Chapter 14: Heard You Got a Divorce, Care to Count Me as a Candidate?
To her surprise, Noah nodded decisively.
“Exactly! Gemma and I are family.”
Gemma would eventually be his aunt, making them the closest in the world.
Gemma was speechless.
She didn’t dare claim to be related to Mr. Raven.
Brian crouched down and picked Noah up effortlessly. “Alright, little buddy! You can call me Brian. What’s your favorite food? Let me treat you to dinner.”
Noah immediately began rattling off dishes like a machine gun.
Honestly, even professional comedians couldn’t keep up with his speed.
After finishing, he urged them.
ה
“Come on, come on! I’m starving here!”
Brian looked troubled. “Are you seriously going to eat 108 dishes by yourself?”
Noah rolled his eyes. “Are you doubting the appetite of a champion eater?”
Gemma stepped in to help. “Ordering that much isn’t a challenge for my senior. It’s a challenge for the restaurant.” Noah looked genuinely surprised. “Is it really that hard to make all those?”
After all, his Uncle Cass could whip up a feast in under an hour.
Noah’s little mind worked furiously until he reached a conclusion
Gemma’s senior must be dirt poor.
ny you can.”
Reluctantly, he compromised. “Fine. Just make however many
Gemma,
Brian remained as gentle as ever. “Alright, let’s look at the menu when we get there. Pick whatever you like, and we’ll have the chef make it.”
Then he leaned closer to Gemma and reassured her softly. “Kids usually eat with their eyes. Besides, even if he does want everything, I can afford it. Don’t worry.”
Gemma felt a bit awkward and resolved to split the bill later.
Marcus, consumed with anger, couldn’t hold back and called some friends to go drinking.
Cedric and Jenson chose a reservation restaurant.
The place was renowned throughout N.L. City. They booked a private room.
The
room’s
‘s windows overlooked The Fifth Street, offering a view of the city’s hustle and bustle. Cedric ordered the house specialties, and soon, waiters streained in, filling the table with dishes.
Then he tossed the menu to Marcus. “Max, stop staring out the window. Check if there’s anything else you want.”
Marcus swirled the wine in his glass, his eyes icy cold.
Gemma used to practically worship him.
But ever since their divorce, she seemed like a different person.
Especially today.
Even after he made it clear he was willing to reconcile, she still refused to come back.
How far did she want to push him?
Chapter 14: Heard You Got a Divorce, Care to Count Me as a Candidate?
Didn’t she realize his patience had limits?
Lost in his chaotic thoughts about Gemma, he lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.
Jenson added a few more main dishes and teased, “Max, thinking about Gemma again?”
There were no secrets among them.
They knew about the divorce.
Cedric chimed in without a care, “No way! Max must be thrilled to be free.”
“Remember how annoying Gemma used to be? She’d call nonstop whenever we went out drinking.”
Jenson laughed. “You don’t get it. That’s how you know she cared about him.”
Marcus zoned out.
It had been a long time since Gemma stopped calling him like that.
Even when he stayed out drinking until the early hours, she didn’t ask a single question.
Cedric shook his head. “Man. I’ve been through plenty of flings but never got tied down. No way I’m getting married. Look at Max–he’s had nothing but misery.”
Jenson raised his glass with a grin. “Max, why so quiet? Don’t tell me you’re itching to go back to Gemma?”
Marcus snapped out of it, sneering coldly, “Me? Miss her?”
“Nothing wrong if you do,” Cedric added playfully. “She’s your wife, after all. Women are easy–just sweet–talk her a bit. She won’t really leave you.”
”
Marcus scoffed “Sweet–talk? As if she’s worth it.”
Over the years, they’d argued plenty of times.
Many times were even worse than this time.
And no matter how bad it got, Gemma was always the one to back down, to make amends.
Women shouldn’t be pampered. Pamper them, and they’d walk all over you..
“Exactly,” Cedric said. “She’s just a small–town girl with no one to rely on. Once she’s had enough out there, she’ll come crawling back.”
Marcus agreed.
But for some reason, the image of Gemma’s resolute back today made him uneasy.
Suddenly…
His phone buzzed.
It was a message fro
from the bodyguard he’d sent to tail Gemma,
A photo showed Gemma and Brian leaving the hospital together.
Brian was holding a child, and Gemma was beside him, looking every bit like a happy little family.
The room’s atmosphere turned icy in an instant.
Cedric scratched his head. “Max, what’s wrong?”
Marcus let out a chilling laugh. “Nothing. Just amazed at some people’s lack of taste.”
Gemma was really something now.
Daring to mess around with another man.
Brian Read wasn’t someone he knew well, but their families had business ties–acquaintances at best.
The guy was shrewd, the type who’d eat you alive.
If Gemma got involved with him, she’d probably end up counting money for the guy who sold her out.
He clenched his phone tightly, tempted to storm over and drag Gemma back.
But on second thought….
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Chapter 14 Heard You Got a Divorce, Care to Count Me as a Candidate?
Maybe letting her suffer a bit was better.
That way, when she came back, she wouldn’t have the audacity to meddle in his affairs or take pride in that pointless job of
hers.
“Drink!”
His face darkened as he downed his drink in one gulp.
The other two didn’t dare say more and quickly joined him.
Noah had rattled off a long list of dishes to order, but when the food arrived, he barely touched it. He slumped in his chair, looking listless.
Brian had to call in two more chefs to prepare Noah’s favorites.
Only then did the boy perk up and start eating happily
Watching this, Gemma felt a little embarrassed.
“As long as the kid’s happy.
Now that they were alone, Brian’s gaze turned heated as it rested on her.
“I heard you got divorced.”
People knew Gemma was married but didn’t know who her husband was.
Since he never showed up, some even speculated she was widowed.
But Brian had connections and knew the truth about her marriage.
“Yeah,” Gemma said. “The cooling–off period started just over a week ago.
Brian’s smile deepened. “So, what’s next for you?”
Gemma froze, fork in hand.
“I want to be a good doctor.”
Brian pressed on gently, “Not thinking about starting a new relationship?”
Hearing that, Noah immediately perked up
He stopped eating and fixed his big, sparkling eyes on Gemma.
Start a new relationship?
What about Uncle Cass?
Gemma smiled bitterly.
“Once is enough for making the same mistake.”
Brian’s eyes dimmed a little, but he quickly smiled again.
“Well then, we can focus on working together and achieving great things.”
