Ch. 211..220
Chapter 211
Chapter 211
Cordelia's face paled. She lifted his T-shirt immediately to check the wound.
As expected, there was an obvious mark on his back.
"It's red!" She rubbed it, feeling heartbroken. She then turned around to look at Linda.
"Look, Linda! Nicholas kicked him!"
Never had Nicholas thought his darling, who had been showing off their love with him earlier, was glaring at him like she was a different person now. "Hey, why did you do that!?"
Nicholas looked innocent, "Linda, aren't you going to side with me?"
"Side with you?" She grabbed Cordelia's shoulder. "My Cordelia is upset now! Go, go buy ointment for Marcus!"
Nicholas widened his eyes.
'My Cordelia?
'She was calling me baby just now!
'Is she saying that her friend is more important than her man!?
'So love fades, is it...'
Nicholas stood where he was. He snapped his eyes up, locking eyes with Zephyr, who looked proud.
"Can I trouble Mr. Thompson to buy ointment for me?"
At 6:00 a.m., Nicholas bought ointment and even breakfast for them.
He swiftly laid out the cutlery and opened the balcony door. He shoved the ointment to Zephyr and gnashed his teeth while scoffing.
"I merely kicked you. Look at you being a softy! How dare you get me into trouble?"
Zephyr smiled. "Thanks for your compliment. I'm just giving you a taste of your own medicine."
Nicholas rolled his eyes hard.
That insignificant injury did not need ointment at all, so Zephyr left it aside.
Cordelia and Linda ate breakfast happily while the two men leaned on the balcony railing. They looked inside, revealing the same smile. "Hey, I need to talk about something serious with you." Nicholas looked serious.
Zephyr was stunned. "What's wrong?"
"Give me a cigarette first."
Zephyr glared at him.
Nicholas signaled him, asking him to give him a cigarette right now.
Zephyr tutted and unwillingly grabbed the half packet of cigarettes from his pocket. That was the only packet he had left.
He took one out for Nicholas, then the two of them hid in a corner of the balcony where the ladies could not see them and lit it quickly.
"What's with this?" Zephyr frowned. "You can't even afford cigarettes?"
"Linda has all of my money," Nicholas answered honestly. "Cigarettes aren't included in the allowance she gives me."
"Oh." Zephyr nodded. He looked rather sympathetic.
In comparison, Cordelia was so much kinder to him. She never controlled how he spent his money. She would even buy him stuff. However, she was stricter when it came to cigarettes.
Which was causing him to survive on this packet for a long time...
Nicholas wanted to ask for another one, but Zephyr slapped his hand away and put the cigarettes back in his pocket.
"Just spit it out!" he said softly. "Or else they're going to look for us soon!"
Nicholas felt helpless. He looked at him after taking the last puff. "Yale contacted me two days ago."
Zephyr's eyes dimmed.
"There's nothing else that he wants from me other than asking where you are. Why? Didn't he get the news that you've returned to Centrolis?"
"I went back secretly," he said with his deep voice. "Also, I was only there for two days. It makes sense that he doesn't know."
"Hmm." Nicholas nodded. "I didn't tell him anything else. I told him that you're not in Chaiseland, and I'm still trying to find exactly where you are." Zephyr patted his shoulder.
"Also, I found out about something else."
"What is it?"
"They're secretly training Marcus to mimic all of your moves. The way you dress, the way you speak, even some tiny moves and expressions. They got him to copy you." Zephyr's expression changed slightly. He was deep in his thoughts.
He had thought about this since earlier.
They had finally captured Marcus. How could they waste such a useful chess piece?
"Seems like they're eager to get him to replace you." Nicholas played with the lighter. "When I told them you're not in Chaiseland, Yale had a strange laugh."
"Second Uncle has been wanting a land in the western outskirts of Centrolis," Zephyr fell into deep thought, "But he doesn't have that much money. It'll be tough if he wants to go on with the project.
"If he manages to get money from the consortiums in Chaiseland, it'll be a piece of cake to get that piece of land."
"So..." Nicholas raised his eyebrows.
"If I'm right, he wants to get Marcus to sign my name to get money from the consortiums!"
Nicholas came to a realization.
He thought Yale would want to kill Zephyr as soon as he captured Marcus. Therefore, when Zephyr left Jangasas, he did not want Cordelia to be home alone. That was why he got Linda along to be with her. Now it seemed like Yale was not so foolish to kill him directly. Instead, he would use Marcus' face to get what he could.
Zephyr smiled. "Nicholas, you were a great help to be saying that I wasn't in Chaiseland!"
Nicholas was a smart man. He got what he meant immediately.
"If the real Zephyr isn't around, they'll send the fake one over. After all, it's all foreigners in the consortiums. They can't tell you apart from Marcus!"
Zephyr scoffed. "Then I'll make their wish come true!"
Nicholas smiled. "When Marcus gets to Chaiseland, he'll fall into our trap!"
The Jenner Group's board of directors meeting would go on as planned. After stepping into the building, Cordelia took a deep breath and walked straight into William's office.
