American TV series: Starting with exploiting young Sheldon

"What are you doing!!!"

Just then, Mark, who was immersed in his personal emotions, was suddenly awakened by his daughter's voice.

Turning his head, he saw his daughter Maggie staring angrily at him from the doorway.

A moment of guilt, panic, and confusion intertwined with other complex emotions, which ultimately transformed into the old father's anger.

"What's going on in your diary? You're a girl, why would you do this?" Anger turned into accusation, and Mark couldn't care less about anything else; he just wanted to correct his daughter's strange mindset.

He simply didn't understand the situation at all. A young girl in the prime of her life had her diary read by a man she barely knew. How could she possibly be in the mood to listen to his lecture?

"How dare you enter my room without my permission and rummage through my things!" Maggie was very agitated and rushed over to snatch the notebook back.

“I…” Mark was speechless for a moment, only then realizing that, in his daughter’s eyes, he, now appearing as an eighteen-year-old, was not her father.

However, he still had to say: "Even if I'm not anyone to you, I can't just watch you keep making mistakes."

"Make a mistake? What right do you have to criticize me? You're not my dad!" Maggie was almost crying with anger. She argued, "Even if you were my dad, you couldn't peek into my diary without permission!"

……

"What happened?"

The loud argument drew Scarlett's attention, as she had just returned to her room to calm down.

Seeing her daughter's tearful and aggrieved expression, she stepped forward and gently hugged the girl, then stared at Mark together with her.

"I...I didn't mean to..." Under his wife's stern gaze, Mark felt a bit pressured and unconsciously lowered his guard as he explained, "It's Maggie. She actually wrote erotic stories about herself and other boys in her diary..."

Scarlett then noticed that her daughter was tightly clutching a diary in her arms.

Like her daughter, Scarlett also disapproved of reading other people's private diaries without permission.

So she didn't listen to what Mark said next, but instead rebuked him, "As an outsider, you shouldn't interfere in our family affairs. Please leave now; we don't welcome rude people."

At this point, the woman's good impression of Mark, as well as any unreasonable fantasies she had before, were all suppressed.

Faced with his wife's indifferent expression, Mark, who still had the face of an eighteen-year-old, finally realized that he and she were no longer a family.

Moreover, I have no right to "educate" my daughter.

"What's going on? Are we still playing baseball later?" Alex, who had excitedly gone to the warehouse to find equipment, arrived at the scene with baseballs, gloves, and other items.

“Mark read your sister’s diary without permission,” Scarlett explained to her son.

It also subtly reminds the other person that they need to be careful when making friends.

“This…” Alex stared at his friend in disbelief for a long time. Seeing that the other party did not refute him, he silently retreated behind his mother and sister.

To be fair, the two O'Donnell children, despite their flawed personalities due to their mother's upbringing, have pretty good values.

Mark was now truly an "outsider." He opened his mouth several times, trying to explain again. However, he also knew that if he didn't reveal his identity, the three people opposite him probably wouldn't listen to anything he had to say.

However, the idea of ​​returning to the age of eighteen is still too far-fetched. Even if it were told, Scarlett and the other two would definitely not believe it and would only think that Mark was making up a story.

So, things have reached a dead end.

“I’m sorry, I apologize to Maggie for my behavior earlier. I’m so sorry.” Mark chose to leave temporarily to let everyone calm down. Before leaving, he continued, “And Scarlett, sorry for bothering you today. As for Alex, we’ll hang out again another time…”

After saying that, Mark prepared to leave.

"Wait a minute~" Scarlett frowned and stopped him, saying seriously, "You should call me Auntie. It was my oversight before, please be more careful in the future. Also, if possible, please stay away from my two children in the future. They are not as mature as you..."

Yes, in Scarlett's eyes, all of Mark's previous strange behavior was categorized as maturity.

This also makes sense; she's already so old, so why did she have a slightly unique feeling towards a boy who was only eighteen?

Of course, these are all Scarlett's personal opinions.

“I’ll be careful… Scarlett, Auntie~” Mark, who thought there was still a chance for things to turn around, turned and left dejectedly after hearing his wife’s ultimatum.

He's a bit confused right now and needs to go back and sort out his feelings.

“Wait a little longer,” Scarlett called to Mark again, staring at his face for a long time before finally saying, “I don’t care what your relationship is with my husband, O’Donnell, but if you can, please tell him I’m going to formally file for divorce next weekend. Whether he comes or not is up to him.”

