Chapter 0231
After Peter’s death, the Palmer family descended into utter chaos. While Peter hadn’t been the one running the family, what he represented to each of them triggered a cascade of emotional reactions.
Grandma Catherine fell into a deep depression. The once strong, proud matriarch slowly became a shadow of her former self, clinging to the ashes of her youngest grandson as she slept. Her health deteriorated rapidly. Leonardo, deeply concerned for his mother, enlisted Maximus’s help to launch an exhaustive search for Mary. But in Valentia, there wasn’t a single trace of her.
Marcus Bartz had wiped every record of Mary’s existence. All they knew from security footage was that she had boarded a plane, but her destination remained unknown.
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Maximus, overwhelmed, called off his wedding just a week before the date. Meanwhile, Alexia had just given birth
to their firstborn son, who was promptly registered as Lucius Palmer. The boy was the spitting image of Maximus as a child, with a temperament to match–even as a baby, he often left his parents baffled.
Alexia was far from the picture of a happy, doting mother. After giving birth, she was furious with Maximus for abandoning her to chase after Mary. She had been rushed to the hospital in an ambulance while he was off searching. That incident had been the final straw. It was then that she realized the truth: Maximus still loved the ⚫woman who had once been his wife.
Alexia recalled the moment she broke down in tears–not from labor pains, but from the pain of knowing Maximus was only with her for the sake of the baby. At that moment, she made a decision: she would eliminate Mary for good. While being transported to the hospital, she sent a message to her grandfather.
“Get rid of her. I don’t want her alive. She and her bastard child must not survive.”
Frank didn’t hesitate. He ordered Theodore to handle it and ensured other trusted men would help dispose of the body. Alexia wanted proof that Mary was dead.
But Theodore had no intention of killing Mary. He wanted to protect what Peter had once considered his greatest treasure. Though he and Peter hadn’t been close friends, they shared a mutual respect and an unspoken pact when it came to family–something Frank didn’t care to honor.
Theodore knew his boss was beginning to suspect his loyalties, so he acted with increasing caution. When Peter was killed, Theodore had been forced to swallow his anger and inform Frank that the job was done. The ment responsible for Peter’s death would eventually pay, but that wouldn’t bring him back. Peter had known the risks of his work but never imagined Frank Levett would be the one to take his life.
After giving birth, Alexia was far more concerned about whether the swelling in her body would subside in time. She refused to cancel the wedding and wanted to proudly declare herself Mrs. Palmer. In a pitiful tone, she turned to Maximus and said:
“Maximus, you abandoned me when I needed you most. My baby and I arrived here like nobodies–but we are not nobodies. My son is the firstborn of the Palmer and Levett families. I don’t know how you plan to make up for this insult. In fact, I don’t want to see you here. Leave! Go to your whore! Get out!”
Maximus, seeing the tears in Alexia’s eyes, felt his heart ache. He knew full well that both Mary and Alexia had suffered because of him. He couldn’t keep hurting people this way. Without thinking twice, he proposed they get married immediately–right there in the hospital. He suggested they move up the civil ceremony to seal their relationship and show Alexia that he was serious about his commitment to her.
Alexia’s tears stopped, replaced by a wide smile. She asked her assistant to bring cosmetics and a more suitable gown for a social magazine spread. Within a couple of hour, Alexia looked as though she’d never had a baby-
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Chapter 0231
radiant in a beige silk gown with a matching robe. The impromptu wedding left no time for Leonardo or Catherine to attend.
The tabloids exploded with the story: Maximus Palmer Marries Alexia Levett. Following the tragic death of his brother, Alexia had given birth to the firstborn heir of the Palmer fortune–a little boy named Lucius Palmer. Alexia was thrilled. All of Valeria now knew she was Mrs. Palmer. The previous wedding plans had been canceled due to Peter’s death, but none of that mattered. She was now a part of the family, the proud wife of an unattainable man and a powerful business leader. With Mary dead and her illegitimate child gone, Alexia knew her son and any future children–would be the sole, legitimate heirs to the Palmer fortune.
Frank Levett had taken a leave of absence from his position Marcus wasn’t dead, and his recent actions and warnings had proven he wasn’t bluffing. Frank knew it was best to let things settle, especially since he didn’t know where Bartz was. Many of his associates involved in illicit activities were disappearing one by one. He didn’t need to be a genius to see how precarious his situation was.
Frank had little time to worry about whether Mary and her child had been eliminated or to celebrate his great- grandson’s birth. He was also unaware that Alexia had married Maximus; he would learn of it much later.
For now, Frank focused on surviving, knowing full well that Marcus Bartz was playing the long game–and Frank was running out of time.
