Ch. 721..730

Chapter 721

Chapter 721

Ava was furious, but she did not have the courage to show it in front of Cordelia. She was also scared of Zephyr. There would be more trouble if he saw her.

She took a glance at Aurelia, who was next to Cordelia, and vented all her rage on her.

"Hah, since you say so, I'll be going back first. I'll visit you next time! But, Cordelia, you should watch out. You're pretty far along now and should be careful in various aspects, especially not to keep people of unknown backgrounds around you!"

"What did you say?" Cordelia paused in her steps and snapped her head back at Ava.

Ava's smile was cunning as she purposely looked at Aurelia.

"I'm always available if you need company, Cordelia! But you don't even know where certain people come from, and you dare let them live in your house? You trust her just because she knows some embroidery and modeling?"

Aurelia froze. She was flustered as she quietly let go of her hold on Cordelia's arm.

Cordelia took her hand back and placed it in her palm to give her two squeezes and a firm smile.

She could not help recalling the time when she had just entered the Hamertons. She had not known her identity and had been as timid and inferior as Aurelia was. She had been helpless too in the face of Nelly's mockery.

However, Janine and Kate had held her hand just like this and told her not to be afraid as they were with her.

She knew to hold an umbrella over someone else because she had gotten soaked in the rain.

Cordelia smiled and pulled Aurelia to her, telling her inwardly not to be scared as she was there!

Her gentle gaze turned sharp as she looked at Ava.

"When do you start poking your nose into my business, Ava?"

"Hah, what are you talking about? We're family!" Ava took a step forward to jostle Aurelia to the side, but Cordelia saw it coming.

She tucked Aurelia behind her, and Ava stopped instantly in shock. She nearly came in contact with Cordelia's belly!

The baby in there right now was the prized baby of the whole of Bakers and Hamertons. A slight mishap, and Ava would not be able to redeem herself even if she died over a thousand times!

Cordelia smirked. "Ava, are you really going to wait till Zephyr's back to chase you out? He's not as nice as me now!"

"Don't worry. I won't overstay my welcome!" Ava jutted her chin. "But I have to say what I must before I leave to warn you!

"Hah, some people have obscure backgrounds and mustn't have a reputable status?" Ava cast a side-long glance at Aurelia. "People like this can do anything! Cordelia, keeping your guard against a viper at home is hard! Isn't keeping her around like keeping a time bomb? She might hook up with Zephyr while you're not aware. It'll be too late for you to regret it!"

"W-What are you saying!?" Aurelia was unable to hold back as she flushed in rage.

She spent her years in Melorian and spoke limited Acian, so she did not quite know how to argue. She could only glare and huff with clenched fists, blurting after some time, "You... sh*t!" Cordelia could not help giggling.

Aurelia was not one for arguing in Acian.

"A viper at home, you say?" Cordelia's voice was not loud, but her presence was. "Hah, I think you're overconcerned. Aurelia isn't a Hamerton or a Baker. How is she family?

"Some people, though, cry thief when they're the thief themselves. Ava, the viper at home you mentioned has the last name Baker, huh?"

"You..." Ava was choked speechless. "Cordelia, are you calling me a thief? I'm genuinely concerned for you. How could you accuse me like this!?"

"Of course, I'm not talking about you!" Cordelia's grin was bright. "You're not a Baker! You only changed your last name after Aunt Hannah met Uncle Noah, right?"

Ava was flustered with bulging eyes, but she could not retort it.

She glared at Cordelia, biting her lips with vicious resentment bubbling in her heart.

Chapter 722

Chapter 722

Cordelia said seriously, "I don't know which kind of people you're talking about, Ava. I only know that some people don't have a good birth, but their hearts and characters are noble. I like keeping people like this around!

"Some people, though, don't know their place when they're already leeching off someone else and have been doing nothing but despicable deeds. People like this who are vipers in the family should be caught instead!"

Cordelia snickered. "Ana, am I right?"

Ava did not manage to get any advantage out of the situation and turned to flee.

"Close the door," Cordelia told the butlers. "Chase her away if you hear the dog barking again next time. Why did you wait for me to come and fight?"

The butlers looked at each other and tried to hold back their laughs. Their madam was really interesting-she did not even break out into curses to scold someone.

"Betty!" Cordelia chuckled. "Make us two cups of milk tea, please!"

The housekeeper quickly jogged to the kitchen.

Cordelia was going to take Aurelia upstairs for some rest when the latter tugged at her and spoke in a bare whisper like she had done something wrong, "Cordelia... did I cause trouble?"

