CHAPTER 023
LAURA’S POV
I needed to see Marcus to release the anger building up inside of me. So, I headed straight to the hospital where he was being treated.
The sterile, cold corridors seemed to match the chill in my ones. The scent of disinfectant lingered in the air, strong and overwhelming.
I walked with purpose, the sharp clicks of my heels echoing in the silence, a rhythm that mirrored the simmering rage inside me.
Marcus was in Room 310 according to the nurse at the front desk. I already knew why he was here–Alex’s assistant had made sure of that.
But I didn’t care about his broken ribs or any other injury they had to patch up. He’d failed me, and that failure would cost him dearly.
In my mind, he deserved what he got. For all his bluster, he couldn’t handle such a simple task
I pushed the door open without knocking, letting it crash against the wall. Marcus flinched, turning his swollen face toward me. One eye was almost shut, the bruises around it dark and angry. His arm was in a sling, his breath shallow.
“Laura,” he rasped, his voice barely audible.
I crossed my arms, glaring at him. “Spare me the dramatics Marcus. We need to talk.”
“Talk?” He let out a bitter laugh, which quickly turned into a grimace. “I’m lying here half–dead, and you want to talk?”
“Exactly that,” I snapped, stepping closer. “Because you had one job. Just one. Drug Ava, take advantage of her, make it look like she came on to you and let her make a fool of herself. But no, you couldn’t even manage that.”
His good eye narrowed, a flicker of defensiveness in his gaze. “You think this is my fault? Alex Grey barged in and ruined everything!‘
“Don’t even try to shift the blame onto him,” I hissed, my voice as cold as steel. “You were sloppy. I told you to be discreet, but you got yourself caught and beaten. And now Jason is doubting me because of your incompetence!”
Marcus’s face twisted with anger. “You think I wanted this? You sent me into a trap, Laura!”
I let out a cruel laugh. “A trap? You’re pathetic. You should’ve been ready for anything. Do you realize what your failure has cost me?”
His breathing grew heavier, frustration written all over him “What do you want from me, Laura? I did what I could, but Alex showed up out of nowhere!”
“And that’s why you should’ve been smarter,” I countered. Jason’s questioning everything now. He confronted me today with some ridiculous video of us at the coffee shop. You know how much effort it took to spin a believable story out of that?”
Marcus winced, shaking his head, glaring at me fiercely. “I don’t care about your sob story, Laura. I’m done with this. Done with you.‘
H
“Done with me?” I leaned in, my voice dropping to a low, dangerous whisper. “Let me remind you, Marcus, you owe me. I saved your life when no one else would.”
CHAPTER 023
+25 BONUS
“If it weren’t for me, you’d still be drowning in debt and begging for scraps. So don’t you dare think you can walk away from me.”
His lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, I saw his defiance crumble under the weight of my words. I straightened, smoothing my blouse, regaining my composure.
“Now, here’s what’s going to happen,” I said, my tone sharp as a knife. “You’re going to stay quiet about what happened. If anyone asks, you make sure you keep my name out of it and cook up any believable story to justify yourself. Do you understand?”
He glared at me, his voice barely above a whisper. “And what if I don’t?”
I smiled, but it was empty. “Then I’ll make sure everyone knows about your… extracurricular activities. Those deals‘ you’ve been making on the side? I have evidence, Marcus. Don’t test me.”
”
The room fell silent, except for the faint beeping of the machines surrounding him. Marcus looked away, his jaw tightening.
“I hate you,” he muttered. “You’re the devil himself.”
“Good,” I said, my voice cold as ice. “Hate me all you want, refer to me as a devil, I don’t mind. Just remember who holds the cards here.”
1 paused at the door, glancing back at him. “And fix your face before anyone sees you. You look pathetic.” With that, I walked out, my heels clicking against the cold, sterile floors. My mind was already racing ahead, formulating my next move. Jason’s doubt was a problem, but it was one I could handle.
For now, I needed to lay low and pretend to be the grieving girl who lost both her parents because of the Campbell family.
