Contract Marriage with My Secret Partner in Crime-Chapter 55: A Nobody

"I’ll be on night duty again tonight," Christy said casually. "So I’ll be taking a nap after this."

Kendrick blinked, the tension in his chest easing. Levy gave a nod in acknowledgment, taking a sip of her juice. "No need to worry, Mom. You can rest. We’ll be fine."

Relief flooded through Kendrick. With his mom on night duty, he wouldn’t have to explain himself, wouldn’t have to give any reason for why he had to go out tonight. It was perfect.

Later in the afternoon, Kendrick found himself sitting at his desk, his phone in his hand. He hesitated for a moment, staring at the screen.

He needed to message Zephany. He needed to confirm the details for tonight. His fingers hovered over the keyboard before he finally typed out a short message.

"Hey, Zephany. Are we still on for tonight? Let me know if we’re meeting up before the event."

He hit send and waited.

---

Zephany sat at her desk, papers scattered across it as she worked on her latest article. The office was quiet, except for the occasional click of the keyboard and the soft hum of the air conditioning.

She had been trying to focus all day, but the nerves about tonight kept her mind distracted. It was hard to concentrate when the thought of facing the event as a "married" couple weighed on her shoulders.

Just as she was about to grab another sip of coffee, her phone buzzed on the desk. Kendrick’s name flashed on the screen. She picked it up, reading his message.

"Hey, Zephany. Are we still on for tonight? Let me know if we’re meeting up before the event."

She took a deep breath. There was no escaping this now. She quickly typed her response.

"Yes, we’ll go to the apartment first and then head to the event together. See you later."

She pressed send, feeling a knot form in her stomach. She had to get through this, no matter how frustrating the situation was. They both had their roles to play, and it seemed like neither of them could back out.

---

Just as they were both preparing for the evening, both Kendrick and Zephany’s phones buzzed simultaneously. A notification from The Archive flashed across their screens.

Zephany furrowed her brows as she tapped the screen. "What’s this?" she muttered under her breath. It wasn’t like the usual notifications. There was something about it that felt... ominous.

Kendrick’s phone buzzed again at the same moment, and he picked it up. His face shifted from curiosity to concern as he read the message.

"What is this?" he whispered to himself.

Both of them stared at their screens, the weight of the situation settling deeper with every passing second. What had they gotten into?

---

The National Arena was brimming with energy, every corner filled with chatter, camera flashes, and excitement. The grand martial arts competition hosted by Varen Enterprises had drawn a massive crowd from all over the country.

Fans, martial artists, businessmen, reporters—the audience was diverse, and the air was thick with anticipation. Banners fluttered high above the main stadium, showcasing the tournament’s name in bold calligraphy. The golden insignia of Varen Enterprises stood at the center, shining under the spotlight.

At the entrance, Zephany and Kendrick stood still for a moment, holding hands. The crisp night air brushed against their skin, but neither moved. They exchanged a brief glance, then looked ahead. The towering gates of the arena loomed over them.

"Let’s go," Kendrick whispered, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

Zephany nodded and together, they stepped into the main stadium of the arena. The bright lights hit them instantly, and the sudden noise of the crowd made Zephany’s heart leap. Her red hair, flowing in soft waves, shimmered under the lights.

Kendrick, beside her, wore a simple black suit that fit him perfectly, his dark hair neatly brushed and his calm expression firm. They didn’t dress to impress, but their presence was magnetic.

They took a deep breath in unison, almost unconsciously.

There’s no escaping now, Kendrick thought. Not with this many people. Someone’s bound to recognize me... or us.

How will I explain this to Mom? And Levy? Will they understand? Will they be angry?

Zephany’s thoughts spiraled quickly as they made their way further in, her eyes scanning the crowd anxiously. What if Reynold sees us? Oh god, what if Pia posts about this?

They continued walking, hand-in-hand, their connection drawing attention like a spotlight. Heads turned as they passed. People whispered. Some pointed discreetly, others not so much. Though dressed simply, they looked like they had just stepped out of a magazine.

Zephany’s emerald eyes glowed against her fair skin, her graceful movements catching admiration. Kendrick’s strong jawline, the calmness in his deep blue eyes, and his tall figure made him stand out like a nobleman lost in the crowd.

"Who is that girl with the red hair? She looks like a model."

"No way, look at the guy. He’s so good-looking. Are they celebrities?" freёnovelkiss.com

"Wait... isn’t that Kendrick Montclair?"

The murmurs grew louder as they approached the seating area. Though they tried to stay low-key, the whispers began shifting from admiration to something else.

"Oh my god, I think you’re right! That’s Kendrick. I recognize him from those old championship clips."

"Kendrick Montclair... wasn’t he the prodigy who disappeared?"

Just as they found their designated seats, someone stepped out of the nearby crowd. A man in his mid twenties, his broad shoulders and cocky smirk all too familiar to Kendrick, walked forward and deliberately raised his voice.

"Well, well, well. Isn’t this Kendrick Montclair? The former child prodigy turned fool?"

The words hit the air like a stone thrown into still water.

Kendrick stiffened but didn’t speak. Zephany flinched, her hand tightening around his.

The man laughed, clearly enjoying the attention. "I almost didn’t recognize you, Montclair. You used to be the pride of every dojo in this region. And now? You vanish, only to show up hand-in-hand with a girl like you’re just here for a date? What happened to you?"

Others nearby began to laugh. Some nodded, recognizing Kendrick.

"Wasn’t he unbeatable when he was a kid?"

"Yeah, he won the National Junior Martial Arts Championship three years in a row. Then suddenly... poof. Gone."

"He was supposed to be the next legend. Now look at him. Just another face in the crowd."

"He’s nobody now."