Chapter 21
Cordelia was visibly fazed, and her heart drummed. Had he discovered
something? Or had he heard others saying the Jenners had completed the
marriage pact by using an illegitimate daughter? Had they said that he had
married an impersonator and not the treasured heiress of the family?
Men had pride too and hoped to marry a rich and beautiful gir—not a pauper like
her.
Cordelia hung her head as her hands clenched the hem of her clothes anxiously.
She kept telling herself that she must not admit it. Marcus had been in jail for
fighting... The consequences would be unimaginable if he were to kick up a fuss
about it!
“Hah, what would I have to say?” She looked at him with sparkling eyes and
racked her mind for ways to change the topic. “Oh, right, I haven't made any
sales this month, so I've got to work harder next month! I... I might not be able to
come back and cook as often. You'll be fine taking care of yourself?”
“Mm, I'm not a child. Of course, I'll be alright.”
Marcus smiled and gave half of the lobster risotto on his plate to her. Cordelia
insisted she did not want it, but the man stared at her and asked in a deep tone,
“Do you want me to feed you?”
His words caused Cordelia to duck her head before relenting ultimately.
Awhile later, Marcus’ phone buzzed. It was a text from Josiah. He scanned their
surroundings discreetly and, as expected, saw the latter smirking at him from a
short distance away. Fredric was standing next to him as well, covering his mouth
as best as he could.
“I'm going to the washroom,” Marcus told Cordelia in an indifferent tone before
walking to a corner of the restaurant's hallway.
Josiah finally cackled. “A husband and wife really do share joy, huh? Sharing a
plate of lobster risotto with your heads touching... Z, why didn’t I know that you
were such a romantic before?”
Marcus glared at him, prompting Josiah to suppress his grin and keep quiet.
“Z, don’t blame him for having so much to say! Even I'm surprised.” Fredric
chuckled. “It seems like you're... having a good time with her?”
Marcus sobered up. Fredric had always been the level-headed one, so he would
not ask something like this for no reason. There had to be a reason he was
asking such a question.
He understood what Fredric meant. The lawyer was worried about him spending
his time here with Cordelia and forgetting about returning to Centrolis and his
actual status.
“I'm just keeping a low profile to get prepared,” Marcus replied coolly. “It's just a
roommate situation with Ms. Jenner. Nothing good or bad. I'll be leaving one
day.”
Fredric smiled and said nothing more.
Josiah glanced over at Cordelia and turned around with a grin to suggest, “Z,
why don't I... put your check on the house?”
“You?” Marcus raised a brow and thought about it. “Forget about it. Just get me a
discount. Otherwise, she’ll be eating in distress.”
“Mm, that works too.” Josiah had learned his lesson. Anything Mr. Z Hamerton
said was fine with him. “I'll let them know then!”
Marcus arched a brow. “Your family owns this hotel?”
“My uncle's the boss!” Josiah scratched his head.
“You Bayers have a lot of businesses in Jangasas, huh!”
Josiah straightened up in victory when Fredric suddenly stepped on his foot. He
had only realized this now by catching Fredric’s gaze. “Z, just let me know
anytime you need me in Jangasas!”
“Mm.” Marcus had his hands behind him as he smiled.
Josiah was a carefree soul but he was pretty dependable. There was actually
something Marcus needed him to do right now.
“Check out Bowfest Foreign Trading for me. And there’s some department
supervisor named Karine Carmichael there... Get me her details.”