Chapter 2

2、

As soon as Sienna and Leo left, my phone started buzzing.

"Mr. Thorne, you are the primary donor for this research project. Are you sure you don't want to attend the seminar?"

I thought about the smug look Leo had given me before he left. A cynical smile touched my lips.

"I'll be there."

Sienna was known as a medical genius.

She had made huge breakthroughs in cancer research and was highly respected in her field.

But what she didn't know was that every single one of her experiments required a massive amount of funding.

Without that money, her genius wouldn't have gotten her past the front door of a lab.

I was the secret benefactor behind every project she had ever worked on.

I never told her because I didn't want her to feel pressured or like she owed me anything.

All I ever wanted from her was her heart.

I changed my clothes and headed out. I immediately spotted the two of them standing on the curb, looking anxious.

I remembered then that our family cars were all at the shop for maintenance.

"Still haven't caught a ride?"

Leo looked frustrated, his tone dripping with fake regret.

"Professor, this area is too secluded. Plus, the weather is bad, so no drivers are taking the request."

"If we wait any longer, we're going to be late."

"If Mr. Thorne hadn't been so difficult earlier, we wouldn't be in this rush."

He really never missed a chance to take a dig at me.

I ignored him and walked straight toward the black car that had just pulled up for me.

Sienna saw me and hurried over.

"Did you call this car? Good. I guess I can forget about your behavior earlier."

She reached for the door handle, but I blocked her hand.

My voice was flat. "This has nothing to do with you."

Before she could respond, Leo hurried over, looking insulted.

"Mr. Thorne, how can you be so petty? Why won't you let the Professor in? This isn't your car!"

He pulled out his phone and showed the screen to Sienna.

"Professor, this is the ride I called. It's not his."

Sienna's gaze shifted instantly. She looked at me with pure disgust.

"Marcus, you're pathetic. You're actually trying to steal credit from Leo for something as small as a car ride?"

Leo sneered at me.

"Sorry, Mr. Thorne. This car is too small for three. If you really want a ride, you can call an ambulance and pretend to be sick."

"If you make the Professor late, you won't be able to handle the consequences."

I clenched my jaw, anger bubbling in my chest.

The driver saw my expression and stepped out of the car to clarify.

"I'm sorry, but I am here specifically for Mr. Thorne. Please step away from the vehicle."

He then respectfully opened the back door for me.

Sienna looked at me in shock.

"He's here for you? Where are you going?"

I ignored her. I glanced at Leo's phone screen and let out a cold laugh.

"The car you called is a beat-up Honda. This is a Bentley. Even if you're too ignorant to know the logo, you should be able to read a license plate."

Leo's face turned several shades of red and purple.

He turned to Sienna, looking like a kicked puppy.

"Professor, I know I'm not as rich as Mr. Thorne, and I don't know fancy cars. But he doesn't have to humiliate me like this."

"Besides, who knows? Maybe some rich sugar mommy sent this car for him."

The next second―SLAP!

A stinging pain exploded across my left cheek. A clear handprint began to form.

Sienna's face was dark with fury.

"Marcus, no wonder you've been acting up and demanding a divorce. You found yourself a sugar mommy."

"You make me sick!"