Chapter 768 – His Second Chance Love: The Freezing Silence

Chapter 768 – His Second Chance Love: The Freezing Silence

I was not familiar with the workings of the stock market, but judging from Anthony’s tone, he was on top of this matter and would have executed it perfectly.

With Eisen Corporation’s technical support in place, Featherstone Corporation only had to focus on developing its global network of warehouse and storage facilities. This would drastically reduce the time required for them to establish themselves in K City.

I stayed quiet for quite a while, secretly observing Anthony. When I saw he was in a good mood, I abruptly asked, “Did GW create any problem for you in your acquisition bid?”

Anthony lifted his head and inspected me with his probing gaze. “Why do you bring them up out of the blue?” I felt he could read what was on my mind.

I turned my head slightly to avoid his gaze and stammered, “Eh… just a casual question. You said they were ambitious, so I was worried you’d let your guard down, and they will take advantage…”

I regained my courage as I spoke. I turned around, and strode over to him, causing him to back off a little in surprise. “Yeah. As your capable wife, of course, I have to watch your back. Can’t I?” Anthony eyed me suspiciously, then let out a laugh, amused. “Of course you can. I am just not used to that.”

He repositioned himself comfortably to hold me in his arms and explained to me. “GW is extremely influential in M Country and formidable in K City. However, Dartan is not their territory, so their clout cannot be felt there. That was one of the reasons why I chose Eisen Corporation in the first place.”

I nodded. It was easy to see. Once out of M Country, Featherstone Corporation could invest and grow without undue influence from GW.

But his reply did not work to my favor, as I could not bring in the subject I had in mind. I bit my lips, lost in thoughts. I was oblivious to his mocking, and that raised his suspicion.

He took me by my shoulders and sat me squarely in front of him. He squinted his deep dark eyes and commanded, “Out with it. What are you hiding from me?”

I overestimated my ability. It was pointless trying to conceal anything from this shrewd man.

I pursed my lips, looked over Anthony’s shoulder in the direction of the door behind him, and said, “You can come out now.”

Before Anthony could turn to look, Marcus had already walked into the hall. Their eyes met, and the air turned tense instantaneously. Their relationship had always been fraught with hostility.

I was worried the situation would get out of hand, so I grabbed Anthony’s arm and started explaining, “Marcus is here to seek your help. GW kidnapped Camelia and Toby. He was hoping we can sound Sean out to see if he had any useful information.”

Anthony turned around and gave me a terrifying dark look. I withdrew my hand in awe.

He had always felt uneasy about my relationship with Marcus. Hence, his reaction to seeing us together was understandable.

However, what he did next was unexpected.

“Joseph!” he summoned Joseph.

“Yes sir. What can I do for you?” Joseph stood at the door respectfully and asked.

“Replace all the security standing guard outside. Every single one of them!” Anthony ground his teeth and commanded. Joseph could tell it was a non-negotiable demand, so he hurried off to execute it.

I was stunned, but I understood his reasons for doing so.

Before he left the house, Anthony had given clear instructions not to let any man into the house. Not only was Marcus allowed into the house, to make matter worse, none of the security bothered to inform him about it. Anthony expected discipline from his men, so he would not tolerate such misconduct.

I was to be blamed for their plight. However, Anthony was raging at that moment, so I would have to wait for another opportune time to plead for them. Marcus’ problem was the top priority then.

After giving out his orders to Joseph, Anthony sat up straight, and his expression was grave. He was in a cold, uncompromising mood.

Marcus did not want to make things difficult for me. He took the initiative to move forward, sat on the sofa, and humbly spoke to Anthony.

“Please don’t fault Sienna. I begged her to help me. All these years, I had done too much wrong to Camelia and our child. I can’t sit back and do nothing now that they are in danger. Anthony, I gave Sienna up to you. Could you not return the favor and help find out about my wife and child?”

This was as humble as Marcus could get. Both Anthony and he were men of great ego. They would not be able to let go of their pride completely, even when asking for help.

He really gave his all for Camelia. They were both my friends, and also due to the indebtedness I felt towards Marcus, I had no excuse not to help.

