Chapter 1647 - 1595: Reunion with an Old Flame (Part 2)

Aden smiled shyly and whispered, "It’s a unique skill, can’t be shared."

Yeats Howard laughed heartily, patting Marcus Quinn on the shoulder, and said, "Marcus, you’ve found a treasure girl."

Marcus held her small hand tighter, his lips slightly curved, his eyes slightly burning. Since his grandfather left, he hadn’t felt this protected warmth for a long time. Aden was his little sunshine, his life.

Aden’s eyes curved with a smile, feeling very good. She finally could do something for Marcus. The Duncan Family wanted to bully Marcus for being honest? Impossible!

"Why are you here so early today, Yeats?" A member of a distinguished family stepped forward, smiling in greeting.

"I brought my brother here to deal with some ignorant people. Naturally, I had to come early," Yeats said with a meaningful smile, his grin perpetually casual.

"When did Yeats acknowledge a brother?" The crowd looked at Marcus, then at Aden. The man, aside from being fiercely spirited and robustly built, had no other remarkable qualities. It’s a pity the beautiful girl was already taken.

"Want to know? Go ask my old man," Yeats replied nonchalantly.

Everyone’s expressions suddenly became more serious. They initially thought Yeats, the Howard Family’s Demon King Hun, had recognized a brother, which would be no more than a clique or gang. But if the Family Head recognized him, Marcus’s status was decisively different.

Considering Elowen Duncan dared to show Marcus attitude, it was akin to showing attitude to the Howard Family. Everyone was drawn to gossip. It seemed more excitement was stirring in the Imperial City.

Just then, the host arrived late.

Caspian Yarn led people to greet them from inside, having heard there was trouble at the door. He feared he couldn’t handle these distinguished members of the Imperial City alone, so he specifically invited Lana Shaw’s father, Shaw Sr., along, causing a delay.

Yeats and his group were surrounded in greetings. With Aden being short, Marcus purposely or inadvertently shielded her. Caspian didn’t see her, relieved there was no trouble at the door, he put on a trademark smile. These months had been filled with restless nights for him.

Ever since Aden went missing and the farmer’s wife ran off, Caspian, juggling romance and placating Lana, dared not send people to find Aden, fearing any leak of information. Luckily, the farmer’s wife knew nothing of the details. After months of anxiety, seeing Aden didn’t suddenly appear, he gradually relaxed.

He executed flawlessly. If Aden escaped and found the Chase Family had fallen, she’d surely seek him for help. But Aden never showed up, perhaps met with misfortune. Caspian had been quietly grief-stricken for a while, hastily deciding to quickly marry Lana, planning to search for Aden slowly afterward.

"Why are you standing outside, Yeats? Do come in and sit." Caspian smiled, approaching after seeing Marcus. He was slightly surprised but didn’t give it much thought, considering him to be accompanying Yeats for fun.

Standing behind Marcus, Aden trembled, her smile fading, her face turning pale. Marcus, sensing her body’s slight shake, instinctively strengthened his grip, holding her hand tighter, looked down at her, and softly asked, "Aden, are you okay?"

Aden shook her head. By then, the crowd had cleared a path. Marcus shifted sideways, revealing Aden’s figure, and then intensely stared at Caspian.

Caspian was wearing an expensive, custom-made silver-gray suit today. The slender red tie highlighted his complacency, being elegant and extraordinary. His smile froze when he saw Aden, a flicker of fear flashed in his eyes.

That subtle expression passed quickly, soon concealed. Caspian reformed his smile and, with an unchanged expression, said, "Please come inside, everyone."

The cold wind swept by, early winter chill exposed its first signs. Aden felt a chill burst from the heart, spreading through her entire body.

Caspian looked at her as if she were a stranger, without any joy, more alarm than anything. Marcus’s broad palm gripped her tightly, too forceful, causing her some pain, showing a hint of bitterness in her eyes. Looking at the silent man beside her, she suddenly felt she’d lost everything. She only had Marcus.

As the host personally came to welcome, showing respect to the Howard Family, Yeats raised an eyebrow, looking at Caspian with deep meaning, then went inside.

Aden felt disoriented, led by Marcus into the engagement venue, her steps wobbly, feeling lost.

Marcus led Aden into the venue, heading to a quiet place, then released her hand, noticing her dazed expression, feeling his heart tense. Caspian was her former fiancé. He could not foresee future developments, but just that brief moment when the two met—even with Caspian’s excellent expression management—Marcus, watching him closely, saw that fleeting fear flashing in his eyes.