Chapter 4

After the doctor came out, he told me, "Your mother's heart is failing and the only way to save her is through a heart transplant surgery."

I immediately insisted they perform the transplant. My mother was only fifty; she was still in the prime of her life. I wouldn't let anything happen to her.

Unfortunately, the cost of the heart transplant was far beyond my imagination. Even after taking out all my savings, I was still short by half.

In a panic, I quickly called Yvonne and asked her to find me. Alas, no matter how many times I tried, the call wouldn't go through.

Just as I was losing hope, she video-called me back. As soon as I answered, I saw her sitting on a bed, wearing a sexy lace camisole.

"Honey, is everything okay with you all? Don't overthink it. That child was conceived through artificial insemination. It's absolutely not what you all believe."

At that moment, I couldn't care about anything else. I just begged that woman to hurry to the hospital and help me pay the remaining balance, which was mere pocket change for her.

All this time, since our marriage, I had always spent my own money and never touched hers.

Noticing the background behind me, Yvonne realized I was in the hospital and grew worried. "Honey, what exactly happened?"

As she stood up, her revealing nightgown shifted, revealing things that shouldn't be.

I let out a bitter laugh and turned my head away, struggling to contain my rage. Because she was currently at Corey's home and the wedding photo hanging behind her was undeniable proof.

"I'll transfer the money to you right now via my phone," she exclaimed.

Just as she reached for it, a shirtless Corey walked into the room.

Yvonne quickly stepped away from the computer, but he caught her and pulled her into his arms. "Yvonne, are you really leaving tomorrow?"

She chuckled, "Yes, because I have to go home. I've kept my promise to you."

"But … can you really bear to leave?" Corey said as he reached out to caress her skin, stirring her desire and causing her to lose all sense of direction.

At that point, Yvonne completely forgot that the video call with me was still connected.

I could hear that man whisper seductively, "Don't you want to be intimate with me one last time before you go?"

Under Corey's seduction, Yvonne gradually succumbed. She took the initiative, hooking her arms around his neck and kissing him passionately—the classic behavior of a woman driven by lust.

Watching from behind the screen, I clenched my fists as a fire of humiliation consumed me. Unable to watch any longer, I shut off the phone.

It was at that exact moment when the doctor rushed over to inform me that my mother had taken her own life. She had voluntarily removed her oxygen tube to avoid being a burden to me.

The doctor also told me that her ultimate goal was to buy back our family property after it had been pawned.

I collapsed onto her bed, sobbing as I held her lifeless body.

Three days later, I returned to the city carrying her ashes.

When I got back, I heard from headquarters that I would be taking over a project my coworker had botched. If I could successfully complete it, I would receive a two-million-dollar bonus.

For the sake of my mother's dying wish, I worked myself to the bone, going without sleep to finish it.

At that same time, Yvonne also returned to the company, bringing Corey with her. By then, the scandal between us had already become a topic of heated gossip.

Yvonne eventually found me and tried to hug me while apologizing. "Mark, I'm back. I know I've wronged you, so as an apology, I've established a large department store named 'Marvyné' as a gift for you. Please, stop being angry with me, okay?"

I immediately pushed her away, then turned and left with the iciest gaze. My only focus was completing the project, getting the bonus, redeeming the old house and leaving.

Seeing my coldness, Yvonne tried every method imaginable to win me back, following me everywhere I went.

After struggling for an entire week, I finally completed the project. Exhausted beyond measure, my eyes refused to stay open and I fell asleep right there at my desk.

When I woke up, I discovered that my project proposal had vanished. Just as I was searching for it in a frantic panic, I found Corey in the meeting room, using my hard work to sign a contract with the project partners.

Infuriated, I rushed forward and knocked him down with a single punch, but security guards quickly restrained me and threw me out of the room.

Corey stubbornly insisted the project was his, so he naturally took the bonus meant for me.

Just as I was about to beat up that despicable man again, Yvonne stepped in and protected him. "Stop making trouble, Mark. It's only two million. If he wants it, then let him have it."

"Come with me. The department store has already been built. We're just waiting for the opening ceremony three days from now." She forcibly took me to see the department store named after our name, Marvyné.

But when I got there, I saw Corvyn Co. Department Store instead.

I let out a bitter laugh, took two steps back and left the place in loneliness and despair. Behind me, Yvonne panicked and called out for me to come back, but I would never turn around again.

This time, my heart was completely dead. I was determined to leave and build my career in someone else's city.

When Yvonne could not find me anywhere, her heart sank into utter panic.

Just as she was feeling extremely anxious, her father woke up and called her. "Yvonne! You must properly thank Mark on my behalf! If it weren't for him saving me, I would have died long ago. You really have good judgment to choose such a man."