She must speak to him before the meeting began.
William was preparing the meeting materials. He was a little stunned to see her.
She did not call him "dad". Instead, she said courteously, "President Jenner."
William frowned.
Cordelia laid out the documents that she was holding before him.
"What's this?" His face changed.
It was written clearly on these documents that she was returning the shares.
Her signature was at the bottom.
From the moment she found out she was not his daughter by blood, she had made up her mind that she would cut ties with the Jenners.
"I'm here today to return my shares." Cordelia enunciated clearly. "Sir, I'm sure you knew that... I'm not your daughter by blood."
William looked even more terrible now. His cunning eyes stared at her while complicated emotions were surging inside of him. Cordelia's heart was pounding. Before coming, she thought there would be two possibilities.
One was that William would accept her request to return the shares, and she would cut ties with the Jenners.
However, the chances of that happening were low.
If he already knew that she was not her daughter, yet he gave her the shares, there must be something fishy about it. That was what she wanted to find out. Therefore, returning the shares was just a pretense.
In reality, she wanted to test him, to see what he would say!
Chapter 212
Chapter 212
As she expected, William did not sign the share return documents. Instead, he set them aside.
Subsequently, he looked at her with complicated emotions in his eyes.
Cordelia was clueless. She had no idea what he was going to do and say next.
The office fell into an awkward silence. William only lifted his head a long time later, asking her with his rather husky voice. "Are you so eager to cut ties with me?" She pursed her lips and said nothing.
"Is your mom discharged from the hospital?" His stare was piercing. "Did she tell you that?"
"No," Cordelia said softly. "I found out about it by chance that we're not related by blood.
"So I'm returning these to you today..."
Her palms were sweating. She secretly checked out William's expression.
He sat up straight and asked. "Why are you doing this?"
"Because I'm not a Jenner," she answered. "These don't belong to me."
"Cordelia, you've been calling me dad for so many years. I've been treating you as my own."
'Hah, have you?' Cordelia secretly scoffed.
When Yelena bullied her, when Joanne humiliated her, when she watched other girls having their fathers by their side while she had nothing...
Where was he, her father?
Cordelia took a deep breath and looked at him calmly. "Mom taught me since young that we shouldn't take things that don't belong to us. Too many interests are involved in the company shares. I don't want them, nor do I want trouble for myself."
"The shares are my gift to you." William insisted. "Cordelia, I own the company. I have the right to give the shares to whoever I want!"
"That's your business, but whether I accept them or not is my business."
"Cordelia!" William's voice was fierce.
Cordelia trembled. The suspicion she had was growing.
Who would insist on giving money away?
The only explanation was that she could bring him something that was more valuable than money!
She could not help but breathe faster while her heart was racing.
Her judgemental look worried William.
'This girl is too smart, just like her mother...'
However, he had to go through Cordelia to obtain those things from Xyla.
William calmed himself down. Just when he was going to speak, someone pushed the door and rushed in.
"Dad! What the hell?"
Yelena was furious. She glared fiercely at Cordelia as soon as she came in.
"So you're not dad's daughter after all! You..."
"Yelena!" William scolded. "We're in the office. How dare you eavesdrop out there? You sure are gutsy!"
"Dad..."
Yelena was unwilling. Jealousy had killed all of her rationality.
What a joke!
She had been bullying Cordelia because she was an illegitimate daughter and had no power to fight her!
Never had she thought she was not even a Jenner...
Yelena's eyes were bloodshot. She was worked up.
What she could not fathom was that since they were not related, why would her father give the shares away?
"Dad, don't you think you're too much!?" She pointed at Cordelia while speaking with her shaky voice. "She's not your daughter. I am! How can you do this to me!?" "Shut your mouth!" William was fuming.
If Yelena were half as smart as Cordelia, he would not be this mad.
"I own the company, and I'll give the shares to whoever I want. Who do you think you are to be making noise here!?"
"Dad!"
"The shares belong to Cordelia!" William said fiercely. "Get out of the Jenner Group if you're upset about that!"
Yelena was stunned, and her mind went blank. She stood there, shaking from the rage.
She ran out quickly, slamming the door hard.
Chapter 213
Chapter 213
The loud thud gave a squeeze to Cordelia's heart. She snapped her head up and happened to see William's cold stare and a subtle smile at the corner of his lips. After leaving the office, Yelena pulled her from behind before she could get out of the building.
"Stop!"
She turned her head, and Yelena's slap came to her face!
Fortunately, she had come prepared. She dodged swiftly, and Yelena missed. As she was attempting to slap her again, Cordelia grabbed her wrist tight!
Yelena's stare was vicious, but Cordelia did not want to give in at all. She shook her off.
The share return documents were scattered on the floor. The blank part where William was supposed to sign seemed extra ironic now.
Yelena screamed as if she had gone mad.
At that moment, Cordelia had a complicated feeling.
She thought about it from a different angle. If she and Carter had the same father and different mother, she had been despising him since young, had tried everything to put him in trouble, and eventually found out that he was not her brother, yet her mother had given him what belonged to her....
