Chapter 80 I Am Free

Isabella held on tightly to Maximo's arm when she saw that woman enter, her face of confusion and disbelief immediately caught her spouse's attention.

"Isabella?" Maximus whispered, worried to see that the young woman could not take her eyes off the stranger, her eyes wide open.

" Max... I... I know her..." Isabella stammered, visibly perplexed.

"What?"

"She's... She is Diego's mother.

"Diego?" The same Diego who works for me and who took care of you abroad? Máximo asked in a thread of voice. Isabella nodded, still looking at the woman.

"I... I didn't tell you before... I forgot to tell you about it when we talked in the cemetery... I've known Diego for a long time, practically since we were kids. Isabella confessed, with a deep concern on her face.

Máximo slid one of his hands to hers, which were still tightening the jacket of his suit.

- Don't worry... We'll talk about this later. Maximo murmured, trying to calm Isabella as he refocused all his attention on what was happening in front of them.

Maximilian lowered the speaker of the phone slowly, with his mouth open, not believing what his eyes saw, the woman he had been looking for many years and for so long, was now in front of him.

Not only that, but he was also in front of his entire family. What had that unhappy brat done, how had he done it?

"Go ahead, Mrs. Elena..." Aiden stretched out his hand to the woman, who looked nervous, uncomfortable, and a little scared.

Elena entered with a slow and uncertain step, looking around at the confused expressions of everyone present.

A couple of tall and burly men entered after her, as if they were her escorts, they were dressed in dark suits, their expressions were serious, one of them had several folders in his hand, both remained on the sides of the door, as if they were watching that no one entered or left.

The woman's heart skipped a beat when she recognized a face, a young woman she had known many years ago, it was Isabella, the daughter of an old friend, but Elena didn't say anything, she just turned her eyes and stopped in the center of the office, her eyes down, while swallowing thickly.

Why had that woman come to Aiden? Emily thought angrily, directing a hostile expression at Elena.

When she raised her downcast gaze, Elena found those dark and cruel eyes that had caused her fear for many years, those of her spouse, Gustavo.

"What...? what the does this mean?" Maximilian stammered, evidently perplexed, although he pretended to be still annoyed.

"What, will you tell me that you don't remember it?" Aiden asked Maximilian, raising an eyebrow maliciously. "Because as far as I know, he was looking for her for years...

"You wretch, you unhappy one! Maximilian's teeth cracked, while he kept his jaw clenched, with an angry expression.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Aiden said, turning around the office, as if he were on a stage. - I present to you the one, the first and the true one... Spouse of Mr. Maximiliano Johnson. There was a loud murmur in the office. "Or should I call him, Gustavo Ortiz, because that's his real name, isn't it?"

Marian got up from the sofa, the woman looked pale, she couldn't believe what she was hearing, did Maximilian have another spouse?

No! Bigger than that, even her spouse's name was false, Marian's heart jumped in agitation, all her life, all her love, everything she had believed and the man for whom she had sacrificed everything, was a complete deception.

Maximilian saw Marian, as she got up from her place, agitated, and the expression of disbelief on her face. Everyone around him was paralyzed like statues.

"LIE! WHAT ARE YOU INVENTING, YOU UNFORTUNATE MAN?! DO YOU COME TO MY HOUSE TO LOOK FOR TROUBLE AND SLANDER ME? Maximilian spat, red with rage.

Elena winced when she heard how her spouse's traitor denied her, she did not want to come, or face this man, but she allowed herself to be convinced by Aiden, with the only promise that they would finish off Maximilian, or Gustavo, as she knew him.

Aiden had promised to give him what he deserved and send him to prison, she would not be in any danger, because she would always keep her escorted and, besides, Elena would not have to say a word, just show up at the place and Aiden would take care of the rest.

"No, no, no..." Aiden smiled mischievously at Maximilian, winking at him. An attitude that boiled the man's blood, who clenched his fists at his sides. - I'm not here to defame you, on the contrary, I'm here to unmask you.

Aiden turned to one of the men who had stayed behind Elena, at the door of the office, and asked for one of the folders, from which he took an old photo of Maximilian younger, next to that woman and a small newborn baby, which she was carrying in her arms.

Then he took out a piece of paper, both documents he held up in front of everyone, it was an old marriage certificate.

"Here are the proofs, and I have many more if these do not seem enough!" Photos, documents, the birth certificate of the child they had together. Aiden exclaimed firmly.

"What?" There was a murmur of surprise among those present.

"That's right! They had a son, Diego Ortiz! Aiden shouted with determination, his posture was firm and his expression serious.

Isabella almost buried her nails in Maximo's suit, when she felt him step forward, her spouse was already breathing heavily, his fists clenched at his sides and a vein throbbing on his forehead.

Diego? Diego and Máximo were half-brothers! Isabella weighed at the same time as Maximo, and they both looked into each other's eyes, as if reading each other's thoughts.

Diego was not there by chance; he had not become Maximo's right-hand man by pure coincidence.

That man had appeared one day out of nowhere, it is true, but he had excellent references and an enviable resume, so Máximo did not hesitate to hire him, it was all a set-up by Maximilian.

Little by little, Diego had gained Máximo's trust, as he had become the perfect employee... In a flash of understanding, everything made sense in Maximus' mind.

"You wretch...!" That's how you found out about the companies he secretly had! You planted Diego for me! Maximus exclaimed, his fury evident.

The whole family watched Maximilian in horror, who was beginning to show signs of nervousness, aware that he could no longer deny his relationship with Elena.

"No, Max... For God's sake, it's not what you think, son, are you really going to believe all the barbarities that this idiot says? Maximilian replied, trying to maintain a façade of security, although his voice betrayed his growing anxiety.

"I do believe you..." Marian said, stepping forward with a frown in a contemptuous expression.

"What?" Maximilian looked at her with disdain, his look intimidating as usual.

"No, Maximilian, I'm not going to lower my head to you anymore..." Marian crossed her arms, her breathing heavily. Despite the obvious fear, their outrage and rage seemed to be more powerful.

- Be silent, woman! Maximilian roared, his voice full of fury.

"Don't you dare talk to my mother like that anymore! Maximus interjected, his voice full of determination.

"She's my spouse and I'll talk to her as I please!" Maximilian replied, banging on the desk furiously. "And you are my son, and you owe me respect!"

"You're wrong!" Aiden stepped forward with an air of arrogance. "Mrs. Collins is not your spouse!" First, because he is not even married to a real man, Maximilian Johnson does not exist. And second, because he already had a spouse. Which means that the marriage he has with Mrs. Marian Collins has no validity whatsoever. She is free..." Marian exhaled deeply upon hearing this, her face filled with a mixture of relief and disbelief. "And as for your son's respect, which is earned..." He concluded with a touch of sarcasm.

"You bastard..." Maximilian muttered between his teeth, looking at Aiden furiously.

"I'm free..." Marian murmured, looking around with a stunned expression. His eyes filled with tears as he repeated the word, turning his gaze to Isabella in disbelief. Isabella took his hand and smiled affectionately.

"Don't think you've gotten away, Marian! It's been many years of marriage and I'm not going to leave just like that! Maximilian struck the desk again, sitting firmly, determined not to give in.

"Father..." Maximo advanced towards him, ready to confront him, but Aiden stopped him.

"I guessed you'd say that Gustavo..." Aiden declared, calling Maximilian by his real name. The man shuddered at the sound of his real name. "That's why I took the liberty of inviting someone else, who will surely change his mind..."

Everyone looked at each other, was there still more?