“Combining my savings and the return from my investment…” The lady revealed excitement at the corner of her eyes. “Hubby, guess how much we have now?!”Zephyr shook his head while chuckling.Cordelia whispered the number and could not stop smiling.“Hubby, I can finally get you a car!”“What?” Zephyr put down the cutlery and looked at her with slight confusion.“I’m getting you a car!” she repeated. “Didn’t I tell you that I wanted to get you a car so that you won’t have to use public transportation? It’s just that I didn’t have enough savings before.”Zephyr felt warm.It seemed her salary had doubled when she was promoted to sales supervisor at the previous company.She had said she would get a mortgage to buy a house, and then she would buy him a car for convenience.It seemed she never felt the pain of spending money on him…He held her hands softly and looked into her eyes.“You don’t have to buy me a car. Just save it for your mom and Carter.”“I’ve set aside money fo
It was an ordinary sedan—small engine capacity, fuel-efficient, not exactly roomy, and cost less than $15,000.Not even the Hamertons’ servants would drive this kind of car, but Zephyr liked it very much. It was because Cordelia’s eyes sparkled when she saw the car, and he liked the sparkle in her eyes.“Honey, what do you think?” Cordelia held his arm.Zephyr smiled. “As long as you like it.”“I quite like it, but this is for you. You’ve got to like it too!”Cordelia knew that men felt more for cars. Cars were like their other wives. She ought to pick one that he would like.“Linda and I browsed a lot of them and think this one’s the best from all aspects. Do you want to test drive it, darling?”“No need.” Zephyr looked at her. “We’ll take this one. I like it.”Cordelia grinned sweetly and began discussing the color of the car. Black was cool, but she hoped he could pick white. He was already barely smiling usually, so it would be scarier if he drove a black car. As she spok
“Uh, I didn’t want to come. Josiah insisted!” Frederic quickly claimed his innocence.Zephyr glanced at Josiah darkly.“No, Z, I…”“You didn’t just want to come. You said you wanted to go for a drive in Z’s new car!”“Fredric!” Josiah could not even win the argument.Zephyr asked sternly, “Didn’t I ask you not to hang around here? What if Cordelia sees you!?”“I…” Josiah was close to tears while Frederic tried to hold back his chuckle.“Never mind, Z. He hasn't been the brightest since we were young. Don’t get petty with him!”Josiah was rendered speechless.“Right, your new car’s beautiful!” Frederic grinned like a sly old fox. “Cordelia picked it?”It was only then Zephyr showed a hint of a smile.Frederic continued. “Cordelia has good taste. Z, your cars weren't too practical in the past. This car’s specs and model, its color especially, match you very well!”Josiah immediately loathed Frederic.In spite of it, Zephyr was in a good mood and even suggested driving them
“But…” That sentence was about to roll off Zennie’s tongue, but she could not do it. She could only gulp.Other than her brother explaining it to Cordelia personally, others were not able to intervene.“Alright.” Cordelia smiled and pinched Zennie’s nose lightly. “What’s gotten into you today? Is it because you haven’t gotten any cookies?”Zennie forced a smile and got the cookies out of the oven with her.The wind chime rang at the door each time customers patronized the café.Cordelia began another busy day. This day was like every other day—sunlight filled the porch while the interior wafted with the aroma of coffee. Patrons chatted and took photos here, leaving good reviews before they left.It was close to the start of fall now, but the irises were blooming prettily.Cordelia was filled with happiness. As Zennie watched her smile in contentment, she hoped she could stay this blissful.…Zephyr drove along the river very slowly and rarely made a bump.The passenger seat
Zephyr frowned and felt conflicted. Zennie had grown up sheltered from the world and had been a goody two shoes all along. However, it was easier for girls like this to run into people with ulterior motives.Zephyr took a deep breath and felt a headache. He spent some quiet time and drove back after a while.…Oliver had been waiting for seven straight days outside a private club in Centrolis. He came every day asking to meet Matthew, standing from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., but the bodyguards outside kept a straight face no matter how hard he tried.Matthew was annoyed just hearing his name, forget meeting him.Just when Oliver was growing desperate, the butler came out to inform him, “Mr. Jones, Mr. Yale invites you in.”Oliver perked up and hurried in instantly.There was a huge metal cage in the backyard of the club. Before Oliver went close, he could smell a decaying stench in the air. He was alarmed but could only brace himself and continue going.To his surprise, there
Yale was stunned for a moment before he grabbed the cup on the table and smashed it.“M-Mr. Yale… don’t be mad!” Oliver gasped and watched him carefully. “If you trust me, give me a few days. I’ll look into everything!”Yale’s eyes gleamed sinisterly as he smiled at him.“So, you’re willing to come under us again?”“Mr. Matthew’s been benevolent to me. I should repay his favor!”“Don’t f*cking make it sound so noble!” Yale was despicable, so he knew what another despicable man thought. “It’s just because you can’t rely on Josiah Bayer and you need the money. That’s why you are selling the news to me!“If Josiah had been willing to fill $45,000,000 for you, you’d have let these rot with you, huh?”Oliver was drenched in a cold sweat.“But this is good news… At least Zephyr’s not so pristine to my grandfather now.”“Yes, of course!” Oliver chorused. “The fact that he got married on his own is already a huge taboo to the Hamertons!”“What does the girl look like?” Yale was inter
Cordelia was stunned. This man seemed to have a lot of feelings recently, the kind where he felt happy and blissful.Cordelia smiled and covered his mouth softly with her hand.“Keep it to yourself,” she said. “Don’t ever say it out loud, or it’ll go away!”“Honey, I want to tell you something after I come back this time.”Cordelia could not help but ask, seeing that he looked serious, “What is it?”“Um… It’s a long story,” he said. “You’re still clueless about my family situation despite us being married for a year. I still have a family. Actually, we just don’t keep frequent contact.”Cordelia was puzzled. When they married, she understood that the Grists had gone down. Marcus’ parents were both deceased, and he was a thug who fought and caused trouble. She did not expect that there were still others in the Grists. Come to think of it, she understood it. If someone in the family had gone to prison, regular people would stay as far away as possible from them.Cordelia chuck
Cordelia paused in surprise. She did not know anyone from Centrolis, so what was up with this invitation?“Ms. Cordelia?” Wendy urged, “When are you coming back for it?”“Oh, tomorrow then…”Before Cordelia could finish her sentence, she heard Wendy making a rushing sound of assent, and Yelena’s pompousness followed.“How many times have I called you? Are you deaf?! If you can’t work here, pack up and go home!”Wendy hung up frantically while Cordelia shook her head, listening to the busy tone.“Who were you talking to just now?” Yelena crossed her arms as she looked at Wendy skeptically.Wendy was usually afraid of her, so she stammered and was unable to speak a word being questioned like this.Yelena’s gaze traveled down, and she saw the letter in Wendy’s hand.“What’s that?”Wendy froze and wanted to hide it behind her, but it was too late.“Show me!”“Ms. Yelena, this…”Yelena was annoyed by Wendy’s timid stutter and snatched it from her.Disliking what the girl did,