“My original plan was to make you and Anthony part ways, but I didn’t expect that your relationship would get better after the incident. What’s more surprising was that it was him who caused both of you to separate four years ago.” He landed his gaze on me. “Since both of you have separated, why don’t you have a clean break with him?”
Looking at him, I realized that the person in front of me was no longer the person I knew. The affection between us was gone. What was left was his unwillingness to accept reality. I sighed as I could not help to get rid of his obsession. I looked up at the blazing sun and said, “Marcus, I want to live my own life.”
I was indebted to him; I could not tell him anything that was too vicious or harsh.
Pursing his lips, he fell silent. After a long while, he finally said, “I can give you the life you want.”
Sighing at his stubbornness, I realized I could not continue talking to him. “It’s getting late. I should go back now.”
As I turned around, Joseph walked toward me and quietly breathed a sigh of relief, as if he was worried that I would leave with Marcus.
However, an obsessive person would not let go easily. Marcus pulled me by my wrist and said, “I took a video that night. You said that people would eventually change in four years. I didn’t force you four years ago because I wanted to win your heart. But since you refuse to be with me, I have to do it my way. I know that love can’t be forced, but I don’t care. If Anthony does not care about his reputation, I don’t mind ruining it.”
I looked at him in stunned silence. I had always believed that humans were good by nature. At that moment, I wondered why things had turned out this way.
So, I asked him, “Marcus, why? You don’t love me, so why do you want to ruin me? I’ve never harmed you in any way.”
I was always grateful to him for being the one who saved me when I was on the brink on the death. So why? Why did we turned out like this?
He snickered. “Didn’t you say to destroy the unattainable?”
I was dumbstruck, and my mind couldn’t formulate a response for a while. Shaking off his hand, I said, “I’d rather die four years ago.”
After I returned to the villa, thoughts buzzed around in my mind. I couldn’t understand why Marcus wanted to harm me. If he likes me, why does he want to hurt and destroy me? If he doesn’t like me, what is his purpose in doing so?
Anthony’s forehead was covered in sweat when he entered the villa. He looked as if he had come back in a hurry.
When he saw me sitting on the sofa, he heaved a sigh of relief and pulled me into his embrace. “Be careful when you’re out next time.”
I nodded in response and said, “Marcus came by just now.”
“I know.”
Right, Joseph probably told him. Changing the topic, I asked, “Anthony, does Aunt Sally reside in J City now?”
Taken aback by the change of topic, Anthony paused for a moment before nodding his head. “Marcus forced her out of White Corporation, so she went back to J City.”
Marcus was traumatized by the death of his parents. And now, he was threatening me with the incident from four years ago. I wonder if his goal is to have me or to make Anthony suffer?
Leaning against his chest, I asked wearily, “Did something happened between you and Marcus?”
He froze for a second and held my shoulders. “Why?”
I looked up at him and said, “He’s a completely different person now. He even threatened me with a video from that night four years ago. I don’t understand why he did that. He’s no longer the person I knew.”
He pondered for a moment and sat me down on the sofa. Then, he held my hand and confided, “Back when Aunt Sally was in charge of Featherstone Corporation, he came back from M Country and wanted to take back White Corporation from her. It was supposed to be easy for him to do so, but Mr. and Mrs. Bauman suddenly heard of the truth behind their daughter’s death. And someone from the Featherstone Corporation even leaked the news of Sharon’s infidelity to the media. In the end, the elderly couple could not accept the news and passed away.”
It took me a while to digest what he had said. Then, I asked, “Who did it?”
Anthony avoided my question. “And that’s how the rivalry between the Featherstone family and the White family started. I knew he was the one behind the incident that night. All these years of business feud benefit no one. I guess he wants you to be with him because he wishes to join hands with the Moore family.”
I sighed, feeling a little frustrated. Resting my head against his shoulder, I had no mood to speak further on this matter. Before this, I thought things would be over after four years. But I guess everyone is different. Some people just can’t let bygones be bygones.
I was a little surprised when Sally came to find me. Recently, Anthony had been very busy with his work, and I started my preparation for the admission test.
