Ch. 1011..1020

Chapter 1011

5r4r6f Seeing that he did not utter a single word even after she had reproached him for quite some time, Marilyn sat next to him and covered her face while weeping.

She then started another round of self-pitying. "Oh, what a miserable life this is! I thought I could count on you to live a slightly better life, but here you are, acting so cold-hearted and indifferent. I put all my heart and soul into treating you kindly, yet I still can't warm that heart of yours. We have been husband and wife for so many years, but you still refuse to sleep with me?"

Her cries made Jay extremely distraught. "Should we get a divorce, Marilyn?"

Marilyn's cries came to an abrupt stop.

She widened her large eyes, glaring at Jay in horror and disbelief. "I knew it. You're seeing someone out there. That's why you're all independent and ready to take off on your own, aren't you? You're trying to get rid of me so you can be with someone else, am I right?"

Jay explained with a weak voice. "No. I just don't want you to... go through all these hardships with me."

Marilyn cried herself hoarse. "I don't believe you.

You're cheating on me. You think I don't know that you've fallen in love with the woman in the portrait? They all say that you've turned into a rich woman's

sugar baby. Now that you're rich, you're trying to dump your wife, am I right?"

When Tiger heard his mother crying, he was so terrified that he burst out crying as well.

Jay walked up to Tiger and picked him up. He consoled the child. "Good boy, don't cry."

Despite that, Tiger responded with hostility as he punched and kicked him. The boy then struggled to break free from his hold before running to Marilyn, hugging his mother and crying with her.

Jay looked helplessly at them. Using his own method to resolve their family conflict, he said, "I will only say this once, Marilyn. No matter how down and out I become, I'll never depend on a woman for a living. If you don't believe it, so be it. We're husband and wife. The sense of trust between us isn't supposed to be so fragile. If you can't tolerate my quirks, then I have no choice but to let you go. Of course, I'll make sure to give you what you deserve."

Sitting on the couch, Marilyn held her son and wept." It's not that I don't believe you, but ever since you had that accident, you've been keeping secrets. You don't tell me about the job you're doing or how much money you're making. I feel insecure because I can't feel your sincerity when I'm with you. Now you're even bringing up the subject of divorce... What do you expect me to think?"

A trace of doubt flashed in Jay's eyes. "Was I not like this before I got into the accident?"

Marilyn replied, "Although you were also uncommunicative, you wouldn't treat me like a stranger, put on a frosty face, and not respond to me like what you're doing to me now. Do we even look like we're husband and wife?"

Marilyn moved closer to him at this point and sat down next to him. "Let's not separate tonight, okay, darling?"

Jay darted her a sidelong glance. His calm and relaxed heart was suddenly filled with fear and anxiety.

His instincts told her to reject her, but at the sight of Marilyn's eager face, Jay bit the bullet and nodded. Marilyn wiped the tears from her face and broke out in a grin. "I'll put Tiger to bed earlier tonight then."

"Mm."

Marilyn carried her son to the kids' bedroom and closed the door. After singing a few nursery rhymes for him, the child fell into a deep sleep.

When Marilyn walked out, Jay was sitting at the piano playing Red Spider Lily.

Marilyn picked out a sexy nightgown and went into the bathroom with a coy smile in her eyes.

When Jay heard the sound of water splashing from the tap, his countenance turned solemn and serious. He felt like a doomed hero who had just made a death wish. He was in distress.

He slammed the piano keys hard.

Red Spider Lily, which was supposed to sound light and graceful, resounded like a rumble of thunder that could make anyone's hair stand on end.

In the bathroom, Marilyn stood under the shower while wearing a ruminating look on her face.

She used a shower sponge to scrub her tender and white skin vigorously as if trying to rub off her old and shrivel skin so as to uncover the fresh new skin below. She wanted her skin to be as pure and flawless as a newborn's skin.

She was used to showering for half an hour, but at the thought of his mysophobia, Marilyn showered for an hour and a half instead. When she came out of the bathroom, she walked up to him with a smile and asked softly, "Why do you only play this piece, darling?" Jay replied, "I'm giving my employer's daughter a lesson tomorrow."

