Chapter 5
The boutique was engulfed in a heavy silence, broken only by the faint sounds of hushed whispers as the others watched the scene unfold. The sales assistant scowled, but the manager, who had just entered, shot her a disapproving glance, urging her to comply with Marcus’s demands. After all, they were dealing with an expensive wedding dress.
Marcus remained aloof, his smile distant and devoid of warmth.
Cordelia tightened her grip on his hand, her unease growing.
“Forget it, let’s not buy it,” she murmured, her voice soft. “The dress is too expensive, and it wouldn’t be of much use to us in the future…”
“Swipe the card,” Marcus replied, his tone icy. “No password needed.”
The boutique manager and designer quickly intervened, smoothing over the situation. Marcus stepped outside to smoke while Cordelia had her measurements taken. Inside, the atmosphere shifted. The sales assistant stood aside, chastised by the manager, and the designer couldn’t stop complimenting Cordelia’s figure. The manager, now attentive, offered her coffee and water, treating her like a VIP.
As they left the boutique, Cordelia’s mood was subdued. The wedding dress had cost over $4,000… She bit her lip, glancing at Marcus, who walked beside her, as calm and unmoving as an iceberg.
“Marcus,” she finally spoke, unable to hold back any longer. “I think we need to talk.”
Marcus stopped in his tracks, surprised. Cordelia looked up at him with wide, serious eyes, her lips pressed together in a firm line.
“You were too impulsive back there,” she said softly. “Things didn’t need to escalate like that… Why did you buy the dress? It cost more than $4,000. Do you realize how long that could last us?”
Marcus blinked, his brow furrowing slightly. He had no idea how much the dress really cost. To him, it was probably just another small expenditure from the past. Cordelia glanced at him, but his face remained impassive.
“I’m not blaming you,” she continued, her voice softer now. “I just mean… we’re already married. We need to think about the future. I know you were upset on my behalf, but there are times when we have to hold back. There’s so much more we need for our home…”
Home? The word caught Marcus off guard, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he heard it.
Cordelia hesitated for a moment, then pressed on, her voice quieter. “Besides, I haven’t even received my wedding gift yet. There will be other things we’ll need. We can’t afford to spend so lavishly.”
She fell silent, her worry growing. Her mother was in the hospital, and her brother was still waiting for his allowance. She didn’t want Marcus to know any of this. After all, she was supposed to be Yelena to him.
“Splurge so lavishly?” Marcus repeated, his voice laced with amusement. “Aren’t you the heiress of the Jenners? Why does it feel like you’re so frugal with your money?”
Cordelia’s eyes widened, her heart racing. She quickly changed the subject, her words tumbling out in a rush. “Are you thirsty? I’ll grab us some milk tea,” she offered, her cheeks flushing as she turned to head for a nearby parlor.
Marcus chuckled, watching her dart away. At that moment, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out, and his smile faded when he saw the caller ID.
“What’s up?” he answered, his tone sharp.
“Mr. Z,” came the voice on the other end, strained. “The investigation is almost complete. Someone tampered with the private jet on the day of your accident. We don’t have enough evidence yet, but it looks like the person you suspected.”
“Good,” Marcus replied, his voice low and stern. “Keep the investigation going.”
There was a pause before the voice continued, hesitant. “But, Mr. Z… how much longer will you be staying in Jangasas? Are you sure you don’t want to head back to Centrolis?”