Chapter 78 Play the Sympathy Card
Amy was unconvinced. She stood with her hands on her hips. “How could I possibly mess things up? Do you know who I am? Abigail’s closest friend! I know her better than anyone. With my help, there’s no way Felix won’t finally get his place this time!”
Gavin seemed intrigued by her confidence. “Sounds like a plan. Let’s put our heads together and figure out a way to give them a little nudge.”
The three fell into serious thought.
Sunny propped her chin up with her hand, her eyes dreamy with admiration. “Honestly, it’s incredible. Loving someone in silence. for so many years, even after they’ve married and had kids, and still waiting for a chance… Felix just gets more and more. charming.”
At this, Gavin pulled Sunny into his arms and said, “You better not start daydreaming about other men, especially Felix.”
Even Gavin, as a man, had to admit Felix had a strange charm. But he wasn’t about to let his woman fall for him.
Amy was deep in thought. Then suddenly, a mischievous spark lit up
her eyes. She grinned and called out, “Alright, everyone, gather around! I’ve got an idea!”
Everyone eagerly leaned in, their curiosity piqued. By the end of
Chapter 78 Play the Sympathy Card
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Amy’s explanation, they were all grinning with anticipation.
That night, excitement kept them awake until morning. They didn’t see the sunrise. It was just a gloomy, overcast sky with no glimpse of the sun.
By six o’clock, with daylight fully upon them, the group. descended the mountain with regret.
****
Meanwhile, Lucy arrived at the villa for work right on time. at seven. The moment she opened the door, her heart nearly stopped.
Anthony was sprawled on the floor, surrounded by empty bottles. His face was ghostly pale, with beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. He lay curled up, clutching his stomach in visible pain.
Lucy rushed to his side, panic flooding her voice as she tried to rouse him. “Mr. Robinson, wake up! Mr. Robinson!”
Anthony showed no response.
Realizing he had passed out, Lucy quickly pulled out her phone. and called for an ambulance.
An hour later, Anthony slowly opened his eyes, the sharp pain in his stomach dragging him back to consciousness. The first thing he saw was the hospital ceiling.
Chapter 78 Play the Sympathy Card
Ryan was sitting nearby, casually biting into an apple. “Well, look who’s awake,” he said, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.
Anthony quickly pieced together what had happened. The absurd amount of alcohol he’d consumed last night must have caused his stomach to revolt, and he had passed out from the pain. Lucy had likely found him this morning and rushed him to the hospital.
“What are you doing here?” Anthony asked, struggling to sit up. The movement sent a fresh wave of pain through his body, forcing a grimace onto his face.
Looking far too amused, Ryan crossed one leg over the other and leaned back. “Yesterday, you asked me to track down Abigail’s current address, and I figured something was off. I thought I’d call this morning to see if I could get the latest scoop, but Lucy answered your phone. She told me you are in the hospital with a perforated stomach. As your dear friend, I had to come to check on you.”
The mention of yesterday’s events stirred an inexplicable
irritation in Anthony. He reached out to snatch the apple from Ryan, but Ryan quickly pulled it out of reach.
“Doctor’s orders,” Ryan said smugly. “No solid food for you. Stick to liquids.”
Anthony let out a frustrated sigh and leaned back against the headboard.
Ryan raised an eyebrow. “So, you and Abigail are really
Chapter 78 Play the Sympathy Card divorced?”
Anthony frowned tighter, and his voice grew sharp. “Do you think I’d lie about something like that?”
Ryan didn’t need to press further; the signs were all there. Divorce had hit Anthony harder than he cared to admit.
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To the outside world, Anthony always seemed indifferent about his marriage, even about Abigail herself. But anyone paying attention could see the truth. Abigail was his Achilles‘ heel. Otherwise, why would he drink himself into a hospital bed the very night of their divorce?
see
Ryan could guess the rest. Anthony had probably tried to Abigail after the papers were signed, only to be turned away.
Looking at Anthony’s feigned composure, Ryan couldn’t help but snicker.
“What’s so funny? Do I look like a joke to you?” Anthony glared at Ryan and hurled the apple next to him.
Ryan caught the apple effortlessly, still smirking. “This time, Abigail’s not just throwing a tantrum. She’s serious. But since the divorce is fresh, there’s no way she’s completely detached after all these years. You’ve still got a chance to turn things around.”
Anthony’s face darkened. “Turn things around? Are you kidding me?” In the past, he would’ve scoffed and said Abigail could never live without him, that if anyone was going to beg for
Chapter 78 Play the Sympathy Card
reconciliation, it’d be her. But today, he didn’t even have the confidence to utter those words.
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Ryan set the apple down and leaned back. “Look, when it comes to relationships, swallowing your pride doesn’t make you weak. Don’t put on a show for me. I’m your friend, not your audience. Let me tell you, if you miss this chance, you might not get another. Women need to be coaxed, my friend.”
Anthony knew Ryan wasn’t wrong. Abigail’s demeanor yesterday had made that painfully clear. The unease he’d felt then came rushing back.
Grinding his teeth, Anthony finally relented, though his tone was stiff. “Alright, then. What do you suggest? We are already divorced. What am I supposed to do now?”
Ryan’s smirk widened as he leaned closer. “Simple. Play the sympathy card.”
Anthony gave him a skeptical look. “You really think that’ll work?”
Ryan, full of confidence, nodded. “Think about it. Abigail used to love you so much that she gave up everything to play house for you. That says a lot. Her feelings ran deep. Even if she’s angry and divorced you now, those emotions don’t just disappear overnight. The key is to act while there’s still a spark. You’ve got to seize the moment before it’s too late.”
Anthony sighed, shaking his head. “That won’t work. I went to see her last night. She made it clear she’s not interested in
Chapter 78 Play the Sympathy Card making up.”
Ryan raised an eyebrow. “And how exactly did you approach her?”
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Anthony didn’t answer, but Ryan already knew. Anthony had been used to holding the upper hand in their relationship for years. There was no way he’d have shown Abigail any warmth or humility, even when trying to reconcile.
Upon seeing Anthony’s silence, Ryan’s suspicions were confirmed. He shook his head and said, “That won’t cut it. Back when Abigail was willing to put up with you, she’d let your bad temper slide. But now? She’s done bending over backward, especially after the fire. That really hurt her. You can’t keep butting heads with her. Women, my friend, respond better to softness than stubbornness.”
Anthony grudgingly admitted to himself that Ryan had a point. But the chaos in his mind left him with no patience for drawn–out lectures. “Just get to the point. What exactly am I supposed to do?”
Ryan picked up Anthony’s phone and waved it. “You’re sick right now. This is the perfect time for a sympathy play. Call her, act a little pitiful, and show some vulnerability. Abigail used. to dote on you. She won’t be able to ignore you now if you play your cards right.”
Anthony was skeptical. “You think that’ll actually work?”
Ryan tossed the phone onto Anthony’s lap. “Whether it works or
Chapter 78 Play the Sympathy Card
not, you’ve got to try. At this point, it’s your best shot. Unless
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you’re okay with Marcus having a stepmom, you’d better throw everything at the wall and see what sticks.”
