Chapter 4
For the next five days, Marcia lay in bed, her pale face even whiter than the hospital sheets.
Her eyes were open, yet unfocused; her already gaunt face had sunken even further, making her look ancient and devoid of life.
Calvin entered the room again, unable to hold back his emotions as he approached her bedside. "Cia, please eat something. The doctor said you need to build up your strength..."
His eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I'm so sorry. It's my fault for being late."
He reached out to take her hand but hesitated, withdrawing. Marcia lay motionless, not even shedding a single tear.
Calvin wished she would scream and cry; this version of Marcia made him feel that she was alive, yet she had died along with her father and the child she carried.
Calvin was startled by the emptiness in Marcia's gaze.
He fixed his stare on her and gritted his teeth, saying, "Marcia Roberts, pull yourself together! Are you really going to let Alan take everything from you? What about your pride? Your dignity? Can you live with yourself like this, knowing how it affects your father?"
Marcia still showed no reaction, but at the mention of "father," her hand moved slightly.
Calvin lifted a spoonful of food, holding it to her chin. "Eat! How will you take revenge if you don't eat? Are you okay with this, Marcia? He killed your father and your child!"
He tried to feed her, but Marcia couldn't swallow. Furious, Calvin slammed the bowl to the ground. "Even if you torture yourself to death, he won't give you a second glance!"
Grabbing the TV remote, he turned on the screen, forcing Marcia to look at it.
"SEE! His new company just went public. He collapsed ROB and took over the projects that belonged to YOU! You know how hard your father worked for those projects! Just look at him, all smug and cocky while you lie here in this hospital, wishing to die! MARCIA, I'M ASHAMED OF YOU! If you seek revenge, I will help you with everything I have, but if you want to just waste away in this hospital, I won't come back after today! NO ONE CAN SAVE YOU BUT YOURSELF!"
Finally, a tear slipped from the corner of Marcia's eye as she watched the impeccably dressed man on the screen, filled with hatred.
She grabbed Calvin's hand tightly, her voice sharp. "I WANT REVENGE! I WANT REVENGE! Calvin, please help me! I can't let him get away with this!"
Her eyes were bloodshot, her tone rising to a near scream. Calvin felt her icy grip, devoid of warmth. He gently embraced Marcia, solemnly promising, "Don't worry, I will help you!"
The next day, Calvin placed a brown paper bag gently in front of her. "If you've decided to seek revenge, open this. Get close to this person; he can help you. But know this: from now on, there will be no more Marcia Roberts. Are you ready for that?"
Marcia sat up in bed, carefully tying her long hair back, revealing a gaunt, colorless face. "At this point, do I have any other choice? But, Calvin, are you sure this person can help me?"
"He's Elijah Sinclair. If he can't, no one can..." Calvin replied softly.
Two years later.
Marcia clenched her fists and took a deep breath, finally knocking on the large black door in front of her.
Knock...
After a brief pause, Marcia pushed the door open and walked inside.
Inside the room sat a man in an office chair, surrounded by piles of documents. He pressed his lips together tightly, displaying a hint of impatience.
"Sir, I've already contacted the people in Liverpool. The branch will officially open for the ribbon-cutting ceremony tomorrow. Everything has been arranged," Marcia said, lowering her head.
Even without looking up, Marcia could feel Elijah's cold gaze sweeping over her.
Having worked alongside him for two years, Marcia had learned to be a competent mute and deaf person, automatically shutting out the chill he radiated.
Elijah's indifferent eyes fell on the woman standing respectfully before his desk, her profile calm and composed, dressed in a dull gray suit that contrasted sharply with the vibrant image of secretaries from his memories.
He absently touched the cuff of his sleeve and asked, "Patricia, how long have you been working with me?"
"Two years, sir," Marcia replied honestly, showing no curiosity about why he suddenly wanted to engage in small talk.
After a moment of silence, Elijah said flatly, "You're leaving early today."
Marcia was slightly taken aback. She looked up to find a glimmer of something in Elijah's deep gaze. "Pack your bags. There's a flight to Liverpool at 7 PM."
"Understood, sir." Marcia retracted her gaze, bending slightly in acknowledgment.
"Alright, you can go now."
Marcia quickly exited, and as she closed the door behind her, a smile crept onto her face.
Finally, this day has come! Alan, I'm back! Prepare to go to hell!
