Chapter 74: The Man Who Couldn’t Handle Three Push–ups
“Just three push–ups, and you’re already this injured?”
Gemma pointed at the word “tear” on the medical report.
Her tone dripped with doubt.
Her voice wasn’t loud–just enough for the two of them to hear.
But it hit like a dagger.
Mabel was livid. Her hand holding the report trembled with anger.
“Gemma, you’re fucking dead-
She raised her hand as if to slap her but froze midway.
Something stopped her, and she yanked her hand back.
“I knew it. You are jealous?
I heard that after you gave birth, he hasn’t touched you since.”
Mabel’s face twisted with scorn,
“Maybe Marcus thinks you smell… earthy. Like you just came from the fields.”
It was a jab at Gemma’s bumble roots.
Anyone with a shred of insecurity would’ve burst into tears and run away.
But not Gemma.
She had no time for self–pity. She took pride in clawing her way out of her small–town life and seeing the world.
To her, it was proof of hard work paying off–a real–life “hard work beats luck” story.
“Some things,” Gemma sighed, “I didn’t want to mention, but…”
“Ms. Johnson, you’re so delicate, so fragile..”
She paused.
Her face full of regret.
As if genuinely concerned for Mabel.
Mabel’s confidence faltered under Gemma’s piercing gaze.
Her bravado crumbled.
“What… what do you mean?” Mabel stammered.
Gemma sighed again, waving her hand dismissively.
“Forget it. They say never ruin a marriage.”
“Gemma, stop playing games! Speak up!”
Mabel’s anger flared, her voice rising
If they weren’t in a hospital, she might’ve slapped her already.
Gemma looked torn, hesitating as if struggling with some deep secret.
This only made Mabel more nervous,
She gritted her teeth, waiting for Gemma to spill.
Finally, when Mabel was on the verge of panic, Gemma relented, her tone serious
“My advice? Go get a blood test.
Early detection, early treatment.”
Mabel blinked, not quite grasping the implications.
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Chapter 74: The Man Who Couldn’t Handle Three Push–ups
Gemma, ever so helpful, leaned in and clarified.
“Why do you think I didn’t kick up a fuss when he stopped touching me after I got pregnant?”
Mabel’s face went pale, her body swaying as if she might collapse
Gemma smiled faintly, turned on her heel, and walked away, leaving behind nothing but mystery.
The truth? When Gemma got pregnant, Marcus had indeed kept his distance–out of respect
But even before she gave birth, Mabel had reappeared.
Their marriage had descended into a cold war.
It didn’t take long for Gemma to suspect Marcus wasn’t entirely faithful
To protect herself, she avoided any intimacy with him.
It deepened the chasm between them.
No regrets, though.
At that time, whether it was emotional or physical cheating, Gemma couldn’t stomach it.
Of course, the words she’d just thrown at Mabel? Total lies.
Marcus was a fitness fanatic who got regular checkups.
No way he’d have any infectious diseases.
But hey, Mabel started this fight. Gemma was just finishing it.
Mabel actually went to get a blood test for infectious diseases.
Everything came back normal, much to her rehef.
Then it hit her–she’d been played
Furious, she thought about running to Marcus to complain
But knowing his temper, it wouldn’t accomplish much.
So she gritted her teeth and called her assistant
Meanwhile, Brian and his team worked fast.
Gemma’s promotional display was ready to go, and the interview she’d done with a junior reporter had been finalized for publication
That’s when everything went sideways.
A juicy rumor surfaced, hitting the trending list in just thirty minutes.
It had all the makings of a scandal: high society drama, love triangles, and betrayal.
In no time, the “main characters” were identified:
Marcus. Mabel, and Gemna.
Gemma was the home–wrecker.
Someone even leaked security footage from the hospital’s OB–GYN department.
The clip showed Gemma and Mabel standing together.
Though there was no audio, it was clear Gemma was pushing Mabel’s buttons. At the end of the video, Mabel nearly collapsed in anger, while Gemma walked away, cool as a cucumber.
Mabel, a household name, had legions of fans who naturally took her side.
The internet exploded with outrage.
Fans accused Gemma of being a homewrecker who preyed on Mabel’s marriage during her absences for work.
The backlash was swift, so intense it even caught the hospital director’s attention.
Chapter 74: The Man Who Couldn’t Handle Three Push–ups
Gemma was summoned to his office. When she walked in, the director’s face was grim.
“Director,” she began, “I’m sorry the hospital got dragged into this.”
Mabel’s fans had doxxed her, and now the hospital was swarming with drama–seekers.
Though furious at first, the director softened when he sa
Take a few days off,” he said.
Gemma’s apologetic expression.
“We’ll handle the PR. And about that paper you’re writing on Mr. Gray’s case–just let me know what resources you need.”
Gemma felt a twinge of gratitude.
The director was protective, even if he didn’t always show it.
“I won’t take leave,” Gemma said firmly. “Give me three days–I’ll sort this out.
The director sighed, shaking his head.
“You don’t understand how serious this is. Stay out of sight for now and go home.”
But Gemma pulled out her phone and showed him a photo.
“Take a look.”
The director glanced at it, then quickly grabbed his glasses for a closer look
“You and Mr. Wilson are married?”
Gemma sighed. “Not for much longer.”
Only then did the director grasp her determination.
“Fine. I’ll have the PR team support you fully.”
The director wasn’t going to intervene a divorce case.
“And if you need anything, you can also contact me personally”
Gemma smiled sincerely..
“Thank you.”
The director waved her off
“Go back to your work.”
After she left, the director stared after her, deep in thought
Gemma could’ve just posted her marriage certificate online and cleared her name instantly
But that wouldn’t hurt Marcus or Mabel much-
They could bury the story easily.
If the hospital got involved, though, it would be a different game.
And somehow, she’d roped him into her plans.
But he couldn’t stay mad.
Gemma was a once–in–a–generation talent.
He wasn’t about to lose her over this.
Besides, her cunning might protect her and the hospital’s reputation in the future.
Immediately!
He sent an order to the PR team:
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