Chapter 8 Was She Mrs. Bailey

Marian's demeanor exuded gentleness and sweetness, yet her every gesture and smile carried an undertone of allure. It captivated the men present, evoking a desire to engage with her.

A glass of wine in hand, Marian effortlessly mingled with the men, displaying remarkable social skills.

In fact, she seemed quite adept at it.

"Mr. Burton, a toast to you," she offered.

"Mr. Riley, let me refill your glass."

"Mr. Aston, care for a drink together?"

Marian's performance was well received by the bosses.

As she poured wine, Elwood Riley, another client of Rogelio, grazed her hand, and he commented, "Your hand is so soft."

Suppressing her revulsion, Marian mustered a smile. "Mr. Riley, do enjoy your drink at a leisurely pace."

With that, she tactfully withdrew her hand, turned on her heel, and moved away.

From his seat, Rogelio observed Marian closely, his silence masking his dissatisfaction.

She moved like a butterfly, light and graceful, her melodious laughter resonating throughout the room.

This outcome was entirely beyond Rogelio's anticipation!

In his imagination, Marian would be trembling and fearful, her complexion draining. He had envisioned her being utterly clueless and feeble, requiring protection.

However...

He had vastly underestimated her!

Rogelio's grip on the glass tightened as he slammed it on the table.

The noise drew everyone's attention towards him.

"Well... Oops," he remarked impassively.

"Mr. Bailey, are you upset?" Marian approached him, continuing, "I apologize. I didn't share a drink with you. May I propose a toast to you, Mr. Bailey?"

Bending down to pour the wine, the neckline of her slip dress dipped, revealing a hint of her chest. A casual glance revealed her alluring figure to Rogelio.

His Adam's apple bobbed, a nameless heat surging from deep within him.

He couldn't hold her accountable, however. It was he who had compelled her to wear that dress!

"Marian." Rogelio's voice dropped as she handed him the wine. "You've truly impressed me."

"Mr. Bailey, I'm merely following your instructions. I'm determined not to betray your trust. I'll ensure every client is well taken care of."

"Excellent, very impressive," he commented, raising an eyebrow slightly. "You should hold on until the end."

Marian nodded affirmatively. "I will."

Raising her head, she downed the wine in one swift motion. A few drops trickled down her lips and dribbled at the corner of her mouth.

At that moment, the scent of the wine was lost on her. Her throat felt aflame, choking her senses and nearly stripping her of her sense of taste.

Unbeknownst to herself... she had become quite alluring in this state.

Rogelio withdrew his gaze coldly. This woman was undeniably seductive.

However, he would never allow himself to be captivated by her charms.

After Marian set the glass aside, her vision blurred as dizziness overcame her.

Having never been much of a drinker, consuming multiple glasses consecutively took a toll, rendering her slightly tipsy.

Yet, she couldn't afford to collapse.

Taking a couple of steps, she swayed and lost her balance, careening sideways.

Seizing the opportunity, Jayson Aston, yet another client, who was seated beside her, reached out to grasp her waist, playfully remarking, "Whoa there, beauty, are you throwing yourself at me?"

His comment elicited laughter from the others.

Jayson, round and short, carried at least two hundred pounds of weight, his appearance leaving much to be desired.

"Mr. Aston, you jest," Marian responded. "I just lost my footing."

Attempting to rise, Marian found herself ensnared by Jayson's hold, his insistence making her settle onto his lap.

"What's the rush? Stay right here. Come on. Let's keep the drinks flowing!"

Jayson handed her an entire bottle of wine, his eyes glinting mischievously.

Marian shook her head, declining. "I'm sorry, Mr. Aston. I can't drink anymore... If I continue, I might become sick."

Suffering from discomfort in her stomach, she struggled to focus on her surroundings.

The urgency to find a bathroom and relieve herself of her discomfort was mounting.

Jayson's expression shifted. He queried, "What? You can't drink anymore? How disappointing!"

