Chapter 3 Family's Heiress

Back in the ward, the temperature was cold as if the hospital was transported to Antarctica.

The hair on Keely's skin stood on end as she shook like a leaf. Her face turned pale and she bit her lower lip, staring at Marco.

Suddenly, the sound of hasty footsteps was heard. The door of the ward was pushed open. Marina walked in with the doctor on her heels.

"The doctor is here!" Noticing that Loraine wasn't in here, Marina shouted, "Where the hell is Loraine? Did she run away? Marco, should I send the bodyguards to drag her here again?"

Marco's eyes turned colder. He looked at his sister. "So, you were the one that brought Loraine here?"

A chill ran down Marina's spine. She glanced at Keely and argued, "I had to. After all, this is an emergency. If Keely doesn't get the kidney early enough, we might lose her."

"Shut up!" Marco then ordered the bodyguards, "Take Marina back home. Make sure she doesn't leave the house!"

"You can't do that, Marco. I was only trying-" Marina began to plead her case. However, the bodyguards held her on each side and dragged her out of the ward.

The ward became silent again.

A bad feeling surged in the doctor's heart.

Marco glared at him for a handful of seconds. Afterward, he pointed at Keely, who was no longer pretending, and interrogated, "You said that she needed a kidney transplant immediately. Why does it seem like she's hale and hearty?"

Beads of sweat appeared on the doctor's forehead. "Ermm... It seems I misdiagnosed her."

"What kind of doctor are you? How could you have misdiagnosed someone with kidney failure? Since you made such a huge mistake, you shouldn't be a doctor!"

The doctor trembled with fear. He knew that Marco could end his career with just a snap of his fingers.

He immediately sank to his knees. "Mr. Bryant, it's not my fault. Miss Haywood put me up to this. She forced me..."

"Get lost!" Marco ordered, pointing at the door in anger.

The doctor didn't care that Keely was murdering him with her eyes. He bowed and muttered an apology before he ran away.

The ward became so silent that one could hear a pin drop. Marco stared at Keely expressionlessly. His weird calmness scared her out of her wits.

Tears welled up in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Marco. I shouldn't have lied to you. Honestly, I did it so you could care more about me."

A fiery spark leaped into Marco's eyes.

"I have always been good to you. I never for once ignored you, so you have no excuse for pulling such a stunt. You know what? I shouldn't have spoiled you too much!"

Keely couldn't help admitting, "Yes, there is no excuse for what I did. I was just so stupid. I have always felt so alone since Jorge died. You know that I'm naturally sickly. I was afraid that you wouldn't care about me anymore. Can you forgive me? I promise that this won't repeat itself."

The mention of Jorge's name transported Marco to the past.

Jorge Riley was a friend of his who died while trying to save him. Before he breathed his last, he entrusted his beloved fiancee to Marco and instructed him to take care of her for the rest of her life.

Inexplicable sadness filled Marco's heart when he remembered how his friend died. His coldness melted like ice cream on a hot summer day.

"I intend to keep the promise I made to Jorge. Don't think for a second that I'll abandon you. That will never happen."

This statement made Keely's heart sing.

Before she could jubilate, Marco warned sternly, "Nonetheless, Loraine is my wife. Don't play tricks on her again. Let this be the last, okay?"

Keely slouched and pouted like a child. A trace of resentment flashed through her eyes. "Marco, you deserve better than Loraine. She hasn't brought anything good to you since you married her. She's a disgrace. Do you intend to grow old with such a woman? After everything you did for her, she's still ungrateful. She asked for a divorce today..."

"My marriage is none of your business, Keely. Don't overstep the boundaries, remember?"

The ice in Marco's eyes shut Keely up. She sulked like a child.

"Take a rest here and reflect on what you did today!"

Irritable, Marco walked out of the ward. The look on Loraine's face when she asked for a divorce couldn't leave his head.

It was a rude shock that she wanted to divorce him.

Divorcing her had never crossed his mind.

Although he was way out of her league because she wasn't from an elite family, he tolerated her since she was a dutiful and obedient wife.

It was never his intention to harvest her kidney for Keely. He had actually gotten another donor.

The money he sent to her was technically an apology gift because he wasn't going to spend their third wedding anniversary with her. He felt it was only fair that he compensated her since he was spending all his time with Keely, who he thought needed his attention now.

Unbeknown to him, Marina went behind his back and dragged Loraine to the hospital. He was made the villain for something he had no hand in.

Marco rubbed between his eyebrows and sighed.

He thought it wise to explain things to Loraine. After all, she only asked for a divorce because she misunderstood the whole thing.

He didn't think that Loraine would really divorce him. He had investigated Loraine. She was an orphan who grew up in the countryside. She had no money or power. She depended on him as far as he knew. He felt that she couldn't do without him.

**

A few hours later, Loraine opened her eyes. She found herself in a warm and luxurious bedroom.

"The heiress to the Torres family is finally back! What knocked some senses in your head? I still don't understand why you gave up everything for that man. Anyway, are you back for good now?"

Loraine turned her head to the owner of the familiar voice.

A tall and strong man sat on a chair by the bed. He had an angular and handsome face. His aura was intimidating.

Loraine burst into tears at the sight of him.

"Uncle Rowan, it was silly of me to have left. I shouldn't have abandoned you guys for that scumbag. I'm so sorry."

Rowan Torres, a fierce top officer in the military, couldn't help melting when his beloved niece apologized. He held her hand.

"Don't cry, Lorrie. It breaks my heart to see you cry. I'm so happy that you are back." Rowan kissed the back of her hand. "You know that everyone in this family loves you very much, don't you? We won't sit back and watch anyone treat you badly."

Suddenly, the door opened wide. Aldo Torres, the owner of Universe Group and one of the most powerful men in the city, walked in while exuding an imposing aura.

"Why are you crying? Big girls don't cry, Lorrie. You are the heiress of a billion-dollar empire. Instead of crying, you can deal with whosoever offended you with just a snap of your fingers!"