billion book
Chap 76
As promised, Gladwin arrived at Phoebe’s house the next day with Abigail. Somehow, Phoebe’s house had been transformed with quite lavish decorations. It seemed Penelope didn’t want her daughter’s wedding to go unnoticed by others. Neighbors had already gathered when Gladwin and Abigail’s car pulled into Phoebe’s driveway.
Julie Hampton was already there, as were Abigail’s parents. Antony and Claire were absent because Gladwin hadn’t informed them about his marriage to Phoebe. He also hadn’t informed his other brothers.
Looking at the decorations in Madsen’s home, Gladwin couldn’t guess how much Phoebe had spent on everything, but he didn’t care. His wedding with Flavia-though it had been a simple affair at the hospital without decorations or guests-had been far more beautiful and meaningful to Gladwin.
Gladwin exchanged marriage vows, greeted by the guests. Phoebe, appearing in a beautiful wedding gown and flawless makeup, didn’t even impress Gladwin. When he married Flavia, his wife hadn’t even had time to dress up, let alone wear fancy clothes. But in Gladwin’s eyes, there was no woman more beautiful than her, making him reluctant to look away.
The ceremony proceeded like any other wedding. Family photos, adorned with Phoebe’s family’s laughter, didn’t move him. There was no warmth or anticipation-filled heart in this marriage. Unlike his marriage to Flavia, which he felt was more beautiful than what he was experiencing now.
They asked Gladwin to pose by kissing Phoebe’s forehead, but he coldly refused. Unlike when he married Flavia, Gladwin kissed the girl’s entire face without being asked.
“Sorry, I can’t.” Gladwin’s rejection clearly stunned the photographer and some people with his attitude, although Gladwin felt he had done it as politely as he could.
They were then asked to sit in the bridal chairs because whatever it was, a show and speech would be given. However, Gladwin once again refused, even though the chairs were magnificent and looked comfortable, quite different from the chair he sat in next to the patient’s bed when he married Flavia the other day.
“Sorry, I can’t stay because I have to return to the hospital. I have a surgery scheduled for today,” he said flatly. Gladwin bid farewell to his mother and also to his brother and sister-in-law. Intentionally, he allowed Phoebe, Penelope, and Julie to watch his departure, holding back their anger and embarrassment because Gladwin believed there would be many questions from the guests about the reason for his departure on what should have been an important day. Important for Phoebe and Julie, but not for Gladwin.
Clearly, Gladwin wasn’t going to make things easy for the people who hurt him. Just as they made Gladwin suffer, he would do the same. Maybe even more than that.
“I really admire you, Aunty, and your mom too. In less than twenty-four hours, you managed to arrange an event like this,” Abigail said sincerely. The decorations were simple, but they looked beautiful. Unfortunately, the beauty of the decorations didn’t make the newlyweds happy.
Abigail heard whispers from the neighbors questioning the confusion of Gladwin and Phoebe’s marriage. A sudden wedding without the usual bridal procession. No invitations and now the groom has disappeared.
“Oh yes, Aunty. Here,” Abigail handed the keys and a piece of paper to Phoebe. “These are the keys and the address of the house Uncle Gladwin rented for you and your daughter. You don’t need to bother bringing a lot of stuff other than clothes. Because the furniture in the house is complete. Uncle even arranged a housekeeper to help with household chores.” She said, only to be met with angry stares from Penelope and Phoebe. Abigail chose to ignore them and left, claiming she had a job she couldn’t leave.
A few hours later, after swallowing her disappointment and enduring the questioning looks and spiteful whispers of the neighbors, Phoebe finally persuaded her mother and brought her daughter to the address given by Abigail.
Phoebe gazed at the house in front of her with amazement. The house couldn’t be called simple, but it wasn’t a luxurious mansion like Abigail’s father’s. Yet, it was a home suitable for a family. It had two floors and was located in a housing estate close to the hospital. Phoebe even bumped into some colleagues by chance during her journey, whether fellow doctors, nurses, or hospital staff.
Embarrassed? Of course Phoebe was embarrassed, but she tried her best to hide it.
Phoebe was very angry right now. It was a great anger that she couldn’t just let out. Gladwin gave her a contract that was not beneficial to her at all, and that became her own dilemma.
How could she not be? If she refused, she would confirm the man’s belief that what he was after was wealth. But accepting it wasn’t a good answer either, because she wouldn’t gain anything from the man except for the promised monthly transfer to her account.
Nevertheless, Phoebe was confident she wouldn’t lose.
She was beautiful, intelligent, and cunning. There were plenty of men not interested in her, and she made sure that would apply to Gladwin too. What man could withstand a life without sex after experiencing its pleasures? Phoebe would seduce him. By any means, she would get Gladwin. And she would make him eat his words because Phoebe would make Gladwin kneel and make herself pregnant with his child.
At the hospital, Jonas glanced at Gladwin with a raised eyebrow. After a week of seeing his boss always looking gloomy, now Gladwin came to the hospital with a radiant face and a cheerful smile. There must be something that made him like this, but Jonas didn’t want to ask. He felt more scared than doubtful.
Gladwin had already taken off his surgical gown. He and Jonas had left the operating theater and were about to complete the final procedure by informing the patient’s family about the surgery results. After everything was done, they walked back to their office. “I’m hungry. What do you think would be good to eat at this time of night?” Gladwin asked, still with his cheerful expression.
“Hmmm, how about pizza?”