Chapter 80 - Backed By The Demon Lord
Contrary to everyone's expectation, Adrian doesn't seem to be convinced by the fact that it's Irish who's behind the reassignment.
In the past, he used to let his family members do this kind of things. Since he's working compulsively hard and for long hours every single day, he's rarely at home. Because of that, Cassidy was all by herself most of the time.
His mother and sisters would often visit their mansion and help his incompetent wife in managing the household. Considering that she never excelled both at their family's business and domestic works, they would offer to teach her while he's away and busy.
What Adrian did not know was that these women were being very brutal while they were doing it. All of the witnesses and houseworkers were being silenced by either Gertrude or Irish every time. That brutality never reached his ears.
But then again, it was just that nobody really wanted to side with a wife who had no use in the family and was always the target of malice.
No one chose to care about Cassidy before, especially with all the rumors going around. People kept saying that she was only after her husband's wealth. They thought that she was simply pretending to be in love with him so that she could satisfy her own selfish gains.
That's why they just let this brutality push her to the limits while they wait for the day when she'll finally give up on pursuing her husband's unattainable love.
Her lack of response and refusal to resolve this matter had worsened the rumors. Since nobody was sure where exactly she came from and she herself remained ignorant towards their bad perceptions of her, everyone continued to treat her badly inside her own home - for five whole years, that is.
But perhaps, the strongest factor that influenced this chain of reactions is Adrian's indifference itself. To begin with, the husband's silence and negligence serve as some of the main causes why the wife can't even enjoy her marriage life. If he's only a bit least concerned, things may have been different.
Because Adrian himself was apathetic towards his wife, everyone else followed while some took advantage of it.
Right now, though, Cassidy is a bit dumbfounded.
She has no idea why her husband is displeased by a recurring matter. Everybody knew that he trusted his elder sister and would often let her have her way, but for some reason, he's suddenly making a big deal of something like a reassignment of maids.
"Bring in Cecile. I'll talk to her," Adrian ordered the maids to which they immediately nodded before hastening away.
"What's up, bossman? You don't approve it?" Cassidy asked with her head tilted quizzically.
"Don't you remember what I said earlier? About those people you're not familiar with?"
"Uhhhh... You mean, about not talking with strangers?"
"About not even letting them get close to you. Forget about talking."
"Huh? But you know these people, and they're sent by your sister."
"It doesn't matter whether I know them or not. I wasn't here in the first place. What matters here is if you know them. You should send them away when you're not sure, especially since there is someone out there who's trying to get you."
A bit nonplussed, she feels her eyes widen at this.
She didn't expect that he'd worry that much. It's not like the guards around here would let just anybody in. But then again, someone did try to assassinate her within her very own vehicle. That driver was proof that even those who're working under them could be scheming something evil.
"So then, are you saying that I can push people away regardless if you know them or not? Even if it's a relative of yours who sent them to me?" Cassidy asked with an incredulous look on her face.
"How would you even confirm that when they just literally showed up out of nowhere? And without my knowledge even? If you're not comfortable with them, send them away at once. It's your choice," Adrian simply answered while crossing his arms.
"You do know that I don't remember a lot of people because of my amnesia, right? I might push away someone who I actually shouldn't push away, and it might come out rude to those who has a good relationship with me or you."
"Think about your safety, not them. I couldn't care less either. But if you're really that concerned, then just kindly reason out that you don't recall who they are because of your circumstances. If they truly mean well, they'll understand. It's as simple as that."
Realizing that Cassidy actually did right with that blonde woman who walked up to her earlier in the mall, she couldn't help but smirk to herself.
Adrian was thinking the same thing all along. It's like they're having a similar pattern of thoughts this whole time.
For some reason, she feels a little less restrained either. She knows that she can always behave freely if she wants to, but getting her husband's support on the matter about dealing with people is better. This way, she feels like the all-powerful demon lord has her back.
It makes her a bit more intrepid and unstoppable.
With that in mind, Cassidy stands up and puffs her chest out with pride, taking Adrian aback. She then looks down at him as if boasting about something. While he simply stares back, she goes ahead and tries to test if he will really let her do what she wants starting this point.
"By the way, bossman, I made a new achievement today, and it's all thanks to your debit card!" she proudly chimed in, both hands on her hips.
"Oh, now that you mentioned it, how was your shopping?" he asked with a small smile, feeling delighted to see that she somehow enjoyed it.historical
"You know, you should be asking how is the condition of your precious money~"
"Huh?"
Wanting to amuse herself, she decided to see her husband's reaction about how exactly she played today. She knew that she's going to get scolded for this, but it's not like she's already not used to that. Sometimes, it can even be fun, especially when she just thinks of it as some sort of a payback.
With that, Cassidy walks around the table and leans closer to Adrian all of the sudden, making him flinch a little in surprise.
The way she suddenly scooted nearer made his heart pound for a second there. It gets a bit louder the moment he feels her warm breath hitting his ear. Her soft hand then touches his cheek before pulling his face closer to hers out of nowhere.
For once there, he thinks that she is so overjoyed by her shopping experience that she will finally give him a peck on the cheek - like what he tried to do earlier this morning.
At that thought, he can't help but blush for a bit, but he remains steady on his seat. Since she's easy to please, especially when he hits the right buttons, it might not actually be that impossible to get a kiss or two from her after all.
But then, much to his dismay, that's not what happened.
"Hey, bossman, I spent more than half the amount in your debit card. You know what I mean right?" was what Cassidy whispered in his ears all of the sudden, making him pause and crushing his hopes.
"What?" Adrian then flatly blurted out after a second of silence on his part, feeling disappointed and looking straight-faced all the while.
"I mean I bought a ton and spent a million...! I wasted your money on food, arcade tokens and hair dyes! Isn't that wicked or something~?"
"I see. And then?"
"Huh? What do you mean 'and then'...? Why do you look like you don't care? Aren't you put out at least?"
"I don't understand, Cassidy. How exactly do you want me to react?"
"I have the ability to get you broke someday, dummy...! That's what I'm trying to imply! I just spent a million within a single day, you know!"
"And why would you want me broke to begin with?"
"Well, I don't know~ So that you can think about divorcing me as early as you can, perhaps?"
At that, Adrian only snorts, much to her chagrin.
Rather than reacting put out or irked that Cassidy brought up the topic of divorce again, he's quite amused. Bragging something like spending a million isn't going to cut it. In the end, her attempt to turn him off by pretending to be some sort of a shameless gold digger only comes out amusing.
In the first place, Adrian doesn't even mind that she spends millions. It actually relieves him that she's finally using money this way, considering that she's one to never spend much for herself. For the past five years, she hadn't even spent more than fifty thousand in a day.
Besides, he spends a lot more than a million himself, though it's not really everyday. However, other wealthy women of her status would do just that. His sisters, for once, would spend hundreds of thousands for cosmetics alone. Their branded clothes and accessories would be a whole different story.
"Well, if you want to see me broke..." Adrian trailed off with an amused smirk and teasing tone, looking like he's about to brag something back.
"Go on, then. I'd like to see you try."