Ch. 131..140

Chapter 131

Chapter 131

When Cordelia wanted to keep the string, Marcus put it in his pocket first.

"Darling, you..."

"That's what the old woman said," he said. "One for you and one for me. We keep it separately, so if we're really separated in the future—"

"No, shush! We won't be separated!" Cordelia was scared. It did not matter what the old woman said, but the word "separated" coming from Marcus gave her a heavy sense of premonition. Marcus consoled, his husky voice exceptionally gentle, "Silly, I'll find you back even if we're separated!"

"Mn!" Cordelia nodded firmly.

Seth and Linda exchanged a look and smiled in unison.

The four of them walked around for a bit and returned to the hotel. The manager came to welcome them personally and took them to the best restaurant.

Seth and Linda were dumbfounded when they entered. This was Edarial Dining that was said to cost a person half a year of salary for a meal! How would Cordelia reserve a place like this!?

"Is this a mistake?" Cordelia was puzzled. "I booked the standard meal online..."

"It's not. This is the place."

The manager was courteous. As he clapped, a line of trained servers appeared to serve them exquisite dishes.

Cordelia widened her eyes and bated her breath. She had only seen these dishes on the Internet. They were all Edarial Dining's signature dishes. With a table full of dishes like these, she might not be able to afford it even if she went bankrupt to pay!

"Mister!" She gasped.

"Ms. Jenner, you did book a standard meal," the manager explained with a smile. "But we're celebrating our anniversary with promotions these few days and have drawn lucky guests staying in our hotel to upgrade them to deluxe meals. Your booking number was drawn, Ms. Jenner!"

"What?" This was Cordelia's first time hearing that there was something this fortuitous.

Seth and Linda were stunned as they looked at each other, feeling like they were dreaming.

"For real? We hit the jackpot!" Linda scanned the surroundings excitedly before she frowned. "But why isn't there anyone if there's an activity like this?"

"Yeah!" Seth chorused. "It's only the few of us since we checked in till now. This is so strange!"

"Uh..." The manager chuckled dryly, unable to gloss it over.

Marcus coughed and discreetly hugged Cordelia. "Since there's free lunch, let's not ask too much and just enjoy it!"

Seth shook his head. "Yeah... but it's still odd!

He spoke softly, "Hey, you think this is a scam? Some dodgy businesses charge a crazy amount after the customers finish eating with the gimmick of winning a prize!" Marcus was rendered speechless.

"I think we should be more careful." The more Seth said, the more he sounded convincing. "Who knows if the dishes are drugged? They may even get our bank password out of us!" Everyone went silent.

Marcus took a deep breath and said flatly, "Seth, it's a waste that you became a doctor."

"Hmm?"

Marcus gnashed his teeth. "You should be writing a novel instead!"

"Huh? How did you know?" Seth chuckled in a carefree manner. "My ambition when I was younger was to become a novelist. I listened to my mom, though, and gave up on literature to study medicine!" "Alright!" Linda was giggling. "How could a renowned restaurant like this extort its customers? Cordelia's just having super good luck. Let's dig in! I'm starving!"

Chapter 132

Chapter 132

The group sat around the round table. The dishes were aromatic and looked exquisite. Every dish was placed in delicate porcelain, looking incredibly extravagant.

Seth could care less if the food was drugged. He impatiently helped himself with the dishes.

Linda teased him. "Not scared of the restaurant pulling your bank password out of you now?"

"They can do as they please!" Seth answered with food in his mouth. "It's not like I have much in my account. Probably can't even afford this meal! I won't be making a loss!" "Oh, Dr. Stafford's a wise consumer!"

"You're not bad either!" Seth chuckled. "You ate more than me!"

Linda almost hit his head with her cutlery.

Cordelia and Marcus grinned at each other lovingly as they watched their friends bicker.

"All the dishes are served." The manager led the servers to serve some fish soup.

"This is a fish only available in the river of Splendor Mountain. Its meat is fresh and sweet, buttery but not overwhelming. It's the best for soups."

The four of them took off the lids.

As expected, an aroma wafted into the room. The fish was braised well with a hint of romance from the adornment of petals.

Cordelia gave the fish eye to Marcus out of habit.

