I'm Her Husband!

Logan's laughter abruptly ceased, his expression turned serious. Disregarding Mr. Nicholson's veiled attempts at manipulation, he replied, "I was reminiscing about some amusing incidents from my time at the hospital. But, Mr. Nicholson, my resolve is firm and unwavering. No amount of monetary enticement can sway me. My decision remains resolute and unyielding."

"You..." Mr. Nicholson's scoff was barely audible. "Your idealism blinds you. Just because of your personal woes, you're willing to sacrifice your livelihood. Understand this, individuals like you seldom thrive in reality. I, for one, harbor a bleak outlook, yet I wish you well."

Logan smiled in response, his composure unruffled. "Your sentiments are appreciated," he acknowledged graciously.

As Logan exited the Human Resources office, he turned abruptly and collided unintentionally with an elderly woman.

"Hey, do you even have eyes?!"

At first, rage blazed in the old woman's eyes, but it swiftly cooled into a look of disdain as she realized Logan was the one who caused the accident.

"Damn it, you're back, you worthless son-in-law! You just crashed into me, didn't you see?" The old woman exclaimed, brushing at her clothes that had brushed against Logan's body. "How disgusting! Scum like you shouldn't even touch my expensive clothes."

Logan shrugged off the insult, his surprise piqued by the unexpected encounter with the elderly woman before him.

"Mother-in-law, what brings you here? Are you undergoing treatment for cancer?" Logan asked, genuine concern coloring his words.

"Hmph, watch your words!" Emily snapped at her son-in-law once more. "I'm here to talk to you."

"Me?" Logan pointed at himself. "What do you need me for?"

"To hand this over to you," Emily replied, pulling a document from her briefcase. "These are your divorce papers with Ariana. I expect you to sign them immediately."

Logan was silent for a moment before he spoke. "Mother, you must have already known about Ariana's affair."

"I've known, but I don't see Ariana's actions as an affair. What she did was quite understandable, given your failure as a husband. So let me warn you if you keep bringing up this 'affair,' you might face consequences," Emily threatened, pointing her index finger sharply at Logan's face.

Emily's threat carried little substance; it was a mere attempt to intimidate Logan, fueled by her concern that Ariana's divorce could damage the family's reputation.

The Scott family enjoyed a respectable reputation and significant standing in Southriver Hill, largely thanks to Ariana's contributions.

Ariana's renown stemmed from both her striking beauty and her successful career in the medical field. The combination of intelligence and allure rendered her highly esteemed and sought after in the eyes of many.

So far, several eligible suitors from respected families had shown interest in Ariana. Yet, Emily steadfastly dismissed them all, holding out hope for a proposal from a suitor belonging to one of the top 10 families in the city for her daughter.

As for Logan, Emily didn't entertain the idea of him as a potential suitor for Ariana at all.

If it hadn't been for Ariana's infatuation during her college years, their marriage would never have happened.

"I won't accept or sign these divorce papers unless Ariana delivers them to me herself," Logan stated firmly, his determination clear.

"Why would Ariana bother meeting with a loser like you?" Emily snorted disdainfully, her anger evident in the flush of her cheeks. "Listen, Ariana is currently treating Bruno Winchester and has no time or interest in meeting with you."

"I am her husband, not Bruno," Logan affirmed with unwavering resolve.

Although Logan harbors an intense aversion to acknowledging Ariana as his wife any longer, the fact remains that they have yet to finalize their divorce. 

This realization seemed to strike a nerve with Emily, whose disdain for the situation was unmistakable. Her visage twisted with deep-seated disgust, not only did she audibly snort, but she also spat vehemently upon the ground, her countenance contorting with unabashed revulsion.

"Aren't you ashamed to claim the title of Ariana's husband? Look at yourself before you speak! Compared to Bruno, you're nothing. You're just a lowly janitor with no potential, while Bruno is a doctor on the verge of being promoted to head manager at this hospital," Emily insulted mercilessly. "And let's not forget, Bruno is the eldest son of the esteemed Winchester family. In a few years, he'll inherit their entire fortune and provide Ariana with everything she desires. Can you offer the same?"

"I have no desire to emulate that scoundrel," Logan shook his head resolutely. "All I ask is for Ariana to personally hand me these divorce papers, without any intermediaries."

Emily's derision is evident, she retrieved her phone with a scoff, purposefully dialing Ariana's number, insisting on her immediate presence at their current location.

Shortly thereafter, Ariana arrived, not alone but in the company of her younger brother, who had tagged along unexpectedly.

"That damn bastard, let me pound his face until it's a mess!" James, Ariana's younger brother, quickened his pace, fists clenched tightly as if nursing a long-held grudge against Logan.

In stark contrast, Logan betrayed no hint of fear. He remained composed, his gaze unwavering as James closed in, his expression cool and impassive.

In the blink of an eye, James surged forward, his fist hurtling toward Logan's face with swift, unbridled aggression. His hands clenched tightly, the blow propelled like a sledgehammer, aimed to land with relentless force.

SWUNG!

Logan observed the scene unfolding before him with startling clarity, yet inexplicably, all movements seemed to decelerate in his perception.

DING!

[System detected a direct and intentional threat to the host's body]

[Activating ultra-protection device!]

[Speed increased by 30%]

[Visibility increased by 50%]

[Combat instinct increased by 80%]

[Martial arts module: {MMA} successfully added]

[Active time: 10 minutes]

An electric current surged from The Black Mask nestled in his pocket, coursing through his blood vessels and intricate nerves before surging directly into his brain.

At that moment, Logan felt as though he had snapped out of a trance. A surge of knowledge flooded his mind, as if an MMA martial arts module had been uploaded, granting him a miraculous understanding of almost all martial arts techniques.

Not only that, but his body also surged with boundless energy, imbuing Logan with a sensation that he could move as swiftly as, or perhaps even faster than, light itself.

"I'm ready for a fight!"

Logan agilely leaped to the right, evading the oncoming punch with lightning speed and precision. His movements were fluid and precise, his body resembling a fleeting shadow as he darted away. In the blink of an eye, he found himself standing behind James, his sudden displacement as swift and seamless as a whisper in the wind.

"Got you!"