Chapter 71

Outside Pink Zone, two cars screeched to a halt before the entrance. Two bodyguards opened the doors, and Mackenzie ushered Beatrix inside. Beatrix, more accurately, ran to keep up with her long-legged cousin. Even Rat and Samuel hesitated; the women's imposing presence clearly indicated wealth.

Milani, curious about the commotion, strained to see who had arrived, but Mackenzie moved too quickly. Lexi had again asked about Emmanuel's whereabouts, but Milani doubted even Lexi's arrival would cause such a stir. Who was it?

Inside, Emmanuel pondered contacting Yoel. Noticing Xylie's tattered clothing, he gallantly offered his coat. As he removed it, the private room door opened. He stared, dumbfounded. "Ms. Quillen? Why are you here?"

Mackenzie's expression was icy. Without answering, she entered. Beatrix followed, taking in the scene. She teased her enraged cousin, "Wow! Even the greatest men fall for beauty. You must be exceptional to attract this much attention."

Emmanuel glared. "Ms. Beatrix, watch your words!"

"Hmph. Exceptional? Why flatter him? Does a shameless man deserve such a compliment?"

Beatrix was astonished by Mackenzie's ruthlessness. This was a completely different side of her. "Emmanuel, I must have been a horrible person in past lives to meet you. Even wild animals would refuse to eat your corpse!"

Emmanuel could only smile wryly. He'd known Mackenzie as indifferent, but today, he witnessed her sharp wit and eloquent insults. A truly capable woman!

Even Beatrix, after twenty years, had never seen this side of Mackenzie. No wonder she was furious. It was late; Emmanuel was at a bar, undressing with a hostess. Mackenzie had always considered him a gentleman, even prepared to follow him home. But that perception shattered today. She wouldn't go home with a man gallivanting and apparently about to engage in fornication.

"Calm down! Maybe it's not what you think," Beatrix said, her amusement evident as she watched Xylie and Emmanuel. Emmanuel was unforgiving to both men and women; he'd even ripped the woman's clothes. Had Mackenzie arrived later, the scene would have been even more dramatic.

"Calm down?" Mackenzie scoffed. "I saw a man and woman alone, the woman's clothes disarrayed, the man undressing. They were about to have sex. My husband is cheating, so how can I stay calm?"

"Ms. Quillen, hear me out," Emmanuel said, waiting for her tirade to end.

"Ha! Scumbag!"

Chapter 72

Mackenzie refused to listen, slapping him before storming out. Beatrix was stunned. Mackenzie was furious and beyond composure.

"Hear me out, Ms. Quillen!" Emmanuel grabbed her wrist, determined to explain despite the slap.

Xylie, panicked, sat silently. She was beautiful. Were they a couple? Why did he call her Ms. Quillen?

"Hmph! Thirty seconds. Let's see your excuses," Mackenzie said, struggling against his grip. No man had ever dared to hold her hand.

"Right! Hurry and make up a story—I mean, explain! Who knows, we might believe you!" Beatrix urged, though she didn't mean it.

"I was working on the company logo. This was an accident!" Emmanuel stated truthfully.

"Wow, a refreshing way to brag," Mackenzie said disbelievingly, leaving. Beatrix stuck out her tongue and followed. Emmanuel was doomed.

"Ms. Quillen!" Emmanuel chased them, his project and Xylie forgotten. He was trying to bring Mackenzie home! His mother would be disappointed; he'd embarrass himself in front of his uncles. The project no longer mattered.

To lose him, Mackenzie told her driver to speed and take shortcuts. She had to get home and lock the door.

"Driver, faster! Catch that car!" Emmanuel urged his taxi driver.

The driver cautioned, "You can't force someone to love you. Why are you stalking her? You could go to jail!"

"Stalking? That's my wife! Two hundred if you catch up!" Emmanuel snapped.

"Your wife? Hold on tight!" The driver floored the accelerator. But a taxi couldn't catch a luxury car. The distance widened, and her car disappeared.

Then, an MPV emerged from a dark alley, forcing Mackenzie's car to stop. The screeching tires broke the night's silence.

Mackenzie's driver wanted to yell at the MPV driver, but burly, armed men exited a Mercedes-Benz. Terrified, the driver retreated.

"Mackenzie, what's happening? Are they robbing us?" Beatrix asked.

"Don't worry. I'm here," Mackenzie said, ordering the driver, "I'll get out soon. Drive to safety and call the police!"

"No! What about you?" Beatrix protested, but the commotion escalated.

"Get out!" the leader yelled, shattering the car window with a metal rod. Glass shards flew, injuring them.

