Chapter 9 An Insurmountable Chasm

• "Just 1.5 million?" Marcus fixed his gaze on me, retrieving a cigarette and lighter from his pocket. After igniting the cigarette, a hint of confusion flickered across his face.
• "1.5 million is sufficient. That sum will help Charles' factory regain its footing," I quickly replied, nodding earnestly.
• Initially, I expected him to humiliate me, to accuse me of leeching off the Eckman Family for money. But to my surprise, he didn't, which offered me a sense of relief.
• After all, to him, 1.5 million was a mere trifling amount; he would hardly give it a second thought.
• "Fine." Marcus exhaled a plume of smoke, suddenly regarding me with an unsettlingly blank expression. "I've told you, if you consent to the divorce, I'll accept any conditions you propose."
• His words struck me like a heavy blow to the chest.
• How do I not realize that he interpreted my request for 1.5 million as part of my conditions for divorce?
• To him, it was irrelevant whether I married him for the Eckman Family's wealth, as in his eyes, that was exactly the type of woman I was.
• "No, that's not my condition. I simply want to borrow…" I felt utterly foolish.
• Why don't I realize that Marcus will misconstrue my intentions even further?
• At this moment, it became painfully clear that I had irreparably dug my own grave in his eyes.
• "What's the matter? Do you think money is easy to come by and are now regretting your request?" Marcus' pupils suddenly turned icy as he advanced menacingly, his formidable presence radiating an unsettling intensity.
• I felt suffocated by the terrifying energy emanating from him, my breath nearly caught in my throat.
• "It's Charles who's in trouble, and I have no one else to turn to. I promise I'll find a way to repay you…" I attempted to clarify, desperate to prevent any further misunderstandings.
• "If that reasoning brings you solace, I'll entertain it. I'll give you 7.5 million, along with a villa and a car. Don't claim that our family has treated you poorly!" Marcus straightened, a flicker of disdain crossing his features as he produced a checkbook from his jacket pocket, signed a check, and tossed it at me.
• The mockery and derision in his gaze left me feeling utterly humiliated.
• A wave of dizziness washed over me.
• "Don't feign pity before me. The Eckman Family has long since settled its debts to your family," Marcus added before turning to leave.
• He was right.
• After our marriage, any difficulties my family faced were handled by Marcus. My family, reliant on my dad's life debt to the Eckman Family, clung to them like a parasitic vine to the towering tree of the Eckman Family.
• "I don't want this money! I don't want it!" I ripped the check into shreds, as if defending the last remnants of my dignity.
• "Fine, then here's 1.5 million," Marcus wrote another check and handed it to me. As he turned back toward the hospital room, he glanced over his shoulder and smirked coldly, "Charlotte, I'm curious to see what else you want from me!"
• I held the 1.5 million check like it was a hot coal, my expression twisted in bitterness.
• Although I had no intention of coveting anything, my actions had inadvertently betrayed my intentions to Marcus.
• In his eyes, accepting this 1.5 million was merely the beginning.
• After watching Marcus' tall figure gradually recede, I realized that tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.
• I understood the root of the problem, yet I felt powerless to alter it. There truly exists an insurmountable chasm between people!
• After receiving the money, I went straight to my mom's house. Looking at my eager mother, I handed her the check for 1.5 million without wanting to say much and turned to leave.
• "Why didn't you take a bit more? He actually gave you 1.5 million? I've been bored lately and thought about starting a small business," my mom said, her face lighting up with happiness at the sight of the check, but then her expression shifted to one of dissatisfaction.
• Her words ignited a surge of anger within me. "Mom, the Eckman Family isn't a bank, nor are they our personal ATM!"
• 1.5 million was already excessive, and it overdrawn my image in Marcus' eyes.
• But my mother wouldn't understand.
• "You're part of the Eckman Family. What's wrong with us taking a little money?" she declared, puffing out her chest defiantly.
• Her words filled me with profound sadness. "Mom, if you think it's not enough, just return the money to me and go ask the Eckman Family yourself. I'm done with this."
• With that, I took a step to leave, but my mom grabbed my arm, apologizing with an awkward smile and insisting I should have lunch first before leaving. But I had no appetite and refused.
• Yet she clung to me, shamelessly saying, "1.5 million is plenty. If you're not happy with it, I will stop asking… But could you at least go talk to Marcus about getting an agreement for the clothing from Charles' factory to enter their malls? It would benefit both sides; he would agree."
• I couldn't help but stomp my foot in frustration.
• She wanted Charles' factory-produced clothing to be sold in the prestigious malls under the Eckman Group!
• I knew full well that those malls only hosted high-end brands with strict quality controls, and there was no way products from a factory like Charles' could make the cut.
• I was utterly exasperated. My mom consistently behaved this way, never taking other factors into account. She was blatantly exploiting others while attempting to elevate her own image!