Ch. 171..180

Chapter 171

Chapter 171

"I'm closing early today." Cordelia wore a blank face. "Please head out. I don't have what you need here!"

Their coworkers looked awkward as they shifted their gazes to Yelena.

Yelena snickered and crossed her arms, gesturing for them to sit tight. "Sis, closing this early isn't beneficial to your rent, is it?"

"Rent?" Cordelia arched her brow. "My husband is paying the rent and running the store. My husband says that starting up this cafe is just so I'm happy, so I can close whenever I'm happy. I don't have to worry about money!

"Besides..." She wiped the counter down as she looked at her and said, "This is a place for coffee and desserts, not for you to gossip!"

"It's already an issue maintaining your business, so why are you acting so arrogantly!?" Yelena felt embarrassed for not being able to dominate Cordelia in front of their coworkers.

"Fine, we can leave! But you must know that your cafe will close sooner or later with so many bad reviews on the Internet!"

"What does closing down or not have to do with you?"

"Nothing, of course." Yelena sneered. "It does with your husband! Sigh, Cordelia, cafes are places of ambiance and mood, but you had to put your husband here. Isn't this digging your own grave?" Cordelia's grip on the coffee mug tightened.

"My husband doesn't rob or steal. He's earning his own worth. What about it? Why is it digging my own grave?"

"Because he used to-"

"The past is in the past!" Cordelia was getting emotional. "You don't have to keep bringing it up!"

"Hah, angry, aren't you?" Yelena was pleased to see her like this. She had never lost to Cordelia in their fights since they were kids. She had assumed that Cordelia's life was ruined when she made the latter marry Marcus in place of her and that she would be able to trample her into the soil.

It was unexpected that Cordelia's life got better with Marcus! Whenever Yelena thought about it, it felt like her heart was pricked.

Now that she finally got this chance, she was going to insult and humiliate Cordelia with her all.

"Ay, how do you get along so well with a felon? I hear that people like this are born this way. Heh... your kids won't inherit such genes, will they?"

Cordelia shot daggers at her but ignored her and turned to switch on the coffee machine. As the machine rumbled to life, it concealed Yelena's snickers. Yelena thought that Cordelia was scared of her, so she only grew bolder in mocking her. "You're so mentally strong! How do you do it? Show me!"

Cordelia focused on making coffee and stayed silent.

"Come on, show me!" Yelena raised her voice. "Show me!"

The coffee machine went quiet all of a sudden.

Cordelia twirled around and poured a fresh iced coffee right on top of Yelena's head!

Taken by surprise, Yelena felt chills from the top of her head. Her hair got matted, and her fake eyelashes were stuck together because of the coffee. Her makeup was ruined. The others were dumbfounded, frozen in place.

Cordelia chuckled. "Didn't you ask me to shower you?"

"There you go, a shower! Did I hear it wrong?"

Yelena was pale and shaking in anger.

"Cordelia! You b*t-"

Before she could finish, Cordelia picked up a cup of steaming hot coffee and acted like she was going to splash her with it.

Yelena screamed and instinctively covered her face.

Cordelia's hand paused in the air, and she ultimately put the mug down.

Cordelia said through her gritted teeth, "Yelena Jenner, listen carefully. I don't care how you treat me, but my husband is where I draw the line!"

Chapter 172

Chapter 172

"Step on the line again, and I'll show you ways to die!"

"You..."

"Get out!" growled Cordelia.

Yelena looked at her, dazed and afraid. Her gaze was still hostile, but she didn't dare to make a fuss anymore.

Linda, who came in at this time, caught what happened. Just looking at the mess on the floor was good enough an indicator of what had happened.

Startled, she was worried that Cordelia would be at a disadvantage and darted over to shove Yelena away immediately.

Yelena stumbled from the push and slammed herself against the corner of the table, breaking out in a cold sweat from the pain.

"Linda Quimby, are you crazy!?" Yelena was hysterical. "How dare you shove me!?"

"Yeah, so?" Linda defended Cordelia. "You're here with these people to find fault with Cordelia, aren't you?"

"Hah, I'm here to bring her business!" Yelena rolled her eyes at her. "Ungrateful brats... You and Cordelia are the same, blind b*tches!"

Linda found it too much of an effort to argue with her and went up to slap her directly, making Yelena see stars. She actually wanted to tone the entire matter down after tucking Cordelia behind her, but Yelena was just this capable-she could bring out the fiercest type of rage deep within someone.