She might be mad about it too.
She took what belonged to Yelena, but she was not one of the Jenners. It was just absurd.
Cordelia took a deep breath. She wanted to stop Yelena from stirring trouble in the company.
However, just when she got close to her, Yelena suddenly turned around and tossed the cactus plant on the counter at her!
"Ahh!" Cordelia was shocked and instinctively wrapped her arms around her head.
At that moment, a big figure came rushing. He hugged her and dodged aside!
The cactus crushed onto the floor.
The lobby fell into silence suddenly. The employees were dumbfounded as they watched. Cordelia tried her best to suppress her racing heart. She lifted her eyes to look. "Hubby..." Zephyr's expression was so cold it was smothering. He stared ferociously at Yelena.
"Let's go home, hubby."
Zephyr patted her head. "Are you hurt?"
"No."
He glanced at the documents scattered on the floor and scoffed. "That's quite a lot of shares. Hah, seems like Mr. Jenner is quite generous!" "You..." Yelena wanted to say something, but she dared not due to his oppressively cold charisma.
"My wife was bullied by the Jenners for years. She deserves the compensation!"
"What a joke!" Yelena's voice was shaky. She pretended to be calm. "She's not my father's daughter. Why does she deserve the money?" "So, Ms. Jenner is unwilling?"
Zephyr raised his voice. The place was silent.
Yelena stepped back in fear.
"My wife deserves those shares," he said with a deep voice. "But she doesn't care about this mere money!"
Zephyr held Cordelia as they walked out. He kicked the documents on the floor away.
The majesty of the man seemed to have suppressed the entire lobby. Even after he left, nobody dared to move.
Cordelia sat on the couch after getting home. She was strangely quiet.
That worried Zephyr a little bit.
He poured her a glass of warm water and sat next to her. He placed his arm on her skinny shoulders and pulled her close. "What are you thinking about, wifey?"
As Cordelia held the glass, the security the man provided made her loosen her tensed body.
She chuckled and mumbled, "How nice it would be if I could hide in your embrace forever."
"Why not?" He smiled. "Didn't they say that one will spoil his lady like a kid if he really loves her?
"I'll spoil you like you're my daughter!"
Cordelia was stunned. She looked at him, not sure whether to laugh or cry.
"What? Do you want me to call you daddy?"
"That'd be... even better." Zephyr squinted. He stuck his ear close to her and said in his deep and husky voice. "Come on, call me daddy!" "I hate you!"
Cordelia pushed him away while giggling. However, the man was like a wall, blocking her sturdily. He looked like he was going to pounce on her...
Chapter 214
Chapter 214
"Okay, stop it!"
Cordelia rejected softly. Her arms wrapped him.
Zephyr smiled and gave a long kiss on her neck, pressing down the burning desire that was surging inside of him.
He knew she was a conservative lady. She could not do it anywhere else other than their own bedroom.
It seemed he would have to make her get used to it.
"What are you thinking about, hubby?"
Zephyr snapped back his senses. He smiled at her after licking his dry lips.
"Do you feel much better now?"
"Mm-hmm!"
He said, "Wifey, what are you going to do about the shares?"
She bit her lip, not knowing how to tell him.
"The shares are worth nothing." He played with her hair. "Take them if you want them. Don't take them if you don't want them. No need to struggle with it."
"They're worth nothing?" Cordelia laughed out loud. "You're speaking as if you're rich! You don't even care about the shares that are "worth nothing" now!" Zephyr chuckled and said nothing.
Cordelia's voice was coquettish as she drowned in his embrace. "Actually, I didn't see him for the shares. I was only using the agreement to return the shares to test him."
"Test him?"
"Don't you think my dad's being weird?" She had been calling him "dad" for over 20 years, and she had yet to adjust.
"He knew that I'm not his daughter, yet he gave me the shares. Why is that?
"Also, I recalled the past carefully. Although he didn't give me much love, he paid for school and my daily necessities. He also paid for Carter."
He lifted her eyes to look at him. "Hubby, looking at this as a man, would you do this to children that are not related to you?"
Zephyr's eyes dimmed. He responded a moment later. "I will if I love the children's mother."
Cordelia scoffed, "Does he really have feelings for my mom? I don't buy it."
Why would he force her if he really loved her?
And why would he be so cruel to have only given some money and neglected the rest?
Therefore, there must be something else going on.
"Okay, stop thinking about it." Zephyr patted her back softly. "Don't ask your mom. We can't control the grudge that was formed in the past generation. If you're still worried, just have your guard up against William from now on."
"Okay." Cordelia chuckled.
She felt much better now after speaking to him.
She checked the time and was surprised to find out that it was almost 1:00 p.m.
She quickly got up to cook in the kitchen.
Zephyr looked at the cabinet in the bedroom.
He walked over quietly and opened the door. He knew their marriage certificate was in the drawer that was locked.
However, he had no idea where Cordelia kept the key.
He looked around and flipped through the pillows and other drawers. He could not find the key, but he found a small rosewood box sitting quietly in the corner. He was stunned.
