Bride Behind the Mask novel Chapter 290

Marguerite locked eyes with Frederick, whose handsome face shrouded in a cloud of grim shock.

She quickly avoided his oppressive gaze, tilting her head slightly to observe Maurice from the corner of her eye. "Was that enough?" she asked.

Maurice wore a smile throughout the entire ordeal, as if everything that was happening was under his control.

Marguerite was finally experiencing the cunning and sly nature of Maurice that she had heard so much about. His strategic play was smart and ruthless. No man could stand to be cheated on, especially by his own woman and a loathed nemesis.

The words coming out of Marguerite's mouth had a devastating impact, far more severe than if Maurice had said them himself.

Maurice walked up to Marguerite, whispering in her ear with an air of familiarity and ambiguity, "What about the rest? Did you tell Frederick when we met?”

Marguerite felt a chill run down her spine. Maurice had backed her into a corner. One step forward would mean plunging into an abyss. But what could she do?

She was at the root of this mess, she had no choice but to take the leap.

"We...we met a long time ago," Marguerite gritted her teeth, looking back at Frederick. "We knew each other before I met you."

Frederick remained calm, his gaze fixed on Marguerite's face as he tried to determine the truth in her words.

Marguerite knew he didn't believe her. His current state was akin to when Maurice revealed his true identity to her. He must have thought she was joking, making fun of him. But he was much more composed than she was.

Marguerite was overwhelmed with emotion, but suddenly found herself pulled into Frederick's embrace.

His jaw rested on her neck, his hand dusting her hair. His voice was barely a whisper, only meant for her to hear, "Did he threaten you? You know I won't let my woman be in danger. I have the power to protect you. Tell me, everything you said was under his coercion."

His embrace was tight and warm, but Marguerite's heart was shattering. She was on the verge of tears, the words she had to say were choking her.

Taking a deep breath, she pushed Frederick away, not giving him a chance to argue, "I didn't lie to you, not a single word. I conspired with Maurice against you. He promised me that if I married you, he could cure my grandmother's illness."

Frederick's eyes darkened, but his gaze on Marguerite remained complex.

Marguerite stumbled backward, but Maurice quickly steadied her and pulled her to his side.

The line was clearly drawn, Marguerite didn't pull her hand away from Maurice. She looked back at Frederick with a self-mocking smile, "See, Robert just confirmed it. Is there anything else you don't understand? I can explain it to you."

Frederick's face was almost pale, his expression blank.

Just an hour ago, he thought he finally knew the truth, that Marguerite was the girl who saved his life fifteen years ago.

He was eager to meet her, to ask her if she was the one he had a one-night stand with at the Regal Haven Hotel.

He desperately hoped that the baby Marguerite was carrying was his. But Marguerite told him, the father of the child, was Maurice!

Looking at Marguerite's face, sweeter and more innocent than Yuna's, Frederick felt alienated from the woman he once shared an intimate relationship with.

After a long standoff, Frederick finally spoke, his voice filled with a hatred Marguerite had never seen before, "Marguerite, you've done well! You're a woman that disgusts me! I wish you and the child you're carrying would drop dead!"