Chapter 619

Five years later.

In the villa's conference room.

On the screen, a bunch of shareholders and execs were yammering away, while Samuel stood right in front of it. Rocking a sharp suit, he looked like a king ruling his kingdom.

"The new project in Elysiuma is a go, with a fifty billion dollar investment. In three years, the Holland Group's Elysiuma branch will own the whole electronic communications market there..."

Suddenly.

"Daddy, daddy-play Barbie dolls with me!" A cute little girl burst through the door.

Samuel's stern face melted into a loving grin as he scooped her up and plopped her on his lap, "Sweetie, Daddy's in a meeting."

"No, play Barbie dolls with me, please?"

"Alright, alright, I'll play with you."

The execs on the video were floored, their jaws practically hitting the floor.

They'd heard rumors that their ice-cold boss was a total softie at home, but seeing it was a whole different ball game.

He really was a different guy with his daughter, not the cold emperor they knew.

Samuel stood up with his daughter in his arms, "Meeting's over."

"Serena, why are you bugging Daddy at work again?" A handsome boy, looking like a mini Samuel in a tiny suit, walked in.

"I missed Daddy," Serena said.

"Daddy needs to work so he can buy you lots of pretty Barbie dolls."

"Okay, Maverick, I was wrong."

Even though they were the same age, Maverick acted like a little adult, always lecturing Serena.

"It's okay, I'll play with her," Samuel said, holding his daughter in one arm and his son by the hand as they walked out.

"Daddy, Mommy was right, you spoil Serena too much," Maverick said, shaking his head.

"Daddy loves me the most and spoils me the most, right?" Serena said, hugging Samuel's neck and giving him a kiss.

"No way, Daddy loves Mommy the most. We're second."

Serena pouted, "That's true, Daddy loves Mommy the most."

"Daddy, I miss Mommy. Can we go pick her up from work? She'll be so happy to see us."

"Okay."

NexaTech, an architectural firm downtown, spans over 5,000 square feet and has fifteen employees, including designers. The team is small but made up of top-notch designers from all over.

In the president's office.

Layla had just wrapped up a meeting.

She took a sip of water, looking at her busy employees in the big office, smiling with satisfaction.

Two years ago, after Serena and Maverick started kindergarten, she decided to get back to work and opened a small design firm.

In two years, the company grew from three people to fifteen, becoming a well-known design firm in City A. She felt fulfilled and content.

Now, she had a loving husband, the cutest kids, and a successful career, living the dream.

She had achieved what many women hadn't by 27. Last week, she was honored as one of the top ten young successful women in City A.

During an interview, when asked who she was most grateful to, she thought for a moment and answered, "Myself."

It was her persistence that got her here.

Life isn't always at a high point; there are lows too. Often, before reaching a high point, there's a long period of darkness and low points, and many people give up during that time.

She'd been through the wringer-despair, helplessness, crying in the dark, facing setbacks and rejections, pulling all-nighters. But she never threw in the towel and made it to where she is today.

It wasn't luck; it was pure hustle.

Everyone should be like that: the lower you get, the harder you gotta push, stay motivated, and keep grinding until you win.

On her desk was a photo of their family of four, and Layla smiled contentedly. Now, she had someone who loved her, someone she loved, and a career she was passionate about, living every day like she was on cloud nine.

She wondered what the little kids were up to; she missed them so much.

As soon as it was time to clock out, Layla left on the dot. With kids, she rarely worked overtime, wanting to spend more time with them.

Just as she walked out of the company.

Samuel, looking dapper in his luxury car, honked at her.

Layla smiled in surprise and walked over.

"Mommy, Mommy," The two little ones scrambled to kiss her.

"What are you doing here?" Layla asked.

"We missed you, so we came with Daddy to surprise you. Today is family day, Mommy."

"Isn't tomorrow Saturday?"

"As long as the family loves each other, every day is family day," Maverick said.

"You're such a sweet talker," Layla laughed. With that handsome face and sweet mouth, who knows how many girls he'll "trick" in the future.

"I'm just telling the truth."

"And me?" Samuel, with one hand on the steering wheel, looked expectantly for a kiss.

So obedient, he definitely deserved a kiss. Layla, smiling broadly, cupped his face and gave him a big kiss on the forehead.

"Wrong, it's here." Samuel pulled her into his arms and kissed her on the lips.

Even after all these years of marriage and with their five-year-old by their side, every kiss still felt as exciting and sweet as the first.

"Serena, don't look." Maverick covered Serena's eyes with one hand and his own with the other, but couldn't help peeking and giggling through his fingers.

"Maverick, you always tell me not to look, but I've seen it many times. Daddy and Mommy always kiss. The teacher said kissing will give you a little brother or sister."

"Do you want a little brother or sister?"

"Yes!" The two little ones said in unison, their voices loud.

Samuel smiled at Layla, "Dear wife, we must fulfill their wish, tonight."

Clearly, it was his wish, but he had to let the kids take the responsibility. Layla was both amused and annoyed, "You rascal."

"Haha, Daddy is a rascal."

"But a handsome rascal, and only to you."

"Stop it. I'm so hungry, what are we eating today?" Layla touched her stomach.

"McDonald's!"

"KFC!"

"McDonald's ice cream is the best."

"KFC's chicken wings are better."

The two little ones chattered, arguing over whether to eat McDonald's or KFC.

"How about we pack KFC's chicken wings and eat McDonald's ice cream?" Layla suggested wisely.

"Yay! Mommy is the best!"

"Love Mommy the most!" The two little ones cheered.

"You're so smart, honey," Samuel teased.

"Of course, my IQ is super high," Layla said proudly, lifting her chin.

"You spoil the kids the most. Every time we go to McDonald's, you're more excited than they are."

"McDonald's is delicious," In front of her dear husband, Layla showed none of her work persona, acting like a cute little girl.

"Silly girl." Samuel patted her head.

"Calling me silly? You often compete with the kids for attention; you're the silliest," Layla laughed.

"You're silly."

The two lovingly bickered, while the two adorable kids in the back sang happily.

The summer breeze brought colorful bubbles, and the air was filled with happiness.