"Thanks for the advice! I'll keep that in mind. Want some coffee? I can make it while you get cleaned up.""Thanks, but Emma can do it.""Don't worry! I'll be happy to make it. You get cleaned up, and I'll prepare your breakfast!"Maximus felt a bit uncomfortable with her words but decided not to sa
"Did you really think I wouldn't find out? Foolish boy, I have eyes and ears everywhere. And don't forget, it's my company. I'm the majority shareholder, and you're just the president. So, if I decide to fire that woman, I will. You'd better show up today and not stand us up.""Grandma! You can't ke
"I know, Grandma. And I know who you're referring to, but let me be clear—I'm not firing Alexia.""Oh, yes, you will! You have one day to get rid of her, or I'll have to remind everyone who the real boss of this company is.""Grandma, you always try to control everything. You even moved Mary into my
Catherine stormed off, determined to catch up with Mary. She couldn't believe Maximus was willing to defy her this time. Meanwhile, Maximus stayed seated at the table, thinking his grandmother wouldn't actually take any action regarding Mary. But if she did, maybe it would be a relief—his house woul
"Change of plans, sweetheart! I need to tell you something, but get in the car. We're heading back to the mansion.""Okay, Grandma, I guess we'll have lunch at home."Mary got into the car, feeling disappointed. She had looked particularly beautiful today and wanted to spend more time looking that w
"Mary, darling! Come down, we need to leave," Catherine called out sternly."I'm here, Grandma," Mary replied, her voice tinged with sadness."Good! Let's go.""Thank you for everything, Emma," Mary said, extending her hand to the housekeeper."It was my pleasure, Miss. I enjoyed having a young lady
After leaving Mary in Peter's care, Catherine headed back to Maximus's mansion, knowing a heated argument was on the horizon.Maximus arrived home shortly after."Emma, where is Mary?""Sir, I'm afraid you're too late. Mrs. Palmer left with her about 15 minutes ago," Emma replied, her tone tinged wi
"Do you really think I'll fall for your fake concern? You clearly don't know me as well as you think. I went through hell with your grandfather—humiliations, beatings, infidelities. I fought and endured, knowing that the best I could do was wait for him to die from some illness. In the end, I'd inhe
"Monday?""No, I mean… what’s the date?""August 15th.""What year?"She laughed softly, as if I were playing some kind of joke on her."2003… Peter, what kind of prank are you trying to pull? Come on, get out of the bathroom. I need to pee, and you’re taking forever. And don’t forget—we have the ap
After thinking it all through, I knew I couldn’t leave her alone. If something happened to me, all my wealth would go to her. My children would never be left unprotected, and she would never have to worry about money again. But that wasn’t enough. I didn’t want to leave her alone to raise our childr
Diana and Maximus stepped out of the room, both looking exhausted and worried. It was already 10:00 a.m., and there was still no news about Peter. Celeste had finally fallen into a deep sleep after drinking the tea they had brought her.Marcus and Valerie had left the hospital a few hours earlier to
"Just curious…""Hmm… Are you sure?""Yeah…"Peter had been wondering about this ever since he came across an old photo of himself standing next to Mary, who had pink hair at the time. Fate worked in strange ways. Celeste had always been there—she was the little girl in the corner of that very pictu
Celeste went back into the room, and Peter looked at her, his eyes softening."Come here… I want to hold you."Something in his gaze unsettled her, but without hesitation, she stepped closer."Do you know that since the moment I met you, you became my whole world? I still can’t believe you’re going
"What is it? Peter, I don’t understand… I’ve never asked you for anything. Well, except earlier, when I made you promise not to leave me alone with our kids. That alone would make me happy.""I know! But this time, I want to do things right… I mean, I’m a man, a proper man—I can’t keep doing things
Valerie and Alden kept chatting while the café prepared a salad for Serenity. Valerie was surprised at how well Alden already knew her daughter’s tastes.As she watched her future son-in-law, she realized her daughter had made a good choice. Guilt crept in when she thought about her initial reaction
Alden nodded. "Yes. And I know the history between them. But to be completely honest? I don’t care."That was years ago. You moved on with your life. My father did the same."As adults, the past shouldn’t dictate our present. I know it’s hard to ignore it, but to me, it’s not important."Valerie sig
Alden had gone to find a room for Serenity. He knew this wasn’t a hotel—it was a hospital—but sometimes, accommodations could be made for certain people. He figured it was worth a try.Marcus was right. Serenity had endured a six-hour flight without any breaks, and it was already past midnight. She