It had always been like that. When her mother was still sober and sane, she would make Cordelia and Carter fish. When it was served, she would give the eyes to her and Carter. Her mother said that fish eyes were good for one's eyes and were the most precious part of a fish.

Of course, the most precious part should be shared with the most precious person.

Cordelia smiled as she looked at Marcus.

Linda smirked in envy. "Aww, someone's doting on her husband like precious fish eyes. What a match made in heaven! Ugh, you make me so jealous!"

"No need to be jealous!" Seth teased her. "You have a fish too! Pick the eyes yourself if you want them!"

"How's that the same as them being given by someone else?"

Cordelia blushed and ducked her head.

Marcus smiled, having never felt as triumphant in his life.

Seth gave Linda the fish eyes in his bowl before they started eating.

"You-"

"There." He looked at her gently. "Now you have them too."

Linda stayed silent with her head lowered, but a smile bloomed from the corner of her lips.

Cordelia booked three rooms. She had thought that she would rest in the room with Marcus after dinner, but Linda tugged her, looking a little awkward.

Cordelia thought about it. Linda and Seth were not official yet, so maybe they did not feel comfortable spending time alone. Even if they got along well, what if they impulsively entered the same room? It would be too fast.

The corner of Cordelia's lips twitched. She asked Marcus to go ahead while she stayed back to chat with Linda. Hence, she accompanied the latter into her room.

It was only then Linda heaved a sigh of relief and smiled.

"Do you have to be so nervous?" Cordelia teased her. "Dr. Stafford's a gentleman. He'd never take advantage of you!"

"What are you talking about?" Linda giggled. "I just didn't want to come back to my room alone and asked you to keep me company. But to avoid Marcus resenting me, I'd better let you back early!"

"I'm not going back tonight." Cordelia changed into her pajamas and hopped into the bed pulling the sheets away. "Let's have a sleepover like we did in college, okay?"

"No way, Mrs. Grist! What should I do if your husband comes knocking for you?"

Cordelia giggled heartily while Linda was only saying so for the sake of it as she snuck into the bed as well.

It was as if both girls had gone back to their carefree school days. Back then, they shared the same dorm. Not only did they have endless classes, but they also had endless things to talk about. They shared a bunk bed. Sometimes when they came back together after a night revision, Cordelia would also occupy Linda's bed when she did not want to climb up the stairs.

When girls were together and were not talking about boys, they would be comparing their figures... just like now-Linda "ambushed" Cordelia when the latter turned around.

Cordelia screamed and curled herself up before she smacked the hand that groped her, causing Linda to cackle.

Both of them messed with each other, and it only ended when Cordelia mercilessly pinned Linda into begging for mercy.

Cordelia let her go and pillowed her head above her arms. She looked at the ceiling with a bright smile.

Cordelia chuckled, "Linda, are you really not planning to accept Seth?"

Linda's smile froze. She seemed carefree but was timider than anyone else when it really came to romantic relationships.

Even without the light on in the room, Cordelia could feel the change in Linda's emotions.

"I think Seth's alright. And I can see that he really likes you."

After a while, Linda's voice came from the dark weakly. "Cordelia, let's not talk about him, okay?"

"I don't understand." Cordelia turned around and propped herself up to look at Linda. "You both match each other in every aspect! Seth's seriously courting you too. Why aren't you giving him a chance?" "I... I don't think I'm a good match for him."

"You'll only know if you give it a try, right?"

"No need to try it out. There's no way!"

Linda's tone was anxious, as if she was troubled.

There was a long pause before Cordelia asked softly, "Linda, is there... something I don't know about?"

Silence followed her question. She chuckled and lay back down. "It's okay. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. Heh, it's getting late. We should sleep!"

"Cordelia..."

"Hmm?"

Linda bit her lips and said with much difficulty, "I... had someone memorable in the past."

Cordelia paused. It felt like something was stuck in her throat as she wanted to say something but could not.

"That person's like a childhood friend," Linda said slowly. "We grew up together. He lived just next door. Like all the other boys, he liked bullying me since we were young, and I hated him at first... But the more things were like that, the closer we grew. When we were 18, we..."

