THE BILLIONAIRE IS INFATUATED WITH HIS EX-LOVER
Chapter 37: Mark knows the close relationship between Jessica and Jee

After glimpsing the article, Leon summoned Mark to his office.

"Who permitted you to handle it this way? I told you to stifle the media, but not like this."

Mark's eyes followed the finger, pointing to the phone on the desk. He looked over it slowly, and then his face filled with shock.

"I did not know about this and the picture..."

However, the news shifted all attention towards Mark, subtly suggesting that Jee and Leon were wrongly implicated, allowing LT to weather the crisis temporarily.

Leon interjected, his eyes cold and probing as they fixed on Mark.

"Explain this photo to me."

Yesterday, when Jessica brought Lina home from the hospital, and accidentally met Mark at the door. Since Mrs. Laly wasn't there, she asked him to help bring things in from the car. Afterward, he played with the baby to get acquainted, not expecting it would lead to such complications. Hesitating, Mark seemed to realize something. At that moment, Jessica insisted he hold Lina despite the baby crying because of the unfamiliarity. Mark suspected it might have been intentional on Jessica's part.

Seeing Mark remain silent, Leon lost his patience and pressed harder.

"Why are you not saying anything? Is this true? Are you hiding something from me?"

Mark remained silent, hurrying to find Jessica to clarify everything.

At noon, they met at a café near Jessica's school. Anxious to understand the situation, Mark immediately began the conversation when Jessica arrived.

"Tell me about the story. I'm single, and suddenly, I'm portrayed as married with a child. I don't understand," Mark demanded an explanation.

Jessica knew taking advantage of Mark was wrong, but she felt she had no choice. She had planned to apologize proactively but didn't expect him to confront her so quickly.

"I didn't mean this to happen, but I'm a single mother, and it's been tough. Ms. Jee has been a great help to me. Seeing her misunderstood because of me made me feel guilty. I knew you were a good person and wanted to ask for your help. I'm truly sorry I didn't consult you first."

As Jessica spoke, her eyes welled up with tears, pleading silently for forgiveness. Mark, who typically kept his distance from women unless it was work-related, felt profound sympathy for Jessica. "What do you plan to do next?"

"Could you pretend to be the father for a while?"

"What would that entail?"

"You would occasionally move into my house and help out with Lina until this all blows over. After that, things can go back to normal."

"Go back to normal?" Mark was not keen on the idea. He had grown up without a family; Leon was his only relative. Jessica, though a recent acquaintance, had quickly offered him a sense of warmth and familiarity, like family. He hoped this new connection would never fade from his life.

Mark still had one unresolved issue-how can we handle this with Lei Ting?

Leon was deeply invested in this matter, and any deception discovered could severely damage their relationship. Despite everything, Mark couldn't bear losing his brother.

On returning to the company, Mark rehearsed hundreds of possible explanations. Eventually, he follows Jessica's plan and finds the right moment to reveal the truth to Leon later.

That afternoon, after returning home, Mark moved in to live with Jessica as she had suggested. She told Mrs. Laly that Mark had just returned from abroad and had been a great help to her and Sara. He would stay temporarily until he found a suitable place to move to.

Mrs. Laly was skeptical, as she had never heard Jessica or Sara mention a man. Since the Roberts family's reputation had been ruined, no one wanted to associate with them, so this arrangement seemed particularly suspicious. Moreover, Jessica had no boyfriend, prompting Mrs. Laly to call Sara for confirmation.

Over the weekend, Jessica and Mark planned to take Lina to the supermarket to buy diapers and use the opportunity to show off a happy family of three to bolster public confidence. Jessica received a call from Sara. She went upstairs to take the call.

"Jessica, I heard you and Mark are living together. Why didn't you discuss this with me? Do you know who he is?"

"I'm sorry, but I thought having him as a shield like this was best for us."

Sara was genuinely shocked. Jessica had unwittingly brought a tiger into their home, making him highly anxious.

"He's Leon's special assistant. You've done it this time."

"What?"

Jessica looked into the living room where Mark was happily playing peek-a-boo with Lina, holding her in his arms, looking like the doting father. His smiling eyes and radiant face stirred something in Jessica. Every time she was near him, she felt protected and at ease.