The Bartz family carried the infamous reputation of being part of the mafia, known for their ruthlessness toward enemies. While some of the rumors were true, much was exaggerated. Peter Bartz, the patriarch, had two sons: Lawrence Bartz and Francis Bartz, with Francis being the elder.In his old age
Maximus was stunned by how quickly the news had reached his grandmother Catherine, and even more so by her drastic reaction. He had never heard of the Palmer family being connected to the Bartz family, and now Marcus Bartz—a name Maximus thought was nothing but a myth—was being floated as a candidat
Peter woke early to prepare Mary’s things for her stay at the clinic. It broke his heart to see her like this, but he knew he couldn’t give her the help she needed. That had to come from experts, through therapy and time. Aurora, Mary’s closest friend, had insisted on being part of the process and w
Leonard and Maximus sat in stunned silence as Catherine warmly embraced the imposing figure of Marcus Bartz. The mysterious man who had just entered the room carried himself with quiet authority, but his connection to their family remained a puzzle.“Peter, I’ll admit, I doubted when Grandma said yo
Aurora watched as Mary entered the clinic, her figure small and fragile against the grand white building that exuded calm. The lush gardens surrounding it gave a sense of peace, but Aurora couldn’t help feeling anxious about leaving her friend.Mary had hesitated at the entrance, but the steady reas
After hearing everything Grandma Catherine had just said, Leonard was furious, Maximus couldn’t believe what he’d heard, and Peter simply smiled.“What the hell are you laughing at, Peter?” Maximus demanded angrily.“I’m laughing at the fact that your future ex-wife will end up being even more power
“You’re going to Florentia?” Peter asked.“Yes, just passing through. Then I’m heading back home. If you’re in a hurry, we can go together and finalize the details for the transfer.”After their exchange, Marcus left the office, closing the door behind him—and the real fight began.“Grandma! What th
As Peter and Catherine left the boardroom, they headed straight to the airport, where Marcus Bartz’s staff was already waiting for them. Catherine wasn’t feeling her best but put on a brave face. Once they boarded the private jet, they found Marcus seated, going through some emails.“Marcus, dear! T
Peter, understanding his son Alden’s intentions regarding Alexia, felt it was wise to stay close. Knowing how impulsive his son could be, he had no choice but to return to Valentia. He entrusted the arrangements to Darius Richards, who secured a central house in Westhaven and enrolled little Ethan a
Marcus chose not to interrupt his girls and instead went to tuck John in. Afterward, he headed to the master bedroom, took a shower, changed into his pajamas, and lay on the bed. The past few days had been exhausting.When he first entertained the idea of returning to Valentia, he never imagined it
“Serenity, he adored you. Even though he wasn’t your biological father, he loved you. If he had stayed with us, I know he would have loved you more than your real father ever could.”Valerie recounted every detail of her life with Peter. Serenity listened quietly, wishing that one day she might find
Serenity released her and nodded silently, her tearful eyes wide with anticipation.Valerie took a deep breath and began. “I told you I fell hopelessly in love with Maximus Palmer, but things didn’t work out. After my suicide attempt, I was discharged from the hospital and went to his grandmother’s
Valerie and Marcus arrived home after a short flight. She had been longing to get back and hug her children. As difficult as it would be, she knew she needed to have an honest conversation with her daughter. Just as she had opened up to Marcus, she now needed to explain everything to her daughter, l
When Alden saw how much his mother was suffering from the revelations, he nearly made the mistake of revealing that his father was alive. He had to bite the inside of his lip to stop himself, clenching his fists so tightly that his palms bore the marks. The pain was almost unbearable. After tucking
After Alden and Grace’s divorce, Grace decided to move to Spain. She had considered returning to Argentina, but her strained relationship with her parents made that impossible. Meanwhile, both Alden and Grace continued to receive unconditional support from Peter, who held Grace in high regard. Their
Alden was stunned. No one had ever spoken to him that way before. His mother had always been gentle, and Ignatius, who he had come to see as a father figure, was patient and understanding.“Take it or leave it! But make up your mind now,” Peter snapped, his tone tinged with exasperation.Alden ran t
After that long conversation, Theodore felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Alden, on the other hand, was in shock. What kind of man had his father been to endure something like this? The whole story sounded absurd, yet it had to be true—after all, the man standing before hi