Chapter 5 Why Did You Come Back?

As Martha caught sight of Rhys' handsome face approaching, she immediately averted her gaze.

With a faint smile, Rhys sauntered over to the couch and poured himself a glass of wine. He shook his goblet as he watched Martha like "a frightened birdie".

"Don't worry," he said reassuringly. "I've never forced a woman."

Martha breathed a sigh of relief at his words.

But then, without warning, he added, "You're not just his assistant, are you?"

Martha's eyelashes fluttered for a while. Finally, she shook her head and stammered out, "I... I'm Stefan's wife."

Rhys was taken aback by this revelation and stopped shaking his goblet. His eyes darkened with mixed emotions.

He had expected her to be Stefan's girlfriend, but was surprised to learn that she was actually married to him.

"Mr. Harrison is quite generous." Rhys sneered sarcastically.

Martha didn't know how to respond or deny it.

As he looked at her more closely, Rhys began to suspect that Stefan had never really cared about her at all; instead, he had simply used her as bait for potential clients.

"Go home," Rhys told Martha curtly. "I like pretty women but not those with crying faces."

Although Rhys intended for their encounter to be over, Martha still looked visibly upset.

She lowered her head and muttered, "Mr. Williams, please agree to work with the Harrison Group."

If he refused and she failed to let him sign the agreement, the Doyle Group would be finished.

"If I do, what benefits will I get?"

Rhys wasn't a fool. Since he couldn't sleep with Martha, he would not agree to cooperate with the Harrison Group for nothing.

Martha clenched her fists. 'I have no bargaining chips. That's indeed asking too much.'

Thinking of this in disappointment, she turned away. Her helplessness and loneliness could be told from her back.

Rhys furrowed his brows slightly and said, "Hold on a minute. I can sign the contract."

Martha spun around quickly, surprise etched across her pale face.

"You... You're willing to sign it?" She asked incredulously.

If Rhys agreed to work with Stefan, then her father's company would be saved - and that brought joy to Martha's face.

The joy on her face delighted Rhys.

"I'm a gentleman. I don't want to disappoint a lady, but I do have one request"

"What is it?" Martha asked eagerly, her eyes sparkling.

Rhys leaned back in his chair and stared at her playfully while tapping his fingers against the desk rhythmically.

"I want some pastries from City North and yellow roses from City East."

"No problem, I'll go get them now," Martha answered in excitement without thinking how far the places were.

Then she turned around and trotted out of the room.

It took her almost five hours to get those things, surprisingly. When she returned to the hotel room, Rhys had been gone.

Martha thought Rhys had tricked her, but then she saw a signed contract on the table.

She picked it up carefully as if it were a priceless treasure.

...

When she arrived at the Harrison Villa, it was three o'clock in the morning.

Martha walked wearily back to her room. As soon as she turned on the light, she saw a sullen face.

Stefan gazed at her sternly, the air around him getting cold.

The sudden drop in temperature made Martha shiver. With her lips trembling slightly, she said, "I've had Mr. Williams sign the contract. When will you fulfill your promise?"

"You must have paid a lot of prices to get the contract, huh?"

Stefan stared at her sullenly, his eyes full of mixed feelings.

Martha took off her jacket, feeling too exhausted to answer. She replied with a grunt.

The things that Rhys requested made her travel in two different directions of the city, which was really tiring.

Suddenly, Stefan stood up and walked towards her angrily.

Martha sensed the danger and subconsciously took a step back.

"Did you sleep with him?" His question scared her.

Before Martha returned to her senses, Stefan seized her hand and dragged her into the bathroom.

She was forced to move forward and yelled in horror, "What are you doing? Stop it!"

He didn't answer, but the angry flames from him overwhelmed her.

In the bathroom, he turned on the showerhead and sprayed water over her. Martha was soaked in the cold water, her hair and clothes wet, looking messy.

"You filthy slut! Why did you come back?"

"No... Nothing happened between Rhys and me."

Martha shook her head vigorously, trying to break free from his grip, but her struggle ignited his anger.

Ignoring her painful look, Stefan grabbed her hair, pinned her against the wall, and entered her forcibly.

"You can't live without a man?"

"No... Hmm..."

The icy water slid through Martha's pale face. Staring at her rude husband, she tried to explain, but his angry kiss stopped her. She was overwhelmed by his questioning and bone-chilling coldness.

The following morning, Stefan put on his clothes while sitting on the couch.

