His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 697

Jareth carried Marilla back to their room.

In just a few moves, he removed the white cotton dress stained with paint from her body, and carried her snow-white figure into the bathroom.

The bathtub was filled with steam, and the man gingerly placed her into it. He was afraid that he would not be able to control himself, so he didn't get in with her. Instead, he sat on the edge of the bathtub, rolled up his black shirt sleeves, and gently wiped her delicate skin with a cloth.

He found that the girl, who had been plumper thanks to his care, had recently lost weight. Her flat belly, her cool collarbones, her pointed chin.

Jareth tightly pursed his lips, unable to suppress the pain in his heart.

He suddenly began to regret.

If he hadn't taken on the responsibility, he could have spent every day with Eleanor. Wouldn't their life be sweet and splendid?

But if he didn't fight for it, the Fairhaven Group would eventually fall into the hands of Gary.

No way.

He'd rather see Fairhaven Group destroyed than let that bastard Gary have his way!

“Hmm.”

Marilla slowly opened her drowsy eyes, saw her lover’s handsome face, and suddenly became awake, staring blankly for a moment.

"Ah, I woke you. It’s my fault, I’m so clumsy,” Jareth frowned, a rueful smile on his face.

Suddenly, there was a splash.

Marilla’s white and tender body emerged from the water, her slender arms tightly hugged his neck, and she sobbed loudly.

Hot tears fell one by one onto Jareth's shoulder as she cried. He was frightened, his arms wrapped around her smooth body, wishing he could embed her into his very being.

“What’s wrong? Who bullied my wife and made her cry so sadly?"

Jareth asked anxiously, but Marilla just cried.

She was scared, so very scared.

She was afraid that Jareth would do dangerous things for her again.

She was afraid of the darkness of night, afraid of waking up in the morning without him by her side, afraid that he would get into trouble and be arrested.

Before, she was afraid of losing him.

Now, she just wanted him to be safe and sound.

"Could you come home early?" Marilla asked, her eyes red from crying.

"So, you missed me."

Jareth let out a sigh of relief, his cool lips grazing her damp, thin shoulders, kissing her inch by inch before finally nibbling at her shoulder.

"Marilla, just a few more days. Soon, we'll be inseparable."

That night, they didn't make love.

Jareth had been too tired lately, and after getting into bed with his sweet-smelling wife, he quickly fell asleep.

But Marilla kept her eyes open until dawn.

In the morning, she pretended to be calm, knelt on the bed, and tied Jareth's tie for him.

In the past, Jareth had never been as meticulous as Thaddeus, nor did he wear ties, thinking they were too restrictive. He mostly wore casual suits, which, combined with his tall and handsome figure, gave him a lazy and charming allure.

But now, it was time to be so causal anymore.

So Marilla learned how to tie ties. At first, she was slow, and the knot wasn’t pretty. But Jareth never minded; however she tied them, he'd wear them to work.

Now, with practice, her nimble fingers could quickly tie a full Windsor knot.

"Jareth, all set."

Before Marilla finished speaking, her waist was suddenly embraced by the man, and his lips pressed heavily onto hers.

His tongue easily pried her lips apart, his straight nose brushing against her soft pink nose, sending waves of electric bliss through them both.

Jareth felt the woman in his arms gradually soften, like a piece of almost-melted, delectable white chocolate.

Early in the morning, and the flames were kindled.

Suddenly, he didn't want to go to work.

As he claimed her lips, he reached to untie his tie.

Marilla whispered, her face flushed, holding his large hand, "It's already tied. Don't mess it up. Wait until you come back."

“All right, then I’ll make up for it tonight," Jareth's voice was husky with desire, his breath tickling her ear.

She blushed and nodded shyly.

Lily had prepared breakfast, and it was almost time, but she stood at the door, not daring to disturb them.

She could hear the intimate sounds inside, the endless sweet nothings, her lips curling up slightly.

After all, the young master always lingered with his lady until the last moment before leaving.

"Honey, I have a little gift for you."

Jareth lifted Marilla's delicate body and placed her in front of the dressing table chair, then opened the narrow jewelry box.

"Ah, how beautiful!" The brilliant light of the white jade hairpin caught her eye, making her exclaim in admiration.

"I know you don't like jewelry; all those pieces I bought you, you've never worn once. But this one, I hope you’ll wear it. I'll put it on you myself."

Jareth stood behind her, his large hand gently gathering her soft long hair, somewhat clumsily following Lily's instructions to tie Marilla’s hair up.

"Lily, I'll be fine," Marilla reassured her, squeezing her hand—a hand roughened by life, yet gentle in its touch. "If you're worried, you can wait here for me. If there’s any danger, you can rush in to save me, right?"

With a reluctant nod, Lily conceded. “All right then, Madam. I’ll stand there. If you feel uncomfortable, text me immediately."

Marilla nodded obediently and followed the crowd into the auditorium.

As the event commenced and the doors closed, Marilla, her courage waning, found a secluded spot at the back to sit. The sight of a grand piano on stage sent a shiver through her spine, and memories accompanying her school days, what she’d buried deep within, threatened to resurface.

The celebration was about to begin. Lights on stage brightened as the rest dimmed, and the hum of conversation quieted to a whisper.

Marilla, her gaze lowered, hesitant to look towards the stage for the moment. The black piano, in her eyes, resembled a giant monster waiting to devour her at any moment.

At this moment, the click-clack of high heels approached from behind, getting closer, stopping abruptly by her row.

Marilla kept her head down, but she could clearly feel someone taking a seat beside her.

"It's been a long time, Marilla."

The familiar, coquettish voice, laced with mockery and teasing, felt like a sharp blade slicing across Marilla’s trachea, instantly cutting her breath!

A cold dread surged within her heart, causing her shoulders to tremble uncontrollably in panic.

“You really are fearless when loved and backed up. Having my brother’s support is quite something, isn’t it?”

Edith, with her sunglasses and sardonic smile, her vivid red lips curling coldly. “After all, we were classmates. And should you marry my brother, I'll be your sister-in-law. Ignoring me like this doesn't seem proper, does it?"

Marilla’s breath hitched, her grip tightening on her phone.

She remembered Lily’s instructions, but after hesitating, she didn’t send the message.

After all, Edith is Jareth’s sister, and Lily is just a subordinate. What good would messaging do? It would only bring trouble to Lily, and she didn't want to embarrass her.

“What do you want to say to me?" Marilla whispered; her voice barely audible.

Edith's legs crossed, her slender fingers tapping rapidly on her knee, playing a silent tune.

Yet, it was deafening to Marilla!

A tremendous shadow loomed over her.

"I want to discuss my brother with you.” The sunglasses concealed the sinister gleam in Edith's eyes, "You must know what he’s been busy with, don’t you? His early departures and late returns, his endless obligations—it’s all for the Fairhaven Group. He’s just a step away from the presidency."

Marilla remained silent.

Of course, she knew. She knew all too well how Jareth had given his all to reach where he was today.

"Despite grandfather's favor, Jareth's position in the Fairhaven Group is precarious. My second uncle, Grandfather’s only remaining son, has deeper experience and more right to be the heir. This means, even if my brother does attain the presidency, his situation will be fraught with danger, like walking on thin ice. Ah, telling you all this, I wonder if you, idiot that you are, can understand."

"I'm not an idiot."

Confronted with such blatant disrespect, Marilla mustered unprecedented courage, her eyes reddening as she looked at her, "I'm not an idiot stop saying that about me!"