Chapter 3

3: 3

3

Regina pressed her lips together, displeasure written all over her face.

Her voice came out cold. "Asher, do you really think there's any point asking a question like that?"

"Whoever wins the bid wins it on merit, right?"

On merit. What a line. When all she wanted was for Sebastian to take it.

I didn't want to drag this out any further. The one thing that mattered to me today was the bid.

"Mm, you're right. On merit."

"Regina, I'm heading out first. I'll go wait over there."

She shot up off the couch in an instant.

"Asher, I'm not feeling well today. Let me ride with you."

"Drop me at my office on the way."

I nodded without a second thought.

Just as I was changing my shoes at the cabinet by the door, she gave me a light shove.

"Asher, go grab that document off the desk in the study for me."

"Sure."

I'd taken only a few steps when a row of comments floated up in front of my eyes.

【Your briefcase is still on the shoe cabinet.】

【Your wife's debating whether to take your briefcase.】

【She doesn't want to wreck your marriage, so she doesn't want to be too obvious about it.】

I turned my head slightly to look at her. Her eyes were closed, and she was breathing deep and slow.

Even so, I walked over and picked up the briefcase, carrying it in my hand.

"Asher, are you guarding against me?"

Every bit of her displeasure was there on her face.

"Regina, why would I guard against you? You've got nothing to do with the bid."

"If anyone, it's Sebastian I'd need to watch. He's my biggest competitor."

I didn't wait for her answer. I walked briskly to the study.

When we got in the car, I set the briefcase on the back seat.

The second she sat down, she was tapping out a text on her phone.

I'd barely started the engine when she turned to look at me.

"Asher, drive slow for me. I'm still not feeling great."

"Okay, got it."

About ten minutes into the drive, she suddenly told me to pull over.

"Asher, stop at that convenience store up ahead. I want to grab something."

"Sure."

I pulled over to the curb. "Regina, what do you need? I'll get it for you."

"No need, I'll go get it myself."

And with that, she headed into the store.

Only she'd been in there ten minutes and still hadn't come out.

That was when the comments floated up again.

【Your wife is hard on herself, huh. Chugging ice water and cold drinks in the middle of her period.】

【She's trying to make herself sick, get herself hospitalized, so you'll have to take care of her.】

【She's going to stall for time any way she can.】

I clenched my fist and steadied myself.

The woman who normally took such care of her health, who was into all that wellness stuff, was actually pulling something like this.

I took out my phone and made a call.

"Peter Henson, where are you?"

"Good. Get over here right now. You're going to the bid in my place."

I checked the time. Half an hour had passed, and she still wasn't out.

So she really was stalling.

I got out and went into the store. Regina was sitting in a chair by the window, sending messages.

The moment she saw me, she apologized right away.

"Asher, sorry. I was dealing with some company business and lost track of time."

I waved it off. "Regina, did you get what you needed? If so, let's go."

She nodded. "Mm, all set."

Not long after we were back on the road, she was clutching her stomach hard.

A fine sheen of sweat broke out on her forehead.

"Asher, my stomach hurts so bad."

"Take me to the hospital."

I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye. She looked genuinely miserable.

"Okay, I'll take you to the hospital."