Chapter 539 Secret Crush
The servant had quietly slipped out to the outer room.
Now, it was just the two of them.
Cordelia gazed at the sleeping Michael beside her, feeling a sense of contentment.
She gently lifted her left hand, tracing Michael's features in the air.
His broad forehead, his thick eyebrows, his closed eyes, his prominent nose.
Cordelia's slender fingers trembled as they hovered over Michael's slightly parted lips.
Michael's breathing was steady, and he was deeply asleep.
Any other time, she wouldn't dare touch Michael so freely, even though he was her legally recognized husband.
He had no idea she had secretly liked him for years.
Back in high school, the first time she saw Michael, she was instantly drawn to him.
She knew he kept his distance from women and always had a cold expression, but she thought that was part of his charm.
The men around Cordelia, besides Gerald, were Victor. They had different women almost every day.
Even though she was young, she knew she didn't like men like Gerald and Victor. She only liked Michael.
Cordelia etched Michael's image deeply in her mind, tracing it quietly in the still of the night.
She learned from Gerald that Michael had returned to Aurora Bay to expand his business. She believed in his abilities.
And indeed, his Stellar Enterprises was very successful.
Cordelia knew there was a woman named Margaret who was always around Michael. But he was unmoved.
She had been troubled by Margaret, but also secretly pleased.
Michael didn't like Margaret or any other woman around him. Did that mean she still had a chance?
But Cordelia resigned herself to the thought that he might not even remember her.
Later, she learned from Gerald that Michael had been severely injured in a car accident, a revenge attack by his enemies, and was in a coma with little hope of waking up.
She was heartbroken, praying for him every day at their home in Majestic City, hoping he would wake up.
As if the heavens had heard Cordelia's sincere prayers, Michael did wake up.
But at the same time, she learned that he had married Elizabeth.
This news was like a bolt from the blue for Cordelia.
She had secretly liked Michael for so many years, and he had finally married someone else.
She forced herself to forget Michael and stopped paying attention to his news.
She rejected all suitors and proposals, locking her heart away.
Gerald and Victor let her be.
Gerald said, "I only have one precious daughter. If she doesn't want to date or marry, then she doesn't have to. I can take care of her forever."
After graduation, she helped Gerald manage the Murphy family business. But her health was fragile, and she often felt overwhelmed.
Gerald joked, "Cordelia, you could find a man to join the Murphy family and help you. Your children could take the Murphy name and still be part of the family."
Michael's image flashed in her mind again.
She suppressed her heartbeat and casually asked, "Dad, why haven't you mentioned Michael lately?"
Gerald smiled, "Cordelia, do you still like him?"
Cordelia was startled, her cheeks instantly turning red. "Dad! Don't say that!"
Gerald laughed, "Cordelia, my silly girl, your feelings are so obvious. I'm your father; how could I not see it?"
Cordelia lowered her head and sighed softly, "He would never be interested in me."
Gerald gently patted her arm, "Cordelia, if you like him, I will make it happen."
Cordelia was shocked. "Dad, don't threaten him! He's already married! He and his wife have kids!"
Gerald raised his hand and lightly tapped her nose. "You still say you don't like him? Don't worry. He doesn't like Elizabeth. They were together because of his mother's arrangement. So what if they have kids? You can have kids with him too!"
Cordelia's face turned even redder, her neck flushing as well.
Gerald left her with one last sentence, "Cordelia, don't worry. I will make sure he willingly marries you."
After Gerald left, Cordelia sat on the sofa, trying to calm her racing heart. She knew Gerald wouldn't lie to her. If he said it, he would make it happen.
She quietly asked in her heart, 'Michael, would you really be willing to marry me?'
When she and Michael stood in the marriage registry hall, she still felt a sense of unreality.
The moment the official seal was stamped, Gerald's heart finally settled.
At last, Michael was her legal husband. No one could take him away from her. Not even Elizabeth.
She would treat him well. Like any wife who deeply loves her husband, she would be gentle, caring, fulfilling, and supportive, walking with him through the rest of their lives.
Cordelia lay in bed, recalling the past, feeling her eyelids grow heavy, and finally fell asleep again.
She didn't know how long it had been when Michael suddenly woke up.
He opened his eyes abruptly, gasping for breath.
Cordelia was also awakened by his movements and instantly opened her eyes, asking with concern, "Michael, what's wrong?"
Michael finally noticed Cordelia beside him. He gently moved her arm from his chest and pushed her head off his arm.
"Nothing. Just a bit short of breath. I'm going out for a bit."
"It's so late, Michael. Where are you going? You drank and sweated a lot. Do you want to take a shower first?"
Michael had already gotten out of bed and was putting on his jacket. "You have injuries and shouldn't move around. I don't want to disturb you. I'll sleep in the guest room."
Cordelia was about to say he wouldn't disturb her, but before she could speak, Michael had already opened the door and left.
She knew that even if she said it, he wouldn't stay.
One can tell if someone loves or doesn't love from their eyes and actions.
Michael's eyes were indifferent when he looked at her, with no trace of affection.
Cordelia turned her head, tears silently falling. She didn't wipe them away, closing her eyes and forcing herself to sleep.
Michael went to the guest room, quickly showered, and changed clothes.
He had a nightmare, dreaming that Nolan had fallen into Victor's hands and was being tortured.
He couldn't let this nightmare come true. He had to find Nolan quickly.
His bodyguards were Gerald's men and would surely report his movements to Gerald.
But it was midnight now, and even if the bodyguards wanted to report, they would wait until morning.
Michael hurried out of the castle and got into the car.
"Bright Hotel."
The driver obeyed and immediately drove out of the parking lot.
Michael sat in the office next to the surveillance room at Bright Hotel.
"Pull up the surveillance footage from the hotel lobby today."
The staff retrieved the footage and placed the laptop in front of him.
"Mr. Thomas, it's all here."
Michael clicked to play at double speed. "Alright, you can go now."
He found the time frame when he had encountered Nolan in the lobby and clicked on it.
The video showed an error: [Unable to play.]
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