âThanks!â Rae Baxter smiled. The rock at the bottom of her heart was relieved, revealing a relieved smile. It was a smile that looked genuinely relaxed.
Inside the building, Marcel looked at Rae who was outside through the blinds. She was holding the phone and smiling radiantly.
That smile was from the heart, and it was dazzling.
Marcel faintly narrowed his eyes, frowned and slightly dulled his face. Hiding behind the blinds, he was being unpredictable.
Rae put down the phone and put the gift Marcel gave her inside her bag. She didnât know what it was, but she didnât think she should accept it. The gift was too abrupt, and their relationship hadnât reached that point yet after all.
With her mind made up, Rae went to Marcelâs office during lunch when no one was looking. He happened to be there, and she placed the gift on the table.
Marcel frowned and looked over. His eyes lingered on the gift for a few seconds, then looked up at Rae. His eyes had questions, but he didnât ask anything.
Rae was very prudish and said, âThank you, Captain Hopkins. But I canât accept this gift, I havenât done anything to deserve it!â
Marcel leaned back and rested on the back of his chair. His demeanor was very gloomy, then his gaze fell on Raeâs face, looking very profound.
Rae subconsciously avoided his gaze and lowered her eyes, âIâll head out first.â
She had already returned the gift, and she couldnât control what Marcel would think, but she knew that she couldnât let this be unclear between them.
âArenât you going to see whatâs inside before you make a decision?â
Behind her was Marcelâs unhurried voice with a hint of sultriness that enticed the soul.
Raeâs body froze and she didnât turn around. Her thin figure was seen in Marcelâs eyes. With a hint of arrogance, she said, âThank you, Captain Hopkins. Iâm not that curious!â
After saying that, she started to head out.
âThen Iâll save it for you, Rae!â Behind her, Marcel stared at her back and his certained tone sounded, âYouâll accept it, one day.â
Rae who had reached the door suddenly turned around and looked at Marcel. Without saying anything, she stood at the door and looked deeply at him, as if she wanted to peek at the thoughts deep down in his heart.
His actions were not like how a captain should behave.
Marcelâs eyebrows were slightly raised, his eyes looked deep and there was even a hint of playfulness at the corners of his eyes, implying with a strong sense of confidence.
Rae got a little angry all of a sudden. She didnât say anything, just turned around and walked out.
She decided to forget about the whole thing, including this morning where Marcel picked her up. She took it all as the captainâs sudden whim of action and had no meaning. As for her, she couldnât be daydreaming about it.
In the afternoon, Marcel personally arranged people to go undercover at Joanna Salinasâs villa and the communityâs security office. With eyes planted, it laid down groundwork for future investigation as well.
At night, Easton Holder was originally asked to bring some people with him to Joanna Salinasâs residence, but Marcel changed his mind and let Easton kept an eye on her by himself, while he took Rae to Kenzieâs residence.
The place where Kenzie lived was in the staff residence of SC Normal University, which were all old campus houses, so the management was naturally not as strict and standardized as an upscale neighborhood. The stairs were open to the public and there was no intercom doorbell, so they could easily get to the door, and Marcel could use his skills to sneak into Kenzieâs house.
It was just that Rae was a little worried whether Kenzie would be at home tonight.
Her worry was seen by Marcel, so he told her in the car, âDonât worry. The situation that day wonât happen today, I have an arrangement.â
âOh!â
Rae hadnât said anything. In light of afternoonâs present gifting situation, she was still a bit embarrassed at the moment.
But Marcel wasnât. It was as if nothing had happened, and Rae was quite discouraged by his relaxed appearance.
As it was seven oâclock at night when they arrived, and there were more people going back and forth the stairs, so both of them waited in the car.
The two of them were sitting quietly inside the large compartment. They were separated by the handbrake and the distance between them were far, yet Rae still subconsciously leaned on her side of the car door. Despite doing this, she still felt that the space was very small, too crowded, and was pressuring her unable to breathe.
Marcel waited a while and said to her, âWait here for a while, Iâll be right back!â
âOkay!â Rae nodded her head quickly as she couldnât wait for him to leave.
Marcel got out of the car and headed out. Rae didnât know where he was going, so she sat alone in the car and waited.
Fifteen minutes later, the car door opened from the outside and Marcel got in. While bending down, he handed over a bag.
Rae had a look and there were three big words printed on it â Carnival Cake.
Carnival Cake was the largest cake selling franchise in City B, and Carnival Cakeâs cakes were incredibly delicious.
Rae looked at Marcel. She didnât know whether to accept it or refuse it.
While she was still hesitating, Marcel had already stuffed the box in her hand, and got into the car.
âThank you, Captain Hopkins!â Rae thanked.
âNo need to thank me. I donât want to keep you from eating your birthday cake because of overtime, and then to blame me because of it.â Marcel said carelessly, his tone sounding indifferent.
Raeâs body stiffened. She was feeling touched originally, then a chill ran down her spine that instant.
She smiled and pursed her lips, âWhy would I? It doesnât matter if I get to eat my birthday cake or not.â
Her birthday was just a normal day, and not to mention that it wasnât even her own birthday. By celebrating Rae Baxterâs birthday, she only felt incomparably sad inside, and her resentment towards the Baxter family deepened at the same time.
