As soon as the door was opened, a man burst in with his fists tightly clenched. The servant behind his back could only grimace in worry.
“How dare you betray my trust! I gave in to you, but you mess up the company?”
The man’s forefinger pointed at Max’s face.
“Watch your mouth, Julian! You didn’t yield. You ran away, and I never screwed up the company.”
“Is it true? Then, why is this woman here? In your room.”
The gaze of the uninvited guest fell on Gabriella who was frowning behind the CEO.
“What’s wrong with my future wife here?” Max replied in a relaxed tone.
Not only the girl, but Julian also flinched.
“Your future wife? I can’t believe that what Amber said is true. You have been instigated by this woman.”
“Lower your voice, Julian. We’re not in the middle of forest, and you have no right to shout at my girl like that.”
The guest snorted. With hands on the hip, he looked away, trying to clear his mind.
“Why do you come here for? It can’t be just to cause a scene, can it?” Max asked as the situation was already in control.
“Dad and Amber asked me.”
Gabriella’s brow furrowed automatically. “This man is Max’s brother?” she thought in surprise.
Meanwhile, the CEO tilted his head. “For what reason did they ask you to come back?”
“Dad ordered me to take over the Quebracha Company, while Amber said she would marry me.”
Max suddenly took a quick breath. “Then, are you happy to get that opportunity?”
Julian’s eyes turned sharp again. “Do you think so? I purposely left this city so I could let Amber be with you, but you ignore her.”
“Oh, I got it The main reason you come here is Amber, not the company,” the CEO sneered while nodding. Those words were successful in luring Julian to grab his collar.
“Stop playing with me, Max. I can’t always give in.”
Surprisingly, the younger brother returned Julian’s gaze with a friendly gaze.
“Do you still have trouble controlling your emotions?” Max removed his brother’s hand from his shirt calmly.
“Don’t you know that I never and will never love Amber? All I have in my heart and mind is Quebracha only.”
“But, she loves you!” Julian interrupted emphatically.
“And, you love her. It’s your fault for not fighting for love. Even though, you know that your brother is very stubborn. No one can change my heart easily.”
Listening to the truth, Julian was only able to snort, whereas Max smiled crookedly at the unspoken confession.
“Because Amber has received your proposal, I congratulate you, Brother.”
Julian’s jaw was throbbing with irritation now. After glancing up at Gabriella, his chin lifted back up.
“Why do you prefer this woman over Amber? Is it because your taste isn’t that high?”
“Poor you, my brother. Your eyes have been blinded by Amber,” Max answered while shaking his head in pity.
“And, you have been blinded by this woman. You’re willing to let go of the company because of her, aren’t you?” Julian replied before raising a corner of his lips.
Not wanting to lose, the CEO narrowed his eyes and tilted his head. “You really want me to step down, huh? Since when have you had this ambition? Did Amber change your mind?”
“Yes. I will prove that I can win over you. Are you afraid?”
“Absolutely no. Just look at the present. I’ve already won one step over you. Do you have a future wife who is sincere to you? I do.”
Max’s hand suddenly grabbed Gabriella’s waist closer to him. The girl had no other choice but to place her hand on the man’s chest so that they were still at a distance.
“Are you teasing me?” Julian sighed in contempt. “Even though Amber isn’t sincere with me, she is still better than a pianist who doesn’t even have a home.”
Max’s eyebrows lifted faintly. “Apparently, you already know the background of my future wife?”
“Who doesn’t know the woman who refused Quebracha’s rare offer? And now, everybody will know that she’s secretly aiming for something else. Are you sure that this girl is sincere to you?”
Max suddenly turned to look at Gabriella. “Are you willing to sacrifice your house to become my wife?”
“Of course not!” the girl exclaimed. Her brows furrowed in disapproval, making the CEO’s spontaneous smile spread wide.
“Did you hear that? My girl is not that scheming.”
“Tch! Never mind! There’s no point in me lingering here.”
Julian hurried out of the room, leaving Max with a look that slowly turned flat.
“He’s gone,” Gabriella whispered, clapping the CEO’s hand.
Instead of letting go, Max twisted the girl’s waist so they were facing each other.
“What do you think about that man?”
