“I’m going in.”
“Be careful,” Sophia said, glancing at the waves nervously.
They were huge, rolling in one after another.
No wonder the organizers had chosen this time slot—it was going to be a spectacular show.
The waves were enormous, making it easy to lose balance. The river wasn’t necessarily any safer than the sea—if he miscalculated, he could get seriously hurt.
Sophia felt a bit uneasy.
“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing,” Livinus reassured her with a light laugh, patting her shoulder. “Just don’t get too nervous, or the baby will pick up on your emotions.”
“How could she? She’s still so tiny.”
“She was strong enough to break through a condom. Don’t underestimate her.”
Sophia burst into laughter.
By then, Livinus had reached the designated starting point. At the signal, he and another competitor charged toward the waves, stepping onto their surfboards.
The sunlight reflected off the water, making his presence even more dazzling.
Sophia watched as he rode the crest of a wave, descending smoothly. The waves kept rolling in, crashing against the shoreline in a mesmerizing, chaotic beauty.
Just then, a massive wave surged forward.
Standing at the peak, Livinus towered over the water, so high that Sophia had to crane her neck to see him.
As he rode the wave, he suddenly veered sharply left, then swiftly right, carving an S-shape across the water.
His movements sent white spray flying, and the tension in the crowd was palpable.
“His technique is incredible! He’s seamlessly integrating traditional elements into modern surfing.”
“This is professional-level skill!”
“Why have I never heard of him before? Did he compete in the Hainan Open?”
People murmured in amazement.
At last, Livinus rode the final wave to shore and stepped out of the river.
Sophia beamed. “President Livinus, that was so cool!”
“Cool enough to make you lose control?”
“Almost!”
“Let’s discuss that tonight.”
They both laughed.
As expected, Livinus won first place without any suspense.
Many competitors congratulated him afterward, much to Sophia’s surprise.
—
As summer approached, Sophia’s only real pregnancy symptom was fatigue.
Pregnancy was supposed to be a big deal, but if she didn’t make a fuss over it, life went on as usual. She still tended the garden and worked in the clinic as if nothing had changed.
The garden was at its most beautiful in early summer. The yard was filled with roses of various colors, some well-known, others rare, blooming in clusters like a floral explosion.
Whenever she had time, she would trim flowers and arrange bouquets, filling the house with fresh blooms from her own garden.
However, her succulents had entered dormancy due to the summer heat, so she had to keep them shaded, reducing their ornamental appeal.
Just as she finished working, she received a message from Joanna.
—
Meanwhile, the Scott family’s old mansion was in chaos.
The reason?
Richard’s mistress, Miss Emily, had just given birth today.
Andrea’s face was thunderous.
Olivia, watching her closely, felt irritated—how could she still just sit there fuming?
Miss Emily was incredibly calculating. She had scheduled a C-section on this exact date for one reason only: it was Richard’s birthday.
Richard had been born at exactly noon, and Miss Emily had insisted on having a C-section at the same time, ensuring that her child would share his birthday down to the hour.
It was a ruthless move.
What better way to secure favor than this?
Even if Richard already had a son, this “late-life” child would surely hold a special place in his heart.
To make things worse, news from the hospital confirmed that Miss Emily had given birth to a son.
Andrea’s expression turned even darker.
She had suspected all along that Miss Emily was carrying a boy. And now, it was confirmed.
Richard had rushed to the hospital first thing in the morning, treating the child like a precious treasure.
She couldn’t help but recall the past—when she had given birth to Henry, Richard had been out drinking with his friends. He had only visited after she had already given birth.
Yet now, he was suddenly so devoted and affectionate—to a much younger woman.
“Mom…” Olivia was growing anxious.
If this continued, how much of the family wealth would end up in that child’s hands?
“You can’t just let her do as she pleases! She was already a homewrecker, and now she’s given birth!”
She hesitated for a moment, remembering her own situation, then added, “I mean… in any case, you need to suppress her arrogance. She had a son—can you imagine? Dad was already planning to divorce you. Now, he’ll definitely favor her even more!”
Andrea was seething, her eyes bloodshot with rage.
But what could she do?
She was too weak and ill at the moment.
Otherwise, she would have already hired a drunk driver to run Miss Emily over—the baby would have never been born.
“You think I don’t want to do something?” she snapped.
“Mom, she wasn’t even supposed to give birth this soon! She had a later due date than me, but she pushed for an early C-section just to please Dad. She’s too cunning!
Now look—every year on Dad’s birthday, he’ll be celebrating with her son. He’ll definitely spoil that child rotten!”
“Even if they weren’t born on the same day, he would still dote on him.”
That was just the way late-life children were treated—cherished beyond reason.
