Ch. 21..30

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Cordelia was visibly fazed, and her heart drummed. Had he discovered something? Or had he heard others saying the Jenners had completed the marriage pact by using an illegitimate daughter? Had they said that he had married an impersonator and not the treasured heiress of the family?

Men had pride too and hoped to marry a rich and beautiful girl-not a pauper like her.

Cordelia hung her head as her hands clenched the hem of her clothes anxiously. She kept telling herself that she must not admit it. Marcus had been in jail for fighting... The consequences would be unimaginable if he were to kick up a fuss about it!

"Hah, what would I have to say?" She looked at him with sparkling eyes and racked her mind for ways to change the topic. "Oh, right, I haven't made any sales this month, so I've got to work harder next month I... I might not be able to come back and cook as often. You'll be fine taking care of yourself?"

"Mm, I'm not a child. Of course, I'll be alright."

Marcus smiled and gave half of the lobster risotto on his plate to her. Cordelia insisted she did not want it, but the man stared at her and asked in a deep tone, "Do you want me to feed you?" His words caused Cordelia to duck her head before relenting ultimately.

A while later, Marcus' phone buzzed. It was a text from Josiah. He scanned their surroundings discreetly and, as expected, saw the latter smirking at him from a short distance away. Fredric was standing next to him as well, covering his mouth as best as he could.

"I'm going to the washroom," Marcus told Cordelia in an indifferent tone before walking to a corner of the restaurant's hallway.

Josiah finally cackled. "A husband and wife really do share joy, huh? Sharing a plate of lobster risotto with your heads touching... Z, why didn't I know that you were such a romantic before?" Marcus glared at him, prompting Josiah to suppress his grin and keep quiet.

"Z, don't blame him for having so much to say! Even I'm surprised." Fredric chuckled. "It seems like you're... having a good time with her?"

Marcus sobered up. Fredric had always been the level-headed one, so he would not ask something like this for no reason. There had to be a reason he was asking such a question.

He understood what Fredric meant. The lawyer was worried about him spending his time here with Cordelia and forgetting about returning to Centrolis and his actual status.

"I'm just keeping a low profile to get prepared," Marcus replied coolly. "It's just a roommate situation with Ms. Jenner. Nothing good or bad. I'll be leaving one day." Fredric smiled and said nothing more.

Josiah glanced over at Cordelia and turned around with a grin to suggest, "Z, why don't I... put your check on the house?"

"You?" Marcus raised a brow and thought about it. "Forget about it. Just get me a discount. Otherwise, she'll be eating in distress."

"Mm, that works too." Josiah had learned his lesson. Anything Mr. Z Hamerton said was fine with him. "I'll let them know then!"

Marcus arched a brow. "Your family owns this hotel?"

"My uncle's the boss!" Josiah scratched his head.

"You Bayers have a lot of businesses in Jangasas, huh!"

Josiah straightened up in victory when Fredric suddenly stepped on his foot. He had only realized this now by catching Fredric's gaze. "Z, just let me know anytime you need me in Jangasas!" "Mm." Marcus had his hands behind him as he smiled.

Josiah was a carefree soul but he was pretty dependable. There was actually something Marcus needed him to do right now.

"Check out Bowfest Foreign Trading for me. And there's some department supervisor named Karine Carmichael there... Get me her details."

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Josiah was actually befuddled.

The Bayers were quite influential in Jangasas, but not to the extent that they could dig through small companies. Besides, it would attract attention if he did so by using his status. If it turned out that he had pressured William Jenner and caused a certain someone to misunderstand him again...

Josiah coughed and chuckled awkwardly. "Z, there's no problem, but let me make it clear now that if someone makes things up in the meantime and claims I'm having some kind of affair with your darling dearest and whatnot, you can't buy it-Ow!"

Fredric hit his head before he could finish.

Cordelia worked harder during her second month at work. She now had a basic understanding of some workforce survival rules and knew how to avoid Karine picking on her. She also knew how to protect herself from both Jesse's direct and implicit harassment by avoiding interacting with him in the office.

Unfortunately, this drained her energy so much that she was exhausted every day.

When Cordelia threw herself on the couch after removing her heels at home, she would sometimes sleep until the middle of the night out of fatigue. When she woke up and discovered that she had a thin blanket over her, Marcus was sleeping by using his arm as a pillow on the floor next to her.

She might have occupied the couch that the man slept on, but he would not use her bed in the bedroom. Cordelia chuckled, feeling bad but also getting some sense of warmth.

Marcus had once told her, "You might as well quit if this job's so hard."

"No way," Cordelia had replied, glancing at him. "Where will we get the money to feed ourselves and pay rent if I don't work?"

"You actually care about petty money like this?"

