novelxo Chapter 5
The boutique was suddenly pin-drop silent. The others looked sympathetically at
the sales assistant while the latter scowled. Despite that, the manager who came
eyed her, urging her to do what the customer wanted. After all, that was one
expensive wedding dress.
Marcus was nonchalant, and the smile on his aloof face never did reach his eyes.
Cordelia could not help tightening her hold on his hand.
“Forget it, let's not buy it,” she told him softly. “This wedding dress is very
expensive, and we won't have much use for it in the future...”
“Swipe the card.” Marcus sounded frosty. “No password necessary.”
Ultimately, it was the boutique manager and designer who mediated the situation.
Marcus stood by the door smoking while Cordelia had her measurements taken
inside. This time, no one dared mock her. The sales assistant stood aside
stoically after the manager chastised her, and the designer kept complimenting
Cordelia’s figure. Even the manager treated her like she was a VIP, making her
coffee and fetching her water.
When they finally left the bridal boutique, Cordelia was glum on the way back.
The wedding dress was worth more than $4,000... She bit her lip and looked at
the man next to her. He was indifferent and he looked as calm as an iceberg.
“Marcus.” Cordelia failed to hold herself back after some time. “I think we should
talk.”
Marcus stopped walking in surprise. The girl looked at him seriously with her big
eyes blinking and cherry lips pursed.
“You... were too impulsive just now.”
“What?” The man furrowed his brows.
“When we were at the boutique just now. Things didn’t have to escalate to that
point... Why did you have to vent and buy the dress? It cost more than $4,000.
Do you know how long that would last us?”
He genuinely did not know that. It had probably been too small of a meal to him
in the past.
Cordelia sneaked a peek at him, but his chiseled face was still blank.
“I... I'm not blaming you.” She softened and said, “I just meant that we're already
married. We have to think about the future. I know that you were venting on my
behalf, but hold yourself back when the time calls for it. There is lots more to
spend on our home...”
Home? For some reason, the corner of Marcus’ lips ticked up automatically when
he heard the word.
“Besides, I haven't gotten my wedding gift yet. There'll be other uses for it. We
can’t splurge so lavishly.”
Cordelia’s voice went softer and softer. Worry crept up on her face once she
thought of her mother, who was hospitalized, and her brother, who was still
waiting for his allowance. She dared not let Marcus find out, though. She was
supposed to be Yelena to him.
“Splurge so lavishly?” The man repeated the words in a murmur, hints of a smile
tinging his tone of voice.
“Aren't you the heiress of the Jenners? Why does it feel like you're frugal with
your money?”
Cordelia widened her eyes at him as her heart thumped. She frantically changed
the topic of conversation. “Are you thirsty? I'll go get us some milk tea,” she said,
turning to go to a milk tea parlor by the street.
Marcus chortled while watching her frantic escape. His phone vibrated at the
same time, and the smile froze in place when he saw the number.
“What's up?”
“Mr. Z,” the person on the other end of the line answered in a pressed voice. “The
investigation is almost done. Someone did tinker with the private jet on the day of
your accident. We don’t have enough evidence for now, but it should be the
person you guessed.”
“Good.” Marcus sounded stern. “Keep up the investigation!”
“Got it. But... How much longer will you be staying in the village in Jangasas, Mr.
Z? You sure you don’t want to make a trip back to Centrolis?”