Chapter 7 Moving into His House

Maria looked at the luxurious mansion ahead of her and spoke to Cruz with respectful but firm politeness. "You can drop me off at the gate. I can make my way back from there." Cruz shook his head. His commanding presence left no room for opposition. "The place you’re staying is too dangerous. You should stay here. I’ll have my men pick up your belongings and bring them here." Maria wanted to ask how he knew where she was staying, but Cruz didn’t give her the chance. He looked at her, and Maria finally spoke softly. "I’m leaving tomorrow. Staying here for just one night and then moving my things again would be too much trouble." But Cruz acted as if he hadn’t heard her, motioning for Maria to hand over her keys. He was the kind of person who didn’t need to exert much pressure in his words to make it clear that refusal was not an option. Just like now, Maria couldn’t bring herself to refuse. She sighed. "I’ve already packed everything I need to take. Just make sure to collect my important documents." Resigned, Maria handed over her keys. Cruz’s assistant nodded and left to retrieve her things. Maria had visited this grand mansion before but had never stayed there. Hearing their arrival, the household staff quickly came out to greet them. "Oh, Miss Maria, you’re back! I made a lot of delicious food today!" Maria ate dinner alone. Cruz seemed to be busy with something and didn’t have time to join her. As for Johnson’s apology, it came faster than anyone expected. Maria thought she wouldn’t see it until the next day, but it was already online within hours of them receiving their divorce papers. Maria glanced at it. The apology stated that she hadn’t done anything wrong and was actually a victim. Because of her strong will, she resisted the effects of the drug. It was because of her that the bad guys didn’t succeed. Johnson, however, had mistakenly thought Maria was responsible and had retaliated against her. Now that he realized his mistake and knew he had damaged Maria’s reputation, he sincerely apologized. The apology wasn’t just posted on his social media; it was also shared on the school’s website and reposted by many popular bloggers. Soon, everyone online knew about it. But netizens weren’t easily convinced. They sensed something was off about the situation. Most of them believed that Johnson was just a terrible person. "He’s such a jerk! He didn’t even know the truth and blamed Maria for everything. What a piece of trash!" "Exactly! Just because you’re some wild rich kid in Los Angeles doesn’t mean you can treat someone like that! Maria must have been so hurt!" Of course, there were also those who believed Maria was at fault and that Johnson’s apology was just a way to be kind to her, to remember their past relationship. "I think Johnson’s just giving Maria an easy way out. Why else would he say all this now?" "Yeah, if neither of them did anything wrong, why did Johnson have those photos of her? That’s pretty telling, isn’t it?" Maria didn’t pay attention to what the netizens were saying. She knew the truth and didn’t need to prove it to anyone. Due to her injuries, Maria couldn’t take a full shower, so after a quick wash, she left her bedroom to get a glass of water. To her surprise, she found Cruz downstairs. His tall figure was still dripping with water from a recent shower, highlighting his well-defined chest and abs. At that moment, Cruz was on the phone. "I understand that the Kardashian family has been kind to me, and I don’t mind a strategic marriage with the Tekron family. But I don’t believe they’re the right match for me." "Moreover, for the Kardashian family’s leadership, I think it would be better to entrust it not to an adopted son like me but to a true bloodline heir—Maria." Maria couldn’t hear what the person on the other end was saying, but Cruz’s expression darkened, his brows furrowed with irritation. As he moved, his bathrobe came slightly undone, revealing his perfect physique. Maria’s face flushed instantly, and she quickly turned her head, accidentally bumping into the wall. Hearing the noise, Cruz looked over, a faint smirk playing on his lips, a glint of amusement in his eyes. He began to walk toward Maria, each step carrying an overwhelming sense of authority. Maria’s heart raced faster. She wanted to run, but her feet felt glued to the floor. Cruz stopped in front of Maria, looking down at her, and softly asked, "Why aren’t you asleep yet?" Maria blushed even more. "I came down for some water." Maybe it was because he had just smoked, but Cruz’s voice was low and raspy, with a tone that was oddly soothing. As he buttoned up his robe, Cruz asked, "Hot water or cold?" "I can do it myself." Maria quickly filled her glass at the sink, then turned and hurried upstairs as if she were fleeing. Watching her retreat, Cruz’s mind flashed back to memories of her from years ago. The first time they met, he was fifteen, and Maria was just ten. It had been pouring rain, and Maria had watched as her birth mother was driven away in a luxury car. She had hidden, not wanting to return to the wealthy family with her mother. The second time they met, he was seventeen, and Maria was twelve. She had taken two stab wounds for Johnson, but she had acted as if she didn’t feel any pain. Calmly lying in a hospital bed, she refused the Kardashian family’s help. "I know you mean well, but I also know that luck isn’t on my side. I was never what you expected of me, so I hope you won’t interfere in my life." Her gentle voice had seemed to untangle the mess in Cruz’s mind. He understood. It was after that encounter that Cruz, without the Kardashian family’s knowledge, negotiated with Johnson’s family, leading them to believe that as long as Cruz supported Maria, the Kardashian family would support them. That was the first and only time Cruz directly intervened in Maria’s life. Afterward, as if under a spell, Cruz became obsessed with keeping track of Maria’s daily life. He watched as she grew from a frail little girl into a strong young woman, her body gradually becoming toned and muscular.