Chapter 929
Chapter 929:
His thoughts churned until he felt sick, but all he could do was lie there in silence, swallowing everything until he finally let out a helpless sigh.
“It’s fair,” he told himself. “In my condition… I can’t drag Anika down with me p>
“Keep trying to contact Marcel,” Annabel said earnestly into the phone, eyes fixed on her computer screen. “And notify the PR department to handle this before we speak to him. Our top priority is to suppress the reports and put out a distraction for the public p>
Annabel knew Marcel had liked Anika for a long time. But she also knew Anika would be shattered if her private life became entertainment fodder.
Ever since Ellis had called Candace about the North Bay plan, Candace had been anxious for nearly a week. But Rupert had been tight-lipped, locking himself in his study and refusing to mention anything. Even when Candace tried to ask, he always steered the conversation somewhere else.
One day, just as Candace’s nerves were stretched to the limit, Ellis called again.
“How is everything going?” Ellis asked coldly. “It’s been seven days. When are you giving me the North Bay plan p>
Candace’s brow creased. She had always been afraid of Ellis, and even after all these years, his voice still made her tense.
“I haven’t gotten it yet…” she said carefully. “Ellis, please give me more time. I’ve tried to bring it up with Rupert, but he always changes the subject. And I don’t have access to the study. Just give me a little longer—I’ll find a way p>
“I’ll repeat myself,” Ellis said, his tone sharpening with unmistakable menace. “How you obtain the plan is your problem. I only care about the result p>
He paused, then continued, each word pressing down like a threat.
“Candace, I don’t have the time or patience to wait the way you do. I’m giving you three more days. If you can’t deliver the plan, you know the consequences p>
With that ultimatum, Ellis ended the call.
Candace felt panic wash over her as she lowered her phone. Ellis’s threats echoed in her mind. He had been pushing her relentlessly—sometimes even calling when Rupert was in the apartment. If she hadn’t been careful, Rupert would have noticed by now.
This couldn’t go on.
Candace realized she had to marry Rupert as soon as possible.
That evening, when Rupert came home, he found Candace cooking dinner in a black lace nightgown. The fitted fabric emphasized every curve.
Rupert’s brows knit faintly. It was obvious what she was trying to do.
After a brief pause, he picked up a light coat from the sofa and draped it over her shoulders. “Why are you dressed so lightly? You need to take care of yourself. Don’t get sick p>
“Hi, Ron,” Candace said brightly, smiling as if nothing was wrong. She took his hand and placed it against her waist. “Why are you home so late? I wasn’t feeling well, so I got out of bed. You’ve been so busy lately, and I miss you so much, Ron p>
As she spoke, she turned off the stove, then wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his shoulder.
Rupert glanced down at her, then stepped back. “Let me change first. I just got home from work,” he said calmly. “And don’t forget to put on a coat. You don’t want to catch a cold, alright p>