After hearing Marvin’s words, Jonathan turned and winked at Credence, putting on an ambiguous smile. “Credence, tell the truth. Is this woman that Marvin’s talking about an ex-lover of yours or something?”
Benjamin had already compiled all the websites and influencers spreading rumours about Dorothy into a password-protected file. Once Credence gave the order, he’d immediately put Scott Group’s PR department to work to clear Dorothy’s name.
However, at Jonathan’s words, Benjamin couldn’t help looking up at Credence. The part of him that thirsted for gossip stood at attention.
He had only started working for Credence and the Scott Group a year after Credence became president. Hence, he had no idea about Credence’s past in the army.
As far as he could see, Credence’s face was cold and calm, and Benjamin couldn’t help shuddering slightly.
In Benjamin’s impression, Credence had always been calm and reserved, and it seemed like nothing could jolt him. Now, however, he could obviously see that Credence’s expression was slightly different than usual. His eyes were sharp, and it was filled with endless murderous intent.
Credence’s pupils contracted. He had one last drag of his cigarette before focusing and asking coldly, “Are there any clear photos of her?”
“Yes.”
Marvin lowered his head, stuck his hands in his pockets and pulled out two photos that had been taken in secret. He placed them on the table, saying, “I thought she died in that uprising because we’d lost all news of her over the years. I didn’t expect her not only to live, but also to become more and more ruthless. She’s become one of the top dogs of the organisation controlling Jenciga, and a few of my men have already died at her hands.”
As he spoke, Marvin unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt and pointed at a fresh bullet wound less than two centimeters away from his heart. He said, “If I didn’t get lucky, I probably wouldn’t have made it back from this time’s drug bust.”
“Credence, I’ve fought against her before. I couldn’t see her face clearly in the dark, but I’m positive that that was Melanie Jenkins. She’s back.”
Credence leaned back in his chair, remaining silent.
Benjamin watched as Credence’s gaze locked on the photo of the woman’s vague, yet still beautiful features, his body stiff and unmoving.
It was only after a long moment that Credence held the two photos up, his eyes flashing coldly. “It’s her.”
The woman who he thought had died a long time ago had suddenly reappeared, and she was even openly declaring war on him and his family. How ridiculous.
Benjamin watched as Credence’s hand clenched on his teacup, breaking it in half and allowing it to shatter on the marble floor. He couldn’t help shuddering, then lowered his head to look at the photo of the beautiful, yet ruthless woman. He didn’t understand how such a woman had gotten on Credence’s bad side.
On the other hand, Jonathan was caught off guard, and his heart raced. He looked at Marvin curiously, then asked in a low voice, “Is this Melanie a scary woman?”
“She is.”
Marvin nodded, his eyes flashing coldly. “She’s one of Jenciga’s most infamous killers. She’s as sly as a fox, and cruel to boot. Credence is the only one who’s been able to defeat her.”
“Even you can’t defeat her?”
Jonathan couldn’t help exclaiming.
Marvin narrowed his eyes and admitted truthfully, “That’s right! Ten years ago, I fought against her, and lost at the very last moment.”
Jonathan knew that he couldn’t get anything out of Credence, so he sidled up to Marvin, his eyes flashing with his thirst for gossip. “Oho, what does Credence have to do with her? Don’t tell me they’re really ex-lovers with a love-hate relationship?”
Benjamin put on a serious front, but both his ears were perked up, ready to catch any slither of information on his boss’ past.
Marvin’s brows furrowed, and he said, “I only got the feeling that Credence was special to her, but I’m not too sure whether or not Credence felt anything for her.”
Had he ever fancied Melanie?
Credence’s gaze fell outside the window. As he recalled his past with Melanie, his gaze turned frosty.
He’d have to be lying if he were to say that he hadn’t felt anything for a skilled, seductive young lady back when he was young and arrogant.
However, his faint liking towards her had completely dissipated after a few interactions. He’d realised that their morals and values were complete opposites, and that she was only trying to reap benefits for herself by getting close to him.
Credence had thought that all hatchets were buried with Melanie’s death, but he hadn’t expected her to miraculously come back to life.
Her sudden reappearance and unchanging features had thoroughly awoken Credence’s past which was filled with bloodshed and betrayal.
Melanie was the cause of the humiliation and pain that hadn’t been his burden to carry in the first place.
And she was the only inkblot on his otherwise upstanding life.
Over the years, a part of his heart had been buried under layers of frost and snow, and he’d never opened it up to anyone.
He had never even uttered a single word to Dorothy, the only woman that he felt he’d loved in his life.
At this moment, Dorothy was being covered in dirt, and it was likely to be because of Melanie…
At the thought of this, Credence lowered his head and stared at the tiny, red beauty mark under Melanie’s right eye, his face turning as sharp as a blade. “Melanie, since you want to play, I’ll play as much as you want.”
His words were enunciated clearly and said loudly. It came from the deepest pits of his heart.
This was the first time Benjamin was hearing of Melanie, and it was his first time hearing of a woman that Credence had gotten entangled with aside from Dorothy. For a moment, he stood there in a daze, silently trying to process such a huge piece of news.
After a while, he came to his senses and couldn’t help frowning. He wondered whether Dorothy would be sad that Credence had had a relationship with such a sly, cruel woman.
Benjamin decided to keep this matter a secret, and pretend as if nothing had happened.
At that moment, Credence’s phone, which was placed on the desk, rang loudly. The gazes of everyone present fell on it immediately.
Credence glanced at it as well. His gaze focused on the words flashing on the screen, and allowed it to ring without answering the phone.