Chapter 0303
Chapter 0303
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After Maximus ended the call, Matthew immediately began sending the memorandums to all Palmer Group shareholders. The sudden request raised eyebrows, as it had been a long time since such a meeting had been called.
Leonardo, despite his advanced age, read the memorandum and knew something significant must have happened. Maximus wouldn’t summon everyone for a casual chat. Without hesitation, Leonardo arranged for someone to fetch him from Portugal, where he currently resided.
Meanwhile, Marcus was admiring the bare silhouette of his sleeping wife when his phone rang, interrupting the peaceful moment. He reached for it and saw Matthew’s name on the screen. Without hesitation, he answered.
“Matthew, what’s going on? It’s late for a call from you–it must be important,” Marcus said, intrigued.
“Mr. Bartz, my boss asked me to send a memorandum summoning all Palmer Group’s shareholders. Additionally, he specifically requested that you bring Mrs. Bartz and Miss Bartz,” Matthew explained calmly.
“Matthew, can I ask what this is about?” Marcus asked, his suspicion growing
“I’m not sure. You know how Mr. Palmer is–he doesn’t like to share details,” Matthew replied.
“I don’t understand why he wants my wife and daughter there, but I’ll see what I can do. Rest up, Matthew. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Marcus ended the call, his curiosity giving way to unease. What could Maximus want?” he wondered. Turning his gaze back to Valerie, he saw her now facing him, her serene face framed by her dark hair. She had finally fallen asleep after struggling for hours, exhaustion overtaking her.
Her peaceful expression tugged at Marcus’s heart. Even after 15 years, she still captivated him. The memory of how their relationship began was so vivid it felt like yesterday. But their start wasn’t the only memory he treasured there was also their wedding day.
Hesperia, 15 years earlier]
Marcus was at home, carefully adjusting the last details of his suit, rehearsing his toast, and double–checking his Itinerary. He was a bundle of nerves, terrified that Valerie might change her mind and decide not to show up at the church.
“What would I do? I should’ve kidnapped her. What if she regrets this? What if Regina convinces her not to marry me?” he muttered, pacing as his thoughts spiraled. He looked at his suit again, sinking into a sea of self–doubt. This cycle repeated until Frederick, his trusted confidant, finally decided to check on him.
“Marcus, are you alright?” Frederick asked, genuinely concerned.
“No, Frederick! What if she doesn’t come tomorrow? What if she thinks I’m too old for her?” Marcus replied, visibly shaken.
“Marcus, first of all, calm down. If Valerie wasn’t sure about this, she wouldn’t have said yes in the first place. You know her she wouldn’t leave you standing at the altar. Just relax and get some sleep.”
“I should’ve assigned bodyguards to her house. What if she tries to run away?”
“Marcus, calm down! Go to bed. If you don’t, you’ll have bags under your eyes that not even the best makeup artist could hide. Remember, tomorrow is your wedding day. You’re marrying the woman you love, and she loves you. That’s all that matters,” Frederick said, trying to reassure him.
“Thank you, Frederick. Honestly, thank you for being here. You’re the only family I have, and the only one who
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Chapter 0303
understands what I’m going through right now.”
“Marcus, you don’t need to thank me. I’m happy to be here. But you need to let go of those insecurities. Valerie will be there tomorrow. She’s just as in love with you as you are with her, and she’s probably feeling just as nervous right now,” Frederick said, guiding Marcus to bed.
For Marcus and Frederick, it was a restless night. But for Valerie, it was no less eventful–though for entirely different reasons. She was catching up with her best friend, Regina.
After learning from Marcus that Regina was her only friend in Hesperia, he had arranged to bring Regina back to attend the wedding. That night, the two friends were like teenagers again, laughing and crying as they reminisced. Regina cursed Alexia repeatedly, even joking about getting someone to put a curse on her.
Valerie shared her journey with Regina–falling hopelessly in love with an older man, the heartbreak that followed, and the tender but complicated love she had with Peter. But with Marcus, it was different. His maturity, sincerity, and unwavering devotion made her feel loved and protected in a way she had never experienced.
“Alright, alright. But in other ways, what’s he like?” Regina asked with a mischievous grin.
“What do you mean?” Valerie replied, slightly confused.
“In bed! What’s he like? Come on, Mary! That man is a dreamboat–how can you not kiss him to death? And he looks like a perfect gentleman. I bet you and he have already…” Regina said with shameless glee.
Chapter 0304