Marilyn nodded as if she understood him. "You're not familiar with the piece? If that's the case, you should practice it a few more times then." Jay took the bank card from the piano board and handed it to Marilyn. "The employer paid me a year's salary in advance. Here, take it."

Chapter 1012

Chapter 1012

Marilyn put on an awkward expression. "Darling, you don't actually need to tell me what your job entails or how much money you're making. I... I..." Jay's hands were suspended in the air.

Therefore, Marilyn took the card with both hands, the delight concealed in her eyes unable to escape Jay's eyes.

He explained to her. "It's not that I don't want to share it with you. I just want to use this money for something else." Marilyn let out an 'oh', but she still grasped onto the bank card tightly with no intention to give it back at all.

Jay learned something from this. This woman's sense of security was maintained with money instead of with him. This realization made him somewhat unhappy.

"Take your time and practice then, darling. I'll wait for you in the bedroom." Marilyn stood up and smiled softly. Jay's eyes were condensed into ice. "Mm."

Even though she showed him support for what he was doing, she did not really win his favor at all.

Was she not looking forward to sleeping with him tonight anymore?

In the eyes of money, it seemed like... she was able to let go of her persistence.

Jay shook his head and curbed the feeling of displeasure he felt for his wife that was surging in his heart.

The clock on the wall was ticking away.

Jay played the familiar tune over and over again.

It was only until the hour hand pointed to 12 o'clock did Jay accept his fate. He covered the piano, got up, and walked into the bedroom.

He thought that Marilyn was already asleep, but when he lay gently at the edge of the bed, her hand slithered to him like a snake.

"Darling."

Jay fell off the bed in fright.

Marilyn sat up, pulled him up, and let out a forlorn sigh. "Am I that scary?"

Jay sat on the ground. The moonlight was shining through the screen windows and onto his handsome face, adding a charm to it. Marilyn looked at him and let go of her hand silently.

Although she wanted to pull this mysterious man into her world, God was not on her side.

"Go to sleep."

Marilyn got up and walked to the bedroom next door.

Jay sat at the edge of the bed dejectedly, guilt and selfaccusation gnawing at his heart.

The next day.

Marilyn was probably sound asleep and that was why she did not get up to make breakfast. Jay went out on an empty stomach.

He planned to buy some fast food outside only to realize that he was penniless again.

A self-deprecating smile emerged at the corners of Jay's lips. How did he end up living like this?

At dawn, Imperial Capital's sky was hazy.

The flourishing city looked dazzling and brilliant when set off by the busy traffic and beautiful scenery.

Chapter 1013

Chapter 1013

On the bench in a garden in the middle of the street, Jay sat forlornly as he stared at the cars and bustling crowd. He felt isolated from the world. He no longer had the power to keep fighting.

He no longer had the power to keep on living.

He was even starting to have doubts. What was it that motivated him to keep on living when he survived the car crash back then?

Living was, to him, an extremely dull and boring thing.

When it was about nine o'clock, he slowly made his way to Horizon Colors.

"Mr. Ben." On the balcony, Baby Zetty cried out with excitement and flailed her arms when she saw Jay.

Jay raised his eyelids and saw Angeline and Baby Zetty wearing matching dresses-both of them looked like ethereal fairies.

Both mother and daughter let out resplendent smiles when they stared at him.

The heavy clouds hanging over Jay's head seemingly dissipated and he gave them a knowing smile.

Angeline and Baby Zetty bolted downstairs to greet him. The cold treatment Jay received from Marilyn was all made up for by Angeline and Baby Zetty's hospitality.

Angeline walked over with a warm vegetable soup. She was walking very slowly because her eyes could not see.

"Mr. Ben, have this vegetable soup made by Baby Zetty and me. Give it a taste and see if you like it?"

Jay went forward to greet her and took the vegetable soup from her hands. When he received the warm vegetable soup with a growling stomach, he thanked God for showing him such kind favor. He took a sip elegantly and was curious as to why it tasted a bit strange. "Did you put spices in it?"

Angeline explained with a smile. "Yes. They're all spices that are good for the stomach."

Jay was slightly surprised. This was made especially for him.

Baby Zetty tugged at the hem of Jay's shirt and echoed her mommy's words, "There's also fennel in it."

A hint of confusion rose in Jay's eyes. "Fennel?"

