Chapter 219


    Bailey was shellshocked.


    Was I so obvious?


    She exined, “I''m not trying to skirt the situation, Edmund. Let''s just see how it goes. The anti-cancer


    drug I''m developing is in the fourth clinical trial stage. That''s the most critical time in its development


    stage. I simply can''t leave now. You understand, right?”


    Edmund pursed his lips and eventually shot her a bitter smile. “Of course. You''re a shining star, and I


    would be remiss to stop you from reaching your full potential. Developing anti-cancer drugs is a noble


    calling. I should''ve been as selfless as you.”


    Bailey twisted her hand around and held his wrist instead. She smiled and said, “Why don''t you focus


    on running Chivers Group? We could form a powerful and trailzing alliance in the industry. What do


    you think?”


    He froze momentarily before smiling bitterly again. “It''s fine. Bay, you have loftier aspirations than me.


    Still, someone as driven and calm as you won''t easily promise yourself to another. I''ll have my chance.”


    Bailey smiled silently in response.


    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    His feelings for me are too deep. Even if I reject him, he might still be too stubborn to give up on me.


    No one can predict the future, though. Once the dust has settled, who knows? I may very well end up


    with Edmund. Fate is far too unpredictable.


    After leaving the restaurant, Bailey rejected Edmund''s offer to send her back to her condominium.


    She exined, “We''re not far from Shelbert Condominium which is only a twenty-minute walk. You


    should head home. It''s not safe to be driving toote at night.”


    Edmund failed to convince her. After cautioning her to be careful, he drove off.


    Bailey began walking home. A short whileter, she immediately sensed that something was off.


    Someone was following her.


    She whirled around and froze in shock.


    Artemis. What is he doing here?


    She clearly remembered that he had returned to the Luther residence after leaving thepany that


    afternoon.


    Her surprise grew as that thought crossed her mind.


    Since when do I know his schedule like the back of my hand?


    “You...”


    Before she could finish her sentence, Artemis strode toward her and wrapped his arm around her


    waist. “I''ll marry you, Bailey. Okay?”


    Bailey was dumbfounded.


    As he leaned closer to her, she realized he was acting a little strange.


    Is he drunk? Or did something else happen to him?


    “Let go of me first. We can talk at my condominium instead of the street. There aren''t many people


    around at this time, but... mmph!”


    Oh my God! He''s totally crazy!


    Artemis pressed her against a roadside tree and began kissing her after his abrupt proposal.


    Bailey struggled with all her might.


    To her dismay, she learned that a drunk man was far stronger than a sober one, and she barely shifted


    an inch in his embrace.


    “Artemis Lut—”


    He swallowed her protestspletely.


    In fact, opening her mouth merely gave Artemis a chance to deepen the kiss.


    Bailey only ever felt hopeless in his presence.


    He seemed to control her entire world, and she stood no chance of escaping his grasp.


    Just when she thought she was about to go numb from how tightly he was hugging her, Artemis slowly


    loosened his grip.


    Bailey gasped heavily for air. She felt less nauseated after filling her lungs and brain with some much-


    needed oxygen.


    After recovering her wits, she let out an angry snort.


    “You''re a madman! Who the heck does something crazy like that? In a totally inappropriate location, if I


    may add!”


    Artemis stroked her cheek and hissed, “Did I bed you? I don''t think so. I hardly deserve beingbeled


    as a madman. I''d caution you to mind yournguage.”


    Bailey was at once amused and infuriated.


    She was about to explode.


    This shameless scoundrel! Can he be any more outrageous?


    Bailey barked, “Tell me. What triggered you this time? Why are you taking it out on me again?”


    He smiled at her and repeated himself, “I''ll marry you. Okay?”


    That drew a bout of crazedughter from Bailey. Blinded by fury, she blurted, “Mr. Luther, I stole the


    three billion that vanished from your ount. I''m sure a gold-digger like me can''t be your soulmate.”


    Artemis froze in surprise, though he quickly grew light-headed from all the alcohol in his system. He


    mumbled, “Be a good girl. Let''s not talk about the money for now. Why don''t you exin those triplets


    to me, hmm?”


    Bailey was bbergasted.


    Did he read one too many romance novels? How does his mind jump to some totally unrted topic so


    quickly?


    She was utterly tongue-tied.


    After calming herself down, panic swelled in her chest.


    Thank God he was drunk and barely absorbed what I said earlier. Three billion could bankrupt my


    whole family. Rashness is the truly a devil. I can''t afford to blurt that out again.


    She changed tack and suggested, “You may have drunk more than you could handle. Come on. I''ll take


    you back to my ce so you can rest.”


    Artemis rubbed his head and croaked, “I saw you eating with Edmund, so I ordered a few bottles of


    wine and got a little tipsy. However, I''m not drunk.”


    Bailey could not be bothered to argue with him about his drunken state. Instead, she slung his arm over


    her shoulder and supported him as they walked toward the entrance of her residential area.


    Thank goodness we''re almost at the condominium. I don''t think I can lug this heavy thing around with


    me for much longer.


    Artemis woke up the next day on Bailey''s couch.


    After a brief moment of confusion, he recognized his surroundings and crawled up to a sitting position.


    “Boss, you''re awake.”


    A childish voice rang out beside him.


    Artemis looked over instinctively and spotted Susan sitting on a nearby couch.


    The young girl wore cartoon pajamas and hugged a Barbie doll to her chest. She rocked her legs front


    and back while smiling sweetly at him.


    Artemis'' heart melted in an instant.


    Could she be my daughter? She must be. Her beautiful face is so simr to mine.


    Artemis initially thought Susan had inherited Simon''s genes. He had long since eliminated that


    possibility. She''s my daughter, goddammit!


    Meanwhile, Susan tilted her head and muttered, “Bailey is really something, huh, forcing a girl who


    barely has a full head of hair to entertain you. Boss, how can someone as small as me satisfy you?”


    Artemis'' lips twitched in amusement.


    The princess image in his mind instantly shattered. She''s nothing but a small devil in an adorable


    child''s clothing. How else could she say something as outrageous as that?


    Artemis massaged his temples to soothe his pounding head. “Come here. Let me give you a hug.”


    “Eww!” Susan stomped her feet and used, “What are you trying to do?”


    Sighing, Artemis muttered, “I''m way older than you. Just what are you thinking in that tiny brain of


    yours?”


    Susan backed away, clutching the Barbie doll tightly to herself. Then, she turned and ran for the master


    bedroom, shrieking, “I''m getting Bailey! You can try your funny ideas on her! Leave me alone!”


    Artemis was speechless at her dramatic disy.


    What the heck has Bailey been teaching her children? How did she turn my daughter into a little


    monster?