Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Mary finally burst into tears.
Suddenly, she felt like she had returned to that night five years ago.
She recalled the pain she felt when she was under him, and the helplessness and despair of being stared at by the men outside the abandoned chemical plant.
She gave up struggling because she knew it would be in vain. She had tried five years ago, but he had held her down her with all his strength so that she couldn’t even move. She knew that she couldn’t push him away this time – just like that night.
As Mary lay on the branches, she prepared herself to relive the nightmare. Her body froze like a broken doll without a soul.
All she could do was cover her face with her hands and arms and let herself be handled at will.
Any lingering affection between them was slowly killed by his very own hands.
After a while, the man stopped.
He hugged her stiff body for a few moments.
Many bruises had appeared on Mary’s hands and arms when she was covering her face.
Her skin had been scraped by the branches.
She was in excruciating pain, but her expression did not change.
The man moved her arms down from her face.
Under the dim streetlights, he froze in shock upon seeing the tears on her face.
The jealousy that had overtaken him earlier gradually dissipated.
He felt immense guilt for his behavior and his eyes were wild with sadness.
“Mary.” The man called her name.
Mary slowly opened her eyes. There was nothing but coldness.
She understood that if she wanted revenge, she had to pay a price.
Max probably regarded her body as a bargaining chip.
“Get lost if you’re done.” She spoke with a voice and expression so impassive, it was as if they were strangers.
The guilty Max was feeling dissipated. He was furious at her attitude.
Gritting her teeth, Mary slowly picked herself up.
Max bit his lips, as if he wanted to say something.
When he was about to speak, Mary interrupted him, “Thank you for helping me make up my mind.”
She didn’t want to see Max. He made her sick. She lowered her head and looked around. When she found her necklace that had fallen by her feet, she bent down and picked it up.
Then, she fixed her dress and raised her head. She still avoided looking at Max. She moved to take a step forward, but her legs gave way and she stumbled.
Max quickly reached out and pulled her into his arms.
“Make up your mind about what?” he asked, frowning.
He was suppressing his emotions.
Meeting his dark eyes, Mary sneered, “After experiencing such a jerk, I know that he is a good man.”
Max was furious with her answer.
It meant she wouldn’t give up John due to Max’s earlier actions. That she had made the decision to be with John. Max’s anger rose. He wouldn’t allow her to do so.
As he was about to explode, he noticed that her hand was bleeding. Even through the dim lights, he could still see that she was injured.
His black pupils dilated. He realized that he had hurt her.
He bent down to pick her up. Mary had no strength to struggle. And she didn’t want to struggle, because she knew it would be useless.
Max carried her into the villa, through the living room, and went upstairs.
Her eyes were closed as if she was asleep. However, Max knew that she was only pretending. Under the bright light, he looked at her pale face and pursed his lips tightly.
He entered the bedroom and carried her into the bedroom, then placed her in the bathtub.
Just as he was about to fill the bath, Mary opened her eyes and said icily, “Get out.”
Max’s expression darkened. “You’re injured.”
Mary replied said with a wry smile, “You’re right. I’m dirty. I was taken by you. And because of you, I was defiled by numerous other men. I can’t be any dirtier. But John likes me, and I like him. Not only do I want to be with him, but I also want Jason to take his last name.”
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
Max was boiling with rage as he glared at Mary.
He didn’t expect her to insult herself like that.
Mary’s tears flowed down her cheeks. “You can find out for yourself whether I’m spouting nonsense. There were five men. Although the chemical plant exploded, you should know that five men died there.”
“Mary, I…”
“Get lost now!” Mary interrupted Max harshly.
Max stared at her for a long time before turning around and leaving the bathroom.
Mary was left alone.
She looked down at her hands for a few seconds, then began to sob without restraint.
Why did she have to bear all the pain and hatred alone?
If Paul had not arrived five years ago, those men would really have tortured her until she died. Paul had been seriously injured in order to save her.
When she found out that Paul had been caught, she rushed back without hesitation, even if she hadn’t been fully prepared to face everything here.
Mary gently tucked up her skirt. Her legs had also been cut by the branches. She endured the pain as she cleaned herself up.
When she came out from the bathroom, Max had already left.
Mary found a first aid kit and carefully applied some medicine before going to bed.
In the corridor, Max was smoking cigarette after cigarette. He saw the lights in the room go off.
He waited for a long time and then went to the Jason’s room to take a look at him, who was fast asleep, before heading downstairs.
Matthew and Fred were waiting in the living room on the first floor.
Seeing Max come down, both of them looked at him expectantly.
Fearless, Fred was the first to ask, “Sir, is Lady Mary asleep?”
Max looked pointedly at on him. Fred’s body stiffened, but he did not avoid Max’s gaze.
“Yes,” he answered simply.
He walked to the sofa, sat down, took out a cigarette, and lit it.
Matthew and Fred followed and stood near him.
Fred reported, “Sir, I’ve gone to the hospital and done some checks. Miss White did not preserve the embryonic tissue after her miscarriage.”
So she threw it away. Max had expected this outcome. His face remained emotionless as he took a few puffs.
His solemn expression only became gloomier as he smoked.
“Sir, I’ve already arranged for someone to keep an eye on the White family. Miss White didn’t return to the Gastons’ today, but went to the White family instead.”
Max looked up at Matthew.
Matthew continued hesitantly, “Miss White went to Lady Mary’s office this morning and they seemed to have some sort of discussion. When Miss White left, her face was swollen.”
Although Sandra was Max’s fiancée, in all honesty, Matthew and the other staff members under Max did not take a liking to Sandra. She was too arrogant. They had a better opinion of Mary.
Max kept silent. He merely narrowed his eyes and looked at the cigarette between his fingers. He was wondering if Mary’s words were true.
She said that Paul had saved her.
Then, who had harmed her?
The people around her? Or the enemies?
“Matthew.”
He suddenly thought of something and spoke.
Matthew immediately stood upright and answered respectfully, “Yes, sir.”
“Get Walter to send more people to investigate the members of the White family and the people who are close to Sandra.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You have to dig something out.”
“Sir, Paul hasn’t given up on investigating the car accident. Should we stop him?”
“Let him be.”
Max’s eyes darkened. Paul had found some sort of information during his own investigation and had wanted to kill him to avenge his parents.
After Matthew left, Max instructed Fred, “Protect Jason and Mary.”
“Yes, sir.”
Fred answered firmly.
Max said coldly, “If Mary really was harmed by someone back then, now that she’s back, the culprit will definitely take action. Fred, if you let Mary and Jason come to any harm, don’t show up in front of me ever again..”