Ch. 141..150

Chapter 141

Chapter 141

Marcus did not say anything, but his breathing grew more labored.

His phone buzzed as the email arrived. He browsed the information. As expected, Nicholas did have a grudge against the real Marcus.

Robert was still speaking. “Sir, Nicholas went to prison for intentionally harming someone when he was 18. He was sentenced to ten years but got out two years earlier due to his stellar behavior in there.

"He's done well in Jangasas these two years, taking over several big groups. There are also rumors saying that he got up to where he is by instigating a few bosses and eliminating them in the dark." Marcus' brows were furrowed as he rubbed his temples softly.

"Nicholas has a number of bars and clubs under him now, but they are only fronts. He's full of illegal dealings."

He asked in a low voice, "What was he like in prison?"

Robert coughed. "He was pretty much a head in there. It's said that criminals are ranked too. People like Nicholas, who got imprisoned for killing or injuring people, are superior and are respected by other inmates.

"As for... r*pists like Marcus, they're looked down on the most."

"What?" Zephyr was surprised that the man he was impersonating was actually someone like that!

"Isn't it said that the man's only a small-time thug who fights?"

Robert chuckled wryly, "Mr. Z, how could a regular thug go in and out of prison so frequently?"

Zephyr's brows were knitted together, and his temples throbbed harder.

"Marcus was a recidivist. It's said that the youngest girl he assaulted was only 16 years old..."

Zephyr took a deep breath and exhaled.

Repulsive! It was not just Nicholas. Even he would look down on a man like this. It was fortunate that Marcus Grist was already dead.

"Sir, it's best that you stay away from Nicholas. He's quite influential now-not as much as the Hamertons, but he's in the gangs. They don't play on the same field as we do. If he..."

"Mm, I understand." He knew what Robert was going to say.

If Nicholas came looking for trouble with him because of the former's past disdain and loathing for Marcus, it would be easy for him to know that he was not Marcus.

Zephyr was not scared of anything but Cordelia finding out. She would discover that he was Zephyr Hamerton sooner or later, but he wanted to take his time and explain it to her. Before that, nothing unexpected could happen.

Zephyr hung up and dried himself with the towel before he went out.

Cordelia was already sleeping-face against the bed. Her arms were spread wide while one leg was curled and another straightened. She had occupied the entire bed.

Zephyr smiled. His wife's sleeping posture was not very nice, but he liked it.

He padded over and pressed a kiss on her forehead. He tucked her in before going out to the living room.

The Hamerton Group's land acquisition west of Centrolis was only halfway completed. He had to figure out a way to pull Melorian's fund over so both parties could work on the project. It was just that the old man had always had his guard up regarding Zephyr's grandfather and refused to collaborate easily.

Zephyr pinched between his brows and turned on the laptop to continue drafting his proposal.

Who knew how long it had been when he straightened up and wanted to pour himself a glass of water only to realize that Cordelia was looking at him blearily from the bedroom door.

"Honey, what are you doing?"

Zephyr paused and closed the laptop silently.

"I couldn't sleep, so I got up to read some news."

Chapter 142

Chapter 142

"It's so late at night... There's still news?"

"Some old news. I'm just browsing out of boredom."

Cordelia nodded. Still sleepy, she snuggled against him.

As Zephyr held her, he pressed his nose against her long hair, soothed by the faint fragrance. If it were not because of her inconvenience...

He took a deep breath to suppress his urge. These lustful thoughts were becoming more frequent these days,

Cordelia's voice was pouty. "Darling, I have something to discuss with you."

"What is it?"

"My dad talked to me, asking me to work at the Jenner Group. He said he'll pay me three times more than what I make here, so I won't have to worry about mom's medical fees." Zephyr frowned with a dark gleam in his eyes.

The old sly fox William would never have intentions as pure as they seemed.

"And what do you think?"

"Me?" Cordelia smiled. She was level-headed. "You think my dad would be so nice to ask me back? He's never acted like a father to me, not even once, all this while. Isn't it odd that he suddenly asked me to go work at the Jenner Group?"

Zephyr's frown slowly smoothed out as he smiled. He knew that his wife was smart. She would not be easily fooled or blinded by so-called "familial ties".

