When There Is Nothing Left But Love
Chapter 816

Chapter 816

“It’s not a big problem, but if it’s not dealt with soon, we’ll face technical problems in the later phase.Besides, something is off with the structure of the base. What do you guys have in the underground? Isit a garage or a warehouse?” Marcus asked.

I was a little bewildered by his question. “There’s nothing underneath. Why?”

He frowned. “Normally, there will have something built underneath with this kind of structure.”

He seemed to have realized something as he kept quiet and pondered for a moment. However, he didnot ask further as he looked at me and asked, “Do you want to grab lunch together?”

I shook my head. “No, thanks. I…”

He arched his eyebrow and cut me off, “So, you plan to avoid me forever? We are business partnersafter all. It’s totally fine to have a meal with business partners, right?”

With his personality, I knew that if I continued to replace excuses, he would also continue trying to talk meout of it. Therefore, I complied. “Okay. I know we can grab something to eat behind here. It’s nothingmuch, but it can fill our stomachs. I still have a lot to do in the afternoon, so I don’t want to waste timegoing to restaurants that are far away from here.”

He nodded with a smile. “Sure.”

The on-site canteen was one of the temporary facilities built for the convenience of the employeeshere. It was not big, but it was sufficient for us. The hotel was too far away from the base as it tookabout an hour for a round trip. It would be better to let everyone rest during the break time instead oftraveling on the road.

Thus, Armond decided to build this facility and hired a chef to prepare meals for all of us. It was quiteconvenient.

The canteen was almost full when we reached there. I found us a place to sit and saw Marcus bringingme a glass of juice. “It’s freshly squeezed.”

I nodded and thanked him.

After we got our meals, we ate quietly and did not chat much.

We still had some time left after finishing our lunch, and I initially thought about resting in my office untilthe break time ended. However, he suggested, “You should be familiar with this place by now. Whydon’t you take me around the site as a walk after our meals?”

I pursed my lips. “Why don’t you go ahead by yourself? We only have fruit plantations nearby.” Withthat, I turned around and headed to my office.

But he grabbed my arm and stopped me. I frowned and raised my voice. “Let go of me!”

He paid no heed and said, “I know you don’t want to see me or spend time with me. However, as yourbusiness partner, Ms. Stovall, can I request you to take me for a tour here as a survey?”

“You’re just using work as an excuse!” I flung his arm away in irritation. “Let’s go.”

What we had nearby the base was just pear trees. Most of the pears had ripened, and the fruit farmerswere harvesting them to sell them in the market.

After walking for a while, Marcus said, “You don’t have to treat me like this, Scarlett. I never have theintention of destroying your life. Is it possible for us to be friends again?”

I stopped and turned to look at him. “Do you think that we can get along now?”

He gazed at me with a sincere look. “I know that you don’t want me to bother you because you’reworried that I might affect your relationship with Ashton. And I also understood that you don’t love me.

You don’t need to repeat yourself; I get it.”

I pressed my lips together and did not say anything because what he said was right.

Then, he continued, “Actually, I really want you to be happy. I initially thought that with Ashton’s coldattitude, it was impossible for him to make you happy. That was why I wanted to be one who gives youhappiness instead. But from what I can see now, he is not as bad as I thought he would be. If so, whycan’t I give both of you, my blessings? So, I’ve thought it through and decided to stay by your side as afriend. As long as you’re happy with your life, I won’t pester you anymore.”

Taken aback by his words, I looked at him and faltered. “You…”

He gave me a sad smile. “So, can you promise me not to keep your distance? Scarlett, I’ve lost somany of my loved ones. I don’t want to lose you too. No matter how terrible I am, my care for you issincere. Since I can’t be your life partner to protect you, can you at least treat me like a brother? Pleasedon’t treat me like a stranger and ignore my existence.”

My heart ached as I listened to his confession. Looking at him, I nodded and replied, “I’m sorry,Marcus. I owe you my life. Whatever you want me to do, I can do it for you. The only thing I can’t do isto be with you. Even after all the things we had gone through, he still loves me and protects me. It’ssuch a blessing to have Ashton as my husband. Thank you for loving me, Marcus. But I’m not worthy ofyour love. There are people who need you more than me. Camelia should have given birth, and she isa good girl. Since you’ve married her, you need to be responsible to her and the baby.”

He nodded and smiled bitterly, seemingly ready to let go of the past. “I know. Since I can’t givehappiness to the one whom I love the most, it’s better to give it to the ones who need it. This is for thebest.”