Chapter 26
Marcus’s eyes
flew open.“Casper!”
He scooped up Casper and raced downstairs, where Phillip gaped in horror.
“Sir, what’s happened to Mr. Casper?”
“Call Kason. Get the car. We’re going to the hospital. Now!”
After a chaotic half–hour in the hospital, Casper’s condition stabilized.
Kason wiped his brow, pale with relief.
Thank goodness you got him here in time.”
Marcus sat by the bed, staring at Casper’s pale face with pain.
Kason sighed. “Casper’s condition is deteriorating. If this continues… Marcus, are you sure you won’t let Ms. Estrada try? I still think she could unlock whatever’s haunting him.”
Marcus frowned, weighing the words.
Wait. First, have someone else look after Casper.”
He couldn’t risk it since he hadn’t finished his investigation.
Casper was his entire world. He wouldn’t allow anyone with dangerous tendencies to approach Casper.
Bertha was still a mystery, her motives unclear.
Cason didn’t press, only nodded wearily.
By the way… Brenda’s here too, with a broken leg and wrist, pretty bad.”
Marcus asked, “What’s going on?”
I heard she got beaten up by someone.”
As soon as Kason finished speaking, Marcus’s phone vibrated. It was Brenda.
Marc, I just heard Casper’s in the hospital! What happened? Is he okay? Did he have another episode? I’m here
oo, but the doctor won’t let me leave my bed. I’m so worried about him.” Her sobs sounded rehearsed.
Marcus fought the urge to hang up.
He managed to say, “He’s stable. Stay put. You need rest.”
You already knew I was hurt? Can you come see me?”
Marcus’s eyes flashed with a hint of annoyance, but he still agreed.
“I’ll be there soon.”
After hanging up, Marcus briefed Kason and headed to Brenda’s ward.
The moment Brenda saw him, her eyes welled up.
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“Marc, how’s Casper? I’ve been so worried about him.”
Marcus ignored her tears and took a seat.
“Focus on your recovery. Casper isn’t your concern.”
Brenda wiped away her tears.
“Marc… do you like that woman?”
“Who?”
“The one who kissed you at the bar today.”
Marcus frowned.
Brenda’s eyes welled up, her voice quivering. “I’m so upset.
Menu
“You’ve never let women get close, let alone kiss you. Besides me, no woman has ever been by your side. But today, you let her kiss you.”
Images of Bertha’s kiss flashed through Marcus’s mind. His frown deepened, eyes darkening as his voice turned frigid.
“It was an accident.”
An accident?
Brenda’s racing heart stilled at his words.
So she’d been right, Marcus didn’t like Bertha. That woman was just another gold–digger throwing herself at
him.
What a shameless bitch!” she thought.
Brenda started acting.
‘She must have misread our relationship, and then she sent people to attack me! I almost got disfigured.”
Brenda wailed, twisting the truth to paint Bertha as a villain.
She needed Marcus to feel sorry for her.
If only Marcus could teach that bitch a lesson to help her get revenge, it would be the best.
As Casper’s savior, she hadn’t kissed Marcus. How dare that bitch think she deserved a kiss from Marcus?
“Where were your bodyguards? They let her assault you?” Marcus demanded, voice taut.
“She even beat my bodyguards! She showed up with two truckloads of thugs, beating me so hard. If a kind passerby hadn’t called the cops, they would’ve destroyed my face. Marc, you have to avenge me.”
Marcus was clearly impatient.
“Marc, I’m terrified! What if she comes after me again? She kissed you and now thinks she’s entitled, as if she’s special because you let her!
“Marc, can I move into your place for a while? If I live with you, she won’t dare to bully me, and I can spend
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more time with Casper.”
Brenda’s intention was obvious. She wanted to weasel her way closer to Marcus.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
