Chapter 4

I looked down to see Hernandez had already fallen to his knees before me.

"Mr. Marcus, I know you have great power and influence, but if you must kill someone, kill me. I beg you to spare Oliver and her parents. They're old and can't withstand this torment."

As he spoke, he picked up a bottle of poison and tried to pour it into his mouth, his eyes filled with the stubbornness of someone ready to die.

"Mr. Marcus, if my life can calm your anger, then I... I'll have died for a worthy cause."

His words were vicious and calculated.

I was using my power to kill a male homewrecker because a woman had rejected me.

And he was being noble, willing to die to protect the Oliver family and the Oliver Group's assets.

As soon as he finished speaking, I was surrounded by reporters.

"Mr. Marcus, are you really planning to force Miss Oliver and Hernandez to death?"

"Mr. Marcus, murder is a crime. After you poison Hernandez, will you turn yourself in, or will you use your connections to get yourself off the hook?"

I frowned, gathered my thoughts, and said word by word: "I never intended to kill him. And I didn't give him that poison!"

Hernandez suddenly leaned close to me and said in a voice only we could hear: "Marcus, you'll never win against me."

Then he forcibly shoved the entire bottle of poison into my hand, gripped my hand, and poured it down his own throat.

"Ahh..."

The surrounding reporters quickly recorded me murdering someone in the street.

Suddenly, the medicine bottle was snatched from my hand. A hard slap struck my face, and then I was pushed to the ground.

Oliver's eyes were filled with surging hatred.

"How can you be so vicious? Hernandez already got me pregnant. Can't you tolerate them at all?"

I stood there stunned.

Pregnant? So they'd already conceived a child together this early.

Hernandez's suicide was reported by media outlets everywhere.

Countless netizens thought I was being ruthless and unforgiving, saying I deserved to be abandoned.

My social media was also overrun by haters.

Some people even started a petition to remove me from my position as general manager of Williams Group.

This had not only Hernandez's handiwork behind it, but also Theo's and Tillman's.

"Secretary Brown, suppress all the negative news about me and buy some positive PR pieces."

"Mr. Marcus... sir..."

"The board just issued a notice removing you from your position as general manager and prohibiting you from using any company resources."

"I see."

Oliver Group's stock price rose again.

I threw my phone. Just as I was at my wit's end, Oliver came looking for me.

"I've already had people delete the negative news about you online."

"Marcus, as long as you beg me, I can also get Johnson to restore your position as general manager. I know that all along, you've worked toward becoming the person in power at Williams Group."

I raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at her fake expression, and slowly spoke: "Oh? You're that kind?"

"What price do I need to pay?"

I stood up, staring at her with amusement.

"Do I need to give up my position as husband and acknowledge your affair with Hernandez?"

"Or broadcast an apology online, admitting I shouldn't have relentlessly pursued your family?"

She shook her head and smiled. "Neither!"

"Next week is Mr. James's 80th birthday. I want you to introduce Hernandez to him."

I laughed. "Pfft."

"Mr. James's birthday only invites Seattle's top elite power holders. He doesn't qualify."

Oliver leaned down and patted my shoulder. "Everyone knows you're best at winning his favor. I believe you can do it."

"If can get Mr. James's favor, Hernandez will have a place in Seattle."

"And if I refuse?"

She smiled, took out her phone, and made a call.

"Secretary Brown, keep releasing Marcus's dirt. Some of the risqué photos from when we were dating can also be posted online." Oliver made the call while watching my reaction. "Until he has no chance of recovery."

I said nothing, just stood there quietly, maintaining a faint smile at the corner of my mouth.

After a long while, I finally said: "Fine, I agree."

"You should have agreed earlier. Don't worry, once this is done, I'll remove your dirt. The wedding date I promised you will also proceed as scheduled."