"What my dad loves the most is that insignificant power of his." Cordelia continued. "Yelena wasn't too obedient previously, and he has his guard up because of it. Asking me to go back now is only a warning to Yelena so that she knows that there's another daughter aside from her.

"Perhaps if I think of him worse, that should be..." Cordelia curled herself up and rested her chin on her knees, her big eyes shining. "He wants to watch us fight, Yelena and me. Hah, he just wants to use me to keep Yelena in check."

There was a pause in Zephyr before he chuckled.

"You really think so?"

"Mm." Cordelia looked up at him. "Darling, would you think I'm scary for assuming my birth father to be so brutal?"

"No." Zephyr shook his head with a gentle expression. "I'm relieved."

"What?"

"I'm relieved that you think of it. It shows that you have brains. You're not a silly little bunny." Zephyr's tone was deep. "It also means that you're able to protect yourself. This way, even if I'm not by your side one day... you'll be able to live well."

Cordelia mulled over his words and suddenly found them wrong.

"Honey, what did you say?" She frantically held his hand and stared at him. "What do you mean by that? Are you... Are you leaving me?"

Zephyr felt his heart squeeze and forced a smile.

Cordelia noticed the red string still around his wrist.

"You really believe what that granny said?" she asked in a low tone.

"I..." Zephyr licked his lips, not knowing what to say.

The issue between them would surface one day like the iceberg hidden underwater. He would do all he could to keep her safe, but he dared not promise that he could still hug her like he did now. "I'm just saying if." Zephyr chuckled. "Didn't the old woman say that we'd part?"

"But she also said that we'll be happy together ultimately!"

That was where Cordelia was different. She was like a sunflower, always seeing the bright side.

On the other hand, his innate pessimism, guard, and alertness were all etched in his blood. Whatever it was, he would always plan for the worst.

"Yeah, we'll be happy." He rubbed her head with a smile. "Enough of this. Weren't we talking about you joining the Jenner Group? I want to know your final decision."

Chapter 143

Chapter 143

Cordelia's head was tilted. A wash of indifference flashed across her pretty face.

"My decision is... I refuse to," she said without any hesitation.

The answer was slightly out of Zephyr's expectations, but he wanted to know what his wife was thinking.

"I grew up in an abnormal family." Cordelia rested against him and said slowly, "Dad's nothing more than a noun, mom's never had a clear mind, and I had to take care of my younger brother. I also had to endure Joanne and Yelena's bullying and insults. I honestly don't know what the Jenners have brought me.

"This family has never given me warmth. There's no need for me to contribute to the Jenners either." Cordelia looked up at him. "I'm already your wife. I'm Mrs. Grist. I'm no longer related to the Jenners. Moreover, my dad's intention in asking me to go back isn't pure. I don't want to be his chess piece.

"Darling..." Cordelia wrapped her arms around his waist. "I just want the two of us to enjoy our lives without thinking about anything else."

Zephyr stroked her back. He could not fully empathize with her but understood the psychological trauma it would cause a child growing up in an abnormal family.

The Hamertons looked rich and dandy on the outside, but it was not exactly a normal family. It was even more twisted and dark.

Zephyr did not want Cordelia to be aggrieved, but she had to learn to dance with the wolves. It was the law of survival.

He sighed softly and told her, "Cordelia, I don't actually think so."

"What?"

"I can understand that you no longer want anything to do with the Jenners, but you can't change the fact that you're tied to them this whole life. It's a fact that you're related by blood, and it won't disappear just because you cut contact with them."

Cordelia's bright eyes dimmed abruptly.

"Have you thought about your mom?"

Cordelia bit her lips. Zephyr's rough fingers stroked her cheek, his gaze deep and focused.

"You said that William Jenner forced himself on your mother back then, and that's how you were born. It also caused your mom's psychiatric condition, thus her admittance to the mental health hospital. This is because of William Jenner!

"But it's been too long, and what your mom's suffered can no longer be accounted for. You having the Jenners' blood can't be changed.

"What you can do now is to take back what you're entitled to... You need to seek justice for your mom!"

Cordelia looked at him in a daze. She wore a complex expression with hints of surprise.

No one had ever told her these, and she had never thought about it. She had been living in her joy and sorrow all this while, forgetting what her mother had gone through.

