Nobody knew why Karine’s cheeks were swollen, and there was even blood at the corner of her lips when she returned that day.She looked as clumsy as Jesse when he was beaten up the other day.The smart ones very soon thought of Cordelia when they connected the dots. However, as Cordelia was quite popular, kind, and hardworking, even if she had hit Karine, everyone would assume that the latter had crossed the line.Given that there was no solid proof, they moved on pretty quickly.Although no cameras captured the incident, Fredric had seen everything.He had been running an errand at a nearby law firm. It was quite a scene to see Cordelia slapping someone.He reported to Marcus instantly. As if he was influenced by Josiah, he had a similar tone when he spoke. “Z, your wife is a spicy little missy. The slaps she served were so precise! She even warned the person that she’d suffer worse consequences if she dared to criticize you again!”Marcus raised his brow, and a smile appeared
Marcus choked and pulled Cordelia into his arms. Her waist easily fitted in his hand, so he tilted her chin up with another hand.As he looked into her eyes, they were clear like pools of spring. Her cherry lips parted slightly like a soundless temptation.Marcus felt a ball of flame churning within him.Cordelia avoided his heated gaze as she blushed and panted. She could feel his unusually warm chest, powerful heartbeats, and the oozing manliness… She felt like melting. Before his kiss came, she pushed him away lightly.“Don’t.” She smiled embarrassedly. “I still have to cook.”Marcus stopped, a dark glint flashing in his eyes.“Tonight…” Cordelia’s voice was soft and weak. It was a challenge for her to utter that one word as she blushed bright red.“Don’t sleep on the couch tonight. It’s uncomfortable. Sleep in the room.”Marcus paused in a daze. This was probably the bravest thing she could say. He held back a chuckle and ran his thumb over her red ear, replying hoarsely, “
When Marcus was 16, he had already been accepted by Walton, the top of the world’s three best business schools. He was also the heir of the Hamertons. If he had not conspired against and encountered the plane crash, he would be the decision-maker of the Hamertons by now.Marcus could only smile in silence in response to Cordelia’s questioning gaze.The girl pouted and wondered if Marcus had met some girl he did not end up together with when he was 16. After all, people said that men could hardly forget their first love. He was quite excited when he brought up the topic but stopped halfway. It was obvious he did not want her to know.Other than someone he could not have, there was no better explanation for his action.Disappointment flashed in Cordelia’s eyes. Since he did not want to tell her, she would not ask either. Despite that, the matter left a sour taste in her mouth.She quietly went back to the bedroom to change new sheets and get another set of sheets for the couch in th
Cordelia barely had any sleep that night.She was both worried for Carter and troubled by her imaginary love rival. Moreover, it was her first time sleeping on the couch, so she kept tossing and turning. It was near dawn when she gradually fell asleep.Not too long into her slumber, though, she was woken up by some noises. When she opened her eyes, Marcus had already changed and was ready to head out. Carter had packed his bag as well and followed Marcus.“Where are you both going?” Cordelia asked in alarm.Marcus was dressed weirdly. He was dressed in black with a baseball cap. The stick he held was the one he usually used when he worked out at home.Cordelia did not have a good feeling about it.“Are you going to fight?”Marcus looked at her without saying anything.Cordelia was in distress. It seemed that he was really going to fight. Since they got married, it got to do with her each time Marcus fought, and it worried her every time. She was afraid of something bad happenin
Cordelia walked over slowly from the side, looking calm and composed.Marcus now understood her intention. She had recorded solid evidence of the bullies, and these high school seniors were already past 16 years old, so they would be legally charged. As long as the video recording was handed to the police and a court case was brought up, these students would have a criminal record for life.Cordelia looked at them coldly.“Carter isn’t the only one you guys bully, huh?” She spoke confidently. “I’ve called the police. They’ll investigate it when they’re here.”Everything was well within her control.The students were taken away by the police and were interrogated according to the regular procedure. They came clean about their bullying, and the charges went through. The outcome was gratifying.Cordelia finally avenged Carter.“Z, your wife’s pretty amazing.” Fredric, who had friends in the police station, heard about the matter and could not help giving a thumbs up.“She’s more l
Cordelia had a bad stomachache, so she took a day off and did not go to work. Despite that, her time at home was not restful either, as she smelled a strange herbal aroma coming from the kitchen since she woke up in the morning.Forcing herself to get out of bed, she went to the kitchen and saw Marcus busy inside. The breakfast he had prepared for her was spread out on the table—burnt eggs, burnt toast, and a bowl of watery oats. It was not bad for this man who had never gone in the kitchen…Cordelia chuckled wryly and told him softly while leaning against the kitchen’s door frame, “You don’t know how. Let me do it.”Marcus was startled and turned back to look at her. “You’re awake? You don’t feel well, do you? Go back to bed after breakfast. I’ll take care of this.”“What are you up to?”“Oh… I’m making you some soup.” Marcus was scrambling. “Go rest. I’ll serve the soup when it’s done.”Cordelia pursed her lips. His action warmed her, but her mind reminded her of something else
“Linda? What’s wrong?”Cordelia was afraid that Linda had accidentally burned herself as she took so long in the kitchen, so she got up to check on her. Unexpectedly, Linda was giggling at the pot of soup like a mad woman.“This is…” Cordelia froze. This was the scent she had been smelling since she got up in the morning!Linda held back her laughter and looked at her with a meaningful gaze. “Don’t react too badly if I tell you, okay?”“What’s the matter?”“So all these are herbs…” Linda picked up some ingredients and explained, “These are ginseng slices, this is black fungus, these are fennels…“The rest are common. You know them too. Goji berries, ginger…”Cordelia was confused. “What are these for? Why did Marcus make this soup for me?”“These enhance women’s libido!” Linda kept giggling. “Lucky, you haven’t consumed any. One bowl and I promise you’ll be insatiable like a starved wolf. Marcus wouldn’t be your rival!”Cordelia was stunned before she blushed.“So, what’s up
Not only did Linda’s expression change but the way she looked at Cordelia did as well. She genuinely did not think of this! If she were Michael, she would take it personally, too. After all, she was no saintess.“Looks like I still lack the most basic judgment of people!” Linda chuckled. “Cordelia, I didn’t expect you to be so sound in logic when you’re always so quiet!”“My judgment might not be right either.” Cordelia chortled. “But Marcus told me that I can’t not keep my guard up. He’s asked me to keep an eye out for whatever I do.“He also said that those who are in higher ranks had a tough time climbing up there, so they aren’t as simple as they seem.”“Oh, your husband became your mentor now, huh?” It was supposed to be a tease from Linda, but Cordelia could not stop showing off her husband.“Of course! Marcus knows a lot!” Cordelia could not hide how pleased she was. “Linda, I always see him browsing foreign sites, you know? He knows several foreign languages and keeps up