Grabbing the tall glass off the table, Herbert snorted sarcastically.
“Yesterday, Sebastian brought me Max’s diary. From it, I know that a long time ago, he often spent time with his biological mother and father.”
A second later, the old man’s eyebrows rose in confirmation. “Doesn’t that mean, he found out about his mother’s affair from the start?”
“I’m not sure, Sir. A child will not understand what infidelity is,” Mia said honestly.
Hearing the defense, Herbert squeaked in annoyance. “Max is a genius. Of course he knows what infidelity is. I’m sure he also knows that the bastard is his real father. But look! Until now, he still puts on a sweet look as if I am his real father. How hypocritical.”
“Why are you so sure that Mr. Max is not your biological son? I think both of you have many similarities,” the girl said while still holding the taser.
“Why would I doubt if his own mother said so? The woman even left her necklace to give to the illegitimate son.”
“So did you draw conclusion from a necklace? Have you ever had a DNA test?”
Suddenly, the old man’s jaw throbbed with rage. “Are you testing my patience? Why do you keep doubting my statement?”
“Sorry, Mr. Evans. I’m just saying what comes to mind. But, I don’t think anyone would believe it if Max Evans isn’t your son. You are too similar,” Mia said, trying to sound innocent.
“Enough! Stop talking! Starting from tomorrow, come back to the office. You have to prepare for Julian’s arrival as the new CEO,” Herbert said, making the girl not dare to argue.
Unbeknownst to them, someone was eavesdropping from the next room. The man just swallowed hard. A fact had made sweat beaded on his forehead. Before Mia got out and revealed his whereabouts, he rushed off and disappeared with a car.
***
“Did you say that Mr. Herbert forced you to be Julian’s secretary?” Gabriella asked with her eyebrows raised to the max.
The girl who had just returned nodded. “Yes, and tomorrow, I have to return to the office.”
With furrowed brows, Gabriella turned to her husband. “But didn’t Julian say that Mr. Herbert preferred Sebastian?” she asked, tilting her head.
“Perhaps, the old man finally realizes that their quarrel is just a momentary emotion. After all, he couldn’t possibly be willing to hand over the company to a nephew,” Max replied nonchalantly.
Hearing that reasonable answer, Gabriella nodded along. A few moments later, she asked Mia again. “Then, is there anything else you two talked about?”
“Not much. He only told about how his late wife admitted to having an affair and left a necklace with the son of her affair before her last breath.”
“Necklace?” Max exclaimed, making Gabriella flinch at his voice. When the woman turned her head, she was stunned to see the shock still lodged in her husband’s face.
“What’s the matter, Max?” Gabriella asked, taking the man’s hand.
Max looked at his wife with a sigh. “This feels odd.” A second later, he turned to Mia. “Are you sure you didn’t hear wrong?”
After a memory check, the secretary replied, “I’m sure. Before she died, your mother left a necklace. Have you accepted it?”
An incredulous sigh escaped from the man’s mouth. “I did accept it, but that was before my mother died,” he sighed almost inaudibly.
In an instant, the room suddenly fell silent. Confusion had made a big question mark in their brains.
After exhaling faintly, the man broke the tension. “Mia, do you want to help me?”
The secretary’s eyes narrowed. “How can I help you, Sir?”
“There’s a lever near the big shelf at the corner of the CEO’s room. If you press it, a secret room will open. Inside the cupboard, there is a box. Please bring the box to me,” Max pleaded with a hopeful face.
Wasting no time, the girl who was listening, nodded. “Yes, Sir. I’ll bring it to you after work.”
Even though the secretary had expressed her willingness, Max’s heart was still uneasy. Something had stuck in the chest. Even, until Mia had left the room, a big question mark still weighed on her head.
“Are you still thinking about the necklace?” Gabriella asked as she adjusted the blanket on her husband’s body.
The man who was contemplating, inhaled deeply. However, as soon as he looked at his wife’s beautiful face, his confusion subsided a little.
“Yes,” he answered honestly.
Gabriella’s hand began to caress her husband’s cheek. “Don’t think too much about it, Max. Your brain needs a lot of rest.”
The man took his wife’s hand and kissed it. “I know. It’s just, I want to quickly confirm something.”
“What?”
“I rarely pay attention to the necklace. For some reason, after listening to Mia’s story, I want to check it,” Max replied before taking a deep breath.
“I’ve opened it. It’s a very beautiful necklace. There’s a photo of your mother and Herbert in it,” Gabriella said with a sweet smile.
Seeing his wife’s bright face, the corners of Max’s lips lifted slightly. “Do you know? I almost bought a necklace for your birthday,” he said softly.
“Almost?” Gabriella inquired with narrowed eyes.
“Yes. Instead, I prepared a more memorable gift. But, in a panic, I left it in the living room, before going to look for you. I hope Auntie doesn’t throw it away.”
With a sad smile, the woman stroked her husband’s hair. “I’m sorry I missed the party,” she said in a low voice.
“It’s okay, Gaby. You’re here now. With me.”
Seeing the curve of her husband’s sincere lips, Gabriella took a deep breath. The burden on her shoulders had doubled.
“What are your plans after this, Max? You’ve lost Quebracha. Do you want to take it back?”
Unexpectedly, the man shook his head. “I don’t need a father’s confession anymore. So, it’s time for me to leave Quebracha and do all the things I really want.”
“Are you serious?” the woman asked with a faintly raised eyebrow.
“Yes. After I recover, how about we go on a honeymoon?”
Gabriella suddenly shook her head, not understanding. “Did we already have our honeymoon?”
The same expression spread across the man’s face. “When?”
“When I followed your business trip? Flower garden? Museum? Night market?”
Suddenly, Max chuckled. “It doesn’t deserve to be called a honeymoon, Gaby.”
“But it’s fun,” Gabriella sighed with pursed lips.
After a while, the woman again asked, “Then, if we already have the new honeymoon, what do you want to do? We’re out of work.”
“I want to live in a place away from the crowds. There, I can clear my head and start designing new buildings while enjoying your piano playing.”
The woman looked up spontaneously, letting her imagination run its course.
“That sounds fun,” she nodded with a charming smile. “So now, rest. You must recover quickly so that the plan can be carried out soon.”
Like a child his mother ordered, Max nodded and closed his eyes. He had managed to forget the restlessness, thanks to Gabriella.
***
“What? The box is missing?” Gabriella exclaimed when she received a call from Mia.
“Yes, Madam. There are no boxes in this cupboard. I think, it has been taken by Mr. Herbert. I just remember. Yesterday, he mentioned about the diary that was brought by Sebastian. That man must have searched this place,” the secretary explained with regret.
After a while, Gabriella finally sighed. “Okay, thanks, Mia. Sorry to bother you.”
As soon as the call ended, the woman turned to face her husband. The man was curling his lips stiffly.
“So, the box is gone?” he asked, trying to sound okay.
With a heavy heart, Gabriella nodded. “What should we do now? Should I sneak into Herbert’s house?”
“Can you do that?” Max asked with high arched eyebrows.
“I can do it if you really want the box,” the woman said without the slightest hesitation.
A second later, Max’s smile was no longer strained. “You are the best wife in the whole world, Gaby.”