Chapter 31: Gemma Is Someone Else’s Girlfriend
Inside the hospital.
Marcus was going through the files his assistant had sent him, his expression dark and tense, his brows furrowed.
His phone kept vibrating with incoming messages.
He immediately pulled it out.
When he saw it was just Mabel’s messages, he relaxed a little and quickly replied.
That day-“her birthday.”
He wasn’t blind to Mabel’s signals.
But for some reason, even though he’d thought about the good times when Mabel came back from abroad, at that moment, he just didn’t want to continue anymore.
After hearing that small–town girl’s story at the club, he suddenly felt there was no need to stay in touch with Gemma.
It hit him.
The one person who had always liked him, cared for him, and supported him no matter what had only ever been Mabel.
So, he’d sent someone to deliver a gift to Mabel, and then contacted the director to cast her as the female lead.
He couldn’t let down a woman who genuinely cared for him, who would do anything for him.
Mabel’s latest message was an invitation to watch a medical competition.
She’d be attending as a celebrity guest and was likely to participate in the finals.
He replied, “Sure.”
Then Mabel sent back a “happy” emoji.
As he looked at the cute emoji flashing on his screen, a smile tugged at the corner of his lips, softening his whole face.
Alijah was surrounded by several caregivers. Though he wasn’t happy, his condition had improved a lot.
He was clearly more energetic today.
“Dad, I wanna go out.
He thought he was ready to leave the hospital, but the doctors kept insisting he needed to stay a little longer. It was driving
him crazy.
He just wanted to go out and make that doctor cry!
Marcus put down his phone and glanced at him.
“Okay, I’ll take you somewhere, but you can’t run off.”
Alijah jumped out of bed immediately, beaming with joy.
“Yay! I promise I won’t run around. You’re the best, Dad!”
It felt like old times again.
Father and son, always on the same team.
Marcus smiled and ruffled Alijah’s hair. “Go change, we’ll leave soon.”
Alijah dashed to the wardrobe, flung it open, and froze.
“Dad, where’s my clothes?”
He was wearing the hospital gown now. The clothes he’d bought after he had wet his pants were still at the dry cleaners. The wardrobe was empty.
Marcus frowned, realizing something.
Back when Ali was in the hospital before, there were always four or five outfits ready, all clean and neatly matched.
The last time Ali wet his pants, he’d had his assistant buy a new set of clothes, but he hadn’t bothered to check afterward.
Chapter 31: Gemma Is Someone Else’s Girlfriend
He hadn’t realized Ali needed backup clothes.
Alijah turned around, his big eyes full of expectation
“Dad, why didn’t you get me clothes?”
Before, all he had to do was open the closet, and it was filled with his favorite clothes.
Now, it was a huge difference.
He couldn’t help but feel that his dad didn’t care about him.
Marcus rubbed his forehead. “I’ll have my assistant buy you a new set of clothes.”
Alijah pouted, clearly unhappy.
“New clothes haven’t been washed. They’ll make me itchy.”
Last time was an emergency, so he couldn’t avoid it.
And he’d been feeling so miserable from being sick, he hadn’t been able to complain
But now, he wasn’t going to settle for it.
“I want to wear that blue suit with the bow tiel I want it, I want it…”
Tears welled up in his eyes.
It seemed like if Marcus didn’t agree, he was going to burst into tears.
Marcus rubbed his forehead again. “Look, it’s a special situation today. Just deal with the new clothes for now,”
“No way! No way!”
“Ali, if you’re not going to wear it, then forget about going out.”
“I want to gol I want the suit!”
“You’re getting more and more spoiled!”
“Mom never yells at me like this! Wahhh! You’re so mean, Dad!”
Alijah’s face was puffed up with anger, and tears streamed down his face.
Marcus gritted his teeth. “I’ve got limited patience. If you cry again, you’re not going anywhere!”
“I’m wearing this to go out. I’m not changing!”
Alijah wasn’t scared by the yelling. In fact, his stubborn streak kicked in even more.
Marcus stood up to leave.
Alijah clung to his leg.
Marcus tried to shake him off, but Alijah just sat on the floor, crying while grabbing onto Marcus’s pants.
He was being clingy and irritating,
Marcus was frustrated, but didn’t know how to handle it.
And, of course, Mabel kept messaging him, asking where he was.
“You gotta get up. I’ll take you home to change.”
Alijah stopped crying right away, scrambled to his feet, but still clung to Marcus’s clothes like he was afraid his unreliable dad would run off
At the competition venue.
The theoretical contest had already started.
Each group was answering questions in a rapid–fire round.
Gemma’s group was near the end, but watching the other teams compete made her nervous.
Mabel had arrived at the venue.
But since she was the last one to show up, her bodyguards whisked her off to the VIP lounge first.
Chapter 31: Gemma Is Someone Else’s Girlfriend
She was greeted by a special team of hosts.
But she wasn’t paying any attention to them, too busy staring at her phone.
The host who was in charge of welcoming her was also a PR person with strong connections in the entertainment world.
They’d heard rumors before that Mabel was a nice person, always treating the crew to snacks and coffee
But once they saw her in person, they realized the rumors weren’t entirely true.
Mabel didn’t care about anyone’s opinion. She’d been waiting for half an hour, and Marcus still hadn’t replied to her
messages.
Naomi noticed Mabel’s bad mood and smiled, signaling for the PR staff to leave.
Once the door was closed, Naomi, sounding worried, said, “Is it still because of what happened on your birthday? Does Mr. Wilson think we were doing this on purpose?”
“No.”
Mabel knew that man too well. “Since he sent me a gift, it means he feels like he owes me something.”
“But half an hour ago, we were talking, and now nothing.”
Naomi wondered aloud, “Maybe something happened with the kid?”
Mabel smirked. “If he’s with me, he’s not bringing a kid. Every time he came to see me before, he always dumped that mouse with Gemma.”
Naomi thought for a moment and agreed.
“Maybe he’s driving himself, stuck in traffic and can’t reply.”
“Let’s hope so.”
Mabel checked her watch. “There’s still time before the finals, let’s wait a bit longer.”
Naomi leaned in, whispering, “I saw Gemma earlier, and she seemed really familiar with the man she was with, laughing and joking. I even took a picture. Ms. Johnson, want to see it?”
Naomi was a pro at taking photos, and the angle she picked made it look like Gemma was cozying up to Brian, like they were a couple.
Mabel took a quick glance, a playful smile flashing in her
“You go ahead and post this online, and say you caught the sweetest couple.”