Cordelia was puzzled. What was she talking about?

"That woman, s-she's your relative, right?" Aurelia asked carefully. "I scolded her..."

She had thought that it was because she scolded Ava that Cordelia had to step up and sound Ava. She was the one at fault. If she could have held it back and not gotten petty with Ava, Cordelia would not have offended someone because of her.

"Silly girl, what are you thinking about?" Cordelia smiled. "That woman..."

She hesitated to speak. Where should she start? Her grudges with Ava did not start a day or two ago. If she were to tell Aurelia everything, she might not understand either.

"Never mind." Cordelia waved a hand. "Just remember to stay away from her next time!"

"Mm!" Aurelia nodded seriously.

Cordelia took her upstairs for milk tea-the usual taro milk tea.

The servants in Chaiseland were not well versed in making milk tea like this. Cordelia had only come up with the recipe after experimenting countless times based on her memory of the milk tea shop's taste. It tasted decent, though!

Aurelia liked it the first time she tried it.

"I can get them to make you one more if you like it?"

"No, thanks!" Aurelia smiled contentedly and lay on the recliner. "Cordelia, you're so nice! And your place feels so comfy..."

"Then just stay here!"

"No way!" Aurelia looked at her seriously. "I've offended that lady. She might hold a grudge against you. I think it's better if I leave!"

"You think she won't hold a grudge against me because you'll leave?" Cordelia shook her head.

Where did this silly girl come from? Cordelia remembered Aurelia saying that she was not a kind person the first time they met. How was she not when she was so considerate of others?

Cordelia looked at her. "Aurelia, seriously, you should have a home. Have you thought about your future? Will you spend the rest of your life in the basement?"

Chapter 723

Chapter 723

Aurelia was stunned. She honestly had not thought about the future.

To people like her, another day alive was another day blessed. Survival was the most important.

As for what she would do in the future, what kind of house she would live in, or even if she would get married or not, these seemed like matters of another world to her.

"Your biggest issue being here is that you're undocumented." Cordelia considered it. "We're going back to Centrolis after I give birth. If you don't mind, you can come back with me. Zephyr might have a way to take care of your identity documentation."

"No, no..." Aurelia waved a hand. "I can't trouble you all anymore! I actually haven't done anything for you, but you're all so nice to me..."

Cordelia felt a pinch in her nose.

The girl had spent sleepless nights embroidering that she was over-exhausted and had even saved the day during the launch.

Moreover, she had saved Fredric's life. While the man had been battling death, she had even wanted to use all her savings to pay for his hospital bill.

How dare she say that she had done nothing!?

Cordelia smiled and held her hand. "You can go to Southeast Aciatic too if you don't want to go to Centrolis!"

"Southeast Aciatic?"

"Yeah, it's Neil's hometown. He has a bit of say with the royals and military there," Cordelia said with a smile. "Even if you're undocumented in Southeast Aciatic, getting you registered for an identity won't be a problem if you live there with the royal amnesty."

Aurelia's interest was piqued.

They had similar situations here. Some countries still had their monarchs, and the illegal immigrants nationwide could roam the streets openly when they managed to get royal amnesty.

It was just that something like this was extremely rare.

Cordelia mentioned that Neil had a bit of say with the Southeast Aciatic royals. Aurelia had no idea how they measured the bit part, but perhaps Neil was unwilling to do that for her?

He was so high and mighty. They were people from two different worlds.

The light in Aurelia's eyes dimmed.

"Cordelia, I know you're doing this for me, but let me consider it," she said softly.

"Mm, you should think through something so huge."

"And I... I need to make a trip back to my basement!"

"What is it?" Cordelia paused. "You still don't want to stay with me?"

Aurelia grinned. "Of course I'd be happy to! It's just that I need to go back and pack up."

Realization struck Cordelia. The girl must have been thinking about her metal box with money!

She had invited Aurelia to the villa once the launch ended, and the latter had not gone home these days. Her habit of feeling the metal box and counting the money inside before she slept was hard to correct within such a short time.

It had only been days since she felt them, but her hands itched.

Cordelia chuckled. There was not much money, but that was Aurelia's asset. She should have it by her side.

"Okay, but don't break your word. You promised to stay here with me. Come back after you pack!"

"No problem!" Aurelia blinked playfully.

"I'll get the chauffeur to send you back."

"No need." Aurelia sat next to her. "That street isn't the safest. Asking the chauffeur to drive a luxury car there will get someone murdered in broad daylight! It's safer for me to sneak back."

Cordelia frowned, curious how a beautiful girl like Aurelia had grown up safely in that street.