The girl furrowed her brows in understanding.
“Isn’t he suspicious? Maybe, he’s the one who destroyed your house.”
Gabriella’s mouth wide opened. “Why do you think so?”
The CEO’s eyes narrowed. “From now on, be careful with everyone. If something bothers you, admit it as my future wife.”
“Why?”
“Because that’s the only way to keep you safe.”
Gabriella shook her head in confusion. “What do you mean? Wouldn’t that just reinforce other people’s assumptions about your betrayal?”
“Since when do you care about me?” Max asked suddenly freezing the look on the girl’s face.
“It’s not like that. I’m just confused.”
The man curled his lips.
“You don’t need to understand the reason. Just go with my words. Now, continue your practice! When it’s finished, come to my office.”
With hesitant steps, Gabriella returned to the piano chair. The question marks in her mind were multiplying very quickly. She barely had room to pay attention to the sheet music in front of her.
Meanwhile, Max sighed anxiously.
“Gabriella shouldn’t be under their control. I could lose Quebracha in a second if she takes Julian’s side.”
***
“You only have two days left. Are you sure you can perform in the competition?” Max asked as Gabriella was seriously tracing the pattern. The girl immediately stopped and turned to him.
“Why did you suddenly ask it? You just make me nervous,” she grumbled unhappily.
“Just curious.” Max shrugged his shoulders. “Come here! I want to ask your opinion.”
Lazily, Gabriella answered the call. She sat on the chair that was originally occupied by the CEO.
“Pay attention to these two types of mockups!”
The girl looked at the miniatures of tall buildings and small houses in turn.
“Which one do you prefer?”
Gabriella’s finger fell spontaneously to the small house.
“Why?”
“Because I drew the pattern.”
The corners of the CEO’s lips twitched in annoyance. “I’m serious.”
“Okay. Explain to me first! Only then can I choose.”
“This tall building is the current Quebracha project. The concept is a green building combined with high technology. The advantage lies in the ease and efficiency of energy.”
Gabriella nodded. “Then, this little house made with my interference?”
“Micro living combined with a smart house. The principle is to save space and land, and reduce carbon emissions.”
“Then, I prefer this.” Once again, the girl pointed to the small house.
“Why?”
“Because that’s what I need now. Home.”
The CEO’s breath was spontaneously caught. He had just detected sadness in the girl’s tone.
“Do you really miss your house?” Max asked in a low voice.
Gabriella glanced up with pursed lips. “Of course.”
“If I can help you erase that longing, will you promise me?”
“Promise what?” the girl investigated with her head tilted.
“To be obedient and loyal to me all the time.”
“Tch, are you God?” Gabriella refused without thinking.
“I mean, promise to always be obedient and loyal to me as your husband.”
The wrinkles of the girl’s brows slowly returned to shape. “You are too confident. I’m not necessarily your wife.”
“So, you don’t want to make a promise?”
The girl shook her head.
“That means, you are ready to lose something that can erase your longing,” Max provoked, raising an eyebrow.
Smiling mysteriously, the man hurriedly took something from behind the desk.
As soon as Gabriella saw the polar teddy bear in the CEO’s hand, her mouth widened.
“Snowy!”
With teary eyes, the girl walked over to Max. However, as her hand was about to reach, Snowy was held high at the top of the man’s hand.
“Promise me first, then you can get this teddy again.”
The girl’s forehead frowned in disapproval. With her head high, she protested.
“Why are you threatening me with Snowy? That’s mine.”
“If I don’t find him, he won’t be yours anymore. So how?”
“Tsk, alright! I promise! Now, give Snowy to me!” Gabriella opened her palm for teddy.
“Prove it first!”
“Prove what? I already promised. Hurry up and give my Snowy!” The girl tried to tiptoe and grab the man’s arm, but her attempt failed.
“Prove that you are obedient to me. Kiss me!”
Gabriella took a spontaneous step back and lowered her hand.
“What kind of order is that? Don’t you dislike me? Then, why is the order like that?”
“I need to test your obedience,” Max replied scratching his nose.
“Is there another order? You are not a perverted CEO like that often told in erotic novels, are you?”
Max’s expression suddenly turned flat.