Chapter 1003: Chapter 1003: Is This Man Being Unreasonable?
Bertha Swift hung up the phone and returned to her rented apartnt. The mont she pushed open the door, a body lunged at her, causing her to step back in shock before seeing who it was. She let out a sigh of relief, “Maria White, are you trying to scare to death?”
“How could I? I’m just too excited. Quickly tell if what happened last night is true. Oh my god, you’re really Adam Piers’ ex-fiancée. I knew he was engaged when I was a fan of his, but then it got called off. I can’t believe it was you! And here you were pretending not to know him well! Oh, wait, you went with to West Mountain because you cared about him, right? And, and…” Maria White was like a machine gun, bombarding Bertha Swift with a barrage of questions.
Bertha Swift felt her ears buzzing and quickly covered Maria White’s mouth to stop further questions, “Yes, we were engaged before, but that’s all in the past. We have no relationship now.”
With that, Bertha Swift walked towards her room.
Maria White was puzzled, “But last night it was obvious you two still have feelings for each other…”
Halfway through speaking, Maria White noticed Bertha Swift’s downcast eyes and realized her mood was off, so she stopped.
Though curious, Maria White sensed that Bertha Swift really didn’t want to talk about Adam Piers, and apologized, “Sorry, Bertha, I was just really surprised.”
“Yeah, don’t ntion him in front of again.” Seeing she had scared Maria White, Bertha Swift’s tone softened a bit.
Maria White quickly nodded. Recalling Adam Piers’ dandy deanor and sharp tongue from last night, she thought to herself, it’s a sha with such a face and charisma. She liked him before but anyone who could hurt a woman like Bertha Swift so deeply must be a scumbag. It was normal that Bertha wouldn’t want to talk about him.
Seeing that Maria White understood her feelings, Bertha Swift didn’t dwell on it and went back to her room.
Not long after she went in, her phone rang. It was a script and the schedule for “The Doctors,” along with the timing for the script reading and shooting dates from the production team.
After looking it over, Bertha Swift realized there were just over half a month until the start, instead of the online rumors of a delay; it had even been moved earlier by a few days. Though curious, since the production team had already sent her the advance paynt, she felt there was nothing to worry about, and all she needed to do was focus on preparing.
Thinking about the paynt, Bertha Swift’s expression fell. She had thought her life would improve once the production team sent it, but on impulse today, she’d given all the money to Adam Piers, leaving her with very little.
Thinking of that man, Bertha Swift closed her eyes and said to herself, “Let it be. I’ll just consider it as buying closure.”
Regaining her composure, Bertha Swift opened the script. After all, her future mattered more than a man.
This ti, no matter what, she needed to prove to her father and the Swift family that she didn’t have to study dicine to make her way in the world, nor did she need to rely on the Swift family to live well.
…
Mary Scott was also looking over “The Doctors” script.
She received a call from David Locke before boarding. “The Doctors” would start three days earlier than planned, right on the Third Day of the Lunar New Year, which made Mary Scott nervous.
Since her identity exposure and scandalous news broke out, to the current reversal of public opinion, she’s altered her previous image in the eyes of internet users, and her popularity was surging fast. Yet, having been in this circle for a while, Mary Scott knew well that this prosperity was very false, and once the heat passed, she’d still just be an 18th-tier actress.
Under such circumstances, the only thing she could do was act, to have a successful role of her own that audiences would rember.
An actor’s greatest charm ultimately cos from their work.
Only with real works could Mary Scott establish herself in this circle—not as David Locke’s wife, nor as scandal-ridden stained stars.
With this in mind, Mary Scott deeply imrsed herself into the role, occasionally asking Mr. Foster and Stella Murray, who were on the sa flight, when she had doubts.
By the ti the plane landed, it was already 1 AM. Everyone else had stood up, but Mary Scott was still engrossed in the script. It wasn’t until Simon Baker called several tis that she snapped out of it, albeit feeling quite discontent.
She happened to be reading the script’s climax, where her character is dragged down from the pedestal after losing an international competition, with past honors becoming tools of others’ slander. Her father and family couldn’t accept her failure, pushing her to marry a good-for-nothing dandy. Her ek mother couldn’t protect her and instead urged her to accept her loss, leading to her dark transformation due to the trendous disparity.