Aurelia was a little embarrassed by the question raised.

"I have plenty of survival tactics! But... they're not that great. Swindling, stealing, cheating... I usually wear a scarf like the nomads to cover my face so the police won't see me clearly! And so... the thugs won't see me."

"The thugs?"

"Yeah, the local gangster in that area who collects protection rackets there." Aurelia shrugged. "Half of my monthly income goes to him!"

Chapter 724

Chapter 724

The more Cordelia listened to her, the more worried she got. "Aurelia, I better send some bodyguards to go with you..."

"It's really okay!" Aurelia cracked a grin. "I'm familiar with that area. Besides, I move around easier alone. Other than getting my stuff, I want to say goodbye to the old nomad lady and the others. I wouldn't be as comfortable with the bodyguards following me!"

"Then-"

"Bye-bye, Cordelia!"

Before Cordelia finished her sentence, Aurelia ran off like a deer, turning back to beam at her. "I won't come back tonight. I'll bid them a good farewell! See you tomorrow!"

Cordelia was heavy in movement and did not get to call the bodyguards in time. Aurelia ran fast too and vanished in the blink of an eye.

When Zephyr came back at night, they lay on the bed. He was working on the laptop while Cordelia tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. "Honey, what's wrong?" Zephyr tucked her in carefully. "Is your belly making you uncomfortable? Don't keep lying on your left. Turn around!" "The doctor says that pregnant women should lie on the left. It's good for the baby!"

"The doctor might not always be right!" Zephyr argued with her seriously, "Listen to me tonight. Lie on your right! You've been sleeping on your left for months, and I can't take it anymore!" Cordelia chuckled wryly. "It's for our son's sake."

"Darling, our son isn't that fragile! If he can't even let you have a good sleep, I'll—”

Before he finished his sentence, he met his wife's sharp gaze.

Zephyr swallowed the latter half of his sentence.

He explained, "Darling, I won't beat him up!"

Cordelia jolted before she giggled because of what he said and turned to lie on her right side. Her face was against his chest just nicely.

Zephyr shut his laptop and tossed it away to hug his wife happily.

Cordelia said softly, "Darling, I'm a bit worried about Aurelia."

"She's just gone back to get her things. What's there to be worried about? Besides, didn't she say that she'll be back tomorrow?"

"But she mentioned today that there are local thugs there..."

Zephyr chuckled. What was so strange about slums having thugs?

He kissed her hair and replied seriously, "Cordelia, Aurelia has lived 18 years there. She's used to it. Even if she runs into something, she has the means to settle it. Don't worry. She'll definitely be back tomorrow!"

"No." Cordelia pondered. "Darling, you better send a few bodyguards to keep watch around the area! I don't want anything to happen to her, or I won't be able to face Neil!"

'Oh, right, there is still that man!' Zephyr rubbed his temples. There was still Neil, his difficult cousin-in-law!

Zephyr mulled over it and texted his assistant to get things sorted out.

Only then was Cordelia reassured, and she pecked his cheek gleefully.

Zephyr chuckled and felt his face.

"Can you sleep in peace now?"

"Hmm... not yet!" Cordelia was hungry but was embarrassed to say it, so she stared at her husband.

"Honey, are you hungry?"

Zephyr blurted, "I'm full from dinner, not hungry."

Cordelia's gaze changed as she asked again, "Really?"

Her tone was raised in the end, and she wore a straight face. It was unlike her usual playful bunny style.

Zephyr's heart dropped as he blinked and said doubtfully, "I'm... hungry?"

Chapter 725

Chapter 725

Cordelia flashed a sweet smile. "I knew you were hungry, darling!"

Zephyr was rendered speechless.

"What do you want to have, honey?"

A multiple-choice question appeared in Zephyr's mind, but the crux was choosing the correct answer. He thought their housekeeper had been caring for Cordelia's daily life since she arrived in Melorian, so Betty's culinary skill must be alright...

"Why don't we have steak and bun?"

Cordelia stayed quiet, looking at him.

"No, no, I'm the one who wants that!" Zephyr backtracked hastily.

Cordelia was still silent.

"Then... I want spaghetti? Mac and cheese? Fried chicken and fries?"

The shiny pair of eyes across Zephyr blinked, her face still expressionless.

Realization struck the man. "Oh, I know! I want Acian food!"

Cordelia smiled. "What kind?"

It seemed that Zephyr was getting closer to the correct answer! He was thrilled and named everything he could think of.

Soy-sauced meatballs? Acian sausages with vegetables?