"What happened?"

"We separated and never met again."

Cordelia did not expect an ending like this. She wanted to ask why. Why had they separated, and why had they never met again? However, she heard Linda's suppressed sobs in the dark.

With the moonlight that spilled in, she saw Linda's jerking shoulders. Cordelia was shocked. From the first day she knew Linda, she had never seen the latter cry like this.

The reason they separated... Was it life and death?

"Linda..." Cordelia rested a hand on Linda's shoulder, wanting to console her.

Chapter 133

Chapter 133

"I'm okay." Linda sniffled and forced a chortle as she patted the back of Cordelia's hand.

"Linda." Cordelia paused. She did not say what she had intended to. Instead, she said softly, "Rest earlier. Don't keep things to yourself. You can treat me as the hole in the tree. It's better to talk about it. "But if you don't want to, I won't ask either."

"Cordelia, I..." Linda was hesitant to speak. It was after a while that she said in a low tone, "I don't think I deserve Seth."

"What?"

"I'm not worth Seth's time." Linda bit her lips. "I... That person and I, we've..."

Although Linda did not finish her sentence, Cordelia understood what had happened. She was rather surprised. Linda had always been sunny and cheerful. She was sometimes feisty but was certainly not a casual person in terms of sleeping around.

If a woman did not love a man wholeheartedly, how would she give herself away?

Cordelia's heart squeezed. She felt for Linda's fingers and gave them a squeeze.

"Linda, you're thinking too much," she said softly. "There's nothing shameful about this past. You two liked each other genuinely. I believe that you must've given yourself to him with the faith of staying together with him for life.

"So if there wasn't an accident back then, you must still be together now, right?"

Linda remained silent.

"Linda, I understand why you can't accept Seth. It's not because you don't deserve him. It's because you don't have space for another person except for that person."

"Cordelia..." Linda sobbed.

Cordelia moved closer to hug Linda's quivering body and pat her back softly like a mother would to a baby.

"I actually think it's fine," she said. "It's normal for people to have a past. Besides, what year is it now? People should already be used to things like this. I believe that Seth won't mind either." "Really?" Linda chuckled, unable to believe that this came from Cordelia.

"Of course," replied Cordelia. "Marcus said so. It's no longer feudal times. A woman's innocence isn't that important."

"You listen to him in everything..." Linda sighed as she cushioned her head with her arm.

"Be careful! He seems quite chauvinistic. Who knows if he's thinking and saying different things? A woman's innocence isn't important? Nice to say! Hah, you've never dated and met men! If you tell him that you have a first love, see if he's as calm."

"Hey!" Cordelia grimaced. "Have you forgotten all about what you've sworn?"

"This isn't exactly gossip." Linda giggled. "I'm just expressing my immature opinion about Marcus! I'll stop if you don't want to hear about it."

Cordelia gave her a pinch.

Both of them joked around for some more before sleep came for them. They gradually fell asleep.

Cordelia's dream was filled with colorful bubbles. There was a big ribbon, and she saw Marcus smiling at her. She dashed over to him, but just as she was about to hold his hand, everything turned black and white!

Marcus was nowhere to be seen, and a storm began pouring. The world was like a black hole that was going to devour her. When she looked down, the red string on her wrist actually turned into a menacing wound that dripped blood...

"Ah!" Cordelia gasped and woke up sweating.

She calmed herself down and saw Linda sleeping soundly next to her.

It was just a dream.

She took a deep breath to slow her thumping heart down. When she saw the soft sunlight outside and sleep had escaped her, she draped a jacket over herself and walked out.

Cordelia strolled along the slope aimlessly. The morning there was quiet and otherworldly, allowing the tension from her nightmare just now to eventually melt away.

The beach was not far away from the mountain.

Chapter 134

Chapter 134

Cordelia suddenly felt like walking on the beach. She combed her long hair with a light smile and went toward the beach in her slippers.

Marcus could hardly sleep at night.

It was hard for him to sleep now without Cordelia by his side. Despite that, Cordelia had bestie secrets to talk to Linda about. A man like him could not be acting petty.

Therefore, the soft bed became his venting target. Marcus tossed and turned, eyes bigger than saucers, as he cursed Seth over and again in his mind.

