The Supreme Soldier in the City
Chapter 398 - 405: The End

Chapter 398: Chapter 405: The End

Certainly! Please find the fully translated text below:

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It was noon, and John Brown accompanied Charlotte Grandy and her parents to lunch. Charlotte’s chatty little mouth didn’t stop talking, and she looked incredibly cheerful. Her parents, all smiles as they talked to her, appeared to be a picture-perfect, loving family of three from the perspective of outsiders.

However, when Charlotte went into the exam hall again in the afternoon, her parents reverted to acting like strangers. Several times, Charlotte’s mother seemed as if she wanted to say something to John, but ultimately held back.

John guessed that the mother might be suspicious about whether Charlotte and he had something going on, and probably wanted to ask him about it. Yet, fearing it would affect Charlotte’s performance on her college entrance exams, she restrained herself.

John had a clear conscience about this kind of matter, so there was no need to explain anything to her. Since she didn’t ask, there was even less reason for him to bring it up himself.

Melody Yoody had left just after the second subject in the morning, which made John feel significantly lighter. Facing Melody, John still felt considerable pressure. Even though Melody hadn’t said anything, chastised him, or scolded him, the weight was still there.

Though Melody had departed, her aunt remarkably sought John out in the afternoon.

"You’re John Brown, aren’t you?" Melody’s aunt was dressed in globally renowned brands, exuding an air of sophistication and elegance that spoke of someone with fine tastes.

"Yes," John nodded with a smile on his face.

"I’m Melody’s aunt, Emily Smith."

John greeted her politely, "Hello, Aunt."

Emily frowned slightly and replied, "I’m Melody’s aunt, not yours."

John wasn’t bothered by her words. He knew that she was either here to hold him accountable for something or issue him a warning, so he maintained his composed demeanor, saying, "I understand."

Seeing this attitude from John, Emily was slightly surprised. She had come over with an air of superiority, and the typical young man would likely have buckled under the pressure. But John, in his calm and collected manner, was actually admirable in this regard.

"I know about the past between you and Melody. She didn’t talk about it for years, so I’d let it slip my mind. However, I didn’t expect you two to cross paths again now."

"Hm, I’ve only recently returned to YODC City," John answered.

"Good, then I won’t beat around the bush. You were both young back then, so whatever happened could be overlooked. But you’re both adults now, and you should think carefully about your actions."

"I understand," John continued to nod with a smile.

John’s calm attitude left Emily feeling both pleased and slightly irritated. She was pleased that John agreed with everything she said, yet irritated by her inability to exert any dominance over him. As someone from a powerful, influential family, she expected ordinary people to feel pressured when conversing with her.

"You should also know about Melody’s status in our family. I hope you won’t impact her any further. Furthermore, she already has a boyfriend. Our family has arranged their engagement, and they’re set to get married soon."

John’s heart trembled as though struck by a sharp blade, suffused with unspeakable pain. Yet his face maintained its faint smile as he responded, "Then I should extend my congratulations to her."

"It’s good that you think that way."

"Well, Mrs. Smith, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now."

"Hm, you’re very sensible. I won’t say more."

John turned and walked away, taking out a cigarette and lighting it. But after a couple of attempts, he realized it hadn’t lit. Looking at the cigarette, he discovered it had been placed upside-down.

He discarded the cigarette with a light sigh. Suddenly, he understood what Melody must have felt when she learned he was married—that same piercing pain in the heart. Considering how deeply Melody loved him, her pain must have been even greater.

But what could he do now? Tell Melody that he’d always been thinking about her? That he continued to love her? What qualifications did he even have for this? He was already married.

John felt a suffocating blockage in his heart, yet knew there was no way to vent it.

After a while, though, John laughed to himself. He realized how foolish he had been—Emily Smith’s claim about Melody’s engagement was evidently a lie. John had already crossed paths with Michael Wilson from the W Region; it was clear Melody had no interest in him. There was no way they were together.

This was nothing but anxiety clouding reason. He hadn’t immediately seen through Emily’s lie and had even let himself grow upset over it—a reaction entirely unnecessary.

As Charlotte’s exams neared their end in the afternoon, Gina Lopez called John and asked him to pick up Sunny Nguyen, who had some business to take care of at the tax bureau and needed to dine with some colleagues afterward.

John understood that Gina was creating opportunities for him, which made him appreciate his wife all the more. Before marrying Gina, he never would’ve imagined she would go to such lengths for him. As her husband, he was truly lucky.

Charlotte performed well. After her exams were completed, John informed her that he had plans for the evening and couldn’t join her for dinner. Though Charlotte was a bit disappointed, she was content simply with having John accompany her throughout the day.