Chapter 73

Two more men smashed the rear window with hammers.

"I'm scared, Mackenzie!" Beatrix clung to her in fear.

"Reverse!" Mackenzie commanded, remaining calm.

The driver reversed, forcing the men back. Mackenzie jumped out, leaving the men to surround her while the driver took Beatrix to safety. But another car blocked their escape—Emmanuel's.

"What a fool!" Mackenzie fumed. He was blocking Beatrix's escape.

She didn't have time to scold him; the men charged. Mackenzie swiftly grabbed one, breaking his arm. Her driver was stunned; she'd defeated him in one move. He looked at the trembling Beatrix. They'd grown up together; why were they so different?

Beatrix thundered, "What are you looking at? We're just different!"

Mackenzie defeated three more men. Then, she felt a blow from behind. She tried to defend herself, but failed. The man was too quick. He was a trained killer.

Noticing Mackenzie's disadvantage, Beatrix screamed, "Watch out!"

The man grabbed Mackenzie's wrists; a metal rod swung toward her. Beatrix was horrified.

Thud!

At that moment, a man shielded Mackenzie, catching the rod.

"Emmanuel!" Mackenzie was shocked. He looked brave and cool.

"How dare you hurt my wife! I'll kill you!" Emmanuel roared.

"Fool!" The man swung at Emmanuel, but he caught the rod easily. Mackenzie was stunned; she couldn't break free, but Emmanuel handled the man with ease. He punched the man, shattering his teeth.

"Wow! That's cool!" Beatrix clapped excitedly. She was no longer worried. Emmanuel was powerful!

Seeing Emmanuel's skill, the remaining men fled.

"Don't let them run!" Mackenzie pursued them.

Emmanuel felt helpless. He knew his wife was indifferent, but this tough? Beatrix saw it coming; Mackenzie would pursue those who attacked her.

"Be careful!" Emmanuel shouted. He sensed danger.

The fleeing men threw daggers. Emmanuel pounced, pushing Mackenzie down, shielding her from the blades. The stunned men fled.

"Hey, are you alright?" Mackenzie sat up, checking Emmanuel.

"Ms. Quillen will you come home with me to see my mother tomorrow?" Emmanuel held her hand, staring passionately.

"How can you ask that now?" Mackenzie worried about the daggers.

"Promise me!" Emmanuel stammered. His mother had prepared everything. Rejection would devastate her.

"I didn't say I wasn't going back," Mackenzie replied, never giving direct promises.

Emmanuel chuckled. She hadn't said no.

"Haha! Let's go!" Beatrix told the driver, knowing Emmanuel wasn't hurt; he'd done it to scare Mackenzie. If Mackenzie found out, he was doomed!

"Won't Ms. Mackenzie be angry if we leave?" the driver hesitated.

"Are you scared of me? If we don't go, we'll be third-wheeling!" Beatrix glared. "Leave now, or you're fired! I'll defend you if Mackenzie scolds you tomorrow!"

The driver sped off. Mackenzie, unaware, touched Emmanuel's back. Sweat, not blood! Three daggers lay on the ground; none had hit him!

"You were pretending!" Mackenzie realized. She'd been fooled.

"I wasn't pretending! I was tired!" Emmanuel laughed.

"Go to hell!" Mackenzie stormed off. Her car was gone! She'd scold the driver.

Emmanuel ran after her. "I didn't say I was hurt, did I?"

Mackenzie snorted, ignoring him.

"Should we call the police? Do you know who sent them?" Emmanuel asked.

"Of course. Gautier!"

Chapter 74

"The Verkades company is our rival. They wanted to get rid of me to steal the project!" Mackenzie deduced.

Emmanuel realized something. Mackenzie only used derogatory terms for him. She was angry at Gautier, but not as angry as with him. Did she really hate him that much?

"What are you waiting for? Get a taxi and let's go home!" Mackenzie kicked him.

Instead, Emmanuel asked, "What about the logo? I worked at the bar to get Cloud Construction to finish it!"

Mackenzie learned the truth; he hadn't been cheating.

Chapter 74: Mackenzie Is Falling For That Man

Mackenzie had thought Emmanuel was fooling around, but his sincerity changed her mind.

"Seriously, forcing that man to work by tomorrow?" Mackenzie was amused.

Emmanuel nodded firmly. Mackenzie wanted to laugh; he was dense, but serious.

"Forget it. Send them the original picture and tell them to finish it!"

"Uh what about the ribbon-cutting ceremony?" Emmanuel asked.

"I'll handle it," Mackenzie confidently replied.