……

Meanwhile, as Mark returned dejectedly to his rich, eccentric friend's house, Mike, who was in the Fifth Avenue shopping district, also ended his shopping trip with Connie's grandmother and others.

Everyone was carrying bags and packages, including the aloof Nydy.

Peggy is wearing an adorable Santa hat, which, combined with her disgruntled expression, makes her look incredibly cute.

"Thank you for the treat, Mike. John and I are going home now~" Grandma Connie really enjoyed today's activities; she had eaten, drunk, and played almost everything.

Now all she wants to do is complete the last thing: have an unforgettable time alone with Professor John.

After watching Professor John and his companion leave, both beaming with pride, Old Man George bid them farewell, saying, "Thank you for spending money today, Mike. When you return to Texas, I'll prepare a special barbecue for you."

Mike, who is now quite wealthy, said he would pay for everything today, and he will definitely keep his word.

This generous gesture made George's father a little embarrassed. Who would have thought that in Apple City, a pair of Christmas gloves could cost over a hundred dollars?

Old George, who was used to a life of hardship, had his eyes opened today. At the same time, he realized that he owed the other party an even greater favor.

So, not being used to owing favors, he was already thinking about how to find an opportunity to reciprocate.

"Then I'll be waiting for your barbecue~" Mike replied with a smile, not thinking too much about it.

Then, after arranging for a car to take George's father away, he also took several special Christmas girl outfits and headed back to the villa.

The timing is perfect; after dinner, Regina and the others can try on the clothes to see if they fit.

Chapter 418 A Woman's Sixth Sense

As evening fell, Mike was busy trying on Christmas outfits with the girls in the bathroom, living room, and kitchen of the luxurious villa.

Anxious Mark is also at his wealthy friend Ned's luxurious villa, seeking his help.

"What do you think I need to do to prevent Scarlett from divorcing me in a week?" The issue of children is secondary for Mark now; his biggest fear is his wife filing for divorce.

According to the new Marriage Law, Scarlett has been separated from her husband for more than three months, so as long as she goes to court to file for divorce, the divorce can be granted regardless of whether her husband is present or not.

Mark wanted to salvage the relationship, but at eighteen years old, he simply couldn't do it, which was the reason for his distress.

“Hey, look on the bright side…maybe if you confess to Scarlett in your current state, she’ll forgive you. You know, you’re an eighteen-year-old body…” Ned, the rich second-generation heir dressed in a suit resembling Iron Man, grinned and shrugged his hips in the living room.

This rich kid is different from others. He doesn't like extravagance and debauchery. Instead, he is very keen on collecting all kinds of figurines.

His living room display case is filled with countless expensive life-size figurines, including Spider-Man, Batman, The Flash, Star Trek series, and more.

“I’m serious, Ned!” Mark, feeling anxious, glared at his friend, who was both repressed and childish, warning him to be serious.

Of course, it was precisely because Ned had this nerdy side that he was able to become close friends with Mark for many years.

“I’m serious…” Ned lifted the Iron Man mask from his face and said, “Didn’t you often complain to me that Scarlett was too strict with you, and that the kids were disobedient, etc…”

Now, you have the opportunity to break free from all of this and start afresh as a young person.

"Also, don't you love basketball and dream of becoming a professional basketball player? If you lead Columbia University's basketball team to the NCAA championship this year, professional basketball teams will definitely want to work with you..."

"To be honest, I'm starting to envy you now."

As a close friend, Ned really cared about his buddy.

It was precisely because he knew how unsuccessful his friend's previous marriage was that he advised him to start a new life.

"I..." Mark was taken aback by his friend's elaborate explanation, then retorted, "You've never been married, you wouldn't understand~"

KO!!!

One sentence was enough to plunge the psychologically immature Ned, who was in his forties, into a state of self-isolation.

“But you’re right, my marriage with Scarlett was a failure. Since she wants a divorce, I should give her her freedom…” Mark thought a lot that day, from his spirited self back then to the changes after marrying Scarlett.

At the age of eighteen, he had the opportunity to become a professional basketball player, but he gave up his basketball dream and chose to marry his girlfriend after learning that she was pregnant.

This should have been a sweet beginning...

However, as he faced the mundane details of married life, the daily grind, and setbacks at work, Mark couldn't help but reminisce about his basketball dream.

