Only Gregory and I were left in the hall.
Suddenly, he unbuttoned his shirt, showing off a chest full of kiss marks. He crossed his arms and looked at me with a mocking smile.
“You useless old man. Why are you still clinging to Reesa? No wonder she doesn’t want to touch you — she says you smell like an old man.”
“I’m three years younger than her, stronger, full of energy. Do you know how crazy she is when she’s with me? If you had any self-respect, you’d leave her.”
I spoke coldly, “Don’t worry. I have no interest in breaking up a pair of trash lovers.”
Gregory’s smile froze. He suddenly slapped me hard across the face.
“Who are you calling trash?!”
“Don’t touch my dad!” Anne, frightened but brave, rushed forward to block him. But at that moment, Gregory pretended to fall down the stairs as Anne accidentally brushed against him.
Theresa, hearing his scream, ran into the room. She saw Gregory lying on the floor crying and immediately lost her mind.
She kicked me viciously. “What did Greg ever do to you? You just can’t stand him! Did you tell Anne to push him? You petty, jealous man!”
“Anne didn’t do anything! We didn’t touch him!” I said, shielding my terrified daughter.
But Theresa didn’t believe me.
Gregory pulled at her sleeve, pretending to cry. “Forget it, Reesa. Paul’s just jealous because I have a son. He told us to get out. It’s fine — Cedric and I can live on the streets if we have to.”
Theresa’s anger burned hotter. “Who said you’re leaving? This house isn’t for Paulo to control!”
She turned on Anne and shouted with rage. “Kneel down! Apologize to Uncle Greg!”
Anne had already suffered so much that she got weak and sick. Worse now, she was being humiliated again.
I couldn’t stand it any longer. I rushed forward and punched Gregory square in the face.
“You scum!”
“Enough!” Theresa immediately protected Gregory while pointing at me and Anne with a furious look.
“Like father, like daughter. You’re both just cruel and jealous. You can’t even tolerate a poor father and son!”
“Butler! Stop their living allowance for one month! From now on, they can only eat the leftovers from Greg and Cedric!”
I glared at her, but Theresa just said coldly, “If you don’t eat, then starve. Report to me when you’re dead.”
That night, Gregory ordered the servants to move Anne and me into the small servant’s room in the garden.
It was November and suddenly heavy snow began to fall. Anne didn’t have a warm coat and after school, she caught a bad cold and soon developed a high fever. Seeing her burning hot face terrified me, but the butler still refused to help.
With no other choice, I carried Anne all the way to Theresa’s company to ask her for money for the hospital.
But I waited for a long time and caused the security guards stopped me at the entrance.
“I’m Theresa Bloom’s husband. Let me in!”
The guard laughed, looking me up and down. “Impossible. Lady Bloom’s husband works inside, he’s her personal assistant. They’re very close. Who are you, a beggar pretending to be him?”
Employees walking by whispered and pointed at me. My clothes were old and thin; I looked nothing like the husband of a rich CEO.
I clenched my teeth and said, “Then call him. I want to meet her ‘husband.’”
“Oh, he’s right there.” I looked up and saw Gregory, wearing a silk shirt, stepping proudly out of the elevator.
Everyone greeted him respectfully:
“Good afternoon, Mr. Mars.”