Linda could not help wanting to berate Yelena, seeing the latter's arrogance, but her brimming fury blanked her mind out. She usually had a sharp tongue but was at a loss for words at this critical moment. Since words failed her, she might as well take action!

Linda and Yelena got into a fight, pulling hair and grabbing clothes. Both of them were equally aggressive.

Cordelia wanted to stop the fight but was unable to get in between them. The inside of the cafe turned so chaotic in an instant that the passersby stopped to take a peek.

Nicholas was often lurking at a hidden corner behind the shop to observe Zephyr these days. When he heard the fight's sounds, he could not help being worried for Linda because he had seen her enter just

now.

As he stepped into the front and saw Linda aggressively taking the upper hand with Yelena disheveled from the fight, it was only then he realized that his worry was redundant.

Nicholas hacked a hard cough.

His deep voice stood out amidst the screams of the women.

The place fell silent immediately.

Nicholas suddenly found the situation funny. Linda was feisty and bold and as violent as she used to be.

"What... are you doing?" He entered, plastering a straight face, and looked at Cordelia. "You're shifting lanes to a fight club instead of a cafe now?"

Cordelia took a deep breath and frowned. Things were already chaotic as they were. What was this guy doing here!? She forced herself to calm down, looked at Linda, and tidied her ruffled hair.

Linda kept a scowl on. She met Nicholas' eyes, and the corners of her lips pulled into a sorrowful and self-deprecating smile.

Nicholas had two underlings with him. All three of them were tall and well-built with an intimidating look, too-so they easily scared the women.

Yelena suffered a huge loss. She was helped by others and was about to spew insults when she suddenly met Nicholas' dark and cold gaze. She was startled, and her mind went blank. Then, she quickly ducked her head to avoid his gaze.

Nicholas found it strange and quietly studied her.

He chuckled and turned to Yelena. "Miss, you look like you're injured quite badly. Should I send you to the hospital?"

Chapter 173

Chapter 173

Yelena bit her lips and did her best to turn away with her hair down to prevent Nicholas from seeing her face.

"No need," she answered. "I'll consider myself unlucky today to have run into two losers!"

"What did you say?" Once Linda raised her voice, Yelena shrunk into herself right away.

As she walked out, staying close to the wall, she growled, "Cordelia, just you wait! Watch your pathetic shop every day if you can, or I'll crash it one day!"

Linda was going to dash forward, but Cordelia clutched her hand.

"Forget it." Nicholas picked up a fallen chair to sit down and picked on his sleeves leisurely. He looked at both girls with a small smile. "Are you going to bite the dog back when it bites you?" "None of your business!" Linda vented on him.

The yell went straight to Nicholas' heart. He was dazed, as it was like he went back to his youth. The feisty and willful girl by his side would yell at him like this too-and he liked it. He grinned at her no matter how ridiculous she was with him.

He had never smiled like that since he went to prison.

Despite that, as he looked at her tonight-her red face from anger and her going all out for her friend-he suddenly felt like smiling again.

Nicholas smiled. "Miss, this isn't nice. The most important quality of a girl is being gentle and docile. Which man would dare take you when you're berserk like this?

"Learn from your friend. Look at how she treats her husband!"

Linda snapped her face to him, meeting his eyes with a cold gaze.

She used the same tone and spoke clearly. "Mister, the most important quality to a man is being wise with his words. Which woman would dare stay by a man when he goes back and forth with his promise? "Learn from your prison mate and see how he treats his wife!"

Nicholas' gaze darkened a little.

"Linda Quimby, are you teaching me how to conduct myself?"

"Oh, wow!" Linda scoffed. "You finally remember my name!"

Nicholas' expression grew grimmer, and the cafe felt as if it was sucked into a vacuum. It was distressingly quiet.

"Uh... Why don't you two have a seat?" Cordelia's voice was low. "I'll make you coffee..."

"No need!" Both of them replied in unison.

Caught in the middle, Cordelia could only nod awkwardly.

Linda asked Cordelia to lock up the cafe. She would go home with her to discuss how they would solve the current predicament. Nicholas knew that she was chasing him out and got up on his own. He strode into the night and quickly disappeared into the darkness.

The scenery outside the car flew past swiftly. The dusk had colored the earth red and golden.

Nicholas stroked his chin with a frown, millions of thoughts racing in his head.

"N, what's the matter?" his underling asked in concern.

"Nothing." Nicholas paused and asked, "That girl in the cafe just now..."

"You mean the Jenner heiress?"

