Chapter 26 Marceline took her laptop to the repair shop , hoping to see if her document could be recovered . The technician browsed through the system with a frown . He said , " Miss , your file was fully encrypted and then formatted . Even top - level professionals wouldn't be able to recover it . And even if someone more skilled than me managed to retrieve the data , they still wouldn't be able to decrypt the original content . " Was there something important in it ? If not, maybe it's best to just let it go . " Marceline felt a roaring in her head and a dryness in her throat . She couldn't help but ask , " Is there really no way to recover iti The technician shook his head and sighed . " Besides , your laptop is an old model from years ago . It's way too outdated now . " This was the laptop Curtis had bought her back in university with the money he'd earned from part - time jobs . Back then , money was tight for them . They had to stretch every penny as far as possible . Thus , when she received this gift , she felt deeply pained instead of happy . At the time , Curtis was barely getting any rest at all since he was shouldering the living expenses and tuition for the both of them . Marceline had always treasured this laptop . Over the past three years , she had used it countless times , but never had she once taken it out of the master bedroom . Even if a single drop of water accidentally spilled on it , she would carefully wipe it down for a long time . The technician kept checking , but then , the laptop screen suddenly went dark He continued , " Miss , this laptop's at least nine years old . The fact that it lasted this long without breaking means it must've been pretty expensive when you bought it . And going by how you look now , it doesn't seem like you're short on money . So , why not just buy a new one ?" Marceline opened her mouth , yet she didn't know what to say . She dazedly paid for the inspection and left the store hugging her laptop . By then , the sky outside had darkened , and rain began to fall . This season in Imperialis was known for frequent showers , and it made the entire city humid and stifling Marceline stood by the roadside , carefully shielding the laptop with her body so that not a single drop of rain could seep through it . But the rain kept pouring harder , and even after waiting a long time by the curb , she couldn't catch a single taxi . The technician seemed unable to just stand by any longer . As he held an umbrella , he stepped outside and handed her one that wasn't in use from the shop . After taking the umbrella , Marceline thanked him and stepped into the rain with it Marceline was naturally beautiful . Even in the plainest of clothes , she looked like a quiet , gentle goddess . The technician remained standing where he was when his boss said from behind him , " Electronics get outdated so quickly . That laptop . must've cost over 10 thousand dollars back in the day . If she's still using it after nine years , there's probably a story behind it . " The technician sighed and replied , " But the data was deliberately deleted by someone , and the method they'd used was highly professional . There's truly no way to recover it . " Marceline had walked quite a distance when a car arrogantly sped past her , splashing a wave of dirty water that soaked her from head The car sped forward for about ten yards , then slowly turned around . It was Serena . She looked at Marceline with disgust and even made a face . " I was wondering who it was . You gave me a scare . What are you doing wandering the streets like a ghost at night ? If Lwere you , I wouldn't even show my face in public anymore . " She then turned to her driver and instructed , " Let's go . I don't want her bad luck getting all over me . No sooner had the words left her mouth than Marceline picked up a clump of dirty mud from the ground and hurled it straight through The open car window . Serena , who had been gloating a second ago , was instantly covered in filth . Her expensive clothes were ruined , and the inside of the car recked of damp grime . She started screaming , but when she saw Marceline crouch down again - possibly about to throw more mud in - she hurriedly ordered the driver to leave . " That woman is a total nutjob . I bet she went crazy from heartbreak after Curtis tried to divorce her , " she muttered Marceline took a deep breath and squatted down to wash her muddied hand in a small pool nearby . Meanwhile , her other hand still held the laptop tightly against her chest . Even though she was soaked through , her laptop remained dry . The umbrella had also fallen to the side and was now pooling with rainwater . Just as she finished washing up , Curtis ' car pulled up beside her . Marceline looked like a complete mess . Not only was she soaked from head to toe , but her shoes were caked with dirt as well . and d you've already Curtis ' gaze was deep and unreadable as he rolled down the window . " I only took my eyes off you for a moment , made such a mess of yourself ? "