Cordelia felt a heated pool in her eyes as she hid in his embrace. This had become her habit. Whenever she grew emotional, she would snuggle into his arms. The man's warm and built chest was her best haven, giving her an immense sense of security.

She asked softly, "Honey, should I... fight against Yelena for the family assets?"

"That's not the goal," Zephyr answered faintly. "Your goal is to teach those who've hurt you a lesson."

The girl was quiet for a bit. After that, she looked up at him determinedly and nodded. "Mm, I understand!" Zephyr was stunned.

Despite that, the sparkle in Cordelia's eyes told him that she knew what to do. He looked at her gently with approval. She was smart, clever, and tough. She had a soft but strong heart, resilient determination, and a kind but clear limit.

The old woman was right. Of course a woman like this had the destiny of an empress-and the man who would stand by the queen in the future had to be him, the heir of the Hamerton empire. Zephyr smiled, leading her back to the bedroom by her hand and patiently tucking her back to sleep.

A few days later, Josiah asked to meet Zephyr at the rooftop of the Regalia building to tell him about the land west of Centrolis.

Zephyr's glower grew darker. As his fingers tensed, he nearly broke the cigar in his hand.

"Z..." Fredric quickly coughed to stop Josiah from going on.

"Uncle Matthew's really crazy," Zephyr snorted. "He dares instigate my grandfather's people!"

The force of Zephyr's maternal grandfather was in Ricos and Melorian. The five top finance institutions in Chaiseland that Zephyr managed were also established with the support of his maternal grandfather's family.

As for Matthew, he kept conspiring in Chaiseland recently. Zephyr's maternal grandfather's doting on him had caused dissatisfaction from the family's direct descendants. Zephyr's uncle on his mother's side, especially, was disdainful about it, thinking that his father had given all the benefits to someone who did not share the same family name with them.

Matthew used this as instigation, and Zephyr's maternal uncle worked from within, disrupting the fund from Melorian to arrive in time.

As the land on the west of Centrolis dragged on, it would ultimately become Matthew's.

"Z, you don't actually have to be too anxious." Fredric soothed. "Your Uncle Matthew doesn't have that much money. The west suburb isn't a pie one can just bite off. A wrong move will actually cause him damage. We just have to wait and observe. There'll be a way to take care of him then."

"Mm." Zephyr nodded. Fredric's opinion was what he thought too. What they could do now was only respond to the changes by staying still.

Josiah smiled and changed the topic. "Right, I think sis-in-law's bold and resolute like you now! I heard that she resigned from Bowfest."

"She really did?" Zephyr looked at him, a crack of a smile appearing on his otherwise stern face.

"Why did she resign?" Fredric was puzzled. "Isn't she already a director there?"

"You're underestimating our sis-in-law here!" said Josiah. "What does a director count for? I heard Cordelia negotiated with William Jenner and asked for the Jenner Group's shares and a seat on the board of directors. William actually agreed!"

Fredric widened his eyes in disbelief while Zephyr only smiled. She had really done it. It seemed that what he had taught her that night had not gone to waste.

"Alright, you guys go on. I should head home." Zephyr got up and stretched before he walked downstairs.

"Z, so early?"

He replied with a low hum and turned around with a chortle. "I should go back and cook for my wife to celebrate joining the board of directors!"

Josiah and Fredric nearly dropped their jaws. Mr. Z Hamerton knew how to cook?

Despite that, Zephyr did not go far when he turned around again and told Josiah, "Actually, ask the kitchen to prepare a few dishes. I'll have them to-go."

The two men nearly suffered an internal injury from holding back their peals of laughter.

Zephyr kept a blank face and entered the elevator. As the elevator descended to the lobby on the first floor, he felt a pair of sharp eyes on him from his back. He snapped his head back, but everything was as usual.

He frowned, doubts bubbling in his mind. A shadow flashed before him just as he was about to move forward.

"Hah, looks like you've been doing great, huh? You can actually afford to come to a place like this."

Chapter 144

Chapter 144

The face under the black baseball cap was a thuggish face. The smirking eyes were tinged with some sense of arrogance and contempt.

Zephyr paused before greeting with a straight face. "Mr. Thompson."