Who was this trip for!?

Good job to Seth, letting go of a chance to get closer to Linda just like that to snore in the room alone. He could hear him even through the wall!

Marcus huffed a sigh. Seeing that it was the break of dawn already, he planned to rest a little when the phone in the room rang.

"Mr. Z, Ms. Cordelia's gone out alone."

"What?" He was alarmed. "Where did she go?"

"Our men followed her and saw her going to the beach... But that area isn't our private beach. It's a public space. Our men didn't dare relax and kept watch, but they didn't dare go too close for fear that she would find out."

Marcus squinted. The beach?

The scenery was great there, but it was out of the Hamertons' territory. There was basically nobody there at this time. If there were a danger...

Marcus' guard was up, and he instructed, "Keep a close watch. You'll be held responsible if something happens to her!"

The other end of the line responded cautiously and did as told.

Cordelia placed her slippers aside as she came to the beach to step on the soft sand barefoot. The cool sea breeze brushed past her hair, bringing along the ocean scent.

Seagulls circled the surface farther away while the sun slowly rose from the horizon, staining the sea red.

Cordelia could hardly witness a beautiful scene like this in the city. She watched it in a daze for a bit before suddenly realizing that she had forgotten her phone. She was regretful as she yearned to share the picturesque scene with Marcus.

As she thought about it, she turned back in a hurry, calculating how much time it would take. The sun would have already risen by the time she got Marcus there. It was fine, though. The beach was quite empty, so she could spend some quality time with Marcus here. She had never tried drawing him on the beach!

With a sweet smile, Cordelia hurried on her way. Not too far into her way back, a shadow that popped up surprised her into screaming when she passed by the trash can.

"Ah!" Cordelia stumbled back instinctively.

The person seemed to be shocked as well and quickly avoided her. While he did so, he rummaged through the trash can.

Cordelia stared at the person. He wore tattered clothes and was covered in filth. Only his face was slightly cleaner, but he still looked pitiful. He must be homeless to be rummaging through the trash. Anyone who was not at their wit's end would not abandon their pride to look for food in the trash...

Cordelia could not help the tightening of her heart.

However, during the few seconds of pause that the homeless guy went past her, an extremely familiar face flashed before her eyes...

Chapter 135

Chapter 135

"Y-You..."

It felt like a thunderbolt slashing through the sky, hitting Cordelia on the head and blanking her thoughts.

The homeless guy seemed to be aware of it, making inaudible sounds after a glance at her and shaking his head violently before he ran away with a bunch of trash like he was fleeing. Cordelia chased after him but did not manage to catch up. She was pale as she panted heavily.

That face... It looked exactly like Marcus!

Cordelia froze on the spot as blood gushed to her head. Her hands were icy as they quivered. She didn't even know how she walked back to the hotel.

When she looked up and saw Marcus, the man put a hand on her shoulder, causing her to take a step back in reflex to look at him in a daze.

"What happened?" Marcus' voice was soft and deep.

Cordelia snapped back to herself and took a deep breath.

The face in front of her was chiseled and clean, with manliness oozing from the eyes. How could that homeless guy compare to Marcus?

Cordelia hit her head. She must be losing her mind. Her eyes must have played a trick on her just now!

"What's the matter?" Marcus asked again patiently, his tone gentler than earlier.

Cordelia cracked a smile and interlaced their fingers.

How cold her fingers felt could not help but worry Marcus.

"Where did you go so early in the morning? This area is all mountain and sea. It's windy. The weather in Centrolis is also cold in the morning and night, only warmer during noon. Did you catch a cold for going out wearing so little?"

Marcus' palm approached Cordelia's forehead but was coquettishly yanked down by the latter.

"I'm fine. Don't worry!"

Marcus looked at her quietly with a rather deep gaze.

Cordelia found it funny as she thought about her earlier blunder. The corners of her lips quivered, and a giggle escaped.

The world seemed brighter in color as Marcus took in her smile.

"Darling." His voice was husky and charismatic as he held her shoulders. "We agreed that this is a honeymoon, but you kept me waiting in an empty room last night." "Why? Are you upset?" Cordelia looked at him like a playful fox.

