Chapter 0160
The atmosphere in Peter’s home was suffocatingly tense. The Palmer family was determined to bury him in Florentia, but Peter’s final wish was to be laid to rest at the Flavian Cemetery, where his mother was buried. Marcus was equally determined to honor that wish, even if it meant revealing his true power -not as a mere bystander, but as a Bartz.
“Marcus, can we talk in the study?” Leonardo asked, his tone heavy.
“Of co
course, Mr. Palmer,” Marcus replied calmly, standing up and gesturing for Leonardo to lead the way.
“Father…” Maximus interjected, clearly uneasy.
“Wait here, son. Stay with your grandmother. I need to speak with Marcus.”
Leonardo had informed Catherine that Peter had been in an accident, but he had withheld the devastating truth. When she arrived in Galea and learned that her grandson had passed, the shock ⚫caused her blood pressure to spike dangerously. Agnes stayed by her side, leaving Mary to grieve alone.
Reluctantly, Maximus stayed behind with his shattered grandmother while Leonardo and Marcus entered the study.
It was Leonardo’s first time in this room. He sat behind Peter’s desk, his eyes falling on two framed photographs. One showed Mary with a bright, radiant smile, while the other depicted Martina, Peter’s mother, visibly pregnant. Beside her stood Leonardo, holding a young Maximus as they smiled like the picture–perfect family they once were. The sight of those photos brought tears to Leonardo’s eyes.
“I don’t understand why Peter wanted to be buried there,” Leonardo began softly. “But I ask you, Mr. Bartz, to respect his wishes.”
“His mother is there…” Leonardo said, his voice trembling as the weight of his son’s choice sank in.
“What?” Marcus asked, startled.
“Martina. She’s buried in Flavian. Peter never forgot her,” Leonardo continued, tears now spilling down his cheeks, “I always thought he’d
“ed to forget her, that he’d moved on. He never spoke of her after
she passed–not to me, at least.”
Marcus’s voice softened. “He spoke to me about her. He told me how beautiful she was. I don’t believe he ever forgot her.”
Leonardo nodded, his grief raw and exposed. “I can’t believe my son is gone. Do you know this was the first time I visited this house? We only recently reconciled after so many years apart.”
“I know,” Marcus replied. “When I met Peter, he seemed like a lonely man. He often talked about his grandmother and mother. I was surprised when he finally mentioned you.”
“I lost so much time with him,” Leonardo admitted, his voice breaking.
“I believe he found happiness in the end,” Marcus said. “He was with the woman he loved, about to become a father to a beautiful daughter, and he’d made peace with you. He told me he’d never been so happy.”
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Leonardo’s face tightened, the pain of regret etched deeply into his features. “Marcus… please let me take him to Florentia. Most of our family is there.”
“Mr. Palmer,” Marcus said firmly, “I’ve already told you–Peter will be buried at Flavian.”
“Please,” Leonardo pleaded, “let me take him.”
“No,” Marcus replied, his tone resolute. “I gave him my word, and I intend to keep it. A gentleman honors his promises.”
Outside the study, Maximus had been eavesdropping. Hearing his father beg Marcus enraged him, and he burst into the room.
“Father, you don’t need to grovel to this man! I’ve already spoken to Frank Levett, and he’s willing to help us revoke whatever power Peter gave him!”
Marcus’s eyes darkened. “Mr. Maximus, do you hear yourself? Peter despised the Levett family, and yet here you are, involving them in this?”
“That’s none of your business!” Maximus snapped. “The Levetts will soon be part of our family, while you are nothing but a stranger. If anyone has authority, it’s them.”
Marcus’s patience was wearing thin, his frustration barely concealed. “If that’s how you want to play it, you’ll have to go through me to take Peter anywhere other than Flavian.”
Tension thickened as Leonardo looked between the two men, the weight of the conflict crushing him.
“Is that your final word, Mr. Palmer?” Marcus asked Leonardo.
Leonardo hesitated. “Marcus… we just want to give him a proper funeral, with the family.”
“A family that ignored him for years?” Marcus shot back. “This isn’t about honoring Peter. This is about appearances. Fine, then. I’ll see you in court. I’ve been patient and accommodating, but Maximus has made your position clear. You’re no longer welcome in this house.”
“What?” Leonardo asked, stunned.
“You heard me,” Marcus said coldly. “This is my house. I sold it to Peter, but he hadn’t finished paying for it. Until the debt is settled, it belongs to me. If there’s nothing more to discuss, please leave.”
Maximus’s face contorted with fury. “You can’t kick us out! This is our family’s home!”
“It’s not,” Marcus countered. “Take your father and leave. Catherine is welcome to stay–she’s grieving her grandson. You, however, brought the Levetts into this mess, and for that, you have no place here.”
Leonardo, visibly shaken by Marcus’s sudden shift, stood and placed a hand on Maximus’s arm. “Come, Maximus. Let’s take your grandmother to a hotel where she can rest.”
Later, as Marcus walked through Valeria, a rare, bittersweet smile crossed his face.
“My friend,”
he murmured, “I kept my promise. You‘ rest where you wanted to be. But I won’t stop
Chapter 0160
here. I’ll ensure your death doesn’t go unpunished. Fi
Chapter 0160
here. I’ll ensure your death doesn’t go unpunished. Fr
+25 BONUS
Chapter 0160
here. I’ll ensure your death doesn’t go unpunished. Frank Levett and Alexia Levett… they’re next.”
Chapter 0161
Chapter 0161
