Chapter 9 It Was Just A Flutter

"Crystal, if I ever get married one day, I would choose you to be my wife!" Marcus stated, his refined features emanating a cold and calm determination, without hesitation.

Crystal nodded with a gentle smile. Was this enough? Wasn't it?

Marcus's lips were off-limits, just like they were specially reserved for someone. Just like his heart. But at least, Marcus was willing to marry her, and that was enough.

Wasn't it?

"Thank you!" Crystal smiled gently.

Marcus suddenly became a bit restless. His emotions had been tense and out of control all day, making him feel a bit exhausted when faced with Crystal's tenderness.

Glancing at his tie nearby, he said while fastening it, "I have to go now, goodnight!"

Without waiting for Crystal to respond, he opened the door and left.

The silver Rolls-Royce raced through the streets, the lights of the underground tunnel flickering between brightness and darkness, reflecting a dangerous edge on Marcus's refined face.

Suddenly stepping on the brakes, the sound of the wheels screeching on the street. Marcus slapped the steering wheel and leaned forward, the dim streetlights giving his handsome silhouette a faint glow.

In an instant, he raised his eyes, his finely crafted face gaining a touch of wickedness. In the darkness of the night, he exuded a bewitching aura as he took out his phone.

Momentarily hesitating, he dialed a number.

******

In Jessica's apartment, the phone rang while she was taking a shower, and she casually called out to Henry to answer it.

Henry was busy making her bed when he saw the caller ID: Bastard Marcus?

Henry, "???"

"Miss Jessica, come out to Times Square!" a magnetic and deep voice commanded in its usual manner.

A bright smile curled up at the corner of Henry's lips. Could it be Marcus?

"Are you mute?" Marcus mocked impatiently when she didn't respond after a long silence.

This father seemed to have a bad temper. No wonder Mommy always came back with a face of exhausted despair.

"Who are you?" This was the first time Henry listened to his voice, the first time they conversed. His mood felt complex.

Slightly excited, somewhat thrilled, like a child trying hard to earn praise, his voice became even more elegant than usual.

Marcus was briefly taken aback by the unique sound of a child's voice. He glanced at the phone and furrowed his brow, "Who are you?"

"My name is Henry Miller!" Henry said, unable to hide the laughter in his voice.

His childish voice was like a gentle breeze, like rain falling on a desert. Mr. Marcus's irritable mood instantly improved significantly.

"Let your sister answer the phone." Knowing the other person was a child, Mr. Marcus's tone became gentle as well. His surname was Miller, and since Jessica was young, Mr. Marcus naturally assumed that Henry was her little brother.

Internally, he couldn't help but criticize. Look at this polite child. His voice is so pleasant to listen to. How can there be such a difference between children born from the same mother?

"My sister?" Henry elongated his voice and chuckled softly. This is what he said, not what he said. He just didn't argue back.

The law doesn't require him to refute someone's preconceived misconceptions.

Right?

Henry is a cunning child, mentally mature and strong-willed. His favorite person is Jessica. If Jessica doesn't want him to do something, he won't do it. Even though he has so many, many curiosities about his biological father.

The bathroom door opened, and Henry smiled, "Wait a moment!"

"Darling, whose call is it?" Jessica asked while drying her hair, her voice trembling.

"Someone surnamed Smith."

Jessica froze, the towel falling to the ground. She stood still like a wooden chicken, her mind conjuring up a scene of Mr. Marcus about to strangle her.

She was taken aback and rushed over to grab the phone, covering the receiver, and looking at Henry in panic.

With a smile, Henry shrugged and picked up the towel, helping her dry her hair.

Jessica was restless. Because of nervousness, her voice trembled, "Mr... Mr. Marcus, is there something wrong?"

"Come out to Times Square!"

"Just a moment... It's already 10 o'clock."

"A competent secretary should be available at any time."

After Marcus finished speaking, he decisively hung up the phone.

A fire ignited in Jessica's heart. Damn it, will I quit or not?

"Mummy, calm down!"

"Henry, what did you say to him?" Jessica was restless and uneasy. She could face anything calmly, but Henry always made her feel flustered.

"Mummy, he just said for your sister to answer the phone, and I was about to say that you are my mummy, but you came out." Henry's gentle voice carried reassurance.

That's good. Jessica's tense heart finally relaxed, feeling like she had taken a step off the edge of a cliff but was pulled back just in time.

******

When Jessica arrived at Times Square, she immediately saw Mr. Marcus' silver Rolls-Royce. It was almost 11 o'clock and the department stores and counters were all closed, with hardly anyone in the square.

Mr. Marcus sat arrogantly on the front of the car, exuding a mixture of arrogance and laziness. He smoked a cigar, surrounded by a faint haze of smoke that enveloped him.

Why was he still awake at this hour?

"Mr. Marcus, it's late. What can I do for you?" Jessica asked with a smile.

Mr. Marcus turned his head, his delicate facial features combining wickedness and elegance, creating a captivating and enticing aura.

His deep gaze, devoid of the daytime coldness, now held a shimmering allure in the night, like the seduction Adam used to tempt Eve into sin, with just one glance, one could be captivated.

On this hot night, the wind carried a hint of summer heat. Jessica's heart was pounding, and her cheeks turned slightly warmer. In this particular atmosphere, emotions that were usually suppressed by pride and reason seemed to stir restlessly.

