Chapter 272: Your Skin’s So Thick, I Bet It Could Be Cut Open and Still Hold
Gemma was caught off guard and immediately stood up.
Seeing Brian about to apologize, she felt a little uneasy.
“Brian, you really don’t have to do this. I never blamed you.
And honestly, I know you were just looking out for me. You just… misunderstood the situation.
This whole thing is making me feel so awkward. I don’t even know what to say.”
Brian didn’t go through with bowing in apology.
That would’ve just made Gemma even more uncomfortable.
He let out a quiet sigh.
“Gemma, after what happened with my brother, I’ve always felt guilty toward you.
But I have no idea how to make it up to you.
If you ever need anything in the future, just let me know. At least let me do something to make amends.”
Gemma didn’t think the situation was that serious.
When it came to Doltons, Brian had only done his job as a doctor–nothing more, nothing less.
The only thing he’d really overstepped on was helping Ashton get a meeting with the hospital director.
As for the Harvey’s case…
That was an internal fight within the Read family.
Everyone had their own stance, their own choices.
The Read Group had tens of thousands of employees to support. She couldn’t expect them to put everything at risk just for her.
She understood all that.
But-
They just weren’t on the same path.
Staying as just ordinary friends was probably for the best.
“You don’t need to feel guilty about anything.
Whether you’re a doctor or running the company, you’re doing it for yourself.
Brian, don’t lose sight of that.”
Brian’s head snapped up, his gaze unsteady.
His original intention was never about himself.
But right now, there was no way to explain that.
“Gemma… are we still friends?”
“Of course,” Gemma answered quickly, hoping to shut down any more awkwardness.
But after that, she wasn’t sure what else to say,
Brian hesitated, then cautiously asked, “Stella invited me to a banquet… She was hoping I could bring you along.”
Gemma let out a polite, awkward laugh. “I’m swamped with research lately, probably won’t have time.”
Brian’s expression dimmed.
That was a rejection. He understood what it meant.
He came with guilt in his heart, but when he left, it was with pain instead.
Every choice came with a consequence—he should’ve known that
At the corner of the hallway, Jarrett scrolled through his phone, looking at Brian’s profile.
He let out a low chuckle.
“Not bad.”
His eyes fhcked toward Gemma’s office, interest sparking
“If she’s got this many impressive men chasing after her, she must be something special.”
But first, he went to visit Christine in her hospital room
After checking on the child, he finally turned to her
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Chapter 272: Your Skin’s So Thick, I Bet It Could Be Cut Open and Still Hold
“So, you already know about his plan”
Christine stayed silent, lowering her head.
That was as good as confirmation.
Jarrett sneered. “And, you’re on board with it?”
Christine’s voice was barely above a whisper.
“I don’t have a choice. I can’t gamble with my child’s future.”
Jarrett nodded.
“Alright, I get it. But remember, this was your decision. No regrets.”
‘Mm.
Christine didn’t dare lift her head. The silence between them stretched, heavy and suffocating.
Jarrett turned back to the child, gently coaxing them.
Sick, but well–behaved.
Surprisingly likable.
After all, he was the kid’s uncle.
“I didn’t bring a gift, so I’ll just take Gemma away and cooperate with your plan. Consider that my present.”
“Mr. Jarret, you- Christine looked at him in shock, completely confused.
Doltons had always refused to acknowledge her existence.
Otherwise, Ashton wouldn’t have been struggling all this time.
“You don’t have to look at me like that. I’m not recognizing you, just the child.”
Christine’s face turned pale.
She should’ve expected this. Doltons‘ words were always sharp, always poisoned.
They never cared if they hurt her.
Because she didn’t matter.
As she watched Jarrett leave, her hands clenched tightly.
She had to–had to–stand in the light.
After a long time, she took out her phone and sent a message.
Gemma was shutting down her computer, ready to leave, when she saw a man standing at her door–a handsome man.
And he looked….. vaguely familiar.
“You’re with Doltons, aren’t you?”
Something about his face reminded her of Ashton.
And with all the weird things going on with Doltons lately, that was her first guess.
Turned out, she was right.
Jarrett smiled and nodded.
“That’s right. I’m your Uncle Jarry,”
Gemma waved him off.
“Yeah, let’s not. I haven’t officially joined the family or anything. Some boundaries would be good.”
She paused, then asked him.
“But I’m guessing you didn’t come here just to hear me call you Uncle Jarry, did you?”
Her voice carried a hint of mockery.
She knew what Doltons thought of her–and she couldn’t care less.
If Doltons looked down on her background, well, she looked down on Doltons just as much.
Jarrett found her attitude even more intriguing.
“I was hoping to buy you a cup of coffee Care to join the?”
‘Not a chance‘
Gemma turned him down flat, completely serious.
“I don’t have a great impression of you Doltons prople.
If I go have coffee with you, who knows what kind of hidden agenda you’ve got!
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Chapter 272: Your Skin’s So Thick, I Bet It Could Be Cut Open and Still Hold
See, if there’s one thing I do know, it’s my own worth. So spare me the ‘I came just for you‘ speech–even a dog wouldn’t buy that.”
With that, she picked up her things, ready to leave.
Jarrett didn’t stop her. He even stepped aside.
But then, he threw out another bait. “You really don’t want to know anything about Doltons? You’re not curious about the place your mother lived?”
Gemma shot back.
“So if I go see where my mom lived, does that mean I get to inherit it?”
Jarrett, “…You’re sharp.”
“Can’t help it. If I go easy on my words, I won’t be able to slice through that thick skin of yours.”
Gemma didn’t bother hiding her contempt.
“So, move.”
Jarrett didn’t. Instead, he dangled another hook.
“If you don’t care about your mother’s things, what about your father’s?”
Gemma’s expression didn’t change.
But her hands clenched tight.
“First off, it’s not that I don’t care about my mother’s things. It’s just that you don’t have the guts to hand them over–so you’d rather twist the story
and blame me.
Because that way, you can cover up your own incompetence.
And second, if you can’t even make decisions about my mother’s things, you expect me to believe you can about my mysterious father? What do you take me for, a toddler?”
Jarrett didn’t get mad. In fact, he even clapped, smiling.
“You really are Charlotte’s daughter. Quick–witted, sharp–minded–impressive.
There are some things I can’t decide. But if I wanted to, I could make sure you get nothing at all.”
Gemma went silent.
Clearly, Jarrett wasn’t leaving until he got what he wanted.
But she wasn’t about to give in to anyone from Doltons.
Without hesitation, she pulled out her phone and dialed Kaiya.
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