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Chapter 4

Author: Blanc Ball
"Clara, if you see something you like, just say the word. I'll buy it for you," Bethany said, holding Clara's hand with a motherly warmth Phoebe had never witnessed before.

"Mom, why are you so kind to Clara but always cold and sharp with Phoebe?" Nathan asked with a sigh. "Phoebe is your daughter-in-law, and she's carrying your grandchild. Can't you treat her better?"

"Because Clara doesn't stir up trouble and turn you against me like Phoebe does," Bethany snapped, her face darkening.

"Mom, I've told you many times, Phoebe never—" Nathan tried to explain, but Bethany had no patience to listen.

"Enough, Nathan," she cut him off. "We came here to shop and enjoy ourselves. Can't you stop mentioning Phoebe? It's killing the mood."

"Alright, alright. I won't bring her up," Nathan said, raising his hands in mock surrender. With a light smile, he added, "Today, I'm just here to serve Her Majesty and Her Royal Highness. I'll pay, I'll swipe my card, and I won't say another useless word."

The phrase "Her Royal Highness" pierced through Phoebe. Once, she believed she was the only princess in Nathan's heart. Even if he had betrayed her now, at least the love he once gave her had felt irreplaceable.

But it was never irreplaceable. Anyone could be his princess.

She took a deep breath, willing herself not to cry. Without a word, she turned to leave.

At that moment, Nathan saw her.

"Phoebe? What are you doing here?" His face turned pale, and his eyes darted toward Clara, betraying his discomfort. "When... when did you get here?"

Phoebe met his gaze calmly. "Shouldn't I be asking you that? Didn't you say you had urgent work at the office?"

"Nathan came to meet a client here. What's the problem?" Bethany interjected, her tone sharp and impatient. "You're pregnant. Stop being so suspicious and focus on taking care of the baby."

"Mom, stop blaming Phoebe," Nathan said, trying to soothe her. "If she doesn't feel secure, it's because I haven't done my job as a husband. If I'd given her enough reassurance, she wouldn't need to be suspicious."

As he spoke, he gently cradled Phoebe's hand and placed it over his heart. "Phoebe, I really did come here for business. The client is upstairs. If you don't believe me, I'll take you to meet him."

His eyes held hers, deep and unwavering. "When we married, I promised to love and cherish you forever. I swore I'd never lie to you, and I meant it. I will never break that promise."

Phoebe wondered how he did it—standing there in front of his mother, his wife, and their unborn child, speaking such bold-faced lies without a trace of guilt. Wasn't he afraid of the consequences?

"Then who is she?" Phoebe asked, turning her eyes toward Clara.

"She's Nathan's cousin," Bethany said smoothly. "Her family moved abroad years ago, so you wouldn't know her." With a sudden smile, she added, "By the way, Nathan, Clara just returned from abroad and doesn't have a place to stay. Why not let her live at your place for a while?"

She paused deliberately, then turned to Phoebe with a saccharine smile. "Phoebe, you don't mind, do you?"
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  • One Too Many Red Flags   Chapter 24

    The words "death sentence" struck Bethany like a thunderclap. Her vision darkened, and she nearly fainted on the spot.Fortunately, Henry offered a glimmer of hope. If she was willing to spend enough money, there might still be a way to save Nathan."Mr. Specter, as long as you can get my son out, I'll pay whatever it takes," Bethany said hurriedly. "Even if I have to sell my house, I will save him!"Henry explained that the only way forward was to bribe a hospital into issuing a certificate declaring Nathan mentally ill. If they could prove he had a psychiatric disorder, the law would absolve him of criminal responsibility. Instead of being sentenced to prison, he would be confined to a psychiatric hospital."Once Nathan is admitted," Henry continued, "we'll find a way to get him out. But it will take a lot of money to smooth things over. If you want to save your son, start raising funds immediately."Without hesitation, Bethany rushed home and began selling everything she could.