"How would I dare?" Marcus narrowed his eyes and ran a reckless hand on her back. "Now, though... we should do what we should be doing on a honeymoon, right?" "Stop it!" Cordelia gave him a light punch. "It's early in the day, you—"

"I've never cared if it's day or night."

"No." Cordelia pushed him away. "We already have today planned. We're going to the water theme park!"

Marcus was startled as he watched the girl pull out a few tickets that had been purchased in advance. His face fell, his unfulfilled look terrifying.

"Honey..." Cordelia hooked her arm around his neck. "I know that you're upset about last night, but I hadn't chatted with Linda through the night like we used to in school. Can't you be a bit more generous? "Tonight..." Her eyes sparkling like the stars, she said next to Marcus' ear, "I won't mistreat you tonight!"

Cordelia's face reddened immediately as she snuggled against his chest.

It felt like someone stuffed a piece of marshmallow into Marcus' heart as he felt sweet and soft, like he was melting.

"Are you hungry?" He patted Cordelia. "Let's have breakfast."

"It's not Edarial Dining still, right?"

"Hmm... I called to ask the reception just now. Our meals throughout the duration of our stay will be kept at the best standard!"

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Chapter 136

"Really?" Cordelia was excited. "They're promoting their anniversary, but we're the ones who got lucky!"

"Yeah." Marcus smiled. He was content as long as she was happy.

"Darling, I realize that my luck's been great ever since I married you. Everything's going so unexpectedly smoothly!" Cordelia stood on tiptoe and held Marcus' face to peck his lips. "You're my lucky little charm, baby!"

It caught Marcus by surprise. He swiped her nose and chuckled.

"Go ahead and have breakfast first," he said in a deep tone. "I'll go to the washroom and join you later."

"Oh." Cordelia did not think much about it. "I'll go look for Linda and Seth first. Come meet us soon!"

"Sure."

As Cordelia skipped out of the room, a dark glint flashed across Marcus' eyes. He picked up the landline and dialed a few digits, asking darkly, "What did she run into this morning?"

"Sir, Ms. Cordelia was at the beach, and we kept watch from afar, not daring to go close. She returned later, and it was at the trash can by the road that..." Marcus' subordinate sounded hesitant. "Speak!" Marcus growled with a hint of anger.

"She encountered a homeless guy there."

A homeless guy? Marcus tensed. Was she taken advantage of?

"The homeless guy didn't do anything to Ms. Cordelia, but she stared in his direction after he left, standing there for more than ten minutes."

'She might have been frightened.' This was the first thought that went through Marcus' head.

However, he recalled the thugs that had teased her when they first got married and Cordelia fighting them with a stick. There was also that time she choked the driver and jumped out of the car when she thought that Josiah had an ulterior motive after the business dinner, nearly killing herself.

How could a brave and resilient woman like her be frightened by a homeless guy? There must be another reason!

Marcus narrowed his eyes and uncurled his pressed lips slowly. "Talk to the police. Get the surveillance recording of that area and find out who that homeless guy is!"

A week's trip ended in the blink of an eye.

The group had a lot of fun, but they had to go back to their daily routines when they returned to Jangasas.

Cordelia took two days before she finally completed the accumulated work she had.

"Looks like one can't really take a break..." she lamented as she browsed the report. "All the mind thinks about is fun once there's a break, and there's no mood to work!" "I'll get you something interesting to do then, okay?"

A bright voice suddenly came from the door.

Cordelia looked up to see Annie guiding Seth in.

"I've heard Marcus say that you're a busy person," Seth said with a smile. "Now that I see you, I actually feel like you're different from how you usually are!"

"Really?" Cordelia beamed. "What am I like usually, and what am I like today?"

"You cling to Marcus usually, but today, you're like a successful CEO!"

Cordelia giggled heartily. She invited Seth to have a seat and personally made him coffee.

Seth looked at her. "Cordelia, who knows? You might actually become a CEO in the future. You look like one!"

"CEO? Alright, stop making me embarrassed. I'd be thankful to keep this job!"

"Hah, I almost forgot what I'm here for." Seth took out a stack of photos. "I'm here today to bring you this!"

