Chapter 5 The Address Is No Longer Fitting

Every time Christina thought about the Clarke sisters' suffering, anger washed over her, drowning out her fear and unease.

Wendy had trusted her to take care of the three girls, but she had let them down. Instead of protecting them, she had failed to stop Carrie in time from harming them.

She would never forgive herself for this.

But what she couldn't understand was why Harold had suddenly asked such a question.

Christina met Harold's gaze, finding softness in his eyes. For a moment, she thought that she had misread it.

After all, Harold wasn't the type to feel sorry for her.

A small, almost mocking laugh escaped her, and she smiled with a mixture of defiance and charm.

She leaned in, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Maybe, Mr. Hewitt, you think too highly of me. I don't need friends or anyone's approval. And I don't have nightmares either."

Her eyes twinkled with feigned nonchalance, her posture light and carefree.

But what she didn't realize was that Harold saw right through the mask she put on.

In fact, they had crossed paths long before, when she was a completely different person.

Harold already knew most of what had happened before her time in prison.

The quiet, cramped space of the car felt tense, filled with an uncomfortable stillness and a strange pressure.

Christina decided to take control of the situation. Leaning toward Harold, she spoke softly. "Mr. Hewitt, leaving all those beautiful women just to drive me home... don't you think that's a waste? I can manage on my own. No need to trouble yourself."

The moment she said that, she began to rise.

But before she could get out of the car, Harold grabbed her arm, pulling her back into his lap.

They were so close now that their faces nearly touched.

In the silence, Christina could smell the faint, clean scent of cedarwood on him - subtle but surprisingly comforting.

Their gazes locked, and Harold gently lifted her chin, his intense eyes holding hers.

His voice was steady as he spoke. "You're still adjusting to your new role. Taking you home is my responsibility as your future husband."

His expression was unreadable, as deep and mysterious as an undiscovered world.

Their marriage was just a deal, something Christina had negotiated for. There was no need for him to pretend it was anything more.

But seeing the seriousness in his face now, Christina couldn't help but feel a sense of quiet admiration. He had perfected the skill of playing his role, effortlessly shifting between genuine emotion and calculated performance. It was almost impressive.

Christina snapped back to reality when Harold leaned in closer, his voice low and teasing as he whispered, "Christina, are you sure you want me to drive like this?"

Without meaning to, her ears flushed with heat, but she maintained her facade of composure, moving calmly to the passenger seat, buckling her seatbelt before Harold could assist her.

The cool night air swept in as the car raced through the city, with neon lights and the blur of passing traffic flashing by the window. Christina's mind wandered, drifting off into distant thoughts.

Fortunately, the Marshall family home was just a short distance away. After leaving the highway, they quickly reached the entrance.

After Christina unbuckled her seatbelt, she politely said, "Thank you, Mr. Hewitt."

As Christina reached for the car door, Harold seized her wrist, his touch warm against her skin, and gently tugged her back into the seat.

Before she could process what was happening, his lips brushed the edge of hers in a quick, passionate kiss.

Christina paused, momentarily stunned.

Harold leaned back with a playful glint in his eyes, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. "I've arranged a meeting for you with my grandmother tomorrow. And this 'Mr. Hewitt' thing? It's no longer fitting. Time for that to change."

Christina grasped what he meant. From the very beginning, she had known that this marriage wasn't merely a formality.

As long as it served her purpose, the price didn't matter. With that in mind, she moved closer, her voice gentle and warm as she whispered, "Harold."

Harold looked pleased, his sensual eyes lingering on her lips with a playful glint.

But just then, a deep, authoritative voice cut through the air behind Christina. "Christina!"

She turned quickly and saw Cade striding toward her, his face dark with anger.

Cade hadn't noticed Harold in the car; his focus was entirely on Christina as he snapped, "Do you know what time it is? Did you take care of things? The Reed family already came, and you-"

Before Cade could complete his sentence, Christina leaned in and quickly kissed Harold on the lips, a brief moment that left Cade speechless. From his angle, he couldn't see whom his daughter kissed. But that was unimportant in Cade's eyes. Christina's behavior was a clear challenge, an intentional act of defiance.

Fuming with anger, he marched toward the car, intent on confronting the man in the car. But when he saw Harold lounging in the driver's seat, casually waving at him, Cade stopped dead in his tracks.

"Mr. Marshall," Harold said, offering a small, knowing smile.

There was an instant change in Cade's face, his fury giving way to an uncomfortable, tense expression.

The Hewitt family was not one to be messed with, especially not this black sheep.

Cade's eyes paled, his words getting stuck in his throat.

Watching him so unsettled, Christina couldn't help but feel a rush of satisfaction. With a teasing smile, she said, "Harold, drive safely. I'll miss you."

She took on the role of a lover pretending to be hesitant about saying goodbye.

Harold seized the opportunity to remind her, in front of Cade, "Don't forget about the family dinner tomorrow. I'll pick you up."

Family dinner? Cade stood frozen, shocked. Had Christina somehow already woven her way into the Hewitt family? He had always thought that no respectable family would willingly marry their son to someone with Christina's history - except, perhaps, the Reed family.

As Harold drove off, Christina's expression hardened, her eyes locking onto Cade with a chilling intensity.

Without saying a word, she walked toward the house, Cade following closely behind, his voice filled with frustration. "So, you're really going to marry Harold? What should I tell the Reed family?"

Christina laughed, her tone distant and indifferent. "You know exactly what to tell them."

After all, Cade knew which family - the Reed or the Hewitt - was the better option.

...

The following day, Christina finalized the agreement between Nimbus Enterprises and the Marshall Group by signing the contract.

With this contract in hand, Cade had no reason to object.

At that moment, Christina's phone vibrated with a message from an unknown number. "Come downstairs."

Christina's brow furrowed as she wondered who it could be.

Before she had a chance to reply, another message popped up. "I've got the gift ready for my grandmother."

Then it clicked. It was Harold.

But how had he gotten her number? Christina quickly checked the time before freshening up in the restroom, then made her way downstairs.

She was dressed, as always, in a sleek, elegant gown that perfectly highlighted her graceful form.

Her beauty was undeniable, and the outfit seemed to amplify her confidence, showcasing the woman she had fully embraced herself to be.

In the car, Harold reclined in the backseat, his fingers draped lazily over the window frame, carrying an air of nonchalant superiority.

When he noticed her, a faint smile appeared, and he opened the door for her with ease.

Christina slid in beside him, the spacious Maybach filled with a light, refreshing scent that reminded her of rain-drenched earth - clean and crisp.

Harold clearly had a refined taste in fragrances, choosing a scent that perfectly matched Christina's preferences.

The soft hum of the radio filled the air as the hosts bantered playfully, breaking the silence.

Then, a familiar name caught Christina's attention.

"And now, for our next story - one that might bring back some memories. Remember Christina Marshall? The one who made headlines three years ago for attempted murder..."