He looked at the box in silence. He suddenly thought the patterns on it looked familiar. He seemed to have seen it somewhere before...
"Hubby!" Cordelia's voice came. "Come eat!"
Zephyr closed the cabinet immediately.
She made two simple dishes. She looked at her phone while eating and then smiled.
He was curious. "What happened that made you so happy?"
She showed him the account on her phone.
It turned out the cafe had made quite some profit in the past two months.
Chapter 215
Chapter 215
"Combining my savings and the return from my investment..." The lady revealed excitement at the corner of her eyes. "Hubby, guess how much we have now?!"
Zephyr shook his head while chuckling.
Cordelia whispered the number and could not stop smiling.
"Hubby, I can finally get you a car!"
"What?" Zephyr put down the cutlery and looked at her with slight confusion.
"I'm getting you a car!" she repeated. "Didn't I tell you that I wanted to get you a car so that you won't have to use public transportation? It's just that I didn't have enough savings before." Zephyr felt warm.
It seemed her salary had doubled when she was promoted to sales supervisor at the previous company.
She had said she would get a mortgage to buy a house, and then she would buy him a car for convenience.
It seemed she never felt the pain of spending money on him...
He held her hands softly and looked into her eyes.
"You don't have to buy me a car. Just save it for your mom and Carter."
"I've set aside money for them!" Cordelia smiled. "Although taking care of them is important, I can't mistreat my hubby! I said I'd buy you a car, so I'll definitely get you one."
"I think... you said that you'd take care of me for the rest of my life, right?" His voice was dry.
Cordelia nodded in all seriousness.
She had said she would take care of him for the rest of his life. She could not miss a day, an hour, a minute, or even a second.
"It's set, hubby." She scooped food on his plate. "Let's look at cars this weekend! Oh yeah, I'm bringing Linda along. She worked at a car dealer when she was studying. She knows cars better!" Zephyr could not fight her with that, so he followed her to a car dealership on the weekend.
Never had he thought Linda would bring Nicholas along.
The store manager was stunned to see him. He looked all high and mighty before, but now he behaved like a lackey. He was faking a big smile.
"N! Wow... Why are you here today? You should've told me that you were coming so that I could lay a red carpet for you!"
"So, he's the legendary N?" A few sales assistants discussed quietly. "He has the majesty of a gangster head indeed..." "No wonder our manager looks like he's meeting his ancestor when he talks to him."
"But why is he here at our store? Is he wanted by the police?"
"Shh..."
Nicholas felt helpless and pulled his hoodie low.
He did not want to come today. The most expensive car in the store was less than $75,000. It was lame to be here...
He looked annoyed.
Cordelia and Linda were picking cars excitedly, while Nicholas faked a chuckle when he arrived before Zephyr. "Mr. Z, I guess it's your first time coming to such a car dealership, right?" Zephyr ignored him when he saw his teasing expression.
Nicholas smiled. "Sigh, Z, I guess you can't even buy a wheel for your car at home with the price of the most expensive car here, right?
"So... The car that Cordelia is going to buy for you shouldn't surpass $15,000. Will you get used to driving it?"
Zephyr tutted and patted his shoulder.
"You can't even afford cigarettes, yet you want to talk about cars with me?"
Nicholas' expression changed. "You..."
"I'm in a pickle, you know," Zephyr was pretentious. "My wife keeps wanting to buy things for me. She keeps wanting to spend money on me, worried that she'll mistreat me. "What should I do, Nicholas? I'm so annoyed!"
"F*ck you!" said Nicholas.
Zephyr could no longer hold back. He turned around to walk to Cordelia.
"Right on time, hubby!" Cordelia pointed at one of the cars. "I've discussed it with Linda. This car's cost-effectiveness is the highest, and it's within our budget. "Look, do you like it?"
Chapter 216
Chapter 216
It was an ordinary sedan-small engine capacity, fuel-efficient, not exactly roomy, and cost less than $15,000.
Not even the Hamertons' servants would drive this kind of car, but Zephyr liked it very much. It was because Cordelia's eyes sparkled when she saw the car, and he liked the sparkle in her eyes. "Honey, what do you think?" Cordelia held his arm.
Zephyr smiled. "As long as you like it."
"I quite like it, but this is for you. You've got to like it too!"
Cordelia knew that men felt more for cars. Cars were like their other wives. She ought to pick one that he would like.
"Linda and I browsed a lot of them and think this one's the best from all aspects. Do you want to test drive it, darling?"
"No need." Zephyr looked at her. "We'll take this one. I like it."
Cordelia grinned sweetly and began discussing the color of the car. Black was cool, but she hoped he could pick white. He was already barely smiling usually, so it would be scarier if he drove a black car. As she spoke, she giggled.
Zephyr watched her quietly. He listened as she chattered and giggled like a happy little birdy. His expression suddenly dimmed, and he furrowed his brows. He followed her with his deep gaze, unwilling to break eye contact for even a moment.
Nicholas chuckled. "Those million-dollar cars in your garage can't even compare to this one for less than $15,000, right?"
