Chapter 227: Ex–Husband, People Aren’t That Dumb
By the time Marcus made it back to the village, he was completely lost.
Back when he and Gemina were still married, he’d suggested taking her home to visit her parents.
She refused
He kept pushing, so she finally told him about her miserable childhood.
He was furious.
Swore he’d make them pay.
But back then, he had just returned to the Wilsons Group. His footing wasn’t even stable yet.
So, the plan got shelved.
As time passed, he started wondering if maybe her parents weren’t outright cruel–just ignorant.
Maybe they didn’t hate Gemma.
Maybe they just followed the village’s preference for sons over daughters.
Maybe, in their twisted way, they thought they were doing what was best for her.
still, no matter the reason, Gemma had suffered. That had to be addressed,
But then Mabel canfic back, and things got pushed aside again.
And after that, his relationship with Gemma tanked. Naturally, he never brought it up again.
Now, he was back. Determined.
He figured this would be his way to patch things up with Gemma.
If she wanted her parents to pay, fine.
He’d play the bad guy. As long as it made her happy.
And if she was happy, maybe just maybe he’d have a shot at getting close to her again. Remarriage would be on schedule, too.
It was a great plan. Too bad it fell apart the second he set foot on these damn winding mountain roads,
When he realized he was lost, he thought about calling someone back in N.I.. City to guide him remotely.
Then, by sheer luck, he ran into Humphrey.
Humphrey was riding a motorcycle, but the thing was almost out of gas.
It sputtered to a stop right as he reached Marcus.
Frustrated, he kicked it a few times and launched into a tirade against Cali–apparently furious that Cali had gone on a business trip, leaving him stranded and broke.
The moment Marcus heard that name “Cali“, he stepped forward.
Turned out, Humphrey was Cali’s younger brother–and technically, elder than Gemma in the family hierarchy. Hearing that, Marcus softened his
tone.
And once Humphrey found out Marcus was Gemma’s husband, his attitude shifted too. They hit it off and decided to head back to the village together.
Humphrey knew these mountains inside and out. Thanks to him, even with all the detours, they made it to the village in an hour.
But the moment Marcus stepped inside, he felt something was… off. Maybe it was just in his head, but the village had a chilling, eerie vibe.
Before he could dwell on it, Humphrey hollered for the village chief.
They rattled off in rapid dialect. Marcus caught none of it. He just stood there, frowning, waiting.
When Humphrey finally turned back to him, he dropped a bombshell. Gemma was back. And she wasn’t alone–she’d come with two men.
Marcus’s expression turned darker than the night itself. A lethal aura spilled from him.
Humphrey quickly explained–Gemma had been tricked. She needed help.
Marcus didn’t hesitate. He agreed immediately.
Which led to… this.
Even as Humphrey made his move against him, Marcus still believed he was helping Gemma.
But now? Now, with his body being used as a human punching bag, he realized just how spectacularly wrong he was.
Rage burned in him. Then, slowly, it morphed into fear.
He didn’t want to be a burden to Gemma.
But there was also a small, desperate hope-
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Chapter 227. Ex Husband, People Aren’t That Dumb
If she chose him now, did that mean she still cared?
If so, maybe–just maybe – he still had a chance.
That’s why, even when he could have run, he didn’t. He let Humphrey take him.
And Humphrey? Smug as hell. He was so sure he’d won.
“Anne Kelestine,” Humphrey sneered, “tell those people surrounding the village to back the hell off. Otherwise, I’ll kill him.”
Gemma’s face darkened.
Since getting together with Marcus, she had made one thing clear–she never wanted to return to this village. She had told him about her childhood.
But he never listened.
He thought the problem was her. That if she’d just been better, her parents wouldn’t have favored her brother.
She had disagreed, but she hadn’t wanted to fight over it.
Then Mabel came into the picture, and Marcus conveniently forgot all about it.
And now?
Now they were divorced. And suddenly, he cared again?
Not only had he barged into this village, but he had also–unbelievably–let himself be played by Humphrey. After all the warnings she’d given him?
Gemma let out a slow breath.
“Cassius,” she murmured, rubbing her temples, “looks like I still ended up dragging you into this.”
Marcus was here. That meant Robin and Cassius would wait for her input before acting.
Otherwise, with Cassius’s personality, he wouldn’t give a damn about some minor Wilsons CEO. Cassius didn’t answer her complaint. Instead, he asked flatly, “So, do you want to save him?”
His voice was low, his expression sullen.
Gemma blinked. “Why would you think that?”
She paused.
Then, she explained.
‘I mean. Do whatever you need to do. You don’t need my permission.”
‘And for the record–if sacrificing one person saves everyone, or saving one person dooms them all, I know which choice to make.”
‘Besides, even if that weren’t the case–I still wouldn’t save him.”
Just looking at Marcus made her feel physically ill.
Cassius studied her.
His gaze was warm. Steady.
“Got it.”
Right then, Marcus spoke up.
His voice was hoarse, with a hint of choked emotion.
“Gemma, don’t worry about me.”
“I was an idiot. I hurt you. I messed up.”
“I came here hoping to help you–thinking if I took you to confront the people who hurt you, maybe you’d feel better.”
“I was willing to do anything, as long as it made you happy.”
“But I didn’t expect things to turn out like this. Gemma, please–don’t do anything for me. If you do, I’ll never forgive myself.”
“If my life can guarantee your safety-”
“Then I’ll die with no regrets.”
His confession was heartfelt. Deep.
Too bad Gemma didn’t give a damn.
“Marcus,” she said dryly, “if I’m not mistaken, you’ve never met anyone from this village’before, right?”
“So, let me guess–you only came because you found out about Humphrey’s Cali’s brother, huh?”
“I remember telling you about him. Millions of times. You should know exactly what kind of jerk he is.”
“But let’s say you didn’t know-” she continued, voice sharp, “Even then, how could you be so naive? You meet a total stranger–someone you’ve heard is bad news–and you just… go along with him? No questions asked?”
“Marcus, I don’t know if you’re directly involved in this village’s crimes. But by bringing Humphrey back, you put our entire operation at risk. That
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alone is breaking the law.”
“If you really want to ‘sacrifice‘ yourself as some kind of noble gesture, go ahead. No one’s stopping you. But don’t try to dress up your stupidity as righteousness.”
“Because honestly? It just makes me sick.”
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