***In Christian Idzes's office, Anastasia stared blankly out the window, her mind still reeling from the various insults she had read and heard directed at her mother. Each word tore at her heart, but she had to endure the public ridicule. Suddenly, light footsteps entered the room.Anastasia turned around and was surprised to see a man with a hat and a mask partially covering his face. However, she recognized those eyes—eyes she knew so well—and they met her gaze. Without thinking, she ran over to him and hugged Maximilian tightly. The tears she had been holding back finally broke free."Max, they insulted my mother again," she sobbed hoarsely. "I can't accept that my mother is being slandered! She's not a cheap woman! They always attribute bad news to her. I can't stay silent, Max. I don't care if they insult me, but Mama... I can't take it!"Maximilian clenched his fists; anger raged in his chest. Seeing Anastasia cry like this made his heart ache. "I will not stay silent," he vow
***Maximilian strode into the living room steadily. Selene was waiting for him there with a gentle smile. She set a cup of tea on the small table in front of him and looked at him expectantly."Drink up, dear," she said, pouring warm tea into the cup in front of him.Maximilian took the cup and drank slowly. After a moment of silence, Selene broke it with a question that hit the nail on the head."You're still allergic to contact with strange women, aren't you?" Yesterday, Renata accidentally touched you, and Mama saw how your body reacted,” Selene said in a worried tone.Maximilian looked down, took a deep breath, and replied, "She didn't touch me by accident, Mom. He touched me on purpose.”Selene's eyes widened in amazement. She tried to hide her surprise with a deep sigh and gazed lovingly at her son. "Son, don't be cold to her. I know you're still angry, and I totally understand. But can you make peace with the past?"Maximilian turned his gaze out the window and looked at the g
***At the Kingsley family's main residence...Maximilian stared at his phone screen, his eyes sharp. His rage had only increased after seeing photos of Leon Hale and Anastasia kissing in the media that morning. The photos seemed to prove their closeness, something she couldn't possibly believe. Anastasia had long forgotten Leon, but now she was dragged back into the media drama. She clenched her fists tightly, nearly smashing the screen."Bryan, find out everything. I want Leon Hale to get what's coming to him." Her voice was low but threatening.Bryan, who was already standing in front of her, nodded respectfully. "I will investigate further, sir." Before the photo went viral, Miss Anastasia received a message from Lyra's cell phone. The message directed her to the hotel room. However, upon checking, they found that Lyra's cell phone was missing. This is obviously a trap."Maximilian straightened up, his jaw hardening. "A trap, huh?" I guessed as much. You must find out who is behin
***"Don't you dare touch what I have!" Maximilian's firm, cold voice stopped Renata, who had just picked up the cell phone. Startled, her face pale, she smiled clumsily to cover her nervousness."I only answered it because your phone kept ringing. I thought it was important," Renata replied, trying to sound calm.Maximilian snatched the phone out of her hand roughly. "You don't deserve to answer it!" Maximilian replied sharply, making Renata feel even more cornered."I only meant to help," Renata said, trying to defend herself. However, Maximilian's cold gaze destroyed all her good intentions. She looked down, but a deep curiosity remained in her heart.Ignoring her again, Maximilian stood up from his chair, preparing to leave. However, Renata, not wanting the conversation to end so easily, grabbed his arm. His arm flinched in anger at her touch.“Don't touch me!” Maximilian brushed Renata's hand away quickly, his eyes flashing with unusual anger. "Do you want me to suffer? Because y
*** "Don't you miss me, Ana?" he whispered in her ear, his voice low but clear. "If I miss you, can we go back to the way things were?"Anastasia froze. She stared intently at Leon, her body shaking slightly with anger. Leon stood before her with a smile that seemed full of regret, but Anastasia knew better. The man before her was no longer someone she could trust, no longer someone she could love."Let me go, Leon!" Anastasia said firmly, pulling at her arm that was in Leon's grasp. "I've forgotten you completely, and there's not a bit of feeling left between us."Leon looked at Anastasia with a sharp look that began to turn angry. He did not seem to accept the rejection. "Don't talk like that, Anastasia. You know we have something. You can't just forget me!"Anastasia straightened her body. "We're done, Leon. A long time ago."Leon quickly pulled Anastasia's arm and roughly hugged her body. Anastasia's breath caught as her body was pulled so close to Leon. The man was clearly losin
***Anastasia lay in Maximilian's arms, feeling peaceful under the warm blanket. The night was growing late around them, but the silence of the room brought peace. Maximilian kissed the top of her head gently, his breathing slow and steady."I may not be able to come home for a week," Maximilian said suddenly. "I have work to do. I'm leaving town the day after tomorrow."Anastasia turned her head slightly, her eyebrows knitted together. "What work? Aren't you just a cook and should always be in the restaurant?"Maximilian smiled a little, as if the question was funny to him. "Yes, but this time there was a special training. I have to learn new menus to be better prepared for the new menus in the restaurant."Anastasia was silent, her heart a little uneasy. It was Selene's wedding anniversary in five days and she planned to travel to New Zealand for the celebration. She wanted to tell Maximilian, but was afraid it would interfere with her work.She sighed slowly and decided to postpone