"If this is what makes you and your family happiest, then why not?" Rona Muir replied calmly.
Sean Kerr's eyes turned red.
He quickly looked away. "You don't believe I was set up, do you?"
"No, I believe you. You're not that kind of person." Rona Muir remained calm. "I've known you for over ten years. You've always been a gentleman, never forcing anyone to do anything—except for Ran Xiwei. She was the only one you broke your principles for. For anyone else, you wouldn't."
"Rona, if you know me so well, why would you say something like that?" Sean couldn't hold back his tears. "You know that even if I marry Molly Mao, we won't be happy."
"But you have to look forward, keep moving on. You can't live in the past forever." Rona Muir sighed. "My life is good now, so I hope you can be happy too. Maybe it sounds cheesy, but it's really how I feel. I truly hope you find happiness."
"How can I be happy without you?" Sean Kerr retorted.
Rona didn't answer.
Standing nearby, Michelle Hirayama—the resident "chuunibyou" (a teenager with delusions of grandeur and dramatic behavior)—finally found a chance to speak and blurted out irresponsibly, "This is simple! Either you outlive my uncle and get together, or you hurry up and have a kid. If both families' kids are a boy and a girl, arrange a childhood engagement; if they're both girls, let them be together; if they're both boys, bend them. That way, you'll still be family... mmph mmph..."
Rona quickly covered Michelle Hirayama's mouth.
Rona Muir and Sean Kerr both had black lines across their faces.
Well, just as the sad atmosphere was starting to build, this kid's irresponsible words ruined it.
"Sorry, we have a lot of chuunibyou in our family." Rona apologized, exasperated.
Sean also replied, exasperated, "Ah, it's fine."
Rona didn't dare stay any longer, hastily saying, "I'm heading back. No matter what you decide, I'll support you."
With that, Rona dragged Michelle Hirayama out of the Kerr family mansion.
Watching Rona's panicked retreat, Sean—for once—didn't feel annoyed.
As expected, only Rona could cure his bad mood.
Molly Mao slowly walked over and stood beside Sean. "Even if you like her, she won't divorce and marry you."
Sean's cheerful mood vanished instantly as he turned to look at Molly Mao.
Molly Mao met Sean's gaze fearlessly.
"Sean, I've set my sights on you. You can't escape." Molly looked at him with pride. "I'm not like those petty girls. When I, Molly Mao, decide on something, there's no changing my mind."
"Whatever." Sean couldn't be bothered with Molly and turned to leave.
But Molly spun around and blocked Sean's way again. "The Kerr and Mao families are already discussing our engagement. I hope nothing unpleasant happens during this time. Otherwise, I won't mind causing trouble for President Mu! She's pregnant now, so she must hate trouble, right?"
"You dare?!" Sean suddenly grabbed Molly's wrist, speaking each word clearly. "Molly Mao, let me make this clear! If you hurt her, I'll kill you! Even if my family likes you, it won't matter! Don't forget, the Kerr Family will be mine one day! By then, my parents won't be able to stop me! I'll make you wish you were dead! This isn't a threat—it's a warning!"
Molly's expression changed instantly.
"And even if you marry me, you won't get a cent of the Kerr Family's fortune! Most of the shares are already in my hands. Even if you take the rest from my grandfather and father, you still can't control anything! Molly, if you listen to advice, I won't mind bankrupting the Mao Family! Even if my money is tied up by my family, don't forget—I have friends, and so does Rona! If nothing else, just the Yin Family alone could keep your Mao Family down forever!" Sean shoved Molly hard and strode away.
Watching Sean's retreating back, Molly was shaking with anger.
She admitted that everything Sean said was true.
That's exactly why, even though she'd liked Sean for so long, she never dared to mess with Rona!
Of course she knew how close Rona was with Cici Grant!
It wasn't just the Yin Family—the King Family also had a good relationship with Rona!
If Molly Mao really dared to do anything to Rona, she'd be finished!
Cici Grant was easy to deal with, always the nice one.
But Emily King was not so easy to mess with!
She was just as tough as Rona—an iron-fisted woman!
So, Molly's words just now were only meant to scare Sean. She never actually dared to do anything to Rona.
But Sean's words were like needles and knives, stabbing Molly's heart and leaving it bleeding.
