Chapter 321
Marrying the Man in the Dark
Chapter 321 Unrelenting Agony
Back then, there was a stark contrast between Mandy and Cherise. Little did she know, the elegant
Mandy, oozing confidence and aloofness, had been meticulously molded to perfection. Little did
anyone know, deep down, that a vulnerable little girl was residing within her. After all, she was merely
nineteen years old.
As for Cherise, who was also nineteen, had her thoughts occupied with books and exams. day in and
day out. However, the nineteen-year-old Mandy had already gone through the most excruciating pain.
âI wonât let that happen,â Cherise sighed deeply gently patting Mandyâs back. âMy husband⦠your
brother-in-law, heâs remarkable; heâs capable of anything. You need to trust us, alright?â
Mandy smiled softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
She remained silent for a while before eventually locking eyes with Cherise. âI donât believe in him-I
believe in you.â
With those words, the young girlâs features underwent a sudden distortion. A sharp surge of pain
washed over her, causing her to unconsciously convulse and grasp Cheriseâs hand, unintentionally
leaving it crimson.
âCherry!â Jacob rapidly approached, but Mandy clamped down on Cheriseâs hand, turning it bright red.
Her complexion paling from the pain, Cherise showed no inclination to withdraw her
hand.
If it hurt me this much, then Mandy must be experiencing something far worse.
Cherise had witnessed her grandmother suffer heart attacks, but it was never like this, never this
agonizing.
She closed her eyes and, after a moment, fixed her gaze on Jacob. âIs our only option to plead with S
to destroy that control terminal?â
Jacob furrowed his brow. âNot exactly. My team found that the chip controlling her was manufactured
by the Tanner Family in Europe. Given their knowledge of chip production, they likely possess the
means to deactivate it.â
âDame has already established contact with the Tanner Family,â Jacob continued, âbutâ¦.it seems they
are unwilling to share the method of deactivating the chips.â
Cherise pressed her lips together. âWhat if Damien and I approach S?â
1/2
Considering she was Damienâs real sister, perhaps he could persuade herâ¦
âNo, you mustnâtâ¦â
Amid her agony, Mandy lifted her head and shook it in response to Cheriseâs proposal. âAbsolutely
notâ¦â
âButâ¦â Cherise said, then pursed her lips, her heart aching watching Mandyâs distressed expression.
âIf possible, do everything you can to never cross paths with her in your lifetimeâ¦â
âSheâ¦â Mandy closed her eyes and left the sentence unfinished.
Fleeting recollections of Sâ words floated hazily in her mind: âThe fire that happened. thirteen years ago
was actually related to the Shaws. That woman is utterly unworthy of marrying my younger brother.â
Cheriseâs discomfort lingered as she traveled back to her villa from Jacobâs clinic. The haunting image
of Mandyâs anguish was etched deep in her thoughts. She could vividly. picture Mandy, her hands
tangled in her hair, ruthlessly banging her head against the ground and walls. The sheer intensity of her
suffering was unmistakable. Even Cherise, who prided herself on her physical strength, knew that
managing Mandyâs torment would have been impossible without Jacobâs assistance. Mandy was
clearly enduring pain that would have driven anyone else to desire death.
Cherise clenched her hands tightly, the skin on her palms paling under the pressure. Before
encountering Mandyâs suffering, each time Damien spoke of his sister, his words. had been imbued
with admiration, describing her as beautiful and gentle. Cherise had never fathomed that Damienâs
sister, who had rushed back from abroad to celebrate Damienâs birthday and discuss business, could
harbor such cruelty.
It was becoming increasingly clear that those who had genuinely endured profound pain and harbored
hatred were at risk of psychological turmoil.
Mandyâs words continued to echo in Cheriseâs mind, still vivid in her memory.
2/2
Chapter 322 The Tanner Family
âPromise me, you wonât ever meet Damienâs sister,â Mandy implored, her eyes brimming with
desperation. âWe have no conflicts, but just because I was of some use to her, she cast me into hell.â
âAnd youâ¦â Mandyâs voice trailed off, but Cherise could discern the unspoken words. It was highly
likely that Maeve, Damienâs sister, strongly disapproved of her and Damienâs relationship.
Jacob had jokingly suggested that approaching Maeve and offering divorce from Damien. as a
bargaining chip might lead to her agreeing to destroy the control terminal. Cherise had no doubts about
the possibility, but she couldnât take that path. She had made solemn vows during her marriage to
Damien in front of Old Mr. Lenoir, promising that she would never pursue a divorce. Even in Old Mr.
Lenoirâs absence, she was determined not. to part ways with Damien easily. Regardless of his sisterâs
opinion of her, her decision would remain resolute.
Thus, only one course of action remained: seeking out the members of the Tanner Family.
Upon her return to the villa, Cherise found Damien sitting on the couch, engrossed in his laptop screen.
She approached him. âHoney, what are you looking at?â
He lifted her gently and settled her onto his lap. âJacob should have told you. The chip responsible for
controlling brainwaves is manufactured by the Tanner Family in Europe.â
Cherise nodded in comprehension. âHave they responded?â
Damien nodded and directed her attention to the invitation on the laptop screen. âTheyâve invited me for
the birthday celebration of Beckham Tanner, the head of the Tanner Family.â
Cherise appeared surprised. âAre you closely acquainted with them?â
Damien shook his head. âNot particularly. But my European company has engaged in some business
dealings with the Tanners. Theyâre likely aware that Iâm the driving force behind these enterprises.â
He cradled her face and bestowed a tender kiss upon her lips. âShould I bring you with
me?â
Cherise appeared taken aback and hastily shook her head. âI better not⦠Iâve never attended formal
events and am unfamiliar with upper-class etiquette. What if⦠I
1/2
embarrass you?â
Moreover, foreign locales were utterly foreign to her.
âAs my wife, you must learn how to navigate such occasions.â He held her, soothing her gently.
âWhat if someone slips something in my drink, and Iâm spirited away by another woman?
And you
werenât there to protect me?â His voice, resonant and magnetic, held a hint of a smile. Cherise pursed
her lips and playfully mimicked his cheek-pinching gesture by applying it to his face. âI canât read
minds. How could I possibly tell which drink is poisoned and which isnât?â
Damien chuckled and planted a tender kiss on her cheek. âBut you did promise to protect
me.â
âItâs my first time visiting that country, and itâs for your sister, Mandy. Donât you think you should
accompany me?â Damien suggested.
Cherise pouted but ultimately agreed. She understood that Damien simply wanted to take her out for a
change of scenery and relaxation. Nonetheless, she genuinely needed a break to clear her mind.
âHow is she doing now?â Upon receiving her assent, Damien tenderly kissed her on the cheek and
inquired.
âSheâs not in good shape.â Cherise pursed her lips and proceeded to describe Mandyâs condition to
him. âSeeing her like that⦠it truly pains me.â
2/2