Cordelia took the photos and looked at them closely, her eyes reddening.

Chapter 137

Chapter 137

These were Xyla's photos.

The mental health hospital was relatively special. The majority of the patients had below-average immune systems. In order to prevent germs and viruses brought in through family visitations, the hospital recently changed its rules.

Family members could only visit once a month while the patients had to stay in the hospital the rest of the time, taken care of by professionals.

Cordelia could not see her mother whenever she pleased like she used to now. That was why Seth took photos occasionally-thanks to his duty's convenience and brought them to her, so she knew that her mother was doing well.

"Ms. Irwin's recovering well," Seth said with a chuckle. "The nurse who's taking care of her says that she's behaving just like an ordinary person recently, whether it's conversations or outdoor activities. I went through her medical record and asked her doctor too. Her recent dosage has been halved."

"Really?" This was undoubtedly great news to Cordelia.

"Yeah." Seth nodded. "But I'm only a doctor transferred here to learn. I don't have too much authority, so I can't always take you in to visit her. Otherwise, you'd be surprised!"

"Don't say that." Cordelia smiled gratefully. "These photos are wonderful! Dr. Stafford, thank you so much."

"You're too courteous." Seth pressed his lips together. "I should be thanking you!"

"Thank me?"

Seth was a little embarrassed but scratched his head and replied with a smile, "I've been going on dates with Linda recently... Heh, I know that you must have put in a lot of good words for me, right? Thank you, Cordelia!"

Cordelia was sincerely happy for him and wished Linda the best. It was just that she did not know if Linda had told him about... that.

She fell quiet for a moment before smiling at him. "You have yourself to thank for. Linda's moved by your sincerity."

"But if you didn't organize the trip, I wouldn't have moved along so fast with her."

"Alright, let's stop thanking each other. It's like we're strangers!" Cordelia beamed. She turned to pull the drawer open when she suddenly remembered something.

"Right, the boxing club Marcus' in has a match this weekend. This is the ticket. Come with Linda?"

Seth's eyes glowed. "Marcus' match?"

"Not him. It's a few students he's teaching." Cordelia smiled.

"Oh, we have to go for sure! Let's see how good the students are when they have such a stern teacher!"

"Mm, we'll be expecting you!"

Cordelia sent Seth to the exit and carefully kept the photos when she returned to her office before diving back into work.

During this half a year of her marriage with Marcus, their relationship improved every day. Their jobs were stable as well, and they worked hard for each other.

Her mother was doing better with her illness, and Carter had left the trauma of being a bully victim, currently preparing for his exam to enroll in the university he wanted.

Each time she was in danger, it would always turn out alright-it was even a blessing in disguise sometimes.

Cordelia thought back to how her world was dark and lightless, like she was in an abyss half a year ago. The heavens probably could not bear to see her suffer so much, thus sending Marcus to save her, she mused.

She smiled, happiness evident from her dimples.

...

Cordelia came to the competition venue early in the weekend. The place filled up in a while.

Just like last time, Marcus put her right in the center.

Linda and Seth came some time later.

"Cordelia, this place is great!" Seth exclaimed. Watching the cheering crowd and enthusiastic athletes, he felt like he had entered a new realm and could hardly keep up.

The few brawny men on stage were Marcus' students. Their strikes were fast, brutal, and precise. Their opponents could barely counter and kept retreating. As the bells rang, the winners were almost always Marcus' students.

As the main instructor, Marcus calmly sat backstage, and a hint of approval flashed in his frosty expression.

Chapter 138

Chapter 138

"Wow, it's amazing! Yes!" Seth was thrilled. He was like the rest of the spectators during the match, springing up and cheering with all his might. "That's the way to go! Hook punch... Yes!" The cheers were deafening. Marcus' student won another round.

"Cordelia, does Marcus get a lot of cash prizes if his students keep winning these matches?"

Cordelia giggled so much she could hardly answer the question.

"What are you doing?" Linda was also laughing. "Are you switching lanes? Quitting medicine to be a trainer?"

"This looks great!" Seth looked around. "Look at these spectators. They came in with tickets. The boxers are paid whether they win or lose. Of course the trainer will get even more!" "Goodness, Seth, I can see dollar signs in your eyes!" Linda widened her eyes.

