Chapter 24

Chapter 24

“Yes, it’s not good, just like the relationship between us, Since I don’t need to know about her business, you don’t need to know about mine either.” After years of being a reporter, Margaret’s tongue became sharper, and her reactions became quicker.

Slightly tilting her head proudly, she wore a taunting expression. She felt like she finally had the upper hand in front of Gideon.

“Our relationship is for life, and she’s just a passerby, It’s enough for you to know this,” Gideon said, hoping Margaret would understand his

struggles.

Then, he forcefully entered her house. Margaret tried to stop him, but as a weak woman, she couldn’t withstand someone determined to barge into her home.

She followed behind Gideon angrily and exclaimed loudly, “Do I need to call the cops for you to understand that you need the homeowner’s permission before entering?” Margaret really wanted to ask Gideon where he had thrown all the manners he had learned all these years.

“Maggie, even you belong to me–not to mention your home,” Gideon replied shamelessly, insisting on his ownership of Margaret.

“Could you be even more shameless?” Margaret asked, but Gideon only gave a smile as if her words were compliments. Then, he took out a fork from the rack and started tasting each dish.

It wasn’t until then that he discovered Margaret’s excellent cooking skills. He regretted missing out on so much before and wished he hadn’t limited their relationship to the bedroom previously. If he hadn’t been so cautious, they could have shared a life and fallen deeply in love

with each other.

Gideon couldn’t help but wonder if they had lived together as a married couple for four years, would Margaret have left him so easily? Perhaps she would have hesitated longer, giving him the chance to notice any issues, and they wouldn’t be facing the five–year gap and

uncertainty then.

“The food is good,” he praised sincerely.

Margeret suppressed the words that were about to come out of her mouth and thought, ‘Why should I tell him the truth now?‘ With a mischievous smile, her attitude subtly changed. She seemed happy to have received his compliments as she asked, “Do you really think the food is good?”

Gideon nodded unsuspectingly. It was the first time Margaret had smiled at him since they met again. Therefore, it was natural for him to lose his judgment. He had no idea that she was plotting against him.

“Then, you should eat more. It’d be a waste if there were leftovers, Margaret said enthusiastically, even helping Gideon to take more pasta to

his plate.

Her sudden warmth was unexpected, and Gideon knew that he should be suspicious. However, he couldn’t resist her smile.

Despite everything she had been through, Margaret’s smile still had the power to warm others. When she smiled, her eyes shone like stars. Even after being treated by the Lambert family so miserably back then, she still had the vitality to strive upward.

“Maybe that’s why I cannot let go of Margaret,” thought Gideon.

“You didn’t go to work today?” he asked casually as if they were chatting like a married couple over dinner. The question had been on his mind all day. Throughout the day, there were moments when he wanted to abandon everything he was doing and check on Margaret, but his rational side stopped him.

“Yeah, I wasn’t feeling well.” Margaret’s excuse was not simply made up. She had no intention of telling him the truth, and she didn’t care whether he would believe her or not as well.

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Chapter 24

“Do you need to go to the hospital?” Gideon asked.

“No need,” Margaret simply refused.

“Are you sure? Don’t ignore minor issues. What if…” Gideon started to nag.

Margaret covered her cars with both hands and retorted, “Who’s the one who used to ignore constant stomach pains? Ended up drinking too much at a party, passed out from the pain, and later found out it was an ulcer?” That was something Gideon had done in the past.

During those years, Gideon was constantly mocked as the illegitimate child of the Compton family and had no say in their matters. Apart from working hard, he had no other choices.

That was also the reason why Margaret and Gideon were attracted to each other at first. They both lived lives that needed to depend on others for support, neither better off than the other. That sense of mutual understanding was what had initially bonded them together.

“Then, someone should also remember how ugly she looked crying at my bedside and the things she said back then,” Gideon recalled that when he was feeling dazed from his stomach pain, he found a brief moment of relief as he could finally rest, but Margaret’s incessant talking annoyed him.

But those words of concern became the warmest ones Gideon had heard all year, so it was no surprise that he could still remember them right then.

“I don’t remember.” Margaret denied it too quickly, inadvertently revealing that she did remember, However, she would never admit how

foolish she had been.

“That’s okay, I’ll help you remember bit by bit,” Gideon said confidently.

