Chapter 73

Marlon was totally clueless about why he couldn't win Emily over.

He muttered to himself, "If being 0.7 inches shorter than Patrick is a dealbreaker, then I'm really screwed." He blew out a smoke ring. tracing a heart in the air, thinking. 'Emily, you've been into Patrick for ten years. but do you even know how long I've been into you? Even if you're having his baby. I can't just give up on you. I don't care. I just want to be near you.Marlon even felt as if he was about to be moved by himself. He self-deprecatingly tapped on the glass. Emily's rejection just completely knocked the wind out of him.

Marlon pounded his chest silently. trying to hold back the bitterness.Being her friend was better than being a nobody.

Thinking about Patrick. who had the nerve to come to the hospital and pick a fight today. Marlon wished he could storm into Rivera Manor and take him out. He thought. 'This jerk lives in his own little world, not appreciating what he has. Emily loves him so much, she's even willing to have his kid without any promises! Marlon crushed his cigarette and threw it on the ground angrily.

Marlon felt Emily deserved way better. He thought Patrick was a total jerk.not appreciating Emily's love. He couldn't understand why Emily was so into Patrick.

'Patrick, should I be jealous of you, or should I just hate you?'Marlon shook his head with a sigh.

As Patrick left the hospital, he sat in the car with Vincent, not letting the driver leave, and not wanting to get out himself, chain-smoking and making Vincent cough like crazy.

Smoke filled the parking lot. starlight streaming through the car window.casting a silver halo over his features. His eyes were cold and angry, his heart a mess of contradictions.

"Are you out of your mind? You hear Emily's in the hospital, rush over there, don't even ask what's wrong, just start a fight with Marlon, and then leave." Vincent waved away the smoke, clearly pissed off. Patrick turned to stare out the window at the dark parking lot. not saying a word.

Patrick was not sure why he acted so rashly. He looked out at the parking lot,feeling like his world was spinning out of control.

"Say something, Patrick. It's late. do I have to sit here all night, choking on your smoke?" Vincent rolled his eyes, continuing, "If it wasn't for my connection with Emily, I wouldn't even be here with you. Make up your mind, I'm leaving. Get out of the car, the smoke is killing me. You can have your driver pick you up."

Vincent had no idea what had gone down between Patrick and Emily.He was just there for the drama, but it was too costly, so he chose to walk away.

Vincent's words finally got Patrick out of the car. The night wind was chilly,brushing against his face as he stood there, watching Vincent's car disappear into the distance. The dim parking lot lights cast long shadows,making him feel even more alone. A mix of emotions surged within him.

He couldn't figure out why he had acted so impulsively, why he lost his cool when he heard Emily was in the hospital. He wanted to know how she was doing, but he was scared to face her.

Patrick replayed Vincent's words in his head, "You need to get to the bottom of this. Her injury might be connected to you. Marlon beating you

up just confirms my suspicion. She got hurt at the mall. so check the surveillance footage. You need to find out the truth and figure out your own feelings. Stop being so impulsive. When you treated her like crap.you didn't think she mattered. Now that she's done with you,you can't stand it.I'm not like you; I never planned to marry her. I just wanted to keep her safe." Vincent's words hit Patrick hard, like a knife to the heart.

Vincent didn't tell Shirley because he felt it was just Melissa's version of events. Without any surveillance evidence, he thought Patrick should look into it himself.

After hearing Vincent's words, Patrick, who rarely reflected on himself.struggled to think, 'Is Emily really just an accessory? When did she become so important? She could even disturb my thoughts.' Patrick shook his head, unwilling to admit it. yet finding it amusing.

Patrick stood in the empty parking lot, frowning as he tossed his cigarette butt on the ground. He had to find Emily and figure out what happened.He made a few calls and got the mall's surveillance footage.

Patrick's assistant. William Lynn, rushed to the hospital to pick him up and take him back to Rivera Manor. The streets were almost empty, the streetlights casting a dim yellow glow. William drove, sneaking glances at Patrick's expression. He knew Patrick and Emily's relationship was a mess,and he had no idea how to help.

Back at the Rivera Manor, Patrick sat on the sofa, feeling anxious. He looked at William, who handed him a tablet, and asked softly, "Have you seen it?"

William nodded, "Yeah, it's Miss Wright."

Patrick frowned."Why was she there?"

William knew Patrick was asking about Emily, and he replied softly,"Miss Thompson bought an apartment in Crystal Heights Residences. The supermarket is near her place."

Patrick was surprised by William's answer and looked up. He didn't understand why Emily chose to live in Crystal Heights Residences. He remembered that Crystal Heights Residences was close to Crystal Heights Park, and behind it was a special children's training school and a rehab center. Emily must have had reasons related to her mother and brother for buying the place.