"What?" Nicholas was surprised, sneering. "Did I hear it right? You're calling me Mr. Thompson?"

Zephyr smiled, his gaze deep and impassive. There was an innate sense of authority on him that anyone who came close would feel an intangible pressure-Nicholas was not exempted from it. It unnerved Nicholas, and he felt strange about it too.

"You must have forgotten what you were like when you pandered to me in the past, huh?" He patted Zephyr's shoulder. "Hah, you were like 'Mr. N', 'Sir'... Stop f*cking acting like some civilized man now!" Just as Nicholas' hand touched Zephyr's shoulder, the latter grabbed his wrist immediately.

Nicholas was surprised but kept a straight face. He wanted to pry his hand away, but Zephyr kept a vice grip, disallowing him to move.

"Marcus!" he growled. "What do you want?"

Zephyr scoffed and twisted his wrist.

The sense of pain that surged painted Nicholas' face red. His eyes were murderous as he stared at Zephyr.

"Mr. Thompson, please watch your words," Zephyr emphasized each word. "No matter how useless I was, it's in the past. You must have heard how people change with time, right?"

"Marcus Grist—"

"Even if I've pandered to you in the past, you're unworthy of it from now on! So stop coming to me for trouble. Don't blame me for playing rough, otherwise!"

Each word was so powerful and dominant that Nicholas could not help being alarmed.

Zephyr let go of him and scoffed, the sharpness in his gaze piercing him. As he watched Zephyr leave, he was momentarily stunned before the scar around his eye seemed more hostile. "N." His underling rushed over.

"What did you find?"

"Marcus owed gambling money a year ago and broke the rules. It's said that he's already... already been killed!"

Nicholas was shocked. "Is the info reliable?"

"Not sure." His underling licked his lips. "I asked around a few places. Some said that he's dead, some said that his finger was chopped and that he was thrown out of Jangasas... But I think the possibility of him being alive isn't high."

Nicholas looked serious.

Someone who had offended the gangs would not act like the person just now, even if he managed to stay alive. He stood tall and straight in front of him and was so strong that he nearly broke his wrist. In spite of it, who was that guy if he was not Marcus?

"Keep investigating," Nicholas instructed coldly. "Stay alert! Don't cause other troubles!"

Cordelia stood outside the brightly lit meeting room. The simple and elegant dark-colored business suit accentuated her grace and charm. She took a deep breath and entered.

Although she was mentally prepared, she still lost her courage facing so many judging looks.

"This is the director's other daughter, right?" someone commented softly. "That illegitimate daughter?"

"Shh... You can't say that! Who could guess what Mr. Jenner's thinking? She could be illegitimate now, but she could be running the family business in the future!"

Chapter 145

Chapter 145

"Does that mean Ms. Yelena has completely lost her right?"

"Hard to tell... Mr. Jenner was furious when she got conned the last time. I mean, how's that kind of brain managing a huge group like this?"

Cordelia heard all the whispered comments and tried hard to close them off.

Marcus had told her before. Whatever happened, she had to respond with composure. The calmer she was, the better she could figure out a solution. One would lose their cool easily when they panicked. Once she thought of her husband, she smiled a little and felt more relaxed.

The board meeting began as scheduled.

William made a brief introduction of Cordelia in the meeting and assigned her corresponding duties. The shareholders watched silently. Even when they were in doubt, they kept up enough of a facade to welcome Cordelia.

After all, there was no set outcome yet. No one dared guarantee what the future would be like. It would be the wisest choice not to offend anyone.

When the meeting ended and everyone left, Cordelia packed and followed behind, prepared to familiarize herself with her working environment.

Just as she got to the lobby on the first floor, which was bustling with people, she heard someone call her from the back.

"Cordelia!"

The moment she turned around, she was greeted with a hard slap!

Her mind blanked as she held her throbbing cheek. It felt like the world fell into a vacuum with countless gazes trained on her. She looked up to see Yelena standing in front of her pompously and glaring at her like she was going to swallow her alive.

"You little b*tch!" She raised her voice to insult Cordelia. "You acted like you're not interested in the Jenners' assets, and you finally showed your true colors! You and your shameless mother are the same! Sl*ts!"

