The coffee in Debra''s hand sloshed onto the ground. Marion, in a swift motion, bent down and wiped the stain from her high heels. "Sorry, I''mte," he murmured.


    Debra was taken aback. She rarely saw Marion like this-humble, remorseful, almost vulnerable.


    Her gaze fell upon his hands, noticing the fine scars that crisscrossed his skin and the bandage wrapped around his wrist. He was hurt..


    She reached out, her fingers gently encircling his arm, to inspect the injury. "You''re hurt?"


    In the world, few people could hurt the formidable Marion.


    Erica paled at the sight of the bandage. "What happened? Wasn''t Randy with you? Where is he?"


    She looked around, but there was no sign of Randy. "Is he..."


    Marion replied calmly, "He''s still on the ne."


    Erica''s shoulders sagged with relief, her anxiety dissipating as quickly as it hade. "I knew it. That careful guy would never risk his life on anything."


    Debra turned her attention back to Marion. "You''ve been away for days. What were you doing?"


    Marion hesitated for a moment. "I dealt with some of the Bernard family''s former associates. It was a bit dangerous, dying my return."


    Erica frowned, her intuition telling her that things weren''t as simple as Marion made them out to be. Didn''t Shawn hand over the Bernard family to you? Those old associates of his were ruthless. Did you handle them all?"


    The Bernard family had a notorious criminal organization overseas. Its members were not easy to deal with. Shawn had handed it over to Marion, likely hoping to drag him down into the mire of their illicit dealings. Debra asked, "Why did you suddenly do this?"


    Marion replied, his voice steady and resolute, "Those people shouldn''t have been left alive. I want to stay by your side and provide you with a safe environment. have to wash my hands clean."


    After all, his name resonated throughout Seamar City. He was a reaper who had done all sorts of dirty work-murder, theft, arson. He had done what he had to survive.


    But now, with Debra in his life, he had to get rid of his past. He had to clear out the Bernard family and the overseas businesses one by one.


    He had sworn long ago that Debra would never have to live a life of constant fear with him. But he hadn''t expected that just as he left Seamar City, someone would deal with Debra. The thought made his eyes darken, a storm brewing within them.


    Debra, sensing the turmoil within him, spoke softly. "I understand what you mean. Just please, don''t do such dangerous things anymore."


    "There won''t be any more dangerous situations," he promised. "I''ll never let you be in danger again."


    Later, in Marion''s apartment, Debra tended to his arm. She traced the long, fresh scar that ran from his wrist to his elbow, not yet fully scabbed over.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    "This is a knife wound," she said. "It might leave a scar. Who did this to you?"


    "It was an idental injury during a fight," he replied. "If you don''t like it, I can get scar revision surgery so you don''t have to see it and feel distressed." Debra''s hand stilled, and she pushed him away. "Who''s feeling distressed about you?"