Seeing her wake up, he scowled at her and said icily, "Take the birth-control pills. I don't want you to be pregnant with my baby. Nor do I want to raise another man's child."

'Raise another man's child?'

Martha turned her head dumbly and looked at the birth control pills on the nightstand, feeling suffocated.

She kept silent and finally agreed. Anyway, she was too sick to get pregnant now.

With her eyes drooping, she picked up the glass and pills to swallow.

Seeing her determined look, Stefan's eyes were dark and sullen, his good-looking eyebrows knitted imperceptibly.

"I've gained the cooperation for you. I hope you can keep your word."

That was the only thing Martha cared about now.

Her words, however, made Stefan unhappy. He pressed his thin lips together.

'This damn woman!'

In anger, Stefan knocked over the water glass with a stern look. Icy hatred came off him in waves.

Soon, he slammed the door shut and left. Martha shuddered and finally relaxed her tightened body.

Staring at the white ceiling, she had concern in her eyes, as she was not sure if Stefan would keep his word .

If he went back on his word, her efforts the previous night would be in vain, and her father would be disappointed.

A while later, the ringing tone of her phone brought her back to her senses.

Martha tried hard to reach her phone and pressed the answer button.

Maxwell said joyfully in a hoarse tone, "Martha, Stefan has agreed to financially support us. Our company's crisis is over for now."

Martha breathed a sigh of relief. "That's great news, Dad..."

Then she reminded her father to take good care of himself. Maxwell was her only family in this world, and she didn't want anything to happen to him.

...

At the Doyle Manor, after Maxwell hung up the phone, Bianca could tell he was in a good mood. She suggested, "Mr. Doyle, it's a nice day today. Shall we take a walk in the garden?"

"Good idea. I can get some fresh air," Maxwell smiled.

After the company passed its crisis, he got much better.

But as they made their way downstairs for their stroll outside, an unexpected guest appeared before them.

Maxwell gaped at the familiar figure standing before him - he never expected Hollie to suddenly show up at his house.

Bianca also looked at the woman in consternation.

It was Hollie.

Holding a bag of tonics, she wore an insincere smile and mocked, "It's been several years. Dad, did you miss me?"

Frowning deeply, Maxwell didn't answer.

They were in a stalemate. Instead of being in harmony when a father re-encountered his daughter, they were at daggers drawn.

Bianca drawled, "It's great you're back, Lady Hollie. How have you been..."

How rude of you to chime in!" Hollie sneered at Bianca, her face twisted with disdain.

Bianca, being the maid and not the hostess of the house, hung her head in silence.

Maxwell tightened his grip on the walking stick. Evidently, he didn't feel joyful about Hollie's return.

He asked coldly, "Why are you back?"

"I just dropped by. Dad, you seem to have a hard time."

Hollie put the tonics on the table in the living room. Maxwell didn't live well, which delighted her

Seeing her triumphant smile, Maxwell scowled at her.

"You're not welcome here. Leave!" Maxwell demanded, clearly irritated by her presence.

"I know no one has welcomed me since I entered this house," Hollie shrugged indifferently, walked over to the couch and sat down.

"You think I wanna stay here? I'm staying in a luxurious house. Stefan bought me a villa full of marvelous things."

Her words made Maxwell hold his breath, his heart in his mouth.

Hollie was back. He couldn't help wondering what Martha would do.

Hollie's eyes were filled with mockery, and she made no attempt to hide it. She knew exactly what Maxwell was thinking.

"Dad, you only care about Martha," she said with a smirk. "But I hate to break it to you - Stefan only has eyes for me. I'm going to be his wife soon."

Hollie was highly complacent. She came here to show off, but she didn't seem to get enough pleasure from seeing Maxwell seething with rage.

Maxwell couldn't contain his anger any longer and pointed his walking stick at her.

"Get out of here! Now!" he shouted.

Hollie's smile turned into a sneer as she rolled up her sleeve, revealing the scars that covered her arm.

"Look at these scars," she taunted him. "You gave them to me, Father. But don't worry - I'll repay you in double. And your precious daughter won't be spared either."

Maxwell knew that Hollie had come here looking for a fight. As he watched her leave arrogantly, he smashed his walking stick on the ground and clutched his chest as he coughed fiercely.

He regretted ever taking Hollie in; if only he hadn't been so soft-hearted back then, maybe his wife wouldn't have died.