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Chapter 681
Chapter 681
Chapter 681
Chapter 681
In Elmsworth, the long–absent Marilla finally managed to secure a spot as an audit student at the
prestigious Elmsworth Academy of Fine Arts, thanks to the strings pulled by Jareth.
Already a week into her new life, Marilla sat quietly at the back of the classroom, shielded by a large
canvas. Despite her attempts to remain inconspicuous, her striking beauty didn’t escape the attention
of the boys in class. Their necks craned so often towards her that one might worry about their spines
by the end of the lesson.
But Manilla was focused solely on her art, her pencil dancing across the paper, oblivious to the fact that
she was the wolf den’s newest interest.
She treasured this opportunity to lears, an opportunity Jareth had fought hard to give her. She intended
to absorb every lesson like a sponge, not daring to let her mind wander even for a second.
As the afternoon class ended, Marilla began to pack her art supplies. A group of the lads nudged one
particularly handsome boy towards her Mustering courage, he awkwardly approached the last row
where Marilla sat.
“Mrs. Fairhaven, sorry for the delay. I got tied up with a phone call,” Lily, as swift as a gust of wind,
arrived beside Marilla, deftly gathering her art supplies and gently guiding her by the waist.
Lily’s icy gaze swept over the boys, her steely eyes enough to petrify them where they stood. While
Marilla was a beauty, Lily was a force to be reckoned with!
“What do you think you’re doing? Are you trying to hit on a married woman?”
Married woman?!
The boys stood dumbfounded, their hearts sinking at the thought that such a flower was already
plucked from the garden.
“Our lady is married, gentlemen. Lay eyes on her again, and you’ll be slapped with harassment
charges,” Lily warned, though originally she intended to say “you’ll lose your eyes“; yet considering they
were Marilla’s classmates, she softened her words, skipping the bloody scene she might have created.
As they left the classroom, Marilla’s cheeks were flushed, and she shyly lowered her gaze.
Mrs. Fairhaven, I had some urgent business to attend to today, hence my tardiness. From now on, I’ll
wait for you by the back entrance when you’re in class, Lily was still rattled by the boys‘ audacity.
She understood now why Jareth was so protective, his eyes reddened with worry as he watched over
her. It was distressing to think of leaving such a gem amidst thieves.
“Lily, Jareth and I aren’t married yet,” Marilla’s lashes fluttered, remembering Lily’s earlier proclamation
that she was Mr. Fairhaven before her fellow students. Even though she felt pleased inside, she still
was a bit embarrassed.
“It’s merely a matter of paperwork. Even without marriage, Jareth’s heart – and everything else –
belongs to you, always.” Lily smiled gently, stroking her hair, “He’s planning your engagement in secret.
Next month, he plans to attend a royal auction in Aetheria. There’s a diamond up for grabs, rumor has
it that it was once worn by their queen. No matter the cost, he intends to win it for you, to slip that ring
onto your finger himself.”
‘I don’t need Jareth to spend so much. Knowing he cares for me, that’s enough,” Marilla gently tugged
at Lily’s sleeve, shaking her head slightly.
“He’d pluck the stars from the sky if he could, just to stud them in your ring. You deserve that and
more.” Lily chuckled, “And honestly, you needn’t save his money. With nothing but you and his wealth,
splurging is one of his few pleasures. Indulge him in that
As they spoke, Lily received Jareth’s message. Once reading it, she sighed to herself.
“Is Jareth not coming home for dinner again tonight?” Marilla, attuned to Lily’s mood, perceived the
situation.
“My apologies, Mrs. Fairhaven. There’s a board meeting. He’s a bit tied up.”
“It’s alright, I understand. Being a CEO must keep him incredibly busy.” Marilla clutched her teddy bear
tighter, her eyes clear of any disappointment, and she smiled understandingly, “I’ll just wait for him at
home. Before, my brother was also busy, rarely home. My sister–in–law would wait up for him every
night, never undressing, never closing her eyes. Even when he came home late and drunk, she would
look after him without a word of complaint. I’ll do the same for Jareth, just as well as she did.”
Lily was touched by her words, feeling both the bitterness of past hardships and the relief that Marilla’s
journey with Jareth promised a smoother path.
Thankfully, with Ms. Ashbourne’s persistence and Mr. Abernathy eventually realizing where his heart
belonged, the couple had found their way back to each other in the very end.
“Lily, since Jareth isn’t coming home for dinner, it doesn’t make much sense for me to rush back either.”
Marilla’s eyes sparkled with a new idea, “I want to practice a bit longer in the studio. And later, let’s go
out for dinner, shall we?”
“W–What are you saying?” Lily was completely dumbfounded.
Marilla had autism and severe social phobia. Even since she was with Mr. Fairhaven, she’d never
eaten in public.
Even when Jareth had reserved tables at the finest eateries, Marilla would still hesitate to go, and
always find an excuse to stay home. But now, with integrating herself in the society, Marilla seemed to
have changed her mentality. She spoke more, smiled more, and her timid nature was fading. Seeing
how noticeable the change was, Lily was thrilled with tears.
“Hmm, I overheard some classmates mention a new place, a hot pot restaurant that’s supposed to be
amazing. Let’s try it out, shall we? You’ve been with me all week and still have to cook dinner. You’ve
done a lot. Let’s take the night off. I can afford it; it’s my treat,” Marilla pleaded with puppy–eyed
sincerity.
Managing her emotions, Lily agreed tearfully, “Okay, thank you, Mrs. Fairhaven.”
The studio was empty as classes had ended for the day. Marilla tied her raven hair into a loose bun
with a pencil and, with focused determination, began to paint.
Lily couldn’t help snapping a photo of her picture–perfect silhouette and sent it to Jareth. The man
replied instantly, his annoyance practically radiating through the screen.
“Why hasn’t the class been over yet? Does the academy want to make my wife fagged? Do they not
want the donation for the new library wing?”
“Mr. Fairhaven, classes are over. It’s Mrs. Fairhaven herself who wanted to stay behind for extra
practice.”
“Marilla, she’s, Well, alright then. You make sure she doesn’t overdo it. It’d break my heart.”
“Mr. Fairhaven, Mrs. Fairhaven mentioned she wants to take me out for dinner at that newly opened hot
pot restaurant, sol thought I should check in with you first.”
After sending that message, Jareth didn’t respond for ten few seconds. Suddenly, Lily’s phone buzzed
like crazy!
Jareth went on a rampage, bombarding her with a barrage of angry tiger emojis and then sent some
words, “Damn it!!
“Lily, I am extremely, supremely jealous right now! Just you wait till I get home!”
Lily couldn’t help but laugh helplessly. Her boss was always like this – no discrimination in his jealousy,
applying to both man and woman.
“Take good care of her, let her eat her fill. Make sure you eat my share too.”
“Rest assured, I’ll take good care of her. And please, wrap up your work quickly and come home. Don’t
make her wait too long.”
“Okay.”
Just one word, but it seemed to carry the weight of the world. was it really that hard to balance career
and family?
Just then, her phone rang again. It was the head of the academic affairs office, asking her to pick up
some documents and sign a request form.
Lily stepped out, and it took more than ten minutes before she returned. Marilla was lost in her artistic
endeavors, oblivious to when Lily had left.
In the midst of the silence, a sudden, piercing scream from outside shattered the peace.
“Ah!”
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