Chapter 49: Chapter 35: His kindness, most of it has ulterior motives 1
Only if this conclusion is true could Aunt Clare be so certain that the child born of the ’mistress’ would never be able to save Marilyn Quinn.
Howard frowned and said coldly, "If you can’t even do such a simple thing right, what use are you to me?"
Jason Wood, who had kept his head bowed, turned pale and quickly added, "Although Alexander Quentin may have hidden Miss Quentin’s parentage very well, I found out that before his death, he established a private safe deposit box at Smooth Bank. According to the bank’s administrator, Alexander Quentin stipulated that only Miss Quentin herself could access this safe deposit box. I think if Miss Quentin’s parentage truly is questionable, then the safe deposit box Alexander Quentin left for her must contain the secret of her identity."
Jason Wood had finally said something useful. Howard mulled it over for a moment.
Jason Wood spoke again, his voice hesitant, "Boss, I’ve done my best to make inroads with Smooth Bank, but as you know, they have their principles. However, I can try to work through the manager of this bank."
"I’ll give you one week to take care of this."
"Yes."
"Get out!"
Silently thanking God for the reprieve, Jason Wood spoke up again, "Er, Boss, there’s one more thing... Aunt Clare called Miss Quentin today. The call was about Alexander Quentin being summoned by the court again..."
「The hotel.」
As soon as Howard opened the door, the lovely creature inside immediately threw herself into his arms.
"Howard..."
A sweet, honeyed call, enough to melt a man’s heart in an instant.
Howard hugged Christine Quinn back. After catching the tantalizing aroma of food wafting from the room, he gently eased the person clinging to him away and asked softly, "You cooked?"
Christine Quinn nodded happily, then slipped out of Howard’s embrace. She excitedly pulled Howard’s hand, leading him to the dining table, and declared proudly, "Look! I cooked all of these myself, and they’re all your favorite dishes."
Looking at the array of colorful, fragrant, and delicious Flowery Kingdom dishes before him, Howard suddenly became lost in thought.
He remembered a time he’d suddenly craved her cooking. But she was confined to her sickbed, so he’d gone home and mentioned it to a certain woman... That particular woman had never cooked in her life. The food prepared by the household staff couldn’t satisfy his discerning palate, yet because they were husband and wife, she had attempted to cook for him herself... Who would have thought that not only did she fail to produce a meal, but she nearly burned down the kitchen in the process? In the end, her face smudged with soot, she had presented the scorched food to him and said with a childlike air, "Try it. I did my best!"
"Howard, Howard..."
"Hm?"
Christine wrapped her arms around Howard’s waist, pouting. "What are you thinking about? You haven’t even praised me! I got several blisters on my hands from cooking this whole meal."
Howard took Christine’s fair hand. Seeing the angry red blisters on the back of it, he gently kissed the spot and said with affection, "You’ve worked hard."
Christine stood on her tiptoes and kissed Howard’s handsome cheek, murmuring gently, "It wasn’t hard at all. But you have to eat every last bite."
Howard smiled slightly. "Of course."
Christine then helped Howard off with his suit jacket, loosened his tie, and carefully tucked a napkin for him.
And so, Christine rested her chin on her hands, watching him eat with a sweet expression...
After the meal, just as Christine was about to step out and call a waiter to clear the table, Howard reached out and pulled her into his arms.
The door was closed. Howard sat down on the sofa, holding Christine in his lap.
Sitting on Howard’s lap, Christine blushed and mumbled, "Wh-what are you doing? I still need to call a waiter to clear the table..."
Howard nuzzled Christine’s neck, his kisses soft and lingering, his voice husky as he murmured, "Christine, it seems there’s something you haven’t told me..."
Christine squirmed, feeling a little ticklish. Dodging Howard’s kisses, she asked, "What is it?"
Howard continued his kisses, but his tone turned a shade colder. "You know I don’t like it when people play dumb with me."
In that instant, Christine sprang from Howard’s lap and snapped, her tone sharp, "Alright, yes! I was the one who sued Alexander Quentin!"
Howard leaned back against the sofa, a flicker of displeasure in his shadowed eyes. "I told you I would handle your affairs."
At this, Christine shook her head vehemently and suddenly burst into sobs.
Howard rose and pulled Christine into his arms, saying tenderly, "I was just asking. Why are you crying?"
Christine pounded her small fists lightly against Howard’s chest, her voice choked with sobs. "You lied to me! Why did you lie to me? It wasn’t until today that I found out! For the two years I was in the hospital, all the news I saw on TV and in the newspapers—it was all manipulated by your orders! For these past two years, I had no idea you were already married to another woman. And that woman is the precious daughter of the person I hate most in this world!!"