Chapter 4 I Regret It

A vein throbbed at Michael's temple, his face dark with anger.

"Seraphina, that's enough!"

"If you want to win Susan's favor, don't you even have this much tolerance?"

Seraphina's lips curved into a mocking smile.

But before Michael could respond, Susan clutched his arm, her voice full of grievance: "Seraphina, you've gone too far. Michael is your husband after all. How can you embarrass him like this in front of others?"

Seraphina let out a cold laugh, her gaze locked directly on Susan's hand holding Michael's arm.

Her words came out clear and dripping with undisguised contempt: "So you do know he's my husband. Then when you're holding his arm, don't you feel the least bit shameless?"

Susan's face flushed red instantly, tears streaming down her cheeks.

She tugged at Michael, ready to leave, her voice choked with sobs: "Michael, let's go. I don't want it anymore."

But unexpectedly, Michael dug in his heels. He patted the back of her hand soothingly and said in a low voice: "Don't leave. I'm getting that painting today, no matter what."

Then he turned to look at Seraphina.

His eyes were full of reluctance, but his tone was completely domineering: "Seraphina, I'm asking you nicely, okay? Give the painting to Susan."

Watching his high-and-mighty attitude, Seraphina found it laughable and raised an eyebrow: "Michael, you really are used to being a CEO. When you ask for something, it sounds more like a robbery!"

Michael couldn't be bothered to argue with her: "I've already asked. Give me the painting."

The two locked eyes, and the smile gradually faded from Seraphina's face.

Her red lips parted, her tone ice-cold: "Sorry, I've changed my mind. I'm not giving it to you!"

"Seraphina, you dare!"

Michael instantly flew into a rage, roaring in a low voice.

"I'm not giving it to you. What are you going to do about it?"

Seraphina let out a light scoff and grabbed Wendy's hand: "Wendy, let's go."

"Wait!"

Her wrist was suddenly gripped with such force it felt like her bones might break. Seraphina was yanked backward.

She looked up to meet the obsession in Michael's eyes.

"Today, you have to give me that painting, or I'll make you regret it!"

She'd never seen anyone so shameless!

Seraphina was completely enraged. She raised her other hand and swung it toward his face!

At the critical moment, Susan saw her chance and deliberately leaned in.

The slap landed squarely on her face.

The next moment, Susan's eyes closed, her body went limp, and she fainted...

"Susan!"

Michael quickly caught Susan. Seeing her pale cheek turn red and swollen, the murderous intent in his eyes nearly spilled over.

"Seraphina, how did you become so vicious! If anything happens to Susan, I won't let you off!"

At that moment, the exhibition hall erupted in chaos, with everyone pointing at Seraphina and gossiping.

As the person involved, Seraphina watched all this coldly, her heart aching.

Although she'd long stopped having any expectations of Michael, his cruel words were still like a dull saw, repeatedly cutting through her already bleeding heart.

Just as Michael was about to find a doctor, a figure pushed through the crowd.

"Wait, I'm a doctor."

He pulled out his professional credentials as he spoke.

After Michael confirmed they were genuine, he let down his guard and allowed him to examine Susan's condition.

Seraphina narrowed her eyes, looking at this doctor.

Why did he look so familiar?

As if sensing her curiosity, the doctor looked up and met Seraphina's gaze.

The next moment, he smiled and nodded subtly.

Only then did Seraphina realize—wasn't this her old friend Andrew Branpia?

After she married Michael, they'd gradually lost touch...

She never expected to run into him today.

Thinking about him seeing her in such an embarrassing situation, Seraphina felt deeply upset...

However, after examining Susan for a moment, Andrew's brow furrowed slightly.

He gave Susan a meaningful look and smiled with disdain: "Nothing serious, just shocked and fainted for a moment."

Michael immediately asked anxiously: "What should we do?"

Andrew replied with a half-smile: "I have emergency medicine with me. I'll give her a shot, and she'll wake up soon. It might hurt a bit though."

With that, he immediately began preparing.

But just as he held the syringe and was about to inject it into Susan's skin, she suddenly woke up from her supposed unconscious state!

Then, looking around with confused eyes, her voice trembling: "Where am I? How did I get here? Michael, I feel a bit dizzy..."

With this, the people around began to see through what was happening.

She wasn't unconscious at all—she was faking it!

As soon as she heard about the injection, she immediately woke up...

Andrew put away the syringe and said sarcastically: "Looks like my medical skills have improved. The patient healed herself before I even gave the injection. Saved me quite a bit of trouble."

Susan's face turned red. Realizing her scheme had been exposed, she panicked.

Afraid that Michael would catch on, she tugged at his sleeve, pleading: "Michael, I don't want the painting anymore, really. Let's just give it to Seraphina. Can we go home, please?"

Seraphina thought she'd heard wrong.

She laughed coldly, looking at Susan, enunciating each word.

"What do you mean 'give it to me'? Miss Dixon, get this straight—this painting was always mine. It's my mother's work. It was never something you could covet."

With that, she didn't spare Michael or Susan another glance. She signed the papers and prepared to leave with the painting.

Before leaving, she couldn't resist one more jab: "Michael, hurry up and take Susan to the hospital for a proper checkup! Don't let her die on you—that would really be a waste..."

With that, she walked away.

Watching her determined retreating figure, Michael's face turned ashen. He wanted nothing more than to rush up and drag her back.

But Susan wasn't feeling well, so he had to stay.

For some reason, watching Seraphina leave, he felt an inexplicable sense of loss.

A strange stuffiness, like something was blocking his chest, making it hard to breathe.

He'd never felt this way before, and it made him extremely uncomfortable.

That evening, Michael took Susan to the hospital for a complete checkup.

After confirming she was really fine, he drove Susan home.

Then he drove back to the Talbot Family residence himself.

Pushing open the front door, the living room was extremely quiet, with only the maid busy in the kitchen preparing dinner.

Usually at this time, Seraphina would be wearing an apron, bustling about in the kitchen.

The aroma of cooking would fill the entire house...

But today, there was nothing.

Janna heard the door open and jumped down from the sofa.

She ran over, pulling his hand in a wheedling manner, her little brow furrowed, looking very dissatisfied.

"Daddy, where's Mommy? Why didn't she cook? I don't like the nanny's cooking—it's not good at all!"

"As a mother, if she can't take care of me properly, isn't she pretty useless!"