Chapter 13 Mind Your Business

After leaving Horizon Corp, Marielle Duvall quickly found a pharmacy, purchased ice and anti-inflammatory medicine, then returned home. Fortunately, Nolan was at kindergarten with Chloe. Otherwise, her son's endless questions would have followed seeing her in this state. Sometimes Marielle felt grateful to fate for giving her Nolan, an angel, at her most desperate moment. Though young, he already showed care and concern for her. Thinking of her son softened Marielle's expression. At home, she applied ice to her face. The coolness made her eyes instinctively narrow. Selina Vaughn wasn't yet Mrs. Blackwood. Why? Having borne Rowan Blackwood a son, she should be considered important. Rowan clearly had feelings for her - hadn't he tried killing his own wife for her? So why hadn't he married her? Marielle couldn't understand. She needed to investigate what was really happening. But she wouldn't forget Selina's slap today. Given Rowan's eagerness to cooperate with Argentum Group, he'd surely make Selina apologize. And when that happened - even with Rowan present - she'd return that slap. After all, she was no longer his wife, Marielle Duvall. That Marielle Duvall died five years ago - perished in that fire. She still felt the searing heat and pain of flames burning her skin - the unbearable agony, the soul-tearing despair. That sensation would stay with her forever, even in hell. And those who caused such suffering - she would spare none. Holding her face, Marielle entered the bedroom. She didn't report the incident to headquarters. Instead, she quietly lay down and slept. Victor Langley quickly found Marielle's address. When he gave it to Rowan Blackwood, Rowan's eyes narrowed. Chloe Bennett's residence! He clearly remembered Marielle's closest friend was Chloe. This Marla - not only did her Chinese name match Marielle Duvall's, but she lived in Marielle's best friend's home. Could this be coincidence? Or... was she actually Marielle Duvall? At the thought, Rowan's hand unconsciously clenched. "Find everything about Marla - by any means necessary. I want every detail of her background, especially from five years ago." Rowan's order stunned Victor. "Mr. Blackwood, Marla's records are heavily classified in Glonia. We might not access them. Previous attempts found nothing." "Then use unconventional channels." Rowan's words stunned Victor again. He knew what "unconventional channels" meant - methods Rowan hadn't used in years. That he'd use them for a woman named Marla made Victor deeply curious. "Mr. Blackwood, what exactly is suspicious about Marla?" "Don't ask what you shouldn't." The warning made Victor flinch. "Yes, sir. I'll start investigating right away." After Victor left, Rowan lit a cigarette in frustration. He hadn't smoked in very long, but today he desperately needed nicotine to calm his agitation. Same build, same gait - even same friends. Could all this be coincidence? But if truly Marielle... why wouldn't she acknowledge him? He remembered how deeply she'd loved him five years ago. What really happened five years ago? When news broke about Marielle secretly meeting a lover and dying in fire - with no body recovered - he hadn't believed it. How could someone who loved him so deeply suddenly betray him without trace? Yet the two bodyguards vanished, and Marielle's remains were never found. No one knew what truly occurred. He remembered Marielle was pregnant five years ago. Their child - likely perished in that fire too? Rowan's brow furrowed tightly. The cigarette flickered between his fingers, burning down to skin. He flinched sharply, quickly crushing it out - then stared blankly at the black mark on his finger. Marielle had always been so sensitive to pain. How much agony had she endured when fire raged around her, consuming everything? Rowan could no longer focus on work. He grabbed his suit jacket and stormed out. "Mr. Blackwood, where are you going?" "Out. Postpone all meetings today." With that, Rowan disappeared through the office door, leaving his secretary stunned. This was the first time Mr. Blackwood had ever skipped work. Rowan didn't care what others thought. He quickly started his car and drove straight to Chloe Bennett's front door. The doorbell rang insistently. Marielle woke from sleep, feeling utterly drained. She knew it couldn't be Chloe - Chloe had a key. And she hadn't ordered takeout. So who could be knocking? Selina Vaughn? If it was her, Marielle had no intention of opening the door so easily.