"Petty money?" Cordelia had chuckled after her initial surprise. "Aren't you rich? You don't know how expensive groceries are because you don't buy them. My salary is barely enough to sustain us... Sigh, if I don't close more sales and get the bonus, bad days will be ahead of us soon!"

She had somehow begun to refer to them as "we" now when she talked.

Marcus chortled. It felt kind of special. This had never happened in his life before. He teased her, saying, "Weren't you Ms. Jenner before you married me? Why do I keep feeling like you're reluctant to spend money? And you have to work so hard now. Does your family not care that you're suffering?"

Cordelia, who was cutting up some vegetables, nearly cut her own finger as her heart thumped.

"W-What are you saying?" She smiled unnaturally and tried to brush this off. "Even though I'm a rich heiress, I'm married now and I have my own family. I'm no longer with my family. Of course I have to plan ahead, so I can't spend money at will."

"Really?" Marcus' smile grew deeper as he went closer to look at her. "The rich are still better off than regular people. Even though you got married and are no longer the Jenner bachelorette, your savings mus still be more than regular people's. Oh, and you must have gotten luxurious wedding gifts too since you come from a wealthy family? Why haven't I seen them?"

Cordelia's face was red as she swiveled around to look at him, her pretty eyes shiny and exasperated.

"W-Why are you asking me all this? Have-Have I starved you or mistreated you since we got married? Have I not treated you well? Are you suspecting that I'm hiding money? Is that why you're asking this? You-"

The small woman was cute when she got edgy. As she spoke, she lost her confidence and looked down, her long lashes quivering. The sight of her made one want to coddle her.

Had she not treated him well? One of them was still sleeping on the couch, while the other slept on the bed-was this not mistreatment?

Marcus did his best to hold back his laughter and coughed.

"I'm just chatting casually. Why are you so worked up?"

Cordelia sucked in a breath and puffed up her chest. "Worked up? Am I? Hah, I'm just chatting casually! I'm not worked up at all!"

She turned around and continued her task after saying that, but she caught the man standing by the kitchen door out of the corner of her eye. She also felt his gaze on her, which was like pins and needles on her back.

She calmed herself down enough to keep cooking. She was usually smooth and fast when preparing their meals, but she nearly burned a simple dish that day...

Cordelia sighed weakly. In order to keep the fact that she was a substitute bride a secret, it seemed that she would have to keep playing the role of a rich Jenner!

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Linda could not bear to watch Karine pick on Cordelia in the office, so she took her out for some sales, introducing all her clients to her. She also taught her a lot of negotiation techniques. "You've got to remember. Business isn't a one-time deal. You might have to meet and negotiate a deal eight or ten times. It's all normal."

Cordelia nodded.

"You have to keep your engagement with the clients going all the time. They'll only close the deal once they're familiar with you!"

"Mm, I understand."

"Most importantly..." Linda said with a smile. "You've got to be shameless when it comes to sales! Set your pride aside. Then, you'll be able to feed yourself. Got it?"

Cordelia's pretty eyes crinkled up like crescent moons. The monitor in front of them displayed their order number, so she hurried over to collect their meal from the counter.

Lunch was simple fast food. Linda realized that Cordelia's order was the cheapest option, which only included one entree, and could not help asking, "Will you be full just by eating this?" "No worries." Cordelia chuckled. "I don't eat much anyway. This is enough."

"No way! Going out for sales is a physical chore. Check your size. This is..." Linda's thoughts caught up with her halfway through her sentence, and she asked, "Did your husband use up all your money?" Cordelia was about to explain when Marcus texted her. She went silent after reading the text.

When Linda saw her face fall, she took the phone from her and nearly jumped in rage.

"What kind of person is he?!" Linda fumed. "He-He's actually out shopping? He saw a belt he likes? And it costs $400?"

"Linda! Shush!" Cordelia quickly gave her a tug.

Speaking of Marcus, he had started being kind of odd recently. He was enjoying life in different ways every day. Once, while working, Cordelia had called him on a whim to ask what he was up to, only for the man to answer that he was out having afternoon tea.

She had asked where and he had sent her a photo-he had been at the Regalia Hotel again! She had nearly fainted upon receiving the expenditure notification from the bank a while later. The balance of her account pained her, but in order to keep playing this "heiress" character, she could only force a smile and "generously" allow him to enjoy his tea...

There had been many similar instances, so her account balance had diminished. Each time she asked Marcus, he would smirk at her. "Yelena, aren't you the Jenners' daughter? Why are you upset over this petty money?"

Cordelia bit her lip and glared. In the end, she could only go back to her room and continue writing her sales proposal like a deflated balloon, not seeing how happily the man behind her was smiling. He was like a boy whose mischievous plan was working. The game was missing just one last step.

