“I don’t mind if you marry me out of disappointment with Max’s refusal. I also don’t mind if your goal is just to make Max regret. But, if it’s because of someone else’s order …” Julian said before shaking his head, “I can’t accept it.”
For the first time, Amber dared not argue with Julian. She didn’t really love him, nor did she care. However, realizing that her words had broken the sincere man’s heart, guilt finally rose within.
After a moment of silence, Julian’s gaze turned to his father. “If your goal is to make your son feel the excruciating pain of betrayal, I think you have succeeded.”
Herbert blinked flatly as his beloved son burst into tears. With a quick thought, he made up a defense. “It’s not what you think. Amber accepts you not on my order. She just uses your relationship to carry out my plan.”
Julian laughed blandly. While looking down, he dropped more sadness. “I was already suspicious when you asked me to come back and Amber accepted my proposal, at the same time.”
“It’s just a coincidence,” Herbert argued with arched brows, expecting confidence. However, the son refused to respond to his words.
“I shouldn’t have ignored those suspicions. It turns out, you were just using me. I even stupidly joined in bringing down an innocent couple in front of the crowd. How disgusting!”
Knowing that Julian was starting to side with his brother, Herbert’s breathing grew louder. “Why are you worrying about him? He doesn’t deserve your attention.”
“He is my brother!” Julian’s rebuke was unexpected. No one had ever heard him scream so loudly.
“Are you completely heartless? Right now, Max is suffering a lot. He lost his wife, title, and even common sense. And what you care about is revenge.”
Getting a reprimand from his son, Herbert’s hands spontaneously clenched. He didn’t expect that his plans could turn against his own heart. How could his biological son be more in favor of the illegitimate child?
“Don’t you think of me as a father anymore?” Herbert asked in a trembling voice.
Without the slightest hint of hesitation, Julian shook his head. “I’m very ashamed to be your son if you still maintain your ego and grudges.”
In just an instant, anger had darkened Herbert’s eyes. With a rumbling breath, he pointed a finger at Julian.
“Apparently, I’ve misjudged you. You don’t look like me at all. I should have dumped you long ago, just like your brother. That sly woman’s blood is undeniably flowing in your body.”
“Better so! If I look like you, I will regret and be ashamed for the rest of my life.”
Sebastian and Amber were unmoved watching the dispute between father and son. They never expected that Julian would dare to go against Herbert. The man who was once known to be a coward, already had courage to take his own steps.
“You really are an ungrateful child,” Herbert cursed with eyes filled with red streaks.
“Right. And I’m glad to be free from your misguided direction.”
Without apologizing, Julian turned towards the door. His hands were clenched into fists, holding back the anger that had been suppressed for years.
“I should never have come here. The old man is impossible to persuade in any way. His heart has turned to stone,” Julian muttered before getting into the car, heading back to the hospital. He realized that it was time he made peace with his brother.
“I should have never done it and confessed a long time ago.”
***
As soon as he opened his eyes, Max immediately grimaced from the dizziness. Holding his head, he tried to clear the sight.
“Julian?” he sighed in disbelief.
Again, he checked. There was no one else in front of him beside his brother.
“How are you?” Julian asked as he pushed the chair closer.
“Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be at the company? You’re a CEO now,” Max said in a slow, low voice.
Instead of being provoked by emotion, the older brother let out a sigh of relief. “So, you’re fine. I’m grateful.”
A second later, the man stood up and poured a glass of water for his brother. “I’m not sure I’ll take your place. Right now, Sebastian is taking over.”
Max’s brows furrowed in deep furrows. “Why not?”
“Last night, I overheard something at Dad’s house. I lost control and had a big fight with him. I don’t think he will choose me as his successor.”
Seeing the expression weighed down by confusion, Julian immediately let out a laugh.
“Well, don’t think about it. So, how’s your head? It’s amazing you didn’t bleed while your car had to end up in a dump.”
Instead of answering, Max started to sound like someone was about to throw up. Receiving such a response, Julian’s eyes suddenly opened wide. After putting the glass back on the table, he pressed the emergency button and took the container for his brother.
Just at that moment, Mia opened the door. As soon as the girl saw Max, she immediately put the bag on the sofa and rushed over to him.
“What happened?” the girl asked.
“I don’t know. All of a sudden, he threw up.”
The secretary’s breath hitched. “Have you pressed the emergency button?”
Julian nodded.
Suddenly, Max’s hand rose in front of Mia. “How? Detective?” he asked between gasping breaths.
“I’ve contacted him. Madam will be found soon,” the secretary quickly reported.
Blinking slowly, Max nodded and sighed, “Good.” A second later, he vomited again, amplifying the worries of the two people nearby.
After a while, the door suddenly opened. A nurse rushed in and took Julian’s position. “Did the patient just wake up?”
“Yes. We were talking, then suddenly he threw up.”
The nurse’s expression suddenly became tense. Not long after, another nurse entered followed by a doctor.
“Sorry, we have to do a check up. Please leave the room,” the second nurse said, pointing to the door. Without wasting any time, Mia and Julian got out of there.
“Is this a bad sign?” Mia mumbled with a worried frown on her forehead.
“I hope no,” the man answered. “So, did the detective have any news?”
The secretary shook her head. “Not yet. It’s only been a few hours. Is it possible for him to be able to find Madam so quickly?”
Suddenly, the cell phone in Mia’s pocket rang. As soon as she checked the screen, her eyes went wide.
“Is there any progress?” the girl asked as soon as the phone was to her ear. She even forgot to say hello.
“I just checked Mrs. Evans’ call history. The latest call is to a woman named Rose. To shorten the investigation, do you know someone by that name?”
Mia’s brows furrowed. While thinking, she muttered, “Rose? I guess I’ve heard that name before. But where?”
“Isn’t one of Max’s maids named Rose? I remember she was the one who greeted me when I arrived at Max’s house,” Julian said, tilting his head.
“Right! She’s a servant who was dismissed by Master a few days ago,” Mia exclaimed with round eyes.
“Then, do I need to contact this woman? Or do you want to contact her by yourself?”
Mia lowered her head, considering the situation. After a moment of silence, she replied, “Let me do it.”
“Okay.”
As soon as the call ended, a message came into Mia’s cell phone. Without wasting any time, she dialed the number listed in the message.
“What is it?” Julian sighed as he had been listening but still didn’t understand.
“It seem, this woman knows where Madam is,” Mia whispered with sharp eyes.
Not long after, a soft voice greeted from the other end of the phone. “Hello?”
“Rose, do you know where Mrs. Evans is? Her husband got into a car accident while looking for her. Master’s condition is very worrying.”
After conveying the flash information, Mia was silent waiting for a reply. However, three seconds passed, no one answered.
“Hello? Rose? Please, don’t get in the way of Mr. Max’s last request. You’ll regret it for the rest of your life if you don’t get them together.”
Unexpectedly, something clicked from the speaker. Mia suddenly widened her eyes and checked her cellphone screen. “Hello? Hello …?”
Feeling hopeless, the girl ended the call. “Why didn’t she answer? Are my words less convincing?” Mia asked, arching her eyebrows high.
“It seems, you are exaggerating so much that she doesn’t believe it. Why don’t you just ask the detective to contact her?” Julian’s suggestion was immediately answered with a sigh by Mia.
“Okay.”
With an expression of disappointment and lack of enthusiasm, the secretary put the phone back to her ear. She was completely unaware that the voice that greeted her earlier belonged to Gabriella.