Prosperous Marriage: Married to My Brother-in-law Chapter 144 - 144 Marriage Application Report (1)1

Hansen Ruiz was indeed a cunning fox. He did not directly bring up the main topic but instead used the fact that Rachel Bailey owed him a favor as leverage in the negotiation.

"Why wouldn't I be willing? Just say the word and, if I can help, I'll definitely do it," Rachel cheerfully responded. She had been thinking about repaying the favor, and now that he needed her help, she would naturally assist him to settle the debt of gratitude.

"I have a Wine Party to attend tonight. It's a birthday celebration for a friend of mine, and my presence is mandatory. However, I'm in need of a female companion. Would you be willing to be my date?" asked Hansen Ruiz with a smile, his voice still gentle and steady, betraying no hint of any other emotions.

Rachel instinctively wanted to refuse. She could help him with other things, but this particular request felt inappropriate to her since it might lead to misunderstandings about her relationship with Hansen Ruiz. Although she was quite familiar with him, her mind was clear—she was not on the sa level as Hansen Ruiz. Apart from being ordinary friends, she had no desire to associate with him further, much less give anyone the impression that she was clinging to Hansen Ruiz.

"That... you could find soone else," Rachel said with an awkward smile.

She had attended wine parties before—the Cosmos Group's annual company events, where all white-collar employees would participate. However, those were familiar faces, and the company's annual events were never as high-end as the Wine Party Hansen Ruiz would be attending. She felt natural and comfortable there. Knowing the kind of people Hansen Ruiz associated with—naturally all rich and powerful—she didn't feel like going with him, as she lacked the looks or social status to fit in.

"You don't want to help ?" Hansen Ruiz asked, still smiling.

"I... If you'd allow to decline, I would like to refuse," Rachel honestly answered.

There was silence on Hansen Ruiz's end of the line for a while. Rachel was starting to feel embarrassed waiting for him to speak, but before she could say anything, his considerate voice ca through first, "Then, I'll go by myself. Are you free for lunch? Let's have a al together."

"No, I'll cook for myself. I want to prepare the things I need for setting up my stall," Rachel replied, feeling relieved when she heard Hansen Ruiz did not insist on her accompanying him to the Wine Party. Had he firmly requested her assistance, she would have found it impossible to refuse.

"Well, I'll hang up then," said Hansen Ruiz, his voice calm and holding a light smile.

"Sure."

The two exchanged goodbyes and then ended the call.

Both were unaware that soone had been secretly sizing up Rachel Bailey, dismissing any possibility of her becoming soone's wife in the future.

「Tibet.」

Marcel Horne's attitude toward Ruby Bluen remained extrely indifferent, even though he often showed concern for her.

His feelings were now even more complex. The usually composed Marcel was unsettled in the face of Ruby and the emotions she stirred in him. He thought that as long as he didn't stay with Ruby, the hurt he caused her would be lessened. If he accepted Ruby and they returned to T City, he couldn't imagine how his elder brother would treat them, not to ntion his parents would never accept it. They believed Ruby was toying with his elder brother, and his parents held particular disdain for won who played with n's feelings. Moreover, his father was a military man, extrely strict. Knowing that Ruby abandoned his elder brother for him would bring great sha to the Horne Family, his father would definitely drive Ruby away from him. Marcel felt like a true coward when it ca to love, a coward hiding under the pretense of protecting Ruby.

At the Training Base, he stood on a slightly elevated field in his crisp military uniform, draped in the overcoat Ruby insisted he wear. He looked at the distant training soldiers through binoculars.

The snow had stopped in recent days, but the cold had not abated. The wind, as always, was fierce. Due to the heavy snowfall in the previous period, there was still snow on the ground, yet the soldiers continued their training, undaunted by the freezing cold. The robustness of a soldier's body is honed through training in these harsh conditions.

"Marcel," a voice suddenly ca from behind him.

Marcel put down his binoculars and turned to look at Ruby approaching him. The wind mischievously played with her long hair, lifting and dropping it as she moved. It swung like the hair of a Model on the stage, revealing its graceful beauty. Dressed in the new clothes she bought last ti, Ruby ca from wealth and always chose her garnts for quality. Even if this outfit couldn't compare to her usual clothes, it still accentuated her noble upbringing, and the innate elegance and dignity she exuded were impossible to ignore.

"What are you doing here?" Marcel asked coldly, his tone icy and tinged with displeasure.

He didn't wait for Ruby to reach him before turning away again, resuming his observation of the training grounds as if she weren't there. The performance of each company and platoon was satisfactory, and he was quite content.

"I heard you were training here, so I wanted to co and see," Ruby said. She was accustod to Marcel's indifference. Despite how much it hurt, she was not ready to give up. She took every opportunity to be close to him.

"What's there to see? Go back!" Marcel ordered coldly.

"Marcel..." Ruby couldn't help but call out, "Can't you stop deceiving yourself?" Clearly, he cared about her, always trying to hide his concern with coldness. Was self-deception enjoyable? She dared to throw caution to the wind, to brave Tibet alone, all for him. Why couldn't he let go of his reservations and be with her? Even if she was once engaged to Glades Horne, the wedding had never happened. She was still free. What was he so afraid of?

"Commander Horne." A call suddenly ca from behind him; it was Emma Wright's voice.

The mont he heard Emma's call, Marcel's deanor instantly changed. He turned around. Although he had rely turned his head when Ruby arrived, now his harsh and serious face lted like an iceberg touched by fire, revealing a warm, gentle smile that felt like a spring breeze.