Mistaken Match: Marrying the Enigmatic CEO
Chapter 2088; Deception
“Oh, honey, why worry about whether he’s telling the truth or not?” Laura remarked casually. “Just treat it like you’re meeting him all over again. If you don’t like him, you don’t have to pay him any mind.”
“But… that doesn’t seem very polite,” Claudette responded in her usual gentle manner, giving Magnus a polite smile.
“Sorry, but I have amnesia-I don’t remember anything.” Magnus flashed a charming, gentlemanly smile.
“That’s alright. I can fix the car while telling you about our past.” “Alright, thank you!” Claudette nodded.
Magnus grabbed stools from the trunk and opened the hood. As he checked the engine, he began, “When we were kids, we’d often play princess and knight. Even back then, I swore I’d be your knight and protect you for life.”
Really? But why didn’t you stop protecting me?” Claudette’s question held a touch of innocent reproach.
Magnus looked up with a self-deprecating smile. “Yes, not only did I fail to protect you, but I let you take a bullet for me.” “I took a bullet for you?” Claudette furrowed her brow, trying to recall, but her mind drew a blank.
“Yes, it was during your birthday celebration at the base of the mountain. We were all happy, but then someone suddenly attacked, aiming right at me,’ Magnus explained smoothly.
Laura chose not to expose his lie. Ever since Claudette had returned from the Dark Night Islands, Laura had avoided telling her about her past love for Emmanuel or the times she’d risked her life for him. She feared that if Claudette knew and realized Emmanuel was still with Mackenzie, the truth would only bring her heartbreak.
“Who was he? Why did he attack you?” Claudette asked, caught up in the story.
“He’s dead now, so his name doesn’t matter. He was jealous and was a rival, thinking that if he killed me, he’d win your heart.” Magnus continued to weave his tale.
Laura couldn’t help but mentally scoff. Magnus was indeed a master manipulator, lying with an impressive lack of shame.
In the backseat, Hattie felt the sorrow behind her brother’s words. No one understood better than she did that her brother’s love for Claudette was real. That intense love had driven him to the extremes he’d gone to. Now, having lie to her to regain her affection must have been painful.
“Did I… did I really like you that much?” Claudette asked, resting her chin in her hand as she looked at Magnus with clear doubt. Magnus was refined and polite, but he wasn’t her type. If he had Emmanuel’s strong build and rugged demeanor, she might’ve believed him more.
“Well, the past is the past,” Magnus replied with confidence. “From now on, I’ll make you like me that much again. I’ll be here to protect you, my princess. Claudette looked a bit uncomfortable, not sure what to say.
Eager to shift the conversation, she quickly asked, “So, what’s wrong with my car? Can you fix it?” “Unfortunately, it needs other equipment to get it running again. Looks like you’ll have to ride with us up the mountain,” Magnus said with a charming smile. In truth, he had no idea how to fix cars-he just wanted an excuse to talk to Claudette.
“Well, alright. I want to get to the lake as soon as possible and see how they plan to retrieve all those resources.” Claudette accepted his suggestion and, along with Laura, climbed into the Zelinsky siblings’ car, letting Magnus drive them up the mountain.
“Ms. Quillen, Magnus has arrived!” Lexi quickly returned to the lakeside to report to Mackenzie.
Mackenzie let out a small sigh of relief, a glimmer of anticipation flickering in her eyes.
“Finally! If he’d waited any longer, I would’ve had to take action myself.”
“Have you figured out his plan, Ms. Quillen?” Lexi asked, surprised.
“Probably,” Mackenzie replied, nodding. “But since he’s here, I’ll leave it to him -he might have the advantage on this one.”
Just then, Magnus’ voice cut in, “Some things aren’t just about having brains, Ms. Quillen-you might find this a bit out of your depth.”
Lexi and Rhett both shot him disapproving looks. To them, Mackenzie was second to none. But Mackenzie took it in stride, smiling. “Alright then, I’ll sit back and watch you work.” Magnus flashed her a confident grin before turning to Claudette.
“Shall we play a fun game together? You loved playing games with me when we were kids. Maybe it’ll jog your memory?” Claudette pressed her lips together, not saying a word.
Mackenzie quirked a brow, watching their interaction. Does Magnus still have feelings for Claudette? After everything he’d put her through, didn’t he realize what he’d done? But this wasn’t the time to dwell on Claudette’s love life. Crowds had gathered all around the lake, eyes fixed on them, waiting to see how they planned to dredge up the massive amount of resources hidden in the lake.
Ms. Quillen, please follow my instructions and release the carp into the lake in batches,” Magnus finally directed, cutting to the chase. “Quintus, please help coordinate with Magnus,” Mackenzie said, passing the task to Quintus.
Quintus approached Magnus with a grin, clapping a hand firmly on his shoulder. “Huh, you’ve got quite the balls to still go after my sister. I’ll be keeping a close eye on you this time. If you don’t help my goddess recover those resources, don’t count on giving my blessing!
Magnus confidently adjusted his glasses. “Well then, I’ll need your cooperation, dear future brother-in-law. Joining the helicopter-I need to guide the fish release from above.”
“Alright, I’ll give you a chance. Let’s see what you’ve got Quintus replied, following Magnus’ instructions.
Mackenzie, Lexi, and Rhett joined them in the helicopter. Once airborne, Magnus instructed the crew to release fish into the lake while he pulled out a piece of paper and began sketching strange diagrams.
“What’s that?” Quintus asked.
Magnus only smiled without answering, his silence as enigmatic as ever.
Quintus frowned, irritated, but Mackenzie stepped in to explain. “He’s observing and recording the movement patterns of the carp after they enter the water.”
“What?!” Quintus exclaimed, and Lexi looked equally stunned.
“How is that even possible?” Rhett protested. “With my skills, I barely track fish down to about 15 feet below the surface. How can he possibly see further than that?” Magnus continued to smile, keeping his focus on his notes.
Hattie, unable to resist, spoke up for him. “My brother has incredible powers of observation and spatial reasoning. Based on the carp’s entry angles and swim patterns, he can estimate their movement trajectory. It may not be exact, but it’s close enough to get us where we need to go!”