Chapter 3

Marcus’s expression froze. He quickly realized what I meant, a flash of panic crossing his eyes.

But he immediately forced a confused look onto his face. "What dental clinic? Who have you been talking to?"

"No one." I walked over to the living room and sat down on the couch, looking at him with a half-smile.

"You probably don't know yet, but Leo said something over the school microphone today in front of all the teachers, parents, and students."

"He said you were playing a game in your car with a pretty lady yesterday, and that she was sitting on your lap. He said you must have been helping her check her teeth."

Marcus stood there, dumbfounded. It took him a long time to process what I had just said.

"He... where did he say that?"

"On the field, over the loudspeakers, in front of hundreds of people." I watched his face turn from red to pale as I continued.

"The VP’s son is in Leo’s grade, right?"

"The VP’s wife was standing right next to me today. She heard every single word."

Marcus cared about his public image and his bosses' opinions more than anything. Hearing this, he completely panicked.

"That little brat is talking nonsense!"

"When did I ever let anyone sit on my lap? This is slander!"

"Yesterday afternoon when you picked him up," I said coldly, watching his performance. "He said the lady’s name was Chloe. Your new assistant."

Marcus gasped, finding himself completely speechless. He knew this wasn't something he could easily brush off.

"Jane, let me explain." Marcus rushed over and knelt in front of the couch.

He looked up at me, quickly deploying his most practiced, manipulative tone.

"Yesterday afternoon, when I went to pick up Leo, Chloe happened to need a ride to run an errand."

"Kids don't understand. When she got into the car, she tripped and accidentally fell onto me."

"Leo was in the back seat, so his angle was probably blocked. As for the dentist, she just mentioned her wisdom tooth was inflamed and asked if I knew any good clinics nearby. I was just giving her directions!"

He spoke faster and smoother, almost convincing himself.

"Would you seriously believe a seven-year-old’s wild imagination over your own husband?"

"I bust my ass every day for this family, taking so much crap at work. Not only do you not appreciate it, but you're also doubting me over nothing?"

He was trying to gaslight me.

"Is that so?" I stood up, looking down at Marcus with a cold sneer.

"Then how do you explain the smell of dental antiseptic on you?"

"You didn't just give her directions. You actually went into the clinic with her, didn't you?"

The slight relief that had just appeared on Marcus’s face instantly vanished, his muscles tensing up again.

"Don't overthink it. I probably picked up that smell in the office restroom."

"I’m going to take a shower. I’ll cook steak for you and Leo tonight."

He turned and walked into the bathroom.

As soon as the shower started running, I walked to the entryway. I pulled his suit jacket from the hanger and searched the pockets. I quickly found a folded receipt.

City Dental Hospital. Wisdom tooth extraction and anti-inflammatory treatment: $1,250. Paid by: Marcus Miller.

I snapped a photo of the receipt, saved it, and put it right back where I found it.