Cordelia scrolled through her phone. Her account balance was exactly $400. If Marcus had been in front of her right now, she would have really choked him to death. This man not only had a sixth sense, but he must also have a calculator in his head given how precise he was!

"Hey!" Linda quickly grabbed Cordelia's hand. "You... You're really transferring the money to him?"

Cordelia put on an innocent grin. "He rarely takes a liking to something. Let him have it. I still have some cash. I'll be thrifty. I should have no problem holding out until my next salary."

"Have you lost your mind?" Linda cried. "What's so good about him that you're spoiling him so much?!"

"I'm not spoiling him. It's..." Cordelia fell silent and ducked her head.

She was not spoiling him. She felt bad for him for some reason. Each time she thought of the fact that Marcus used to be alone, without anyone to depend on, and remembered how poor he had been, or that he had been in and out of jail, or that those thugs had mocked him back in the village... she relented.

She did not know how this feeling came about. Could she... actually like this man?

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

"Linda, you don't understand," Cordelia said with a smile. "He's actually quite nice to me..."

"Nice?" Linda arched a brow, looking skeptical.

Cordelia told her about returning the wedding dress the day after their wedding, getting humiliated by the sales assistant, and then having Marcus buy the most expensive wedding dress in the boutique out of anger before making the sales assistant measure her on her knees.

She had thought that the man was shady, egoistic, materialistic and had anger issues. Most importantly, he was wasting Cordelia's savings!

"Cordelia, if you think that him standing up for you at the bridal boutique and giving you some family heirloom is considered being nice, you're too naïve and you have no idea what marriage is!

"A marriage requires effort from both people-not you working your *ss off here while he reaps the fruit you sow, idling away back at home!"

Linda poked Cordelia's head, frustrated by her compliance. She was a good girl, a little too nice, even. Once someone was the slightest bit good to her, she would remember it for life and repay it forever. Someone like her meeting someone who had gone to prison, like Marcus, was akin to an innocent little bunny getting eaten alive!

"A man like him doesn't make anything. He only spends his wife's money! Is he even a man?" Linda added.

Cordelia pulled a straight face immediately. Her eyes were not sparkling anymore as she looked at her sternly.

"I forbid you to say that about my husband!"

Astounded, Linda failed to respond.

"Yes, I'm biased when it comes to him—I'm spoiling him!" Cordelia was sharp-tongued when she wanted to be. "He's my husband. Shouldn't I be taking his side and pampering him? I know that he has a lot of weaknesses and they're all fatal in your eyes.

"But I'm the one living with him each day. I know what kind of person he is!

"Even though he's been in fights and jail in the past, I don't think he's a bad guy at all! He's a real man too! Besides, I'm the one lying to him in this marriage. He doesn't even know my identity yet. If I hadn't married him, the Jenners wouldn't have paid for my mom's treatment. Speaking of that, I should be thanking him!

"So..." Cordelia swallowed, blushing a little. "Don't speak ill of my husband in front of me again. I don't like it!"

Linda stared at her with eyes as wide as saucers. Knowing Cordelia for so many years, she had always thought that the former was a gentle and quiet soul and had not expected her to be as fluent as an elite lawyer when she argued. Her firm, assertive look actually made her look kind of cute.

Linda snapped out of her daze and chuckled self-depreciatingly. She sighed and raised both hands in surrender.

"Okay, okay. I won't ever dare criticize your husband in front of you again! Sigh, you two are married, after all. You share a bed. How could I compare to that..."

Cordelia's cheeks reddened even more when she heard that.

Linda misunderstood the reason she was flushing and smirked at her. "Speaking of sharing a bed... does your husband have you hooked? Why else would you be defending him and letting him splurge so much?"

"Linda, you..." Cordelia felt both embarrassed and shy. "What are you talking about?!"

"Come on, what else can't we talk about?" Linda giggled harder. "It's alright. Think about it from another perspective. It's like having a boy toy. He's handsome enough to be worth the money!"

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Marcus was seated on the rooftop of the Regalia Hotel, the cigarette between his fingers almost finished. The view was scenic, the faraway ocean glimmering as white yachts dotted the surface and seabirds circled the sky above.

His phone buzzed on the table with a text notification of a fund transfer-$400 had been deposited.

Josiah exchanged a smile with Fredric and exclaimed, "Z, you lucky b*stard! Sis-in-law isn't just pretty. She's willing to spend money on you too! Hahaha!

"It's the first time you're spending a woman's money, right? Does it feel great?"

Marcus glared at him and put his phone back. Although his face was blank, warmth gushed within him. He had not expected Cordelia to really transfer him the money. He had calculated it, and she only had $400 in her account.