"You know her?"

His underling smiled. "N, that's the one always drinking at Euforia!"

Nicholas paused.

Euforia was a gray-area business and also the hottest club under him. Many heirs and heiresses in Jangasas frequented the place, taking it as a venting channel for their feelings. He did not expect Yelena to be one of them.

The spoiled heiress, who was competitive and egoistical, would get sh*tfaced drunk in Euforia every time she was upset.

Chapter 174

Chapter 174

His underling said with a snicker, "N, it's said that Ms. Yelena Jenner's a party animal."

"Is she?" Nicholas chortled as well. "How much of it is she?"

"I wouldn't know. You'll have to ask the hardworking hunks in the club! Haha..."

Nicholas' gaze darkened. He was smiling, but his gaze was tinged with a hint of ice.

A few days later, Yelena was thrown into a dark room in Euforia.

She started off arrogant, screaming and yelling with the liquid courage of the booze. "Who are you? How dare you abduct me!? I'm a VIP patron here! Are you all blind!?" "Of course, I know that you're our VIP patron," an icy voice replied out of the blue.

The room was slowly lit up. The man seated in the center was intimidating with a sharp gaze. The scar around his eyes was exceptionally eye-catching.

Yelena felt her heart drop as she sucked in a cold breath.

Nicholas spoke with a smirk. "Ms. Jenner, VIP patrons with higher status than yours wouldn't dare yell at me like this!"

Yelena knew that Nicholas was a ruthless man. She had recognized him back in Cordelia's cafe that day. She just could not figure out how he was related to Cordelia.

"You... Why are you locking me in here?" Yelena's voice was shaky. "I'm a patron here, and I tip double whenever I drink. Why are you abducting me!?"

Nicholas clapped, and the huge screen in front of Yelena lit up with various surveillance windows. They all showed her being wasted and partying in Euforia.

The Jenner heiress, who was sophisticated and cultured in public, partied like a wild animal wearing skimpy clothes in the club and ordering wine worth tens of thousands of dollars like it was Coca-Cola. Yelena felt chills run down her spine and sobered up. She looked at Nicholas as she slumped on the floor.

"You... What do you want?"

Nicholas hit the pause button. The scenes on the screen burned the eyes.

"Ms. Jenner, I'm just wondering whether your father will still have high hopes for you when he sees his precious daughter drinking and partying here."

"No!" Yelena trembled in fear. "I can do anything you want. You can't tell my dad! He'll kill me... I'll die horribly!"

"You really can do anything I want?"

Yelena nodded profusely.

"I actually don't have many requests. I just hope that you don't seek trouble in my friend's cafe."

Yelena was momentarily stunned and tried her best to pull a string of rationale in her muddled mind. "Cordelia's... your friend?"

Nicholas looked at her coldly. "Just do as you're asked."

Once he thought of how this woman had fought Linda that day, he wanted to beat her up. He put his hands against his back and balled them up into fists.

"Also, the negative reviews of the cafe on the Internet have caused a lot of damage."

"No! It's not me..."

"I don't care whether it's you or not." Nicholas snorted. "Dispel the damage! Do I have to teach you how to do that?"

Yelena shook her head vehemently, praying to just escape.

Yelena stayed cooped up in her room for days after that. She had instructed the paid posters to give bad reviews and leave malicious comments, and now, she spent the same amount of money to ask them to leave five-star reviews.

Iris' reviews gradually improved, but Nicholas still took a screenshot of the video and sent it to Yelena's phone.

Yelena's heart nearly jumped out of her chest.

"Nicholas... W-What more do you want?"

Chapter 175

Chapter 175

"Oops, I sent it to the wrong person." Nicholas' sarcastic voice could be heard on the other end of the line. "I should've sent such pretty photos to Mr. Jenner!" "Nicholas Thompson!"

"Ms. Jenner, you're absolutely delicious in the club!"

Yelena bit her lips and turned pale.

"I've suffered a lot in prison, Ms. Jenner. The fights, especially, kind of disabled my hand.

"If I have a slip of hand one day and accidentally post something... Heh, Ms. Jenner, I wouldn't mind, but your image as a rich heiress..."

"Nicholas... Mr. Thompson!" Yelena's voice shook. "J-Just tell me what you want! I'll do it if I'm able to!"

"It's nothing. It just doesn't seem too sincere how you're resolving the damage."

Yelena gnashed her teeth. "W-What else do you want?"

"You only hired paid posters to give good reviews. I'd have done it myself if it were so simple. Why did I ask you?