Seeing Anthony was unmoved, I got anxious. I kept my cool and nudged him gently. “Could you do it for me? GW is eager to work with Featherstone Corporation, so they would not reject your request. So long as…”

Before I could finish my plead, Anthony rebuked me with a growl. “So you want Summer and you to end up like Camelia?”

My mind went blank as I looked at Anthony. He was furious, and the veins were bulging on his forehead.

What is he saying? He is aware Camelia and Toby were missing? So he already made up his mind, and all he cares about is our own safety?

This was not the Anthony I knew.

Anthony could probably read my mind. He coldly turned around and told Marcus to leave. “You’d better leave. Sienna is pregnant, so she shouldn’t be moving around too much. I will never allow any danger near her.”

“Anth…”

I wanted to plead for Marcus, but Anthony stood up and marched upstairs, leaving me no chance to do so.

Only Marcus and I were left in the hall after Anthony marched out. The place was eerily empty and quiet. Other than the echo of Anthony’s footsteps, only our sighs were audible.

Marcus did not voice any dissatisfaction. He stood there, numbed. After a while, he quietly walked out too. I could only helplessly watch his visibly gaunt back disappear through the door.

I was of no help when the White Corporation got into trouble. When Benjamin and Sharon passed away, I was not by Marcus’ side. Now, the only family he had left also went missing, and my dearest had refused to help him so as not to endanger me. I owed Marcus too much. On the other hand, I could not pin any fault on Anthony. He refused to get involved as he was protective of me. He was only doing his best to protect the ones he treasured.

The bedroom door was left ajar. Obviously, Anthony was waiting for me. I could not face him, so I turned and went into the study instead.

As I looked at the pile of notes for the bar examination, I had a wistful thought. Maybe if I were a top lawyer, I could unreservedly march into GW’s headquarters and demand to know Camelia and Toby’s whereabouts.

The more desperate I wanted to study, the less I could focus. My mind was wandering off to cloudland. I only snapped out of it when I felt a familiar warm hand on mine. I lifted my head, and my eyes met Anthony’s.

“Still upset?” Anthony broke the silence.

I lowered my eyes and shook my head. “No.”

If I had any anger, it was directed at me. For ten years, I lived under the protective wings of these two men. I allowed myself to stagnate and cease to flourish.

“Marcus had approached me for help,” Anthony started sharing. “It was before I went overseas. I already promised him I would help him, on the condition he shall not tell you about it. Yet, he still came and stayed a long time with you. And those securities did not notify me. Imagine how disastrous that would be if anything untoward happened, and those irresponsible securities failed to inform me.”

He began to sound resentful, but he suppressed his emotion in front of me. In the end, everything boiled down to him wanting to protect me.

He had my welfare in mind when he made those decisions, and he kept things hushed to protect me. On the other hand, I wanted to help Marcus as I felt indebted to him. Both men did no wrong.

“I am sorry.” I tried giving him a smile, but could only manage a bitter smile. “I used to feel indebted to Marcus only. Now, I can’t face his family as well.”

I always felt a sense of guilt and regret towards Camelia. Yes, we can put the blame on Camelia for not upholding her own dignity and pride. Nonetheless, we cannot deny the fact that if Marcus had not met me, she would not have transformed from a gorgeous princess to a disheveled housewife.

I gave it all to help a stranger like Yvonne, yet I was not as forthcoming when Camelia needed help. I could not forgive myself for this. Even if Camelia and Toby were to return safely, I wonder if I could still be at ease when I meet them in the future.

Suddenly, I felt nauseous. I instinctively covered my mouth, brushed Anthony aside, and ran to the nearest restroom. I bent down to the basin and started retching.

I finally stopped retching after some time. I was slumped on the basin and had one hand clenching my tummy. I looked at myself in the mirror, panting.

I went through pregnancy twice, so I was familiar with morning sickness. Deep in my heart, I knew the in-vitro fertilization procedure was a success, but I could not feel the joy.

When my first child passed away, the whole world was against me. Only Marcus was by my side, and he saved me. However, time and again, I stood by and did nothing when he needed support.

I put my hand to my heart and asked myself. Could I really feign ignorance and innocently continue to nurture a business and family with Anthony while watching Marcus go down the hill?

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