Angeline broke into laughter. "It's for my bloating."

Baby Zetty twitched her mouth. Mommy had lied to Daddy.

By putting fennel in the soup, Mommy was trying to hint to Daddy that once he smelled the familiar scent of fennel, he would know that it was time for him to come home.

Jay had just finished drinking the vegetable soup when Baby Zetty reached out to take the bowl. She said, "I'll wash the bowl, Mr. Ben. You can talk to Mommy for a while."

Baby Zetty hurried into the kitchen and closed the kitchen door behind her.

She wanted to create a warm and romantic environment for Mommy and Daddy.

Jay helped Angeline to the couch like a gentleman and even asked her with concern, "Are your eyes better today?"

Angeline said with a smile, "It's much better. My vision isn't so dark anymore."

Jay looked at Angelina's beautiful eyes. When he noticed her breezy smile, he could not help but ask," Can you tell me what actually motivates you to wait so tirelessly for him?" Angeline furrowed her brows slightly. His voice sounded low and weighty, an indication that he was feeling dispirited and moody.

He was in a terrible mood.

He rarely put on such a pessimistic demeanor since childhood.

Angeline pondered for a moment and answered, "Well, as soon as I think of the moment I get to meet the man who I think is worth waiting and loving, then I think that all the waiting is worth it." Jay said, "What if, and I mean what if, he doesn't come back?"

Angeline said, "He once said that I'm the reason why he's alive. If that's the case, he'll swim to me like a fish regardless of where I am because only I can supply him with the oxygen necessary for him to survive."

Jay asked, "Do you firmly believe that his love for you is unwavering?"

Angeline nodded. "I believe in him."

These were four simple yet powerful words.

Jay fell into silence.

He was touched by her persistence and trust.

Chapter 1014

Chapter 1014

If Marilyn could have at least one-tenth of that trust for him, then they would not have had such a childish argument last night.

After hiding for a very long time, Baby Zetty thought that Daddy would probably start suspecting if she continued to hide, hence she opened the kitchen door and walked out naturally. "Let's go to the piano room, Mr. Ben. Mommy wants to hear you play Red Spider Lily."

"Mm." Jay stood up.

Baby Zetty walked over and held Mommy's hand tenderly. When they went upstairs, she reminded Mommy constantly. "Steps, Mommy."

Jay followed behind them, fascinated by how soft and tender a daughter like Baby Zetty was.

In the piano room.

Baby Zetty pulled both Jay and Angeline onto the piano bench. She chirped with joy, saying, "Play Red Spider Lily, Mr. Ben. Listen, Mommy. Mr. Ben can play Red Spider Lily really well." Jay sat down next to Angeline unsuspectingly.

His slender and beautiful fingers rested on the keys. Like a work of art, his well-defined bones were wrapped delicately in a layer of transparent skin that resembled cicada's wings.

His fingers pressed down on the keys, producing a brassy sound.

Perhaps it was because his head was a mess and his emotions were in turmoil, so when he played Red Spider Lily this time, it sounded a tad rushed.

Although it sounded majestic and soul-stirring all the same, there was also a hair-raising tension to it.

Angeline frowned slightly. Why did she not recall sensing such helplessness and bewilderment when he played Red Spider Lily back then?

Angeline pressed his hands suddenly and the sound of the piano stopped abruptly.

Jay looked at Angeline curiously. "What's the matter?"

Angeline felt a pang in her heart.

Did he encounter an unsolvable problem to be torturing himself like this?

"Is something bothering you, Mr. Ben?"

Jay was nonplussed by her question and stared blankly at her.

Something was bothering him indeed. He was trapped in a dilemma today thinking about how he should handle his and Marilyn's relationship.

It was impossible for things to stay the same anymore, at least for Marilyn. She was not happy with how things were currently moving along.

If that was the case, what could he do in order to make everyone happy?

He pondered for a very long time only to find that he had reached a deadlock.

The more he tried to unravel this mystery, the more complicated it became.

"How did you know?" he asked curiously.

Angeline replied, "The sound of the piano told me."

Her meticulousness had left Jay dumbfounded. Had she heard him playing this piece before, then she might be able to detect a flaw or two if she compared this time to the last. However, this was only the first time she heard him playing this piece, right?