Why did it seem like he was getting farther away from the answer the more dishes he named?

Zephyr scratched his head and looked at his wife pleadingly.

Cordelia sighed and rested her chin on her hands. She licked her lips, looking at him in anticipation. "Darling, don't you feel like having a set meal?"

"Set..." Zephyr's eyes bulged before he forced an indulging smile. "Honey, how do you know I feel like having it? I crave it so much!"

Cordelia was thrilled. "Don't you just crave the set meals on flights?"

An airline meal!?

Twenty minutes later, the boss of the company which specialized in in-flight meals arrived speedily!

Zephyr's assistant introduced, "Mr. Hamerton, this is Mr. Derek Weir. His company mainly makes in-flight meals for flights departing to Centrolis. These are the chefs who prepared the meals!" Zephyr nodded with a dark gaze.

With a hand gesture from the assistant, Derek took the chefs to the kitchen right away. Even though they did not know why they were called here to do this in the middle of the night, they knew that Zephyr would pay them five times more if they accomplished their task.

"Thank you all," the assistant said with a smile. "Mr. Derek, Mr. Zephyr's instructed to prepare all the dishes of the in-flight meals and plate them on the boxes and trays just like how they're presented on planes!"

"Of course, of course!" Derek's eyes were squinted from his smile. "We've prepared the ingredients, and these are experienced chefs. They'll be done very soon!"

"Thank you!"

"It's our pleasure!"

The chefs were good in all methods of preparation and prepared more than ten choices of airline meals in a while.

While the service staff was not here to pick them up for serving, they chatted in the kitchen.

"What's Mr. Zephyr thinking? Why is he not sleeping at night but summoning us to do this?"

"Maybe he craves airline meals in the middle of the night?"

"Are rich people all like this?"

"Alright, alright. You're paid. Cut the crap!"

"Mr. Weir, we heard that Mr. Zephyr has a silly uncle," one of the chefs said with a chuckle. "He wouldn't have followed his uncle and degenerated at his prime, would he?"

"Hahaha!"

Zephyr was standing outside of the kitchen, holding Cordelia's hand. He intended to give her a surprise, only for it to turn...

Chapter 726

Chapter 726

Cordelia paused before a fit of giggle burst out.

"Sorry, darling." She felt kind of bad as she turned to look at him. "I'll go explain to them that I'm the one who suddenly felt like having in-flight meals, not you..."

"No need." Zephyr held her hand. "Just turning silly in my prime, I can take it!"

"I..." Cordelia did not know what was going on with her either. Her palate had turned weirder these days. She kept craving odd food.

She had wanted airline meals for a long time and thought it would pass if she suppressed it, but the thought only grew stronger. It was not like she found the food delicious in the past. "Pregnant women crave lots of different things. Can't be helped." Zephyr's gaze was tender as he kissed the back of her hand. "What I can do is satisfy your cravings as much as possible!" "Why are you so nice to me..."

"Because your husband is your superman!"

"Zephyr..." Cordelia felt like crying.

There was always a man who loved her and indulged her unconditionally in this world, who tolerated everything and satisfied all her unreasonable requests. No one in this world would love her like Zephyr again.

Cordelia snuggled in his embrace and rubbed her face against him like a kitten.

"I'm actually quite like Uncle Noah." Zephyr chuckled and spoke next to her ear. "No matter how he acts, he loves his wife."

He looked at her and said, "Me too!"

It was afternoon when Aurelia went back to the street.

The sun was slowly setting, and the criminals on the street were simply waiting to strike. There were always pairs of eyes in the hidden corners targeting passersby, tracking foreign tourists who were unfamiliar with the area and fat little lambs with their money showing.

Aurelia covered her face with a scarf and hurried forward.

The thugs could recognize her and whistled at her with indecent words.

Aurelia was fearless, pulling her scarf and scolding them. She was not good at arguing in Acian but scolding someone in Chaisene was her strength.

The thugs walked off when they did not get anything off her, and she mumbled another curse at their back before stomping off.

The bodyguards who followed her looked at each other, sighing that they could barely reach her level. Did the girl really need their protection when she was so aggressive? Who was Mr. Zephyr looking down on now!?

The bodyguards stopped. There were gangs on the street, and it was simply not the bodyguards' place. If they entered recklessly, it might attract attention, or there could be bloodshed. However, it was a task from Zephyr. They could only stay at the junction and wait for Aurelia to finish packing before escorting her away.

