Chapter 152 He Wants to Remarry You
On the other end of the line, Rachel dug her nails into her palms. After a long moment, she gritted her teeth and said, "Fine, of course that's fine."
She was trapped now—she could only try to appease him as much as possible to secure this marriage. Once they were married, then she'd deal with him properly.
She refused to believe the Green family elders would actually allow him to act this wild forever. When the time came, as long as the Green family elders were on her side, she wouldn't worry about not being able to control this man.
Ethan's smile immediately became meaningful, his lips curving with disdain. He casually picked up a stone from the ground and hurled it at a nearby glass window. Crack—the glass shattered.
Rachel frowned. "What was that noise?"
"Nothing much," Ethan said casually. "Just had some guys trying to stiff me on payment while keeping the goods. My people stabbed them a few times."
Rachel's frown deepened. She didn't know what to say about something like that.
Ethan yawned, his tone lazy. "Alright, I'm hanging up. I'm getting the itch—need to get my fix. Maybe I'll bring you along to play sometime."
He hung up directly.
Rachel stared at her phone, an indescribable anger and frustration filling her chest. The itch? What kind of itch?
What else could it be?
This Ethan was way too arrogant, not even bothering to hide anything in front of her. But thinking about how he acted the same way in front of the Green family elders, she supposed it was expected.
But this scumbag actually wanted to drag her down with him... Rachel couldn't help shivering.
It wasn't like she'd never been around these circles. Plenty of Majestic City's upper-class second-generation kids played with this stuff. Before 'The Eye of Youth' got busted, she'd often attended their parties too. But she was only there for networking. With the Watson family background, when she didn't want to do something, those people couldn't force her.
But Ethan was different. She and the Watson family were absolutely powerless compared to Ethan. If Ethan really wanted her to use... she might not even have room to refuse...
But the engagement was already set now. They'd officially announce it next month, and she had no chance to escape this... Besides, if she didn't marry Ethan, she'd only be able to randomly marry some ordinary person... She really wasn't willing to accept that!
For now, she could only take things one step at a time.
Rachel slumped sideways on the sofa, lost in thought.
---
At the film set.
Ethan played with his phone, a faint mocking smile on his lips. He didn't believe this still wouldn't scare the other party away.
He was a wild hawk with his own path and plans. How could he be easily controlled by his family...
Just as this arrogant thought flashed through his mind, a stone flew straight at him from not far away. Daisy glared at him from a distance. "Are you sick or something? We're shooting indoor scenes this afternoon—how are we supposed to film with the glass broken? I've never seen anyone with hands as destructive as yours!"
Ethan touched his nose and raised both hands in surrender. "I'll pay for it, I'll pay for it right now."
He wouldn't stoop to arguing with a woman.
Daisy rolled her eyes at him and turned to stride away under the shade umbrella.
Ethan watched her infuriating attitude and took a deep breath. Still angry. He took another deep breath.
He was a man destined for an Oscar. With his incredible acting talent, he couldn't let himself be driven crazy by a woman. If he went crazy, he'd lose everything.
Stay calm. He needed to stay calm.
A moment later, Ethan saw the director preparing to start filming. With his emotions finally under control, he got up and walked over.
As soon as he approached, he heard Daisy seriously suggesting to the director, "Why don't we cut some of his scenes? It's supposed to be a female-led drama anyway. Having him tag along all fussy and dramatic will just bore the audience..."
Ethan's hard-won composure immediately crumbled. "Daisy! I've never seen a woman as despicable, shameless, and vicious as you!"
Daisy saw him coming and raised an eyebrow, completely unafraid. "If you've got the guts, come hit me!"
"You think I really don't dare hit you?"
"Come on then! We can settle it in court afterward!"
"Fuck! You crazy woman!"
"Coward!"
---
Arabella's leg fracture hadn't healed yet, so even after leaving the hospital, she could only rest at home.
The company had temporarily arranged for her to work from home.
During this time recovering at home, she was bored to death. Every day, aside from online work, there was nothing else to do. She'd thought that not being able to meet clients in person would cause her sales to drop, but somehow, new clients kept finding her every day. In this one month, her sales actually increased instead of decreased.
