2026-02-04 10:29:39
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Chapter 10
The moment Fiona snapped at Max, the room broke into loud, mocking laughter.“See? Even his own wife tells him to shut up!”“Spineless man, always hiding behind a woman!”“Who fights for a woman that can’t respect him?”Cousins doubled over, aunts hid mean grins behind their hands, even the old man smirked, watching Max like he was a joke come to life.For a moment, even Max felt the sting. It wasn’t the ridicule, he’d heard worse in war, from better men but the fact that Fiona, the woman he was breaking his patience for, threw him to the wolves right there.But instead of lashing out or defending his pride, he took a breath. He’d seen pressure, he’d seen desperation, he knew when someone was lashing out because they were drowning, not because they meant it.He let it go, for now.A wise man knows when to stand back, and when to stand up. Sometimes respect isn’t about proving yourself right in public, it’s about giving space, so you can see who’s truly with you when the dust settles.
Chapter 9
The moment Fiona slapped the contract on the table, the room changed.Sneers vanished. Every cousin, aunt, and busybody lunged forward, jostling for a look.Fingers scrambled across the pages, eyes darting from signature to company seal, desperate for proof it was fake.Dan, her cousin with a face like a weasel and an ego to match, piped up, “This must be a forgery. No way Atlas signs with us. Look at the print, probably something from a business center. Atlas Consortium doesn’t even give meetings to bankrupt families.”Another aunt snorted, “He’s right. If the ink isn’t even dry, it’s probably not worth the paper...”A chorus of voices joined in, piling on.“Maybe she found an old contract template..”“They don’t just hand out deals like candy...”“Who do you think you are, coming back here with some photocopy?”Fiona tried to speak up, voice tight but proud, “Atlas doesn’t do fake contracts. You can call them...”Dan cut her off with a sneer, “Shut up, Fiona. You’re always so desper
Chapter 8
Max didn’t even break stride.He gave the man in the suit a bored glance and waved him off, voice flat, “If the Thompsons are sincere, the head of the family should come out himself. Sending a butler to fetch me? That’s not how respect works.”The butler’s practiced smile faltered, clearly not expecting to be dismissed in front of his own men. But Max was already walking away, daughter in his arms, and sister by his side.Amelia’s eyes were wide, panic flickering. She tugged at his sleeve, voice dropping to a hurried whisper. “Max, that was the Thompson family. People don’t just ignore them...”He stopped her with a look, his expression amused and unbothered. “You worry too much. Minor figures, minor issues. You’ll see.”Rose just giggled, clapping, oblivious to the tension. “Daddy’s so cool!”They left the fleet of expensive cars behind, the butler still standing there, unsure whether to chase after or retreat with his dignity intact.As they walked, Amelia kept glancing at Max, awe
Chapter 7
Max returned early the next morning, sunlight barely creeping through the thin curtains.He hadn’t even reached the door before it burst open and Rose flung herself into his arms, clinging tight.“Daddy! You said you wouldn’t leave again!” she wailed, her voice muffled and shaky. “Why did you go? Mama said you’d come back, but I thought..”Max knelt and hugged her close, breathing in the scent of her hair, a tired warmth in his eyes. He looked over her head to Fiona, silent question in his gaze.Fiona crossed her arms but her tone was softer than before. “You can stay with us,” she said, almost grudging, but relief slipped through her. “It’s better for Rose. And for all of us.”She hadn’t slept, he could see it in the dull ache behind her eyes. The night before had been chaos. Rose had thrown a fit, screaming herself hoarse for her father, only drifting to sleep when Fiona finally whispered a hundred reassurances that he’d come back for her.Max nodded. “I’m not going anywhere.”He gl
Chapter 6
Benjamin Smith’s cane struck the floor once in anger“You,” he said, eyes sliding to Max with open disdain, “stay out of Smith family matters. This doesn’t concern you.”Then his gaze snapped back to Fiona.“Now answer,” Benjamin said coldly. “Which option do you choose?”The room felt smaller.Fiona inhaled slowly. She wasn’t stupid, she could see the trap clearly now and it was deliberate and designed to crush her without dirtying their hands.“That option is absurd,” she said finally, voice steady despite the pressure. “You know it is.”Benjamin’s brow twitched.“Securing a cooperation with a top-tier company in three days isn’t negotiation,” Fiona continued. “It’s execution. Even getting an appointment alone takes weeks. Gyrix Group, Luricor Holdings, Atlas Consortium, Northwind Capital, these companies don’t even look at proposals from families on the verge of collapse.”She met his gaze without flinching.“You’re not giving me a chance,” she said quietly. “You’re giving me a sen
Chapter 5
Outside the Grandview Pavilion, Fiona’s first words were, “Where’s Rose? Where’s my daughter? I need to find her.”Her voice trembled, panic already blooming in her eyes, she couldn't escape before but now that she have her freedom, she needs to find her precious one.Max didn’t waste time, just took her arm and said, “She’s at the hospital. She needed care. Come.”As they hurried toward the car, Fiona’s mind raced, guilt, dread, every mother’s nightmare crawling up her throat. Tears welled, but she bit them back. She clung to Max’s sleeve, needing his strength just to keep moving.The ride felt endless. When they finally burst into the hospital, they were greeted by chaos, nurses struggling to hold down a tiny girl thrashing on the bed, her cries echoing down the corridor.“I want my Daddy! Daddy promised to stay! Where is he.. Daddy!”Relief broke across the doctors’ faces as soon as they saw Max and they let go.The moment Rose saw him, her wailing stopped as if a switch had been
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