“What difference does it make? We didn’t have sex, after all.”
“Miss Nash, are you implying you want to have sex?”
“What are you talking about?” Irritated, Marissa pushed him forcefully. Connor stepped back, rocked by her shove. He tilted his head, regarding her with a playful smirk. “Miss Nash, I have principles about sharing my bed. I don’t sleep with a woman who isn’t my wife. If we divorce today, you can forget about sleeping beside me ever again.”
Marissa was at a loss for words. Internally, she scolded him for being so difficult. But she wouldn’t be able to get her Serene Rest Pills for another two months. Though his words infuriated her, she found herself needing to compromise. With a forced smile, she said, “Mr. Daniels, you truly are a chaste man. I admit, my principles aren’t as strong as yours. Let’s put off the divorce for a few more weeks, then.”
Her smile vanished as she finished speaking, her gaze turning icy as she flung the door open and stormed out. Domenic, Marc, and Terry had been waiting outside. They raised their eyebrows in amusement as she passed. Marissa’s outfit was wrinkled, and her hair unkempt, yet her cheeks were flushed pink-a stark contrast to her usual demeanor. They could tell from a single glance that she had spent a rather eventful night
“Good morning, Miss Nash,” the three men greeted her, their smiles laden with innuendo. Marissa, who had been in a good mood moments before, now frowned upon seeing Marc and Terry. She knew exactly what they were thinking after seeing their knowing smiles and was convinced Connor had influenced their behavior. If they were still in Doomsday Base, she would have had them training rigorously every day. Their current attitude was a disgrace to their training
“Bang! Bang!” She marched up to Marc and Terry and delivered a sharp kick to each. The two men yelped in pain, clutching their legs
“What are you doing, Miss Nash?” Marc gasped
Marissa sneered. “Your boss is in grave danger. An international assassin could strike at any moment, and you should be vigilantly on guard. Yet here you are, gossiping about your boss’s private life. Are you looking to get yourselves killed?”
At that moment, Connor emerged from the room. Marissa shot him a glance and turned away dismissively. Terry quickly turned to Connor, reporting, “Mr. Daniels, we’ve confirmed she’s not our chief instructor, Black Mallow.”
Connor was still mulling over what Marissa had mentioned to Marc and Terry earlier. Her evident concern for his safety had left an impression. The thought brought a smile to his face, and a warm chuckle escaped him. However, his smile soon faltered as he recalled her words from the previous day about caring only for her sleep aid. Perhaps her concern was not for him but for the loss of her sleep aid. This realization cast a shadow over his spirits, erasing his earlier amusement
After a moment, he turned to Terry, seeking clarity. “What did you say just now?”
“We have confirmed that Marissa is not our chief instructor,” Terry answered
“Oh?” Connor’s eyebrows lifted in intrigue
Terry elaborated, “We reached that conclusion yesterday but didn’t have the opportunity to inform you. Based on our observations, Marissa shares only one characteristic with the chief instructor; they differ significantly in all other respects.”
“What trait do they share?” Connor inquired, his curiosity piqued
“They are both strikingly beautiful,” Terry stated
A skeptical expression crossed Connor’s face as he regarded Terry. “But you said that your chief instructor always wore a black veil. How can you be sure of her appearance?”
Terry laughed, a hint of embarrassment in his tone. “It’s the aura she carried. Despite the veil, there was an undeniable elegance that radiated from her, recognized universally at our base.”
Connor let out a dismissive snort, turning away, no longer interested in Terry’s descriptions. Yet Terry, unaware of Connor’s growing impatience, continued his analysis. “Marissa appeared quite delicate yesterday after receiving a small cut on her hand, very unlike our chief instructor. Our instructor embodies the strength of a wild horse, mingling with us in the mud and never displaying a hint of weakness. She even took a bullet in the shoulder once during an ambush and bore it silently.”
Listening, Connor asked, “So because of that, you’re absolutely sure she’s not Black Mallow?”
“Yes,” Terry affirmed
“And what if she was merely acting fragile yesterday?” Connor probed further
Terry paused, uncertainty in his voice. “I can’t imagine that. Our chief instructor was known for her directness and disdain for deceit.”
Marc then added thoughtfully, “I’m beginning to doubt our judgment from yesterday. Despite the way Marissa handled her wound, the way she kicked us just now was precisely what the chief instructor would do.”