Seth sighed intentionally, "How do I save up to get married otherwise?"

"What are you saying?"

Seth held back his laugh and kept shaking his head.

It caused Linda to laugh as well. She was going to punch him but suddenly froze when she turned around.

Cordelia paused, noticing that she did not look okay. "Linda, what's wrong?"

Linda was silent as she kept staring in a certain direction. She slowly began to shake with a pale face.

Cordelia followed her gaze.

Not too far away from the spectator's seats, someone was weaving through the crowd toward the fire escape.

Cordelia vaguely thought that the person looked strong with a chilling presence, just glancing at his back. She was startled. When she looked back at Linda, she seemed to understand something. It was then that Linda suddenly got up.

"Where are you going?" Cordelia gave chase.

Linda did not say anything, sprinting toward that person. They went through the fire escape and a dim hallway to arrive at the venue's backstage area.

Cordelia panted. Just when she was going to ask about it, Linda stopped abruptly.

That man stood across Marcus outside of the changing room. The cool light of the fluorescent tube illuminated the men's sculpted faces.

Both of them had strong presences with equally cold and deep gazes. It was just that the unknown man's face seemed darker in expression. "Darling..." Cordelia's heart thumped.

The man did not look kind. She was worried that Marcus would be caught at a disadvantage. Why did Marcus know him, though? Cordelia looked at him and then at Linda, her head a mess.

"Darling?" The man's tone was flippant as he looked at Marcus coldly. "You got married? Looks like you're living quite well!"

Marcus kept his gaze on the man without saying anything.

The man was thuggish, with a scar running across his brow. He wore a pair of black gloves despite the warm weather. The moment he looked at Cordelia, he saw Linda, who was beside her. His expression changed then. The iciness in his eyes cracked like the frozen surface of the lake.

Linda kept her eyes trained on him like she had seen a ghost while she shook like a leaf.

"Linda..." Cordelia went up to hold her hand.

The man's shock only lasted a moment before he recovered his aloofness. He looked disdainfully at Marcus with a smirk and flicked cigarette ash on him without a care.

Chapter 139

Chapter 139

"Hey! What are you doing!?" Cordelia cried and ran to put herself in front of her husband.

"I'm not doing anything!" The man looked malicious. "Ask your husband how he used to serve me... Hah, he'd put his hands up when I flicked the ash. His palms are my ashtray!"

"You"

"Pretty, did you think you married some nice guy?"

The man scanned Cordelia from head to toe, his gaze unsettling her.

"Heh, the lowest of thugs. He was looked down on when he was in prison, and you're treating him like a gem?" the man scoffed. "Marcus, you lucky b*stard!"

"That's enough!" Cordelia shouted fiercely. "I don't care who you are. This is a public space. If you disrespect my husband again, I'll call security!"

The man's gaze was sharp. "Marcus, why are you still so useless? Do you only know how to hide behind a woman?"

"Uh... is something wrong?" Seth, who came later, looked at the few people, lost and sweating.

He was the most worried about Linda, so he stood next to her. Before he could go close, she stepped to the side to keep some distance from him.

This took Seth aback. He heard the man snort before he left.

Cordelia was flustered in rage as she carefully checked Marcus if the cigarette ash burned him.

Meanwhile, Linda looked like she had lost her soul. As the men left, her gaze followed. A while later, she bit her lips and sprinted in the direction the man had left in. "Linda..." Seth did not manage to stop her, but the pang in his heart hurt so much that he could not speak.

Linda gave chase to the stadium's entrance.

She saw a dozen luxury cars driving over slowly from a distance, and tens of men in black lined both sides. Someone pulled the first car's door open for the man.

The man turned back for a glance before he got into the car.

Tears spilled from Linda's eyes as she cried out shakily, "Nicholas Thompson..."

The bodyguards turned over to her, looking on guard.

Linda stumbled forward, but what greeted her were Nicholas' impassive words. "I don't know you. Don't come to me anymore."

There was a buzz in Linda's ears. "What did you say?"

The man did not repeat himself but ducked his head to get into the car.

