Mike, who had already returned to campus life, didn't know that the reward he had offered had caused a small "scheming" incident at the hospital.
After another week of studying, he had basically finished self-studying all the sophomore year courses.
With his Geometric Thinking ability, Mike could easily connect the knowledge in his mind, which greatly accelerated his learning progress.
Next, there were two more weeks until Christmas, which was enough time for Mike to complete his junior and senior year courses as well.
When the weekend arrived, Mike, who had been studying for a long time and wanted to clear his head and balance work and rest, invited George, Connie, and Dr. Sturgis, planning to go shopping on Fifth Avenue.
Paige and the stoic female bodyguard, Needy, also came along.
"There's food, drinks, and entertainment here. Choose whatever you want to do. All expenses today will be reimbursed by... me!" The lively autumn crowd, coupled with the rare good weather, put Mike in a great mood.
It was only half a month until Christmas, and the commercial street was filled with sparkling Christmas trees and people dressed up in various Santa Claus-themed costumes.
In short, a festive atmosphere was already present at a glance.
"I want to buy some holiday gifts for Sheldon and them to send back..." The lively atmosphere reminded George of his family, so he made a suggestion.
Although he wasn't confined to the hospital, George, who had lived in a small place for many years, still couldn't adapt to the bustling life of New York.
Looking at his situation, he must have been homesick.
"Yes, I should also prepare gifts for Missy and Sheldon!" Unlike George, Connie quickly adapted to life in New York after arriving there.
She was now staying with Dr. Sturgis, and with his care, she looked like she was living a very comfortable life.
"Then let's go to a gift shop..."
Seeing no one object, Mike immediately led the group to a nice-looking gift shop.
With so many beautiful girls at home, Mike also decided to order a few sets of Christmas girl or reindeer costumes.
...
At the same time, Mark, who had regained his youth and changed his appearance, was helping his son's mother with the Christmas tree needed for the holiday, posing as a classmate and friend.
"You worked hard!" Scarlett O'Donnell habitually wiped the fine sweat from Mark's forehead and said, "The Christmas tree at home used to be handled by Mike. He, like you, always liked to clean the pine branches outside first before moving the tree into the house..."
It seemed she was thinking of her former happy married life, and Scarlett fell into a brief memory, a slight smile on her face.
Mark, of course, knew what Scarlett was talking about; after all, he was her husband.
Although he was now eighteen again and his appearance had changed, his wife no longer "recognized" him.
Seeing the smile on his wife's face, Mark deliberately probed, "I've been here many times, but I've never seen your husband?"
Before Mark became young again, his relationship with his wife was already very strained, to the point where she unilaterally filed for divorce.
Mark, who still loved his wife, also wanted to take this opportunity to figure out what his wife was truly thinking.
"You mean Mike? We're in the middle of a divorce lawsuit, but he seems to be deliberately avoiding me lately; I haven't been able to see him..." When she actually spoke of her husband, the smile on Scarlett's face instantly vanished.
It seemed she was recalling an unpleasant experience.
"Why are you divorcing?" Mark unconsciously slipped into his role until he saw his wife's surprised gaze, then quickly explained, "I mean, you're so beautiful and gentle; why would Agent O'Donnell divorce you?"
In these past few months, Mark had re-approached his wife as his son Alex's friend. With his intentional "ingratiation," the two had become "good friends."
"You... for a moment just now, you were very much like him..." Scarlett stared at the young Mark for a long time, and as the "boy" became increasingly uneasy, she said with a displeased expression, "I've felt strange for a long time, and now I realize... you look exactly like my husband when he was young..."
Hearing this, Mark, thinking his identity had been discovered, sweated more and more on his forehead, closing his eyes as if waiting for "judgment."
"You're a bastard, aren't you!"
The process was all correct, but the answer was wrong. Scarlett stared at Mark and confirmed, "You're Mike's illegitimate son, and you're approaching me to break up my family..."
"However, you don't need to do that now. I've already decided to divorce him. From now on, your family can live happily together."
"Also, say hello to your mother for me."
Mark, who was waiting for his wife's "judgment," heard her "nonsense" and his eyes widened.
He didn't quite understand his wife's thought process.
"Mother?" Mark thought of his mother, who had passed away a few years ago, and honestly said, "My mother has passed away."
"I'm sorry, I didn't know your situation," Scarlett comforted him. "But you can live well with him from now on. Although he has many minor flaws, he's still a good father."
Seeing the topic going further and further off track, Mark shivered and quickly explained, "No, no, no, I have no relation to your husband at all, and I'm not Mr. O'Donnell's son. My father is Ned, Ned Friedman."
Yes, Mark Gold had pulled out a fake identity again; he was now the "son" of his rich second-generation scoundrel friend.
"Mark Gold... Ned Friedman..."
Scarlett also knew her husband's good friend Ned Friedman, but she still stared at Mark for a long time: "You're so alike, you and Mike are so alike. Haven't you asked your Ned if he took the blame for a friend?"
An even worse thought appeared in Scarlett's mind.
"No, no, no, I can confirm that I am Ned's son..." Mark tried his best to explain. He also knew that his current situation indeed made it easy for his wife to misunderstand.
Mark actually wanted to "confess" to his wife, but thinking of the unbelievable things that had happened to him, who else would believe it besides his careless friend Ned?
It would be good if they didn't treat him as a lunatic.
Moreover, when he went to his scoundrel friend for help before, the other party also doubted him for a long time, and even beat him black and blue with an Iron Man figurine.
"Alright, I believe you." Looking at the boy who was trying so hard to explain, Scarlett finally softened and agreed with him, but only she knew what she was truly thinking.
"Leave the rest of the Christmas tree decorating to me, after all, this is our family's business..." Scarlett, who had decided that the boy was her husband's illegitimate son, still felt a barrier with Mark and said politely, "You should go back too. Ned's Christmas tree is probably waiting for you to go back and tidy it up."
Mark, who knew his wife's personality, could tell she was being sarcastic. But seeing her angry, he knew he couldn't leave.
"Ned's family doesn't need me. I'll go see what Alex is doing..." Mark temporarily found an excuse to stay, thinking he would find another opportunity to explain to his wife later.
At least he couldn't let her misunderstand that her husband had an illegitimate child.
On this side, watching the boy leave, Scarlett's eyes became increasingly complex.
She hadn't noticed before, but now recalling every moment she spent with the boy, Scarlett increasingly felt that the boy's figure merged with her husband's figure.
Moreover, in the past, the boy had shown many intimate details.
Scarlett was very familiar with those details...
Her thoughts became increasingly chaotic, and Scarlett suddenly shook her head. She had a terrifying thought: the boy seemed to like her.
'But how is that possible? I'm already an old woman; I'm old enough to be his mother.'
It must be said that Mark's youthful face was indeed quite handsome, perfectly matching the aesthetics of the previous generation.
Even if Scarlett was unwilling to admit it, having such a handsome young man showering her with attention did give her some special thoughts.
With her mind unsettled, Scarlett no longer had any interest in continuing to decorate the Christmas tree. As if by a ghost's hand, she followed the boy's footsteps.
In Alex's room, Mark, acting as the "big brother," was teaching his own son basketball skills.
Yes, Alex continued his father's hobby and was very interested in playing basketball.
Outside the door, Scarlett, peeking at the harmonious scene in the room, felt that everything in the picture was so familiar, except for the people.
Wasn't this the scene of her husband playing with their son before?
The more she thought about it, the more something felt off. Scarlett suddenly felt a pang of anxiety, and her legs felt a little weak.
So, before she was discovered, she clutched her chest and retreated to her own room.