Chapter 0516
+25 BONUS
Marcus drove aimlessly, trying to cool his head and avoid escalating the argument with Valerie. Yet, his heart guided him to a place he instinctively knew wouldn’t bring him peace. Parking outside the hospital, he stepped out of the car, ready to confront the turmoil consuming him
At the reception desk, he approached the nurse on duty.
“Excuse me, I’m Mr. Bartz. My wife was here yesterday, but I’m looking for a friend whose girlfriend is hospitalized here. I don’t have his phone number or know her room number. Could you help me locate him?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Bartz, but I can’t provide patient information,” the nurse replied politely.
“I think I didn’t explain myself well. I’m not asking for patient details. I just need to find my friend. His name is Peter Palmer, and the patient is Celeste Johnson. She’s a teacher at my son’s school and was admitted with leg fractures after an accident at Clearmount International School.”
The nurse, Beatrice, recognized him immediately as the attentive husband of the pregnant woman who had been there earlier.
“Mr. Bartz, what brings you back to the hospital? Did your wife forget something?”
“No, I’m here to see a friend who’s been staying with the teacher from Clearmount.”
“Oh, I see. Let me call the room. They’re probably asleep by now. Is it urgent? Ms. Johnson’s room is one of the exclusive suites, and I handle her care when Mr. Palmer isn’t around.”
“Yes, I assume Peter wanted her to be as comfortable as possible.”
“Very well, give me a moment.”
Breaking protocol, Beatrice dialed Celeste and Peter’s room Inside, the pair were lying down when the phone rang. Peter, careful not to wake Celeste, quickly picked up.
“Yes?”
“Apologies for the intrusion, Mr. Palmer, but Mr. Bartz is here asking for you at the reception desk. I know it’s against protocol, but he insisted I contact you.”
Peter paused. The last time they had spoken, he and Marcus had agreed to avoid each other. The fact that Marcus was here, at this hour, clearly meant something serious. Peter knew he couldn’t avoid this meeting.
“Alright. Thank you. Tell him I’ll be right down.”
“Understood, sir.”
Beatrice turned to Marcus. “Your friend is on his way.”
“Thank you, Beatrice. Please take good care of Ms. Johnson She’s a hero–she saved my son from a terrible accident.”
“I know, Mr. Bartz. She’s a sweet woman, and her husband clearly loves and adores her. She’s very lucky. Your friend hasn’t left her side and is just waiting for her discharge papers. She’ll be living with him soon. They make such a lovely couple,” Beatrice said, her eyes full of admiration.
Marcus felt anything but reassured by this comment. He couldn’t understand how Peter could move forward so easily while Valerie was drowning in confusion. Beatrice’s words only deepened his frustration.
Minutes later, the elevator doors opened, and Peter stepped out, his sharp silhouette illuminated by the dim
+25 BONUS
Chapter 0516
hospital lighting. He quickened his pace, sensing this wasn’t a casual visit. As he approached, he asked Beatrice to tend to Celeste, ensuring she wasn’t left unattended.
Marcus’s jaw tightened at Peter’s calm demeanor. His old friend’s words–gentle yet resolute–only heightened his irritation.
“Beatrice, please look after my wife while I handle this.”
Marcus responded with a slight shake of his head, his body tense and his expression a mix of disbelief and suppressed anger.
Peter approached Marcus cautiously and asked, “Were you looking for me?”
“Yes. I need to talk to you. Privately. Can we step outside?”
“Sure.”
The two men walked out toward the parking lot. Peter led the way to Maximus’s car, thinking it would be a short and civil conversation. He even considered offering Marcus a drink to ease the tension. But his plans were shattered when a sharp pain exploded in the corner of his mouth. Staggering back, he instinctively grabbed his face and looked up.
“This is for Mary!” Marcus roared, raising his fist for another strike. “And this-!”
The second punch was on its way, but Peter caught it with his hand. He yanked Marcus forward and locked him in a tight hold, pulling him into an unrelenting embrace to prevent further blows. Peter immediately realized that the man he faced wasn’t the composed Marcus he’d last spoken to. This was the old Marcus Bartz, a man from his dark past who used violence as his language.