On the other end, Aurelia went back to the basement. Everything remained the same. It was still damp and cold, with a moldy smell in the air. The space was cramped, dark, and messy. She suddenly missed Cordelia's villa, Neil's exclusive suite, the soft and big bed she had slept in, as well as the nice smelling blanket.

Even a pair of slippers and a bottle of shampoo from the rich exuded a luxurious air.

Aurelia shook her head and smiled helplessly.

"A few good days, and you've forgotten about your status?" she talked to herself and gave herself two slaps. "Wake up. You need to wake up! That kind of life doesn't belong to you!" It was best for her to hurry up and pack her things.

Aurelia took a deep breath and found her metal box. Not a single cent was missing inside. She was going to keep it in her pocket when a sudden voice shocked her. "What's this? Wanting to run away after you make enough money!?"

Aurelia's head snapped up. She did not close the door properly when she came in just now-to be precise, it was the same whether there was a door in a basement like this. James was just standing there. The pendant light on the hallway swayed, the illumination on his face flickering.

Chapter 727

Chapter 727

Aurelia's eyes widened as she paled as if she saw a ghost. She quickly adjusted her emotions and forced a smile.

After all, this was how she managed all these years.

"Hi, James! You're free today?"

James kept his eyes on the metal box that she did not get to hide in time. It seemed that the girl had been making good money recently!

James was one of the gang members on the street. He was not capable and was ugly, so he was often bullied by the other thugs when he first joined the gang.

His psychological state gradually became twisted in such an environment.

After years of hard work, when he finally became a thug with a slightly higher status, he began to bully the weak around him as revenge, often beating people up to the point of bleeding when he collected protection fees.

Aurelia had seen it plenty of times. The lady next door who died from losing too much blood had died because she did not hand in the fee in time. His underling had stabbed her three times.

This was why she never dared to pay the protection fee late. To be safe, she even paid more than others.

She was a rare obedient one on the street to James. It was unexpected that she looked docile and obedient, but she kept a metal box in secret.

James stepped forward, the light showing his face full of freckles. He cackled as he made his way to Aurelia and mocked, "I heard you made good money recently? You haven't been back for days. Been company to some rich wife?"

"No!" Aurelia replied in passing, "I just found a nanny job. It pays by the day. Hah, they still owe me money now! I have to be off to ask it from them now!" "Come back!"

James gave an order, and a few more thugs appeared at the door. All of them held steel batons in their hands as they smirked at Aurelia.

Aurelia panicked and subconsciously balled up her hands. She knew too well what filthy thoughts these men had.

Each time James looked at her, his gaze was like he was undressing her. All these years, however, he had only coveted her without actually laying a finger on her. Aurelia had always thought that it was because she had paid more protection fees.

Today, though, it was obvious that the man did not come with kind intentions...

She could care less about the metal box at this critical juncture. It was more important to lose the money to protect herself!

"James!" Aurelia's attitude was sincere as she handed the box over. "This... This is actually prepared for you! Hah, it isn't a lot of money, but it's a token from me!"

"Mm, a sensible one, I see!" James spat the cigarette in his mouth off and took the box with a hand.

The money inside made his eyes glow.

Aurelia thought she had a chance and slowly shifted to the door while she chuckled, only for a thug to drag her back by her hair!

Her scalp throbbed in pain before her world went upside down-she was carried and thrown on the wooden bed.

"What do you want!?" screamed Aurelia.

James stepped over and slapped her twice, causing blood to seep out the corner of her lips. There was an evil glint in his eyes as he licked his lips, but he ultimately did nothing to her. Although he wanted to ruin her, now was not the time.

Aurelia's voice shook. "James, we... It's not the first day we know each other. I didn't pay you any less all these years. This time... I'm not keeping the protection fee in secret, I—" "I know!" James went closer and pinched her jaw. "That's why I didn't blame you!"

"Then..."

"I just want to make full use of you!" He smirked.

Aurelia's mind buzzed.

"What do you mean?"

James did not answer but waved a hand to get his underlings in.

The thugs pinned Aurelia down, and one of them pulled out a handkerchief to cover her mouth and nose. She struggled for a moment before she passed out, and someone brought in a gunny sack to put her

in.

The thugs grinned salaciously after they were done, but James growled in impatience, "You better not have any idea about this chick! Didn't you see that I didn't even touch her? She's useful to me. She has to be clean!

"I'll kill whoever dares think otherwise first!"

The thugs were quiet and carried Aurelia to the car at the door.

The car slowly drove out of the street, going past the bodyguards guarding the junction.

James glanced at them but said nothing, even though he found it odd. What mattered more to him now was to send the girl to his boss.

