His body and face were covered in blood, and he could see nothing. But his tone was utterly gentle when he said, “Thank you. I swear I’ll repay you.”
This was how he repaid her?
Instead of going back to the motel, she went back to her parents‘ house. She took a shower and applied ointment to her wounds.
Then she lay on the bed groggily.
After what happened today, she was even more determined to leave Geoffrey.
The first dim light of dawn lit up the sky when she woke up.
She went to the living room and saw Noelle sitting on the sofa in a long dress.
Upon seeing her, Noelle picked up a document from the coffee table and handed it to her, without asking a simple “How are you feeling?“.
“Take a look. This is the way out I’ve chosen for you.”
She took it over and saw the words “Prenuptial Agreement“.
She flipped through it.
“Maureen Ramirez voluntarily agrees to marry Stuart Carter and take care of him for the rest of his life…”
“In return, Stuart Carter shall ensure the well–being of the Ramirez family and provide them with 50 million dol- lars…”
Stuart Carter, seventy–eight years old, was a veteran entrepreneur in Karaville.
Maureen tightened her grip on the papers.
Meanwhile, Noelle continued, “Mr. Carter said he didn’t mind that you were once married. As long as you marry him, he’ll help our family get back on its feet.
“Sweetie, surely, you won’t let me and Adrian down, right?”
Maureen’s face turned even paler.
“Sorry, Mom. No.”
Noelle was momentarily surprised at her refusal before flying into a rage.
“No? How dare you say no to me? I’m your mother! I brought you into this world! You owe your very existence to
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me!”
Hearing this, she looked into Noelle’s eyes. “If I give my life back to you, then I’ll owe you nothing. Is that right?”
Noelle was stunned again.
“What did you say?”
She parted her bloodless lips. “If I die, you’ll no longer be my mother, and I’ll owe you nothing. Is that correct?”
Figuring she was just bluffing, Noelle sneered, “Correct.
“I won’t force you to do anything ever again as long as you die.
“The question is, do you dare?”
She said, seemingly making up her mind, “Give me a month.”
Noelle looked at her as if she were crazy.
“Don’t try to threaten me with your life. I don’t care about you, and your death means nothing to me. But if you aren’t up for it, then just cut the crap and sign.”
Feeling utterly stifled, Maureen needed to find a place to let it all out.
In a bar.
She was sipping wine in a corner, lost in thought as she stared blankly at the others, who were either dancing or laughing.
A man with strikingly handsome features noticed her and approached her.
“Maureen?”
Her gaze fell upon him, but she didn’t recognize who he was. On impulse, she asked, “Do you know how to be hap- py?”
The man seemed confused. “What?”
She took another sip of the wine. “The doctor said I’m sick and should be happy. But… I can’t…”
Gareth Burke’s eyes dimmed.
She didn’t remember him?
And… happiness was the cure for her illness? What kind of illness was that?
“If you wanna be happy, this isn’t the place where you find your answer.
“Let me take you back,” he said gently.
She looked at him with a smile. “You’re such a gentleman.”
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Looking at the bitter smile on her face, Gareth had mixed feelings. What had she been through over the past few years?
She seemed so sad.
Geoffrey happened to be in the same bar.
After that day at the courthouse, he had indulged himself every night. Coming back to Pearl Villa was like ages ago.
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