"Yelena!" Cordelia trembled slightly. "Stop the accusations! I've never been interested in the Jenners' wealth, but the chairman asked me to come today and gave me the shares! Argue with the board if you're capable. What right do you have to raise your voice here!?"

"Heh, trying to oppress me with dad? You b*tch, don't think I don't know how you goaded him!

"Oh, yeah." Yelena turned to face the crowd and sneered. "You guys have no idea what this Ms. Jenner's husband is like, right?

"He's an infamous thug! Fights and prison are common for him!"

Cordelia clenched her fists. It felt like all her blood had rushed up to her head.

"But this baby sister of mine likes taking in pieces of trash! No matter how useless her man is, she likes giving him money to spend!"

Yelena's cackle was shrill. "Hah... Why, Cordelia? You like him so much?"

She dragged her voice on purpose, so everyone in the lobby could hear it.

Cordelia flushed. The comments around her felt like blades cutting her. The disdainful and disdainful gazes felt like hailstones storming on her. She bit her lips and met Yelena's sinister eyes. At the same time, she caught William coming downstairs out of the corner of her eyes.

Cordelia paused and took a deep breath to force herself to stay calm.

She said softly, "Yelena, watch your behavior. It's not nice to speak like this in the company."

Yelena crossed her arms and rolled her eyes at Cordelia. "Oh? You'd be worried about this?"

"I'm just worried that it'd affect us, the Jenners." Cordelia intentionally emphasized the word "us”.

William was an egoistic man. No matter how split up his family was, he forbade them from being a joke to the outsiders. For Yelena to kick up such a fuss in public, there was no doubt that she was digging her own grave.

Chapter 146

Chapter 146

As expected, William, who was on the stairs, stopped moving. His face was getting grim.

The secretary wanted to step in, but he stopped her.

He wanted to know what his daughters would say!

Cordelia said calmly, "Sister, don't you know why I got married? If dad didn't dote on you and love you, how would I be the one who got married instead?

"It's inappropriate to talk about our family matters in the office. You should stop."

After saying that, she wanted to walk past her to get the elevator, but Yelena rushed toward her.

"What? You wouldn't dare to fight me?" She looked barbaric. "What happened to your capability? What happened to your tongue that's so good at talking!? Hah, you dare not fight me now? Who are you pretending to be weak for, you b*tch!"

Cordelia was waiting for her to stir things up!

She peeped at her with her side eye and suddenly scoffed. "What capability do I have, sister? Dad loves you and is going to give you his business in the future. I'm just picking up the pieces and laying the path for you."

"Yeah, right! Who knows what tricks you have up your sleeves?"

"All I want is to serve you, really."

The more Yelena came closer, the more Cordelia advanced by retreat. "I'm nothing in the Jenners. You're the family's only heiress. I wouldn't dare to fight that with you!"

"Who said she's the Jenners' only heiress?"

The roar pierced like a sharp arrow, silencing the entire lobby. Everyone stared in the direction where the roar came from, stunned.

William's face was grimmer than his footsteps. He glared at Yelena in disappointment and stood next to Cordelia.

His voice was deep as he spoke. "Cordelia, remember, you're a Jenner too. You're also my daughter."

She said nothing. Yelena, who was aside, immediately stared at her in rage.

"Dad!"

Cordelia said flatly, "Dad, I never wanted to fight, nor did I dare to fight with my sister. I know you have your hopes on her..."

"Her?" William was pissed. "She can't hold back whenever she encounters a situation. She'll fight regardless of the occasion. She doesn't behave like an heiress at all! She's far from deserving to be an heiress!"

"Dad, you..." Yelena widened her eyes in disbelief.

Cordelia, who stood next to William, looked calm. There was a hidden smirk at the corner of her lips.

It looked like a scene of a gentle father and a filial daughter!

Yelena was pissed. Ignoring everything, she waved at Cordelia to hit her. The latter did not have the intention to dodge that.

However, William held her wrist before the slap landed!

"Dad!"

"Are you done?" William was raging.

"Dad, look at her! This b*tch dares to sow discord between us right to my face!"

"Yelena!" William scolded, "Who are you calling a b*tch? Cordelia is your sister by blood, yet you call her that? Am I nothing to you?" "You-"

She could not believe this was her father who had been treating her like a precious thing since she was young.

