Chapter 3: Charity Gala

Emma felt utterly hopeless. Mabel would rather accept the infertile Evelyn as her daughter-in-law than accept her.

Mabel, supported by Evelyn, walked into the house and ran right into Emma, who was about to leave.

Seeing her with luggage, Evelyn's lips curved into a cold smile. "Smart move."

Emma couldn't be bothered to argue with her. She dragged her luggage and walked out of the place she had lived in for over ten years.

Emma turned and went to her friend Mary Johnson's house, filling Mary in on the situation she was facing.

Mary was outraged. "That's too much! No matter what, they can't expect you to have a baby for another woman!"

After saying this, she looked at Emma with sympathy. "So what are you going to do?"

"I want a divorce." As soon as Emma said this flatly, she suddenly felt her stomach churning. She rushed to the bathroom and knelt on the floor, dry heaving.

"Emma, are you okay?" Mary knocked on the bathroom door.

Emma splashed water on her face, came out of the bathroom, and smiled at her. "I'm fine, probably just ate something bad."

Still worried, Mary took Emma to the hospital for a checkup. The doctor prescribed some nutritional supplements for her.

Looking at the long payment slip, Emma realized she couldn't go on like this - she needed to find a job soon.

Since she was going to divorce Marcus, she couldn't keep spending his money.

Ever since Marcus adopted her, she'd lived a comfortable life and never had to worry about making ends meet again.

Emma had been an orphan to begin with, and now she was going back to living like one. The irony wasn't lost on her.

Of course, her phone received a text from Marcus.

Emma opened it with hope, only to find a cold, impersonal command.

"There's a charity gala tomorrow night. The driver will pick you up at six-thirty."

Emma was taken aback for a moment but ultimately chose to compromise and agreed.

The next evening, Emma attended the charity gala in a simple black evening gown.

This dress was a gift from Marcus when she graduated from college. She'd kept it in her closet, never having the heart to wear it.

Now that she had no money to buy a formal dress, she had no choice but to pull it out.

As soon as she entered, Emma felt countless eyes turning toward her.

"Look, that's Marcus's wife."

"He actually married his own adopted daughter! Marcus seems like such a serious person, but he could do something like this."

"But Evelyn's back now. Emma probably won't be Mrs. Donovan for much longer."

Marcus rarely brought Emma to gatherings, so people in high society were quite curious when they saw her.

But Emma was used to this kind of gossip. She picked up a glass of juice and walked to a corner, drinking by herself while watching people navigate the social scene, feeling a twinge of envy.

"Emma?" A familiar voice called out.

Emma turned to see her college classmate, Daniel Wilson, walking toward her.

He wore a well-tailored suit with a warm smile. "Didn't expect to run into you here."

Daniel had pursued Emma in college, but she only had eyes for Marcus at the time and gently turned him down.

Now he was a rising star in Silverstone City's business world, successful in his career.

"Yeah, what a coincidence." Emma smiled politely.

"You don't look married at all, still as beautiful as ever." Daniel looked around. "But why are you alone? Where's your husband?"

Emma pressed her lips together, not knowing how to answer. She instinctively looked toward Marcus. He was talking with Evelyn.

Evelyn had somehow appeared at the event, wearing a gorgeous silver gown, her arm linked with Marcus's, her smile radiant.

The two looked like a perfect couple.

Daniel followed her gaze, his brow furrowing. "Who is she? I don't think I've seen her before."

"She's my husband's first love. She went abroad before you graduated, so it's normal you haven't met her." Emma responded with a bitter smile.

Daniel looked at Emma with a complicated expression.

"I see." He tactfully changed the subject. "By the way, I heard you're looking for work? Our company's marketing department has an opening. Maybe you could give it a try."

Emma looked at him in surprise, a bit embarrassed. "How did you know I'm looking for work?"

"It's a small circle." He smiled. "And I've always kept up with news about you."

Emma paused, her face quickly flushing red, but for some reason she didn't want him to know about her difficulties, so she said, "Daniel, actually he treats me pretty well."

Before she could finish, a voice interrupted.

"Looks like you're enjoying tonight's party."

Marcus had appeared at some point. His sharp gaze swept over Daniel before landing on Emma.

"Marcus, this is Daniel, my college classmate." Emma introduced them.

"Hello, I've heard a lot about you." Daniel politely extended his hand.

The two men shook hands, the atmosphere somewhat awkward.

"I remember you." Marcus's tone was flat. "From the Wilson family? Your father's company seems to have run into some trouble recently?"

Daniel's smile stiffened. "It's been resolved, thanks to your help."

"Good." Marcus nodded, then turned to Emma. "I need to talk to my wife. Excuse us."

Daniel shrugged and tactfully left.

Before leaving, he handed Emma a business card with a gentle smile. "I hope you'll seriously consider my offer."

Emma was still caught up in Marcus's use of the word "wife."

After he left, Marcus's expression darkened. "Why did he give you his card?"

This voice shattered Emma's fantasy, making her realize that his claim of ownership was simply because he saw her as his possession, not out of love at all.

"What's wrong?" Emma looked at him somewhat defiantly. "Isn't this what you wanted? Bringing me to this kind of party to meet more high society people."

He opened his mouth, seeming about to say something, but Evelyn walked over slowly, holding a glass of champagne.

"Darling, Emma doesn't seem comfortable at these events yet."

She naturally linked her arm with his, then looked Emma up and down dismissively before starting to lecture her like an elder.

"I'm not trying to criticize you, but at such a formal occasion, you're wearing such a cheap-looking dress."

Marcus noticed this too, his tone far from pleasant.

"I asked you to attend a party and you show up looking this shabby? Are you deliberately trying to embarrass me in front of the guests?"

Emma looked at him with some amusement.

He probably didn't even remember that he was the one who bought this dress.

Besides, it was the only decent dress she had in her closet.

Emma was about to explain when a familiar wave of nausea suddenly hit her. The discomfort in her abdomen made her forget where she was, and she couldn't help but dry heave.

A kind-hearted lady came over with concern. "Are you alright? Why are you dry heaving?"

Hearing this, Marcus suddenly grabbed Emma's arm, his eyes surprised. "Are you pregnant?"