Cupid's Arrow hit me hard!

Serenity smiled and said, "Zachary is not a hen-pecked husband. I don't nag him that much."

"But he always uses Serenity as an excuse for things he doesn't want to do. He often says things like, 'My wife doesn't like me smoking,' 'My wife doesn't like me drinking,' and 'I can't socialize because I have to go home and be with my wife.' Basically, he always uses his wife as an excuse."

"Josh."

Jasmine scolded her husband playfully, "No one will think you're a mute if you stay silent."

Josh laughed, "I'm just afraid people will mistake me for a mute, so I have to say something."

Duncan teased him, saying, "You make it sound like you've never used your wife as a shield. The people in Wiltspoon all know that you and Zack are both doting husbands, overly devoted, and famous for being wife-obsessed.

"It's just the pot calling the kettle black."

Josh chuckled, "Duncan, you're biased. You're siding with Zachary and ganging up on me with your brother-in-law."

Duncan blushed from the teasing.

Liberty took it all in stride.

In the eyes of those close to them, her relationship with Duncan was already a given.

Even among their friends, the two were considered a pair.

"Go have fun outside, young folks. We're getting old, and we can't keep up with the conversation. Plus, you're too noisy for us."

Tania playfully shooed the group of young people away.

Zachary made a phone call to Callum, asking him and Camryn to hang out together.

The two had spent the night at the villa.

Then, they sat in a pavilion in the courtyard, sipping fragrant tea, chatting, and enjoying a leisurely weekend.

Meanwhile, a security booth stopped a taxi down at the foot of Wildridge Manor.

The person sitting in the back of the taxi rolled down the window and yelled loudly at the security guard in the booth, "Hey, you! Open the barrier quickly. We need to head up the hill!" The security guard felt insulted at being called so rudely.

Although they were mere security guards, it was a legitimate job and they should be treated with respect. Some people with ill manners often regarded them as beneath themselves.

Even Old Mrs. York treated them with great courtesy. Were these people nobler than her? Who were they to act so rudely?

Although the security guard was angered, his professionalism kept him polite. He asked the stern-looking man, "May I ask, sir, which family are you from and who are you looking for? Our rules state that all visitors need to register with me before they can enter."

This was the first checkpoint.

Even if they got past this one, there were additional security booths at mid-hills and at the manor's entrance. They would have to register at each one before being allowed through.

The entrance of the manor was the most challenging to pass. They would need to go through the steward, and the steward had to check with the Yorks before granting them entry. The manor was not a place anyone could just enter.

No matter how beautiful it was, it was not a tourist attraction where you could buy tickets to get in.

The car door opened.

A young woman stepped out of the vehicle.

The security guard found her unfamiliar and was sure he had not seen her before. It was her first time at the villa.

Since she was a young and unfamiliar face, and considering the volatile temperaments of the young masters, the guard understood that he needed to carry out this job diligently. He asked questions and confirmed their identity before allowing them access.