When the department tallied up the monthly numbers, she'd actually become the top seller and earned a thirty thousand dollar bonus.
After a month, she could finally walk around. As long as she avoided intense exercise, she was basically fine.
But at the same time, she'd also gained ten pounds.
No helping it—lying in bed every day with no chance for activity, while Alexander fed her well with good food and drinks. It would've been hard not to gain weight.
In the evening, Alexander picked up Becky and dove straight into the kitchen to handle the ingredients he'd brought home today.
Arabella went to peek and saw—good grief—jumbo shrimp, crab, premium wagyu beef, and a pot of fragrant chicken soup.
She said quietly, "Alex, I think our family's menu has been a bit too rich lately... Starting tomorrow I need to go on a diet. Don't make dinner for me."
Hearing this, Alexander put down the knife in his hand, turned to study her for a moment, then shook his head. "You're not fat."
"I gained ten pounds! Ten pounds in one month! Look, I even have a double chin now!" Arabella pinched the flesh under her chin mournfully. "Do you know what gaining ten pounds in a month means?"
Seeing she was genuinely concerned, Alexander walked over to her side and compared her height. "Five-six... and ten pounds? How much do you weigh now?"
"Almost 140 pounds..." Arabella said dejectedly.
His eyes held laughter as he comforted her, "A little fatter or thinner doesn't matter. Love of food is human instinct—only your enemies want you to be weak."
Arabella refused this dose of comfort chicken soup and said firmly, "I absolutely cannot keep getting fatter. I need to lose weight."
"Okay." Alexander's voice remained gentle, with a hint of indulgence. "Then starting tomorrow I'll make you diet meals."
Arabella paused. "Huh?"
She felt bad about it. "Actually, never mind. You've been cooking for me for so long already—how can I make you prepare diet food too? I..."
"It's fine," Alexander said gently and tolerantly. "I like cooking."
Arabella almost got lost in his gaze.
He had such deep, profound eyes. When he looked at someone seriously, it was easy to get the illusion that he was very devoted.
Arabella was having that illusion right now. She didn't dare keep looking at him, afraid she might do something irrational. She mumbled vaguely, "Okay then, I'll give you extra for my share of household expenses."
After saying this, she quickly returned to her room.
Alexander watched her slender figure with a smile, chuckling quietly and shaking his head. His barely audible voice said, "Where are you fat..."
---
Saturday, Arabella returned to visit her father's house. Since her father had surgery a month and a half ago, she hadn't had a chance to go back and see how his recovery was going.
Arriving at the old apartment complex, she ran into the usual group of ladies playing bridge cards. Arabella politely greeted them as always, though her eyes no longer held the warmth they once had.
Ever since she'd heard how these people gossiped about her behind her back after the divorce, she'd lost any desire to maintain good relationships with them.
But what surprised her was that this group of women, who'd been cold toward her since the divorce, suddenly grabbed her hands warmly when they saw her. "Oh my, Arabella's gotten even more beautiful! Look at that figure, that outfit—you're just different from us ordinary folks!"
"That's why Arabella could marry into a wealthy family!"
"Arabella is the golden phoenix that flew out of our neighborhood! Say, Arabella, my good-for-nothing son is about to graduate. Could you maybe put in a word and get him into Watson Group?"
"And my niece dreams of working at Watson Group too! Arabella, please say something nice for her!"
Arabella frowned slightly and withdrew her hands, saying distantly, "I've been divorced for a long time now. I'm afraid I can't help you with these things..."
"Oh honey, we know, we know! Women need to play a little hard to get, right? How else can you keep a man wrapped around your finger?"
Arabella grew more suspicious. These women's attitude toward her was very strange. But why?
Just then, a warm voice came from the stairway: "I've noted down everything you mentioned. Just have your son and niece come find me at the company."
Arabella's face changed, and she looked up sharply, her pupils contracting. "Anthony? What are you doing here?"
Anthony smiled gently, walking down the steps one by one until he stood in front of Arabella. He raised his hand to stroke her hair, but she dodged by turning her head.
She looked at him warily, frowning deeply, as if looking at a dangerous person.