âBy listening to your tone, you donât seem to like birthdays very much.â Marcelâs tone sounded tentative. With the little understanding that he had of Rae, Marcel really couldnât see through her. He just felt that she wasnât as lively as the usual girls, nor was she stiff as an introverted girl. She seemed to be holding back something, perhaps an emotion or a personality, and with this point, Marcel really couldnât quite figure her out.
âItâs alright.â Rae said lightly, her tone sounded sincere. How could she possibly tell others that she was living in place of another person and that she had a very shady intention.
She had thought before that revenge should be done open and aboveboard. But her father obviously couldnât get tangible evidence, so she had to rely on her own efforts to get evidence on Leonard Baxterâs crime in order to avenge for her mother and elder brother.
âThen why arenât you eating the cake?â Marcel looked at Rae who was holding the bag in her hand, but she didnât seem to be in a hurry to open it.
Werenât girls usually eager to open it when they saw that it was sweets?
Rae was stunned, then heard Marcel said, âItâs very rude to disappoint someoneâs gesture, let alone itâs just a piece of cake.â
Rae was lost in thought for a moment, then calmed down shortly after. With a light smile, she opened the bag and saw the delicate-looking matcha cake inside, and politely thanked, âThank you, Captain Hopkins. Iâll help myself to it then!â
âSure!â Marcelâs face softened a lot, and with a hint of teasing and self-deprecation in his tone, âEnjoy it. You didnât want my gift and if you didnât eat the cake as well, then Iâll think that I have a problem with my character, and it wasnât pleasing you! Besides, eating some sweets will lighten up your mood. Donât look so sullen all day.â
Although his tone sounded a bit of a tease, but it was vaguely exuding care. Something Rae hadnât felt in a long time. Except for Raphael, of course!
However, this was care coming from Marcel Hopkins.
It was something that Rae wished for but was afraid to have.
Why did Marcel care about her so much? Why was he sending gifts and cakes? Rae didnât know what he was going to do, but she knew that if he kept on going like this, she wouldnât be able to resist on wanting more.
However, she was still very touched with the cake tonight. It wasnât a big one, but it made her heart warm and fuzzy.
Rae finished the cake one bite at a time without looking up at Marcel while she was eating.
Instead, she noticed from the corners of her eyes that Marcel looked over several times, and there was some kind of deep meaning in his eyes. A meaning that she couldnât delve into and didnât dare to ask.
After waiting for Rae to finish, Marcel immediately said, âLetâs go! Itâs nine oâclock, and itâs almost ready for us to move.â
He took out a satellite phone to arrange work, âOkay, proceed as planned!â
Rae didnât know what Marcel had arranged. Kenzie lived on the seventh floor, close to Braeden Wallsâs complex, but it wasnât in the same building.
The lights on the seventh floor were lit up, but ten minutes after Marcelâs satellite call, the lights in Kenzieâs house went out. Then after another three minutes, Kenzie who looked fully dressed up, walked out from the stairs.
Marcelâs satellite phone rang with news five minutes after Kenzie walked out, then he was heard saying, âFollow her!â
After that, he hung up the phone and got out of the car.
Rae followed Marcel onto the stairs. His movements were fast, she followed up quickly and almost couldnât keep up. Until she entered the elevator, Rae panted while watching Marcel opened Kenzieâs door.
After the two walked in, both of them wore foot covers and gloves. Their movements remained light and gentle.
It was a girlâs living space after all, so it was tidied up all nice and clean. The two used their cell phones as lighting, canvassing everything that could be useful.
Suddenly, Raeâs phone shone on a photo album.
She opened and swept a glance at it, then instantly shouted out excitedly, âCaptain Hopkins!â
Marcel came over quickly. He had leaned very close to Rae, pressing against her back, and his breathing drifted in slowly. Raeâs spine stiffened.
Fortunately, it was dark without lights on, and only with the faint lights on their phones, Marcel couldnât see the flush on Raeâs face.
The flush on Raeâs face was due to Marcelâs closeness and also the sight of the photo.
Marcel was behind Rae, looking down at the photo from a condescending position. He was slightly stunned with what his eyes had seen, and his body stiffened. His breathing seemed to have sped up and became rapid as well. He seemed to sense that the case was about to be solved.
Rae also felt the excitement in Marcelâs blood. She was excited too and blushing at the same time.
The figures of that photo were actually a donkey and a horse. The donkey was a male donkey, and the horse was a mare.
They were mating.
The male donkeyâs front hooves were resting on the mareâs body, looking intimate.
The image was natural, but Rae couldnât help but blush.
Marcel examined the photo then turned the page over.
Then the photo that came into view at the back was Philippaâs!
Rae backed up in dismay at that instant and accidentally bumped into Marcelâs embrace.
He saw the photo as well, and with Rae soft in his embrace, his hand gently wrapped around her shoulder and whispered, âDonât be nervous, letâs continue looking.â
A Moment in Destiny ï¤Chapter 839 Birthday The convenient Bride ï¤Chapter 414: There Is Nothing Happier Than This (Ending)
Predestined Marriage ï¤Chapter 1718: The End Rae immediately moved a step forward, avoiding the area of Marcelâs breath. As the breath coming from him was no longer that compelling, she reorganized her emotions and began to look at the photos.
There was only one photo of Philippa, and the background was a horse farm.
That photo album was the most valuable clue that Marcel and Rae had found in Kenzieâs residence.
The two then left Kenzieâs place. In the car, Marcel called the person who followed Kenzie while Rae sat by the side.
âWhere is she?â