“Don’t talk while eating, as you said.” Margaret didn’t want to talk to him anymore, so she dove straight into eating.

Moreover, she had prepared a small surprise for Gideon. She was eager to see his expression when he learned the truth, which she guessed would be even worse than finding a fly in his food.

As soon as Gideon put down his cutlery, Margaret couldn’t contain her excitement anymore and asked again, “How’s the taste? Is it good?”

“It’s not bad.” Gideon was not willing to give too high a comment. He was afraid that Margaret would be too proud.

“Well, Clifford’s cooking has always been so good. Everyone who’s tasted it thinks so.” Margaret pretended to be casual as she stood up to

clean the table.

Gideon realized that it was too late to say that the food tasted bad as there was barely anything left on the table. His actions had spoken

louder than words.

His expression immediately soured as if he’d tasted something toxic. He was convinced Margaret had done it deliberately, pretending that she had cooked all the dishes on the table, and then struck him with the reality as soon as he finished enjoying the meal,

All the delicious food then seemed tainted with poison to him, turning what was once savory into the most unpalatable food in the world.

The idea of eating something cooked by his love rival sickened Gideon. He didn’t even notice he’d labeled Clifford as his love rival in his heart.

“He came over just now?” His voice was low, devoid of its pr

previous sexiness. Instead, it sounded like that of a devil coming out of hell.

Only then did Margaret realize that five years had made Gideon more ruthless. In their previous encounters, he had been relatively polite to

her.

“Yes.” She lifted her head confidently, hands resting on the table as she met Gideon’s gaze without fear.

ear. She wasn’t afraid of him

Chapter 24

misunderstanding her relationship with Clifford; she even wanted it to happen.

Someone as proud as Gideon would not stand the thought that his belongings were touched by someone else. Margaret wanted him to harbor resentment toward her and then disappear from her life.

Though her heart ached a bit, she preferred to bear the pain then than to remain tied to Gideon forever. Being a mistress for four years was enough; she didn’t want to bear that label indefinitely and live with her head hung low in the future.

“Does he always come?” Gideon asked.

“Yeah.” Margaret casually lied. It was Clifford’s first visit after her return to the country. However, she didn’t need everyone to know the truth.

Gideon crossed his arms and commented, “It seems I have been too lenient with you.”

Margaret remembered that gesture of Gideon’s. Whenever he had a scheme, he would adopt that stance. Suddenly, she became alert. She was determined not to let him succeed in whatever he had planned in his mind.

“Gideon, what will it take for you to understand that my life has nothing to do with you anymore?” Her attitude hardened, but deep down, she was a little scared.

In order to fight for her freedom, Margaret strengthened her resolve. She hoped–she could endure it long enough, even if the resolve couldn’t fully achieve its goal. She was adamant about showing Gideon that she would never return to his side again, no matter what

But years later,

r, when Margaret touched her swollen belly and remembered that day’s scene, she felt much embarrassed.

“And what will it take for you to understand that I never planned to let you go?” Gideon stood up, leaned forward halfway across the table, and stared at Margaret.

They locked eyes with each other like boxing opponents in a fierce battle of wills. Margaret began to feel the pressure, while Gideon remained calm. Once again, she realized the difference in strength between them.

Suddenly, it felt like she had no other option but to run away again, She knew it might make her look weak and foolish, but it was better than living in Gideon’s shadow forever.

Gideon straightened up, adjusted his cuffs, and declared sternly, “You can start packing up now. When I am back from my business trip, you’ll move back to our old house, it’s been five years; it’s time to set everything straight.”

Just like in a corporate meeting setting, Gideon was the one who made all the decisions, and nobody dared to disobey his orders. Right then, he was applying the same tactic to Margaret as well. Unfortunately, she wasn’t the type to submit obediently.

The stronger the enemy was, the more rebellious Margaret would be.

“Oh? Then, let’s see if I’ll move out.” Sparks flickered in her lively eyes.

“Maggie, is it so hard to obey me?” Gideon asked with some weariness. He only wished to have a cozy home for the two of them and that he could see Margaret every day after work. He couldn’t fathom why she kept resisting him, especially when it was clear she still cared for him.

“Mr. Compton, you’re still missing the point,” Margaret said casually, but she declined to explain further.

In the stalemate, Gideon’s phone rang. The moment he took out his phone, Margaret breathed a sigh of relief and sat down.