He was not like this in the past!

She used to be the only princess of the Jenners...

Biting her lip with her red eyes, Yelena stared at him furiously. "Dad, why are you siding with her? Who is your daughter by blood!?"

"Do you think I'm blind not to know who my children are?" William scoffed. "Both of you are my daughters! If you dare to talk like that again, you better watch out!" Yelena took two steps back. She was shaking from the rage.

Cordelia scoffed. "Don't get worked up, dad. My sister doesn't mean it. Moreover, she's been treating me like this since I was young. I've gotten used to it."

Chapter 147

Chapter 147

"You"

Cordelia took a step forward, "Sister, we're the Jenners. We're from the same family. We're together in weal and woe. You being humiliated would mean that dad is also humiliated. If you want to throw a tantrum at me in the future, do it somewhere that's just us. You can do whatever you want to me. But never humiliate dad in public!"

Yelena turned pale. She stared right at her.

Cordelia's every word struck the crucial points. No matter how dumb Yelena was, she dared not lash out at the moment.

"Hah, I never thought you pretended to be carefree before, yet you're brutal when you fight!"

Cordelia looked cold as she enunciated each word. "I just want to be at peace with you."

Yelena turned around and left after a scoff.

Watching her leave, Cordelia accidentally peeped at William's pleased face.

She suddenly felt a little sad.

In reality, Cordelia and Yelena were just chess pieces that were played. What was the meaning of winning?

She said softly, "Dad, I'm going back to the office."

"Sure." He smiled. "I'm right about you, Cordelia! Do well, and you'll definitely have a share of the Jenner Group in the future."

Cordelia smiled, but she looked like she did not care. However, there was more resentment toward William now.

She was moody when she returned home at night.

Zephyr was cleaning the floor while humming to a tune. He showed a big smile when he saw her home.

"How well did I do, wifey?"

He showed her the fruit of his labor throughout the entire afternoon.

Cordelia looked around-she was in a pickle.

This man could not do house chores. He had done a terrible job, as there were water spots everywhere.

He had collected the clothes from the balcony. However, instead of saying that he had "folded" them, it made more sense to say that he had stuffed them.

He had not put the things back in the room where they were.

There seemed to be something cooking in the kitchen.

He ran in in excitement, bringing out a pot and plates. Cordelia looked at it—it was spaghetti again.

Since they were married half a year ago, he could not cook many dishes. Spaghetti was a big flop.

She forced a smile. She felt happy inside when she saw him sweating but excited. She caressed his neck and fell into his embrace like a kitten. She was indulging in the joy and stability despite the cooking smell on him.

She said softly, "Hubby, remember the time when you couldn't do anything when we just got married? I'd have to serve you and cook for you when I got home from work."

He smiled. "Were you annoyed by me?"

"Yes!" Cordelia hit him. "I wanted to strangle you!"

"What about now? I've improved so much, yes?"

"Hmm... At least you can cook now, though it's not good."

"What did you say!" Zephyr glared at her immediately. He removed the apron, looking upset. "How dare you look down on the secret recipe that I've spent so long to perfect!? You must make it up to me today!" Cordelia laughed heartily. She got herself a big plate of spaghetti and ate it like a good girl.

"Eat more." He had an alluring look on his face. "We have to get down to business after you eat!"

She almost choked.

She put down her fork, her heart pounding. The "business" that the man was talking about... Apart from "that", It could not be anything else.

Her cheeks flushed all the way to her ears.

Chapter 148

Chapter 148

"What's wrong?"

"N-Nothing," Cordelia responded softly.

She secretly peeped at him while eating the spaghetti. She pouted, and her voice was as soft as a mosquito. "You're so accurate with the date..."

What did this man have in his head? How did he know that it was the last day of her period?

She flushed even more now. The way she looked at him was shy and full of blame.

Zephyr was confused. He had no idea what had happened, no matter how he thought about it.

She was just eating spaghetti, so why was she blushing?

He coughed softly and lifted his eyes to look at her. He could not hold back his smile. "Seems like you've adapted yourself at the Jenner Group. Did anything good happen?" Cordelia's eyes dimmed when she heard that. She put down the utensils lightly.

