Masked In Nobility: Secrets Of Mrs. Chavez Novel by Selina Gorges

Charles took a sip from his cup, looked at Andrew, whose face was curious, and replied, “It depends on my mood. For important people, it’s usually 30 million dollars, for less important ones, 10 million. Sometimes, I’ll even take jobs for free.

In the criminal circles of Mysonna, only a few had considered hiring Charles for an assassination. The payment was secondary: the real issue was that Charles led the Seventy–Two Chambers for the Goodman family. Apart from Braydon, no one else dared to order him to take a life.

Andrew was shocked. He wondered, ‘With my low salary, there’s no way I can afford to place an order with Charles. When did prices in the art world go so crazy? Plus, I’ve never even heard of Charles before. It’s hard to believe that a relatively unknown painter can charge so much.

Andrew was silent for a few seconds. He thought, ‘Is painting really that profitable? Should I pick up the brush again?’

But then Andrew thought of his art teacher’s assessment of him and decided against it. After all, back then he was the kind of guy who could draw a chicken egg so badly it looked like a duck egg–so maybe he should quit dreaming about it.

With an envious tone, Andrew said, “Charles, your industry is so promising. I’m envious.”

Charles raised his head slightly. There was a bit of confusion in his eyes.

Charles noticed Andrew’s envious gaze, which was genuine and sincere. He wondered, ‘What exactly is this guy envious of? Is it that he envies my ability to kill? What a weird guy! No wonder he could do something as bizarre as following us from the airport.

Andrew was unaware that Charles had already labeled him as a “weird guy” in his mind, and the impression was quite profound.

Jeremiah glanced at the two of them, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth as he thought, ‘The two are on completely different wavelengths, yet they speak with such enthusiasm. Charles discusses killing with a chilling nonchalance, while Andrew is talking about painting, and neither realizes the absurdity. It’s truly hilarious!’

Charles was baffled by Andrew’s continuous questions. He regarded Andrew as a “weirdo motormouth” and bolted to the bathroom as an excuse to slip out of the VIP room.

Jeremiah caught a glimpse of Charles’s retreating figure, finished the last piece of meat, put down his utensils, and said to Yvette, who was enjoying her grilled pork chops, “I’m heading to the bathroom.”

Yvette glanced at him, still chewing on her food, and mumbled, “OK.”

Jeremiah couldn’t help but pinch Yvette’s soft cheeks, who looked like a hamster with her cheeks puffed out while eating.

Charles adjusted his clothes in the men’s bathroom, then leaned over the sink, hands deep in soapy water.

Then Charles heard footsteps approaching, but he didn’t even glance up from the sink, his hands momentarily stilled mid- scrub. He could feel the newcomer was no ordinary Joe.

The next moment, Jeremiah strode in. He made a beeline for the sink, fixing his military uniform in front of the mirror. There was an air of restrained allure about him.

-Jeremiah, hands smoothing over his military uniform, spoke up. “Charles Jameson, you were the head of the Seventy–Two Chambers under the Goodman family in Mysonna, the top family in the underground world. You managed all the shady dealings for the Goodman family–arms, assassinations, casinos, but stayed clear of drugs. Half a month ago, you parted away with the current head of the Goodman family, Braydon, and got injected with the new No.7 Toxin. You vanished from Mysonna after that. Now, here you are, showing up as the apprentice to my girlfriend’s. This turn of events is quite interesting.”

Hearing that, Charles tensed up instantly. He jerked his head up all the calmness he had a moment ago gone. Now he was on guard, ready for anything.

Charles thought to himself, ‘So Jeremiah recognized me as soon as he walked in, and he could sit at the same table with me, eating without giving away anything. Yvette’s boyfriend is unfathomable!

Charles fixed his gaze on Jeremiah, coldly stating, “You seem to have all the information, so you must get that Yvette’s identity is not simple. I don’t know the details of your family background, but climbing to major general in Clusia at your age? That’s no ordinary feat. You’ve got to have some serious military clout behind you. If it turns out that Yvette’s on a completely different playing field from your military dynasty, would you still stand by her the way you do now?”

Jeremiah looked at Charles, whose face was tense with worry. After turning off the faucet, Jeremiah said in a serious tone, “This is not your concern. No matter who Yvette is, she will be my wife one day. No matter what dangers come our way, I’ll protect her anytime.”

Hearing those words, Charles stood there, stunned.

Jeremiah continued, “Charles, I don’t want you to cause any trouble for Yvette. While you’re in Clusia, I’ll have people ensure your safety, but once you leave, you’ll be on your own.”

Charles knew that Jeremiah said all this because of Yvette.

Jeremiah didn’t realize that Charles was safest by Yvette’s side. Braydon wouldn’t dream of messing with Charles while she was around. Even Damian wouldn’t tangle with Yvette, so Charles was safe. But these thoughts were better left unsaid.

Charles shook his head, declining the offer. “There’s no need for you to send protection, Mr. Chavez. If I’d depended on others to protect me, I wouldn’t have survived for now. I’ve had more close shaves than I can count. Rest easy. I won’t bring any trouble to Yvette.”

Jeremiah dried his hands, looking at Charles with a cold gaze. “OK, I hope you’ll remember the words you’ve spoken today.”

Charles held Jeremiah’s gaze without flinching. “I hope you remember your words today too, to stand by Yvette’s side for a lifetime, through thick and thin.”

Jeremiah nodded, then turned and walked away.

As he reached the door, Charles called out from behind. “Mr. Chavez, Yvette has been through a lot to become who she is today. I hope you’ll cherish her.”

If one were to count the scars on Yvette, one’d probably run out of numbers. To stand at a higher place, one must endure trials that would break the ordinary person. That was how Yvette had walked her path, through a sea of corpses and blood, escaping death countless times. She made it this far on her own.

With a solemn expression, Jeremiah pushed the door open and left. As soon as he was outside, he sent a message to Bruce.

Charles had just revealed something on his own–he addressed Yvette by her last name, not “Ms. Zeller“.

Zion had just returned to Betrico today. He had been on a whirlwind tour of concerts, traveling all over the place, and now with only the final concert in Betrico, he could wrap up the year perfectly.

Zion had a dedicated piano room in Betrico, so as soon as he got off the plane, he headed straight there without taking a moment to rest.

When Zion arrived at the piano room, he found the door open. A flash of joy crossed his face, only to be replaced by a sense of desolation. Zion thought, ‘Even if I know who’s there, what good does it do? There’s no future for her and me. Samantha is a renowned businesswoman in Clusia, the most outstanding among the political scions, while I am just a pianist. Although I earn a decent amount, it’s a drop in the ocean compared to Samantha’s wealth.‘

Samantha always thought Zion was stubborn, but Zion knew deep down that it was just his self–esteem causing trouble.

During the time away from Betrico, Zion was consumed by thoughts of Samantha, going crazy with missing her every minute, night after night, with the longing that had become a part of him.

With a pounding heart, Zion stood at the doorway for a long moment before carefully, almost cautiously, pushing the door open.

As the door opened, Zion spotted a red silhouette. When Samantha turned around, showing off her outfits, Zion clamped his eyes shut, too bashful to make eye contact. He exclaimed, “Samantha, it’s broad daylight out! What’s the deal with the outfit?”