Not long after Jessica left, Michael woke up.

Looking at Jessica's retreating back, Sophie was flustered. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Michael’s dejected profile and quickly turned to comfort him. “Michael, don’t overthink it. My sister still loves you the most. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have rushed to get you to the hospital. Don’t worry, she won’t let Chris off the hook.”

Michael smiled faintly, but his head drooped.

Was that really the case?

Jessica’s heart didn’t seem to be filled with only him.

Earlier, Jessica’s expression had indeed shown panic, but when she looked at Chris, there was disbelief in her eyes. Moreover… Michael had clearly seen Jessica and Chris coming out of the same room together.

The Wilder family was large and influential, with more rooms in their house than anyone could count. According to Sophie, the two of them had no feelings for each other and had been sleeping separately for a long time. So why had they slept together last night?

He acted quickly because he could tell that Chris held a different position in Jessica’s heart.

In order to ensure that Chris didn’t become another version of him, he had no choice but to take such a step.

“Sophie, I’m fine, you can go back now.”

When Jessica returned home and couldn’t find Chris, she threw a tantrum. The whole family didn’t dare speak up until Linda came downstairs, and everyone finally saw their savior.

“What’s going on?” Linda, a strong woman who had ruled the business world, still exuded an impressive presence even though she had retired from the Wilder Group years ago. She was still wearing home clothes, a shawl casually draped around her shoulders.

“Mom, where’s Chris?”

Linda looked up, feeling helpless. She didn’t know what kind of spell Michael had cast on Jessica. Even after so many years, and with more suitable men appearing by her side, the moment he returned, he ruined everything.

It was inevitable that Chris couldn’t keep Jessica, but her smart daughter still hadn’t realized her true feelings.

That was a bit strange.

“What do you need him for?” Linda asked in annoyance. “Yesterday was my birthday, and you brought an unqualified person onto the stage. This morning, you caused a scene as well. Do you want me dead or something?”

Hearing her mother’s words, Jessica immediately suppressed her dissatisfaction.

“He hurt Michael, I need an explanation.”

“An explanation for what?” Linda continued to stand by Chris’s side as usual. “He’s your husband; you’ve been with him for five years. If you don’t trust him, fine, but now you want to speak up for an outsider? Don’t blame me for not warning you—back then, Michael couldn’t marry you, and nothing has changed.”

“Mom!”

What was she even saying?

She was already married. It wasn’t as if Michael’s return would make her divorce Chris.

Chapter 18

+25 BONUS

Linda hummed lightly, and Albert brought her coffee. After that, he said to Jessica, “Ms. Wilder, Mr. Green has already left. In my opinion, he’s not the type to do such things.”

The whole family was speaking up for Chris, which irritated Jessica.

The real victim was still lying in the hospital, while Chris, the perpetrator, had everyone defending him.

For a moment, Jessica thought back to when she had planned to cope with Michael.

She had always been rebellious, and now, with real power in her hands, she no longer feared anyone who might try to tear them apart.

At the hospital, Chris had performed two surgeries early in the morning. He had just taken a brief rest when he was dragged to the conference room to discuss upcoming surgery plans. He was so busy he forgot all about the situation with Michael.

That was until Jessica came knocking on his door.

Chapter 19