The guard let Sally in, and the housekeeper told me at the entrance of the study that Sally was waiting for me in the living room.
I nodded blankly and went downstairs.
The last time I saw her was about half a month ago. Now, she was modestly dressed as usual. But at the age of forty, signs of aging had appeared on her complexion.
She slowly took a sip of tea and looked at me. “Charlie and Helen immigrated two years ago, so I’m the only elder left here in the Featherstone family now. You and Anthony were once husband and wife. Since both of you have parted ways, it’s always good to have a clean break. When you left four years ago, you didn’t take anything from us. Now that you’ve come back, I’m guessing you probably want something from the Featherstone family, so don’t hesitate to tell me. We’ll do our best to give you whatever you want.”
It was obvious that she was here to tell me to leave. After a brief moment, I replied, “Are you chasing me out, Ms. Featherstone?”
She shook her and gave me a faint smile. “No. I just think that as the adopted child of the Stanhope family and the biological daughter of the Moore family, you must know that if some unpleasant news of you is spread out in the future, it wouldn’t be good for your reputation. Am I right?”
Each and every word of hers sounded as if she was being considerate of me. But I did not believe so. Since she had blatantly expressed her intention, she left me with no choice but to leave.
Hence, I stood up and smiled politely at her. “Thank you for your advice, Ms. Featherstone. You’re right. I shouldn’t be living with Anthony since we’ve been separated. It is inappropriate for me to stay here.”
I then continued, “Thank you for your kind words. I’ll pack up and leave immediately.”
I had always been a straightforward person, so I swiftly turned around to go upstairs. But she stopped me and smiled. “You’re definitely an impatient child. I’ve only been here for five minutes and you’re suddenly trying to leave. Wouldn’t this be an outright indication for Anthony that I’m the one who chased you away?”
I raised my brows in response. “Isn’t that so?”
The smile on Sally’s face immediately turned into an awkward grin. “Of course not. I’m just doing this for your own good. A girl needs to have a good reputation, after all.”
I smiled back. “Thank you again, Ms. Featherstone.”
She shook her head in response and the awkward look she had on her face faded. “You don’t have to be in a hurry to move out now. Actually, you can discuss this with Anthony first. You know how unreasonable he can be at times. So, why don’t you find a reason to leave him and move out later? This is for the good of you and him.”
Is she saying that I should pick a quarrel with Anthony so it seems like I’m the one who wants to move out?
I almost laughed out loud at her suggestion. Being born with a rebellious temperament, the more she did not want it to happen, the more I was motivated to do it.
Looking at her, I said, “There’s no need for so many excuses. I have no intention of staying here for long anyway. It’s just a matter of time before I move out.”
As soon as I finished speaking, I went upstairs and put all my clothes in my suitcase. When I came down, Sally looked nervous and she blocked my path. “Sienna, you don’t need to rush.”
I beamed at her and said, “It’s alright. I’m free today.”
Joseph had been staying in the villa these few days. So, when he saw the luggage in my hand, he immediately called Anthony.
Then, he halted me in my tracks and gave me a perplexed look. “Mrs. Featherstone, are you going somewhere? Why don’t I give you a ride?”
I shook my head. Smiling faintly, I said, “It’s alright. I’ve already called a cab. It’ll arrive soon.”
Indeed, the car arrived soon after.
Sally probably never expected me to leave so hastily. So, when she saw the car, she panicked and turned pale. Tugging on my hand, she hurriedly said, “Sienna, no. You don’t need to leave so soon. I…”
“What Ms. Featherstone said was true. I should have known better.” I cut her off. With that, I got into the cab.
Joseph was puzzled, but he could not stop me by force. In the end, he hopped into his car and followed me.
Previously, John had given me a house in K City. I thought I would never use it, so I had never gone there. Now that I was in need of a place to stay, I hailed a cab and headed there.
The house was located some distance away from the city center. The place was spacious with a stylish interior design. However, because it had been unoccupied for quite a number of years, it inevitably had a musty smell.
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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