Marigold still wanted to vent her anger at Marcello. However, she held herself back when she noticed the café patrons beginning to watch them. With a calm expression, Marcello continued looking at Marigold as if he felt no guilt for suddenly proposing to her. The man's composure only made Marigold even more irritated. She had already begun straightening her bag, ready to leave.
“Marigold, hear me out first,” Marcello stopped her.
“I’m not some lecherous man like you think I am. I have a reason for asking you to marry me. My father ordered me to get married to preserve the business. If I don’t find a wife, I’ll be arranged to marry someone,” Marcello explained quickly before Marigold could actually leave.
“What do I care?” Marigold shot back curtly.
Marcello fell silent for a moment before asking, “Marigold, do you know who my father is?”
“Who is your father, anyway? Why should I know who your father is?!”
“My father is Alberto Chandra. You must have heard that name before, right?”
Marigold smiled sarcastically. “Oh, so you’re the son of Alberto Chandra, the wealthy businessman? Listen, Marcello. I don’t care who your father is. I know your father is super rich, but that doesn’t mean you can easily get any woman you want.”
Marcello sighed. “That’s not what I meant. I’m not flaunting my father’s wealth to propose to you. But you know my father has many associates with daughters they want to set me up with. I don’t want an arranged marriage.”
Though she was extremely annoyed, Marigold couldn’t deny that she was curious about why Marcello didn’t want his father to arrange a marriage for him. She knew Alberto Chandra as a highly renowned and exceptionally capable businessman. His associates were undoubtedly wealthy as well, and their daughters naturally had plenty to offer.
“Why don’t you want one?” Marigold tried to keep her voice casual so she wouldn’t sound curious.
Marcello shrugged. “I just don’t want my father controlling my life. But I want his business to be passed on to me, so I have to comply with his demand and get married soon.”
Marigold smiled sarcastically again. “It’s the same thing. That means you’re using me for the business you want.”
“It’s simply a business partnership offer,” Marcello replied casually.
Marcello’s words irritated Marigold even more. How could he regard marriage as nothing more than a partnership? However, Marigold didn’t respond. Not wanting to waste any more time, she finally stood up. She had just started to turn away when she heard Marcello clear his throat.
“Marigold, this is my business card. My cell phone number is on it. If you happen to change your mind and decide to accept my proposal, feel free to call me.” Marcello held out a small white business card.
Marigold laughed mockingly. “You’re seriously so narcissistic. I’m never going to change my mind. Remember that!”
After saying that, Marigold turned and walked away without looking back. She quickened her pace as she left the café to avoid the curious gazes of the patrons. Marigold clicked her tongue in annoyance when she realized she hadn’t brought her car. In the end, she ordered a rideshare to take her back to her apartment.
When she arrived at her apartment, Marigold tossed her bag aside and dropped onto the sofa. She actually wanted to shower and go straight to sleep. However, her head was still spinning after the string of incidents that had happened earlier. She chose to lean back on the sofa for a while and tried to calm herself down. Marigold let out a long sigh.
Marigold gently massaged her temples in an attempt to ease her dizziness. Suddenly, she remembered Evan, her colleague who had trapped her with Robert. Marigold immediately reached for her bag and took out her phone. She searched for Evan’s number in her contacts and called him. However, no one answered despite several attempts.
“You bastard, Evan!” Marigold cursed.
As if she didn’t care, Marigold tried calling Evan’s number again. She had to confront her colleague. What Evan had done had truly enraged her. For a moment, Marigold remembered the behavior of Robert, that lecherous old director, toward her. Marigold shuddered in horror, still feeling disgusted and furious.