My Second Chance
Copyright© 2026 by BillMax
Chapter 14: Time’s Up
“What conditions?” Claire asked.
“First, no matter what happens or what difficulties you encounter—in life or at work—you must tell me in time so I can help you.
That’s your right, and my obligation.”
Claire thought for a moment, then nodded. “Okay, I agree.”
“Second, we’re only temporarily separated, not forever estranged.
I can try my best not to disturb you, but you must allow me to see you occasionally and tell you how much I miss you.
At the very least, I must accompany you to prenatal checkups.”
“That’s only natural. The child isn’t just mine. You can’t afford to be lazy.”
Claire rolled her eyes. “Are you done talking?
Then I’m going to work, and I’ll go straight to the dormitory tonight.”
“I’ll take you.”
Standing at the entrance of the complex watching his wife leave by car, Marcus immediately called Hannah Kane.
“Why didn’t you tell me about my wife moving to the dormitory?”
“Ah?” Hannah’s voice was clearly flustered. “I ... I thought you knew.”
“Nonsense! Do you think I’m the kind of bastard who forces his wife to stay in the company dormitory?”
“No, no, I ... I...”
Hannah felt wronged but didn’t know how to defend herself. At that moment, she had only been afraid that refusing Claire would anger Marcus. She hadn’t considered anything else.
“I’ll tell Designer Jensen right now that there are no rooms available in the dormitory.”
“Telling me you’re stupid wouldn’t even make you hesitate.
My wife has already gone to work with her luggage. If you say there are no rooms now, won’t you force her to rent a place outside?”
Hannah was about to cry. “Mr. Hale, I genuinely didn’t know you were unaware.
Given the circumstances, what should I do?”
“I don’t care how you do it, but my wife is pregnant and I cannot and will not allow her to be mistreated in any way.
Also, my funds will be in place within two weeks at the most. You need to hurry up and resolve Alan Prescott’s share issues.”
Marcus hung up.
“Again! Every time you hang up before people finish talking. Am I indebted to you?
Bastard! Son of a bitch!”
She cursed loudly at her phone twice. Thinking about how she was now alone and had to silently endure being bullied by this jerk, Hannah felt increasingly wronged. Her nose tingled as tears threatened to fall.
Suddenly she thought of something, and her eyes brightened.
Twenty minutes later, Claire was led into Hannah Kane’s office by the secretary.
“Ms. Kane, you wanted to see me?”
Hannah motioned for the secretary to leave. “Designer Jensen, why didn’t you mention earlier that you were pregnant?”
Claire suddenly panicked. “Ms. Kane, please hear me out. I didn’t mean to keep it from the company.
Rest assured, I guarantee it won’t affect my work.
Even if ... even if it means a pay cut, I just ask you not to let me go.”
Good lord. I already want to put you on a pedestal. Dare to let you go?
Your husband would devour me alive.
Hannah thought grudgingly and stood up to take Claire’s hand. “Don’t worry. Verdant Design is not like those heartless companies out there.”
Her words sounded very corporate, and Claire didn’t dare be reassured. “So you mean...”
“Stop with the formalities. I’m older than you. From now on, you can call me Hannah, and I’ll call you Claire.”
Hannah smiled and pulled her over to sit on the sofa. “Mr. Hale just contacted me, and I just found out you’re pregnant.
The dorm conditions are too poor. It’s obviously not suitable for you to continue living there.”
“Ms. Kane, don’t listen to him. The dorm conditions are really good. I can manage.”
“Look at you. Why are you still calling me Ms. Kane?”
Hannah maintained a stern face.
To be fair, she was just cornered by Marcus’s intimidation and couldn’t see her way out, but she still maintained the decorum and authority befitting a female CEO.
At least Claire immediately obeyed and called her Hannah.
Hannah showed her smile again, thinking how wonderful it felt to have Marcus’s nemesis so under control. Rounding up, wasn’t it almost like suppressing that bastard?
“Same point again. Our company is caring, and as my employee who is also pregnant, I can’t let you stay alone in the dormitory.
You saw what happened last night. My husband went to jail. I’m left alone at home, scared. If you don’t mind, let’s keep each other company—go to work together, come home together. How about that?”
Claire never expected things to turn out this way. “How ... how could that be?”
“Are you despising my home?”
“No, no. I worried it might inconvenience you ... Hannah.”
“No inconvenience. It’s settled then. You go to work now, and we’ll talk specifics when we get home after work.”
The next day at midnight, Marcus arrived at Serpent Ridge on the outskirts of the city.
Serpent Ridge wasn’t very tall, and had few vehicles at night, naturally becoming a gathering place for hormone-fueled young men and women.
When Marcus reached the parking lot at the foot of the ridge, the road had already been blocked. A group of racers in racing suits were doing final checks.
“Marcus, this way.”
Serena Blake stood by a bright red Ferrari, waving.
As Marcus approached, before he could speak, the door of the green Lamborghini next door suddenly flipped open. A young man in a floral shirt with a bandage showing across his chest got out, sizing him up from head to toe with a hostile gaze.
“Is it you, kid, who paid a million to bail out the girl who hurt my chick?”
Marcus smiled and nodded. “Yes, it’s me.”
“Heh. Gutsy.”
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