Chapter 200

Chapter 200

Oliver gently patted Helena's back—whether to comfort her or to mask his own inner agitation, it was hard to say.

His gaze followed Monica's retreating figure.

He hadn't expected Monica to actually get married.

He'd been planning to arrange a marriage between Monica and someone reliable within the family.

After all, Monica had a powerful best friend, and the Sinclair family had reaped plenty of benefits from that connection over the years.

He'd always figured that as long as Monica stayed in the Sinclair family, the money she brought in would ultimately be theirs.

But who would've thought that one argument would cost them everything—like watching a roasted duck fly right off the plate!

Thinking of all those resources Monica controlled, Oliver's heart churned with resentment.

He'd already made up his mind: over the next few days, he'd work on his wife some more, whispering in her ear until they found a way to make Monica change her mind.

After all, both he and Caspian needed Monica's connections.

Over the years, the resources they'd gained through Monica were countless. He wasn't about to let that go.

If anyone at today's gathering was genuinely happy, it was probably only Vesper.

Her face remained neutral, but inside, she was practically dancing with joy.

Vesper had always felt there was something ambiguous between Caspian and Monica.

Now that Monica was married and determined to leave the Sinclair family, she couldn't be more satisfied.

Just as she was basking in her thoughts, a nurse from the medical center returned her card with an apologetic expression.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry, but our facility cannot provide health screening services for you or your family members."

Vesper froze.

To show Caspian how much she cared about his family, she'd taken the day off specifically to bring her parents and Oliver's couple here for checkups. She'd even chosen the most reputable medical center in town.

"Why not?"

"I apologize, but you're all on our system's blacklist."

"We've found that you're blacklisted in the systems of the Perkins Group chain hospitals, the Gray Group chain hospitals, and Jingray Medical. Therefore, we cannot provide you with health screening services."

The four parents were all watching Vesper.

Her face flushed crimson.

The embarrassment felt like being slapped in public.

"On what grounds? I put money into this!"

"Ma'am, our records show that your deposit was refunded a week ago, and according to the contract terms, you were compensated with ten times the penalty fee."

Vesper didn't care about the money.

What she cared about was face—the dignity she had in front of the Sinclair family!

She snapped, "I'm filing a complaint against you!"

The receptionist maintained her polite smile but didn't budge.

Just then, Caspian's call came through.

Vesper immediately launched into an embellished account of the humiliation she'd suffered, her voice pitiful and aggrieved:

"Why are all these medical systems blacklisting us? What did we do wrong?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end.

"The medical center you went to is under the Gray family." Caspian's voice was heavy.

"Last time at the hospital, the person next to Monica was the next heir of the Gray family."

"As for the Perkins Group, you've probably seen the recent news. Matthew seems to be on her side too."

"As for this medical center... it's probably under their umbrella as well." He had a vague feeling he'd heard of this place before but couldn't quite recall.

Vesper said in a wounded tone, "So Mon made them do this?"

"No way." Caspian denied it almost immediately.

He knew better than anyone how kind Monica was.

She would never do something like this.

Most likely, Adam was behind it.

Suppressing the bitterness rising in his chest, he consoled Vesper gently, "Just take your parents and head home. I'll arrange another place for the checkups."

Vesper still felt stifled, the fire inside her refusing to die down.

She couldn't help telling Caspian about running into Monica and her husband earlier, her emotions running high. "I should've confronted her right there and then!"

"Monica's husband?" Caspian's voice clearly paused.

Vesper deliberately kept her tone casual. "Yeah, the same guy who was with Monica at the hospital last time."

"They looked absolutely smitten with each other. Wouldn't be surprised if they were there for a pregnancy checkup."

Caspian didn't respond.

He offered a few more flat words of comfort before hanging up.

Vesper didn't sense anything amiss and led the four elders back home.

……

After hanging up, Caspian sat expressionless in his office chair, but inside, he was anything but calm.

He'd been swamped these past few days—back-to-back meetings and social obligations had left him no time to even think about Monica.

But he never imagined she'd actually gotten married!

She loved him so much—how could she marry someone else?

It had to be a lie!

He told himself this over and over, but the restlessness inside him spread like wildfire, impossible to suppress.

He picked up his phone and called Monica.

The cold, automated message told him he'd been blocked.

He dialed again and again like a madman, until finally, in fury, he hurled his phone against the wall.

Hearing the commotion, his assistant pushed the door open and asked cautiously, "Mr. Sinclair, are you alright?"

Caspian said nothing.

The vein at his temple throbbed visibly.

He took a deep breath and had the assistant hand him his phone, then used the assistant's number to call Monica.

The call connected.

"This is Monica. May I ask who's calling?" Monica's voice came through—crisp and polite.

She'd been expanding her domestic business lately and had handed out plenty of business cards. She generally didn't ignore unfamiliar numbers.

Caspian was about to speak when another voice came through.

"I'll have to trouble you to put extra effort into my wife's business promotion this time..."

"Don't worry! I'll make sure your wife's matter gets top priority!"

"Hello? Is anyone there?" Monica asked again.

Caspian gripped the phone, his lips moving, but no words came out.

Then, that voice he despised so much seemed to move closer to Monica, asking with unbearable tenderness:

"Honey, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, probably just a spam call." Monica's tone carried a hint of playful complaint as she hung up.

"Beep... beep... beep..."

The dial tone sawed through his heart like a blade.

Cut after cut.

Caspian stood frozen, phone in hand. His assistant stood to the side, not daring to breathe too loudly.

After what felt like an eternity, Caspian handed the phone back to his assistant and waved him away.

He pulled out a cigarette.

His hand shook so badly that he couldn't get the lighter to work after several tries.

He felt a wave of immense panic crash over him like a tornado—sweeping away all his composure and certainty, leaving behind only a hollow, inescapable terror.

She really didn't want him anymore.

It wasn't a tantrum.

It wasn't a temporary cold war.

It was real—completely, utterly real.

She didn't want him anymore.