  • One Too Many Red Flags   Chapter 23

    Blood covered Clara from head to toe, but Nathan showed no signs of stopping. His eyes burned crimson, and the way he struck her again and again, it was as if he meant to beat her to death right there on the street.In the end, it was only thanks to the hospital's security staff arriving in time that he was restrained. If they had been a moment later, Nathan might have killed her in his blind fury.But even though the security guards had intervened, the damage was already done. The crowd of onlookers had captured every brutal moment on their phones, and soon, the footage spread like wildfire across the internet.By nightfall, Nathan's name dominated the headlines again. This time, the news was even more sensational. [Nathan Marshal Loses Control, Beats Mistress in Public, Nearly Causes Fatality!]When the initial affair scandal broke, Larry had spent a fortune trying to suppress the news, hoping to contain the fallout. But before the dust had settled, this new video emerged and sur

  • One Too Many Red Flags   Chapter 22

    Lately, Nathan's mind had been consumed by Phoebe. He had spent his days spiraling out of control outside the hospital, oblivious to the storm brewing online.It wasn't until he overheard the murmurs of passing strangers that he remembered something Ian had said before leaving. Something about uploading a video online.His heart sank. With trembling fingers, he pulled out his phone and searched. Sure enough, the video was everywhere.When Ian released the footage, he had blurred Phoebe's face and those of the doctors who performed her surgery. But Nathan and Clara? Their faces were laid bare for the world to see.The video detonated like a bomb, sending shockwaves through social media. Outraged viewers flooded the comment sections with condemnation.[I can't believe it. Nathan, the so-called 'Nation's Most Ideal Husband,' is actually this disgusting behind closed doors. I used to like him, but after seeing this, I feel like I swallowed a live cockroach.][I always knew he was a f

  • One Too Many Red Flags   Chapter 21

    "Clara," Nathan said coldly. "You seemed pretty pleased with yourself in that video. Did you really think that once Phoebe left me, you could take her place and become my wife?"He laughed, the sound harsh and full of scorn. "Dream on. Why would I ever marry a cheap slut like you? In my eyes, you're no different from those women who sell themselves in nightclubs. I only slept with you a few times. Don't let it get to your head."Without warning, Nathan grabbed her by the throat. His fury burned hot and uncontrollable, and Clara had walked straight into the fire. He shoved her against the wall, his rage spilling over as his fists landed on her without mercy."You dared to provoke Phoebe?" he spat, his voice rough and venomous. "Who gave you the guts to do that? A filthy woman like you isn't even qualified to be compared to her. You're not worth a single toe of hers—comparing you to Phoebe is an insult to her."But hitting her wasn't enough to cool his anger. He grabbed a fistful of

  • One Too Many Red Flags   Chapter 20

    Nathan rushed to the hospital the moment he could. In his naive assumption, Phoebe was still there, resting in a hospital bed. What he didn't know was that while he had been entangled with Clara, Phoebe had already boarded a flight to another country."Let me in! My wife is inside! I need to see her!" he shouted the moment he arrived, only to find himself in a heated argument with the security guards at the hospital gate.The hospital exclusively served the military and was not open to the public. Previously, Ian's influence had granted Nathan access, but now that privilege had been revoked. Without Ian's permission, the gates were firmly shut against him.Nathan tried to force his way inside, but the guards were not ordinary retirees. They were former soldiers—tall, broad, and thoroughly trained. If not for the hospital's strict policy against physical confrontation with civilians, they would have easily pinned him to the ground.When brute force failed, Nathan switched tactics.

  • One Too Many Red Flags   Chapter 19

    Larry and Bethany had far too much faith in their household staff.Ian and his men had all served in the military. Ordinary people didn't stand a chance against them. Ian didn't even lift a finger. With a simple gesture, one of his subordinates took down the entire group of servants as if they were nothing more than paper dolls.The flash drives remained in Ian's possession. Worse still, several guests had recorded the chaotic scene on their phones. Once those videos made their way online, the Marshal family's already crumbling reputation would be completely shattered.In the middle of the commotion, Ian drove off in his SUV, leaving nothing behind but a cloud of dust. Bethany, on the other hand, collapsed to the floor. Tears poured down her face as she wailed. "Oh, dear heavens, what are we going to do? The Harris family is trying to destroy us!""You disgraceful fool!" With Ian gone, Larry had no one left to vent his rage on but his own son. He marched over and struck Nathan ha

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