Chapter 7 Go To Drink With His Client

Before Grady could respond, Mindy promptly agreed, "Fine! Disown us if you wish! Anyway, you are now a Bailey, and your marriage didn't benefit us a bit. Furthermore, your grave mistake only adversely affects us."

She nudged Grady insistently and added, "What are you waiting for? Agree! Do you still want any connection with this catastrophe?"

"I..."

Grady faltered, torn.

She was, after all, his own flesh and blood.

It was agonizing to imagine causing harm to his own child.

"Well, if you're not ready to let her go, then be prepared to watch the company collapse and Lorna, and I endure a miserable existence alongside you. Can you bear to witness us beg on the streets, reduced to wandering beggars?" Mindy sobbed. "You're utterly heartless. I've been by your side for more than half of my life, and look where we've ended up..."

Hearing her words, Grady relented. "Alright, alright, I agree to sever our father-daughter relationship."

Just like that, with a stepmother in the picture, her biological father seemed to have abandoned her without a second thought.

Mindy wore a smug smile at this outcome.

From now on, all of the Chapman family's assets would belong to Lorna, leaving Marian without a single penny.

"That settles it." With those words, Marian swiftly exited the Bailey family's villa.

She yearned to be away from that place.

Outside, the sunlight was blinding, yet an inexplicable chill gripped her, particularly in her heart.

Marian rubbed her arms, seeking to warm herself.

She had been forsaken from a young age.

Her parents had divorced, her mother relinquishing custody.

Subsequently, her father remarried, focusing on his new wife and daughter, leaving Marian behind.

Neal, the one who had shown her kindness, had sacrificed himself to save her, leaving her behind...

In this world, Neal had been her sole source of warmth.

She regarded him as family and her closest friend.

She resolved that she would uncover the mastermind behind the car accident, seeking retribution for Neal!

Soon, Marian arrived at the Bailey Group...

Guided by Matteo, she made her way to the CEO's office.

"Mrs. Bailey, Mr. Bailey is still in a meeting. Please wait a moment," Matteo informed.

"Alright," Marian replied.

Sitting on the sofa, she nervously clenched her fists.

How should she approach begging Rogelio?

Would he even consider her plea?

Marian berated her own impulsiveness. She knew Rogelio harbored resentment over Neal's death, and he held a deep-rooted animosity towards her. Yet, she had chosen to bring up the topic.

Back then, she believed that if Rogelio trusted her, he could leverage his influence to uncover the truth swiftly. He possessed the resources to investigate.

However, she had failed to consider that she lacked the credibility and means to make him believe her.

Clack, clack, Clack...

Footsteps approached, and soon, Rogelio entered.

Marian promptly stood up.

Rogelio was dressed in a suit, exuding an air of arrogance and indifference. He didn't spare her a glance.

"I...I apologize," Marian began in a subdued voice. "I know I angered you. You can punish me in any way you see fit. It's unrelated to the Chapman family. I implore you not to make things difficult for my family."

Rogelio walked towards the French window, one hand slipping into his pocket. He remarked, "Family? Have they ever treated you as family?"

"In any case, I wish to repay my parents for raising me."

"They were well aware that your life would be marred after marrying me, yet they never contemplated rescuing you. Now... you still wish to help them?"

Marian's bitterness was palpable as she responded, "After assisting them this time, I'll sever ties with the Chapman family. I'll exist solely for myself henceforth."

Everyone had abandoned her.

Maybe, as Mindy had suggested, she was a curse.

Raising an eyebrow, Rogelio inquired, "Is that so?"

"Yes, I'm ready for whatever comes my way."

"Why should I aid you in severing ties with your family?" Rogelio questioned. "The Chapman family serves as a bargaining chip in my possession."

If she dared to defy him, he would make the Chapman family pay for her transgressions.

Should Marian disown her family... it would be far more challenging for him to maintain control over her!

"Rogelio, I know there's no running away from you, ever," Marian stated, desperation coloring her words.

He responded with a cold snort and settled onto the sofa, crossing his legs. "It's a good start that you're realizing that."

Witnessing his continued indifference, Marian clenched her teeth and sank to her knees at his feet.

"Please," she implored humbly. "This is a matter strictly between you and me. You have every right to do whatever you wish with me."

Rogelio leaned down elegantly, igniting a cigarette.

Smoke spiraled upward as he exhaled, directing the smoke towards her delicate face.

"Ahem!" Marian coughed as the smoke invaded her lungs and choked her.

Yet, she dared not recoil, allowing the smoke to envelop her.

Rogelio inquired, "You don't know how to smoke?"

"No, I don't," she replied.

He handed her the cigarette and commanded, "Try it."

After a moment's hesitation, Marian accepted it.

She was already on her knees, so what difference did it make to take a puff of a cigarette?

She closed her eyes, took a deep drag, and ended up choking back tears.

Witnessing her struggle, Rogelio smiled.

"Do you drink?" he queried.

"No, I don't," she replied. Pausing briefly, Marian added, "If you wish me to, I...I can attempt it."

"You neither smoke nor drink. Quite the innocent woman," Rogelio remarked.

He raised her chin, scrutinizing her features carefully.

Marian possessed a delicate countenance, particularly her bright, watery eyes. Her appearance invoked a sense of protectiveness in anyone who looked at her.

Such beauty, yet so venomous!

"You're quite the pristine lady," Rogelio commented. "I know someone who appreciates women like you."

Alarmed, Marian inquired, "Rogelio, what do you have in mind?"

Was he intending to send her away?

Leisurely, he responded, "I want you to accompany someone for a drink. If you cater to my client's wishes, I'll release the Chapmans from my hold."

Was he asking her to be a barmaid?

How could she endure that?

She envisioned herself intoxicated, surrounded by men who would undoubtedly become invasive and lewd...

"Rogelio, I am your wife." Marian enunciated each word, disbelief in her voice. "And yet you're personally sending me to drink with other men?"

Rogelio suddenly grasped her chin, asserting, "You're not worthy of mentioning your role as my wife."

Marian met his gaze head-on.

She observed his dark, inscrutable eyes that held no trace of mercy.

"Fine... I'll do it." Marian took a deep breath and reiterated, "I'll do it."

Rogelio's eyes narrowed, and a smile played on his lips.

The more subservient she was, the more gratified he felt.

He selected a revealing slip dress and escorted Marian to the hotel room at seven in the evening.

Of course, the seat of honor was reserved for Rogelio.

"Mr. Bailey," Hilton Burton, one of the clients, said, "I see you brought a female companion with you. That's surprising."

Rogelio responded with indifference, "A gathering of men can be dull. I've introduced an element of interest."

Everyone understood his implication immediately. They glanced at Marian with malicious intent.

The woman Rogelio had brought was undoubtedly appealing. Her fine and tender appearance drew their attention.

"What are you waiting for? Pour the wine," Rogelio instructed Marian.

He anticipated her awkwardness and embarrassment, relishing the spectacle of her humiliation. He drew immense amusement from watching her being played like a puppet.

However, he was taken aback...

Marian responded with a charming smile, "Of course. Tonight, I'll ensure the satisfaction of all the esteemed bosses!"