"You should apologize when you did something wrong, Ms. Jenner!"

Nicholas sneered.

"You wouldn't not understand simple logic that even kids get, right?"

...

Yelena appeared at the cafe the next evening.

The Jenner heiress, who had always been high and mighty, was dressed in a dark-colored shirt and pants. She did not wear any makeup and pressed her baseball cap as low as possible.

The cafe business that day was decent. There were many customers, and the irises outside the shop swayed along the wind, becoming one of the famous places to take photos at in the neighborhood. Cordelia was happily busying about-only to catch sight of Yelena, who walked in slowly. She tensed, thinking that the latter was here for trouble again.

Zephyr noticed it as well and put himself in front of Cordelia straightaway. He stared at Yelena icily.

"What do you want now?" The man's voice was deep and looming.

Yelena composed herself, trying to look less pathetic.

"I... I'm here to apologize." Each word was difficult for her. "Cordelia, I'm the one who hired people to post bad reviews online. I'm the one who spread rumors and caused your business to fall through. "It's me... It's my fault.

"Cordelia, can you forgive me?"

Yelena did not speak loudly, but it was enough to attract attention.

A lot of people in the shop turned their eyes to her and whispered to each other. There were even people who whipped their phones up to record it.

"She's the one who spoiled this cafe's reputation!"

"That's what I thought! I came when the cafe opened for business. The boss and his wife were great, and their coffee's wonderful. How could they possibly fare as bad as what the Internet says!?" "This woman is awful! Is she trying to create malicious competition?"

Cordelia gripped the tray tightly. This was the first time Yelena had ever apologized to her. However, ill-meaning people like her would not change her malice just because she said sorry. Cordelia did not believe that the apology came genuinely from Yelena at all.

"Cordelia..." Yelena looked up at her. "I'm apologizing to you. Did you not hear it? Say something!"

Cordelia stayed silent, but the customers snickered from the side.

"Sorry, and she's done when she's caused such misery to others?"

"Right? Heh, why would we need the police if sorry worked?"

"You" Yelena was going to lash out, but she could feel a pair of eyes on her from the dark, sending chills down her back.

Chapter 176

Chapter 176

Yelena forced herself to tolerate it, letting Cordelia continue to victimize herself.

"Sister, a-are you really not going to forgive me?"

"There's no place for you here." Cordelia's eyes were cold. "Please leave."

"Cordelia..."

"Get out, now!" Cordelia clenched her fists and teeth, glaring at her fiercely.

Although Yelena had been bullying her since she was young, she would be scared whenever Cordelia was furious.

Moreover, she had a man who was like a devil next to her now...

Yelena bit her lip. Since Cordelia chased her out, she could not wait to leave, given that she had already apologized. "C-Cordelia, I've apologized. There's nothing that I can do if you don't forgive me!"

Yelena staggered back while speaking until she got into the courtyard. She even tripped on the cobblestone path. Cordelia took in a deep breath. She tried her best to control herself.

Zephyr patted her back softly and hugged her carefully.

She told her concern softly, "Hubby, I think something's wrong with her. Don't tell me she's only apologizing for a show, but she actually has something up her sleeves?" Zephyr's eyes turned grim. In reality, that was what he thought as well.

Yelena left in a panic, but she did not leave far. Zephyr got Cordelia to stay in the shop to take care of the customers while he secretly followed the former.

He thought he wanted to find out what she was up to.

However, just when he stepped out of the courtyard, he saw shadows in the corner at the side of his eye.

Feeling suspicious, he snapped his body back when he heard footsteps!

At that moment, a few people ran away from the bushes where they were hiding.

Zephyr jumped over it in a few steps. He was agile. His eyes were sharp, and he saw a familiar face flash by!

He scoffed and punched, almost hitting Nicholas' temple! Seizing the opportunity that he was panicking, he quickly grabbed his wrist.

"N!" His men came around him.

Nicholas started fighting Zephyr. Just when he raised his leg to kick Zephyr, the latter drew a pistol from his waist and pointed at Nicholas' head!

The air seemed to have frozen at the moment. His men were dumbstruck and froze where they were.

Nicholas was quite shocked too.

Zephyr carried a pistol with him!?

"Freeze!" Zephyr said in a deep voice, his face cold. His ferocious eyes made the men step back.

Nicholas gave his signal. His men backed off slowly, but they remained alert.

"Mr. Thompson, just go in if you like a cup of coffee. Are you trying to secretly learn and start your own cafe by hiding at the door?"

