of the cake I bought you.” He held and even shook her hand.

Isabel was speechless. Is he being coquettish? The cake had caused much envy. A $3000 cake was more like gold!

Yvette sneered, calling Isabel a poser, saying she couldn’t afford the cake and that Blake, a delivery guy, must have spent months’ salary on it, calling him a fool for supporting someone so pretentious. She concluded, “How pathetic.”