The story sounded lodramatic, but the script was penned by David Locke himself, with characters clearly defined and plot driving emotional shifts, making it easy to get imrsed.
At this mont, Mary Scott was drawn into the story such that even after leaving the airport, she remained dejected, showing no reaction even when she saw David Locke coming in person to pick her up.
Seeing Mary Scott like this, David Locke slightly frowned. After briefly chatting with others, he approached Mary Scott, “Five days apart, and this is your reaction upon seeing ?”
It’s said that absence makes the heart grow fonder. When this woman left, their relationship had just nded, when they were wrapped in affection. He thought about her day and night, wondering what she was doing, whether she was adjusting there, if she missed him. Knowing her flight schedule, he ca to wait for her early.
But now that they were finally eting, even if not excited, shouldn’t she be at least a bit pleased? Yet, her gloomy face looked as if she had lost money?
“Oh.” Mary Scott responded gloomily and handed her luggage to David Locke.
David Locke, “…”
“Are you feeling unwell? Got airsick?” David Locke took the luggage from Mary Scott, his tone still gentle.
Mary Scott shook her head, “No.”
Saying this, Mary Scott tried to walk ahead but was blocked by David Locke. She then sluggishly looked up, her face puzzled, “What’s up?”
David Locke took a deep breath, “What’s wrong with you?”
“I…” Mary Scott was about to say nothing, but when she t David Locke’s warning gaze, she swallowed back the irresponsible “nothing,” answering sulkily, “I was just reading the script and haven’t shaken off the mood.”
Upon hearing this, David Locke imdiately understood, “You reached Karen Smollet’s dark phase in the script?”
Mary Scott nodded, then sniffed, “What do I do? I kinda sympathize with her, and strangely find that many things she did, although hateful, are not entirely incomprehensible.”
“That’s normal. Human nature is complex, not just A-side or B-side; there are also C, D, even E, F sides. No one can guarantee they’re completely righteous or kind. Everyone has selfish desires and flaws. Evil is not without reason. It’s good you can relate, but don’t get too engulfed in it.” David Locke rubbed Mary Scott’s sowhat blocked nose, “Let’s go ho first, we’ll talk in detail at ho.”
“Alright.” David Locke’s words slightly lifted Mary Scott’s spirits. She gently humd towards him and intended to move on, but after taking a step, she noticed the man beside her hadn’t moved. Confused, she looked back, “Aren’t you coming?”
“Did you forget sothing?” David Locke gazed into Mary Scott’s eyes and asked.
Mary Scott looked at the things she was holding, then at the luggage she’d handed over to David Locke. No, she hadn’t forgotten anything!
Seeing Mary Scott’s response linger, David Locke almost laughed in exasperation, suddenly striding forward to engulf her in a hug, his lips brushing against her ear to ask, “Do you know now?”
Even if she was a little slow, Mary Scott realized his intention, reaching to hug David Locke back, “I forgot to give Director Locke a big hug.”
“Hmph, I see you’ve been having so much fun these past five days that you’ve almost forgotten you have a man.” David Locke said a bit sourly.
Mary Scott was completely pulled out of her previous bad mood by his antics. She laughed and looked at him, “How could I? I would never forget Mr. Locke.”
“Oh, really? Did you miss during those days you were out?” David locked his arms around Mary’s waist, clearly not believing her.
“I… I did miss you.” Mary didn’t expect David to be like this in a relationship, and she replied with a bit of amusent.
But her words took on another aning for David, “Having to pause before saying you missed , seems like you didn’t really miss .”
Mary Scott, “…”
Is this man being unreasonable?
Just then, Mary Scott sharply felt a gaze from sowhere. With her years of experience in the industry, Mary was almost certain there were reporters. Ignoring David’s emotions and whether or not he was pouting, she pulled him and began to walk away.
Only after the gaze disappeared did Mary turn back, facing David’s not-so-good expression. Her heart skipped, and she finally rembered sothing crucial.
It was David’s leg…
Earlier, she was too focused on avoiding the reporters and completely forgot that the man behind her still had a problem with his left leg, which couldn’t endure such intense running. She squatted down in panic, “How’s your leg? I’m so sorry, Dobbin Locke, I was too nervous and forgot. Are you in pain? Should we go to the hospital now?”
