Chapter 90 On What Grounds Are You Trying to Catch Me Red–Handed
The drug’s effects on Marcus dissipated almost completely. The heat subsided, but his face still carried a faint flush. His skin, dampened with water droplets, radiated an unspoken allure.
He remained silent after hearing Natalie’s mockery.
Moments ago, their skirmish outside had left the room in complete disarray. Hearing Emma’s shrill, grating scream, he could easily guess what everyone else would think.
“Stay inside and don’t come out.” His deep, magnetic voice was still a bit hoarse. He exuded an icy authority as he grabbed a towel and casually wiped his upper body before wearing a bathrobe.
“Hide in the bathtub.”
“What? Am I that unsightly?” Natalie arched a brow. “Nothing happened between us, but if you make me hide, it’ll only worsen things.”
He coldly retorted, “If you want my grandfather forcing us to fly abroad to register our marriage, then by all means, step out.”
Natalie was speechless.
Fine. She wouldn’t go out. She had no desire to witness how the Walkers would defend Emma.
But she wasn’t about to crawl into a bathtub, let alone stifle herself in water. Glancing around, she stepped into the wardrobe, closing the door behind her.
1/2
When Marcus emerged from the bathroom, Charles and the Walkers were examining the chaos in his room.
Seeing him, Charles was the first to speak. “Marcus, Emma said a thief broke into your room. Where’s the thief?”
Marcus‘ gaze immediately shifted to Emma. His eyes, as cold as ice, swept her from head to toe, sharp and penetrating.
“Is that what Ms. Walker told you?”
“Otherwise?” Charles raised a brow at him. “Did you go for a shower after fighting the thief? You’re so efficient!”
The Walkers were speechless.
Emma had told them that Marcus had been drugged and that someone tried to take advantage of him. Out of desperation, as his fiancée, she had gathered everyone to break in and catch them in the act.
Now Charles was claiming there had been a thief.
Was he trying to cover for the person who drugged him? Or was he just protecting Marcus‘ reputation?
Marcus would likely welcome an excuse to end this engagement. If something like this had happened, he probably wouldn’t care about his dignity.
Marcus had politely and firmly discussed breaking off the engagement with William back at the Walker residence, even offering compensation to the Walker family and Emma.
William declined compensation, stating that as long as Emma willingly accepted the breakup, the engagement would be null and void. Regardless of whether Marcus and Emma became a couple, the relationship between the two families would remain unchanged.
William was supportive of ending the engagement. However, Emma, who had been spoiled her entire life, was unwilling to let go. Her obsessive love for Marcus had become clear to the Walker family after what she told Timothy.
Earlier, when they had entered the room, Emma’s screams had shaken William to his core.
“Mr. Holden Senior,” Emma said with red eyes. She swayed slightly, digging her nails into her palms to steady herself and forcing herself to stay calm.
“It’s good to see that Marcus is okay. I was being impulsive.”
She forced a smile, maintaining her poise. “I apologize for overreacting earlier. I heard noises and became overly worried about Marcus.
“Marcus, I’m sorry. I knocked and rang the bell, but no one answered. I was afraid something had happened to you.”
“But Emma, didn’t you say we were here to catch them red–handed?” Mason asked, scratching his head in confusion. “Mr. Holden Senior knows the reason we’re here, why did he say there’s a thief?”
The moment Mason’s words landed, the room fell into a dead silence, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Even Charles looked a little embarrassed.
After a long pause, Marcus‘ low, magnetic voice broke the silence, commanding and oppressive. “Catching us red–handed? Hmm?”
“Ms. Walker, may I know on what grounds you are trying to catch me red–handed?
“Have I ever officially established a relationship with you? Did we ever hold an engagement banquet? Have I ever declared to anyone that you are my fiancée or girlfriend?
“You are nothing to me. What right do you have to catch me in the act?”
Emma’s already pale face drained of its last shred of color. “Marcus, I’ve known since I was a child that I’m your fiancée, who’s destined to marry you someday. I admit that using the term ‘catching you red–handed‘ was wrong, but I was only worried about you.”
She struggled to maintain her composure, clinging to her grace and elegance. “Mr. Holden Senior also acknowledges my status as his granddaughter–in–law.
“Wesley and Laura have said countless times that I’m meant to marry you.”
Marcus interrupted her bluntly. “That’s what they said. Did they ever ask me?
“Ms. Walker, have I ever done anything to make you believe I like you?
“No.”
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