She recounted what had happened in the past few days, including Yelena stirring trouble with her in the company lobby.

As he listened quietly, he could imagine how lonely and helpless she was in the Jenner Group. Although it was a family business, her situation was much tougher than anyone else's. However, she must bear it.

She could not be afraid, nor could she surrender.

Not only that, he would always be by her side.

Cordelia said softly, "Hubby, dad talked to me today. He said... he's getting me to take over the HR department."

Zephyr's eyes lit up.

The HR department was always an important functional department of a company. No one would be put in the position of managing it if they were not trusted.

However, William's intention was suspicious.

Zephyr smiled, and a hint of slyness flashed through his eyes as he asked with his deep voice, "Did you say yes?"

"I rejected him, of course." The lady's response was loud and clear.

He knew it. How would his woman be a fool?

"Why?"

Cordelia asked after glancing at him. "The HR and finance departments are the most important departments in a company. Given my dad's character, he'd want to look after the people and money himself. "He and Joanna have been married for years, while Yelena has been with the company for many years too, never having had any say in HR and finance. So what makes me deserve that position?" Zephyr said nothing, but there was a hint of approval in his eyes.

"There are two possibilities." Cordelia continued to analyze. "He's either testing me to see if I covet the Jenner Group or... he's trying to sow discord between Yelena and me.

"As soon as I agreed, Joanna and Yelena wouldn't let me go. The more we fight, the happier he is!

"So, I won't get myself into trouble." She took a bite of the spaghetti. "At least not now!"

Zephyr chuckled. He pulled a piece of tissue to wipe the corner of her lips. He had an alluring look on his face.

His voice was husky as he complimented, "My wife is so smart."

That came from his heart completely. He had assumed he had married a soft-spoken wife, and never had he thought Cordelia would surprise him over and over again. She was not a trumpet vine that needed support but a cotton tree that stood tall with him. Her roots grew sturdy underground while her leaves touched the sky.

However, the more she was like that, the more he worried about their future.

Cordelia smiled coquettishly at him. There was some pride in her big, beautiful eyes.

"You realized that you married a trophy now, yes?"

Zephyr smiled and remained silent.

He played with her hair. "Wifey, you're wasting your talent to be working for the Jenner Group when you're so smart! Maybe you should be your own boss." "I'd love that..." Cordelia sighed and finished the rest of her food. She then lay on the couch while caressing her bloated belly.

Zephyr smiled as he did the dishes, wiped his hands, and saw her silly face lying on the couch. He walked over and pulled her softly into his sturdy embrace.

Chapter 149

Chapter 149

The man's strong arms hugged her tightly. Looking into his deep eyes, Cordelia suddenly recalled him saying, "We have to get down to business after you eat!" Cordelia's cheeks flushed, and she held her head low. Just like that, she allowed him to hug her like a good girl.

She said shyly, "Hubby, l-let's wait a little bit."

Zephyr was stunned. "Wait a little bit?"

"Didn't you say you wanted to... Ah! Just wait a little bit. I ate too much!"

Zephyr only realized what she was saying after a moment. Holding back his laughter, he said to her with his shaking voice, "I'm taking you out."

Stunned, Cordelia stared at him with her blinking eyes.

"What..."

Zephyr patted her head.

Was he usually too lewd that she had a conditioned reflex to that? She immediately thought of that when he said they would get down to business...

He was the one who taught her to think that!

He smirked, failing to hide the pride in his smile.

Cordelia clenched her fist and punched his chest hard.

"Marcus!"

"Okay." He held her tiny hand in his palm. "The business I meant is to bring you somewhere."

"Where are we going?"

"Didn't you eat too much?" He chuckled. "I'm taking you somewhere to digest the food!"

...

They headed out after Cordelia changed. They took the bus and train, finally arriving at the business district close to the beach in the south after walking for a little bit.

Although it was not as bustling as the city center, the thick artisan atmosphere added romance to the exotic streets around.

Therefore, it became the place where artsy young people gathered.

Although Cordelia was a local, she hardly came here.

She looked around curiously as if she had entered a new playground. Zephyr held her hand as they walked on the gravel road beneath the sycamore trees. Soon, they stopped in front of a shop. Cordelia widened her eyes as if her heart was hit by something.

