Chapter 0187
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Agnes accompanied Mary back to her room, helping her lie down before speaking softly.
“Mr. Bartz had a heated argument with Mr. Maximus. That’s why he’s in such a bad mood. Please forgive him; he didn’t mean to be rude to you. He’s under a lot of pressure. He’s upset because Mr. Peter’s family wants to take him to Florentia, but Peter didn’t want to be buried there.”
“I know, Agnes,” Mary replied, tears welling in her eyes. “But I can’t stay here. Alexia made it clear–if I’m still here by morning, she’ll hurt me or my baby. I’ve lost so much already… I can’t lose more. I don’t know what to do.”
“Leave it to me. I’ll speak with Mr. Bartz. I’ve known him a long time–he’ll listen,” Agnes reassured her, gently patting her shoulder.
Agnes headed toward Marcus’s study, but she remembered that she had yet to tend to his injuries. She fetched the first aid kit before entering,
“Sir, please let me treat your wounds. We can’t risk an infection. We’ve already suffered enough with this terrible loss–you can’t afford to get sick as well.
“Agnes…”
Marcus began, his voice calmer than before “Where is Mary?”
“I took her to her room. She’s deeply worried. Apparently, that Alexia woman made it very clear that she doesn’t want her here by morning. I’m not sure how she managed to speak with her, but the poor girl is beside herself with fear. This could be dangerous for the baby.”
“Don’t worry, Agnes,” Marcus said, his voice firm. “She’s coming with me.”
As Agnes cleaned his bloody lip and brow, she saw the tension in Marcus’s expression soften slightly.
After finishing her task, she turned to leave, but Marcus’s voice stopped her.
“Agnes, I’ve already instructed Frederick to tell Mary we’re leaving in an hour. But let her know I’ll be delayed. I need to make a courtesy visit before we leave. Tell her to pack light. We must move quickly.”
“Understood, sir! I’ll tell her immediately,” Agnes said with a relieved smile, hurrying out the door.
In her room, Mary had changed into comfortable clothing, bundled herself up against the cool air, and packed her favorite embroidered butterfly bag. Inside she carried only her ID, a few bills, and the black card Peter had given her years ago.
Standing by the mirror, she placed a protective hand over her small, rounded belly.
“My little one,” she whispered, “we’re going on a journey. We’re leaving this place behind–all the pain, suffering, and death. This isn’t where you’re meant to be born. Where we’re going, I’ll make sure nothing happens to you. It’s just you and me now. But we’ll make it.”
She had already called for an Uber, instructing the driver to wait quietly outside without honking. With her bag in hand, she slipped out of her room, moving silently through the house. There was no time for
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Chapter 0187
goodbyes, no moment to look back. She climbed into the car and, as it pulled away, whispered a final farewell to her painful past.
Agnes returned to Mary’s room to deliver Marcus’s message, but she found it empty. Panic washed over her as she frantically searched every corner of the house, her anxiety mounting with each passing moment. Finally, she rushed to the study to inform Marcus.
“Sir! She’s gone! Mary isn’t here–I’ve looked everywhere!”
Marcus’s face turned ashen. He glanced at Frederick, his jaw tightening.
“Check the security cameras,” he ordered.
“Yes, sir,” Frederick said, rushing to the surveillance room.
When Frederick reached the security station, he demanded, “I need to see the footage. Now.”
“What are we looking for, Mr. Frederick?” the guard asked.
“The young wom:
young woman who’s been staying here,” Frederick said gravely.
They scanned the recent footage, and Frederick’s heart sank when he saw Mary’s small figure crossing the front gardens. His breath hitched as he watched her climb into a car.
“Get the license plate number,” he barked.
Jotting it down, he forwarded the information to Valeria, hoping they could intercept the vehicle before it was too late.
Frederick rushed back to Marcus, finding him already preparing to leave.
“Sir, she got into a car,” Frederick reported, his voice Urgent. “I’ve sent the license plate information to Valeria ”
Marcus’s expression darkened. “I trust you to find her Frederick.”
“And you? Where are you going?”
Marcus paused. “I have a courtesy visit to make before we leave.”
“Sir, don’t do anything reckless! Mary is our priority now.”
“She’s in your hands, my friend. You know what to do if anything happens to me,” Marcus said cryptically before getting into one of Peter’s cars and speeding away.
Meanwhile, in another part of Galea, Leonardo and Catherine traveled together in one car, while Maximus, Alexia, Frank, and Frank’s political ally were in another. Leonardo suddenly pulled over, stepping out to approach Maximus’s window.
“Son, I’m taking your grandmother to a nearby hotel, she needs rest–she’s not doing well. She’s
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asking about Mary. I’ll return to fetch her.”
“Father let us handle it,” Maximus said.
“Don’t be foolish, Maximus. Look at yourself you’re a mess! Besides, you’re here with your future wife, while Mary is your ex–wife. You have no business with her anymore.”
Leonardo’s eyes softened, his voice tinged with regret “Mary was almost my daughter–in–law, and she’s carrying the last piece of Peter we’ll ever have. In all this chaos, we’ve forgotten her pain, her loss, Have you even considered what she might want?”
