The next morning, Maximus left for the Valeria airport, where the jet waiting to transport him was already prepared. Unlike other trips, this time he was alone. There were no young women accompanying him—a stark contrast to his usual habit of using long trips as an excuse to dazzle some unsuspecting
Serenity had been born from a tragic love story. Her early years were tough, though she was too young to remember most of it. As she grew older, one constant memory stood out—Marcus. To her, he had always been her father. Even though her mother, determined to keep Peter’s memory alive, had shared pa
Maximus held the coffee-stained jacket in one hand as he stepped into the car waiting for him. The driver began the trip to the Four Seasons Hotel Madrid. During the ride, Maximus tried to check his emails, but every time he attempted to focus, the image of the girl he had just met crept back into h
After hanging up with her daughter, Valerie felt a tightness in her chest. It was as though she could sense something was wrong, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. At first, she thought it was because Serenity was traveling to Spain, but after seeing her on the video call, perfectly happy and sa
Marcus exited the emergency area, accompanied by an officer. He wore an uncomfortable neck brace and was being escorted to a private office to give his statement. As someone of prominence, he was kept away from prying eyes and curious onlookers.Walking alongside the officer, who barely came up to h
Marcus sat down, his patience already wearing thin as he waited. The door to the pediatrician’s office finally opened, and the doctor stepped out. Upon seeing Marcus, the doctor’s face registered immediate recognition.“Mr. Bartz! Are you feeling alright? Do you need assistance?” the doctor asked, c
[The present]Maximus arrived at his hotel and took some time to rest before preparing for his evening meeting. After going over the details, he found himself thinking about the gray-eyed woman who had stirred something unfamiliar in him. Unable to resist, he decided to send her an email.-[Subject
Maximus opened the email and read the girl’s response. Once again, he found himself surprised. Not only did she know who he was, but she was also confidently proposing to work for him. It seemed his reputation as a “cradle robber” hadn’t reached her ears—a relief, though her boldness made him skepti
“Oh, I see. That’s what’s been on your mind?” Marcus asked gently.“Yes, back then Catherine forced us to come here. Maximus and I made a pact to get along, and it worked—at least until Alexia arrived,” Valerie said nervously.“My love, you should’ve told me. We could’ve gone somewhere else,” Marcus
The next day, Valerie and Marcus shared the news with their children about taking a week off for a trip to unwind. The past few days had been stressful, and they needed a break. To their surprise, both Serenity and John flat-out refused to miss school. Serenity explained that she had already missed
After kidnapping Serenity, Leonardo and Lucius fled to Davos in the Swiss Alps. It was the ideal place to rest and strategize, not to mention the seat of the World Economic Forum. Their choice wasn’t random; Leonardo already had a plan. With the money secured and the truth about his relationship wit
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