Chapter 821
Today, Comelia was playing the role of the adult. Even in the face of enemies, even with fear filling her heart, she didnât let it show
She gritted her teeth, swallowed her fear, and told herself she couldnât show weakness, couldnât back down, and certainly couldnât let anyone know she was scared, because she had to protect Briana standing behind her.
Not until she saw Marcus, who, at that moment, became her rock, did she let down all her pretenses and show her true self
Looking up at him, Cornelia had so much to say, but before she could open her mouth, he asked, âWhat happened to your face?â
Cornelia didnât want him to worry, so she tried to brush it off with a joke. âI lost a fight and bit myself.â
But Marcus didnât buy it, âAyden!â
Ayden lowered his head âI failed to protect Mrs Hartley. President Hartley, Iâm willing to accept any punishment!â
Marcusâ face darkened, his eyes cold âYou think a punishment would solve everything? She got hurt, and you didnât tell me?â
If he knew Cornelia was hurt, he wouldnât have spent so much time watching her from the second floorâ¦
Cornelia didnât want Ayden to be punished because of her, so she quickly defended him, âIf it werenât for Ayden arriving in time, Bri and I might have been taken away. Donât blame him, okay?â
Ayden, as always, was expressionless, âProtecting Mrs. Hartley is my duty. I failed, I should be punishedâ
Cornelia was speechless.
Marcus said, âGo and accept your punishment.â
âYesâ Before Ayden left, he didnât forget to handle the two fake cops.
âBro, can you pay attention to me for once?â Briana felt her brother was becoming more and more strange. Clearly, she was the one who first saw him blocking the car that kidnapped them, but after he glanced at her to make sure she was alright, he walked straight towards Cornelia, completely ignoring her.
Marcus reached out and patted Brianaâs head. âI will handle your things. You and Cornelia rest at home for a few days, donât worry about anything else.â
Briana bit her lip and whispered, âBro, Iâm scared. Iâm scared that my missing exhibit is just a warning from them, and they will do something worse. Itâs been so many years, but every time I think of that person, I feel afraid. I hate this feeling of helplessnessâ¦â
Marcus interrupted her, âBriana, you need to understand that youâre an adult now. Youâre not that little girl who was bullied anymore. You should learn to forget the things that happened to you when you were young.
âIf you keep dwelling on it, those people and things that hurt you will haunt you like a nightmare and you wonât be able to get rid of them.
âYou need to understand that you have the whole Hartley Group behind you, your grandma, your brother, and Cornelia. So many people are supporting you, what do you have
to be afraid of?â
Briana understood all of this, but forgetting the past, overcoming all that lingered in her heart, was too difficult.
She had tried. She had tried many times, but failed each time. Especially when she heard anything related to Brennen, she couldnât control her fear.
She cried out in despair, âIâve tried countless times to forget the past, but every time I dream of those times in the middle of the night, the past events play like a movie in my mind. The more I try to forget, the more dreams I have, and I canât find a moment of peaceâ¦â