Chapter 0365
+25 BONUS
Maximus felt drained; that brief conversation with his nephew had left him utterly exhausted.
“Alden, yesterday I read through the entire investigation. It pains me to see what the woman I once loved–the mother of my children–has become.”
He hesitated, staring out the large window. “I know you won’t believe me if I tell you that she was good once. But she was. I was a complete idiot. From the time I was 16 until I turned 30, 1 clung to the memory of the woman I met in school. She was my lifeline when your grandmother died.”
Maximus kept his gaze fixed on the view outside, unwilling to face Alden. Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Tuming, he saw a reflection of his brother in Alden’s face.
“Uncle, I can’t believe you’re living in the past! You’re Maximus Palmer. That’s not who you are. But let me tell you something–I’m not a damn killer. I’m not the heartless monster you might think I am. You know as well as I do that she can’t go unpunished for what she did to me.”
Maximus listened carefully, despite the weight of Alden’s words. The tone of his voice was so eerily similar to his brother’s that it felt like he was speaking to him again after all these years.
“Do you still love her?” Alden asked with genuine curiosity
“I can’t say I love her anymore, but I need you to understand–it was years together. If I’d done things differently, you’d still have a father, my ex–wife would be by my side, and this family wouldn’t be as broken as it is now.”
“It’s too late,” Alden said, patting Maximus’s shoulder..
“I know! I had my chance, and I blew it! I want to see her. After that, you can do whatever you want with her. For Laura, my other children, and everyone else, Alexia Levett is dead. I’ll be the one to tell my kids.”
“Thank you, Uncle. I knew you’d understand my position trusted you would.”
“Alden, have you ever been in love? You’re young, so you must have been. I need you to know–I never wanted my brother to die. I was blinded by what I thought was love, both what I felt and what I thought I was receiving from her.”
Maximus turned to look at his nephew, noticing that the cold mask Alden usually wore had softened.
“I have a son,” Alden admitted. “I love him more than my own life. His mother and I were in love when he was conceived. We were so young–I was 18, andshe was 16. Our families insisted we take responsibility, so we got married. That’s when I started working to build what I have now, There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him.”
“You’re a father?” Maximus asked, visibly surprised.
“I am,” Alden said, smiling, though there was a hint of nervousness in his expression.
“Wow… You’re so young to have a child. I hope someday I can meet your family–your mother, your wife, and
your–son.
“My wife and I separated recently. The love we had in our youth wasn’t enough to keep us together. These days, I only see my son one week a month, but it’s better this way. He doesn’t have to witness arguments or fights
anymore.
Maximus was taken aback. He’d only just learned about Peter’s son, and now he found out there was a grandson Too. Peter was already a grandfather.
“Alright, let’s get back to the issue at hand. Your wife is still in the hospital, but as soon as she recovers–and I believe she will–you’ll be able to see her. I’ve already told you she’s being well cared for,” Alden reassured him.
Chapter 0365
+25 BONUS
“I’ll trust you on this, but I don’t want any surprises. Now ‘ve been thinking about what comes next. You want to work here, and it’s your right as Peter’s son to claim 16.5% of the company’s shares,” Maximus said, locking eyes with Alden. “I just need a DNA test to confirm it, and those hares will be yours.”
“I didn’t expect that. But if that’s the case, I’ll do whatever you need. Don’t you have to consult the other shareholders about this?” Alden asked curiously.
“Right now, I don’t think we’re in a position to convene a full meeting. At the very least, I doubt your grandfather is. I just need to speak with Marcus Bartz, and I don’t think he’ll object,” Maximus said, studying Alden’s
reaction, though the young man’s gray eyes gave nothing away.
“Alright, then! Let’s do it!” Alden said with conviction.