Zephyr stayed silent.
"If you're worried that your identity will scare her, it's unnecessary." Nicholas patted his shoulder. "This one of yours is bold and wise. She's a cool one. She won't be frightened!"
"I know." Zephyr glanced at him.
Cordelia would not be scared away, but she was independent and clear-headed. She would not accept a marriage where the disparity between them was this significant. She would definitely keep a distance and leave him by then.
If she could not walk into his world, he was willing to give up everything and enter hers.
"Darling!"
Zephyr snapped out of his thoughts to see Cordelia waving at him with a grin.
"Come here. Give me your ID!"
"ID?" Zephyr jolted. "Why do you need it?"
"I'm signing the purchase agreement!" Cordelia pointed at the blank space. "Your signature is needed here, and your ID's required."
"Why mine?"
The girl grimaced. "Why are you asking silly questions again?
"This car is for you. Of course, it'll be under your name! Come on, give me your ID!"
Zephyr gulped. He pursed his lips and looked at her with a complicated gaze.
"Honey! What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"
"..."
"Unhappy? He's over the moon!" Nicholas saved the situation with a smile. "But Cordelia, are you really planning to buy it under his name? My advice is that you better not!" Cordelia frowned with a confused gaze.
"Well, I think..." Nicholas racked his mind. "It's better that you buy it under your name! Hah... Don't give your all to a man and spend all your money on him! You should look out for yourself! "Things like cars and property. It's better to put them under your name. For security!
"No objection from you, right, Marcus?" Nicholas elbowed the man and gave him a look.
Zephyr chuckled. "Of course not. I think the same."
"But..." Cordelia hesitated.
Nicholas looked at Linda. "Linda, convince your friend here!"
"Oh, what's gotten into you today?" Linda giggled. "Why are you on the women's side?"
"Mercy, my lady!" Nicholas almost hit his chest. "I've always been your ally!"
"More like a gal pal now!" Linda rolled her eyes laughing.
Nicholas held her hand to place it against his heart. "I swear, I only have you as my gal pal in this life!"
"Shoo!"
Linda slung an arm around Cordelia's shoulders with a bright beam. "Cordelia, I think Nicholas' right. I'm not coming in between you and Marcus! I told you before women should have ownership!
"With these under your name, it's a safeguard in your life. Besides, Marcus can still drive it even when it's bought under your name!"
"That's right, darling." Zephyr looked at her. "Just buy it with your name. Everything at home should be yours anyway." "Honey..."
"Including me." Zephyr grinned dotingly. "I'm yours too."
It felt like honey was drizzled on Cordelia's heart. She held his hand tightly with a gentle gaze.
Linda first watched with adoration before she rolled her eyes at Nicholas disdainfully.
Nicholas was at a loss. "What did I do?"
"When have you told me such nice things?"
Nicholas was rendered speechless.
"Nicholas Thompson, what else do you know aside from smoking? Sleep with your cigarettes from now on!"
"Sweetie, have you forgotten? I don't have money to buy them anymore!"
"Are you arguing?"
Nicholas shut up and glared at Zephyr.
Why!? That man got a new car, but his girlfriend scolded him? This did not even make sense!
Zephyr parked the car outside of the cafe and wiped it down carefully. The car was clean without a speck of dust as it glowed under the sun.
Farther away, Josiah and Frederic stared unblinkingly.
"Freddy, you wanted to study medicine in the past, right?"
"What do you mean?" Frederic was dazed.
"You read medical books before, didn't you?"
"I did. So?"
"Did those books state what psychiatric patients are like? Is it like him?"
Frederic rolled his eyes.
Zephyr was diligently wiping the car. He was even humming a tune softly. If he had a tail, it would have been wagging triumphantly. Comparing this to the usually impassive Mr. Z Hamerton, he was behaving quite abnormally.
Frederic held back from speaking.
"Say..." Josiah turned and pointed at his head. "Is he really okay here?"
Frederic pressed his lips together but finally cracked a grin.
"Would he drive this kind of car?"
"Why not?" Frederic replied, "As long as Cordelia bought it, he'd drive it even if it's a tractor!"
"Hah...." Josiah accidentally let out a cackle and quickly covered his mouth.
He remembered Z's warning for him all the time-he should keep a 500-meter distance from Cordelia and make no noise!
Zephyr had just wiped the windshield when he looked up and saw the two men hiding. When they were discovered, they waved at him with a wince.
"What are you two doing here?"
Chapter 217
Chapter 217
"Uh, I didn't want to come. Josiah insisted!" Frederic quickly claimed his innocence.
Zephyr glanced at Josiah darkly.
"No, Z, I..."
"You didn't just want to come. You said you wanted to go for a drive in Z's new car!"
"Fredric!" Josiah could not even win the argument.
Zephyr asked sternly, "Didn't I ask you not to hang around here? What if Cordelia sees you!?"
"..."
Josiah was close to tears while Frederic tried to hold back his chuckle.
"Never mind, Z. He hasn't been the brightest since we were young. Don't get petty with him!"
Josiah was rendered speechless.
