Female Novel
Chapter 219
Bailey was shellshocked.
Was I so obvious?
She explained, “I'm not trying to skirt the situation, Edmund. Let's just see how it goes. The anti-cancerdrug I'm developing is in the fourth clinical trial stage. That's the most critical time in its developmentstage. I simply can't leave now. You understand, right?”
Edmund pursed his lips and eventually shot her a bitter smile. “Of course. You're a shining star, and Iwould be remiss to stop you from reaching your full potential. Developing anti-cancer drugs is a noblecalling. I should've been as selfless as you.”
Bailey twisted her hand around and held his wrist instead. She smiled and said, “Why don't you focuson running Chivers Group? We could form a powerful and trailblazing alliance in the industry. What doyou think?”
He froze momentarily before smiling bitterly again. “It's fine. Bay, you have loftier aspirations than me.Still, someone as driven and calm as you won't easily promise yourself to another. I'll have my chance.”
Bailey smiled silently in response.
His feelings for me are too deep. Even if I reject him, he might still be too stubborn to give up on me.No one can predict the future, though. Once the dust has settled, who knows? I may very well end upwith Edmund. Fate is far too unpredictable.
After leaving the restaurant, Bailey rejected Edmund's offer to send her back to her condominium.
She explained, “We're not far from Shelbert Condominium which is only a twenty-minute walk. Youshould head home. It's not safe to be driving too late at night.”
Edmund failed to convince her. After cautioning her to be careful, he drove off.
Bailey began walking home. A short while later, she immediately sensed that something was off.
Someone was following her.
She whirled around and froze in shock.
Artemis. What is he doing here?
She clearly remembered that he had returned to the Luther residence after leaving the company thatafternoon.
Her surprise grew as that thought crossed her mind.
Since when do I know his schedule like the back of my hand?
“You...”
Before she could finish her sentence, Artemis strode toward her and wrapped his arm around herwaist. “I'll marry you, Bailey. Okay?”
Bailey was dumbfounded.
As he leaned closer to her, she realized he was acting a little strange.
Is he drunk? Or did something else happen to him?
“Let go of me first. We can talk at my condominium instead of the street. There aren't many peoplearound at this time, but... mmph!”
Oh my God! He's totally crazy!
Artemis pressed her against a roadside tree and began kissing her after his abrupt proposal.
Bailey struggled with all her might.
To her dismay, she learned that a drunk man was far stronger than a sober one, and she barely shiftedan inch in his embrace.
“Artemis Lut—”
He swallowed her protests completely.
In fact, opening her mouth merely gave Artemis a chance to deepen the kiss.
Bailey only ever felt hopeless in his presence.
He seemed to control her entire world, and she stood no chance of escaping his grasp.
Just when she thought she was about to go numb from how tightly he was hugging her, Artemis slowlyloosened his grip.
Bailey gasped heavily for air. She felt less nauseated after filling her lungs and brain with some much-needed oxygen.
After recovering her wits, she let out an angry snort.
“You're a madman! Who the heck does something crazy like that? In a totally inappropriate location, if Imay add!”
Artemis stroked her cheek and hissed, “Did I bed you? I don't think so. I hardly deserve being labeledas a madman. I'd caution you to mind your language.”
Bailey was at once amused and infuriated.
She was about to explode.
This shameless scoundrel! Can he be any more outrageous?
Bailey barked, “Tell me. What triggered you this time? Why are you taking it out on me again?”
He smiled at her and repeated himself, “I'll marry you. Okay?”
That drew a bout of crazed laughter from Bailey. Blinded by fury, she blurted, “Mr. Luther, I stole thethree billion that vanished from your account. I'm sure a gold-digger like me can't be your soulmate.”
Artemis froze in surprise, though he quickly grew light-headed from all the alcohol in his system. Hemumbled, “Be a good girl. Let's not talk about the money for now. Why don't you explain those tripletsto me, hmm?”
Bailey was flabbergasted.
Did he read one too many romance novels? How does his mind jump to some totally unrelated topic soquickly?
She was utterly tongue-tied.
After calming herself down, panic swelled in her chest.
Thank God he was drunk and barely absorbed what I said earlier. Three billion could bankrupt mywhole family. Rashness is the truly a devil. I can't afford to blurt that out again.
She changed tack and suggested, “You may have drunk more than you could handle. Come on. I'll takeyou back to my place so you can rest.”
Artemis rubbed his head and croaked, “I saw you eating with Edmund, so I ordered a few bottles ofwine and got a little tipsy. However, I'm not drunk.”
Bailey could not be bothered to argue with him about his drunken state. Instead, she slung his arm overher shoulder and supported him as they walked toward the entrance of her residential area.
Thank goodness we're almost at the condominium. I don't think I can lug this heavy thing around with
me for much longer.
Artemis woke up the next day on Bailey's couch.
After a brief moment of confusion, he recognized his surroundings and crawled up to a sitting position.
“Boss, you're awake.”
A childish voice rang out beside him.
Artemis looked over instinctively and spotted Susan sitting on a nearby couch.
The young girl wore cartoon pajamas and hugged a Barbie doll to her chest. She rocked her legs frontand back while smiling sweetly at him.
Artemis' heart melted in an instant.
Could she be my daughter? She must be. Her beautiful face is so similar to mine.
Artemis initially thought Susan had inherited Simon's genes. He had long since eliminated thatpossibility. She's my daughter, goddammit!
Meanwhile, Susan tilted her head and muttered, “Bailey is really something, huh, forcing a girl whobarely has a full head of hair to entertain you. Boss, how can someone as small as me satisfy you?”
Artemis' lips twitched in amusement.
The princess image in his mind instantly shattered. She's nothing but a small devil in an adorablechild's clothing. How else could she say something as outrageous as that?
Artemis massaged his temples to soothe his pounding head. “Come here. Let me give you a hug.”
“Eww!” Susan stomped her feet and accused, “What are you trying to do?”
Sighing, Artemis muttered, “I'm way older than you. Just what are you thinking in that tiny brain ofyours?”
Susan backed away, clutching the Barbie doll tightly to herself. Then, she turned and ran for the masterbedroom, shrieking, “I'm getting Bailey! You can try your funny ideas on her! Leave me alone!”
Artemis was speechless at her dramatic display. novelbin
What the heck has Bailey been teaching her children? How did she turn my daughter into a littlemonster?