Chapter 235

Chapter 235

"Yes." Salina didn't dare cough loudly, covering her mouth while looking at Ricardo with undisguised fury in her eyes. She never hesitated to show her hatred for Ricardo. "You should be grateful I can't carry firearms, otherwise I'd kill you even if it meant going to prison!"

Ricardo laughed, flicking his cigarette ash: "How boring that would be, sacrificing your freedom for the rest of your life for me - it's not worth it. Let me teach you a method."

He stepped forward, curling Salina's long hair and tucking it behind her ear, leaning close to whisper: "You're smart, you should use your only bargaining chip to seduce me, day and night, relentlessly. Within three months, I'd definitely die in your bed."

After saying this, he stepped back, his face full of mocking smiles and ridicule.

Salina bit her lower lip in anger, her face pale, but could only endure it and say: "In your dreams."

Going any further would anger Ricardo, and she wouldn't let their relationship become too strained.

"I've given you the method. Since you won't believe it, I'll just assume you love me too deeply to bear it."

Ricardo said shamelessly with a smile.

Salina glared at him, then turned to look toward the courtroom. Elena and Marco were still chatting, though they seemed about to leave.

The two of them were at another exit, rarely used and not easily noticed, but she feared accidents.

"Let's go."

Having seen the ending, and with Marco accompanying Elena, she felt relieved and took the first step to leave.

Ricardo threw away his cigarette butt and followed closely behind.

In the courtroom, Marco was discussing the new district project with Elena when he inadvertently glanced sideways and suddenly saw a familiar figure and a man's profile flash by.

That profile...

Ricardo?

The name jumped into his mind, and Marco's brow furrowed even more. He didn't know much about this illegitimate son of the Nicola family, but he knew this man was no ordinary person. More importantly, was that Salina's figure?

Unconsciously, Marco's breathing became irregular. He said to Elena: "I have something urgent. Wait here for me, I'll be right back."

Elena had just nodded when Marco hurried out, stepping on something. When he lifted his foot, he found it was half a cigarette butt, further confirming what he had seen.

Afraid they would go too far, he quickened his pace and finally saw their figures at the bottom of the stairs.

"Salina!" Marco called from behind, staring at the woman's back. She wore a black coat, and when she heard this name, her steps suddenly stopped.

"Is that you?" Marco was now certain.

But the woman refused to turn around, instead walking away even more frantically.

She had only taken two steps when the man beside her grabbed her.

"Running into an acquaintance, why so shy? You should at least say hello - it's impolite not to."

The man's voice was magnetic, half-smiling. When he turned around, his features didn't disappoint - handsome as a god, imposing and heroic. But no matter how much he smiled, he couldn't hide his inherent malice. Just from his face, you could tell this man was not someone to mess with.

No matter how he smiled, it only made people feel pervaded by coldness, devouring and gnawing, invading every limb and bone.

Marco met his gaze, his brow furrowing.

After waiting for who knows how long, Salina finally gathered enough psychological preparation to turn around.

She had her hair tied up, revealing her beautiful, spirited face. Her eyes were somewhat red, and her fair skin had a faint flush from the cold. Her gaze was scattered, first searching elsewhere before slowly settling on his face, forcing out a smile.

"I came secretly to see Elena, didn't expect to be caught red-handed by you." She explained why she had tried to leave, touching her hair: "It's really quite embarrassing."

Marco's gaze lingered on both of them, finally settling on Ricardo. Instead of answering, he asked: "Who is he?"

Salina's heart skipped a beat. Who was he? He was Ricardo, a madman, and a madman who didn't care about his life. But how dare she introduce him to Marco?

With Marco's personality, he would definitely protect her at all costs, but he simply couldn't afford to offend this lifeless demon Ricardo!

"He... he is..."

Her mind was in turmoil, trying to control herself to stay calm. She desperately thought about what excuse could make Marco accept Ricardo's presence beside her.

Suddenly, a hand landed on her other shoulder. The man's large palm covered her shoulder, the movement familiar and natural, as if he had done this action hundreds of times before.

Ricardo looked at Salina's trembling eyes and said with a light laugh: "Still embarrassed? Is our relationship so difficult for you to speak of?"

He was calm and composed, while Salina stared in shock, then suppressed it, her whole body trembling!

Ricardo was forcing her!

Using his own method to force her to cut ties with Marco. His twisted pleasure was always built on her pain.

He never knew how much courage this action required!

Yes, she admitted she was selfish. She didn't want to end her relationship with Marco so quickly, even though she was already filthy from inside out, reeking of foulness.

But she, such a filthy woman living in the depths of a swamp, only wished for a beam of light to shine in, giving her the courage to live despite her pain.

And that beam of light was Marco.

But today, Ricardo's cruel actions destroyed everything.

She bit her lower lip desperately, not letting herself make a sound.

And Marco's heart lurched violently the moment he saw Ricardo's hand reach over.

Suddenly, an inexplicable impulse arose in his heart, making him want to rush over immediately, pry away Ricardo's hand, and protect Salina.

"Salina?" Marco's face looked terrible, his thin lips pressed tightly together as he asked involuntarily: "Really?"

Although he had already guessed in his heart - ever since that phone call with those sounds and the sudden hang-up when he could no longer contact Salina, he had already known the answer. But this time, he wanted to hear Salina's answer personally.

If they were real, he, Marco, would never overstep boundaries.

"We're... friends..." Salina took a deep breath before she could face Marco expressionlessly, "Currently dating."

But she mocked herself inwardly. Dating? In Ricardo's heart, she wasn't even a female companion - just a tool for venting that came when called and left when dismissed. But why did she have to bear all this?

"Is that so?" Marco listened, his heart sinking, but his expression remained calm. He even smiled: "Then... congratulations to you both."