Cordy couldn’t help breathing a sigh of relief after following Patrick back to his car.She was a lot less calm as she appeared—but no one would really be fearless when facing down a barrel.All she could do was endure, and tell herself that Patrick was worthy of her trust.If said trust was misplaced…so be it."I thought you weren't afraid," Patrick teased, though his tone soon turned stern. "Did you really think yourself invincible, going in to face Jessica alone?!"Cordy turned to look at him. "You came, didn't you?""You'd be dead if I didn't give you that transmitter," Patrick told her somberly.It was only fortunate that he had been thoughtful, and knew that Jessica was the type who wouldn’t let anything stop her from getting what she wanted."Actually, I had you escort me so that you’d protect me. But I won't mind coming alone either," Cordy admitted.Patrick did a double take, and his tone changed. "Does that mean you knew I'd protect you from the start? That I'd prote
The days went by without anything out of the ordinary occurring… Until one day, when every article and news piece was reporting about John Levine and Jessica Stuart's grand wedding.Just three more days? That was quick.Nonetheless, Cordy put away her phone and rose to her feet, leaving her office for another meeting just then. The four bodyguards Patrick arranged for her followed her as if it was natural. They really did stick with her ever since Patrick sent them—save for when she went to the ladies' room or was changing clothes.Neither she nor her employees were used to it at first, but she eventually got used to it. During the meeting, Noel kept calling her, but Cordy simply rejected every call and muted her phone.After all, she knew all too well the only reason Noel would call her now was to gloat since in the end, Jessica Stuart was the one who would be with John Levine.And since Noel was now Jessica's lapdog… But if Cordy were to be honest, she had no idea how long
Cordy stared at her phone, watching as John appeared on screen in his white swallowtail tuxedo and a bow tie, looking sharp and imposing.The instant he showed up, the live comment section was immediately spammed, though the content was more or less the same.[He's so handsome!][I'm in love!][Why isn't he an actor?]Cordy was just about to close the live comments section when her phone started ringing.She hesitated a little when she saw that it was a call from Patrick, but answered it eventually."Are you checking out the news?" He asked immediately."Which one?" Cordy asked in return, despite knowing exactly what he meant."Since you can still make a joke, I guess you're not in a bad mood.""It's only expected. Why be moody about it?" Cordy asked in return."I like that attitude of yours, y'know. Staying stoic even if the world falls apart."Cordy didn’t want to waste her breath, and so asked, "Shouldn't you be there right now?""I am," Patrick replied."Then why did
As Jessica walked up to John, their eyes met; hers were clearly welling up with tears.Andy Stuart, Jessica's father, patted her on the hand, before passing her hand over to John and giving him a clap on the shoulder.It was a gesture that he was entrusting Jessica to her.John nodded politely at him in turn. He and Jessica then turned toward the priest.After performing the opening rites with great passion, the priest proceeded to the cliche but exciting part: wedding vows."John Levine, do you take Jessica Stuart as your wife, in accordance with His Will… To be eternally loyal to her, 'til death do you part?"Everyone's eyes were glued to John, and the cameras were focused on his face as well.[Wow, he's too handsome! Please don't get too close, or I won't be able to resist licking the screen.][What good have I done in life, that I deserve to feast my eyes upon such magnificence?][Jessica Stuart’s the most blessed woman in the world. No buts.]The cathedral remained silen
Patrick chuckled and teased her, "So you actually can get nervous?""I just want to know the truth," Cordy replied. "Jessica’s wedding with John concerns my safety and personal gain."Yes, she was just being selfish. The only thing she cared about was whether she could get Dicky even though the wedding fell through!Patrick shrugged and stopped leaving her hanging. "Before John could say 'I do', Rocktown's police commissioner himself stormed in with a warrant for his arrest. Turns out John’s a suspect in a corporate criminal conspiracy."Cordy's fingers clenched. Patrick asked her, "Do you know what that means?""The wedding’s off," Cordy replied.Patrick laughed at that. "Even I can't bear to watch this, Cordy. The man would go this far for you, not holding back from destroying his own reputation and his own future just to stop this wedding. And you're being this calm?""How else would I react? Can I change anything?" Cordy asked in return. "I don't get it—how is this different
As with everything else in the world, every netizen had an opinion.Some believed the Stuarts were selfish, bailing at the first sign of trouble and acting utterly heartless.Others believed the Stuarts' actions to be just, because crime was no tribulation to be weathered—the only thing it deserved was swift and decisive punishment. Naturally, most sided with Stuarts since they had power, whereas the Levines didn’t even have a say now…-Five days later, Patrick texted Cordy, informing her that John was transported back to North City while also sending her the place where he was being held.She hesitated for a while, but eventually went anyway. Patrick must’ve pulled some strings ahead of time, since she was allowed to meet John without any issue.And yet, they were both sitting face-to-face in a suffocating silence as Cordy suddenly had no idea what she was supposed to talk to John about.His haggard look also involved a slight pain in her.In the end, she couldn’t resist
Cordy snapped in annoyance, "Just worry about yourself for now."However, John’s confidence afforded her slight relief.After all, John wouldn’t go so far as to really destroy himself just to get his engagement annulled.No person could be that stupid, and John was always above the rest.She simply took it as him keeping his trump card for the time being."I'm going now," she said, rising to her feet—she had the answer she wanted, and that was enough for her."Cordy," he suddenly stopped her, his voice a little quiet, as if he was sentimental.Cordy paused, and turned around to look at him. "Is there something else?""Take good care of Dicky for the time being.""I know.""And yourself.""I've always been very good at that.""Don't fall for other men either," John reminded her.Cordy was speechless.At this point?!John then finished, "I'll woo you again when I'm out.""I won't be waiting for long," she replied. John blinked, and Cordy clearly saw the dazzling flicker
In the visitor's room, Jessica was staring tearfully at John, but he remained indifferent."Was it worth it? Doing this for Cordy?" she eventually asked."It has nothing to do with her," John replied. "The situation simply calls for it.""I know you did it for her," Jessica said staunchly."I won't joke around when my life is on the line.""You'd die for her!"John became silent at that, whereas Jessica laughed even as tears flowed down her cheeks, making her appear lunatic."Did you know, John?" she asked. "I'm getting engaged again."John blinked.It appeared he still had some feelings left in him.On the other hand, Jessica's tears flowed freely as she continued, but she seemed to feel nothing. "That's my family for you—everyone is a tool the moment they're born. My parents, myself, and my brother are no exceptions. I've always thought I've been blessed with a family like this, that even though I had no freedom in life and I don't get to choose who I marry, it was someone