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?”