Chapter 63: Pulling Herself Together to Set the Jerk up
As soon as she saw her. Mabel got out of the car and strode over.
“Where’s Marcus?”
Her eyes were red and puffy, clearly from crying for a long time.
Gemma felt irritated just looking at her.
This woman couldn’t even play the mistress card right–Marcus hadn’t filed for divorce yet.
How pathetic.
“Oh, you’re asking me? If he’s not in your bed, maybe he’s in someone else’s. You’re experienced in these things. Just snatch him back.”
Mabel’s eyes reddened even more.
“He really didn’t come?”
So last night, he’d been lying
He had no intention of divorcing!
How could be deceive her like that?
Where was he now?
Why wasn’t he answering her calls?
What was he planning?
She’d been so close to winning, only to lose it all at the last second
She was losing her mind.
Watching Mabel’s panicked and desperate expression, Gemma suddenly felt a wave of satisfaction wash over her.
Her own frustration eased
Why waste words on a useless mistress? It was pointless and a waste of time.
Still, after Mabel had disgusted her for years, she couldn’t let her off that easily.
“Yep, he’s dead set against the divorce.”
Gemma smirked. “I’ve figured it out–let him play around. At least I’m still Mrs. Wilson. As long as I’m alive, women like you will never make it into the spotlight. Isn’t that right, Ms. Johnson?”
Mabel, already teetering on the edge of a breakdown, snapped. She lunged, ready to strike.
But just then-
A luxury car screeched to a halt in front of her,
It nearly hit her.
Startled, she stumbled back.
Her high heel twisted, and she nearly fell to the ground.
The car door opened, and Brooke stepped out from the passenger seat.
He didn’t spare Mabel a glance, simply offering a respectful gesture to Gemma, inviting her in.
The car sped away, leaving a trail of dust
Mabel, now unable to stand, crouched down and clutched her ankle in pain.
It hurt so much–she’d twisted it badly.
She tried calling Marcus again, but his phone was off.
Tears of frustration streamed down her face.
She wasn’t going to give up.
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Chapter 63: Palling Herself Together to Set the Jerk up
Marcus was hers–he had to bel
Inside the car
Cassius sat to one side, a folder resting on his lap
From her angle, his noble, indifferent features looked like a masterpiece sculpted by God himself.
The soft sunlight filtered through the car window, casting a warm glow that tempered his naturally cold demeanor, Gemma sat down.
Cassius immediately handed her the folder.
His flawless face was utterly devoid of expression. “Take a look”
Even his voice lacked the warmth it had on the phone earlier.
“Oh.”
Gemma’s earlier frustration had dissipated after dealing with Mabel. She was calmer now, even in a better mood. She read through the document carefully. By the time they reached the Raven family estate, she had finished reading. Cassius was fast and meticulous.
Every clause met her expectations.
“Thank you.”
She smiled, patting his arm.
As she moved, her cropped long–sleeve top rode up, revealing her pale, delicate waist
It was so slender.
It seemed it could break with the slightest force.
“Once this is settled, I’ll cook a meal to thank you properly.”
Her bright, sunny smile lit up her porcelain face, chasing away any gloom.
For a moment, Cassius’s usually cold, emotionless eyes seemed to flicker with something deeper. His aura shifted, becoming heavier and more enigmatic.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?”
Gemma’s smile faded into puzzlement
Then, as if realizing something-
She looked a bit guilty.
“That lawyer must’ve been expensive to hire, huh?”
She pulled out her phone to transfer money to him.
But the daily limit was 200,000.
“Can I pay in installments?”
She saw the transfer limit on her phone and thought, “You’ve got to be kidding me
The awkwardness was palpable.
Even the breeze carried a couple of fallen leaves as if mocking her.
Cassius’s expression softened with an unexpected glimmer.
“You’re paying me?”
“Shouldn’t I?” Gemma shot back.
He’d gone through the trouble of finding her a top–tier lawyer and drafting such airtight terms.
Even if they had history, she couldn’t expect him to work for free.
High–caliber lawyers charged millions just to show up.
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Chapter 3: Pulling Herself Together to Set the Jerk up
“I wrote it,” Cassius said, dropping the bombshell like it was no big deal
Gemma’s brain lagged a solid three seconds behind her mouth. “How much do you charge!”
Her words hung in the air, and horror struck like a lightning bolt
“I mean, your fee–uh, your rate! Uh…”
Rate? Fee? Oh my G
“You sell your…”
God, what am I saying!?
Abort mission Abort!
She bit her tongue, praying the ground would open up and swallow her whole.
She should donate her tongue to science–maybe they could figure out why it refuses to cooperate. Cassius, for once, let his icy facade slip, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
“I don’t sell.”
Gemma wanted to die of embarrassment. When exactly was the end of the world? Today?
She stammered
“That’s not what I meant. I-*
“Equivalent exchange,” he interrupted.
“Every night, you’ll come back and tell Noah a story”
Gemma froze
Her face cooled slightly.
“What?”
That’s all
He could’ve just hired a tutor.
“Quality companionship is priceless,” he replied.
Gemma blinked and studied him, intrigued.
“Your ‘quality‘ is better than mine.”
She cringed internally. Why couldn’t she stop herself?
“No, I mean… I
“Okay.” Cassius nodded before she could backtrack. “You read stories, and I’ll listen too.”
That wasn’t what she meant….
Or was it?
Maybe 90% was?
Whatever.
She didn’t know how to explain it, so she dropped the subject.
“Deal.”
Cassius repeated, “Every night. If you don’t return, I’ll send someone to pick you up.”
The reality hit Gemma.
Wait….
Every night?
She wanted to protest, but Cassius had already stepped out of the car.
Noah, who should’ve been at house, came running from the estate and climbed in
Chapter 63: Pling Herself Together to Set the Jerk up
“Gemmal Did you finish your work?” he chirped. “Uncle Cassius prepared a feast to celebrate you.” Gemma sighed. “Alright, let’s eat.”
Not long after dinner, Marcus messaged her.
[Landing at six. Pick me up.]
The court office would be closed by six.
If he wanted to divorce, they’d have to refile and wait another thirty days.
Gemma glanced at the document next to her, a cold smile spreading across her face.
She replied:
[Okay.]
Then, fighting back disgust, she added:
I miss you too]