Chapter 0031
“Change of plans, sweetheart! I need to tell you something, but get in the car. We’re heading back to the
mansion.”
“Okay, Grandma, I guess we’ll have lunch at home.”
Mary got into the car, feeling disappointed. She had looked particularly beautiful today and wanted to spend more time looking that way–especially hoping that Maximus would notice her more. ‘I’m not a child, I’m a woman,‘ she thought to herself.
“My dear Mary, there’s been a change of plans. I need to move you.”
Grandma, is it because of what I told you this morning? Don’t worry! It won’t happen again. But I don’t want to leave. Please! 1 feel comfortable here. I haven’t caused any trouble.”
“No, no, my dear. It’s not about that. My plan is to give you more freedom, and you won’t have that here. It’s not that I don’t want something to happen with Maximus, but he and I couldn’t come to an agreement about you staying here. So, it’s best to move you. I trust that distance will make Maximus reconsider.”
“Grandma,” Mary sighed, her voice heavy with sadness.
“Come on, dear! I know what’s best, and I know my grandsons. Neither of them is bad, but they’re both stubborn. You’ll meet Peter Palmer soon. He’s very different from Maximus. I think you’ll have more fun with him. You’ll have more freedom, and where he lives, it won’t be of interest to anyone who might be looking for you.”
“You’re right, Grandma. You know what’s best for me. I promised my grandfather I’d follow your advice.
“Thank you, my dear, for trusting me! Now, let’s get back to the mansion. You’ll need to pack your things as soon as possible.”
“Yes, Grandma,” Mary replied, resigned.
After a few minutes in the car, they arrived at the mansion, where Emma was waiting for them.
“Emma, please help the girl pack her things. We’re leaving today.“”
“Mrs. Palmer, what happened?” Emma asked, concerned.
“Nothing, Emma. Everything’s fine. I just had a disagreement with Maximus, and I need to take Mary.”
“Oh, ma’am! But who will look after the girl?” Emma asked, worried, as she had grown fond of having Mary in the house.
“My grandson, Peter.”
“Are you sure he’ll take good care of her?”
“Of course, Emma! Trust him a little. He’s a good boy!
“Alright, ma’am. I’ll go help Mary pack.”
19
+25 BONUS
As she helped pack, Emma secretly called Maximus, afraid of being caught. But she had to confirm if he had authorized Mary’s departure. If not, at least he could try to stop it.
“Mr. Palmer?”
“Yes, Emma? What’s going on? I’m in the office, you know you shouldn’t call unless it’s an emergency.
“Well, I thought you should know that Mrs. Palmer and Mary are packing her things to leave.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“The madam asked me to help the girl pack. She’s leaving today.”
“Emma, try to stall them. I’m on my way.”
Maximus grabbed his jacket and rushed out of the office. He knew things would get complicated if the girl left his house. On his way to the elevator, he ran into Matthew.
“Sir, where are you going? You have an important meeting with-”
“Cancel it. I have a major issue at–home that I can’t ignore.”
“Alright, I’ll do my best to reschedule!”
Maximus drove as fast as he could, but Mary didn’t have much to pack. Even though Emma tried to distract her, it wasn’t enough. Catherine quickly caught on to Emma’s stalling tactics.
“Emma, could you make me some tea?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll do it right after I finish helping Mary!”
“No, Emma. Right now. Lupita is almost done. Leopold, please help my granddaughter load her bags into the car.”
Emma had no choice but to go prepare the tea
“Emma, don’t forget who you work for. Maximus needs to learn the consequences of his actions, and I won’t let him defy me.”
“But ma’am, they’re getting along so well. How can you think separating them will help?”
“I didn’t make the decision. Maximus did when he brought Alexia back.”
“Alexia Levett is back?”
“That’s right, and we argued about that tramp today! Mary doesn’t deserve to get hurt. It’s better to get her away from Maximus before he does something foolish.”
“Ma’am, I thought things were going so well between them.”
“I thought so too, but I didn’t count on the return of that woman who clouds Maximus’s judgment.”
Unbeknownst to them, Mary had overheard the last part of the conversation. Suddenly, everything made sense. The new scent she noticed on Maximus that morning, the way he had been acting–he had someone else in his heart. She realized she had built up false hopes. A tear rolled down her cheek as she
Chapter 0031
thought about how foolish she had been to fall for a m
Chapter 0031
thought about how foolish she had been to fall for a man like him.