"Hubby, what's this..."

This place was almost exactly the same as what she had imagined-large, transparent floor-to-ceiling windows, and a small sunlit courtyard full of irises.

He smiled and led her in. The decorations were fresh and simple. There was a coffee machine behind the wooden counter, and coffee beans of all sorts were kept in big, transparent bottles placed neatly on the wall cabinet.

Cordelia was stunned for a long time. She looked at the man next to her blankly as she mumbled, "Am I dreaming?"

Zephyr pinched her soft earlobe.

She suddenly smiled, almost threw herself at him, and held his neck. She was over the moon!

"Hubby, did you find this place for me?

"Am I really going to be my own boss now?

"You're so amazing!"

Cordelia had a sudden change of expression when the excitement subsided. She let go of him. As if recalling something, she had suspicion in her eyes.

She asked in a testing manner, "Hubby, this place is expensive, right?"

Zephyr knew she would ask that. He said nothing and merely smiled.

The suspicion in her eyes grew.

"Can you... tell me the truth?

"What is this exactly?"

Chapter 150

Chapter 150

Zephyr looked at her quietly.

Cordelia suddenly saw a complicated expression in his deep eyes. Her heart was pounding, and her palms were sweating. She pursed her lips.

She only heard her husband speak with a deep voice a long time later.

"I looked for this place for a long time and negotiated with the landlord a few times before renting and renovating it."

Cordelia was stunned.

"You said you wanted a cafe." His face softened as his rough fingers caressed her face. "I kept that in mind.

"So I compared a few shops when I had the time, and eventually decided on this one because I think this matches your requirement.

His voice was deep, with a pampering hint hiding within. "Wifey, your husband can't do anything, but I'll do my best and pay any price to get whatever you want."

What he said sent a jolt to her heart. She held his hand tightly.

"You must've spent a lot of money, right?"

"Hmm, quite a lot." She would not believe it if he said he did not, so he thought he would be serious about it. "It's enough adding up the money I won from the competitions, the salaries, and the commissions I got lately."

To be honest, Cordelia felt pain.

She knew that he must have made quite a lot from the competitions, but he exchanged that with sweat and blood. She refused his salary when he offered because she did not want to splurge on his hard- earned money.

She wanted him to treat himself better, to be able to spend on whatever he wanted.

She did not want him to keep making money.

Never had she thought to spend his money, yet he spent it on her.

"Didn't I ask you to keep the money!?" She looked at him in a blaming manner.

"I kept it for you." He smiled. "It's worth it to spend to fulfill your dream."

"I have many dreams!" She pouted. "Can you fulfill all of them for me?"

"I certainly can."

He held her tight, burying her tiny head in his chest.

Cordelia's smile was bright like the sun. She could hear his strong heartbeat but not the fear hiding within.

She did not know that he just wanted to improve now. If that were the case, perhaps when his identity came to light one day, she would not leave him.

Zephyr led her behind the counter. He picked light roast coffee beans from Emepa and put them into the coffee machine.

"Let me be your first customer today," he said with a smile, raising his eyebrows. "One black coffee, please."

Cordelia agreed while smiling. She made coffee professionally.

The sky was turning dark, and the lights were lit outside. The sycamore trees were swaying in the breeze. The shop was filled with coffee fragrances. Cordelia leaned on Zephyr, watching the sky afar. A smile appeared at the corner of her lips.

Slowly but surely, she seemed to be walking into her colorful dream.

A small launch party was held at the cafe on the weekend.

They struggled to come up with a name for the cafe for many days and decided to use what they had in the end.

It was called Iris.

There were irises everywhere in the courtyard, while the language of the flower meant happiness and love.

It was a sunny day. The clouds floated in the blue sky like clumps of cotton candies, and the summer vibe filled the place.

Zennie was the first who came with a gift. She kept asking for tea and desserts before she went in. She even asked to take them away for her night snack.

However, seeing Zephyr's serious face, she stood frozen at the door like a mouse meeting a cat.

"What's wrong?" Cordelia shook him and said with a smile, "Oh, yes, you haven't met Ms. Hamerton, right? Let me introduce you guys!"

She pulled him to Zennie.

They locked eyes, and Zennie put in a great effort to suppress the smile that was coming.