Chapter 126 Helping You Leave the Rio Family

Chapter 126 Helping You Leave the Rio Family
Cora let out a quiet breath, steadied her emotions, and led everyone out.

The past few days at home hadn’t been particularly boring for her. Reading, watering flowers, letting time drift by. It passed quickly enough.

But for her assistant, it had been torture.

Now that they could finally go out, Avery looked like she’d been released from prison.

The driver pulled into the underground parking of the newly opened shopping center.

It was crowded. Very crowded.

Not everyone there could afford luxury brands, but looking was free, and the atmosphere alone felt indulgent.

The moment Cora stepped into the first-floor lobby, before the bodyguards could even close in around her, several staff members in light gray tailored suits approached.

They bowed in unison.

“Excuse us. Are you Miss Nebula?”

“I am,” Cora replied, surprised. “And you are…?”

“We’re here on the CEO’s instructions to receive you,” the man at the front said politely. “He was concerned about the crowd today. Given that you’re pregnant, we’ve been assigned to handle your security throughout your visit.”

Cora blinked. “Your CEO is…?”

“Mr. Clark.”

Understanding dawned instantly.

Ah. Him.

“That’s very thoughtful of Mr. Clark,” Cora said with a small smile.

She didn’t know how Theodore had found out she was coming here, nor had she realized the mall belonged to him.

But none of that mattered to her.

She was here to relax.

⸻

At that very moment, Theodore stood in his top-floor office, phone to his ear.

“Uncle, I’m sorry,” he said calmly. “Without her consent, I can’t arrange a meeting. And whether she has any connection to the Gray family isn’t something I can decide.”

The call was from Nina’s father.

Ever since hearing about Cora from Mia Gray, the Gray family had been restless, eager to rush to N City and see her.

Theodore had refused outright.

“I understand how you feel,” he continued patiently. “I’ve met Cora several times. She’s… very independent. If you push too hard, you’ll only scare her away. She’s still Mrs. Rio. As long as she’s willing, she can go anywhere she wants. When the time comes—”

He stopped there.

With intelligent people, too much explanation was unnecessary.

A long sigh came from the other end. “Theodore, I understand. It’s just… these past two years, your aunt has barely been holding on because of Nina. Even if this Miss Nebula has nothing to do with us, we still want to meet her.”

Then, softly, “The luckiest thing in our lives was Nina meeting you. The unluckiest… was that she couldn’t marry you.”

Theodore felt a sharp tug in his chest.

“I’ll try,” he said after a pause. “But I can’t promise anything. She lacks for nothing. We may have to approach this from another angle.”

After hanging up, Theodore rubbed his temples.

A knock sounded.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Kaelin walked in, dressed neatly in professional attire.

Seeing his fatigue, she asked immediately, “The Gray family again?”

“Yes. That makes twenty calls,” Theodore said helplessly. “I don’t know how much longer I can stall. How’s Cora?”

“She’s well. Several bodyguards are with her,” Kaelin replied, sitting across from him. Then she smiled. “I have a question.”

“Go ahead.”

“I heard Julian was investigating something, and you personally helped clear the way for him to obtain the call records,” she said lightly. “That’s not like you. Even without your help, the Rio family would’ve gotten it eventually. Why intervene?”

“Maybe I couldn’t stand seeing her confined like that,” Theodore said with a faint smile. “Do you think that’s strange?”

Kaelin studied him. “I just wanted to confirm whether my brother is developing feelings for Cora because she resembles Nina.”

Theodore stiffened. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

Kaelin laughed softly. “All right, I’ll drop it. By the way… are you inviting Miss Nebula to lunch today?”

Theodore shot her a warning look.

“All right, all right,” she said, raising her hands and leaving the office.

Once she was gone, Theodore hesitated.

Then he picked up his phone and dialed.

⸻

Cora had been walking with Avery for quite a while and was starting to feel tired.

Avery noticed immediately. This isn’t me companying her. It’s her companying me.

She held out a box. “Madam, this is for you.”

“For me?” Cora smiled and opened it.

Inside was a row of beautifully crafted figurines. Each one delicate and charming.

Cora’s eyes lit up. “They’re adorable.”

Avery scratched her ear shyly. “I’m glad you like them.”

“I love them. Thank you.” Cora carefully closed the box and handed it to the bodyguard.

She found a place to sit and waved lightly. “Go wherever you want.”

No one dared move.

Then she heard someone say at the entrance, “Mr. Clark, Miss Nebula is resting inside.”

“I know,” came Theodore’s calm voice.

Cora looked up to see him approaching, elegant and composed.

She smiled. “For Mr. Clark to come personally, I must be quite important today.”

Theodore smiled faintly and sat opposite her, after his assistant pulled out the chair. He gestured for everyone else to step back.

“Did Mr. Clark come to see me about something?” Cora asked lightly. “Though I doubt I can be of much help.”

For a brief moment, Theodore seemed distracted.

Then he regained himself. “You resemble Nina in some ways. I hope you don’t mind me calling you Cora.”

She chuckled. “You already did.”

He hesitated, then said softly, “May I ask you a few questions?”

Cora looked at him, surprised.

Their positions were clear.

She was Julian’s wife. She stood with Julian.

The Rio and Clark families cooperated in energy, yes. But elsewhere, they were competitors.

This mall alone was proof.

Theodore’s sudden closeness made her wary.

Catching the distance in her gaze, Theodore gave a small, self-deprecating smile. “You seem to dislike me.”

Cora took a sip of water to hide her unease.

“You misunderstand. I simply don’t know much about business. If you’re hoping to find a breakthrough through me, you’ll be disappointed.”

As she spoke, her fingers tapped lightly against the tabletop.

Theodore froze.

That habit.

Nina did that too.

Every time she was nervous.

His throat tightened.

Then, before he could stop himself, he said, “I’m not here about business.”

He looked at her directly.

“Cora… if I told you I could help you leave the Rio family. Leave Julian. What would you do?”

Cora stood up abruptly, her face draining of color.

“That’s not funny, Mr. Clark,” she said sharply. “I have somewhere to be.”

And with that, she turned and walked away.