He stubbed the cigarette in the ashtray and cast his gaze far away, a complicated look flashing across his features.

"Right, Z," Fredric said in a hushed tone. "It isn't convenient for Josiah to do it, so I'm the one looking into Bowfest. Karine Carmichael is a mid-level executive in the company and a frequent bully because her uncle is a shareholder. She's also..."

Halfway through his report, Fredric contemplated if he should tell Marcus the rest.

Marcus looked at him. "Go on."

"She's also Jesse Ford's girlfriend," Fredric said hesitantly. "Jesse Ford is in charge of Cordelia's department. He was also her senior at university and has pursued her since..."

He looked at Marcus' face. It was icy, without so much as a flinch, but his hand on the table clenched up. Fredric coughed.

"Z, that was back when they were college kids. No big deal."

"Hmm." Marcus hummed, looking up at him. "Did I say anything?"

Fredric felt like chuckling. The man said nothing, but it was worse than him saying anything.

"Go on."

"Karine Carmichael's always picking on Cordelia at the company. It's also why Cordelia hasn't closed any sales in her first month there." Marcus glowered.

"Ah, what's so difficult about this?" Josiah waved a hand. "Z, you want this Karine Carmichael taken care of? Leave it to me! I could do away with Ford for you too!" Fredric kept coughing as he threw Josiah an exasperated look.

"No need." Marcus' tone was frosty. "It's all petty issues. Stirring things up in a small company like this would attract attention instead. Let Cordelia deal with it."

"Hah, yeah," Fredric chorused. "I understand what you mean, Z. No need to waste any effort on people like Karine Carmichael and Jesse Ford. Cordelia can resign if worse comes to worst. It's not like you can' take care of her."

Marcus hummed and poured himself some coffee. After a moment of silence, he blinked with a cryptic gaze.

"Cordelia's out on sales today."

That was all he said before he got up and left the rooftop.

Josiah looked at his retreating back and gaped like an idiot. Fredric, smart as he was, quickly understood what the man implied.

"What's going on?" Josiah's jaw dropped open. "Z's the most annoying. He never makes things clear!"

Fredric smiled and pushed Josiah's jaw back up before telling him, "Go check it out!"

"Check what out?"

"Check which clients Cordelia's gone to visit today! Dumb*ss!"

Josiah was confused. "I thought we were leaving it to her?"

Fredric rolled his eyes. The energy he had to invest to talk to someone like him!

When Marcus returned home, Cordelia was not back yet. He checked his watch and noted that there was still some time left before she'd get off work.

He looked around, but the house was still clean and everything in the kitchen was put in order even though Cordelia had been busy with work recently. Marcus smiled. She was already very busy yet she worked hard without complaining. She had to take care of the household expenses too.

It seemed that she was speaking the truth. She really did plan to spend the rest of her life with him.

A lifetime... Could he really promise her a lifetime?

Marcus' brows were furrowed as he spent a moment lost in thought. He then went to the bathroom.

Regardless of whether they would spend a lifetime together, he ought to live well now. He remembered Cordelia saying that this home belonged to both of them. As a husband, he should share the house chores with her.

Marcus chortled and looked at the laundry basket. Their clothes from two days ago were still piled in there. He planned to wash them, thinking Cordelia would be happy when she came back home to this. He poured the contents of the bin out swiftly, but something small and white caught his eye...

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

He bent down to pick it up. The soft cotton touch and the faint fragrant scent on it suddenly sparked a different feeling within him.

It was Cordelia's bra-a simple basic design.

Marcus smirked. He licked his lips and felt parched. When he came back to his senses, just as he was about to shove all the clothes into the washing machine, he heard the sound of the door, then the small woman's voice.

"Marcus, are you home? Gosh, I drank too much water in the afternoon. I'm going to die. I need to use the toilet..."

Suddenly, two pairs of eyes met. Both of them were stunned.

Cordelia looked at Marcus in surprise before her gaze went down and she spotted the laundry basket beside him, the dirty laundry, the washing machine with its door open, and... She cried out and blushed in the blink of an eye.

"Why are you holding this?!"

She darted forward and snatched her bra from his hand swiftly, wishing nothing more than to bury herself in a hole.

Marcus was a little embarrassed as well. Judging by her reaction, anyone who didn't know better would have thought that a burglar was in their house...

Hold on, she did not see him as a burglar, right? The perverted kind who would only steal bras...

Marcus, who was visibly alarmed, coughed. He answered her as naturally as possible, "I don't have much to do at home, so I planned to do the laundry." Cordelia kept her eyes down, not daring to look at him, while her heart thrashed around.

"You... Just leave it all here. I'll do it later."

"Didn't you say a family requires effort from both people? The house chores should be shared as well."

