Chapter 2 Return to the Larkin Estate

Such was how Tobias always behaved. He was disinclined to waste even a single breath on boring conversations, just like how he simply uttered, "I will cover all your mother's medical expenses and your tuition. I want you to pose as my fiancee and marry me," when he first approached Cordelia. Now, Tobias called her only to inform her instead of asking for her opinion. But upon a second thought, Cordelia realized that Tobias was actually her boss, and she was merely hired by him to act as his fiancee. Thus, she had no reason to refuse whatever he requested for her to do. When Tobias arrived at the villa in his car, Cordelia had already changed into a slightly formal attire and was standing and waiting by the villa's door. As her skinny pencil jeans hugged her bubble buttocks, it outlined her petite and curvaceous figure. Upon sighting the familiar car from afar, she walked toward it at a fast pace. With her immaculate and fair face cropping out from the scarf, she emanated a fresh and elegant resemblance to the scent of jasmine. Even Tobias, who was used to seeing various beautiful women in business circles, couldn't help but have his breath taken away the moment he saw his nominal wife, Cordelia. As the car drove slowly, Tobias parted his lips and broke the silence with his eyes gazing steadily forward. "So, you have sent out resumes today, huh?" As soon as these words escaped his lips, Cordelia was stunned. Looking at the man beside her with some surprise, she asked, "How did you know?" I deliberately avoided the Great Larkin Group when I sent out my resumes. So, how does Tobias find out about this? "The Great Larkin Group had just acquired Aglow Real Estate, the company you had sent your resume to, and I happened to see it when I was sorting out the emails," replied Tobias. For a moment, Cordelia was at a loss for words. After hesitating for a while, she added, "But I didn't just send my resume to Aglow Real Estate. I also sent it to Morgensea Entertainment and—" With both hands on the steering wheel, Tobias interjected calmly, "Morgensea Entertainment has always been the Great Larkin Group's subsidiary business." Upon hearing that, Cordelia fell silent momentarily before stiffly uttering, "Oh." I have been together with Tobias for years now. Yet, I have never known that the Great Larkin Group has developed to such a flourishing stage. By the looks of things, nearly half of the businesses in Riverstead City are already within the Great Larkin Group's control. For the next half an hour, the car returned to its initial silence. Cordelia couldn't help but sneak a few glances at Tobias. However, his gaze remained fixed on the spacious road ahead while driving attentively with his thin lips pressed together throughout the journey. Seeing that Tobias remained silent, Cordelia simply closed her eyes and rested. When she opened her eyes again, the car had already driven all the way to Drago Hill, one of the most upscale and extravagant mountain retreats in Riverstead City. After entering the mountain retreat area and navigating through many turns, Tobias finally parked the car in front of a magnificent stone sculpture. Behind the sculpture stood a several-story high villa. However, due to the Larkin Estate's century-long groundwork, the tiles in front of the villa were already covered with moss. Starting from Tobias' father's generation, the Larkin Family had begun transitioning from military to business. They monopolized the five major commercial districts in Riverstead City and owned more than 20 real properties, making the family Riverstead City's unfaltering foundation. After exiting the car, Cordelia followed behind Tobias and entered the Larkin Estate's hall. At once, she saw Richard, who wore a grayish-blue tunic-like long shirt, sitting on the couch and chatting cheerfully with several gentlemen, who appeared to be military veterans. "Hi, Dad," Tobias greeted the middle-aged man, who served as the leader of the group in the living room, after changing into a more comfortable footwear. Seeing this, Cordelia quickly followed suit and greeted, "Good evening, Father." Despite nearing 60 years old and having gray hair on his temples, Richard actually looked sprightly. A gentle smile was written all over his face when he turned around and responded, "Oh, Tobias and Aurelia. You're back." For a moment, Cordelia paused her action of changing into a more comfortable footwear. Her facial expression, too, inevitably stiffened a little as Richard's words brought her back to reality. Oh, that's right. I'm now pretending to be Aurelia Brown—the woman who was supposed to be Tobias' wife and the daughter of Commander Brown from the Iron Will Special Operations Forces. Thus, although she wasn't used to that name, Cordelia still forced a smile and softly responded, "You're so nice." Richard laughed heartily before looking at his friends and saying, "Aurelia is different from the other strong women in the Brown family. She’s incredibly gentle and truly a perfect match for Tobias!" A sense of tightness clutched Cordelia's heart as she saw the group of veterans in the living room turn to her and size her up, one by one. Their shrewd gazes were what she feared the most, for she felt like they wanted to see right through all her thoughts. Instantly, her face flushed with embarrassment. "Go to the kitchen and see if there's anything you can help with." Suddenly, Tobias' calm voice sounded beside her. Clearly, he is helping me avoid such awkward situations. As soon as this thought crossed her mind, Cordelia's heart melted. She couldn't help but cast him a grateful look. With a smile involuntarily playing on her lips, she said, "Okay." Cordelia turned around and walked toward the kitchen while Tobias' deep gaze followed her retreating silhouette. Then, he took off his suit, handed it to the servant standing by the door, and stepped toward the living room. As Cordelia walked, the servants who came out one after another with dishware all greeted her respectfully, "Good evening, Mrs. Larkin." Every servant in the Larkin Estate knew that Richard and Agnes were very polite to her. Why? It was all because Tobias was the sole heir of the Larkin Family. Therefore, the baby she carried in the future was bound to be the heir of the Larkin Family. Since the Larkin Family was hoping she would get pregnant soon, the servants were very cautious in front of her. Clack-clack-clack! However, high heels clacking came from the kitchen's direction just then. Immediately afterward, a pair of wine-red high-heeled leather boots, which was currently all the rage in Milens, stepped out of the kitchen.