I can't help but think: if I hadn't married Scarlett back then, I would probably have become a professional basketball player, which would have been a wonderful life.

Moreover, the more dissatisfied Mark was with his life in middle age, the stronger this feeling became.

Finally, he couldn't help but complain to his wife, and his temper became increasingly erratic. Even his children became his "punching bag."

'I wasn't a good husband, nor a good father. I destroyed my own happy family with my own hands…'

Mark, after reflecting on his past life, made the right judgment.

He's starting to think that divorcing Scarlett is the best option. She won't have to put up with his bad temper anymore, and he can relive his 18-year-old self and try to pursue his basketball dream.

"Thank you, Ned~" Mark, who had figured things out, said to his bewildered friend, "I know what to do now."

Having made up his mind, he went to his room to get a good night's sleep and recharge.

He was utterly exhausted today.

"Huh?" In the living room, Ned, still wearing a high-quality replica Iron Man suit, scratched his head.

He didn't understand why his friend thanked him, or why the other person's emotions were so inconsistent.

'I guess it's the rebellious phase of adolescence!'

Ultimately, Ned, who suffered from severe chuunibyou (middle school syndrome), also made his own judgment.

It can be said that during this period, he took care of his friend like a "son," and he also experienced some of the feelings of being a father.

……

Another week passed, and Mark, having made up his mind, stopped trying to get close to his three family members and instead began to seriously practice his basketball skills.

It was precisely because of this serious attitude that his basketball skills improved by leaps and bounds, and he even surpassed the other "werewolf" star in Columbia University's basketball team at one point.

Furthermore, Mark also had a very impressive performance in the quarterfinals of this week's college basketball league, ultimately helping his team win.

This earned him even more affection from his coaches and teammates.

It can be said that Mark's life has been very successful since he adopted the right attitude.

Finally, the weekend arrived again, the day Scarlett would file for divorce.

Inside the courthouse, a woman with a somewhat haggard face held all the necessary documents for the divorce, but hesitated to hand them over to the judge, as if she were waiting for something.

After a long while, under the woman's hopeful gaze, a man walked in from the entrance of the courthouse.

"Where's O'Donnell? Why are you wearing his coat?" Scarlett felt a surge of anger rising in her chest the moment she saw who it was.

Originally, the woman hadn't decided whether she really wanted a divorce, and had even considered whether she should agree if her husband tried to keep her.

But Mark's appearance completely shattered her illusions. The jacket he was wearing also proved that this eighteen-year-old boy did indeed have a relationship with her husband.

The question of "illegitimate child" resurfaced in Scarlett's mind.

The woman even misunderstood: that her husband's refusal to appear at this important time, instead sending his "illegitimate child," was an attempt to humiliate her.

Scarlett Johansson's composure is already evident in the fact that she didn't start a fight on the spot.

However, the woman probably never imagined that the reason Mark showed up here wearing his old clothes was to show his wife that he wanted to see things through to the end.

Although he couldn't reveal his identity, he still wanted to express his remorse in his own way.

“O…O’Donnell isn’t coming today.” Mark met the woman’s angry gaze, his voice slightly hoarse. “But he sent me with a letter, an apology to Ms. Scarlett…”

After speaking, under the questioning gaze of the woman opposite him, Mark took out a piece of stationery, unfolded it, and read aloud earnestly:

Dear Scarlett, I'm so sorry that I can't be there in person today due to personal reasons.

However, I still want to say "I'm sorry" to you. I haven't been able to give you the happy life I promised, nor have I fulfilled my responsibilities as a husband and father...

I feel so guilty towards you and the family; on the contrary, I should thank you for your continued tolerance and sacrifices...

……

As Scarlett read the apology letter, her vision blurred as she recalled various scenes from her life with her husband.

If she could, she would very much like the apology to be given by her husband, O'Donnell, in person.

Judging from the situation, her husband couldn't even bring himself to apologize. This "cowardly" behavior disappointed Scarlett once again.

Moreover, his lack of responsibility, as seen today, has happened many times in their lives. It is precisely these small "disappointments" that have accumulated, causing Scarlett to gradually lose patience with her husband.

"If ending the marriage is what you want, then I choose to grant your wish..."

As the woman's thoughts raced, Mark's letter reached its closing note: "Even after the divorce, I still wish you happiness."