He became exhilarated and asked, "Can you tell what my current mood is from the sound of the piano?"

"You're at a loss and in despair," Angeline answered with concern.

Jay was stupefied. She got it all right.

"Do you have a way to brighten up my mood, perhaps?" he asked jokingly.

He was not actually hoping to get a real answer.

However, a scene from many years ago then popped up in Angeline's mind...

When Jay first learned about the immoral relationship between his mother and his grandfather, his world was completely shattered.

At that time, he was also at a loss and in despair.

He had embraced her and pleaded, "Don't leave me, Angeline."

That was him after his pride had been smashed to the ground, giving way to self-rejection and self-loathing.

Therefore, she played The Soul Of The Sun Never Sets for him to bask in the passionate and intense music, and eventually, she managed to slowly help him out of the predicament.

Chapter 1015

Chapter 1015

Angeline pulled his hands over without warning and placed them on the piano keys in front of her. Then, she covered his fingers with her tiny hands and pressed hard on the keys, producing a heart-rendering tune.

Angeline sang The Soul Of The Sun Never Sets for him.

He had written the lyrics of this song when he founded Grand Asia back then to encourage himself when he was at the peak of glory.

'When I was young, I broke through brambles and thorns,

'Sailed thousands of miles,

'Just to take you to the peak of glory,

'and return with a young heart.'

A wave of emotions surged through Jay as he listened to this song. All he could think of at this moment was the absurdity of his negative perceptions earlier.

He was worried and in distress because he was not strong enough.

If he could just be like the young man in the song and overcome all obstacles, be all-powerful, and realize his grand ambitions, he would then be happy.

Angeline said with a smile, "If you sing this song

yourself, you'll uncover an earth-shattering power hidden within."

Jay visualized himself holding a guitar and playing this wild song. All of a sudden, he found it difficult to form the picture.

"I'm a really boring person who doesn't have any special hobbies." He let out a self-deprecating smirk.

In a flash of realization, Angelina cried out suddenly," I think I've found the real reason for your gloomy mood."

Jay was stupefied.

No way?

Even he had no idea why he was leading such a boring life himself.

Angeline held his hand with great excitement. "That's because you haven't found something that you're passionate about. That's why you're not interested in anything."

Jay frowned. "But I don't even know what I'm passionate about?"

Angelina said, "I think I know what you'll like."

He was a genius student. Although he was good at music, sports, and martial arts, there was only one hobby that could keep him so occupied that he would do it without a break and even forget to eat and sleephacking.

Jay did not believe that she could so accurately discover something that he would be fully devoted to. Even so, he did not want to brush her away like that, hence he pretended to ask her, "Oh? What's that?" "I have a few books, Mr. Ben. I'm sure you'll like them."

Jay was stupefied once more!

Before Jay could say anything, Angeline instructed Baby Zetty, "Baby Zetty, go grab the book Hacker Empire from the study."

"Okay," Baby Zetty responded cheerfully.

In no time at all, Baby Zetty walked out with a huge stack of books. Jay quickly got up to help her.

"These books are really advanced, Mr. Ben. Mommy said that they're books for geniuses. When you're done studying these books, can you answer my mommy's doubts for her?" Baby Zetty was trying to create a chance for Daddy and Mommy to meet.

Jay responded in a gentlemanly manner, "Sure."

He then casually picked up a book and began reading i t.

Soon, he was so lost in the books that he had lost track of time.

Angeline and Baby Zetty went to the kitchen to prepare lunch.

When the clock on the wall rang, Jay jumped and realized that it was already 12 noon.

He stared at the book in hand, unsatisfied and astounded. How did she know what he was interested in?

It was something that even he did not know!

Chapter 1016

Chapter 1016

Baby Zetty poked her tiny head in and chirped with a bright smile on her face. "Mr. Ben, Mommy wants me to tell you that, no matter how good a book is, you still need to take care of your stomach. It's time for lunch."

Jay stood up, and only then did he feel ravenous. Even so, it was still considered rude for him to have a meal in his employer's place.

Just as he was hesitating on how to excuse himself, Baby Zetty ran over and pulled Jay to the dining table downstairs by force.