His boss had mentioned that he was tired of the old woman by his side and had been wanting to change up his flavor, best if it was someone... who had never slept with any man.

James perked up. This was a good opportunity for him to rise up in the ranks and make more money! Aurelia was also the prettiest on the street.

He grinned triumphantly. His wait was fruitful. He could already see that Aurelia had potential in the past and had never laid a finger on her. It seemed that he was right for not touching her!

If he slept with her from the beginning, where was he going to get such a beauty to grovel to his boss?

After all, beautiful women were everywhere, but the chance to be promoted and get rich was rare!

If his boss was happy, he might give him another street to collect protection fees! Perhaps he could be his boss' right-hand man in the future...

The more James thought about it, the more excited he was. He could not help pulling Aurelia's metal box out to get all the money and then rolling down the window to toss the box out. "What's that?" The bodyguards noticed the metal box and ran over to pick it up, only to see "Sunny" written on it!

They were alarmed.

"It's dropped from that car!"

"Give chase!"

James' car had already taken a turn, and the bodyguards drove immediately to catch up.

Aurelia woke up groggily. Her mind felt like a lead block had been pushed in, and any slight movement felt heavy and painful. She was blindfolded, but her limbs were not restrained. She moved and felt that she was on somewhere soft, like a bed.

Unable to think much, an ominous feeling swept over her. She hurried to pull the blindfold off but heard footsteps at the door.

She couldn't escape at this point but could not let others see she was awake. Panicking, she lay back down in her original position and did not pull the blindfold off, prepared to act spontaneously. "Darling, I'm here! Are you inside?"

Aurelia's heart dropped.

What? Why was it a woman?

Chapter 728

Chapter 728

Aurelia was nervous and planning how to escape when she suddenly heard the woman shriek. "Ah, who- Who is this!?"

The woman spoke in Chaisene, but the "darling" she said when she just came in was in Acian.

Aurelia thought that the Chaisene the woman spoke was questioning James, who was at the door, or... the woman was a mixed one just like her.

"Oh, Madam, you're here!" It was James' groveling voice.

'Madam?'

Aurelia paused. Combining the term of address and the woman's voice, she was probably not very young. She also sounded surprised. It was obvious that she did not know Aurelia was in there.

The woman lost her cool and cursed in Chaisene, "You b*stard, son of a b*tch! Hah, you and your boss got this little sl*t to anger me!?

"I'm going to see who the f*ck she is then!"

"Madam, stop... Stop. Calm down!"

Aurelia heard noises of pushing and pulling. She could feel that there were a few times the woman was going to hit her, but James held her back. The man said everything nice he could, but the woman was only angrier as she screamed curses and shrieked insults.

Aurelia could only lay motionless on the bed.

Another voice sounded then. "What are you all doing!?"

It was a man, but the voice was ugly. Aurelia guessed that the man was James' boss because the whole place went quiet the moment he appeared.

The woman was aggressive and arrogant earlier, but she currently cried like she was heartbroken.

"Chuck Cole! I've been with you for years, kept you company, and served you day and night... I at least deserve some credit for my effort, yet you... You actually..."

The man was a little annoyed and waved a hand to dismiss James.

When he saw Aurelia on the bed, his eyes glinted lecherously.

However, the woman was wailing and detailing how hard it had been for her all these years, how much money she had spent on him, how conscienceless the man was, and how he had done her wrong...

Chuck lost interest with what she did.

"Chuck..." The woman sobbed. "You were just a small thug when you came to Melorian. This is the foreigners' territory. If I didn't give you money and pave the way for you, would you have come to this day? You have to be fair!"

"Alright, alright, I know!" Chuck was annoyed by her, but he had to admit that he had the woman to thank for being able to stand a place in this foreign land. Moreover, the woman had not completely lost her use yet, so he could not offend her.

Chuck slung an arm around her waist before pulling it back. The layer of flabby flesh burnt his hand!

"Okay, babe, don't worry. I won't lay a finger on the girl. It's James and the guys. Those b*stards, they think I'm a womanizer! I'll teach them a lesson later!"

Aurelia stayed still on the bed, thinking there was hope for herself.

As long as the woman kicked up a fuss, she would be able to hold the boss back. Aurelia just had to catch a good time and escape!

"You promised! You'll send the sl*t away later!" The woman huffed.

"Yes, yes, I promise!"

The woman's voice softened instantly. "Chuck, the sum of money you mentioned the other time, I have a way to launder it for you..."

"Really?"

"Of course!"

Chuck had reservations. "But money laundering isn't easy. What way do you have? Could it be..."