Emmanuel hailed a taxi, but remained in the car upon arriving at the residence.

"Hey! Where are you going?" Mackenzie was annoyed. It was past midnight.

"I'm going to find Mr. Larson. You're safe now. I won't be coming home tonight. Sleep tight!" Emmanuel said, leaving.

"What a fool!" Mackenzie fumed. No one defied her orders! But she knew he couldn't settle it.

The next day, she learned Cloud Construction had finished the logo. She was shocked and smiled briefly. Beatrix noticed. Was Mackenzie falling for him?

After the meeting, Mackenzie found Emmanuel sleeping on the couch, snoring. She hated snoring men, but she could have woken him or stopped the snoring. She hesitated, then let him sleep.

He woke the next morning, covered by a blanket. Mackenzie was tending plants. He found her beautiful, an angel.

He snapped back to reality when she glanced at him. She was still cold.

"Why did you cover me? I'm not dead!" Emmanuel asked.

Mackenzie glared. "You were snoring. You're lucky I didn't kill you!"

He thanked her for not killing him and for agreeing to return home.

"I'll wash up, and we can leave," Emmanuel said, taking her silence as consent.

"Let's take my car," Mackenzie said.

She was beautiful, even without makeup. This changed Emmanuel's view of women.

"My family lives in an underdeveloped area. Your car will attract attention!" Emmanuel said, knowing she had a Maserati.

Mackenzie snorted. She was already driving a cheap car to appear poor.

"Take my car!" she demanded.

"Alright!" Emmanuel obeyed, fearing she'd change her mind.

A private detective reported to Terence. Terence was thrilled. He'd soon have a great-grandchild! He'd worried Emmanuel couldn't handle Mackenzie, but she was willing to go home with him. Emmanuel was capable! He went to meet Emmanuel's parents.

There was no parking, so they parked on the side of the road. Emmanuel took a chicken, duck, gifts, and fruit from the trunk. Mackenzie, with mysophobia, was disgusted. Why bring food?

"Let me carry something," Mackenzie said, not wanting to give a bad impression.

"Huh?" Emmanuel was flattered. She'd never offered to help before.

"Here's a chicken," he said, handing her one. Mackenzie regretted it instantly.

Chapter 76

"Mom, we're home!" Emmanuel exclaimed. Everyone stood up, Alessandra and Roselynn most anxiously.

"Quick, let's see Manny's wife!" Jack Lowe exclaimed. Jack was Benny's son, Emmanuel's cousin.

Jack always looked down on Emmanuel. He doubted an eighty-thousand-a-year man could marry a high-quality woman. He was eager to compare his wife to Emmanuel's. He expected an older, unsophisticated woman.

Jack's jaw dropped when he saw Mackenzie. Such beauty!

Everyone was stunned. Even Ryder's six-year-old son said, "Daddy, Uncle Manny's wife is prettier than Uncle Jack's wife! And Mommy!"

The atmosphere turned awkward.

Jack approached Mackenzie enthusiastically, wanting to shake her hand. He thought his wife's skin couldn't compare.

Mackenzie simply nodded, placing the chicken on the ground. She'd judged his character; he'd withdrawn his hand from his wife to reach for hers.

Jack's expression soured. Attractiveness didn't excuse rudeness.

"Hey, you're Mackenzie! You didn't need to bring the chicken," Alessandra said, scolding Emmanuel, "Why make your wife carry it?"

Emmanuel smiled wryly. Roselynn defended him. Alessandra's comment struck a chord with Mackenzie.

Alessandra welcomed them inside but didn't touch Mackenzie, sensing her aloofness.

Chapter 77

Emmanuel smiled bitterly as everyone gathered around Mackenzie, ignoring him. As he put down his things, Ryder called, "Manny!"

"Yes, Ryder?" Emmanuel sensed trouble in his cousin's frown.

"Manny, do you have extra money?" Ryder asked bluntly.

"What's wrong? Financial difficulty?" Emmanuel asked, willing to help.

"It's Abellyn. She owes eighty thousand from a poker game!" Ryder despaired. He'd asked Jack for help but failed.

"That's a lot! Who did she play with?" Emmanuel was surprised; he might not be able to help.

"Wealthy second-generation entrepreneurs. It's my fault," Ryder sighed.

Emmanuel knew Ryder's situation. Ryder had married a stunning woman despite average looks and income. Rumors suggested she'd had dubious past employment, but Emmanuel didn't judge her. Abellyn gambled and shopped excessively, worsening their finances. The debt was disastrous.

Ryder's experience influenced Emmanuel's views on marriage.

"When's the deadline?" Emmanuel asked.