"It's fine, it's really fine! This is mine. I'll wash it myself..."

Cordelia kept shaking her head, looking absolutely adorable despite how embarrassed and exasperated she was.

Marcus looked at her. The edge that he had repressed just now ran amok within him like a wild beast again.

"I'm your husband." His voice was husky as he purposely spoke next to her ear. "We're together in this. Doesn't it make sense for me to wash your bra for you?"

Cordelia kept her head ducked as her bright eyes shone with nervousness and her breathing quickened.

As Marcus' heated chest pressed close to her and she clutched her bra, despite her anxious state, there was a hint of docile softness in her. She was like a defenseless kitten, completely captivating the man's protectiveness and possessiveness.

An abrupt force pulled Cordelia into Marcus' arms before his kisses invaded her world. She lost her footing instantly. Not knowing how to kiss, as she faced the man's strong presence, she could only clumsily reciprocate.

Her inexperience only made Marcus want to cherish her more...

Cordelia's face was red from the kisses as she panted with wet eyes. She stared at Marcus in a daze, not knowing what he would do next.

What was supposed to happen on the night of their wedding... Was it going to happen now?

"Marcus..." Cordelia's soft voice felt like a hint, like a kitten softly clawing at the man's heart.

Marcus picked her up and strode right into the bedroom before landing with her on the bed. He was about to unclothe her, when his phone rang. It sounded again and again, determined to make him answer it. Marcus let out a heavy breath and got off the bed to go to the living room. His voice was close to a growl when he answered the call. "What is it?!"

On the other end of the line, Josiah shuddered after a jolt and stammered, "Z... y-you... Is it a bad time to talk?"

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Josiah's heart was in his throat. He could feel the murderous intent the man oozed even through the phone. Had he ruined his good time?

Josiah checked his watch and slapped a hand over his head. Damn it! If he was interrupted while having a good time, he would want to rip the culprit apart too!

"Z..." he tried explaining with a pandering chuckle. "I wouldn't be calling if it wasn't an emergency. I thought you didn't go to sleep this early..."

"Spill!" Marcus growled in annoyance and went to the balcony before pulling the door shut behind him.

"I'm afraid you have to go back to Centrolis," Josiah said in a hushed voice. "News that you aren't dead has gotten around, and your grandfather is beyond himself. Your parents too..."

"Mm, got it." Marcus frowned. "I'll contact them privately, but returning to Centrolis will have to wait."

Josiah did not understand but could only agree with an "oh".

"Right, Z. I looked into it today and the client sis-in-law has gone to meet for a sale is the one Karine Carmichael failed to seal the deal with even after three months. Heh... With a little trick from me, sis-in-law will get the deal. The commission is decent for this one. She'd be able to get $15,000..."

A fire was churning within Marcus as he hung up, not even letting Josiah finish.

Josiah was once again bewildered. He poured Fredric, who was beside him, a glass of wine and asked, "Did I say something wrong again?"

Fredric nearly choked to death from laughing.

"How nice do you expect him to be when you spoiled his fun?"

Josiah slapped his own mouth in regret.

"Also, why'd you say so much crap when Cordelia got the sale?"

"Uh..." Josiah widened his eyes. "Did I kiss the wrong *ss?"

Fredric rolled his eyes. "Cordelia, a newbie, signed a contract with a client Karine Carmichael spent three months on but failed to close the deal with. With so many people and gossips in the company, what do you think they'll say about her?"

Josiah went silent.

"Besides, I saw Cordelia's sales proposal." Fredric sighed. "It's like a textbook example of a proposal. Even without your help, the client would have signed it!

"So Cordelia sealing the deal isn't your achievement, get it?"

Josiah grimaced hard and felt like crying.

"Use your brain more before you act or talk next time!" Fredric patted his shoulder. "Sigh... I really should've studied medicine back then so I could treat you!" Marcus leaned against the balcony railing. His deep eyes nearly blended with the night, so one could hardly see the emotions in there.

Thanks to the cool night breeze, he felt much more sober.

Cordelia was no longer in the bedroom when he returned a while later. He checked around, only to hear the washing machine in the bathroom making a faint noise.

Cordelia saw him as well and smiled, flashing two small dimples. She was a little embarrassed as she separated the clothes for the washing machine and hand washing, saying softly, "Go ahead. I'll do the laundry."

Marcus sighed softly despite letting out a loud inward moan. The mood for pleasure was tidal when it came, and it felt awful to be interrupted abruptly. He had to slowly reel it back in now. It was akin to hundreds of thousands of worms eating him up.

Despite how upsetting it was, he could not act like a lecher in front of the girl. He could not possibly force her into it.

Marcus could only force a smile and slump on the couch like a deadweight when he went back to the living room, wrapping himself up like a burrito.

