Chapter 8

Cordelia’s smile went stiff as a spark of sorrow flickered in her heart.

Linda was right. Marriage was for life, and she had gotten married mindlessly. She had not even gotten to date properly. It was true that she was letting go of her happiness for life. However…

She pressed her lips together before chuckling. “It’s not so sad. I actually want to thank Marcus. If he hadn’t married me, I wouldn’t have gotten $40,000!”

As long as her mother recovered and her younger brother was able to study and live well, that would be her greatest joy.

“Okay, I’ll stop here!” Cordelia was in a hurry to hang up. “I’m going back today for the money. I’ll tell you the good news when I get it!”

Cordelia carefully tucked her phone back into her bag and soon reached the busiest street in Jangasas. As she stood on the street and watched the bustling life before her, it felt like a lifetime had passed.

…

“Oh, you’re back, Cordelia!” Yelena’s shrill voice dripped with mockery as she came downstairs and scanned Cordelia haughtily.

Yelena wondered if Cordelia had had it easy in the past few days. Once she thought of the fact that Cordelia was married to a broke man, who was also an infamous thug, she could not help the glee that filled her up.

She had lost to Cordelia in almost everything since they were kids. Even when the latter had worn old clothes, people had complimented her beauty.

Cordelia had a mild temperament, and people liked her. She was even good at studying.

She had been like a sore thumb to Yelena since forever. Even when Cordelia had no intention of harming her, she took every opportunity she had and resorted to every means possible to make the former’s life difficult.

Yelena thought that Cordelia had deserved to replace her and marry Marcus. It was just that she did not find it satisfying. She wanted to see Cordelia do worse and live even more miserably.

“Cordelia, does it feel great being married?” Yelena tugged at Cordelia’s hand in feigned friendliness, her smile deceitful.

“I heard that the older generation used to get married at their parents’ orders and didn’t see each other before their wedding night… Hah, you went retro too, huh!”

Cordelia laughed dryly and lightly pulled her hand out.

She felt nothing for this family. All she wanted was to leave as soon as she got the money and have nothing to do with the Jenners from now on.

“I heard that my brother-in-law’s been behind bars several times for fighting in the past?” Yelena’s gaze was offending as she smirked.

“What does he do now? Does he have a proper job? How is he taking care of you otherwise?!

“If he really can’t find a job, I can help him! Heh. I can recommend him for some good jobs, you know, like construction work or port labor. It would fit him, right? Or he could join the company. The security guards need a dog. He can take the spot!”

Cordelia’s eyes snapped up to her.

Yelena felt her heart give a squeeze. The impression she had of Cordelia was that she was a pushover. It seemed that there was something different in the girl’s gaze today.

Cordelia took a deep breath and kept her eyes on Yelena as she said clearly, “My husband has some flaws, but this doesn’t affect his ability to be the breadwinner of the family. Besides, even if he really wanted to look for a job, we wouldn’t come to you. You can keep the good jobs you mentioned for my future brother-in-law!”

“You—”

Affronted, Yelena scowled. “Cordelia, who do you think you’re talking to?”

“What?” Cordelia asked flatly. “Working construction, port labor, or as a security dog… You think these are great jobs, don’t you? You’re helping us by asking my husband to do them, so isn’t it considerate of me as a sister to ask you to keep them for your future husband?”

Yelena was annoyed. She had never known Cordelia to have such a sharp tongue.

“Hah, only you’d defend a man like that like he’s some gem!”

Yelena rolled her eyes with a purse of her lips and sashayed up the staircase, scoffing as she walked up. “Don’t think I don’t know what you wanted by coming back today… Heh, dad’s not home, though. Coming here was a waste of your time!”

“What did you say?”

Cordelia’s heart thumped as she immediately had a sense of premonition.