The woman nodded with a grin. She leaned against Chuck's shoulder and unbuttoned his shirt with grabby hands before sliding one down to his belt clasp.

"Don't worry. The Bakers are accountable even if something happens! I promise you're absolutely safe!"

Chapter 729

Chapter 729

"There won't be another woman who's as good as you, sweetheart..."

"How are you going to repay me then? Hahaha..."

Aurelia nearly threw up from where she was on the bed.

She could clearly hear the pair make out, and they seemed to have gone out before louder moans came from next door. Aurelia's heart thumped. She carefully removed her blindfold and looked around. The room was on the second floor.

She did not know the building's structure, and there might be guards downstairs. She might as well jump down from here.

A few seconds of hesitation later, she made up her mind with closed eyes and jumped off the window! She sprained her ankle but could care less about the pain as she ran forward with all her might. Living 18 years in Melorian, she was long familiar with the streets there, even those anonymous alleys.

Aurelia turned left and right, not daring to look back or stop. She did not know how long she had been running when she finally arrived at the main road.

It was midnight, but the busy city center was still bustling with life.

Aurelia hid in the crowd and panted harshly, finally able to slow down.

A few steps later, though, a hand suddenly held her shoulder.

Aurelia screamed and felt her heart leaping out. She snapped around and grabbed the hand to bite it.

"Argh!"

She froze and loosened her jaw. Why did the voice... sound so familiar?

She looked up timidly and saw herself being surrounded by bodyguards, who were all staring at her in disbelief.

The man she had bitten was speechless in pain, glaring back at her as he covered the back of his hand.

"U-Uncle!" Aurelia was frozen for a moment before she mewled shakily like a kitten.

Her tense nerves broke down completely as she dove into Neil's arms and cried heartbrokenly.

"Uncle, uncle, help! They caught me and wanted to launder money..."

Having been bitten by Aurelia, Neil was disgruntled, but he could not help lifting a hand to stroke her hair softly, saying automatically, "It's okay, I'm here. Don't be scared."

"Uncle!"

Aurelia was bawling and was going to tell him something, but her vision blacked out and she fainted in his arms.

Cordelia was outside of Aurelia's room a long time ago. When Neil came out, he nodded at her with a smile.

After finding out that the bodyguards had lost Aurelia, he had immediately given chase with his men from Southeast Aciatic.

Fortunately, those men were skilled in looking for someone, so they soon found Aurelia around the city center.

"Is she okay?" Cordelia asked in worry.

"She's fine," said Neil. "She was just frightened and starved for two meals, so her blood sugar was a little low. The doctor said she'll be alright after she sleeps and eats something." Cordelia breathed out in relief. "Looks like my premonition was right. I just felt that going back this time..."

She stopped mid-sentence and looked up at Neil.

"Actually... Aurelia is a kind and cute girl who's smart and skilled. If she could have some kind of immigration status, she'd be able to find a job and make a living. She won't have to live like this." "Mm." Neil agreed with a hum.

"It's actually the same wherever she is." Cordelia continued to probe. "She knows two languages. It wouldn't be a problem where she lives, right?"

"What are you getting at, Cordelia?"

"What I want to say is, if Aurelia has some sort of immigration status, you and she will have a different end."

Neil's heart jolted as he met Cordelia's shiny eyes.

Chapter 730

Chapter 730

After a moment of silence, Neil replied softly, "We'll talk about it next time."

"What do you mean 'talk about it next time'?" Zephyr's deep voice sounded.

"Cordelia asked you to do it, you do it now! What kind of man are you to stall it?"

Neil was rendered speechless, complaining in his mind, 'Yes, you're high and mighty. You're a manly man!

'Didn't you get the meal preparation company people over just because your wife wanted an in-flight meal in the middle of the night!?'

Neil rolled his eyes back at Zephyr and snorted.

"I need to go to class at the film school. I'm taking my leave now!"

"Hey, you..." Zephyr had yet to finish, but Neil had already started walking.

Cordelia smiled helplessly.

"Don't worry, darling. His visa's prolonged," Zephyr said softly.

"What?" Cordelia was stunned. "How did you know?"

A certain Mr. Zephyr Hamerton was triumphant. "I got it done!"

"So, he has more time to consider if he wants to help Aurelia now?"

Zephyr nodded with a smile.

Cordelia did not even get to compliment him for being efficient when Neil called.

"Cordelia, what's going on? My agent told me to stay in Chaiseland for two more months!?"

"Uh... yeah."

