When they returned to the apartment reeking of alcohol, Elijah was still drunk, clinging to Marcia and refusing to let go.Marcia wanted to fetch a damp towel to wipe his face, but she couldn't move under his weight.With no other choice, she let him pull her onto the sofa, lying there as he rambled on in his drunken stupor.The pleasant scent of Elijah, mingled with alcohol, surrounded Marcia, making her wonder if she was also a little intoxicated.Suddenly curious, Marcia asked, "Elijah, why did you marry me?"Elijah closed his eyes and chuckled. "Because you're beautiful."Marcia rolled her eyes but couldn't help feeling pleased. "How beautiful?"He opened his eyes and studied her for a long moment before answering, "Beautiful enough that I'll never get tired of looking at you."His eyes sparkled under the crystal chandelier, filled with laughter and the haze of intoxication. They reminded Marcia of the finest wine, pulling her into their depths, drowning her again and again."Even
Before heading out, Marcia grabbed the dress from Demon and the shoes Hayden had given her.The dress, slightly frayed at the neckline thanks to Elijah's roughness the previous night, needed repair.She glanced at the designer label and decided to drop it off at a boutique during her lunch break.As for the shoes, though worn once, she figured someone at Demon would appreciate them.Elijah noticed her carrying a paper bag and asked curiously, "What's in there?"Marcia smiled lightly. "Something borrowed that I'm returning."She chose not to mention her meeting with his mother yesterday, avoiding unnecessary conflict.Elijah, assuming it involved Claire, didn't press further.When they went downstairs, Andrew was already waiting to drive them.As a driver, Andrew was competent—discreet and loyal.Still, Marcia couldn't ignore the occasional cautious glances he stole, leaving her a little uneasy.She chalked it up to natural curiosity and didn't overthink it. After all, if Elijah found
The meeting room fell into an awkward silence.Booth, growing anxious, tried to signal Jane with a glance, but she stubbornly held her ground, glaring at Marcia with disdain.Marcia responded calmly, her tone light and composed. "The initial draft of Clearvista's acquisition plan was written by me."Jane froze for a moment, then frowned. "So what? We're the ones doing all the work. It has nothing to do with you. You're just a secretary!"Unbothered, Marcia replied, "And what about it? Does my job title matter here? This acquisition project is crucial, Jane. I hope you can approach it with a level head."She wasn't wrong. Sin Group had never been a company ruled by nepotism. It valued talent above all else.Even a newcomer could rise to a managerial position within months if they proved their abilities. Elijah had a sharp eye for talent, and those he identified often thrived.This keen judgment was one of the reasons Sin Group maintained its position as an industry leader, unrivaled by
Later in the day, Marcia arrived at the boutique with her dress.While waiting for the dress to be mended, she sat in the VIP lounge, lost in thought. What exactly was she insecure about? If people knew about her past, they would undoubtedly conclude she wasn't worthy of Elijah.A divorced woman and someone who couldn't bear children—Marcia sighed, knowing such thoughts were futile. She had never been plagued by these emotions before, but ever since being with Elijah, she felt unworthy of him in every way. Why had Elijah married her? It was a mystery she had no desire to unravel."Miss, your dress is ready," a staff member in a black uniform said, handing her the paper bag.Seeing that Marcia remained seated, the woman carefully unfolded the dress for her inspection. "Miss, what do you think of the repair work?"Marcia glanced at it and nodded. "It's great, thank you."The staff member neatly folded the dress again and handed it back with great care. She couldn't help but sneak a curi
At noon, Marcia arrived at Demon again, only to find its doors tightly shut.She waited outside for a while and spotted someone inside in a cleaning uniform tidying up. Knocking on the glass door, she tried to get their attention."Ma'am, we're not open yet. What brings you here?"Marcia called through the glass, "I need to speak to your boss. Is he here?"Perhaps her voice was a bit too loud because a window on the third floor creaked open, and a disheveled head poked out. Wearing nothing but a robe, Hayden glared at her with an irritated expression."Who is it? What do you want with me?"Marcia looked up to see Hayden's half-exposed chest and his barely contained fury."Do you and Elijah have some kind of vendetta against me? Can't you people leave me alone during the day?" Hayden snapped. He was clearly not a morning person. Draping his robe lazily over his shoulders, he revealed a muscular chest that would have been impressive if not for his sour mood.Marcia remained unfazed. "I'
"I'm sorry!"The moment Marcia stepped out of Demon, Kate appeared. Her tear-filled eyes brimmed with guilt and sorrow as she looked at Marcia, catching her off guard.But this insincere apology? Where was it coming from? Besides, it was far too late and completely unnecessary!Marcia looked at her coldly, unaffected. "Do you need something?"Kate seemed hesitant, lowering her head as she stood before Marcia. In a small voice, she said, "Miss, about that day at the hospital… Thank you.""Oh?" Marcia raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a faint, disdainful smirk.What kind of performance was this now?Kate either didn't notice or chose to ignore Marcia's impatience. Her pitiful tone continued, "Miss, I know what I said at the police station that day must have hurt you, but I had no choice. My mother-in-law… she has a terrible temper. My husband doesn't treat me well either. If I had testified against her at the police station that day, my daughter's life would've been unbearable. I