"You must stay and eat with me today, Mr. Ben."

Angeline pleaded with him, "Please stay."

When Jay looked at the mouth-watering dishes, his appetite was aroused. "Thank you for your hospitality. It'll be too disrespectful for me to decline your invitation." He took his seat next to Angeline.

During the meal, due to the condition of Angeline's eyes, he very gentlemanly put food on her plate and even asked her in a considerate tone, "What do you like to eat?" Angeline replied, "I'm not a picky eater."

She then asked him, "Is the book good?"

Jay replied honestly, "Yeah. It's really good."

He then stared curiously at her. "How did you know that I like reading books like that?"

Angeline smiled. How could she not know about his hobbies when she grew up with him?

"Don't all men like exciting and challenging games like that?"

Jay was taken aback. Oh, so it was just a guess.

Baby Zetty smiled sweetly when she saw how joyous and harmonious the atmosphere was when Mommy and Daddy were together.

After lunch, Jay bid farewell to Angeline and even made a request. "Can I borrow Hacker Empire for a few days?"

Angeline laughed. "If you like it, then take it as my gift to you. It just serves as a decorative item when it's with me."

The quick-witted Baby Zetty brought out the Hacker Empire series, passed the books to Jay, and whispered into his ears, "These are all my mommy's favorite books." Jay was slightly startled. He felt delighted for some inexplicable reason.

When Jay left, Angeline started worrying.

"After you read these books, it'll be time for you to display your skills. You'll need a lot of money to

realize your great ambitions.

"How can I return you the money?"

Jay's rental house-Sunshine Court.

Clad in a black jacket, a man with an unkempt beard and messy curly hair paced back and forth in front of Sunshine Court's housing estate for a long time. He then hid behind a huge tree and stared fixedly at the gate of the housing estate with his falcon-like eyes.

Soon, Marilyn walked out of the housing estate holding Tiger in her arms. Every day at this hour, she would go to the farmer's market next door to buy some vegetables because it was at this hour that the fresh vegetables in the farmer's market would be almost sold out, hence she would be able to buy cheaper vegetables.

When she came to a dim sidewalk, on her left was the housing estate's high courtyard wall with many tangled bougainvillea hanging down from it while on her right were dense trees along the street. There were very few people on the street, hence she put Tiger down and watched him hop and jumped in front of her.

All of a sudden, a dark figure emerged behind her and hugged her tight. He leaned his head forward to gnaw on her neck.

Marilyn turned pale with fright and opened her mouth to scream. "Help!"

The man quickly covered her mouth and said, "Don't

scream, Marilyn. It's me."

Marilyn's pupils dilated in shock when she heard this familiar voice.

She stopped screaming and turned her head around to look at the man standing behind her. At the sight of this familiar face, the very face that she had placed so much hope in only to have it completely dashed, Marilyn flew into a rage.

"Why are you still alive? Why aren't you dead yet?"

The man's face darkened at once. He grabbed her wrist fiercely and growled. "You don't love me anymore, Marilyn? I heard that you remarried someone? Is that true?"

His rough and barbarous attitude made Marilyn extremely uncomfortable. At this moment, she could not help but compare this man to Ben.

Chapter 1017

Chapter 1017

Apart from not being able to sleep in the same room a s her, Ben was practically flawless.

In comparison, the man in front of her went dining, wining, whoring, and gambling. Whenever he lost money, he would beat her up. She must have been blind back then to marry him. "Why did you come back?" she asked coldly.

Like pliers, the man squeezed her chin with his hands and said viciously, "Are you avoiding me because I've been to jail, Marilyn?"

Furious, the man pushed her onto the courtyard wall and pressed his body against hers roughly. "Tell me, are you in love with that wild man you picked up?"

When Marilyn made no reply, the man rolled up her skirt in anger.

Marilyn hissed. "Are you crazy? Do you know where this is? How dare you-"

"I'm doing this with my woman, is there a problem?"

When the unspeakable act ended, Marilyn slumped on his body.

The man squeezed her fair and tender face with satisfaction. "Marilyn, you'll be mine and mine alone. I don't care if you have feelings for that pretty boy or not. Now that I'm back, you have to cut all ties with him. I'm taking you away."

