Chapter 179

Yvonne Dylan choked up, his eyes moist. I was about to comfort him when someone addressed me in the local Elysiumville accent. “Are you… Yvonne?”

I froze, regarding the suddenly appeared man with vigilance. “Do you know me?” I asked.

Dylan quickly shielded me, confronting the man. “What do you want?”

A smile touched the man’s handsome face. “I am Marlon’s friend.”

Those few words eased our tension, but we remained skeptical. “Evidence?” I frowned, watching him closely.

His smile deepened. He produced his phone, dialed Marlon’s number before me, and then handed it to me. I took it, my heart pounding.

This border area was rife with human and organ trafficking. Except for Dylan, I trusted no one here. Marlon had mentioned connections with forces in the neighboring country, and Ethan had been there on a mission. If this man intended harm, we were defenseless. I could only gamble on his good faith.

The phone was put to my ear; soon, I heard a familiar voice.

Meanwhile, in Elysiumville, the Parker Group and Marlon continued their business discussions at the Parker Group headquarters. Marlon learned en route that Hayden was remarrying soon. Already displeased with Hayden, this news clenched his fists; he wished to kill the man. He thought, "It's infuriating that Hayden, after our clashes, remains unscathed!"

Nevin, aware of Marlon’s animosity toward Hayden, waited at the company. Nevin had matured significantly since his return from sea. Hayden was listless; without intervention, the Parker family faced ruin.

Seeing Marlon enter, Nevin smiled, “Mr. Warner, long time no see. You look well.” His playboy past had its advantages; social graces learned from friends proved useful.

Marlon remained unconcerned. “Where is Mr. Hayden?” he coldly inquired.

“My brother is dealing with something and will be here soon,” Nevin replied smoothly.

This was a subtle rebuke; Nevin wanted Marlon to understand Hayden's importance. "Is he busy marrying a new wife?” Marlon sneered, fuming that Yvonne remained missing while Hayden rushed into remarriage.

Nevin was taken aback; he'd been shocked by the news himself. However, he couldn't disparage Hayden to an outsider. “Mr. Warner, Yvonne and Hayden weren't destined. You can't expect him to never remarry, right?” he rationalized. Remarriage after a spouse's death was natural, though half a month since Yvonne’s passing felt premature.

Marlon sneered, “Who Mr. Hayden marries is inconsequential, but Yvonne's devotion to such a man is tragic.”

Nevin lost patience, dropping his pretense. “Don’t act like a saint! Don't think I don’t know you have feelings for Yvonne!”

Marlon chuckled. “You figured it out? Impressive…”

“How dare you!” Nevin slammed his hand on the table, rising to his feet. He felt no need for politeness, particularly with a man who'd shown interest in Yvonne.

“Calm down,” Marlon cautioned, his smile lacking warmth. “Even Hayden wouldn't dare speak to me like that.”

Nevin's anger flared at this arrogance. He was about to explode when Richard opened the meeting room door.

Hayden entered. “Nevin, get out,” he said flatly, his lips thin.

Nevin, teeth clenched, obeyed, snorting before leaving.

Marlon watched his resentful departure. "Your brother's quite a character," he remarked to Hayden.

Richard silently agreed.

“I’ll discipline him. Don’t worry, Mr. Warner,” Hayden said impassively, pivoting to business. “Let’s talk business.”

Richard presented two contracts. “Mr. Warner, this is the shopping mall contract…”

This new shopping mall, a joint Parker Group and Warner family venture, had been planned for six months; both sides had invested heavily. However, Marlon ignored them, coldly asking, "I heard you're getting married. How can you do this to Yvonne?"

Hayden frowned, avoiding the subject. “Mr. Warner, aren’t you here to sign the contract?”

The $300 million investment promised annual revenue exceeding $100 million for both parties, yet it paled in comparison to Marlon's concerns. Since learning of Yvonne's death, Marlon had no intention of cooperating. Money was meaningless; he felt only sorrow for Yvonne.

“I won’t easily cooperate with a man so heartless and unjust to his deceased wife,” Marlon said, eyes filled with disgust.

Hayden’s jaw tightened; his aura shifted.

Richard intervened. “This is Mr. Parker’s personal matter. It shouldn't affect our cooperation, right?” He also questioned Hayden's haste to remarry, thinking, Mr. Parker was never close to women before... how has he become so impetuous?