Molly glared at Sean's back, muttering to herself, "Sean, you forced me! This is all your fault!"
Rona finally managed to get Mihoko into the car. Before she could even start scolding her, Mihoko said, "I didn't say anything wrong! I'm only sixteen, but in Japan, sixteen is already a legal age for marriage!"
Rona shot her a fierce glare. "This is China! Sixteen is still a minor! Now I finally get why Japan sent you over here. You're a troublemaker!"
"No way! Uncle's the real troublemaker!" Michelle protested. "I'm way more normal than he is!"
"Really? Should I tell your uncle that?" Rona continued to glare.
Michelle seemed especially afraid of Jiro Hirayama. As soon as she heard his name, she wilted. "I was wrong!"
Rona finally snapped out of it.
So Japan figured if she could handle Jiro Hirayama, the hardcore "chuunibyou" (teenager with delusions of grandeur), she could definitely manage Michelle, the mild case.
It just so happened that Michelle had a crush on Little A, so Japan took the chance and shipped her over.
See, that's what she thought!
Japan's intelligence network was so advanced, they could find Michelle anywhere. No way they'd let her run away from home alone.
It was obvious—they just dumped this hot potato in China!
But lately, this hot potato seemed to be enjoying China and refused to go back to Japan.
"Alright, don't talk about what happened today." Rona was getting a headache from her niece.
"Yes, yes!" Michelle quickly replied, "I promise I won't tell Uncle."
Half a month flew by, and once the New Year was over, it was back to business as usual.
Every industry was booming and busy.
One day, as soon as Rona walked into the company, she noticed everyone whispering about something. The moment she arrived, they stopped talking, acting all mysterious.
Cici Grant saw Rona and waved, "You're here? Come, let's talk."
Rona didn't think much of it and went straight to Cici's office, curled up on a comfy sofa, and asked, "What's up? Why so secretive?"
"You know, right? Sean Kerr is getting engaged, and this time it's for real!" Cici dragged a chair over and sat in front of Rona, grinning. "It's not a joke this time!"
Rona was stunned.
She couldn't describe how she felt inside.
Honestly, it was complicated.
Overall, she felt a bit relieved.
"Molly Mao really has a way with things. She managed to force Sean Kerr to give in—way tougher than that Miss Gong from the Gong family." Cici poked Rona's belly. "What do you think?"
"What could I possibly think?" Rona shook her head. "He's not young anymore. It's time for him to get married."
"They say, the person who teaches you to dance isn't necessarily the one who'll stay with you until the end. That saying fits perfectly." Cici couldn't help but sigh.
It seemed like it was true for both of them.
Cici's first love was Zhao Zegang.
Rona's first love was Sean Kerr.
Neither of them ended up with their first love.
"So that's what everyone's whispering about?" Rona couldn't help but roll her eyes. "They've got way too much free time! Looks like I need to give them more work."
Cici laughed. "The boss's gossip is always the juiciest! By the way, here's our half-month sales report—take a look."
Rona took the report. The two of them immediately put aside personal matters and got to work.
After a busy morning, even Cici felt like her brain was about to explode.
Being in charge really isn't any easier than being a regular employee!
Rona tossed the files onto the desk and sprawled out on the sofa. "Whatever, I'm starving. I'm going to get something to eat!"
Cici flopped onto the sofa too. "What's for lunch? My head chef just sent over fresh French food—want to eat together?"
"French food? No way! Let's go out to eat! Eating in the office kills the vibe!" Rona jumped up and pulled Cici out the door. "If you're gonna eat French, you have to do it at a restaurant! That's the only way it feels right!"
Cici shook her head helplessly. "Wait for me, I need to grab my coat and bag..."
The two of them walked side by side toward the restaurant downstairs. On the way, they ran into a few middle managers, exchanged greetings, and went their separate ways.
Rona's belly was starting to show.
But it was still small and not very noticeable.
Plus, with her G-cup bust, her belly was even harder to spot.
So, from the outside, it was hard to tell she was pregnant.
As soon as they entered the restaurant, they headed straight for their reserved table.
They hadn't even sat down when Cici glanced up and saw Sean Kerr and Molly Mao eating at the next table.
Oh, come on!
What are the odds?
Out of all the French restaurants, why'd they come to the one under our company?
Did they do it on purpose?