"Right, your new car's beautiful!" Frederic grinned like a sly old fox. "Cordelia picked it?"
It was only then Zephyr showed a hint of a smile.
Frederic continued. "Cordelia has good taste. Z, your cars weren't too practical in the past. This car's specs and model, its color especially, match you very well!" Josiah immediately loathed Frederic.
In spite of it, Zephyr was in a good mood and even suggested driving them around.
Frederic came to the main point then. "There's something that we come to you for... Let's talk somewhere quiet."
Zephyr nodded and went back to the cafe to get the car key from Cordelia.
"You're going out?"
"Mm... Going for a drive with my friends." Zephyr chuckled.
Zennie was in the shop, guarding the oven like a greedy kitten. She immediately understood that those two guys were here for her brother.
Cordelia passed him the key and asked casually, "What friends?"
"Just..." Zephyr gave it a thought. "Ex-prison mates!"
Zennie nearly spat out her coffee.
"Ex-prison mates?" Cordelia paused. "The one who called to borrow money from you last time?"
"Yeah."
"Darling, didn't you say you don't want to keep in touch with them anymore?"
Zennie looked at Zephyr in amusement and anticipation of how he was getting himself out of this.
As expected of her brother, though, he said directly, "They corrected themselves pretty well. They turned a new leaf now. I think I can give them a chance." Zennie choked and coughed.
Cordelia quickly passed her a napkin and patted her back, not really concerned with what Zephyr said.
Nicholas could right himself too, so those people should be fine. Besides, she always believed that her husband would not see things wrong!
"Alright, go on out!" Cordelia smiled. "I'll watch over the cafe!"
Zephyr went out with the car key. Zennie looked at his back, then at Cordelia, and asked softly, "You trust him so much?"
"Huh?" Cordelia did not quite catch it as she made Zennie another iced latte.
"Those friends of his were inmates. They've been in prison!"
Cordelia's smile froze, but her gentle gaze remained. She looked at Zennie tenderly. "He took the wrong path before he met me, but he's never done anything wrong since we got together. "The most important thing for a husband and wife is to trust each other. I know Marcus, and I believe him 100%. He won't do it again."
"Cordelia." Zennie was moved. "What if he does lie to you one day?"
"That's not possible! He promised me that he won't keep anything from me."
Chapter 218
Chapter 218
"But..."
That sentence was about to roll off Zennie's tongue, but she could not do it. She could only gulp.
Other than her brother explaining it to Cordelia personally, others were not able to intervene.
"Alright." Cordelia smiled and pinched Zennie's nose lightly. "What's gotten into you today? Is it because you haven't gotten any cookies?"
Zennie forced a smile and got the cookies out of the oven with her.
The wind chime rang at the door each time customers patronized the café.
Cordelia began another busy day. This day was like every other day-sunlight filled the porch while the interior wafted with the aroma of coffee. Patrons chatted and took photos here, leaving good reviews before they left.
It was close to the start of fall now, but the irises were blooming prettily.
Cordelia was filled with happiness. As Zennie watched her smile in contentment, she hoped she could stay this blissful.
Zephyr drove along the river very slowly and rarely made a bump.
The passenger seat belonged to Cordelia, so no one was allowed on it. Hence, the two men in the backseat looked hopeless as they stared at the back of Zephyr's head like they had seen a ghost and sighed occasionally.
He was so careful with this car, costing less than $15,000, and treated it like a gem while he pushed down on the pedal of those million-dollar luxury sports cars in the past, not at all pained when they were wrecked and treating them like trash.
They were all cars, but they had different destinies...
Josiah yawned. "Z, I'm going to fall asleep if you keep driving at this speed!"
Zephyr's face fell and was reflected through the rearview mirror as he slowly stopped the car by the curb.
"Get off to sleep if you want to. You drool when you sleep. Don't stain the car!"
Josiah perked up and straightened up instantly.
Frederic started with a chuckle, "Uh, Z, can I have a sip of water?"
"What if you spill it?" Zephyr glared at him.
Frederic went silent and held back his thirst.
"Z, I've got something to tell you." Josiah decided to act fast to save himself from the trouble. "Yale's planning to send Marcus to Chaiseland."
"Hmm, yeah." Frederic nodded. "They're in the process recently and have trained Marcus."
"They move pretty fast." Zephyr sneered. "They're going to ask for money in Chaiseland on my behalf!"
"Yeah."
"It's fine. I contacted my mom," replied Zephyr. "I told her she'll have a fake son asking for money very soon and that she must be prepared for it." "Auntie?" Josiah was worried. "Can she handle it? I heard that Matthew has gotten close to your uncle recently. They must have conspired a long time ago!" "Don't worry." Zephyr turned back to look at them. "You know my mom. The thing she does best in life? Strong and aggressive!"
The men exchanged looks and chuckled.
Zephyr's mother, the eldest daughter in her family, had gotten used to being dominant her whole life. The stronger her opponent was, the better she fought. Zephyr completely inherited her superior genes in this.
