Chapter 58
Cordelia felt a bit delirious and wasn’t sure how to answer Marcus. She could only shyly respond, following his lead. Gently closing her eyes, she listened to the soft sound of rain pattering against the window while feeling his passionate kisses. Slowly, she began to open her heart to him, letting the moment wash over her.
The morning came all too soon. Marcus woke up at the crack of dawn, a habit he had maintained for years. Back when he was at the Hamertons’, he often rose early to work, sometimes as early as 4:00 a.m. But now, for the first time in years, he had the urge to sleep in because of Cordelia.
He glanced over at her, finding her still asleep. She looked so peaceful, and a warm sense of affection filled him. Unable to resist, he kissed her lips softly. But the sweetness of the kiss stirred something in him again, and he had to hold himself back. He remembered the intensity of the night before, and he knew she must be exhausted.
After a few moments, he decided to get up. As he moved, he noticed his phone light up, signaling a message. He put on a T-shirt and quietly left the bedroom, heading out to the balcony.
“Z, hope I didn’t disturb you this early in the morning?” Fredric’s voice came through the phone in a low tone.
Marcus raised an eyebrow. “What’s going on?”
Fredric chuckled lightly. “Your old man’s been lashing out recently, taking back a subsidiary from Matthew. Word’s going around that you’re the one behind it.”
Marcus smiled to himself. It was indeed his doing. His grandfather had always favored him, and there was a flaw in Matthew’s accounts—despite how well Matthew tried to cover it up. Furthermore, there were others in the Hamertons who had the courage to speak up, and his grandfather, although older, was still sharp. The punishment of Matthew wasn’t just for him—it was a warning for anyone else with ulterior motives.
“What’s my uncle’s reaction?” Marcus asked, lowering his voice.
Fredric laughed. “Well, let’s just say your second uncle’s putting on quite the act. He’s been crying and admitting his mistakes, even kneeling in front of the family memorial hall, reflecting for several nights.”
Marcus sneered. He could already imagine the media in Centrolis spinning the story, praising Matthew for his humility and supposed honesty. They would say that Matthew was loyal to the family, that he had learned from his mistakes. It was the same trick Matthew always used to cover up his faults.
Marcus’s expression grew darker, his hand tightening on the balcony railing.
“I won’t be going back to Centrolis just yet,” he said firmly.
Fredric paused. “Aren’t you worried about missing an opportunity if you stay away now?”
Marcus shook his head. “It won’t matter. Even if I return now, his performance will overshadow everything. It’s better to stay and wait for the right moment. I’ll watch him closely, and when the time comes, I’ll strike. I’ll take him and his lackeys down once and for all.”
Fredric nodded, agreeing with Marcus’s approach.
Just then, Cordelia’s soft voice echoed through the phone. “Marcus? Darling… where are you?”
Her voice was low and languid, with a hint of a soft whine. Even Fredric, hearing her from the phone, was taken aback. What surprised him even more was that Marcus had to deal with this sweetness every day.
A grin spread across Fredric’s face. It seemed that Marcus had another reason for staying away from Centrolis.
Marcus quickly hung up the phone and hurried back to the bedroom. When he entered, he saw Cordelia still wrapped in a blanket, trying to reach for her clothes on the floor. Her injured leg made it difficult for her to grab them, and her face flushed with the effort.
He moved quickly, picking up the clothes and carefully draping them over her. Cordelia glanced up at him, her face turning an even deeper shade of red. Her gaze had changed—she was no longer the same independent woman she had been before. Now, she was the loving wife, deeply attached to him.
Marcus gently stroked her warm cheek, his voice soft. “Are you still in discomfort?”
Cordelia nodded slightly, then smiled, burying her face in his chest.
“Sorry,” Marcus whispered, running his fingers through her hair. “But… I’ll know…”