"Today, or they'll take my wife to a bathhouse to pay the debt!" Ryder said, near tears.

Chapter 77: Good Samaritan

Ryder loved his wife dearly. The thought of her working at a bathhouse disgraced him and their son.

"Today?" Emmanuel was in a dilemma. He couldn't think of a solution except borrowing from Mackenzie, but he'd already borrowed substantially.

"Can you help, Manny? You're my only hope. I'll kneel if I must!" Ryder offered to kneel.

"No, please don't!" Emmanuel helped him up.

"What are you doing, Manny? Why leave your wife?" Roselynn called from the living room.

Roselynn wanted to help Ryder but doubted she could. She also worried Emmanuel's actions might strain his relationship with his wife.

"I'll be out in a minute!" Emmanuel said. "Calm down, Ryder. I'll figure something out, but I need to be with my wife."

Chapter 78

Emmanuel sighed. "How about you call the creditor? I'll talk to him." Ryder had helped him in the past.

Ryder called. The creditor was arrogant, refusing an extension.

"You brat! Do you know who I am? My dad is the CEO of Yanberg Group!"

Emmanuel knew Yanberg Group; a small, local business. Not comparable to Terence Group.

"You still have to be reasonable! We'll pay, but poker debt isn't legally protected. You won't get away unscathed using violence," Emmanuel said.

The creditor hung up angrily.

Ryder panicked. "Manny, you can't talk to them like that! Shawn is influential; we can't handle him."

Emmanuel patted his shoulder. "Let's take it one step at a time. I'll do what I can."

"Manny, what's taking you so long?" Alessandra called. She thought Emmanuel's wife was shy.

"I'm coming!" Emmanuel hurried to the living room.

Mackenzie sat on a couch, exuding a frosty aura. The Lowe family felt she was difficult; no one dared to talk to her.

Only Jack tried, but Mackenzie ignored him, moving to a larger couch. Jack wanted to sit beside her. But Emmanuel sat beside Mackenzie instead, saying, "Jack, I heard you and your wife are planning a second child."

Emmanuel knew Jack's history; gallivanting since his teens, marrying only because his wife was pregnant. Jack thought Mackenzie might have been a prostitute, tired of her job and wanting an honest man.

Jack reached for his BMW keys, thinking Mackenzie might be attracted to his wealth. But Mackenzie jingled her Maserati keys.

Suddenly, a voice called from outside, "Excuse me, is this Emmanuel's house?"

Mackenzie was startled. Her grandfather!

Emmanuel opened the door to Terence. Even though Terence's butler drove a cheap car, it was a Land Rover. Jack was demoralized.

"Old Mr. Quillen, why are you here? Did Mackenzie ask you to come?" Emmanuel asked.

"Haha! Why 'Old Mr. Quillen'?" Terence tapped Emmanuel with his cane.

Chapter 79: The Arrival of Terence

Terence was fond of Emmanuel; his granddaughter never did chores. Felicity, Mackenzie's mother, felt Emmanuel wasn't good enough for her daughter.

Terence, Felicity, and Wilson (introduced as an uncle) entered. Benny and Jack were jealous. How did Emmanuel get such a wife?

Jack changed his opinion after seeing Terence and Felicity; this family had a noble aura.

"Please sit. I'll prepare the dishes," Emmanuel said.

Terence liked this; Mackenzie needed someone who could cook. Felicity disagreed; men should work outside the home.

Chapter 80

Emmanuel looked at Mackenzie, who was playing with Tommy. She ignored him.

A woman, about thirty, entered. She was tall and elegant, resembling Mackenzie.

"Mackenzie's sister? You're so pretty!" Alessandra exclaimed. Roselynn guessed she was actually older.

Mackenzie was shocked. The woman was stunned to see Mackenzie playing with a child.

Terence laughed, "Everyone, Mackenzie's mother, Felicity Lenoir."

Felicity smiled. Alessandra thought she looked like her daughter, or even granddaughter! Roselynn was jealous of Felicity's youth.

"Hello, Mother!" Emmanuel greeted; Felicity merely nodded. She was disappointed in her son-in-law. How could he match her daughter?

They invited Terence and Felicity inside. Benny and Jack were filled with hatred and jealousy.

Jack had thought Mackenzie was a prostitute who married a naïve man. He changed his opinion after seeing her family. This family had a noble aura.

"Please sit. I'll prepare the dishes," Emmanuel said. Terence approved; Mackenzie needed someone to cook. Felicity disagreed; men should work outside. Emmanuel was lower-class; he didn't kneel and serve his mother-in-law, as was customary in upper-class society.