Chapter 82

Nobody showed concern for Susanna's emotions.

Marcel quietly retrieved Evelina's phone from where she had left it and noticed the caller's ID. Before he could ask about it, the call had already disconnected.

Evelina's situation was deteriorating, and Phil couldn't afford to waste any more time.

"Why are you so eager to challenge me today,Marissa?" Phil pressed, trying to soften her. Though not an exemplary father, he understood her temperament well.

He recognized that beneath her tough exterior,Marissa was tender-hearted.

Regardless of how others treated her, a small gesture of kindness would win her trust completely. "I'm sorry for what happened before,"Phil saidearnestly,his typically scheming eyes now brimmingwith sincere remorse."How about this?Come withme to the hospital,and I'll clarify everything on theway."

His motives were transparent.

Since Evelina couldn't attend the event,he wantedMarissa to take her place.

Marissa shot him a cold,piercing look."You'vealready made your decisions,so stop actingremorseful—it is repulsive."

Phil's chest heaved with frustration,nearlybreathless."Is that truly how you see me?"

"Isn't it?"Marissa retorted sharply,her voicemeasured yet cutting.

She wasn't oblivious;she had simply chosen not tocall it out before.

"Marissa..."Phil exhaled,pausing as if overwhelmedwith words but unsure where to start. His tone softened with each attempt. "Are you really not coming?"

Marissa clicked her tongue in dismissal. She had no intention of going.

Seeing her defiance, Phil's spirits sank. In just half a day, he had lost his influence over her.

Feeling powerless, he sighed. Unable to sway Marissa and preoccupied with holding Evelina,he couldn't force Marissa to come along.

Glancing at Marcel, who was frail and clearly unfit for the task, he summoned the bodyguards instead.

Before departing, he recalled something.

"Marissa, take this bank card." After handing Evelina to the guards, Phil pulled a secondary bank card from his wallet, offering it to Marissa.

She dodged it. Did she need the two hundred thousand? Absolutely not.

"Marissa, why are you so stubborn?" Phil sighed,his eyes shifting to the man beside her. Unable to resist,he asked, "Is this your boyfriend?"

Boden remained silent, offering only a faint smile.

Marissa gave Boden a pointed glance but didn't reply, turning her focus to the makeup mirror.

"I need to get back to work," Lottie said with a polite smile, apologizing to Phil. Seeing her studio wasn't entangled in the drama, she opted to finish her tasks first.

Realizing he couldn't change Marissa's mind and wary of more delays, Phil left with a heavy expression.

After finishing her styling, Marissa stepped downstairs and found Theodore there.

Now dressed in formal attire, he looked more strikingly handsome.

Leaning against the door, Marissa admired him briefly, her eyes gleaming with appreciation for his looks. Sensing someone's gaze, Theodore's brow furrowed slightly. Upon seeing it was Marissa, his expression softened.

At that moment, Marissa radiated a captivating allure,entirely transformed.

Theodore's eyes lingered on her face before he averted his gaze. "Let's go."

His manner stayed consistent despite his softened expression. He retained a distant air, though less icy when facing Marissa.

She didn't question why Theodore had replaced Marc as her escort.

When he suggested they leave, he didn't move immediately, waiting for her to approach and link arms.

Marissa tilted her head, a rare playful innocence in her expression. "Link arms?"

"Are you against it?" Theodore's voice, cool as ever,carried its usual pleasing tone. "No," Marissa replied smoothly, reaching for his arm As she moved to slip her hand through, he shifted slightly.

She paused, glancing at the hand now extended before her.

Theodore looked at her, nudging his hand closer in silent encouragement.

Marissa placed her hand in his, lifting her gaze with a soft smile, her dimples faintly visible.

For a moment, Theodore's lips curved subtly. He glanced down at their hands-one large, one delicate.

Her slender fingers rested softly in his palm, and he gently closed his hand around hers.

Marissa's eyes traced his perfect features, her satisfaction growing. Her thumb brushed lightly against his palm, teasingly.

"What's wrong?" Theodore turned to her, his dark eyes reflecting her calm, compliant demeanor. But was she truly so docile?

Marissa felt a wave of intensity. His face was so close their noses nearly brushed, their breaths mingling.Their eyes drifted to each other's lips.

Theodore's throat moved slightly, his gaze fixed on her glossy red lips. He couldn't deny her allure, nor did he want to resist it.

Her skin glowed under the light, utterly captivating.

His eyes lingered on her graceful neck, resisting the urge to look further.

For Marissa, it was her first time being so near a man.Their locked gazes and shared breaths felt like an intimate, lingering kiss. Her strength seemed to drain away, and her legs began to grow weak.