News of Cordelia signing the sale went about the company rapidly, causing some seniors in the sales department to look at her with new eyes.

It was truly surprising that she had sealed a big deal right away when she'd had no sale in the first two months.

The sales director complimented her, saying she had limitless potential and rewarding her with a bonus to encourage her during the sales department's regular meeting.

Cordelia remained sober as she quietly observed everyone's gazes. Some people congratulated her genuinely, while some of the applause was hypocritical. There were also people like Karine, who openly isolated her out of jealousy.

In spite of this, Cordelia did not care. She was only focused on her account balance.

"Hah, what a faker!" She heard someone talking in the kitchen when she passed by. "Look how calm she was when the director complimented her! Just like a veteran."

"Who knows if she's really one!" Another shrill voice giggled. "She looks so innocent that it's possible there's a story behind it!"

"What did you hear?"

"Shh..." The other person was heard lowering their voice. "I heard that Cordelia was able to sign the sale because someone was helping her!"

"Who? Mr. Ford? I heard that he pursued Cordelia when they were students-the guy was relentless! Hah, but the girl just wouldn't agree!"

"It was probably not Jesse Ford. Why would he do Cordelia the favor and not his girlfriend? Besides, Karine spent three months on this deal. Even if it were Jesse, he wouldn't be able to do it either!" "You mean... there's someone bigger above Cordelia?"

The group of people whispered among each other before breaking into laughter.

Finding it boring, Cordelia was about to turn away when she met Karine's murderous eyes. She was alarmed and her heart beat fast, but she kept a composed expression on her face. "Good day, Ms. Carmichael."

Karine crossed her arms in front of her chest and sneered, "Pft, how good can my day be when you keep appearing in my field of vision all day?"

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Cordelia pressed her lips together, having no intention to argue with her. She was about to go around Karine when the latter blocked her way.

"Don't think I don't know what you're up to behind everyone's backs!" Karine was domineering. "Cordelia, you know very well how you managed to close this sale!" Cordelia trained her gaze on her, her bright eyes shining with anger. She was usually smiley and hospitable, rarely ever wearing such a cold and stern expression.

It was like she had become a different person, and Karine could not help taking two steps back.

"How did I close the sale?" Cordelia repeated each word with emphasis. "Based on my capabilities! The sales proposal I burned the midnight oil for one whole week and edited countless times? Mr. Sean was happy with it, that's why he signed it! You worked on it for three months and still couldn't get it because you're incapable! Yet instead of reflecting, you blame others for working harder than you?" "Hah, you worked hard?" Karine glared harder at Cordelia. "Worked hard to get into some man's bed?! You think you can do anything you like because the director always takes your side?" "Karine Carmichael, watch your mouth! What does this have to do with the director? I had rarely ever spoken to the director before I sealed this deal!"

"Who knows? Humph, you haven't done so in the company, but you might have so many times in private!"

"You" Cordelia was red from rage.

The two women's argument attracted a crowd. Someone tried to separate the two of them as a mediator, but Karine refused to relent and Cordelia was unwilling to be insulted for no reason and insisted on bringing the matter up to the director.

While they were still confronting each other, Jesse rushed over to them.

"We're in the office. What are you two doing?!" Jesse reprimanded them. "Argue out in the street if you want to. You're in the office now. Back to work!"

Karine glared at him and turned on her heel, while Cordelia stood rooted there with a flushed face and her lips pressed tightly together.

Jesse shooed the crowd off and pulled Cordelia aside.

"Don't get down to Karine's level," he said soothingly. "She's bad-tempered and proud, with a sense of superiority. She can't accept that she lost to you this time." "That doesn't mean she can simply insult others!"

"Right, right, it's all her fault!" Jesse squinted with a smirk. "Lia, I apologize on her behalf."

He brought up a hand to pat Cordelia's shoulder, but the latter snapped back to reality and swiftly stepped back to avoid it.

Cordelia could not help feeling creeped out when she looked up and met Jesse's gaze.

"No need..." she replied. "I know that she's upset because she lost the deal. I won't take it to heart. But please let her know that I won't let it go just like that if she dares insult me again!" "Certainly!" Jesse's eyes flitted about, but his gaze was constantly on Cordelia.

She was usually quiet and soft as a pushover, but she had been like a thorny rose when she'd argued with Karine just now. The contrast was refreshing to Jesse, and he was even more captivated. "It's almost noon." He smiled. “I'll buy you lunch, Lia. Consider it an apology. Don't say no!"

"It's fine." Cordelia looked at him impassively. "I've brought my own lunch. I don't want to go out."

"Leftovers from last night?" Jesse lowered his voice with a smirk. "Lia, a pretty girl like you shouldn't be eating leftovers..."