Nicholas scoffed. He peeped at the pistol in his hand at the corner of his eye.

It was small, the best pistol to carry around.

The unique patterns on the grip hinted that the pistol was expensive.

It was called the Glock. It was small, but its lethality was three times higher than the regular pistols.

Nicholas saw it once from an arms dealer. That man was treating this pistol like a treasure, eager to build a shrine for the pistol to worship it.

He smiled and said, "Aren't you afraid to scare your little wife to be carrying this around?"

"Compared to this pistol, I'm more worried that you'd scare her!" Zephyr exerted force. It was a little painful for Nicholas to have the muzzle against his head.

His eyes became fiercer as he enunciated each word. "Nicholas, you've found out that I'm not Marcus from the beginning, right?"

Nicholas said nothing.

The surroundings suddenly became silent. The noise of the bushes being blown by the night breeze was extra clear.

Chapter 177

Chapter 177

"N!" Nicholas' men were worried that he might be hurt and were eager to take action.

Nicholas ordered them to back off.

The few of them walked far away unwillingly. Watching them disappearing into the dark, Zephyr put down the pistol.

"That's right. I found out that you were not Marcus a long time ago." Nicholas scoffed. "But so what? I didn't do anything to you even though I found out, did I?" Zephyr's face dimmed.

He was right. Moreover, when Yelena came to the shop to bully Cordelia, he showed up to chase them away.

Though that was the case, Zephyr still had a strong suspicion about him.

"You knew that I'm not Marcus." He looked at him coldly. "Then do you know who I really am?”

Nicholas froze. He peeped at him and suddenly smiled.

"I only know that your woman is my woman's best friend!"

Zephyr raised his eyebrows.

Nicholas reeked of hooliganism. The scar on his face added viciousness to him.

Was this person an enemy or an ally? Zephyr was quite confused.

"Marcus!" Suddenly, a bright voice came from far away. "Are you in the shop?"

Zephyr and Nicholas looked at each other. They walked out of the bushes.

Seth stood in the courtyard, holding a big box in his hands. However, the smile on his face froze the moment he saw Nicholas.

Zephyr nodded, getting him to control his emotions.

"I saw Cordelia rushing out when I came." Seth smiled at him. "I think she said she's getting some coffee beans next door. She'll come back soon." "Okay."

The shop owners around were pretty much the same age as Cordelia. She was nice, so she made friends very quickly.

They thought of her when new coffee beans arrived. They wanted to give her some to try.

Zephyr looked at Seth. "Why are you here?"

"What else?" Seth carried the big box over, placed it on the table, and handed him the bill.

"Customized wedding dress" was written on it clearly.

Zephyr suddenly thought of the time when Cordelia returned the wedding dress the next day they got married. He hated how the sales assistant treated her, so he bought the most expensive wedding dress in the store.

It cost $4,000, and Cordelia had lectured him for that.

"I dropped by a few days ago," Seth told him. "It was at your door! You don't talk to anyone, and nobody walks by your house. God knows how long the box has been there that there's a layer of dust on it! "I saw the bill on the box, so I brought it to you.

"Is this the wedding dress that Cordelia wore when you guys got married? Your anniversary is coming, and they're only sending the dress over now?"

Zephyr remained silent. He merely smiled.

That was right. Time flew by. They had been married for almost a year now.

The dress came at the perfect time! Perhaps getting her to wear it when they celebrated their wedding anniversary would be special.

"Thanks." Zephyr patted his shoulder. "Sit down and have something to drink. I'll make it for you!"

"It's okay!" Seth smiled. "It's nothing. I need to be at the clinic at night. I have a shift. I won't be staying."

"You need to stay awake during your shift. Let me make you a cup of coffee. It'll be ready in a sec!" "You really don't have to-"

"If I don't, my wife will say that I'm being a terrible host!"

Zephyr turned on the coffee machine as he spoke.

Seth snickered. "Marcus, you've changed a lot since you got married."

"What?"

"You're so obedient to your wife!"

Zephyr turned around to look at him and chuckled too.

Seth peeped at Nicholas and said softly, “Marcus, didn't your wife tell you to... stay away from your prison mates?" Zephyr was stunned. He only understood Seth talking about Nicholas after thinking about it for a moment. "Marcus, you're married now. You should live a simple life with Cordelia. You should cut ties with those people. "Don't call me a busybody. I'm only telling you this because I treat you like a brother.

