Once the declarations were signed, Alexia instructed the staff working for Judge Levett to let the two Preston siblings leave for any destination they chose. She made the transfer and headed straight to her grandfather’s office.“Grandpa, I have excellent news! Albert Preston’s children signed the d
After breaking the big news to Catherine, the three headed to dinner. But what Mary didn’t expect was the surprise awaiting her at the garden table. It had been more than five long years since she’d last seen him. As she stepped out of the mansion, the sound of her voice caught Albert Preston’s atte
After a warm dinner, the temperature began to drop, prompting the five of them to retreat into the mansion. Leopold had already arranged for coffee to be served in the sitting room. With her pregnancy now revealed, Mary no felt need to hide her cravings. She declined the coffee and requested a glass
While various stories unfolded in Valentia, Marcus Bartz was in New York, attending physical therapy to regain mobility in his right leg. Years of treatment had followed that fateful March 19th, when a bullet had nearly cost him his life and severely damaged a tendon in his leg.“Marcus, you’re doin
After Peter’s long conversation with Albert, they returned to the sitting room where Catherine and Leonard were waiting. Peter excused himself, saying he was tired and needed to rest, adding that Mary was already asleep and he wanted to join her.When he entered their bedroom, he found that Mary had
The next morning, Mary woke up and glanced at her phone—it was 10:00 a.m. Peter was already up, working on his laptop. She watched him intently, her cheeks flushing as she admired him. He was wearing his frameless glasses, which gave him an effortlessly handsome look.Peter felt her gaze and turned
[In Valeria]"Grandpa, what could be so important that you made me let Maximus go alone?" Alexia asked, visibly annoyed."My dear, this news will brighten your day. Albert is at Catherine’s house, and we’re going to get him,” Judge Levett said with a sinister smile.“Wait… at the birthday party?” Al
Peter and Mary stepped into the garden, where Catherine, Albert, and Leonard were enjoying coffee.“My dears! We waited for you, but since you didn’t come out of your room, we decided to start breakfast,” Catherine said apologetically.“Sorry, Grandma! I was working, and Mary was resting,” Peter rep
"You said it yourself—if I wanted to, I could’ve hit her back. But I won’t. I don’t want to. And I refuse to let this situation escalate any further. Look at me now—I have stitches in my head. Who knows what will happen next? I’d rather put an end to this now.""Adrian! You don’t have to air our bus
Adrian sighed as he watched Alice disappear in the distance. A short while later, he arrived home. Hilda, the housekeeper, rushed to help him out of the car."Sir… How are you? I thought you’d be back later… We were all worried!""Relax, Hilda. It was just a hit to the head. A few stitches, and that
As if fate itself wanted to set things in motion, the time had come. Laura, Lucius, and Maximus left the house together.The younger siblings saw them go, but they didn’t think much of it. Lately, the three of them had been leaving without saying where they were going, so this time didn’t seem any d
"Dad?""Come in," Maximus said, still checking his inbox."What’s going on, Maximus? Why all the secrecy?""Alright… Serenity’s wedding is over, and Lucius, I know you’ll be heading back to New Zealand soon. Moriarty won’t give me another extension, so we need to move forward with whatever decision
Another day passed at the Evans residence. The family was gathered for breakfast while Diana ran around in a rush, realizing she was running late for work. Maximus, ever the bad influence, kept telling his future wife not to worry so much, but it was impossible—Diana was always incredibly respectful
"Come here," Maximus said, opening his arms.Laura walked over and hugged him."My girl… Never apologize for standing your ground. Never—hear me? Never apologize for defending what’s yours. Honestly, I can’t picture the scene, but I wish I could’ve seen it.""Dad… This is embarrassing. I’ve never ac
Maximus, Diana, and Adele arrived home. Little Adele was completely exhausted—her day out had been long and tiring. For Maximus, spending time with his granddaughter filled his heart and eased the anxiety of what was coming.Laura heard her father arrive and immediately left her room to see him.“Da
After that long conversation between Laura and Magnus, the latter went to Maximus’s study, found a number, and made a call."Joseph George..." Magnus said into the phone."Magnus? What a surprise! This is amazing. A call?" said a raspy voice on the other end of the line."I wish I could say the same
Laura arrived home, and though the drive had given her time to calm down, she was still shocked by everything she had said. She had researched Alice George before, but she never imagined she would actually use that information to intimidate her.Without meaning to, she had proven that a part of her