Chapter 29: Taking Advantage of Marcus’s Vulnerability
For a moment, he felt hard to breathe.
Scenes with Gemma kept flashing through his mind.
When he was blind, he hated walking because he kept bumping into things.
Gemma had put padding all around the house to prevent him from hurting himself.
She patiently guided him around their home again and again.
Whenever he avoided an obstacle, she’d clap her hands, thrilled. When he was able to take care of himself, she jumped up and down with joy.
Back then, he thought to himself.
How could there be a girl who was like the sun, so unconditionally warm and devoted to him?
After his sight returned, he took over the family business, while she turned to work at the hospital. Even though her schedule was packed, she still made sure to come home and cook dinner for him. Once Ali was born, she seemed even busier, but she still managed to keep the family running smoothly, It made him feel like both his wife and child were just accessories to his life.
Whether it was Gemma or anyone else, he thought he’d be fine either way.
But now, as he stared at that ring, his heart felt empty.
Even though he hated to admit it, the feeling of regret filled his chest, overwhelming him.
Hours passed
It’s getting late.
His phone rang several times with calls from the hospital, but he ignored them.
He just had his secretary arrange for a nurse and a professional mutritionist to handle things.
Coincidentally, Mabel called.
On the other end, she sounded a little tipsy, her voice soft and seductive.
“Max, I’m on set. Can you come pick me up?”
Marcus was already irritated, ready to reject her, but then, thinking about how Gemma and Brian had been so cozy together earlier, he found himself saying, “Sure.”
Mabel hung up, immediately calling for her makeup artist to touch up her look. She’s not drunk at all.
Naomi sent over a message: “The nutritionist said Ali is already asleep. Even if he wakes up, he won’t disturb you and Mr.
Wilson.
“Good. You go ahead and set up the room. And remember, tell Max I had no idea, that it’s all your idea.”
Naomi nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ve already gathered those old photos of you and Mr. Wilson from your youth and made them into an album It’s on the nightstand.”
Mabel thought for a moment and then lightly tapped the table.
“Here’s the plan when we enter the room, you should accidentally knock over the album, and then you’ll say…”
Not long after, word came in that Marcus had arrived at the set.
Mabel smiled, a triumphant glint in her eyes.
Though he wasn’t divorced yet, Gemma’s unpredictable attitude had given her a sense of urgency. She decided to put her plans into motion, even if Alijali was still sick. It was all about securing Marcus first.
Once they slept, and with their past history. Marcus would definitely divorce Gemma quickly and marry her instead. With that thought, she lifted her skirt and walked out.
As soon as she saw Marcus, she rushed toward him with a surprised expression on her fa
Clupter 29: Taking Advantage of Marcus’s Vulnerability
“Max, you got here so fast?”
Marcus glanced at her in the red, sultry dress, and something stirred in his eyes
“Max, you could come back to my hotel and grab my things, right? After that, we’ll go to the hospital to check on Ali.” With that, Mabel looped her arm through his
Marcus didn’t pull away. Instead, he followed her to the hotel.
As soon as the door opened, they were greeted by a chorus of “Happy Birthday!”
Then, the birthday song started playing.
Mabel froze, disbelief written all over her face. “My… my birthday? Oh my god, how could I forgot it! I’ve been so busy.” Naomi rushed over. “Ms. Johnson, you’ve been so busy with filming and taking care of Ali. This is for you, a little gift.”
She handed over a set of diamond jewelry.
Mabel gleefully accepted it, her eyes welling up as she turned to Marcus.
“Max, did you arrange all this? You’re so thoughtful.”
Marcus, silent, didn’t respond.
He couldn’t even remember Gemma’s birthday. For years, he hadn’t celebrated it at all.
How could he remember someone else’s?
Luckily, Gemma didn’t care for those extravagant gestures. He’d never bothered with them. Just as he was about to brush it off, Naomi suddenly gasped.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to ”
She’d accidentally knocked over an album, but she quickly picked it up and opened it.
“Sorry, Ms. Johnson. I saw how much you cherished these photos, so I secretly swapped in a new album and framed
them..”
The album opened in front of Marcus.
It was filled with pictures from their school days–Mabel and him together on school paths, at the auditorium, and goofing off in class.
Marcus only glanced at it, then quickly turned his gaze away.
The photos did remind him of the innocence of their school years.
But what about Gemma? She’d once said she was just a small–town girl, and her biggest dream back then was to leave the small town and become a role model for other girls.
Did she have any pictures from her student days?
What did she look like back then?
“Max, these are our beautiful memories…”
Mabel’s voice trembled as she gazed at him, her eyes filled with something far more suggestive.
It was only then that he realized Naomi and everyone else had left the room.
The large space felt oddly empty as they stared at each other.
“We were so happy back then, don’t you remember? 1 actually..”
Marcus snapped out of it, shocked at how he had zoned out just now.
And even worse, all his thoughts were about Gemma,
His mood darkened again.
He didn’t even listen to what Mabel was saying.
When Mabel pretended to twist her ankle and threw herself into his arms, he grabbed her wrist and pushed her down onto the bed.
“Rest up. Let your assistant take cafe of
you.”
Chapter 29: Taking Advantage of Marcus’s Vulnerability
With that, he turned to leave.
Mabel’s eyes widened.
The hotel’s setup had been so suggestive, and her outfit was carefully chosen
The whole birthday and “youthful memories” theme were meant to set the mood.
She had expected to have him in the bag.
But to her surprise, just as she was about to seal the deal, Marcus swiftly pulled away from her and walked out.
Even though she called his name several times, Marcus never looked back.
Fuming, she started throwing things in the room.
“It’s because of Gemmal It’s all her fault! He damn lunch box!”
She stormed to her phone and made a call.
“A technical competition? An academic forum? She’s doing that now? Fine, tell everyone I’m joining too!”
“I was a famous doctor before I debuted!
“Yes, and I’ll face her in the finals!”
“I don’t care how you hype it up, just make sure everyone turns against her! I want her to be blasted on the internet!”
A doctor who got slammed online would lose their job, and Wilsons would definitely start hating her too!
Chapter 30: Six Years of Marriage, Finally Wanting to Know About His Wife’s Past