Marcia didn't answer any of Booth's frantic questions before swiftly hanging up the call.The commotion around her was too chaotic, and she didn't want Booth to overhear too much.However, she forgot about Booth's excitable nature. Hearing her instructions, he naturally assumed it was an urgent matter.But Booth didn't have Alan's number, as Kevin was always the one handling direct communication with him.In his rush, Booth went to find Kevin.Finding Kevin meant that Elijah would soon hear about it too—Patricia was planning to bring Clearvista's Alan to Demon!No one knew who started this rumor, but within ten minutes, it had spread across Azure like wildfire.Meanwhile, Marcia calmly put down her phone and turned to the crowd surrounding her. With a measured tone, she said, "This lady's husband will be here shortly. If you have time, why not stay and wait? I'm genuinely curious to see your courage in action, rather than just watching you stand here throwing around baseless accusatio
Marcia pointed at Kate, her tone dripping with disdain. "Alan, is this really your wife? She's quite something—claiming I stole her husband. If I recall correctly, the only relationship we've had is strictly professional. If such ridiculous rumors spread, how would I maintain my reputation in Liverpool?"Alan's face stiffened, but he forced a smile. "Madam, my wife has been unwell since childbirth—she's suffering from mental health issues. If she has offended you, I sincerely apologize."His words sent a ripple of shock through the crowd.Kate's face turned crimson with anger as she shouted, "Alan! I'm not sick! How could you say such a thing?"Marcia smirked, looking every bit the villain Kate had accused her of being. Yet, in her eyes, Kate had brought this on herself."Is that so?" Marcia remarked with feigned regret. "Her words seem clear and logical to me—not like someone with mental issues. I thought perhaps you were upset because Azure rejected your proposal and had her cause t
Her hand fumbled across the bed, finally reaching the bedside lamp. "You lunatic! It's your fault, not mine. Why do you always blame others? Kate left with someone else—what does that have to do with me? Let go of me!"She rolled her eyes in defiance, but her arms were too weak to resist. Just a little more, and she could grab the lamp...Alan's eyes burned crimson with rage. "It's all your fault! I was fine with Kate before you came along! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have given her to Harold. That bastard said he just wanted her for one night, but now he won't return her! He's no different from Elijah—both beasts! No, fools! Secondhand goods, and yet they enjoy it so much! Is every woman I've been with so desirable? Marcia, tell me—who's better, huh?!"He lost all reason, furiously trying to tear off Marcia's pants. But in his drunken state, he couldn't manage. Frustrated, he pressed against her through her clothes and shouted, "Say it!
Meanwhile, back in his room, Booth snapped out of his daze.Covered in sweat and grime, he had no interest in showering after his conversation with Jane. Instead, he slumped onto the sofa, staring blankly into the distance.It was unclear how long he sat there before irritation drove him to his feet. Booth stormed into the bathroom, peeled off his shirt, and splashed cold water onto his face. Suddenly, something didn't feel right.Jane was staying on the 17th floor—that much he remembered clearly. So why had he seen her waiting for the elevator on the 22nd floor? This was a hotel, not a crowded office building where people often rode the elevator in the wrong direction just to secure a spot.A suspicion crept into Booth's mind—Jane was hiding something from him. He couldn't explain the feeling, but his instincts rarely failed him.Pulling out his phone, he tried calling her, only to find her phone was turned off."Damn it,"
Calvin walked into the hotel lobby and spotted the manager, Charles, speaking on the phone at the front desk.The moment Charles saw Calvin, he hung up immediately and greeted him respectfully. "Sir, would you like me to arrange a car for you?"Calvin raised an eyebrow. "Your efficiency is quite impressive.""My apologies for earlier, sir. I hope you'll forgive us," Charles said with a polite smile.Calvin replied casually, "You were just doing your job, ensuring the guests are taken care of. By the way, she...""Please rest assured, sir. We'll take excellent care of her. Mr. Elijah has already instructed us," Charles responded quickly, knowing exactly who Calvin was referring to.Calvin chuckled. "Seems like he's not too busy in America.""He's just concerned about his wife, that's all. Sir, this way, please. Your car is ready." Charles gestured respectfully. Calvin glanced in the direction Charles indicated, seeing a black Mercedes-Benz van parked at the entrance.Calvin gave Charle