This man can be quite alluring sometimes, Jessica thought to herself.

Mr. Marcus stood up, flicked away his cigarette butt, crushed it harshly with his foot, opened the car door, and turning his head, gave an order, "Get in the car!"

Jessica wanted to defiantly ask him where they were going, but when she saw Marcus's expression, she hesitated for a second and obediently got into the car.

It was better to not provoke this man whose mood was always changing.

As Marcus got into the car, he gave her a sideways glance. Jessica sat up straight, forcefully maintaining her signature smile. Suddenly, Marcus leaned over.

"What are you doing?" Jessica nervously tightened her nerves.

Marcus didn't say anything. He reached out and fastened her seatbelt.

A purely masculine scent overwhelmed her, mixed with the fragrance of Henry Rose's "Menace." As Marcus' chief secretary, Jessica had all the information about the women he was currently involved with stored in her mind.

She knew what they liked, and what they used, everything was crystal clear to her.

"Menace" by Henry Rose was Crystal's favorite brand: fresh, elegant, and with a unique taste.

A slight twitch of Jessica's eyebrows, pursed lips, and a slight turn of her face away. Her signature smile seemed a bit stiff.

Did he just leave Crystal?

This thought grabbed Jessica's mind like a demon. A faint, not very deep but very apparent bitterness surged from the bottom of her heart. She knew very well that this man was promiscuous.

Women came and went like clothes for him, and he also had a serious girlfriend with whom he had a strong bond. They were a perfect match, both in terms of social status and looks.

However...stripped away were Jessica's pride and hidden self-esteem.

It seemed like such raw emotions easily surfaced.

It was said that the darkness of night provides the best protection, but she believed that it also exposes one's truest side.

In the day, the bright sunlight was so dazzling, making one's arrogance and elegance impossible to go unnoticed.

But at night, when the brilliance of the day faded away, people's darkest sides unconsciously revealed themselves. Because the night was dark enough to conceal ugliness, and there was no worry of being exposed.

Eight years ago, they had a one-night stand, not knowing each other. Jessica's knowledge of Marcus was solely based on his prowess in bed.

In these eight years, she hadn't thought of him much. But whenever she looked at Henry's face, there would occasionally be a fleeting thought of that man.

Love at first sight?

That was just a fairy tale.

It didn't exist in the harsh realities of life, and Jessica's character wasn't inclined towards such melodrama.

The true realization of Marcus came eight years later, when she worked as his secretary.

It seemed...

There was a small flutter in her heart.

But it was just a flutter. She had always been rational. From childhood to adulthood, except for that one hot-blooded incident at the bar, Jessica had never done anything too impulsive.

Marcus' promiscuity snuffed out the flutter in her heart.

If it wasn't the only emotion, Jessica wasn't interested!

Maybe every woman wants to be the one to change a playboy, hoping to be their destined one.

But to Jessica, this was a foolish dream. Because a playboy will always be a playboy.

Raising Henry all by herself for eight years, she had long transcended the age of innocence. Even eight years ago, Jessica had never entertained such foolish thoughts.

So...

The flutter was simply a flutter, nothing more.

Silence exploded in the carriage.

This was Jessica's first close encounter with Mr. Marcus, a man with delicate facial features. From a distance, he looked beautiful. But up close, he was not impressive.

Mr. Marcus belonged to the kind of enchanting beauty that was even more exquisite up close as if every feature had been carved perfectly.

Well, she had to admit that she was superficial and had no resistance to beauty.

Having such a delicate appearance and a gloomy personality was truly a waste. Her son, Henry, on the other hand, was much better, always polite and charming.

When she was alone, she loved to let her thoughts wander. Sitting next to Marcus, she felt a bit pressured, her nerves taut.

After all, she had a passionate one-night stand with this man.

And they created a genius named Henry.

She still vividly remembered the terrifying expression on Mr. Marcus's face when she said, "10 million, I'll buy you for one night." It was truly horrifying.

Well, he had so many women, with better figures and sweeter personalities than hers. For the first time, she felt a bit jealous.

It was normal for him not to remember.

But, after giving him $100 and leaving him with the words "selling-your-body money," it was a shame for someone as proud as Marcus.

It should be unforgettable for him.

He didn't have bad eyesight, and he held her all night. She hadn't had any plastic surgery in 8 years, no changes. Is it reasonable for him to completely forget her?

It's not that she's self-obsessed...

Jessica was indeed a bit conflicted. Why was he behaving so calmly? Could it be a plot?

Her whole body trembled as she couldn't help but think of the plot of a melodramatic revenge drama, where he would seek revenge on her...

Conspiracy theories emerged. She had some darkness in her heart as well.

"Mr. Marcus, can I ask you a small question?"

"Go ahead!"

Jessica carefully considered her tone, tightened her fingers slightly, nervously gripping her clothes, and after several mental preparations, she finally asked, "Have you ever been dumped by a woman?"

Mr. Marcus slammed on the brakes, causing Jessica's body to lurch forward, only to be rebounded by the seatbelt, making her dizzy and disoriented...

Damn! Even if he was dumped by a woman before, he shouldn't have to be so harsh!

Her gaze caught a few shiny English letters, and Jessica was struck like lightning, fearfully turning her head to look at Mr. Marcus...

The bar from eight years ago?