All Chapters of Contract and Marriage: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Maximus' POV:All our efforts were in vain. Everything we did felt pointless because we couldn't find Sarina.I had no idea where she was or who had taken her.The man with the fingerprint on the sleeping pill bottle that Mariano's group found knew nothing either. But one thing was certain: the pill had been used on my wife.I nearly killed the man with my bare hands when I learned why Mariano had taken him.If it hadn't been for my brother and his two men restraining me, I might have.Like a melting candle, they subdued me completely, bringing me to my knees and allowing my tears to flow.I no longer cared about the insults they hurled at me or what they thought of me. All that mattered was where Sarina was and whether she was safe.-Weeks passed, and I still hadn't returned to Pearlisia.I couldn't bear the thought of Sarina disappearing without me being there. I wanted to be present when she returned and didn't want someone else to see her first. "Mr. Salonga, you need

Maximus' POV:"What kind of work is this?" I demanded, tossing aside the architecture team's recommended designs.They all furrowed their brows, visibly alarmed."Mr. Salonga, they've been working nonstop on these designs for two weeks," Aries interjected, which only fueled my frustration."And what do you want to produce there? Is it the fault of their worthless designs?" I snapped, to which he quickly nodded."Why don't we stop for a moment and take a break?" he suggested.I took a deep breath, then nodded.Aries turned to the architecture team. He was the only one I couldn't scold too harshly, though at times my temper got the best of me. I was grateful that he always understood."You can go ahead and take a break," he said.The team exchanged glances and followed his instructions, leaving the meeting room.I leaned back in my chair, closed my eyes, and gently massaged my temples. I could still feel Aries' gaze, so I opened my eyes again. "If you're tired, Mr. Salonga, y

Maximus' POV:Three months after I read those files, I returned to Pearlisia.The police investigation still had no results, even though a year and a half had passed. It had been two years since I last saw my wife, and the pain was still fresh.Mariano and my friends called often, perhaps hoping to cheer me up, but nothing ever changed.Six months ago, Mariano visited, and we spent the entire day together. He had spoken earnestly, telling me it was too vague to still be holding on to hope for Sarina.I had been angry then because I knew he had a point.The hope I had been clinging to—the hope that had kept me strong—completely disappeared.My brother accompanied me, and I could once again see the worry on my grandmother's face. I watched her cry, terrified of my condition—after all, I had tried to take my own life.I couldn't face my parents-in-law. I didn't know how to ease their hearts when I couldn't even ease my own, especially knowing how much they had loved my wife.And

Maximus' POV:"Find me a good secretary, Aries!" I shouted at my assistant.One secretary after another resigned, and the few who replaced them didn't last long. They couldn't handle my temper, no matter how much Aries tried to placate them.The two secretaries I had in Las Islas had left as well, having endured too much of my anger.It had been a year since the Las Islas police confirmed Sarina's death. For months, I had been trapped in my own world, unwilling to speak to anyone.Then, one day, I woke up and resumed working.However, that was all. I simply returned to my usual routine. Occasionally, I tried to find solace with other women but couldn't feel anything."HR has already posted the job openings, Mr. Salonga. Interviews are scheduled as well," Aries said.I nodded, and he informed me that I would be the one conducting the interviews in my office. "There are three applicants for interviews at 3:00 p.m.""Okay," I replied, then dismissed him.Maybe if we didn't treat

Maximus' POV:"Mr. Salonga, your coffee." A voice echoed as a cup of coffee was placed on my desk.I had just arrived at my office and was about to sit when she suddenly knocked and entered."Thank you," I replied without looking up.Hearing her voice was enough—it reminded me of Sarina.The last applicant I interviewed a week ago had a voice identical to my wife's.I felt an overwhelming sense of disappointment when I saw her face—it didn't resemble Sarina's at all."Do you need anything else, Mr. Salonga?" she asked."No, thank you." I felt her turn away and walk toward the door, but I remembered I needed to prepare for the meeting with the marketing team for Aries."Ah, Bella," I called, lifting my head just as she turned toward me.I didn't know why I saw Sarina's smiling face in my mind, so I quickly shook my head."Mr. Salonga?" Bella Drinx asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. "You okay? Maybe you should sit down for a minute.""Huh? Why?" I asked, still confused.