Chapter 8
The day’s filming task was for the three couples to work together to prepare a rustic feast.
I found Marcus at the wooden cabin by the river, our gathering point.
He had his shirt sleeves rolled up, exposing his muscular arms, wielding an axe to chop firewood.
One stroke after another.
He was using excessive force, as if venting his emotions.
He glanced at me and stopped, seemingly waiting for me to come of
over.
I turned towards the kitchen. He violently threw the axe into the chopping block and asked coldly:
“Don’t you
have anything to say to me?”
I turned back, tilting my head.
“Oh, Victoria’s here waiting for you. You should check on her quickly – she looks like she’s about to freeze”
He seemed agitated, pressing his lips together as his sharp gaze fell on my face.
“Tremember teaching)
you that everything should be done in moderation, or it becomes counterproductive. Isn’t that right?”
I nodded. “Yes, I remember. That time when I had a dispute with Victoria, you suspended all my resources for half a year just to teach me this lesson. So now I’m very friendly to her, aren’t I?”
He stared at me silently, his gaze growing deeper. I met his eyes calmly.
After a while, he lowered his eyes, methodically telling
<
After a while, he lowered his eyes, methodically rolling down his sleeves.
When someone makes a mistake, they must face consequences. That applies to Victoria too. I treat everyone equally.”
But Victoria had taken the initiative to approach me.
While I was alone washing vegetables on the wooden bridge by the river, she suddenly appeared, red–eyed, calling “Mrs. Crawford.”
I was shocked, looking around. “We’re filming. How did the staff let you come?”
“The regular couple got into a fight, everyone’s over there.
Before I could speak, she continued timidly:
“Mrs. Crawford, I was too forward with that phone call yesterday. Marcus scolded me for it. I came specially to apologize. I hope you won’t mind, considering I was only thinking of Marcus’s wellbeing.”
I vigorously shook water off the vegetables. “I’m not bothered.”
“But Marcus… he won’t take my calls or reply to my messages since yesterday. He wouldn’t even see me when I came this morning. Mrs. Crawford, could you help explain things to him, put in a good word for me?”
Her eyes were clouded with a beautiful melancholy that would make anyone sympathetic, completely different from her usual capable caree woman image.
I couldn’t help but admire her skill.
“Sure
She froze, seemingly unable to believe her ears.
After all, I was the one who had once pointed at her nose, calling her “scheming” and demanding Marcus fire her from the company.
Now, her gaze suddenly turned deep as she studied me.
Looking at it objectively now, I could see her tactics were quite simple.
She would provoke me, then display her elegant restraint in contrast to my jealous outbursts in front of Marcus.
I had fallen for it repeatedly before, because I cared, because I had a weakness.
But now, I felt nothing.
“How generous of you?
Marcus’s icy voice suddenly rang out.
“Marcus!”
Victoria turned around, seemingly startled, taking two steps back.
The bridge was narrow. She lost her balance, her foot slipping off the edge.
In her panic, she grabbed me.
“Splash”
“Splash!”
We fell from opposite sides of the bridge into the water.
5:43 PM
<
Victoria screamed, thrashing wildly in the water.
Marcus jumped in almost without hesitation on her side.
When several staff members came running over, Marcus was already carrying the unconscious Victoria to shore, holding her tightly.
Meanwhile, I was awkwardly climbing up the wooden bridge, completely drenched.
Everyone who witnessed the scene wore uncomfortable expressions.
A man who claimed he wanted to save his marriage had unhesitatingly chosen to rescue another woman when his wife and that woman wore both in danger.
Anyone would feel sympathy for the wife.
The looks they gave me even contained traces of pity.
Marcus laid Victoria down and walked towards me.
The cold river water had turned his face slightly blue.
He spoke in a deep voice:
“Victoria has aquaphobia”
I slowly dried myself with the towel a staff member had given me.
After a long while, I looked up.
He said nothing, his gaze fixed on me.
Marcus.
So what?