"I'm only eating my own food." Cordelia stared straight at him. "Mr. Ford, I'll excuse myself now. You should head back to the office too lest Ms. Carmichael kicks up a fuss again when she sees us talking alone."

"Lia, are you this reluctant to talk to me?"

Jesse was shameless and hard to shake off, clinging to Cordelia. When he realized that what he was doing was ineffective, he had another idea and told her with a grin, "I won't be having lunch alone with you. There's actually a client here!"

Cordelia paused and looked hesitant.

"It's a client from Feranche. I had a look, and you're the only one in the company who took Feransai in college. Right?"

Cordelia stayed silent.

"The client's supposed to arrive tomorrow, but the flight was changed last minute. The interpreter I hired is fully booked today, so... can you do me this favor, Lia?"

Cordelia wanted to refuse, but the company had a limited pool of foreign clients. The client had to be a quality resource since Jesse was on it. A potential client could be lost if she did not go.

Besides, Jesse was petty. Not going meant defying his orders, and he might pick on her in the future.

They would be going to a restaurant anyway, and Jesse would probably not dare touch her inappropriately in public.

"Cordelia," Jesse added in time, seeing that she was swaying. "If this deal goes through, you'll get part of the commission. What do you think?"

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Cordelia pressed her lips together and nodded in agreement, arriving at the Eterous Hotel near their company with Jesse moments later.

There were really two blonde foreigners waiting for them there.

Cordelia greeted them in fluent Feransai and did her best to interpret. The clients approved of her ability, and as the meal came to an end, there was an indication that there would be a collaboration. It was only then that Cordelia flashed a relieved smile.

Confident and poised, she raised her glass to propose a toast to their delightful cooperation in advance.

The scene was coincidentally witnessed by Josiah, who was passing by. He halted in a daze and only then began to seriously check the girl out. He had thought that he had seen plenty of pretty girls before, but when Cordelia had smiled just now, it had felt like all the flowers in the world had bloomed. There was an enchanting charisma about her. It was no wonder Marcus' plan to return to Centrolis had to be put on hold... It seemed that he would rather have the beauty than his empire!

Josiah chuckled and pulled out his phone to call Marcus.

"Z, I have an appointment at Eterous and I run into sis-in-law again!"

There was no response from the other end-silence was Marcus' normal reaction.

"I didn't know she could speak Feransai. What a surprise... The foreigners are pretty polite, but the man seated next to her looks kind of pervy. His hand is constantly on the back of her chair, tch..."

"Address."

"Hmm?"

The voice on the other end of the line went icy. "I don't want to repeat myself!"

Josiah snapped back to his senses and immediately sent Marcus their location before breathing in relief.

Cordelia walked both clients to the hotel exit and waved courteously to bid them goodbye. Just as she was about to go back for her purse, Jesse suddenly held her wrist.

"You didn't have enough just now, right?" Jesse was slightly intoxicated, and his gaze grew more daring. "Come on, let's go back and have some more..."

"No need."

Cordelia wanted to pry him off, but his grip became tighter and his eyes roamed all over her, especially on her low collar.

"Lia, do you have no idea how beautiful you are?"

"Mr. Ford, you've had too much to drink!"

As Cordelia struggled, she freed a hand and slipped it into her pants pocket discreetly amidst their frantic exchange.

"I'm not drunk!" Jesse yanked her into his arms and breathed harshly. "Lia, I haven't been able to forget you... You're so much better than that b*tch Karine. I wouldn't even have bothered with her if her uncle wasn't a shareholder...

"Lia, I can give you everything but a status if you're with me! I can introduce you to more clients and help you close more sales... As long as you please me, I'll get the stars and moon for you if that's what you want! I-

"Argh!" Jesse cried before he could finish his sentence.

Cordelia froze before a tall figure put her behind his back. A few dull thuds later, Jesse was flung out like a dead dog and he groaned in pain on the ground.

"Can you see the stars and moon now?"

That deep, stern voice made Cordelia's tense nerves relax instantly.

She threw herself into the warm and familiar embrace as her hands clung to him and her face was buried in his chest. His strong heartbeat filled her with an immense sense of security.

She suddenly felt like bursting into tears. Had he seen everything that had just happened? He would not assume that she was hooking up with another man behind his back, would he? "Marcus, I..."

"It's fine now." He stroked her back gently. "I'm here."

Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Marcus' gaze was firm as he smiled softly at Cordelia. He then turned to Jesse with a callous, bloodthirsty expression. His gaze was like a sharp knife that could slit the man's throat. The security guards at the hotel entrance were about to step forward but were forced back by Marcus' icy gaze.

