Chapter 385
I snorted, grabbed her, and rushed in.
Stella shouted, "John, let go of me!"
I shut the door and tossed Stella onto the bed. She kept struggling, and I snapped, "Don't move!"
Her eyes welled up. "You vanish for half a month, and now you come back to manhandle me and yell?"
"John, what kind of man yells at a woman?" Linda threw a pillow at me.
I let the pillow hit me, not even flinching.
I didn't say a word, just pressed my ear against Stella's smooth belly. "Don't move, let me listen."
Stella bit her lip, and Linda went quiet. There weren't any obvious signs of pregnancy yet, but I felt a connection. "Is the baby okay?"
"None of your business!" Stella turned her head away.
"I'm sorry, I came back late." I apologized, meaning it.
Then I walked over to Linda, hugged her despite her struggles, and took a deep breath of her scent. "It's so good to hold you both again."
Linda stopped struggling, a hint of doubt in her eyes. "Didn't you find Kelsey?"
"I did!"
"Then why are you saying this?"
"I went through some stuff, almost didn't make it back." I didn't go into details, just reached out to touch her belly. "Thank you. While I was trapped, I prayed every day you wouldn't abort the baby."
Linda's coldness melted, and her eyes softened. "Did you face danger in Crystal Nation?"
Stella caught on. "What kind of danger?"
I shook my head. "It's over. I'm back now, isn't that enough?"
"You're not hurt, are you?" Stella looked me over. "You've gotten darker and thinner. Where did you go?"
I sighed, lay down on the bed, and pulled them close. Only then did I feel at peace.
Naturally, we made love. That afternoon, I didn't go anywhere, just held them until nightfall.
"I'm hungry, go make me something to eat. I want something sour!" Linda said.
"I want something spicy," Stella added.
"I'll get right on it." I got out of bed and whipped up a few of my specialty dishes, served them, and then headed out.
I couldn't help but think of Cassandra. Being with her, I experienced a level of care I had never known.
I went out, bought a phone, got a SIM card, and called Marlow, asking him to expedite my ID.
Normally, I'd have to go to Sevan City to get it, but Marlow said he had a way. This was where Marlow's connections came in handy.
Early the next morning, while I was still asleep, Marlow called. "Mr. Cena, I'm bringing your ID up right now!"
I was instantly wide awake. If he saw me coming out of Linda's apartment, it would be a disaster.
I gently moved Linda and Stella's arms, quickly got dressed, and returned to my own apartment.
Soon after, Marlow knocked and came in, looking anxious. "Mr. Cena, you're finally back. Ms. Foster told me you've been running around for the past half month. It must have been tough."
I was momentarily stunned but quickly responded, "Yeah, it wasn't easy. "
I sighed.
Marlow handed me the ID, looking worried. "To be honest, I'm at my wit's end. The last employee left the company yesterday."
"Thanks for your hard work." I patted his shoulder.
Marlow shook his head. "By the way, Mr. Cena, does your offer to help me find a job still stand?"
"What?"
"You said you'd help me find a job." He looked at me expectantly.
"Oh, that. Yeah, but I have a condition."
"What condition?" Marlow looked at me, trying to please.
"To be honest, this branch is likely going bankrupt."
Marlow sighed. "I figured as much. Too many big shots in Greenvale City, and the politics are a mess. Offend one, and you're toast."
I got what he meant. The powerful stuck together, and the rich hung with the rich.
"Mr. Cena, you still haven't told me what condition I need to agree to."
"You need to be absolutely loyal to me. Can you do that?"
Marlow was about to agree right away, but I cut him off. "Think carefully before you answer. In Greenvale City, my connections are way stronger than yours. If you even think of betraying me, the consequences will be more than you can handle."
He looked at me, a bit skeptical. I didn't need to explain further.
WY Media Company was expanding to Greenvale City, and I needed someone I could trust completely. Those women couldn't stay here long-term.
After about a minute, Marlow nodded. "I can!"
"Good, remember what you said. If you forget, I guarantee your fate will be worse than Steven's." I patted his shoulder. "Go back and wait for news. I'll get back to you soon."
"Yes, Mr. Cena. I'll take my leave now." Marlow said respectfully, then turned and left.
With my ID in hand, I went to the service center to get my two SIM cards reissued, then logged into Facebook.
A flood of messages popped up, almost overwhelming my Facebook. There were also hundreds of missed call notifications.
I carefully went through them. Lillian, Kelsey, and others had sent many messages and made many calls. Emily and Ruby had also sent many messages.
I opened them one by one.
Lillian: [John, don't scare me. Text me back.]
Kelsey: [John, it's all my fault. I caused this.]
Mya: [John, where are you? We've reported to the embassy, and the police have been searching for four or five days with no sign of you.]
Emily: [John, don't scare me. Please come back.]
Ruby: [John, come back. My foot injury is acting up again. I need your help. Please come back.]
I noticed Ruby had sent over two hundred messages. I kept scrolling.
Mia: [John, you haven't replied to me in a long time. Did you find another woman in Greenvale City and forget about me?]
Rita: [Are you busy in Greenvale City? I have good news. Our product sales have exceeded three million units. Come back soon. Judith and I miss you.]
Seeing this message, I wanted to return to Sevan City immediately.
Lucy: [What's wrong? You haven't replied on Facebook or answered your phone. Did something happen? Don't scare me, okay?]
Marry: [John, you jerk. You're having a great time while I'm exhausted. Hurry back and see me.]
Katherine: [It's been half a month with no word from you. Where did you go? Steven was discharged today and is recovering at home. Since his discharge, he's become even more violent. Please come back. I miss you.]
Amelia: [Our baby has a heartbeat now. When are you coming back?]
There were also ultrasound photos and a recording of the heartbeat.
Tears unknowingly streamed down my face. I couldn't image what they would do without me.
I wiped my tears and continued reading.
Edward: [John, it's been a while since you visited. When are you coming over?]
Charles: [John, I heard you're doing well lately. When are you coming back? I want to give you a proper welcome.]
George: [It's been a long time since we had a gathering. Come back soon!]
Patrick: [John, no matter where you are, I'll find you!]
I kept wiping my tears, but they wouldn't stop. I was deeply moved.
Wendy had also sent a message: [John, you jerk! How dare you break our agreement? I won't forgive you!]
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