"Marcus, thinking about Cordelia no matter what you do... Your life shouldn't be interrupted by those people!"

"Ugh, I can't take it anymore!"

Nicholas, who sat at the corner of the counter, kicked the stool hard. He tossed the lighter he was playing with in his hand to the floor and exuded a sinister aura. The few tables of customers in the shop left before they finished their coffee.

The place seemed to have been smothered in pressure.

"Hah, 'those people'!" Nicholas scoffed. "So, what kind of a person are you? Do you really think you're a savior just because you wear a doctor's coat!?"

Seth looked calm and stared at him fearlessly.

He could not understand why Linda could not forget a person like him!

"I've no right to be a savior, but I'm just being a good friend to be advising Marcus!"

"Good friend?"

Nicholas' tone was filled with mockery. "Marcus and I became good friends when we were there! How long have you known him!?"

"Mr. Thompson, we talk about fate when it comes to relationships. It's not a matter of how long we know each other."

Nicholas clenched his fists.

Fate? Was this guy talking about Linda and him?

Seth continued. "Also, if you're really treating Marcus as your good friend, why did you humiliate him so many times before? That's what friends do?"

"That's between him and me. You have no right to interfere!"

"Marcus is my friend! I'm interfering!"

Zephyr stood in the middle, with Seth and Nicholas standing next to him on each side. He looked terrible.

Forget that they were fighting-they would push him when they were at it!

The rage he was suppressing was on the edge as the two pushed him.

At that moment, Nicholas gave him another hard push.

"Aren't you a busybody?"

Then Seth pushed him.

"No matter what, I won't let you destroy my friend!"

"Are... you guys done!?" roared Zephyr.

The place became silent.

However, a lady's scared voice was heard after the silence. "W-What are you doing?"

The three men were stunned at the same time.

Cordelia was standing at the door, staring at them in astonishment.

Her bright eyes looked through the three men, and she looked at Zephyr in the end. Seth and Nicholas came to their senses at the same time. They let go of Zephyr's arm immediately. Cordelia pursed her lips. She wanted to laugh-she could not hold it back!

It was the first time she saw three men stirring up drama.

'So, the jealousy between men is quite explosive as well.'

"Wifey, I..." Zephyr did not know where to start. He glared fiercely at Seth and Nicholas.

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Chapter 178

"Did I... interrupt?" Cordelia pursed her lips and chuckled.

It turned out her husband was more charming than she thought!

The three men looked terrible, especially Zephyr. He glared left and right as if he was looking at his enemies.

"Go fight outside!" he grumbled. "Don't you see my wife is here!?"

The two of them were stunned at the same time.

Looking guilty, Seth smiled at Cordelia and left quickly.

Meanwhile, Nicholas had a neutral expression. He gave Zephyr a cryptic look, patted his shoulder, and went to the courtyard.

Cordelia finally laughed out loud.

"What are you laughing about?" Zephyr held her and glared at her.

The intense manliness smothered her.

She leaned into him coquettishly and stretched a finger, poking at his chest.

"There's nothing wrong about bromance... Sigh, seems like I got the timing wrong. Did I ruin anything?"

Zephyr held his head low and looked at her cheeky face. He suddenly had the desire to eat her up.

"I don't like men." He got his face closer to hers, and his warm breath lingered around the tip of her nose. His voice was deep and husky. "If you dare say that again, I'll 'punish' you!"

"Punish... me?"

He smirked and bit her red earlobe softly.

She complained softly and punched him. Her face was blushing like a ripe peach.

Zephyr was indulging in her presence.

However, a ring came. The wind chime at the door echoed as a few girls came in while smiling.

Cordelia got off him and went to welcome the customers right away.

Zephyr covered his face and released a sigh.

At that moment, he was eager to close the shop! They would be the only people left, and he could do whatever he wanted.

Cordelia went behind the counter and made coffee with her head held low. The blush on her cheeks had yet to subside.

Zephyr walked behind her and hugged her tiny waist. However, the person in his embrace struggled, signaling him that there were customers in the shop.

He smiled helplessly. He only had time to talk to her after she served the customers coffee.

"Go look at that." He pointed at the big box in the corner.

Cordelia was stunned. "Did Seth bring it?"

Zephyr nodded, "Remember the wedding dress I bought the next day we got married?"

Of course, she remembered that.

It was $4,000. It pained her so much!

"It's designer-made." He chuckled. "It looks great. You'll definitely be beautiful in it!"

Cordelia caressed the dress. The small diamonds complementing the dress were dazzling like the stars.

