Jareth carried Mari back to their room.
In just a few moves, he removed the white cotton dress stained with paint from her b*dy, and carried her snow–white figure into the bathroom.
The bathtub was filled with steam, and the man gingerly ced her into it. He was afraid that he would not be able to control himself, so he didn’t get in with her, Instead, he sat on the <b>edge </b>of the bathtub, rolled up his ck shirt sleeves, and gently wiped her delicate skin with a cloth.
He found that the girl, who had been plumper thanks to his care, had recently lost weight. Her t belly, her cool corbones, her pointed chin.
Jareth tightly pursed his l*ps, unable to suppress the pain in his heart.
He suddenly began to regret.
If he hadn’t taken on the responsibility, he could have spent every <b>day </b>with Eleanor. Wouldn’t their life be sweet and splendid?
But if he didn’t fight for it, the Fairhaven Group would eventually fall into the hands of Gary
No way.
He’d rather see Fairhaven Group destroyed than let that bastard Gary have his way!
“Hmm
Mari <b>slowly </b>opened her drowsy eyes, saw her lover’s handsome face, and <b>suddenly </b>became awake, staring nkly for a
moment.
“Ah, I woke you. It’s my fault, I’m so clumsy,” Jareth frowned<b>, </b><b>a </b>rueful smile on his face.
Suddenly, there was a ssh.
Mari’s white and tender b*dy emerged from the water, her slender arms tightly hugged his n*eck, and she sobbed loudly.
Hot tears fell one by one onto Jareth’s shoulder as she cried. He was frightened, his arms wrapped around her smooth <b>b*dy</b>, wishing he could embed her into his very being.
“What’s wrong? Who bullied my wife and made her cry so sadly?”
Jareth asked anxiously, but Mari just cried.
She was scared, so very scared.
She was afraid that Jareth would do dangerous things for her again.
She was afraid of the darkness of night, afraid of waking up in the morning without him by her side, afraid that he <b>would </b>get into trouble and be arrested.
Before, she <b>was </b>afraid of losing him.
Now, she just wanted him to be safe and sound.
“Could
youe home early?” Mari asked<b>, </b><b>her </b>eyes red from crying.
“So, you missed me.”
Jareth let out a sigh of relief<b>, </b>his cool l*ps grazing her damp, thin shoulders, k*ssing her inch by inch before finally nibbling at her shoulder
“Mari, just a few more days. Soon, we’ll be inseparable.”
That night, they didn’t make <b>love</b>.
Jareth had been too tiredtely, and after getting into bed with his sweet–smelling wife, he quickly fell asleep.
But Mari kept her eyes open until dawn
In the morning, she pretended to be calm, knelt on the bed, and tied Jareth’s tie for him.
In the past, Jareth had never been as meticulous as Thaddeus, nor did he wear ties, thinking they were too restrictive. He mostly wore casual curts, which,bined with his tall and handsome figure, gave him azy <b>and </b>charming allure.
But now, it was time to be so causal anymore.
So Mari learned <b>how </b>to tie ties. At first, she was slow, and the knot wasn’t pretty. But dareth never minded; however she tied
them, he’d wear them to work.
Now, with practice, her nimble fingers could quickly tie a full Windsor knot.
“Jareth, all set.
Before Mari finished speaking, her waist <b>was </b>suddenly embraced by the man, and his l*ps pressed heavily onto hers.
His tongue easily pried her l*ps apart, his straight nose brushing against her soft pink nose, sending waves of electric bliss through them both.
Jareth felt the woman in his arms gradually soften, like a piece of almost–melted, delectable white chocte.
Early in the morning, and the mes were kindled.
Suddenly, he didn’t want to go to work.
As he imed her l*ps, he reached to untie his tie
Mari whispered, her face flushed, holding hisrge hand, “It’s already tied. Don’t mess it up. <b>Wait </b>until youe back.”
“All right, then I’ll make up for it tonight,” Jareth’s voice was husky with desire, his breath tickling her ear.
She blushed and nodded shyly.
Lily had prepared breakfast, and it was almost time, but she stood at the door, not daring to disturb them.
She could hear the intimate sounds inside, the endless sweet nothings, her l*ps curling up slightly.
After all, the young master always lingered with hisdy until thest moment before leaving<b>.. </b>
“Honey, I have a little gift for you.”
Jareth lifted Mari’s delicate b*dy and ced her in front of the dressing table chair, then opened the narrow jewelry box.
“Ah, how beautiful!” The brilliant light of the white jade hairpin caught her <b>eye</b>, making her exim in admiration.
“I know you <b>don’t </b>like jewelry, all those pieces I bought you, <b>you’ve </b>never worn once. But this one, I hope you’ll wear it. I’ll put it on you myself.”
Jareth stood behind her, hisrge hand gently gathering her soft long hair, somewhat clumsily following Lily’s instructions to tie Mari’s hair up
For Mari, he had done everything he never done before in his life.
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And yet, he still felt it wasn’t enough to make up for all he owed her.
After a while, the bun was finished, and Jareth inserted the white jade hairpin,
The white jade was originally stunning, but his little wife was even more so. Her skin was as white as snow, and her dark eyes gleamed<b>, </b>making even the greatest treasures pale inparison.
“Mari, do you know what it means for a man to tie a woman’s hair?”
Jareth bent down, his voice velvety with emotion, “It means you are my wife. You’re now mydy, Mari.”