Suddenly, realization dawned on Terry. “That’s true. Even her scolding matched the chief instructor’s style to a tee!”
Confusion washed over Terry’s features. “So, is she our chief instructor or not?”
Holding his head, Terry continued, “If she is, then she’s playing a cruel game. She knows well we’re her admirers, yet she acted as if we were strangers.”
Marc, usually more composed and mature than Terry, found it difficult to contain his emotions now. He sighed deeply, his sigh laden with his profound yearning for the chief instructor
Domenic’s expression betrayed his disdain; he found it utterly embarrassing that two grown men were so taken with a mere girl. Connor’s mouth twitched. To him, it seemed ludicrous to pay these two a million-dollar annual salary for such behavior
Meanwhile, Neil led Derek to a deserted factory on the outskirts of the city. A tall figure cloaked in a black robe awaited them, exuding an aura reminiscent of a vampire. The man was cloaked entirely in shadow except for his piercing eyes. His presence was unnerving
Upon the arrival of Neil and Derek, the man in the black robe pointed at Derek and sneered, “Mr. Daniels, is this the younger son you’ve recently got back?”
Neil showed great respect for the man in the black robe, smiling as he quickly replied, “Yes, that’s Derek.” He then prompted, “Derek, come over and meet Mr. Warren.”
Unfamiliar with Mr. Warren, Derek approached and offered a polite greeting. “Mr. Warren.”
The man in black scoffed, his words dripping with disdain. “Is he truly worthy of Melinda? It’s unfortunate that my grandfather chose him for her!”
At that moment, Derek realized the man in the black robe was Aelfric Warren, Melinda’s brother. Trenton, Melinda’s grandfather, was the nominal leader of the Warren family, but the real authority lay with Aelfric. Having spent many years training at Doomsday Base, Aelfric had left the day-to-day management of the family affairs to Trenton. Aelfric had risen to become the deputy chief instructor at Doomsday Base, making him one of the most formidable figures there, second only to King and Black Mallow. Being associated with Doomsday Base granted one considerable influence, akin to commanding a formidable military force. This fact alone secured the Warren family a lofty status in Blebert, surpassed only by the Daniels family. Hence, Neil’s deep respect for Aelfric was understandable, despite his younger age
Aelfric had been immersed in Doomsday Base training from a young age, returning sporadically after completing his training. His leadership of the Warren family’s affairs was often conducted from afar. His habit of disguising himself while at Doomsday Base, coupled with his anonymity during his visits to Blebert, meant that aside from his close associates, few knew his true appearance
Derek’s meeting with Aelfric today was due to his upcoming engagement to Melinda. Aelfric, deeply devoted to his sister, had returned to evaluate the man she was to marry. From Aelfric’s initial cold reception, Derek gathered that he was not pleased. Intent on preserving his engagement and earning Aelfric’s respect, Derek bowed deeply and spoke earnestly. “I come from humble beginnings and lack formal education. I apologize if I’ve fallen short of your expectations today. However, I assure you, I will strive to emulate your example, diligently improving myself and ensuring Melinda’s happiness.”
Aelfric paused before responding with a slight smile, “You’re quite articulate.”
Encouraged by the softening in Aelfric’s demeanor, Derek eagerly responded, “I look forward to your guidance.”
“Very well,” Aelfric said with a sigh. “The engagement has been widely publicized, and it would be problematic to cancel it now. I will monitor your conduct closely. Should you cause my sister any distress, be warned-I will not hold back.”
“I promise to care for Melinda with all my heart,” Derek assured him, relief washing over him. Since his unnerving conversation with Neil, Derek understood he had no other choice but to follow Neil’s every order and remain vigilant around Foley. Foley, having married Della from the Brock family, had secured their influential backing. But Derek was alone, lacking the power to stand against Foley
Luckily, Neil, seeking to gather more allies against Connor, had arranged his marriage with the Warren family. Thus, regardless of whether Melinda was beautiful or plain, intelligent or otherwise, Derek needed to seize this opportunity and marry her. Now recognized by Aelfric, the true power behind the Warren family, Derek could finally feel secure. With Aelfric’s backing, he would have the support of Doomsday Base, and Derek knew his stature would rise. People would respect him, and Foley would hesitate before crossing him
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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