SER AG
Chapter 108: Well, You Asked For It
Jennifer, initially intent on flaunting her support for Mae in front of Mark, paled in response to his stern words. She stammered defensively, her voice shrinking to a mere whisper, “I… I was just concerned, Auntie. I didn’t mean anything else.”
Her hidden hand clenched into fists beneath the quilt, revealing the extent of her frustration. She hadn’t anticipated Mark’s staunch defense of Mae, even when he witnessed Mae striking his own mother’s face.
Mark’s actions left her bewildered. Why would he stand up for Mae in such a way? Why would he be so impassive about his mother being hit?
“Mark, why are you treating Jennifer like this? She’s worried about me, and you… What’s wrong with you? How can you stand by while Mae strikes your mother?” Rebecca’s anger mounted, fueled by her growing unease. “You can’t even bring yourself to divorce that woman? She dared to hit your own. mother in front of you. Do you honestly think she still cares about you?”
Mark’s expression turned stony, a frigid veneer descending over his features. His complexion darkened with an icy bitterness as he addressed Rebecca with a deep, somber tone, “Mom, you brought this upon yourself.”
His words were methodical, devoid of emotion, as though he was merely stating a matter of fact to Rebecca. In his eyes, she was the architect of her own fate. She did bring this upon herself.
Rebecca’s fury swelled. She stared at Mark, her eyes wide, and demanded, “Mark, do you even understand what you’re saying? Are you implying that I deserved to be hit by Mae?”
Even in the face of his mother who was in a state of rage, Mark’s countenance remained unflinching, void of any telltale signs of his emotions. His steady and unwavering gaze bore into Rebecca as if he were beyond the grasp of any sentiment.
“Isn’t that the case?” Mark’s response was level, his words echoing in the room. Even as he faced his enraged mother, he showed no hesitation, as if he had compartmentalized his emotions. “Anyone with a bit of cultivation wouldn’t humiliate someone else’s already deceased mother at a time like
this!”
“I…” Rebecca’s indignation surged once more, her eyes widening with disbelief. She attempted to retort, but Mark’s piercing gaze silenced her.
“Mae didn’t hit you without reason,” Mark’s words were cold but resolute, unwilling to yield even an inch because the person before him was his own mother.
Rebecca was once again so angry that her eyes widened as she sternly questioned Mark, “Mark, get it straight, I’m your mother, your own mother, you treat your mother like this for an outsider, you
Rebecca was a typical bully, but as the mother of the head of Smith Corporation, there were naturally not many people who could make Rebecca afraid, and Mark was considered to be the only one.
Her words were only halfway through when she was interrupted by an icy, piercing look from Mark, her angry, screaming voice coming to an abrupt end.
“If
you weren’t my mother, do you think you’d still have the chance to stand here and make these uninformed arguments with me?”
1…”
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Chapter 708 Well You Asked For it
Rebecca was again at a loss for words. Mark’s staunch defense of Mae left her reeling, her attempts at confrontation thwarted by his unyielding logic.
Without waiting for Rebecca’s response, Mark continued, his words cutting through the tension like a blade, “Mom, listen closely. Mae is here to ensure Jennifer’s pregnancy at my request. I promised to divorce her in exchange for her assistance. So, don’t assume that Mae is targeting me at every turn. She doesn’t care about me anymore. If you don’t want Mae around, fine. I’ll terminate the arrangement and remarry her.”
Mark’s voice resounded through the room, his declaration resolute and unyielding. The sheer force of his words left Rebecca momentarily speechless, her anger momentarily subsiding.
It was Jennifer, with her reaction swift, who was the first to understand Mark’s words. Shock colored her eyes as she absorbed the revelation. The news, delivered directly from Mark’s mouth, carried an authenticity that couldn’t be denied.
Mark had agreed to divorce Mae to ensure Jennifer’s pregnancy. In Mark’s priorities, their unborn child held more significance than Mae. Jennifer’s heart swelled with mixed emotions, and her belief in Mark’s commitment was reaffirmed.
Jennifer’s demeanor shifted as she fought to contain her elation, realizing the magnitude of Mark’s words. Mae’s role in this scenario was clear–she was here for Jennifer’s sake, not Mae’s.
To prevent Rebecca from saying anything detrimental that would lead Mark to remarry Mae to spite the both of them, Jennifer discreetly tugged at her arm, and softly said, “Auntie, calm down. You now know how nervous Mark is about this child. He definitely won’t mess around, since he let Mae come over to me to preserve my pregnancy. That means Mae definitely has the ability to do this. Don’t you worry, Auntie, Mark will have a sense of propriety.”
As she said that, she offered an almost imperceptible wink to convey her intent.
Rebecca understood Jennifer’s gesture and allowed herself to be guided into silence. Mark’s words had struck a chord, leaving her disarmed in their wake.
Mark had already turned his back on the scene, his patience worn thin. He uttered a curt farewell, his tone clipped and final, “Take care of yourself.”
With that, he exited the room, leaving the atmosphere fraught with tension and unspoken emotions.
Rebecca’s exasperation resurfaced, her frustration directed at Mark’s detachment from her plight. “Jennifer, why did you stop me? That unfilial son of mine defends Mae at the expense of his own mother. How can I tolerate a son who behaves like this?”
Inwardly rolling her eyes, Jennifer listened to Rebecca’s righteous indignation. The woman was a master of insinuations but lacked the courage to address her son’s behavior head–on. If only she could hold her ground as confidently as she criticized him.
Jennifer’s thoughts turned inward as she observed the exchange between Rebecca and Mark, recognizing the nuanced dynamics at play. If she were in Rebecca’s shoes, she wouldn’t tolerate such disrespect from her own child.
Jennifer’s inner thoughts clashed with the gentle facade she wore as she sought to calm Rebecca’s agitation. “Auntie, let me explain. Remember what Mark just said? He and Mae are divorced now, and Mae won’t ever be a part of the Smith family again. Isn’t that a positive outcome? If you upset Mark again, what if he might just reconcile with Mae and remarry her?”
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Chapter 108 Well. You Asked For It
Jennifer paused, letting her words sink in, before continuing, “I won’t deny that I have my own interests here, but more importantly, I’m thinking about you, Auntie. Consider this: Mae had the audacity to confront you today. If Mark remarries her, will she still be as respectful to you? I have doubts about how she acted in front of you earlier.”
Rebecca’s expression shifted as Jennifer’s words took root. She slapped her forehead in realization, “You’re right, Jennifer. You’ve thought this through better than I have. My anger got the best of me that I didn’t understand any of this.”
A triumphant smile tugged at the corners of Jennifer’s lips as she grasped Rebecca’s hand. “Right now, what matters most is the child. Mae’s promised to carry the fetus for me. If she truly follows through, the child will have a smooth journey and be born safely..But if she fails, do you think Mark will let her off the hook?”
Rebecca’s eyes sparkled with newfound understanding. “You’re quite the strategist, Jennifer. I’m curious to see how long Mae can maintain her arrogance.”
Jennifer’s face remained composed, but a subtle smile hinted at her concealed calculations. As they conversed, her mind was at work, weaving intricate plans beneath her calm exterior.
Meanwhile, Mae found herself standing by the roadside, waiting for a ride back to her home. She came to the hospital in Mark’s car.
Perhaps it was because of the previous snowy days that left the streets quiet and serene. Few cars passed by, and her several attempts to secure a ride had proven futile so far.
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11:07
Run Away From My Heartless
