Chapter 33
James and Mary crept back into the Smith's place at 11 p.m., trying not to wake Charles and Addison who were already asleep.
Although James was still concerned about the old man's health, since the Givenchy girl treated him like a charlatan, he could only set it aside for the time being. Perhaps because there was no complete cure, James found that the white light had not increased; there were still only two streaks.
James, fresh from the shower and laundry, entered the bedroom to find Mary still awake. She was cozily snuggled in bed under the lamplight, engrossed in a video. Mary was dressed very casually. A white silk slip dress draped over her, flowing like water, exceptionally soft. Most of her fair skin was exposed, and the black lace edge on the outer side of her thigh was faintly visible.
However, as soon as she noticed James entering, she quickly pulled the blanket over herself, hiding all her allure.
On the other line of the video was a woman with a melon-seed face, sitting on the couch with her legs crossed, her legs white, outlining a tantalizing curve.
James recognized her; she was Mary's distant cousin, Emily Garcia, who was also someone who had always looked down on him.
"Mary, you're already well; why haven't you divorced that loser yet?" Emily caught a glimpse of James's shadow. "And you even let him stay in the same bedroom with you."
Mary glanced at James and said, "He's my husband. If he doesn't sleep in my room, where should he sleep?"
"I remember, you said he sleeps under the bed." Emily lifted her chin. "But a single man and a woman living together, it's still a very bad influence."
"My brother should not know this; otherwise, he would be unhappy," she reminded Mary.
James frowned slightly; he knew Emily's brother, Joseph Garcia, a somewhat famous second-generation rich in Rosewood City. He had been a genuine suitor of Mary, having declared more than once in public that he would live and die for her.
But upon hearing of Mary's serious illness, he promptly left the country, as if fearing the Smiths might expect him to marry in and bring them good fortune.
Emily had also cut off contact with Mary for half a year, only recently reconnecting through unknown means.
"I have nothing to do with Joseph. What does it matter if he is happy or not?" Mary lazily stretched. "Emily, you'd better not be arranging marriages."
"That won't do. From the moment I knew you, I've considered you my sister-in-law." Emily seemed to want to show off to James. "Besides Joseph, no one else is worthy of you."
Emily said, "A year ago, if he hadn't gone abroad to deal with some matters, you would have already been my sister-in-law by now, and that loser wouldn't have had the chance to touch you."
"Mary, when are you going to divorce that good-for-nothing?" Emily added, "Joseph is coming back in a few days, and he is definitely going to pursue you madly."
"Having James, that loser, around will affect you and Joseph."
"Divorce?" Mary looked at James with a bit of defiance in her tone. "We'll see."
James gave a wry smile, knowing Mary was still angry.
"What do you mean that? You must divorce; otherwise, how can you marry Joseph? How can you enter the Garcia family's door?" Emily's pretty face showed dissatisfaction.
Mary frowned and said, "Emily, there's really no chance for me and Joseph."
"Joseph is so outstanding; a bunch of women want to marry him. Considering you're my best friend, I'm leaving him for you." Emily lifted her chin. "Don't be too proud."
Mary leaned back against the pillow. "Let's not talk about this. I have a meeting tomorrow. I'm going to sleep now."
"Okay, goodnight," Emily half-jokingly and half-seriously said, "But you have to keep your virtue; you can't let James take advantage of you. Joseph will want to check on the wedding night."
"If something happens, then I can't protect you and James."
Mary frowned and hung up.
James, after drying his hair, took out the bedding and lay down silently; he wasn't very good at soothing girls.
Mary instinctively clenched her fists, thinking, 'This bastard, he almost caused a big disaster tonight. Doesn't he have anything to say to me?'
She thought about how James didn't heed the advice, letting the Givenchy girl curse him out, and she felt indescribably annoyed.
Mary tried to tell herself not to care about James, but that feeling of irritation kept bubbling up, making her restless.
She stormed out of the inner room and said, "James, I want to set some ground rules with you."
James sat up and asked, "What is it?"
Mary raised her pretty face and said, "First, starting today, be more ambitious. Don't always let people treat you like a loser."
James's eyes softened. "Okay."
"Second, put away your superficial medical skills; don't harm others or yourself," Mary huffed, "I know you're enthusiastic, thinking of your mother when you see a patient, and you empathize and want to save them."
"But you can't overdo it; that will harm others and bring trouble to yourself." She stared coldly at James. "Promise me, you won't practice medicine recklessly."
James nodded. "Okay, I promise."
His medicine was always targeted, not reckless at all.
Mary sighed in relief and said, "Third, find a proper job as soon as possible. It doesn't have to pay much, just something respectable."
James hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded. "Okay."
"This is what you promised." Mary's face softened. "If I find you've broken your promise, I'll go to your mother and complain."
She smirked, "Any objections?"
For a year, James had only brought her shame and disappointment. Having finally seen a glimmer of hope these past few days, Mary didn't want James to be all talk and no action. He needed to be grounded in reality.
To this end, she avoided talking about the Summit Villa restoration to avoid stimulating James's pride and causing trouble.
"What if I do as you ask?" James touched his head and asked with a smile, "What's my reward?"
Mary pondered for a moment, her face blushing slightly. "What do you want?"
James immediately became excited and said, "I want to sleep with you..."
"Beast! Beast! Beast!" Mary scolded a few times, then slammed the door shut to sleep.
She thought, 'I'm thinking of your future, and you're thinking of sleeping with me, shameless.'
Mary wanted to tear James to pieces, but she found that she didn't have the same disgust as before.
"I just wanted to sleep inside." James lay down again, feeling happy about today's change in their relationship.
Then, he began to think about the fifty million dollars shortfall in Mary's funds. Mary's predicament was his predicament.
Fifty million dollars... The number gave James a headache. Although he had earned over ten million dollars this week, it was still a long way fromtarget .
It seemed he needed to work hard to earn money.
James clenched his fists in determination.
"Is the floor cold?" Just then, Mary's voice floated from the inner room.
James blurted out, "Not cold."
As soon as he said it, James slapped himself twice.
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