Chapter 28
Marcus’s frown deepened, his heart lurching.
If Bertha were Casper’s birth mother, why wouldn’t she tell him?
He’d vowed to take care of her all those years ago. If Bertha had ulterior motives, wouldn’t she have approached him directly for acknowledgment?
Was he so desperate for her return that any woman who sparked a flicker of emotion became her by default?
Marcus sat by the bed, lost in thought. Finally, he pulled out his phone and dialed Axell.
Bring Bertha here.”
Now?”
Yes.”
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Whether she was Casper’s mother or not, he needed answers.
A paternity test would settle it. If she was… Marcus’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
f she wasn’t… His frown deepened. Any woman bold enough to touch him would face consequences.
xell received the order and raced to find Bertha, but she was nowhere to be found.
He headed to the bar to investigate.
The duty manager said that among the list of wine sales tonight, there was no one named Bertha.
Axell then showed him Bertha’s photo.
The manager then nodded.
Oh, her! She doesn’t go by Bertha here. Look, she used a different name, Richie Estrada.”
Axell exchanged a stunned look with his men.
Richie? Did it mean Bertha wanted to get rich?
Do you have her address?”
Yeah, but it might not be real. Here it is.”
Axell scanned the registration list and sent men to verify. As expected, the address was fake.
Axell rubbed his temples. He lost the clue again.
Back at the hospital, he reported, “Marcus, Ms. Estrada has disappeared.
“We searched everywhere. Even the Wallace family is looking for her. Galen woke up demanding the ‘pretty lady,‘ so they’re more desperate than us.”
“Did you check the bar?” Marcus asked, anger edging his voice.
“I did. Ms. Estrada used a fake name and address there.” Axell handed him the registration list. “See, this is her signature.”
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Marcus’s brows lifted at her handwriting, elegant, almost familiar.
Then his eyes snapped to the name. “Richie Estrada?”
Axell bit back a laugh.
“Ms. Estrada is clearly desperate to be rich.”
Marcus said nothing, jaw tightening.“Keep searching.”
The next morning, Bertha woke before dawn, unaware of the surveillance.
The first thing she did was call Beverly Hills to ask if Marcus had returned yet.
When the answer was no, Bertha pressed her temples.
She sighed, “When on earth can I get a divorce?”
Hopelessness washed over her. She saw nothing but a dead end.
‘Alas.”
Bertha sighed and felt annoyed.
It was still early, and she lay in bed scrolling through her phone, hoping to find out Marcus’s whereabouts. Instead, she came across a missing person notice from the Wallace family.
Unable to locate her, the Wallace family had posted the notice online.
All major media and TV stations were broadcasting the information, as if afraid she wouldn’t see it.
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Fortunately, they hadn’t included her photo or name, just a brief account of what had happened the day before.
The message was clear. If she saw it, she’d know they were looking for her.
Bertha sat up, staring at the notice with a furrowed brow.
She had no ties to the Wallace family and didn’t want to get involved.
She’d returned only to divorce Marcus, not to entangle herself with others.
Yet the thought of that irritable child tugged at her worry.
Mental illness was terrifying enough in its quiet or irritable phases, but the real fear lay in its escalation to
self–harm.
So many children with severe mental illnesses ultimately died by suicide.
During her five years at Northmoor Manor, free from social obligations and with too much leisure time, she’d devoted herself to studying.
Knowing her children would grow up in a single–parent household, she’d read extensively on child education and psychology.
In the field of exceptional child education, she only lacked a certificate. Her capabilities were undeniable. After some thought, Bertha decided to go to the hospital.
As a mother herself, she couldn’t turn a blind eye. Perhaps this was a way to accumulate blessings for her own
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children.
Bertha rose and headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the three boys. After washing up note, she stepped out of the house.
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and leaving a
Who could have guessed that the moment she arrived at the hospital entrance, she ran into Jefferson?
The memory of their altercation last night made her tense. She tried to pretend not to recognize him, but Jefferson blocked her path.
“Ah, Ms. Estrada! What a coincidence, we meet again.”
Jefferson’s eyes lit up at the sight of Bertha.
His lust was barely concealed as his gaze raked over her insolently.
Bertha frowned, opting for politeness to defuse the situation.
I’m here to visit a friend, but I’m in a hurry. I must go now.”
Bertha tried to make her escape, but Jefferson refused to budge.
Why rush when the fun’s just starting? Last night’s scuffle ended too soon. You owe me a proper make–up oday. Come on, let’s go have some real fun.”
As Jefferson reached out to grab her, Bertha’s anger flared.
What do you think you’re doing? I don’t know you. Stay away from me!”
Before Bertha could take another step, Jefferson signaled his bodyguards. Two men lunged forward, clamping
1 hand over her mouth before she could scream. They forced her into a car.
efferson sneered, “Some people only learn lessons the hard way.”
He dialed Brenda, who was fuming in her hospital bed.
Every ache in her body, every dollar lost, was Bertha’s fault.
She believed that her injuries were closely related to Bertha!
Marcus had distanced himself because of Bertha!
And the 8 million dollars he’d withdrawn? Also Bertha’s doing!
Anyway, Brenda put all the blame on Bertha.
“Idiot!” Brenda shrieked. “She should be hiding, not parading around! Doesn’t she know I could have her
killed?”
Jefferson added, “Bree, I heard Marcus is here too. Is she looking for him?”
Brenda opened her eyes wide as soon as she heard that.
< Chapter 29
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Chapter 29
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.