Marilyn did not want to live a day with this man, but a t the thought that this man would mess up the happy life she so painstakingly hoped for just because she was not Ben's legal wife, she became selfish. "I can't leave with you yet, Ken. After I brought Ben back, for so many years, I worked so hard to provide for him and finally got him to like me a little. Now, he's capable of making money, lots and lots of money. It'll be my loss if I leave him now, won't it?"

The man was sullen. "Everyone in the fishing village knows that he's a useless piece of trash who can't do any laborious or dirty work, though I did hear that the useless piece of trash looks pretty and that many superstars can't even compare to him. Do you have feelings for him, Marilyn?

"Betray me and I'll put you through hell."

Marilyn knew what a torment it would be to be abused by him, so she said quickly, "I don't like him.

Something is wrong with him, so he can't live with me like how a normal husband and wife can."

"Is that true?"

"Of course, it's true. It's been three years now. Why did you think I haven't given Tiger a little brother or a little sister?"

The man's anger dissipated a little after hearing her words.

Marilyn fished out the card Ben gave her and handed it to him, hoping that money could be the solution to this. "This is the money he's earned. There are hundreds of thousands of dollars in it. Take it and leave quickly."

She then warned him again and again. "Don't ever let him find out about us. He's a prideful man. If he finds out about our affair, he'll definitely demand for a divorce. If that happens, we won't get a single penny and can only go back to living a poor and hard life in the fishing village."

When the man heard that Ben could make a lot of money, his eyes flashed with greed.

He snatched the card from Marilyn's hand, brushed her nose, and said, "You'd better not be lying to me. If there's no money in the card, I'll come back and deal with you after that."

Marilyn said, "Hurry up and go. He'll be back very soon. It'll be over if he sees us. When I receive enough money for us to live a good life, I'll leave him."

Therefore, the man left with the card.

Marilyn patted her chest and breathed a sigh of relief.

She picked up Tiger and left.

When Jay came home, he saw Marilyn weeping silently while holding Tiger in her arms.

Jay's heart sank a little as he hastened over.

"What's wrong?"

Marilyn raised her teary and heartbroken face. "I'm sorry, darling. I accidentally lost the bank card you gave me when I went to buy some groceries today!" At the thought of the huge amount of money in the card and how he had worked so hard to earn it, Marilyn was mentally prepared to be scolded and beaten.

The nervousness in Jay's heart dissipated. He said breezily, "Forget about the card. What's more important is that both you and Tiger are fine."

Marilyn was stumped. For a moment, she felt overwhelmed.

"You don't blame me?" she asked in disbelief.

Jay walked into the bedroom with the books in his arms while answering her, "Money is merely worldly possessions. Besides, I can report to the authority if the card is lost."

He placed Hacker Empire on the desk in the bedroom carefully, then grabbed his mobile phone and called the bank to report the lost card.

Unfortunately, the lady told him that the bank card was already empty.

Chapter 1018

Chapter 1018

Resentment filled Marilyn's eyes. That b*stard did not even save her a single cent.

How did he expect she and Ben to survive if they did not have any money?

Even so, Jay remained calm and relaxed. In a mild tone, he said, "Next time, remember to report the lost card as soon as you realize it." Marilyn nodded. "Mm."

At this time, Tiger stroked his belly and began to cry out. "Mommy, I'm hungry."

Marilyn was ridden with guilt after losing the card. At the sound of her son's cries, she patted his head irritably and said, "Bear with it."

It was only then did Jay realize that they had not eaten anything yet.

He got up and walked to the kitchen, fighting back the nauseating feeling when he saw the oil and grease on the kitchen stove. He fixed a bowl of soup for them.

Marilyn stared at Jay's charming and dreamy back as he moved back and forth in the kitchen, her eyes filled with infatuation.

Whether in appearance or character, this man was simply the best in the world.

Since God had brought him to her, she found no reason to give up on him!

Two bowls of creamy chicken mushroom soup were prepared in no time at all.

Jay put the soup on the dining table and stroked Tiger's head gently, saying, "Go on, eat."

Tiger escaped his warm hands and sat down next to Mommy.