Sunny asked John to wait for her outside the tax bureau. He didn’t have to wait longer than five minutes before Sunny came downstairs with two colleagues.

After a brief round of introductions, John drove them to L Hotel.

The dinner was fairly routine, meant for networking purposes. With J Corporation being one of the tax bureau’s major clients, its officials acted professionally and kept the conversation focused on work-related matters.

Around eight, John dropped off the two officials and was left alone in the car with Sunny.

"I’ll drive you home," John said, smiling at Sunny.

"What? You want me to walk home instead?" Sunny rolled her eyes flirtatiously, her playful expression full of charm.

John felt a stirring in his heart. Remembering Gina’s words from the previous night, he grinned and said, "Alright, I’ll take you home then."

Before long, they arrived at Sunny’s apartment building. Turning off the car, Sunny smiled and teased, "So, are you planning to escort me upstairs too?"

"Of course! When sending a lady home, one must make sure she gets there safely!"

"Alright, I’ll grant you the honor." Sunny giggled, stepped out of the car, and led the way.

When they reached Sunny’s door, she retrieved her keys and unlocked it but didn’t enter. Instead, she laughed gently and said, "Well, you’ve brought me home. Thank you!"

Portraying the demeanor of a gentleman, John smiled back and asked, "So, you’re not inviting me inside?"

"It’s just me at home. Having a man over is... not very convenient."

"Isn’t there more charm when it’s just the two of us?"

"I don’t want to be labeled as ’seducing someone’s husband.’ Besides, aren’t you afraid your wife will be upset?"

John reached out and wrapped an arm around Sunny’s waist, replying, "I’ve already gotten her permission."

"You can ask for permission for something like this?"

"Of course! Had it been too late last night, I would’ve come over in the middle of the night." Saying this, John scooped Sunny up in his arms and carried her into her apartment, nudging the door shut with his foot.

Over half an hour later, Sunny rested against John’s chest, her face flushed with the afterglow. She gave John a playful slap and grumbled, "You’re unbelievable—already married, yet acting like it’s been forever since you’ve been with a woman. You nearly killed me!"

Relaxed, John smoked a cigarette and said, "Gina’s been... unavailable these past few days."

"No wonder you came to me—can’t satisfy yourself at home, huh?"

Holding the cigarette in one hand, John used the other to gently caress Sunny. "That’s not the reason. Gina was the one who sent me to you."

"Is Gina really okay with this? Don’t lie to me."

Though Gina had repeatedly reassured Sunny she wouldn’t forbid their relationship, Sunny still couldn’t completely believe it. She assumed Gina must turn a blind eye rather than encourage it.

With a faint smile, John insisted, "She genuinely sent me to you. I, too, doubted her motives at first, thinking she might be testing me, but I can feel she’s sincere."

Sunny turned to lie against John’s chest. "Gina is so generous, but this makes it harder for me to face her tomorrow."

John, feeling less conflicted, said warmly, "Don’t overthink it. Just act as you always do. Since Gina has already given her blessing, she won’t hold this against you. If she were truly upset, she wouldn’t let me come to you. You know her personality well."

Nodding, Sunny replied, "Alright, I understand. But this really goes far beyond my expectations. Her understanding only makes me feel more guilty. Maybe... from now on, we should stop seeing each other?"

Cupping her chin, John murmured, "Could you bear that?"

Sunny playfully slapped John and then lowered her head to nibble on his fingers. "I could—but only because you’re so bad, always exhausting me."

John laughed, retorting, "You say I tire you out, yet here you are teasing me again!" As Sunny’s lips wrapped around his fingers, a familiar sensation traveled through him, stirring his body to life.

With smoky eyes, Sunny whispered, "Let’s make this our last wild night together."

"You think I’m afraid of you?" John teased, extinguishing his cigarette. He flipped her onto her back, making her giggle beneath him.

Sunny’s "last wild night," as it turned out, was limited to that evening alone. When they finally wound down, Sunny pushed John away and said, "Alright, beast—get back home to your wife now."

John had indeed planned on going home, but he feared proposing it first might upset Sunny. Hearing her suggestion was reassuring. He kissed her deeply and chuckled, "Alright, then I’ll head back."

"Not even pretending to want to stay for longer—you’re shameless." Sunny dismissively turned her back to John.

Laughing heartily, John gave her a playful slap on her smooth, fair bottom. "Do we really need to fake things between us?"

"Get out, get out. I’m exhausted from your antics. Oh, and lock the door when you leave—otherwise, if some thief breaks in overnight, it’ll be your loss, not mine."

John laughed again. Sharing moments with Sunny Nguyen truly felt like bliss for a man.