The fleet of cars left slowly, leaving Linda on the spot with her vision blurred by her tears while her heart pained like it was cut. When the last car was about to leave her sigh, she suddenly sprinted and yelled as she ran, "Nicholas! Come back!

"Nicholas Thompson! Are you a man? You said that you were going to take care of me for life! Have you forgotten!?

"Nicholas Thompson-"

The man in the car sat straight like a statue. His hands on his knees were balled into fists with his fingernails stabbing his palms.

Linda's hysterical cries faded with the wind but seared his heart clearer than ever. He gnashed his teeth. Even when he was shaking, he had to keep a nonchalant look.

"N, Hugh and Leo are meeting you tonight at V8."

"Mm, got it."

"I'll increase the men standing guard outside. Even if there's a police ambush, you can leave through the backdoor."

Nicholas nodded.

"N... About Ms. Quimby, are you really..."

"I don't know this woman. How many times do I need to repeat myself?!"

"Got it." His underling lowered his head, not daring to ask more.

"Do you want to dig into Marcus, though?"

Chapter 140

Chapter 140

When he saw Marcus just now, something did seem wrong. They beat him up quite often back when they were in prison, but the authoritative and frosty presence when Marcus saw him just now took him by

surprise.

He had even gotten married?

Any woman with a sane mind would avoid him like the plague. Who would dare marry him!?

"Keep your guard up when you investigate. Keep it under the radar." Nicholas lit a cigarette and puffed a long exhale.

"N, his wife seems close with Ms. Quimby. Do you..."

"Find out about his wife too!" Nicholas' gaze was ferocious. "Ha, I'd like to know who the girl is and what they're trying to do!"

Cordelia prepared a bath for Marcus when they came back home at night, making him take it while she massaged him from the side of the bathtub.

"You don't have to." Marcus smiled softly. "Go to bed. I'll go after I'm done."

"I'm not tired!" Cordelia looked at him, her small hands running on him stubbornly.

There was a subtle change in Marcus' expression. The reason he did not want her to massage him was that... her strength could barely be considered a massage-it was seduction.

It was as if her slender fingers had magic. Wherever they landed on him, he felt.....

Marcus took a deep breath and turned to look at her. Cordelia's face was pink, sweat pearling at the tip of her nose. She had some stray hair that got stuck by the side of her face and looked adorable. He really wanted to pull her into the tub.

Marcus smirked. He was going to catch her wrist when Cordelia's sentence stopped him.

"Keep your mind out of the gutter. I can't today."

Cordelia grinned playfully and continued to massage his arm.

Marcus deflated instantly and slumped by the bathtub, letting her do whatever she pleased.

"Do you only think about this?"

Marcus thought that he was unlike other men. He only thought about this when he was facing Cordelia.

"Hmm... of course not." Despite what he thought, he ought to put up a front. "Men think about a lot of things. That's only a small part of life."

"A lot of things?" Cordelia looked at him. "Like what? Like how to hurt someone you loved?"

"What do you mean by that?" Marcus was on his guard instantly. He had never done anything to hurt her!

"I just think Linda's a poor thing." Cordelia's tone went softer. "You saw it today too. That man... obviously knows her, and she has told me that she had a childhood sweetheart, but they separated due to some reason. I thought he died back then, not expecting..."

Marcus narrowed his eyes. "He's Linda's ex-boyfriend?"

"I guess so." Cordelia nodded and looked at him in confusion. "Darling, don't you know him? But why did the man talk to you like that? Did you have grudges in the past?"

Marcus paused, his gaze darkening.

"It's a long time ago." He glossed it over. "I didn't expect to meet him there either."

"What happened between you two?"

"I'll let you know next time." He forced a smile and patted her head. "It's been a long day for you too. Get some rest. I'll be quick."

Cordelia placed the towel and clean clothes by the side and obediently left the bathroom.

Marcus grabbed his phone and dialed a number, asking in a hushed voice, "Do you have what I want?"

"I've sent the information to your email."

"Is that man really Nicholas Thompson?"

"Yes," replied Robert. "If things go as expected, Nicholas will also look into you and even Ms. Cordelia. I'm afraid that you can't hide your identity any longer!"