Jay's hands froze mid-air as a touch of disappointment flashed across his eyes. He was not close with his child and that was probably because he had not showered him with enough love in the past few years. When Marilyn noticed how disappointed Jay looked, she knocked Tiger's head and scolded, "Why'd you run away? Daddy is touching you because that's his way of showing that he likes you."

Jay frowned and yelled, "Don't frighten the child. We'll have plenty of time in the future to bond."

Marilyn nodded with a smile. "Mm."

The creamy chicken soup was not too salty nor too cloying. It tasted as light as tea, leaving a lingering fragrance in the mouth.

Marilyn was inwardly surprised. Ben could cook surprisingly well that even a woman like her was put t o shame.

While both mother and son were eating, Jay returned to the bedroom and started reading Hacker Empire. The limitless challenges in it seemed to have put him under a spell.

At this very moment, he simply hoped that he owned a computer so that he could conquer Hacker Empire and become all-powerful.

His idea, however, was quickly crushed by reality.

He was now penniless once more.

He needed to make money! Lots and lots of money.

In the evening, Marilyn walked in.

She wore an extremely short slip dress and embraced him from behind.

Jay frowned. "What's wrong?" His tone was lukewarm.

Marilyn said, "Darling, I lost the money, so we can't pay the rent anymore. Why don't we leave this housing estate and rent a cheaper apartment?"

She wanted to move out of Sunshine Court and break free of Ken's control completely.

Jay said, "Rest assured. We've paid a year's rent in advance. Don't worry about the money. I'll find a job tomorrow."

Marilyn had no choice but to give up.

However, she embraced him tighter.

It was as if he was her whole world.

Jay pulled her hands apart and stood up. "I'm going to take a shower."

Marilyn stood on the same spot in a daze.

Chapter 1019

Chapter 1019

When Jay came out of the shower, he found Marilyn sitting on his bed.

Startled, Jay slowly furrowed his brows.

Marilyn patted the empty bed and called out softly. "I get it now, darling. Since we're husband and wife, I won't complain about your illness when you're sick. I'll sleep next to you every day from now on, and maybe someday, you'll get used to this physical intimacy and your illness will heal even without any medication."

When Jay's gaze fell on Marilyn's swarthy arms, his stomach started churning uncontrollably. He endured the pain with a frown and shuffled over.

Marilyn embraced him tightly. She called out in a soft and mushy voice as if her entire body was being burned by a blazing fire.

"I feel so uncomfortable, darling," She seduced him in a mellow and sultry voice.

Jay remained silent as he tried to endure the increasingly sickening feeling in his stomach.

Eventually, he pulled her hands away without any mercy.

"You know I can't, Marilyn, so why are you doing this to me?" His voice sounded like it was enveloped in a

block of ice, extinguishing her blazing passion in an instant.

She held onto him stubbornly, unwilling to let go.

Jay broke free of her grasp. "I'm going downstairs for a walk."

He turned around, opened the door, and left.

When Marilyn heard the sound of the door opening and closing, a forlorn expression emerged on her face.

"Do I disgust you that much?" Tears streamed down her face.

Jay wandered aimlessly in the cool night and eventually fell asleep on the bench downstairs of the housing estate. When he woke up, a gust of cool breeze made him feel dizzy and light-headed. That was when he knew that he had caught a cold.

In the early morning, Marilyn came downstairs to look for him while holding the child in her arms. When she saw him sitting on the bench sneezing, Marilyn said with tears in her eyes, "I won't force you to sleep with me anymore. You don't have to keep avoiding me either. Just go home and have a good rest."

Jay smiled weakly. "It's dawn now. I should go out and look for a job. You should go back with Tiger." Having said that, he got up from the bench and walked leisurely to the housing estate's main gate. Marilyn held Tiger in her arms. She watched with a wistful gaze as he walked further and further away before finally returning to the rented house.

Perhaps it was because she was in a good mood lately, so part of Angeline's vision had gradually restored. She could see a little now.

At the thought of the large stack of documents waiting for her to deal with in the company, Angelina dared not laze away and rushed to the company after applying her honey-oiled makeup.

When she sat on the swivel chair in the president's office, Grayson and Zayne were already standing in front of her.

"You first, Grayson." Angelina knew that Grayson was in charge of the company's operations, whereas Zayne was in charge of the logistics. The former was more important than the latter.

