Chapter 35

Chapter35 You Still Don't Get lt

Holley's shout snapped through the room,freezing everyone in place. For a split second,no one knew what to do.

Then Theodore rose from the sofa, his face dark,ready to step in.

But before he could, Marissa shifted to the side with sharp reflexes, narrowly avoiding the cup of coffee that had been hurled straight at her.

Standing just a short distance apart, Marissa instantly caught on to what Holley was trying to pull. Despite her sweet looks, Holley had a nasty talent for scheming.

Pretending to lose balance, she made a show of stumbling forward. But when her plan failed and the coffee splattered harmlessly to the floor, she quickly straightened up, trying to salvage her act.

In that split second, Marissa made her move. She darted forward and kicked Holley's leg out from under her.

There was a loud thud as Holley dropped to one knee,the sound echoing across the room. Everyone stared in shock. All they'd seen was coffee flying toward Marissa and now Holley was on the floor, clutching her knee in agony.

"Ah!" Holley's scream pierced the air, her face pale as the pain hit her. Sweat gathered on her forehead as her breath came in short, trembling bursts.

"Holley!" Barry hurried to his sister's side, his calm mask breaking for the first time.

Marissa, calm as ever, crouched down beside Holley and brushed Barry's hand away with ease.Her fingers gripped Holley's chin, forcing her to meet her gaze.

"I warned you, didn't l? Just because you want something doesn't mean everyone else does. But you didn't listen."

Holley tried to fight back, but Marissa's strength,hidden beneath her delicate frame, was startling.No matter how much she struggled, she couldn't break free.

"Let go of me!" she hissed through clenched teeth."If you're brave enough, fight me properly!"

Despite her pain, her pride wouldn't let her back down.

Her voice was weak, heard only by Marissa and Barry.

Marissa's expression didn't change. Her voice lowered, smooth but dangerous. "You still don't get it, do you?" Her smile was cold, her words sharp enough to draw blood. "Push me again, and next time, it won't just be your leg."

"Alright, alright, that's enough." Barry tried to defuse the tension, forcing a light smile even as the air around them bristled. "We're family. There's no need to fight."

But neither woman paid him any mind.

Holley's pain was quickly overtaken by rage. Her voice rose in spite of herself, trembling with resentment. "Do you really think Theodore came to the hospital because he wants you as his wife?Keep dreaming. Even ifyou weren't in the picture,there's still Betty. They were together for seven years. You're nothing but a cheap copy of her!"

It was the second time Marissa had heard the name Betty.

She released her grip on Holley's chin and gave her a light pat on the cheek.

"Whether he chooses me or not," Marissa said,smiling faintly, "has nothing to do with you." Holley winced. Her leg throbbed, and her pride was in tatters. "You're just Theodore's backup!" she spat bitterly.

Marissa arched a brow. "Why are you whispering?Scared Theodore might hear you?" She grabbed a fistful of Holley's hair and yanked her head up,forcing her to face Theodore. Her tone was calm,almost lazy, but her words carried an icy edge. "If you've got something to say, say it to him directly,not behind his back."

"You!" Holley shook with fury, mortified that Marissa was humiliating her right in front of Theodore. Rage burned in her chest, but she bit it down, forcing tears into her eyes.

"Marissa, how could you accuse me like that? I didn't say anything," she cried, turning to Theodore with tears brimming in her eyes. "You know me,Theodore. I've never lied to you. I've always tried to be good."

Of course, she had no plans to admit what she had really said. Losing face in front of Theodore wasn't an option.

Marissa merely scoffed and let her go.

Holley immediately tried to stand, but her injured leg buckled, sending her stumbling toward Theodore.

Watching her, Marissa folded her arms and smirked. Holley never wasted a single chance to cling to Theodore; she really was relentless.

And honestly, persistence could win over even the coldest man.

If Holley managed to melt someone like Theodore,maybe she actually deserved some credit.

But Theodore didn't give Holley that chance.Whatever little hope she had, he crushed it before it could even grow.

The moment Theodore stepped aside, Wilbur stepped forward, steadying Holley and helping her to the sofa.

Just then, the door to the suite swung open and a group of orthopedic doctors walked out.

At the same time, a knock sounded from the room.One of the guards opened the door, revealing a man with a cold, severe expression. Before the guard could even speak, Maxton's grandfather,Brent Wallace, shoved past him.

"Which one of you is Dr. Moore?" he demanded.