?Chapter 494:


    Annoyed, he yanked it out to hang up, but when he saw the caller ID, his expression shifted. He turned and stormed out of the restaurant.


    A few secondster, William returned from his call and sat back down. “I just saw Marc leaving. Did he bother you?” he asked quietly.


    Ste raised an eyebrow. “He did.”


    William’s face darkened. He’d only stepped out for a moment, and Marc had still found a way to swoop in?


    “But I didn’t let it get to me,” Ste added coolly.


    Outside, Marc picked up the call. Doreen’s voice came through soft but careful. “Mr. Walsh… next month’s almost here, and you haven’t sent the support for the baby yet.”


    Marc had promised her money every month—not just for the baby, but to keep her healthy. Even though he still nned on having her get rid of the pregnancy, cutting her off financially hadn’t been the n.


    “I know. I’ll transfer it now,” he said, pulling out his banking app.


    Doreen hesitated, then added, “Um… could you send a bit extra this time? I’ve hit a little snag. Nothing serious—I’ll pay you back.”


    Marc didn’t even blink. He doubled the usual amount and hit send. “It’s done. You’ll see it in your ount in a couple of hours.”


    Doreen’s voice lit up. “Thank you, Mr. Walsh! You’re so generous. I swear I’ll pay you back.”


    Marc winced. The way she sounded so grateful only made him feel worse. If she actually went through with the termination, it might wreck her—physically, emotionally, or both.


    “No need to pay me back,” he said quietly. “It’s not a big deal. Just take care of what you need to.”


    Doreen showered him with thanks, her tone chipper and sweet.


    After the call ended, Marc stood in the middle of the busy mall, gave the restaurant onest bitter look, and walked away.


    Meanwhile, Doreen’s phone pinged with the bank alert. She opened her app, saw the amount, and immediately forwarded the entire sum to her mother—ra Greville.


    “I’ve sent the money. Can you leave now?” Doreen’s voice was t, her tone cold. She didn’t bother hiding her impatience as she looked at the middle-aged woman in front of her.


    ra’s eyes narrowed. She smacked Doreen hard on the shoulder. “That’s how you talk to your own mother? I raised you! Fed you! It’s your job to take care of me now!”


    She pulled out her phone, saw the string of zeroes, and lit up like a Christmas tree.


    ra gave Doreen a long, calcting look. Doreen had made just one call and pulled in that kind of money? That man she was seeing must be loaded.


    ra started doing mental math. Her grin widened.


    She leaned in, sweetening her tone. “Doreen, you know your brother wants to get married. But how’s he supposed to, with no house or car? You’re doing well now… shouldn’t you help him out?”


    Doreen’s face instantly soured. Her brother? The golden child who got everything while she got leftovers? She didn’t even like the guy.


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