A warm, clear beam of light <b>from </b>outside <b>the </b>window fell on Mari’s moist white cheeks. Her eyshes fluttered slightly, her ears turning crimson.
Jareth strode out of the vi, with Lily following behind.
“Lily, has the Madam met anyone at school these past days?”
Remembering his wife’s tears from the night before and her dark circles that morning, he couldn’t help but feel a tightness in his
chest
<b>“</b>No, apart from attending sses and practicing painting in the studio, she hasn’t met anyone,” Lily asked with worry. “Master, is Madam alright?
“It’s nothing. Maybe she’s just upset because I haven’t been around much.”
“This afternoon, Madarn is attending the school’s anniversary celebration at school”
“Let her go, she’s been looking forward to it for a long time!
Jareth rubbed his temples, his voice firm, “Just make sure she’s well–protected<b>; </b>we can’t afford any more idents.”
At one o’clock sharp.
Mari arrived <b>at </b>Elmsworth Academy <b>of </b>Fine <b>Arts </b>on time, apanied by <b>Lily </b>and two other <b>b*dyguards</b>.
She had always been the quiet type, the kind who remains low key and findsfort in the shadows rather than the spotlight. Crowds made her skin crawl, which was why she wouldn’t let the b*dyguards follow her closely
Lily didn’t insist. She knew that with her own remarkable skills, no one could harm Mari on her watch, at least not here
The two quickly arrived at the entrance of the auditorium where the school event was being held
As the time of the event drew near, banners were hung all around the venue, colorful gs fluttered, and the area was filled withughter and joyful chatter, immersing Mari in an atmosphere of youth
Her nervous emotions gradually rxed, and her deer–like eyes sparkling like stars, curved into crescents
Lily looked at her with a relieved smile. Indeed, encouraging Mari to attend school had been one of the best decisions the young master had made in his life.
The two of them arrived at the entrance of the venue together, only to be stopped by members of the student council and security guards.
“Sorry, you can’t enter without a student IDE
Due
to the previous incident, the school had tightened its security, especially forrge gatherings like this one.
Lilly was denied entry, looking troubled.
If it had been anywhere else, she <b>might’ve </b>argued–or even fought her way through–but this was Mari’s school, and she didn’t want to embarrass thedy and make her feel ufortable every day
“Lily, I’ll be fine, Mari reassured her, squeezing her hand–a hand roughened by life, yet gentle in its touch. “If you’re worried, you can wait here for me. If there’s any danger, you can rush in to save me, right?”
With a reluctant nod, Lily conceded. “All right then, Madam. I’ll stand there. If you feel ufortable, text me immediately”
Mari nodded obediently and followed the crowd into the auditorium
As the eventmenced and the <b>doors </b>closed, Mari, her courage waning found a secluded spot at the back to sit. The sight. <b>of </b>a grand piano on stage sent a shiver through her spine, and memories apanying her school days, what she’d buried deep within, threatened to resurface<b>. </b>
The celebration was about to begin. Lights on stage brightened as the rest dimmed, and the hum of conversation quieted to a whisper.
Mari, her gaze lowered<b>, </b>hesitant to look towards the stage for the moment. The ck no, in her eyes, resembled a <b>giant </b>monster waiting to devour her at any moment.
At this moment, the click–ck of high heels approached from behind, getting closer, stopping abruptly by her row.
Mari kept her head down, but she could clearly feel someone taking a seat beside her.
“It’s been a long time, Mari.”
The familiar, coquettish voice, <bced </b>with mockery and teasing, felt like a sharp de slicing across Mari’s trachea, instantly cutting her breath!
A cold <b>dread </b><b>surged </b>within her heart, causing her shoulders to tremble uncontrobly in panic.
“You really are fearless when loved and backed up. Having my brother’s support is quite something, Isn’t it?”
Edith, with her sunsses and sardonic smile, her vivid red l*ps curling coldly. “After all, we were ssmates. And should you marry my brother, I be your sister–inw. Ignoring me like this doesn’t seem proper, does it?”
Mari’s breath hitched, her grip tightening on her phone.
She remembered Lily’s instructions, but after hesitating, she didn’t send the message.
After all, Edith is Jareth’s sister, and Lily is just a subordinate. What <b>good </b>would messaging do? It would only bring trouble to Lily. and she didn’t want to embarrass her.
“What do <b>you </b>want to say to me? Mari whispered, her voice barely audible.
Edith’s legs crossed, her slender fingers tapping rapidly on her knee, ying a silent tune.
Yet, it was deafening to Mari<b>! </b>
A tremendous shadow loomed over her
“I want to discuss my brother with you” The sunsses concealed the sinister gleam in Edith’s eyes, “You must know what he’s been busy with, don’t you? His early departures andte returns, his endless obligations–it’s all for the Fairhaven Group. He’s just
a step away from the presidency.”
Mari remained silent.
Of course, she knew. She knew all too well how Jareth had given h
his all to reach where he was today.
“Despite grandfather’s favor, Jareth’s position in the Fairhaven Group is precarious. My second uncle, Grandfather’s only remaining son, has deeper experience and more right to be the heir. This means, even if my brother does attain the presidency. his situation will be fraught with danger<b>, </b>like walking on thin ice. Ah, telling you all this, I wonder if you, idiot that you are, can understand.”
“I’m not an idiot.”
Confronted with such tant disrespect, Mari mustered unprecedented courage, her eyes reddening as she looked at her, “I’m not an idiot stop saying that about me!”