?Chapter 407:


    I Don’t Enjoy Being Naked


    Connor spoke slowly and with gravity. “Bu is a man who values gratitude and integrity. Though he harbors no affection for rissa, he is grateful that she once saved his life. He has vowed to protect her as long as he lives. rissa belongs to the Peridot Consortium.


    Any threat to the Peridot Consortium is a threat to rissa. Bu would undoubtedly step in. In essence, crossing rissa means crossing both the Peridot Consortium and the Hoffman family. These two powerful entities would jointly keep you in check.


    The mastermind behind rissa is already a formidable force. With Bu’s protection, provoking her bes exceedingly perilous.”


    Marissa listened intently and then nodded. “Understood. I appreciate the warning.”


    Having said that, she fell into silence.


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    Connor looked at her, puzzled. “So?”


    Marissa’s eyes sparkled with a hint of amusement as she replied, “I will still proceed with my ns.”


    She continued resolutely, “The conflict between rissa and me must be settled. I won’t retreat simply because she has a powerful backer and Bu’s protection.”


    “So, a showdown between you and rissa is inevitable?” Connor inquired.


    “Indeed,” Marissa responded with determination. “Even if rissa were to seek divine intervention, I must teach her a lesson.”


    As soon as she finished speaking, she hesitated, suddenly recalling the close friendship between Connor and Bu. If a sh with Bu arose because of rissa, whose side would Connor take?


    Pondering this, Marissa turned to Connor and asked, “If I end up in conflict with rissa and your good friend Bu gets involved, where would you stand?”


    Connor raised an eyebrow. “What do you think?”


    Marissa smiled faintly. “I truly have no idea.”


    She genuinely didn’t know. She was unsure of Connor’s feelings toward her and whether he would oppose his friend for her sake.


    She had heard the adage that men were all deceivers, with love as fleeting as the wind. To some men, friends were more valuable than partners.


    Marissa couldn’t tell if Connor was that kind of man.


    Connor regarded Marissa silently for a few seconds before he spoke. “Bu will protect the woman he cares about. Naturally, I will protect my wife.”


    Marissa smiled slightly. “So, if I find myself in conflict with rissa and Bu takes her side, you would stand by me against him?”


    Connor gave a quick nod. “Yes.”


    This answer took Marissa by surprise. After a brief silence, she smiled and asked, “Many men say that a friend is like a limb, while a wife is like clothing that can be discarded. Why would you choose clothing over your limb?”


    Connor grinned as well. “Those men who choose limbs over clothing don’t care about their image, but I care about my image a lot.”


    Marissa frowned, not quite grasping his meaning.


    Connor rified, “You often see men with missing limbs, but you rarely see a man running down the street without any clothes.”


    Leaning forward, he said deliberately, “I don’t enjoy being naked.”


    Marissa understood immediately.


    He meant that if he had to choose, he would rather have a partner than a friend.


    While she was still processing this, Connor suddenly leaned in and kissed her on the lips.


    The kiss jolted her back to the present. Her cheeks flushed. She pulled back awkwardly and teased, “So, you prefer love over friendship!”


    Connor chuckled again. “If Bu were to protect his woman while harming mine, how could we remain friends? I don’t need a friend like that.”


    Then Connor suddenly changed the topic. “Can you tell me now why you approached rissa?”


    He looked into her eyes and said, “If you tell me the truth, maybe I can give you some other useful information. I have a big secret about the Peridot Consortium. Do you want to hear it?”


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