Chapter 45

Filip looked up at the man. When he saw the man's face clearly, the rage in his eyes turned to dismay. Baffled, he blurted, "Mr. Bennett?" His first reaction was that it was impossible.

Jonathan had already wrapped his arms around Cynthia's waist. He lowered his head and asked, "Are you hungry? What do you want to eat later?"

Cynthia thought about it and answered, "I want to eat your barbecue ribs."

Jonathan said, "Okay, let's go to the supermarket to buy some ribs first."

Filip still found it hard to believe their intimate and natural interaction. Jonathan, however, was the top scion of the Betrico family, and Yates Construction had not yet secured the Paradise Resort project.

Filip tried to suppress his emotions. "Mr. Bennett, what is your relationship with my wife?"

Filip and Cynthia had attended Susanna's birthday party as a married couple. Given Jonathan's status, he shouldn't have become involved with Cynthia knowing she was married.

Jonathan, holding Cynthia's waist, offered a forced smile. "Can't you tell?"

Anger surged in Filip's heart. "Mr. Bennett, don't you know that Cynthia is married?"

Jonathan sneered, "Is she? Mr. Yates, please show me the marriage certificate."

Filip's face darkened as he realized Jonathan knew they lacked a marriage certificate.

Filip replied coldly, "Although we didn't get a marriage certificate, we are a legitimate couple. We had a wedding and banquet. Since then, Cynthia has lived with me. Our marriage cannot be negated by a piece of paper."

He continued, "Cynthia is attractive, but I believe you won't be fooled by her beauty or charm, thereby disgracing the Bennett family and making both our families the subject of ridicule."

Filip guessed Jonathan and Cynthia had met because of the previous interview. However, he hadn't expected the lack of a marriage certificate to become Cynthia's excuse for dating another man. To him, the missing certificate didn't negate their three-year marriage.

Jonathan mocked, "Mr. Yates, I'm impressed by your shamelessness. Since your marriage is so 'worthy of its name,' you should be loyal to each other. Then what about your child in Ms. Sheppard's belly? As for the reputation of the Yates family, you ruined it when you eloped with her. So why should you care now?"

Jonathan stepped forward, positioning himself between Cynthia and Filip. "Mr. Yates, Cynthia is my girlfriend now. Please don't harass her again. Otherwise, don't blame me for denying Yates Construction the Paradise Resort project."

Then, Jonathan took Cynthia's hand and got into the car.

Filip's anger soared, but disbelief lingered. He wondered, 'How did Cynthia hook up with Mr. Bennett? Could it be a coincidence? Perhaps Mr. Bennett happened to pass by, saw us arguing, and helped Cynthia. Don't these scions like to play the hero?'

The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became. Still, he was extremely annoyed to watch Cynthia leave in Jonathan's car.

Lilian arrived after Cynthia had gone. She walked to Filip and anxiously asked, "Filip, are you still in love with Cynthia?"

Lilian used to ask such questions for reassurance when feeling insecure. In the past, Filip would earnestly deny it and gently comfort her. But today, he was too upset to speak.

Lilian stared intently at Filip, growing uneasy. If Filip wavered, he and Cynthia might get back together, ruining her plans.

Lilian tugged at Filip's sleeve, her eyes damp. Her voice was soft, her tone pleading. "Filip, will you divorce Cynthia?"

Filip looked down at Lilian, who made such a request for the first time in their relationship.

Lilian raised her head, tears in her eyes, looking innocent and pitiful, like a wounded and abandoned rabbit—arousing sympathy and protectiveness.

Filip would have softened in the past. But now, he knew it was all a disguise. She wasn't as innocent and kind as she seemed; otherwise, her computer wouldn't have stored fabricated scandals about Cynthia.

Lilian didn't know Filip and Cynthia weren't legally married. No marriage, no divorce. But Filip didn't feel like explaining, especially now. "Didn't you say you don't care about titles as long as I'm by your side?"

Lilian was surprised, given his promise to marry her. Now, Filip's eyes were sharp with a hint of cold scrutiny; he seemed like a different person.

Lilian hurriedly explained, "I'm not forcing you to divorce Cynthia. It's just that Cynthia said that on purpose, and my colleagues saw me as the mistress. I don't care about my reputation, but I don't want our child judged after birth."

Her voice was extremely aggrieved. "Do you really want to put 'unknown' in the father's column on our child's birth certificate?"

At the mention of their child, Filip held back his irritation. "Let's talk about it later. I won't mistreat you or the child, I assure you."

Filip's attitude disappointed Lilian. Before returning from abroad, he'd said he would marry her, take responsibility for their child, and clear the way for them. Everything changed since he met Cynthia. Lilian sensed his wavering and hesitation.

Filip hated Cynthia because of a past incident. Lilian would be in trouble if Filip discovered her role in it.

Lilian couldn't allow Filip and Cynthia to clear up the misunderstanding. She needed a divorce quickly. If Filip wouldn't cooperate, she would target Cynthia. She already had a plan.

Meanwhile, after getting into Jonathan's car, Cynthia leaned lazily against the window, watching the scenery.

Seeing her mood, Jonathan grabbed her hand. "Cynthia, don't think about other men."

Cynthia turned, looked at Jonathan's profile, and smiled. "I miss the past. You used to be a good boy, but now you're so bossy."