“Hmph.” David snorted, wishing he could label Mary as heartless, as she hadn’t noticed his condition since their eting.
Hearing the snort above her, Mary felt even guiltier and regretful. She had been so imrsed in the script that she neglected the man beside her.
“Please don’t be mad, okay? I didn’t an to. Let’s go to the hospital, alright?” Mary apologized softly, nervously looking up at David, hoping he would listen.
David finally couldn’t stand it anymore, “Haven’t you noticed anything different about today?”
Mary was anxious inside. At this point, how could she notice anything different about him? She replied perfunctorily, “Yeah, you’re especially handso today. Can we go to the hospital now?”
David was initially pleased when she said “yeah,” but hearing the rest made his handso face turn serious. Ignoring what Mary thought, he grabbed their luggage and strode forward.
Mary was confused by David’s actions until she saw his upright back moving steadily ahead without the slightest hesitation. Only then did she realize, “Dobbin Locke, your leg has healed?”
David, walking in front, chuckled softly. This foolish woman was slow!
Unlike David’s cool deanor, Mary excitedly rushed forward and hugged him, “How did you do it? When I left, didn’t the doctor say you needed to rest for quite so ti?”
“Forgot what I told you before?” David was infected by Mary’s emotions, forgiving her earlier oversight, and asked leisurely.
Mary’s eyes lit up, “Could it be Abigail Green’s dicine?”
David nodded, “I never thought Mrs. Piers’ ointnt would be so magical.”
Mary was equally shocked, “I’ve heard Mrs. Piers was taught by Old Mr. Smith, who cos from a family of imperial physicians and was once the honorary president of the Traditional Flowery dicine Association. Our great Flowery Kingdom’s traditional dicine is truly profound.”
“Indeed.” David looked into Mary’s bright eyes, affectionately ruffling her hair, “Let’s go, it’s getting late, we should head ho.”
“Alright.” Mary nodded, but her eyes were glued to David’s leg the whole way, making sure he wasn’t faking being pain-free.
Fortunately, until they got in the car, David seed as calm as ever.
Mary couldn’t help but ask, “Is it completely healed?”
“Not yet, I need another week with the dicine, and I’ll have to keep resting afterwards,” David answered honestly.
Though Mary was already very satisfied with this result, “Shall we find ti to thank Master Brandon and Mrs. Piers together?”
“Alright.” David readily agreed.
After talking about his leg, Mary thought of another matter, “Uncle… oh, what about Mom and Dad? Are they still here?”
Although Mary received a large amount of hush money before she left, she still felt a bit awkward calling David’s parents Mom and Dad.
David picked up on the emotion in Mary’s words, teasing her quietly, “Are you still afraid of my parents?”
Mary nodded and then shook her head, “It’s not really fear, just not very used to it.”
“You’ll get used to it gradually. But if you really feel uncomfortable living with them, I’ll have them move to the old house later.” David was quite unceremonious about relocating his parents.
However, Mary hurriedly shook her head upon hearing this, “That’s not what I ant, don’t send them away!”
“It’s not sending them away, it’s just that with them around, it makes things we want to do slightly inconvenient.” David explained in a flat tone.
Mary’s cheeks flushed at his words. She gave him a playful glare and then softly said, “I’m serious, Mom and Dad ca all the way back for you, don’t make them feel disappointed. As for , I’m not afraid of them, it’s just been years since I’ve interacted with the elders and I’m worried about not doing well.”
“Yeah, I got it, silly.” David replied, ruffling Mary’s hair again. Despite being nervous when ntioning his parents, there was a hint of her yearning for parental love.
It was sothing Mary lacked at her core.
Thinking of his mother’s prejudices against Mary, David’s eyes darkened, realizing he still needed to have a serious talk with his mother to ensure she treated his little woman better in the future.
With these thoughts, their car soon arrived at Rose Valley. As their car slowly entered the community, a van that had been trailing them was forced to stop.
Inside the van, two reporters with caras regretted watching David and Mary’s car enter the villa area and lanted, “We didn’t capture anything explosive, only the mundane stuff. Was tonight a waste then?”
“Don’t worry, can’t you just create a story from pictures? Plus, we got shots of Zoe Thatcher staying overnight in Adam Piers’ ward, right? We’ll release them together!” the other reassured.
The one who had complained earlier exclaid excitedly, “Exciting!”
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