Seeing this, Anthony didn't get angry, just smiled. "I came to see Dad."
Arabella's voice turned cold. "Anthony, we're already divorced. My dad doesn't need your visits. Please leave."
But Anthony grabbed her wrist. "Our previous divorce was just a misunderstanding. I've already explained everything clearly to Dad. Let's go home first."
A flash of disgust crossed Arabella's eyes. She tried hard to shake off his hand, but Anthony was using considerable force. She felt like her wrist was about to be crushed, but couldn't break free at all.
She looked at Anthony as if facing a great enemy, coldly saying, "Let go of me!"
Anthony's voice remained gentle, as if the crushing force in his hand didn't exist. "Stop making a fuss. Let's go home first."
Arabella was dragged up the stairs step by step.
Her heart was filled with shock. Anthony had never been like this before. During their two years of marriage, their relationship had been more like mutual respect between strangers. She'd always felt they weren't close enough, but Anthony had always maintained distance. He handled outside affairs while she managed the home—there had never been situations where either lost emotional control.
But now, beneath Anthony's gentle exterior, he seemed to harbor enormous danger, giving her a very frightening feeling.
She had no power to resist and was just dragged back to her father's home by Anthony.
Unexpectedly, as soon as they entered, Marilyn greeted Anthony with a beaming smile, being incredibly attentive. "Anthony's back? Oh, Arabella's back too? Go see your father quickly—yesterday he was able to walk two steps independently."
Hearing this, Arabella forgot about Anthony and hurriedly turned to see her father.
Percy smiled as he supported himself on the walker and stood up. After steadying himself, he gently let go.
Then, trembling, he took one step forward. His body swayed, and Arabella watched in alarm, about to go support him, but Percy had already steadied himself and took a second step.
A third step.
A fourth step.
After four steps, he was sweating profusely but looked at Arabella with a beaming smile, as if seeking praise. "Just started walking, can't go too far yet, but it won't be long before your old dad is back to his vigorous self."
Arabella helped him sit back down on the sofa, her nose stinging painfully. Her eyes were red, and she didn't dare speak, afraid that opening her mouth would bring tears.
Her father had been paralyzed for three and a half years now.
In the beginning, she'd refused to believe her father couldn't stand up anymore. She'd taken him to see famous doctors everywhere. No one knew how she'd gotten through that time—hope after hope, disappointment after disappointment...
Finally, she and her father had both accepted reality.
She'd thought this was how it would be for life, but unexpectedly, Alexander had given her father another chance.
If Alexander hadn't known Frank, and Frank hadn't known that specialist, how could her father have had such a good opportunity...
She was truly grateful to Alex. Alex was a benefactor to both her and her father.
With a choked throat, Arabella finally only said, "Take it slowly... we're not in a hurry."
Anthony had somehow appeared behind Arabella and gently supported her, comforting her tenderly. "Dad is blessed by God. Being able to stand up is his reward after all this hardship."
Arabella instinctively swatted his hand away.
A flash of anger crossed Anthony's eyes, but it quickly disappeared.
He looked down at Percy and smiled. "Dad, let me massage your legs to help you relax."
After saying this, he actually knelt in front of Percy and began massaging Percy's legs with those privileged hands.
Percy frowned deeply, looking at Anthony without speaking.
Arabella was also filled with shock. Anthony had never done anything like this before. He was such a proud man—even accompanying her home to visit her parents had always been with an air of superiority...
But in this moment, she felt no ripple of emotion or gratitude in her heart. Instead, she was filled with wariness and some impatience.
Finally Percy spoke: "Anthony, what you told me that day—was all of it true?"
Anthony looked up, his expression sincere. "Dad, everything I said was true."
Arabella's pupils dilated. "This isn't your first time here?"
Anthony smiled. "Of course not."
Percy looked up at his daughter, seeming to want to say something but holding back.
Finally he just said, "Arabella, Anthony has been coming to see us almost every day during this time. He says he wants to remarry you. What do you think about that?"
Arabella's body instantly froze.
She looked at Anthony in disbelief, her lips moving. "...Are you sick?"
Anthony's expression stiffened.