The award-winning actor's voice cracked. "My visa's only for a month, but it's changed to three months now!? Three months of not being in Centrolis with no work and exposure. Do you know what consequences that'll bring?"

Cordelia did not know how to handle him, so Zephyr grabbed the phone.

"I'm the one who lengthened your visa for you. Problem?"

"Neil, as your boss, I certainly hope that your acting skills can improve! So, I signed you up for two more courses in the school. Since you have two more months here, learn well and train yourself!"

11

"Don't worry." Zephyr smirked. "You're a popular actor, but you're still different from an actual actor. Their popularity dies down if they have no exposure for a long time. You're different! The more mysterious you are, the more anxious your fans get. Three months is the best limit to their patience in terms of a fan's psychology. Once three months are up, you'll discover that they're even more passionate than before when you go back to Centrolis!"

Neil felt his head buzz and took several deep breaths.

He was unable to beat Zephyr in their card game and could not win in a verbal debate either.

He suddenly recalled how Nicholas always scolded Zephyr-damn you! He quietly cussed at the latter in his mind as well.

"Alright, you're the company's artist, so just follow the company schedule! Cut the crap now!"

Zephyr ended the call after that.

Neil gaped at his phone's dark screen and exploded. "Zephyr Hamerton, you think you're so good!? Damn you!"

His men from Southeast Aciatic were bewildered but went to hold him back when he was going to trash his phone. "Mr. Harris, calm down, calm down!"

The moment Aurelia opened her eyes, she saw Cordelia taking care of her. She quickly got up.

"Oh, no! Cordelia, you're still pregnant. You don't have to take care of me!"

Because she got up so fast, she felt dizzy and nearly slumped back down on the bed.

Cordelia slid a cushion behind her and helped her to lean back against it.

"Are you feeling better? I asked the kitchen to warm some milk and cookies. Have some later."

Aurelia looked back at her like a poor kitten.

"You're already here with me. Everything's in the past!" Cordelia held her hand. "Luckily, Neil found you with his men or..."

"Cordelia!" Aurelia suddenly recalled something. "The man who caught me, his name is James. He collects protection fees on that street. I know that he follows a boss, but that boss speaks Acian too, and his accent... sounds like Fredric's!"

"From Centrolis?" Cordelia frowned.

"There's a woman with him too!" Aurelia's voice trembled. "I... I heard them say that they were going to launder their money, and the woman said that the Bakers would shoulder everything!

"Cordelia, there's only one Baker in Melorian, right?"

Cordelia's heart lurched as an omen surged within her.

"What's the boss' name? Did you see what they look like?"

Aurelia thought about it and shook her head apologetically. She remembered that the woman had addressed the boss by his name but could not remember it now because of how panicked she had been. As for their looks, she had been blindfolded and could not see anything.

"Cordelia, am I... really useless?"

Cordelia patted her head and coaxed, "It's okay. Don't think too much about it. Get a good rest and have a good meal, then stay here without worry, okay?"

"Mm." Aurelia nodded.

She spent these two days recalling each detail in the boss' place in hopes that it would help Cordelia. After all, it involved the Bakers, and one could only be so careful.

Zephyr thought it was strange. The Bakers flourished in businesses but had never offended anyone locally. How did they get involved with money laundering?

"Is someone setting up the Bakers?" asked Cordelia.

Zephyr furrowed his brows. "The reason for it, though? Mom and grandpa are active in charity and donate significantly to Melorian's charity organizations each year. Even if someone does hate us, they won't resort to this tactic."

Cordelia remembered something else. "Zephyr, Aurelia said that the man knows Acian, and his accent is from Centrolis. He also has a deep, grating voice.

"We can investigate the man, and everything will be resolved."

Zephyr stroked Cordelia's belly and smiled dotingly.

He had brought her here to concentrate on her pregnancy, yet she had to face so many things.

"I'll take care of this. Don't work yourself over it," Zephyr said seriously. "You're further along now. We've got to be more careful."

"What? Feeling bad for your son?" Cordelia giggled.

"Not for him but for you."

The baby kicked in Cordelia's womb, and she bent over with a cry.

"This is your fault! You talked bad about him, and he heard it!"

"This brat, I'll teach him a lesson when he's out here!"

"He's kicking again! Alright, stop talking!"

Janine was presenting the annual strategy of the media company in the Baker Group's board meeting.

"Imperial Media in Centrolis is developing very well. If its new film is produced together with the Baker Group, it'll only generate a better effect!"

Those who were on Hannah's side on the board mocked disdainfully, "Madam Baker, how are you so confident that the audience will buy a story like this?"