"I...I need to use the restroom," Marian stammered, attempting to placate him. "I promise I'll drink with you once I return."

"No chance! Just down it now! There are so many eyes on us. Don't humiliate me!"

Jayson's tone grew harsh, his discontent evident.

Marian persisted in her reluctance. "Mr. Aston, I'll definitely drink. But I..."

"Enough of your excuses!" Jayson erupted. "You're not some high-and-mighty individual. Isn't your aim to snag a wealthy man? Drinking with me should be an honor for you!"

He forced the bottle in his hand into Marian's mouth while using his other hand to inappropriately touch her chest.

Marian recoiled, attempting to evade his touch.

Yet, how could she escape from a two-hundred-pound man's grasp?

Driven to desperation, she grabbed the bottle and swung it, shattering it against Jayson's head.

Clap!

A sharp crack resonated.

The bottle shattered as soon as it hit Jayson's forehead, and blood gushed out immediately.

"Ah! You bitch!" Jayson bellowed. "You dare to hit me? Do you want to die?"

Marian's thoughts were a whirlwind.

At that moment, only one realization struck her with clarity: she had severely messed up.

Rogelio had tasked her with tending to his clients, yet she had just smashed a client's head.

Leaving aside whether the Chapman family could be salvaged, her own fate was hanging by a thread.

Jayson's hand drew back, poised to strike her across the face. He threatened her. "Today, I'll teach you a lesson, you bitch!"

She watched as his hand inched closer to her face, the sensation of the breeze gently ruffling the thin strands of hair near her ear.

However...

Just as his hand neared her, a cold voice intervened, "How dare you touch her?"

Though Rogelio's voice was measured, Jayson's hand froze mid-air, his confidence shaken. He didn't dare to proceed.

"Mr. Bailey... Mr. Bailey, this woman is quite unruly. Permit me to teach her a lesson, so she learns some manners," Jayson retorted.

With arms crossed, Rogelio lounged against his chair and questioned, "You want to teach my wife a lesson?"

What?

The room fell silent, punctuated by gasps of disbelief.

So this young woman... was Mrs. Bailey?

Hearing his words, Marian stared at Rogelio in utter disbelief.

How could he reveal her identity so casually? What was he thinking?

Was it some sort of commendable act to bring his wife along to drink with his clients?

Rogelio held her gaze, his eyes unyielding, as he addressed her. "Honey, have you had your fun? It's time to head home."

Another round of astonishment swept through the crowd.

Someone murmured, "Mrs. Bailey's interests are... truly unique."

A wry smile tugged at the corners of Marian's lips.

Rogelio had indeed mastered the art of passing off responsibility.

Rising elegantly from his seat, Rogelio took her wrist and drew her into his embrace. In one smooth motion, he removed his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders, obscuring her figure entirely.

He seemed determined to prevent anyone from glimpsing her appearance.

No one would even have the chance for another look.

Jayson, still stunned, stuttered, "I-I..."

"Which hand did you use to touch her just now?" Rogelio's voice was cutting, his gaze piercing.

"I...I..." Jayson faltered under the scrutiny.

Rogelio's stare bore into Jayson with intensity. "Can't answer? Then perhaps both your hands should be forfeit."

"Mr. Bailey! I had no idea she was Mrs. Bailey. My mistake. I'm at fault. Please forgive me this time. I'll never dare to repeat this behavior..." Jayson pleaded.

"It's too late," Rogelio declared.

With that, Rogelio grasped Marian's shoulders and guided her out of the room.

As the door closed behind them, Jayson's desperate cries echoed down the corridor.

A clammy sweat broke out on Marian's back.

What would become of her?

During the gathering, she had discreetly replaced a significant portion of the wine with water, but she had still consumed some. Her actions would undoubtedly impact the baby growing within her.

If Rogelio chose to punish her later... the consequences could be dire. An unbearable fear gnawed at her, the dread of losing her unborn child.