Jesse was intimidated by his commanding presence as well and was now shaking like a leaf. "W-Who... Who are you?"

He scrambled up from the floor and staggered to regain his balance.

"Who are you? How-How dare you hit me in broad daylight? I—”

Marcus skipped talking to him. Instead, he went up to Jesse and yanked him by his collar, dragging him to the back of the hotel as though he was nothing but a chick.

Cordelia was worried about Marcus being at a disadvantage, so she hurriedly followed him. However, before she could reach him, she heard wails for mercy from the back.

Jesse was bruised like a peach as he got on his knees, his hands hugging his head. Marcus landed a kick on his chest. Before he could get up, Marcus had hit his head and slammed half of his face under his foot!

Jesse cried even louder. "B-Bro! Sir! I was wrong! I was wrong! I won't dare do it again!"

"Stay away from her from now on." Marcus' face was blank, and his tone was frosty. "If I see you harassing my wife again, I won't let you off the hook so easily."

Jesse widened his eyes in shock. He squirmed on the ground like a worm, his lower jaw nearly dislocated after Marcus stepped on it.

Marcus looked down, his gaze shifting to Jesse's crotch. There was a patch of liquid under the man in that area. He snorted and lifted his foot abruptly in disgust.

"Scram!"

Jesse could care less about the pain he was in as he fled in a panic, nearly running into Cordelia.

Cordelia was astonished by how pathetic he had ended up being and thought that a tough fight had taken place. She hurried over to check if Marcus was hurt, but the man flung his sleeves and walked off from the back, looking indifferent.

Cordelia's eyes turned wet as she beamed in relief and snuggled up to him.

"Will I... get you into trouble?" Marcus asked in a deep tone. "I beat your superior up."

Cordelia shook her head fervently.

"Your husband only knows how to fight," Marcus said with a chuckle as he ran his hand through her long hair. "You've got to get used to it."

When Cordelia looked up at him, their eyes met and they broke out into hearty laughter together.

Marcus petted her head and said, "Why don't you quit this job? You don't make much, and it's so tough. You've basically got a grudge against your superior now. He might pick on you harder from now on." "He won't." Cordelia giggled.

Marcus was slightly taken aback when he saw her pull a small recording pen from her pocket. She pressed the switch and the conversation they'd had just now was heard clearly.

"You're much better than that b*tch Karine.

"Lia, I can give you everything but a status if you're with me!

"I can introduce you to more clients and help you close more sales... As long as you please me..."

Marcus squinted. His gaze on Cordelia grew more meaningful.

The girl had actually stayed calm and composed during that critical situation and had even recorded evidence of her harassment. This way, Jesse would not dare act recklessly no matter how much he wanted to pick on her. Once the evidence was laid out, his reputation would be gone and he would even offend Karine. He would definitely lose his place on the corporate ladder!

"Hah, my wife is so smart!" Marcus praised her.

Looking triumphant, Cordelia jutted her chin out and giggled. "Of course!"

"But who's Lia? Aren't you Yelena?"

Cordelia blanched, her legs nearly giving out and causing her to fall. Marcus kept an arm around her waist with a cryptic smile on his sculpted face. There was a sense of pressure mixed in his manliness that pulled at Cordelia's conscience.

"Um..." She racked her mind to come up with something. "I am Yelena. Lia is my nickname."

"Why'd that man know your nickname?"

Cordelia pressed her lips together as her ears reddened and heated up.

"I... I don't know where he heard it either." She braced herself to keep lying. "He might have heard my friends call me that when we were in university, so he mimicked them...

"He's crazy anyway. What a pervert! You did a good job today, darling!" Cordelia flashed Marcus a timid grin. "I'll make you barbecue ribs and pan-seared salmon tonight as a reward!"

Marcus smiled and stopped pushing the question. Instead, he pulled the girl into his arms and left the hotel with her.

The next day, gossip broke out in the office. Everyone either avoided Cordelia once they saw her or whispered comments behind her back.

The moment Cordelia entered the building, she felt their discriminating gazes and guessed that word had gotten around about Jesse being beaten up. It had to do with her anyway, so she was not shirking responsibility. If they did force her into a corner, though, she would not just give in!

"Cordelia, come here!" Her coworker, Annie Ambrose, called her over softly.

Cordelia paused and followed Annie to the corner of the hallway.

Annie was kind and bubbly and was usually the closest to her. Now that something had happened, she was the most concerned for her as well. "Cordelia." Annie looked troubled. "Did you hear what people say about you?"

"I know. Is it because Jesse got beaten up?" Cordelia asked directly. "But there was a cause. If the higher-ups want to investigate the case, I'll—" "That's not all!" Annie interrupted her in a hushed voice. "Cordelia, are you hiding something from everyone?"