"So there's only one way out for Marcus when he arrives in Chaiseland." Josiah laughed. "Caught alive by auntie!"
Frederic nodded. "A good amount of issues can be settled when he's caught!"
Josiah said, "Oh, yeah, Z, Aunt Cloud and Zennie have been staying in Regalia. My uncle's there to keep an eye out. Everything's okay!" "Thanks for going through the trouble."
"Are we bros or not?" Josiah cackled, and his expression slowly grew serious. "But... Z, is Zennie dating? There's a man by her side..." Zephyr scowled.
Josiah pulled out some surveillance recordings from his phone. "This guy. I remember his name is Phil Nelson, a longtime employee in your family."
"Yeah, I know." Zephyr's frown was deep. "Is there something wrong with him?"
"Not exactly. And he doesn't dare stay around Zennie all day." Josiah scratched his head. "I just find him rather odd. I met him two days ago, and he didn't speak a word. If Zennie didn't introduce him, I'd have thought he was mute!"
Chapter 219
Chapter 219
Zephyr frowned and felt conflicted.
Zennie had grown up sheltered from the world and had been a goody two shoes all along. However, it was easier for girls like this to run into people with ulterior motives.
Zephyr took a deep breath and felt a headache. He spent some quiet time and drove back after a while.
Oliver had been waiting for seven straight days outside a private club in Centrolis. He came every day asking to meet Matthew, standing from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., but the bodyguards outside kept a straight face no matter how hard he tried.
Matthew was annoyed just hearing his name, forget meeting him.
Just when Oliver was growing desperate, the butler came out to inform him, "Mr. Jones, Mr. Yale invites you in.”
Oliver perked up and hurried in instantly.
There was a huge metal cage in the backyard of the club. Before Oliver went close, he could smell a decaying stench in the air. He was alarmed but could only brace himself and continue going. To his surprise, there were two vultures kept in the cage!
Yale was toying with an amber ornament. When he turned to look at Oliver, the latter was shocked by the viciousness in his eyes.
"M-Mr. Yale..." Oliver greeted politely.
The vultures flapped their wings all of a sudden and made ugly cries.
Oliver paled in terror and froze on the spot, not daring to go farther inside.
Yale wore an unsettling smile as he glanced at the man and said, "I heard that you've been standing outside for days, Mr. Jones?
"Hah, these people are bad at hospitality! They should have at least brought you in to look at these two babies of mine!"
As Yale spoke, he put on gloves and pulled two pieces of decaying meat from a bucket at the side. He threw them into the cage, and the vultures flapped their wings to start eating.
Oliver felt chills run down his spine. He knew that rich people liked all sorts of novelty. There were those who kept lions, tigers, pythons, or leopards, but he did not expect Yale to like creatures who preyed specifically on carrion!
"Mr. Jones." Yale turned to look at him after he fed the birds. “Speak up if you have anything to say. My father isn't around, but I'm all ears!"
"No, no. You must be kidding, sir," Oliver replied nervously.
There was no way out now, so he could only keep talking.
"My company's in financial straits recently. There's a $45,000,000 fund gap. Mr. Matthew's been supporting my company all this while, but the funds weren't transferred these two months for some reason..." "Oh!" Yale dragged his word. "You're here to ask for money?"
Oliver lowered his head humbly with a thumping heart.
"$45,000,000..." Yale clapped and scanned Oliver strangely before he sneered.
"Mr. Jones, my father supports your company, but you can't treat us like an ATM, right?"
"Uh... I really have no way out. Mr. Yale, the company will face bankruptcy if $45,000,000 isn't filled in..."
"Mortgage something if you want money!"
Oliver jolted.
Yale then lowered his voice with a smirk. "How much do you think your flesh can be mortgaged for, Mr. Jones? My babies here have never tried human flesh!" Oliver widened his eyes in panic as he slumped onto the floor.
Yale cackled.
"Fun, so fun!
"Jones, do you f*cking think my father's a fool!?" Yale's expression grew savage in the blink of an eye.
The bodyguards around them aimed their guns at Oliver's head, causing the latter to cry out and get on his knees to beg for mercy.
"You b*stard, don't think I don't know what you've done in Jangasas!
"Haven't you gone to Josiah Bayer? Why are you here to pander to the Hamertons!?"
"No, no! Mr. Yale, sir, believe me. I was forced to a corner by Mr. Bayer back then..." "Then ask for money from him!"
Oliver looked agonized as large beads of sweat fell off the side of his face. He wanted to ask Josiah for help too, but the latter ignored him completely. He could only come to Matthew.
It was unexpected that Matthew was aware that Josiah had abducted him and that he was working for the latter. Matthew was on guard against him and stopped investing funds in his company.
The banks were after him for debts daily, and they even brought it to court. Oliver could barely hold out.
Yale scoffed and picked up a piece of decaying flesh to throw it on his face.
Oliver forced back the nausea and crawled up from the floor, gnashing his teeth. He had never thought of seeking support from Josiah nor being loyal to Matthew. He was just a pawn trying to survive in the cracks. He just wanted to profit a little through the company.