Grayson did not disappoint. After processing the documents that the president needed to read through, he reported, "Ms. Severe, in view of Titus Enterprise, Bell Enterprise, and several other departments' failure to perform well for the company's quarterly assessment, their bonuses will be reduced proportionally according to the company's regulations."

Angelina fiddled with the diamond sunflower on her nails and praised him. "Good job."

Grayson put on a bitter look on his face. "Ms. Severe, these departments voiced their objections during the

meeting yesterday."

Angeline's voice was cold. She carried an unyielding aura that of a queen. "Objections? Send them to me then."

Grayson nodded. "Okay."

"What about you, Zayne?"

Seeing that the pleasant atmosphere had turned stifling because of Grayson, Zayne glared at him.

Grayson, "..."

Chapter 1020

Chapter 1020

Was it his fault that the bunch of bad apples in the company insisted on stirring up havoc?

Zayne stepped forward and reported, "Your Highness, I found out about something that's quite trivial."

Angeline waved at him. "Then don't say it."

Did he think that she had all the time in the world to handle trivial matters?

Zayne said cheerfully, "Okay!"

Grayson glared at Zayne. "How can you call that trivial when it's something to do with him?"

Zayne shrugged. "Why are you blaming me when our queen doesn't want to listen to it?"

Realizing that Zayne was about to report something unusual, Angeline said, "Let's listen to it, Zayne."

Zayne stepped out with his head hanging low as he reported weakly. "Our men received news that your man is currently looking for a job at the job market center."

Angeline was so furious that she grabbed the file on her desk and hurled it at Zayne, huffing and puffing." You call this a trivial matter? This is a matter of primary importance in Grand Asia." Zayne picked up the file and said, "Picking up

handsome guys is clearly a personal affair. When has it turned into a matter of primary importance in Grand Asia?"

Angeline said in a bold and upright manner, "He's the world's top hacker. If he's poached by other companies, Grand Asia will face an imminent crisis."

Furious, she then ordered in a sonorous and imposing tone, "Go and get the car, Zayne. We're leaving for the job market center this instant."

Zayne said speechlessly, "You can just say it if you want to meet him every day. Must you exaggerate things to scare others? He's a piece of junk right now. Which company would want to hire a useless hacker?"

Angeline said, "I returned his Hacker Empire series to him yesterday. Judging from his ability to perceive knowledge, it'll only be a matter of days before he becomes a top-notch hacker." Zayne was dumbfounded.

He had witnessed Jay's ability to learn the piano with his very own eyes. Once he started reading the theories of hacking, he might be able to transform into the world's top-notch hacker in less than a few days' time.

Zayne dared not let his guards down. "Okay."

Imperial Capital's largest job market center.

Clad in a white shirt and dark trousers, Jay placed one hand in his trouser pocket casually. He was wearing a slightly languid expression as he wandered around.

The place was bustling with energy today. Swallow City's Yumi Titus, Imperial Capital's Nancy Bell, and Imperial Capital's Jean Ares each sat on their own sides to recruit talents.

Each of them was influential in their own way.

After Grand Asia annexed Titus Enterprise and Bell Enterprise mercilessly back then, Yumi and Nancy refused to yield and work under Angeline. Hence, they left their family businesses completely in hopes of making a comeback.

As for Imperial Capital's Ares Enterprises, things were completely different.

After learning how the Ares family had treated Jay back then, Angeline had no intention of annexing Ares Enterprises even when Old Master Ares took the initiative to return Ares Enterprises to Grand Asia. Initially, she wanted to hand over Ares Enterprises to Jean, but Jean refused to take over no matter what for fear that he was not capable enough to manage this huge industry.

Ultimately, Angeline reached an agreement with the Ares family and left a very small part of the industry t o Jean so he could practice with it.

The three of them each ran their own companies. Although their companies were not as well-known as it used to be, they were still way better than other minor businesses. Many talents were also scrambling t o be recruited into their companies.

Today, Nancy and Jean were not around, hence the company's human resources department would be in charge of the recruitment.

For Swallow City's Titus Enterprise, however, Yumi was personally involved in today's recruitment.

Many applicants flocked to Titus Enterprise as they were able to meet and speak directly to the president of the company.