Chapter 27 Menu But Marcus refused flatly. "No. She made trouble for you because it was a misunderstanding. Just clear it up. "Axell, release a statement. Ms. Petersen and I are nothing more than friends. Make it clear we aren't in a relationship. Tell everyone to stay out of it and stop spreading rumors." "Wait, what?" Brenda gaped, staring at him in disbelief. She'd only wanted to seize the chance to move in with Marcus, not push him to publicly distance himself. Most people still misunderstood their relationship, treating her with deference because of it. If they learned she wasn't Marcus's girlfriend, how would they look at her now? Brenda blurted out,"Marcus, there's no need for that. I've already handled it. Don't worry about misunderstandings. Have a good rest here." Marcus turned and left without another word. Brenda watched his back disappear, her rage mounting until she erupted. She was pissed off! Her hand and leg ached, but nothing compared to the sting of Marcus's rejection, all because of Bertha. Brenda was so angry that she screamed, "That bitch! I'll make her pay!" The moment Marcus stepped out of Brenda's ward, he called Axell. Any updates?" His priority wasn't Brenda's drama. He'd ordered the investigation to uncover the truth about Bertha, Axell reported, "Ms. Petersen's bodyguard confessed Jefferson contacted her, telling her you'd been kissed by Ms. Estrada at the bar. Ms. Petersen then led a group to confront Ms. Estrada, slapping her and threatening to disfigure her. Ms. Estrada fought back, kicked Ms. Petersen , and escaped. When the bodyguards chased her, she used pepper spray on them, hailed a cab, and fled. "Strangely, an unknown person later attacked the bodyguards and broke Ms. Petersen's ankle." "Who was it?" Axell shook his head. "No leads. But Ms. Petersen's bodyguard speculated it was a hater. Ms. Petersen has a terrible reputation in the entertainment industry, with colleagues and fans alike holding grudges. She's offended countless people." Marcus frowned, then said coldly, "Withdraw the 8-million-dollar investment in the Petersen family. 1614 3.9% < Chapter 27 "Tell Emery I dislike being deceived." Brenda's repeated lies had made Marcus look like a fool. Axell nodded, realizing Marcus was irritated. "Understood." Once he returned to Casper's ward, the icy edge in Marcus's eyes vanished instantly. There was only tenderness and helplessness churning within him. Casper was still asleep. Marcus gently raised a hand to trace his small cheek. "Mama..." Casper mumbled in his slumber. Marcus's chest constricted. He thought, "When will that heartless woman return? Menu "Our son misses you. Surely your presence would heal him. How can you not love your own flesh and blood?" Bertha's face suddenly flashed in his mind. The memory of her kiss was vivid before his eyes. Marcus's hand froze on Casper's cheek. Brenda had been right. No woman had been able to be close to him in years, let alone kiss him. Yet Bertha had not only embraced him but pressed her lips to his. When she cried, his first instinct was sympathy. When she kissed him, his first thought wasn't to push her away, but of Casper's mother. What did this mean? Could Bertha be the woman from five years ago? < Chapter 28 Menu Chapter 28