Chapter 32
Chapter32 What Kind Of Woman Was Marissa,Truly
"What has this got to do with me?" Marissa,clicking her heels sharply, approached Holley, who was disheveled and a mess.
Peering down at her, Marissa smirked. "Can't you be more careful?"
"Marissa, hold it right there!" Holley yelled after Marissa's poised, retreating silhouette, her voice sharp with indignation. "What is with that smug attitude? Theodore, she's picking on me!"
Unexpectedly, Theodore's typically stoic expression softened, a faint smile adding warmth to his usually reserved demeanor.
What kind of woman was Marissa,truly?
Holley's heart plummeted as she caught Theodore's smile fixed on Marissa's back.
Could Theodore actually have feelings for someone as brazen as Marissa?
No,she wouldn't stand for it!
Barry emerged, drawn by Holley's outburst. He was taken aback to see Theodore standing near Marissa.
How had they arrived together?
Unbeknownst to Barry, Theodore had picked Marissaup from the chapel. Barry assumed they were still strangers.
Was Theodore so quick to embrace a new fiancée?If not, why else would he visit Rayden at the hospital?
Barry's mind raced with questions. He glanced at Holley,who was still making a scene on the floor,and frowned, offering his hand. "Get up!"
"Barry!" Holley's voice dripped with grievance.
Barry understood her frustration but felt powerless.
Theodore seemed to have warmed to Marissa, a stark contrast to his earlier rejections of Holley as his fiancée.
"Get up first!" Barry urged, hoisting Holley to her feet before turning to Theodore. "Theodore,please, take a seat inside."
Inside the suite, he gestured for the staff to bring Theodore coffee, smiling as he added, "The hospital is hardly ideal for hosting. Next time, come to my café-the coffee and scenery there are unmatched."
Meanwhile, Corrine sat with the newly conscious
Rayden,while experts debated fervently nearby.
Theodore was known to the staff.
They moved to prepare coffee, but Greta intervened. One servant glanced back, confused,whispering, "What's wrong, Greta?",
After halting the servant, Greta approached Marissa with respect. "We'll prepare water for Mr.
Brooks.What would you like, Miss Marissa Curtis?"
Following the orders of those who paid her wages was Greta's forte.
She vividly recalled Marc's directive that Theodore preferred water to other drinks.
At her words, Barry stiffened, his posture rigid.
He couldn't challenge her in Theodore's presence,but his expression soured, barely concealing his irritation.
He hadn't anticipated Greta's blatant disregard for him, pivoting instead to Marissa, who had just returned to the Curtis family.
What was the meaning of this?
Was it Marc's order, or perhaps Corrine's? Or could it be Rayden's doing?
Barry's face darkened, his instincts pointing to Rayden's involvement.
Marc, in his mind, lacked such meticulous care;only Rayden, with his exacting nature, would issue such a precise instruction.
A sharp sting of frustration surged through Barry,and he dipped his head to hide the cold glint in his eyes.
Marissa, too, was caught off guard.
She felt the uneasy silence that Greta's words had cast over the suite.
Marissa gave Greta a measured glance, wondering if she was intentionally stirring the pot.
Then she said coolly, "Water will do." "Right away," Greta replied, her eyes flickering with unease as she looked at Marissa. In all her years serving the Curtis family, no one had ever dismissed a kind gesture from her the way Marissa did. A twinge of doubt crept in-had she made the wrong move? Marissa settled into a lone armchair, her composed demeanor laced with a touch of detachment.After addressing Marissa, Greta swiftly turned to Barry and Holley. "What coffee would you prefer,Mr. Barry Curtis? And Miss Holley Curtis, would you like your usual coffee blend?"
Greta pressed on with her duties, seemingly blind to the tension filling the suite.
Holley's fists tightened since Greta had paid ntion to Marissa fir