Chapter 381 Rather Ruthless

Lyla woke up.

She squinted her eyes. “Mark?”

Softening his gaze, Mark looked at her. “Did I wake you?”

Lyla shook her head. “No, I had a dream that you were by my side. It never crossed my mind that I’d wake up just like that.” She rested her head against him. “What time is it?”

“It’s four.”

“How long have I been asleep for?” Lifting her head, Lyla asked.

Mark curled his lips into a doting smile. “It’s normal to crave sleep when you’re pregnant. Moreover, it’s been tiresome for you on the road.”

Hearing this, Lyla chuckled and lifted her head to stare at him. “It appears that the boss won’t talk bad about me skipping work.”

“The boss allows you to play hooky.”

“Is there really such a boss?”

“Normally, there isn’t but an exception can be made from having an improper relationship with the boss,” Mark teased.

Lyla grinned. “Then, Boss, are there any benefits to having an improper relationship?”

“What benefits are you looking at?”

“Something like having a salary without working.” Lifting her gaze, she bewitchingly enquired.

He knew her too well yet a single look or gentle sweet nothings from her still sent a familiar rush to his core. He jumped on her. “Of course you can. With great service, comes an offer of all my money to you.”

Detecting the burning desire in his eyes, Lyla dared not go on playing with fire. She said, “All your money is already in my hands.”

Mark replied, “... I can make more.”

“What’s the point of having so much? The money is enough for me to live a lifetime,” Lyla answered. She withdrew her coy tone and put on a serious face.

“What? Are you saying that you don’t want me anymore?”

Lyla solemnly bobbed her head. “Well, that would depend on my mood. It is possible if I’m not feeling it.”

“Don’t even think about it. Even if you refuse me, I’m going to cling onto you.”

Letting out a snicker, Lyla put her arms around him. “Be nice to me and I won’t ditch you.”

Mark studied her face. Feeling the moment, he solemnly nodded. “I will protect you forever.”

Lyla laughed.

So did Mark.

They only had eyes for each other.

It took a while before Lyla turned to him. “Do tell. Did something happen?”

Mark narrowed his eyes, in shock at how well she knew him. “It’s nothing big.”

“It’s nothing big but you came from the office to watch me while murmuring to yourself?” Lyla replied with a question.”

“You heard it?”

“I heard you talking but I have no idea what you were talking about,” she explained before adding, “I was half asleep.”

Closing his eyes, Mark hesitated for a moment and retorted, “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you worried.”

“It’s about me?”

Mark nodded his head.

“How can I avoid danger if you don’t let me know?” Lyla replied.

She had her reasons. Mark gave it a thought and looked into her clear eyes. “Caty Davis escaped.”

Lyla was dumbstruck. “She ran away? How did she manage to do that?”

“She faked a heart attack and fled while she was sent to the hospital.”

With a frown, Lyla dwelled in her thoughts before answering, “Are you worried that she’d come after me?”

“I’m not worried but certain that she will,” Mark said.

“Why?”

“This is the mentality of a criminal. There’s no reason for it,” Mark firmly answered.

Lyla furrowed her brows, feeling a little concerned.

With her belly growing each day, Lyla would not be so worried if she was alone. However, now that she was carrying a child, she might lose the baby if anything were to happen to her.

Observing the wrinkle between her brows, Mark held her face. “Trust me. I won’t let anything happen to you this time.”

Lyla looked at him with trusting eyes. She nodded. “I trust you.”

Still having his eyes on her, Mark pulled her into his arms.

“There’s nothing much going on these days anyway so I won’t leave the house and stay put at home.”

“Oh?”

“Of course.”

“Can you sit still for that long?”

“If I can’t, I’ll go with you to the office. Surely, nothing will happen under your watchful eye?” Lyla threw the question at him with a smile.

Mark did not answer but his smile said enough.

...

Mark went to work every day, occupied with organizational matters and the wedding, while engaged with finding Caty Davis.

The wedding would be a disaster if Caty was not found. He could not possibly allow Lyla to be in danger once again.

On this day, J entered the office. “Mr. Pattinson...” He shook his head.

Mark frowned.

“We have invested a lot of money yet gained no intel in return. Could she have left?” J asked.

“I hope so. It’s a shame if she hasn’t though.” Mark enunciated each word clearly.

“What do we do?” J enquired.

Mark was lost in his thoughts for a while before picking up the phone to dial a number.

“Mark Pattinson, do you find it funny? You know how important these few days are to me...”

“I have something I need to talk to you about.”

Neil was cut off before he could finish.

Judging by his serious tone of voice, it must be a matter of importance. Neil put on a straight face. “How big of a deal are we talking about?”

“Lives are at stake.”

“Do tell. When do you need to see me?”