Jane reached out to steady Marcia's back and said softly, "Sir, my name is Jane. May I ask for yours? I joined Sin Corporation the same year as Patricia—quite the coincidence, isn't it?"Calvin frowned slightly at Jane's sudden familiarity but answered curtly, "Calvin."Unbothered by his aloofness, Jane smiled and scanned the room numbers as they walked. "Oh, here it is—2711! Calvin, I almost forgot. Do you have her room card? Without it, we can't get in."After a moment of hesitation, Calvin handed Marcia's bag to Jane. "It should be in her bag. Check inside."Jane accepted the bag cheerfully and rummaged through it. "Found it!"She held up the card and swiped it against the door lock. With a soft beep, the door to 2711 clicked open."Come in, Calvin," Jane said, stepping aside.Calvin nodded and entered quickly, not noticing that Jane discreetly slipped the room card into her own pocket instead of returning it to the bag."Lay her down on the bed," Jane suggested. She glanced at Cal
Calvin didn't drive. Partly because he had been drinking, and partly because it had been a long time since he had been this close to Marcia.Marcia was light as a feather on his back as he slowly carried her toward the hotel.He had grown used to keeping track of Marcia's every move, but her heart had always been out of his reach.As a child, Marcia would cling to his arm with a sweet smile, half-coquettish, half-pleading, as she said, "Calvin, when I grow up, let's get married, okay?"She was just speaking innocent words of a child, but he took them seriously.Her casual remark stayed with him all these years. He had waited for her to grow up, imagining her as his perfect bride. But when she finally did, she showed up holding Alan's hand."Calvin, this is Alan. I...I want to marry him. You're the most important person to me, so you're the first to know," she said.Back then, Alan was a nobody, his humble demeanor barely concealed by his clean, smiling face.Calvin couldn't recall wha
Some people completely lose their memory once they get drunk.After just three glasses of red wine, Marcia had already lost all self-control.Kevin was slightly better off, still holding on to a sliver of rationality as Booth supported him. Kevin managed to exchange a few polite words with Bill and Cliff, ensuring they left the Cote Bistro with the contract in hand.Only after confirming its authenticity did Kevin collapse onto the sofa in the lobby, refusing to move no matter how hard Booth tried.After a chaotic mess, Booth entrusted Kevin to the lobby manager and went back to look for Marcia, only to find Calvin already carrying her. "I'll take her back to the hotel," Calvin said indifferently before striding off.Booth instinctively wanted to follow but was stopped by a waiter. Apparently, someone else had passed out in the private room.Pushing open the door, Booth found Myron slumped awkwardly in a corner, dozing.What's worse than one drunk person? Two drunk people—and worse st
Kevin's eyes were slightly red, but he let out a hearty laugh. "Look at what you're saying. It's an honor for Azure to have you both here today!"With that, he downed another glass of red wine.Marcia hadn't expected him to drink so heavily and looked at him with concern. Just as she was about to intervene, Myron gently shook his head. "Gentlemen, Kevin is like a brother to me. We're mainly here to catch up today, so I won't say too much. Let me also raise a glass to you both! Even though Eli isn't here, I hope you'll consider working with us on my behalf."After speaking, Myron downed his glass in one go. This time, Bill and Cliff clinked glasses with him and took a sip of their own drinks.Bill set his glass down and chuckled. "Myron, I'll toast with you today, but next time, you'd better bring a wife, or marry Nancy already! Otherwise, don't even think about getting me to drink again."Cliff, after finishing his glass, was stopped by Alison, who took over drinking on his behalf.Ma
After laughing, Marcia felt she had been too distant with Calvin, so she smiled at him and said, "Calvin, since you've returned to the country, I haven't properly hosted you. When are you heading back to Liverpool? Let me treat you to a meal before then.""I'll contact you after I get there," Calvin replied with a gentle smile, raising his glass toward her.Marcia nodded firmly and responded enthusiastically, "Alright."Just then, there was a knock at the door.Knock, knock, knock...As they were chatting, Booth pushed the door open and entered."Ma'am, everyone has arrived!" Booth announced.Marcia and Kevin exchanged a glance before quickly heading toward the door. Three individuals entered slowly as introductions were made, and the group exchanged pleasantries before taking their seats with smiles all around.Due to Elijah's influence, the guests were exceptionally polite. Myron also played the perfect mediator, lightening the atmosphere with a few jokes, making everyone laugh.Mar
Calvin looked at Marcia's surprised expression and let a faint smile tug at the corners of his lips. "Are you really that shocked to see me?" he asked softly.Marcia shook her head with a light laugh. "I should be asking you that! You disappeared from the hospital that day without a word. What brings you here?""Elijah personally invited me. It's hard to say no to his invitations, don't you think?" Calvin chuckled. "I'm here representing Shine Glow Group."Kevin, who had been wearing a playful expression, paused for a moment, raising an eyebrow curiously. "SG Group?""The owner of SG, John Linton, is my uncle. He's not feeling well and specifically asked me to attend in his place," Calvin explained, extending a hand toward Kevin. "I'm Calvin, Marcia's childhood friend."Marcia couldn't help but laugh. "We grew up as neighbors. He's closer to me than a real brother. But wait—how did I not know John was your uncle? You don't even share the same last name!""It's through my mother's side