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
Peter sped down the road in his luxurious Lamborghini, sensing the anxious glance from his passenger. Mary was visibly nervous about the speed at which they were traveling. As they continued along the coastal highway, she caught sight of the distant sea, with golden sands and deep blue water coming
Suddenly, the sound of screeching tires interrupted their conversation as Peter slammed on the brakes, startling Mary. She thought for a moment she had said something wrong.“We almost missed the restaurant!”“So we almost died… for food?”“Come on, you can’t deny you’re enjoying the ride. I saw how
“Peter!”“Yes, big brother? Do you think being the CEO intimidates me? It doesn’t. It hasn’t for a long time. Grandma gave me a responsibility, and you have no right to contradict what she asked me to do. If you have nothing else to add, I’m going to hang up, Maximus. And don’t even think about comi
After a few emotional minutes at Peter’s final resting place, Marcus Bartz gently urged Valerie to leave. The security team had signaled that someone was loitering nearby—a risk Marcus couldn’t afford.“My beloved Valerie, we need to go. It’s dangerous to stay here,” Marcus said, his eyes scanning t
After half an hour of driving, a convoy of three SUVs arrived at the entrance of Flavian Cemetery. From the lead vehicle stepped the striking couple, returning to Valentia after what felt like an eternity away.The man took the woman’s hand and helped her out of the SUV. A bodyguard handed them the
[In Ambervale, two decades later]In a private hangar at Flameco Airport in Eterna, a strikingly beautiful woman with long blonde hair descended from a sleek private jet. Ahead of her was a tall, commanding man with sharp, rugged features, his face partially covered by a neatly trimmed beard and a p
In Ambervale, two months had passed since Albert’s death, and Agent Count had finally uncovered key information related to Albert Preston’s arrest.“Mrs. Catherine, can we meet? I have something I believe will interest you. I’ve sent part of it to your email, but it’s imperative you see the rest in
Peter and Mary arrived home in Galea after their long journey. Mary was still fragile, so Peter had instructed the staff to provide her with all the help she might need. Agnes, ever attentive, had prepared a delicious meal, knowing the expectant mother needed nourishment. She felt it was her duty to
Maximus arrived in Valeria and went straight to see Alexia. He knew it wouldn’t be easy to face her anger, but he hadn’t expected to find her in loose clothing, her eyes and nose red from crying. When his gaze fell on her swollen belly, he felt like the most miserable man alive. She was the mother o
As Marcus learned of Albert Preston’s death, Catherine retreated to her bedroom, carrying the urn holding the ashes of the man who had been her last love. Meanwhile, Peter lay on the bed, gently stroking Mary’s hair. The soothing motion had helped her relax enough to sleep, so Peter remained still,
Marcus Bartz had just settled into a luxurious house along Coravela’s Arcfield Boulevard, overlooking the beach. The property offered stunning ocean views and was fortified with state-of-the-art security systems.It was a sprawling house for a man living alone, and his sudden arrival didn’t go unnot
Hours later, Catherine, Leonard, and Maximus returned to the mansion with Albert’s ashes in a beautiful white onyx urn. Catherine held it as if her life depended on it, her grip tight, her expression stoic. She longed to retreat to her room, where she could grieve in private. Life, it seemed, had de