The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 1800
Lea gave the rotund Arnold a once-over, then addressed her father’s men,
“Let him in. You guys keep an eye out by the doorway. I’ll call if I need you.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
After this affirmation, the lead man in black nudged Arnold a couple of steps into the hospital room. “Behave yourself in there!
We’re standing by. Try anything funny, and you’ll regret it.”
Given the circumstances, Arnold nodded obediently and stepped into the hospital room.
He was dying to know who the hell his family had managed to piss off. If he was going to die, he at least wanted to know why.
Expecting to find a terrifying mob boss, Arnold was taken aback to see two harmless-looking women. One was hooked up to an
IV drip in the hospital bed, and the other was sitting by her side.
Arnold blinked for a moment, then recognized the woman on the bed. “Ma... Marlinie... It’s you!”
Upon seeing Arnold, a flicker of anger crossed Marlinie’s pale face. “I’m surprised you remember me.”
Realizing that it was an old schoolmate, the tension in Arnold eased up. “Of course, I remember! Marlinie, you haven’t changed a
bit. You still look so young!”
How could he not recognize her? How could he forget her?!
This was his college sweetheart, the woman who had always held a special place in his heart.
Marlinie let out a bitter laugh. “Thanks for the compliment.”
Realizing that Marlinie’s tone was not as gentle as he remembered, Arnold then adopted a hesitant tone. “Er... Marlinie, was it
you who had those men bring me here?”
Marlinie nodded. “Yes, it was.”
Arnold forced a smile. “We’re old schoolmates. There was no need for such drama; it was quite scary. I thought I had upset
someone.”

Marlinie looked at him with contempt and regret, recalling how she had hastily entrusted her daughter, Pearl, to this useless man.
“Arnold, I didn’t call you here to reminisce.”
Arnold gazed at her. “Er... Yeah, I can tell. So, what’s this about? Why are you in the hospital? Why did those men search my
house, and why did they rough up my wife and daughter?”
Before Marlinie could respond, Lea interjected. “Your wife and daughter got exactly what they deserved! They’re the ones who
hurt Ms. Marlinie!”
Arnold was taken aback. Before he was brought here, he had asked Tracy and their daughter about what had happened, but
they had been evasive and just mumbled incoherently. Arnold had a pretty good idea of what had transpired after hearing what
the little girl said. Feeling awkward, he turned to Marlinie. “Marlinie, did you come to my house?”