Chapter 748

Ellison's face turned livid. “She's from Zenith Group! She manipulated you into divorcing me and leaving the company just so she could poach you! You've been played!"

Penelope wasn't going to let that slide. “Let me make this perfectly clear: our company isn't a prison, and Marin is free to come and go as she pleases. If she wants to join us, we will welcome her with open arms and a generous compensation package. If she doesn't, we wish her the best in finding a company that suits her better."

Ellison scoffed. "I don't believe you're that magnanimous."

"I believe it," Marin stated.

Ellison let out a harsh laugh. "Marin, you'll regret this one day!"

Furious, Ellison stormed off.

Penelope shoved the paperwork into Marin's hands. "You'll need to stick around here and wait for the lawyers to finalize the procedures. Are you going to be okay on your own?"

Marin nodded. “I'll be fine, but my parents were worried. They're already on their way."

“That's for the best. When Ellison starts playing dirty, he's impossible to predict." Marin smiled bitterly. "I'm only just now seeing his true colors."

"Then I'll see you in Orenth."

"Okay."

Theodore headed back that very afternoon. Following the address Linda had provided, he arrived at a secluded mansion on the outskirts of the city. Linda was waiting by the entrance, looking as though she were about to burst into tears the moment she saw him.

"Mr. Stapleton, please get in there and stop him! Marico is about to gamble away the entirety of Zenith Group!"

Theodore's expression darkened instantly at her words.

There were bodyguards stationed at the door who originally didn't plan on letting

him in, but the mansion's butler recognized him. Jumping in fright, the butler quickly ushered Theodore inside.

"Theodore, it truly wasn't our young master who challenged Marico to play. Marico sought him out on his own and when

den our young master saw how much he was losing, he tried to persuade him to stop but he refused to listen."

Theodore ignored the butler, taking long strides up to the second floor. He pushed open the door to the east-facing room, and a thick wave of cigar smoke and stale alcohol assaulted his senses. The room was a hazy, chaotic mess. Once the smoke cleared a bit, he finally spotted Marico.

Right now, he was sitting at the poker table, staring intently at his cards, his eyes practically bulging out of his flushed face.

He hadn't left ft the table in two days. Dark bags hung under his bloodshot eyes, a thick layer of stubble coated his jaw, his hair was greasy and unkempt, and his white dress shirt was wrinkled and clinging to his frame.

The other players had clearly been playing in shifts, so they looked significantly better.

Aside from Marico, the three other men at the table and the two rotating out were all notorious rich playboys from Orenth, infamous for their love of booze, women, and high-stakes gambling.

Just then, Marico pushed all his chips in, but the two players beside and across from him immediately flipped their cards, showing winning hands.

"Thank you, Marico! So generous of you!"

The two men beamed with delight, while Marico unleashed a string of curses.

"I don't believe my luck can stay this bad! Deal the next hand!"

Marico shouted, aggressively tossing his cards toward the dealer.

At that moment, a man standing by handed him an IOU slip.

"Please sign and press your fingerprint here, Marico."

Marico glanced at it and scowled. “Are you afraid I'm going to flake on my debts?"

"Of course not, you have Zenith Group backing you that's a mountain of gold. But table rules are table rules. We settle the tab after every round to avoid any unpleasantness over pocket change later."

Marico swore again. He was just about to grab the pen when a heavy hand clamped down on his shoulder.