Sarah was frantic.
"Madam's hand was cut by the vase shards! If that woman hadn't sneaked in and broken it…"
Mark was too furious to listen.
"You're covering for her too?!"
Suddenly, Mark's phone rang.
He hung up, but the caller redialed immediately. Just as he was about to reject it again, three large characters lit up the screen: Charles Johnson.
Mark hastily stepped aside to answer.
Charles's deep voice came through. "What, Mr. Perry doesn't want to take my call?"
Mark broke into a cold sweat, forcing a smile. "My apologies, Mr. Johnson, I truly didn't notice earlier…"
Whatever was said visibly brightened Mark's mood. He approached Meredith like a different man.
"Prepare the birthday banquet well. Charles has agreed to attend. The Perry Family's fortunes are about to soar!"
With that, he went upstairs alone.
Sarah helped Meredith up, fetched the first-aid kit, and tended her hand.
"Madam, we must treat this wound, or it may scar."
Meredith abruptly withdrew her hand, staring coldly at it. "No need, Sarah. Some scars are better left as they are."
Though puzzled, Sarah found Meredith's gaze unsettling.
Meanwhile, Charles hung up in the private room. Daniel promptly poured him a drink.
"Those companies are all small-time. Worth your trip?"
Charles couldn't articulate why. He only knew that Meredith was in Barion.
Perhaps this visit might bring an unexpected reunion.
The birthday banquet arrived swiftly.
Meredith wanted to fetch Rachel from the hospital personally, but the event's demands kept her anchored.
Reluctantly, she entrusted the task to Sarah.
Juggling guest reception and staff coordination left Meredith overwhelmed.
Mark had vanished entirely, nowhere to be seen.
Meredith reassured herself that if he just played his part when Rachel arrived, her final performance would ensure no regrets.
But then, hurrying to greet guests, Meredith halted mid-stride.
Mark had arrived with Joanna.
Trapped, Meredith could neither advance nor retreat.
Joanna glittered in a couture dress, a luxurious necklace around her throat, her smile radiant.
Her arm linked with Mark's. Anyone watching would assume she was Mrs. Perry.
Mark guided her forward tenderly, leaning down to murmur in her ear now and then.
Passing Meredith, Joanna chirped, "Meredith, we meet again! You're not holding a grudge over that vase I broke, are you?"
Meredith took a deep breath and warned Mark, "Rachel will be here soon. Don't push it."
Mark brushed her off.
"I'm just showing Joanna around. Don't talk nonsense."
Mark led Joanna away.
Meredith turned to other matters. After a while, she figured Rachel would arrive soon.
Just then, Joanna approached, holding a cup of steaming tea.
"Meredith, so you're Mark's wife?"
Meredith shot her a glance. "What's your point?"
Spotting the wound on Meredith's hand, Joanna covered her mouth in mock surprise and laughed. "Does it hurt? I merely mentioned to Mark that you'd revealed his true identity. Never thought he'd take it out on you."
The pieces suddenly fell into place for Meredith. "It was you!"
Joanna continued, "You know he only loves me, and yet you still cling to the title of his wife. How shameless can you get? I'm going to make sure you learn your lesson once and for all."
Joanna poured the scalding tea onto her own arm and let out an ear-splitting shriek.
Aksara