'It's a waste that we got married...'

"It's okay." Zephyr saw through what she was thinking and held tight to her hands. "Don't I owe you a wedding?"

Cordelia looked at him with her eyes widened.

His coddling smile was like sugar-it was too sweet.

A few days later, he got all mysterious about taking her to a place.

It was on the outskirts of Jangasas. There were mountains around, like a beautiful, peaceful paradise on earth.

Creek water flowed from the rocks. A gothic church stood among the clouds. It was a unique scenery.

Cordelia was surprised and overjoyed. She watched with her widened eyes.

Zephyr held her hand to lead her in.

There was only an old priest in the church. As soon as he saw them, he revealed a kind smile and left after a short chat.

Zephyr explained, "This church has been around for over 100 years. But this isn't a tourist attraction, so not many people know about this place.

"Although few people know about it, those who come here come to hold a wedding." He chuckled as he looked at her. "There's a room at the back. Go put on the wedding dress!" Cordelia nodded.

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Chapter 179

Soon, she changed into the wedding dress and walked over. Zephyr stood on the other side of the red carpet, watching her in silence.

The sun shone on her pretty face through the colorful window glass.

She looked at him, smiling. The pipe organ sound came as the bride walked happily to the man who promised to spend the rest of his life with her. Zephyr's eyes could only see her smile.

He suddenly choked. Many emotions were coming to him.

"What's wrong?" Cordelia arrived before him. "Why are you just standing there!?”

He merely smiled like a fool when he snapped back to his senses.

She was beautiful in the wedding dress.

He held her hand and faced the deity together.

He swore to God that she would be his only wife in this life. For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health-he would be by her side until they die.

Looking into his serious and determined eyes in this holy moment, Cordelia wanted to cry.

"What about you?" Zephyr's voice was deep and gentle. "Are you willing to be with me forever?"

She nodded hard. She was choking.

He caressed her face. There was a cryptic look in his eyes. "Wifey, you won't leave me no matter what happens, right?"

"Of course not!"

"What if one day you find out that I'm not the person who is standing before you... Will you still take me as your husband?" Cordelia was stunned. She could not help but frown.

She...could not understand that.

Did people say that in their vows?

However, she merely doubted for a moment. She then smiled sweetly at him. Perhaps this man was too nervous not to be clear about what he was trying to say.

"My foolish husband! Can you turn into another person?" She stood on tiptoe to pat his head. "You're my husband! No matter whether you're this person who is standing before me or you become someone else one day, you'll still be my husband!"

"What if... I changed my name?"

She did not think too much about it. She thought he was kidding, so she just went with it.

"No matter what you change, you're my husband! I won't let you go in this life!"

Zephyr was stunned. He looked at her blankly and only smiled after a moment.

Cordelia held his hand and gave him a kiss on his cheek.

"What's wrong with you lately?" Her voice was soft and sweet. "Why do you keep asking stupid questions like this?"

"Would you still want me if I become stupid one day?"

"Here you go again!"

Zephyr laughed wholeheartedly and hugged her tightly.

He had always thought that his world was big and that he would not stay for anyone or anything.

Even after they met, he thought this woman would only occupy a corner of his world.

However, he later realized that....

In reality, that corner was his whole world.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Cordelia looked at him, confused.

Zephyr took out his phone to record her.

"Wifey, you can't just say those words. I must get evidence!"

Cordelia was unsure whether to laugh or cry.

She only thought he hardly smiled and talked and that he was cold when they had just gotten married.

Never had she thought that a year later, she would find out how childish and cute he was from his occasional foolishness. "Say it, wifey!"

"Okay..." Cordelia held back her laughter. "I swear no matter what my husband becomes, I'll never leave him!"

"Elaborate!"

"Whether he becomes fat, stupid, old, ugly, to the point that I no longer know him... Even if he became a bald fatty who does stupid things every day, I'd still love him! Is that enough?"

Chapter 180

Chapter 180

In a private club in Centrolis...

Matthew had been drinking tea for a long time. He would peep at Marcus, who was standing before him from time to time. He revealed a disdainful expression on his chubby face.

Yale smiled proudly and said, "How's my idea, dad?

"With this person, we can kill Zephyr without anyone noticing. He'll be our puppet, and the Hamertons will be yours!"

Matthew faked a laugh and waved, getting his subordinate to take Marcus out.

"Who else knows about you capturing this guy?"

"They're one of us! Don't worry!" Yale played with the bead bracelet in his hand while crossing his legs.

