"I'm not sure," Max said, his face pale. "When she came out of the shower, I asked her why she was buying medication from that website. She said her brother had mental issues, and the doctors in Winterland recommended this drug. She was just doing research to compare it with other medications.""She seemed really anxious, mentioning that long-term use of the drug could have side effects. An overdose could strain the heart, and anyone taking it shouldn't drive because it could cause sudden heart problems, leading to dangerous situations or accidents."I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "So, you bought the drug from that website?"Max nodded. "Yes, I bought it and waited for the right opportunity. My original plan was to switch it with the vitamin pills, but I was afraid that if it was discovered, I would be directly implicated. I couldn't risk becoming a suspect. Then, the day you asked me to buy blood pressure medication for Aaron, I knew my chance had come."Thinking about it,
I had guessed correctly - Max did care about his mother, Annie, to some extent. But how could I show any mercy considering all the harm their family had caused me? Just because of his so-called filial piety?Ridiculous!However, I didn't want to kick a man when he was down. So, I simply said, "No.""Jen, it's my fault. I'm the one who gave the drugs to my mother and told her to put them in your food. She was just following my orders," Max tried to defend his mother.Before I could respond, he suddenly broke down in tears, covering his face with his hands. His sobs were heart-wrenching. "I know you hate me, and you hate my mother. We did wrong. I don't deserve your forgiveness, but my mother... she's suffering because of me."Max then looked up, his eyes red and swollen, a sight I had never seen before. "My family always favored boys over girls. My mother had three daughters before having me, and shortly after my birth, my father died in a coal mine explosion. My grandparents were
"I used to wonder why I was born into such a miserable family. Why could others afford school fees while I couldn't? When the teacher came to our house to ask for the fees, and the whole town watched, do you know what I was thinking, Jen? I thought, 'It's not worth going to school.' When I told my mother that, she slapped me and said she would sell her blood to make sure I could go to school. She cried and cursed, saying, 'Remember how people bully us, you have to grow up and trample those people under your feet! You have to make me proud, do you understand?'""Later, when I was in middle school, though it was compulsory education, we still needed to pay for textbooks. The school knew we were poor and applied for free textbooks for me. But do you know what that meant, Jen? The textbooks had a red stamp that said 'free textbook.' The school even sent someone to our house to take pictures of us, sitting in front of our broken house with those textbooks. They told me to smile. How could
I locked eyes with Max, feeling a profound sense of detachment between us."I'm sorry, Max," I began slowly, "your story about you and your mother is touching, and your family's struggles are undeniable, but that doesn't excuse the harm you've done to me. As adults, we need to take responsibility for our actions.""Jen, are you really this heartless?" Max's eyes flared with anger.I smiled faintly, "Max, I'm not claiming to be a saint. You can't manipulate me like this. However, considering our seven years together, I am willing to send some winter clothes to your mom. It gets pretty cold here in Johnsonville. But, that's all I can do. Anything more, I'm afraid I can't."Max's face stiffened.As I stood to leave, a thought struck me, and I turned back to him. "By the way, I'm looking into the surveillance footage and guest information from that night at the Waldorf Hotel. If you're willing to share what you know, I might be able to arrange more essential items for your mom."Max'
Max was utterly infuriated by my words. As I left, he screamed my name, grabbing the bars and yelling, "Jen! I'll kill you, you bitch! And Cindy too! I'll kill all of you!"I paused at the door and glanced back at Max. He looked like a crazed beast, thrashing wildly, his eyes bloodshot. His voice, tinged with desperation, cried out, "You ruined me! I'll kill every last one of you!"In that moment, I saw the true face of Max, a side I had never witnessed before. I shook my head and sighed. People like him, with such a pitiful yet hateful nature, are truly their own worst enemies. Leaving the visiting room, Max's wails faded into the distance. Outside, Luke and Taylor were waiting in the seating area, engrossed in a document. Taylor was speaking animatedly, while Luke listened intently, their heads close together. They look rather compatible.Hearing my footsteps, Luke looked up first and then stepped aside. His usual calm tone asked, "How did it go?"Taylor quickly put away the
Taylor opened the folder and handed it to me."This one shows Max purchased three apartments in the downtown district of Quainty under his three sisters' names. While the properties in Quainty aren't that expensive, the total comes to over six million," Taylor explained, pointing to another document. "This one details the large cash withdrawals Max made since marrying you. There were twelve transactions, each between one hundred thousand and two hundred thousand dollars, totaling exactly two million."Taylor continued, "Ms. Middleton, from these documents, it's clear that Max started transferring marital assets from the moment you got married. Technically, he was siphoning off the inheritance your parents left you. The combined total of these properties and cash withdrawals is sixteen million."I looked at the documents calmly, without much emotion, but I couldn't help feeling a bit reflective. I gathered the papers and handed them back to Taylor. "Max really worked fast with all th
His tone remained calm, but there was an unmistakable sense of determination and authority that left no room for refusal.I opened my mouth but found myself at a loss for words. Taylor smiled at me and said, "Ms. Middleton, there's no need to be polite. You're so familiar with Mr. Walker! It's rush hour, and finding a cab now is nearly impossible. Last time I tried, there were over a hundred people in line for an Uber."I forced a smile, feeling uncomfortable. It wasn't that I didn't want to ride with Luke; I just didn't want to inconvenience him. I had already burdened others enough during this time.After Taylor left, it was just Luke and me in the car. The driver was in the front with a partition up, ensuring our conversation remained private.Luke was engrossed in his tablet, seemingly reading an investment analysis report. His long, slender fingers glided effortlessly over the screen, and his sharp, stern profile was pleasing to the eye.I leaned against the window, watching
How could I possibly discuss this with Luke? It's so awkward.Luke glanced at me briefly before coldly looking away and returning to the data analysis on his tablet, making the atmosphere even more awkward.Then Luke spoke up, saying, "Why don't you move back to the villa?"I was stunned. I thought, yeah, the current house disgusts me, and buying a new one would be a hassle. Moving back to the small villa my parents left me would be better. Max never lived there, so it's clean.But...Luke noticed my hesitation. "Do you find moving troublesome?"I nodded.Luke casually said, "It's not troublesome.""Huh?""You just need to move there. I'll have my assistant handle the rest," Luke said, looking up at me, his eyes sharp as blades.I felt a bit embarrassed. "Won't that be too much trouble for you?""It's no trouble," Luke said gravely. "I promised Mr. and Mrs. Middleton that I would take good care of you."I was about to thank him, but before I could speak, Luke added, "With y