The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 24

Bernice accompanied Marcus to the front desk. They talked about what they would focus on the next day. Reaching the desk their conversation was interrupted. "Marcus!"

He jerked to attention scowling as he looked toward the voice. Bernice followed his gaze to see a lithe, brunette waving and smiling. She wore an elegant ensemble: jacket, blouse and skirt, which no doubt bore a prestigious fashion label. Everything about her spoke of privilege. The woman strutted across the admissions area as if she owned it. Reaching Marcus she wrapped an arm around his and tried to kiss his cheek.

Marcus shrugged her off and avoided her ruby lips. The last thing he wanted was a lip print on his cheek. Glaring at her he said, "What are you doing here?"

"Why the cold shoulder, Marcus?" Elizabeth asked. "After all, we are engaged."

"Like hell we are," Marcus snorted.

"Marcus you can't fight public opinion."

"That's what you think," Marcus stepped away from her. "Why are you here?"

"Your mother told me you were starting your administration work today. I waited at the mansion to surprise you with a cake for all your hard work but I didn't think you'd spend all day here!"

"There's a lot of work to get done," Marcus shrugged. He really hadn't noticed the hours pass.

"Oh Marcus, I think it's cute that you want to make your grandfather happy but it's really unnecessary. Once we're married I'll take care of everything."

"And how is that? You aren't on the Board."

"Well not yet, but after we're married I'll be an Avery and my business experience will be a huge asset."

"Let's get a few things straight," Marcus eyed her coldly. "First, the only way you will ever be an Avery is if my mother adopts you. Secondly, even if she did you and your business experience will never be an asset. You will never be appointed to the Board of directors."

"Don't be ridiculous. Who could be more qualified than me?"

"About a hundred thousand other people and my grandfather would take any of them over you."

"Marcus, really."

"Get this through your head... My grandfather hates you...almost as much as I do," Marcus said. "So stay as far away from both of us as you can."

He turned away from her and marched toward the front door without a backward glance. Once he was gone an uncomfortable silence settled between the two women. Elizabeth stood her usual superior façade cracking and her face going red. Her gaze fell on Bernice and she struggled to regain her composure turning up her nose, "He's only joking."

"Sure," Bernice nodding deciding not to add Miles Avery had told her the same thing on various occasions.

In fact he proposed Bernice succeed him if Marcus chose not to follow in his footsteps. She never gave him a definite answer but he had been quite serious. It was a generous offer but she also didn't want to give up her position as a doctor. Bernice had worked too hard for her tenure and patients. She wasn't ready to simply move on.

"Well, remember that. I will be your boss in the future," Elizabeth huffed. "And don't get any ideas about Marcus because you are working together temporarily...or you will regret it."

"Is that a threat Miss Quenn?" Bernice asked. "If so I think you've forgotten who you are talking to. I'm not some desperate barfly hoping to hook up with the city's bachelors. You don't have a net big enough to shoo away my family." Elizabeth scowled.

Bernice had no reason to fear her. While the Worthingtons were not as untouchable as the DaLairs very few would seek to deliberately tarnish their name. Not only did her family name offer protection but her parents certainly wouldn't stand idly by if someone attacked their children. She was a doctor, a good one. The gossip columns meant nothing to her.

Elizabeth huffed turning on her heels and departed.

"Are you sure it's all right to aggravate her?" the receptionist asked. "She has quite a reputation and connections."

"It's fine. She can't do anything to me," Bernice shook her head.

However her mind went to another woman and she grew pensive. If her suspicions were correct it made sense why Miles Avery was being quiet. He probably didn't want to make things more difficult for the family. Still...

If she knew anything about Miles Avery she knew it was killing him to keep his distance. She couldn't imagine he would continue to be satisfied with simply watching. But how was he planning to tell Marcus? Was that why he chose the Children's Hospital as Marcus's testing ground?

Bernice supposed it was too late to question him now. She only hoped it wouldn't blow up in the old man's face. Whatever the outcome the family was certain to pay a heavier price than the Averys. Unfortunately she could only sit back and watch for the time being. She certainly hoped Marcus's lesson would not be as harsh as the one Lucas learned.

***

"Marcus, wait!" Elizabeth hurried to catch up as he marched across the campus to the parking lot. "Marcus! You can't run from this."

"Run?" he suddenly whirled around. "Who's running?"

"Look, what is done is done. So let's just move on," Elizabeth insisted. "We have a wedding to plan."

"We have nothing. Do you understand that?" Marcus glared at her. "There is no we. There is no us. There is just you and your sick little game you play with my mother and I'm done with it."

"Marcus..."

"No. This time you listen...I'm tired of people deciding what I am going to do and with whom I am doing it and never asking my opinion. This is my life. Got it? Mine! I will choose who I will marry. And it won't be you."

Climbing into his car he slammed the door before starting it up and pulling out with a squeal of tires. Elizabeth wrinkled her nose at the smoke left behind in his haste to depart. Her face for once was not the cool, neutral one she usually wore. Right now she was furious.

Marcus had always been quiet and meek growing up never once disobeying his mother except when his grandfather barged in. It was perhaps inevitable that once he reached adulthood he would act out. So she quietly took care of his flings ensuring none of them got close enough to him to form attachments. She was the only woman who would stand at his side. His mother assured her there was no one else more worthy.

Yet now it seemed to be slipping through her fingers. Her carefully laid plan for their future was crumbling all because his grandfather interfered by sending him off to Europe. Marcus didn't even return for vacation staying far from his mother's or Elizabeth's reach. Just what was the old man thinking?