His ignorance was the thing Matthew hated the most about him!

He would definitely suffer a loss to have his head in the clouds. They could only obey the Hamertons in order to stay-only then could they find the opportunity to eliminate the people that they wanted to get rid of!

He became furious. He lifted his stick and hit Yale's leg!

"Sit properly!" He rolled his eyes at him. "How dare you behave like this in my presence?"

Yale was angry but dared not say anything. He could only sit up straight and look at his father with confusion.

"What's wrong with you?" Perhaps that old man troubled him again.

"What else?" Matthew stared at him. "You're killing me with your foolishness!"

"What..."

"Yale, your grandpa isn't deaf, nor is he blind. His bones are even harder than mine! Do you think you can fool him by getting Zephyr's double?"

He released a heavy sigh. "We have to kill him, but we can't do this! You must find a legitimate"

"Plane accident?" Yale scoffed. "Dad, the accident didn't kill him. He's just lucky! So we must just kill him directly in order to eradicate him!" "But your grandpa..."

Yale made a slip of the tongue. "Kill grandpa too!"

Matthew widened his eyes immediately. He looked at the former in disbelief, his face red.

"W-What did you say? You freaking included my father in your plan!?"

He slammed the table hard and whacked his stick at him.

"Jeez, dad, listen to me!" Yale panicked. "Grandpa doesn't like you anyway, so why do you care about him? He's taking sides. First Uncle is nothing compared to you, but you always have to listen to his command! Why not seize this opportunity to just "

"Shut up!" Matthew's voice became husky from the roar. He was panting. "W-Why do I have such an unfilial son like you?"

"I'm doing this for your own good! Don't you want the Hamertons?"

"Hah, I think it's you who wants it!" Matthew gnashed his teeth. "When you start to resent me one day, will you kill me as well?"

"Dad"

"Get out!" Matthew was annoyed when he looked at him. "I'm warning you, Yale. If this goes on, you will not only die a horrible death, but you'll also drag me in!"

Yale was upset and rolled his eyes at him.

"You hired people from gangs. Don't think I don't know about that!" Matthew went on. "Those people are not trustworthy. They might just trick you one day, and you might have to work for them!" Could anyone kill Liam? The world would be in chaos if that happened!

He and his son would have no advantage if the family was in chaos. By then, nobody knew what troubles would come when the leader was gone. He had no capability to fight for power at all.

He would rather please the old man and harm Zephyr secretly so that the old man had to pass down the Hamertons to him.

"Yale..." Matthew sighed. "Don't do as you wish without my order, you hear me?

"Also, keep Marcus safe. Don't let anyone see him! Talk to the people in Chaiseland soon."

Matthew scoffed, and a hint of viciousness flashed through his eyes.

Zephyr's grandfather had set up a treasury for him. It could only be accessed with face recognition. Meanwhile, Matthew's property project in Centrolis' outskirts in the west was stranded due to the lack of funds.

Perhaps he could use Marcus' face to access the treasury by then!

Holding her hand, Zephyr brought Cordelia to Regalia Hotel.

They went straight to the suite. She felt as if she was in a dream as she looked around blankly.

"Hubby? What..."

"This is my compensation to you." He hugged him from behind, his chin on her shoulder. "The wedding is done, now... We're spending our first night together."

They had not done that when they got married, so he had to make it up this time.

"You..." Cordelia was stunned by the luxurious suite.

She turned around quickly, her big eyes filled with doubt. "Did you win the lottery? It must be expensive!"

Zephyr was stunned. He smiled while being speechless. This should not be what a bride would ask.

"Tell me!" Cordelia punched him. "How much is it per night?!"

"I'm... not sure about that." His eyes looked alluring. "I went competing again and won money. I didn't tell you that."

"Did you pay for the suite with your prize money?"

"Mm-hmm."

Cordelia inhaled sharply.

She knew the prize money was quite a lot!

However, he spent it all in this suite... It was too painful!

Zephyr could not help but chuckle when he saw her like that. He hugged her with his muscular arms and playfully caressed her body.

"Are you upset about the money, wifey?" he asked teasingly.

Cordelia peeped at him, and cheeks flushed.

"Hmm?"

He pushed her onto the bed before she could react.

The bed was soft, and she almost sank into the bed as the man pounced at her.

"You must've done it on purpose, right?" She blamed him. "To be picking a room that's so expensive..."

"Yes." His deep voice seduced her. "I did it on purpose."