Now, however, he could not even guarantee his own survival. Oliver bit his lips. He stood no ground on both sides anyway, so he might as well spill the beans!
"Mr. Yale!" He said, "There's a reason Josiah came to me..."
"Hah, reason?" Yale narrowed his eyes. "Could you actually have value to him?"
"Yes..." Oliver shook, looking at him. "Because I know where Mr. Z Hamerton is. He isn't in Chaiseland. He's in Jangasas!
"I've told Mr. Matthew before, but he didn't care!"
Yale squinted.
"Zephyr Hamerton has been recuperating in Jangasas after the plane crash. For some reason, he took on Marcus' identity and got a wife..."
"Is what you said true?" Yale grabbed his collar. "A word of a lie, and I'll throw you into the cage right now!"
"It's all true! All true!" Oliver's legs were shaking. "I saw the emerald ring on the woman's hand. The pattern on the ring is unique to the Hamertons. I wouldn't see it wrong!"
"So Zephyr really got married?" Yale thought that it was good news from heaven.
"Hah... How dare he defy grandpa's will and simply get married!?"
"This... might require more investigation," Oliver said. "After all, he used Marcus' identity!"
"This won't be hard." Yale stroked his chin in thought and instructed his men, "Contact Nicholas and ask him to come to Centrolis!"
"Mr. Yale!" Oliver scoffed, "You mean Nicholas Thompson?"
"Why? You know him?"
"He betrayed you long ago, and you treat him as your subordinate?"
Yale looked at him in disbelief.
Oliver gulped and said, "I've been in Jangasas, so I see everything clearly.
"Nicholas got acquainted with Zephyr, and both of them are in the same camp!”
Chapter 220
Chapter 220
Yale was stunned for a moment before he grabbed the cup on the table and smashed it.
"M-Mr. Yale... don't be mad!" Oliver gasped and watched him carefully. "If you trust me, give me a few days. I'll look into everything!"
Yale's eyes gleamed sinisterly as he smiled at him.
"So, you're willing to come under us again?"
"Mr. Matthew's been benevolent to me. I should repay his favor!"
"Don't f*cking make it sound so noble!" Yale was despicable, so he knew what another despicable man thought. "It's just because you can't rely on Josiah Bayer and you need the money. That's why you are selling the news to me!
"If Josiah had been willing to fill $45,000,000 for you, you'd have let these rot with you, huh?"
Oliver was drenched in a cold sweat.
"But this is good news... At least Zephyr's not so pristine to my grandfather now."
"Yes, of course!" Oliver chorused. "The fact that he got married on his own is already a huge taboo to the Hamertons!"
"What does the girl look like?" Yale was interested.
Oliver gulped and stuttered, "V-Very pretty."
"Really? How pretty?" Yale had always been a lecher. It went without saying that someone who could captivate Zephyr must not look too bad. He suddenly felt an itch. He wondered how Zephyr's woman would feel.
Oliver said, "Mr. Yale, the woman's name is Cordelia Jenner. The Jenners are quite influential in Jangasas, but Cordelia's an illegitimate daughter and isn't really accepted by the family.
"I met Cordelia a few times for business purposes. Not only is she pretty, but she's an efficient worker as well. She really isn't like ordinary girls."
"That sounds great!" Yale arched a brow and began to fantasize about the name Cordelia.
He eyed his underling, and the latter carried a bag of money over right away.
"Take this to get you out of the emergency first." Yale chuckled and patted Oliver's shoulders. "As for the remaining portion, we'll see how you work for me!"
Cordelia packed Zephyr's luggage for him, folding the clothes and saying softly, "Darling, you seem to have a little too many matches and training camps recently!" Zephyr froze.
Cordelia was always like this. No matter how dissatisfied she was, she would never complain. Talking about it softly like this was already how she was venting.
Zephyr could not help smiling. He did not want to leave either, but it was time for a few of his companies—Donmein Industrial, Lyan Technology, and Weston Investment—to go through the annual evaluation. He had to go to Centrolis.
He had started these companies in secret. Although he kept a low profile, he had accumulated a significant fund within these two years. Even Liam had no idea that he already possessed a force enough to fight the Hamerton Group.
"Darling, do you have any formal occasion during this training camp where you have to socialize?" Cordelia stood before the closet. "Bring this suit along if you do!"
Zephyr did not answer.
Cordelia continued. "The weather forecast says it will rain in Centrolis the next two days. I put a foldable umbrella for you on the side of the suitcase.
"Also, it's transitioning into fall now. It's chilly in the morning and at night. You need to make sure you're tucked in when you sleep, okay? You have the habit of kicking your blanket off! "Darling, see if you need to take anything else?"
Zephyr approached slowly. Clean underwear, T-shirts, jackets, and all sorts of daily necessities lay neatly in the suitcase as if her hands had magic. They also smelled like her, a light sweet fragrance. Zephyr pulled Cordelia over and looked at her quietly with his deep eyes.
"Why are you looking at me like this?" Cordelia chortled.
"Cordelia, I..." Zephyr licked his lips. "I feel happy."