Chapter 342
Alivia watched his retreating figure, a hint of infatuation flickering in her eyes.
She had met plenty of men, each like a firework at her fingertips, bright for a moment
before fading into dull ash. But Max was different, a constant presence in her life, like the
North Star, illuminating her entire existence. No matter who the other woman was, Alivia
was determined to eliminate her competition.
A sharp glint crossed her gaze.
Raised as an elite lady of high society, she had been groomed for greatness from a young
age. Upon reaching an age of awareness, she began to scout for a suitable future
husband.
It was at one of those high–society parties that she first laid eyes on Max. Even then, he
possessed an aura of unapproachability, standing stoically beside Michael.
Pride emanated from Michael as he proclaimed to everyone that this boy was the chosen
heir to the Dorsey family legacy. Immediately, the atmosphere thickened with significant
glances. Alivia even thought she saw a few glares, sharp enough to cut.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtMax, the youngest son of Michael and Martha, had nearly cost his mother her life at birth.
And indeed, he had shown extraordinary abilities from an early age. Yet, he was only ten
when Michael announced him as the next heir. Facing siblings nearly two decades his
senior, how did he survive the conspiracies that surely followed?
Nobody knew how many assassination attempts Max had endured. To the adults, a ten–
year–old child was like a fish on a chopping board.
Alivia etched that face in her memory.
It was only after eavesdropping on the grown–ups at home that she understood Michael’s
intentions. The heir of the Dorsey family had to pass through trials by fire. Leaking the
news early was a test for Max.
If he lived to adulthood, the title would be his. If he died, he would simply be a stepping
stone for someone else’s success. This was Michael’s philosophy of leadership.
A successful person was often built upon a mound of defeated adversaries.
Alivia quelled the surge of emotion in her chest, softening her tone. “Max, you’ve barely
rested two hours. Aunt Martha’s condition needs further observation. Why don’t you rest a
bit more?”
“Alivia, thank you.”
A ring of red marks marred Alivia’s neck, remnants of Martha’s ruthless attack. Had it not
been for timely intervention, Alivia might have been seriously hurt. But she shrugged off
the incident. If sacrificing her life was the price for a chance with Max, she would pay it
without hesitation.
No one knew the depth of her obsession with Max, even if it meant becoming a demon
herself.
hapter
“I’m okay. But are we sure about using this new medication? It’s only been in research for
two years. Though it can suppress Aunt Martha’s condition, there are potential side
effects.”
If Martha’s condition were merely madness, It would be manageable. But in her frenzied
states, she would lash out at anyone nearby, and in their absence, she would turn on
herself. This was the extreme manifestation of bipolar and depressive disorders. Martha
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmhad even bitten her own arteries in an attempt to sever them.
Martha was a danger to others and herself. Without a better option, Max would never
consider such medication. But if they did nothing, Martha would never regain her sanity
and remain at beast capable of attack.
He had made his decision and nodded in agreement.
Alivia sighed, her eyes filled with compassion. “Remember how Aunt Martha used to make
us croquettes and those sweet buns? She was so precise and tried to teach me, but I
never got the hang of it.”
Martha’s decline had accelerated after the announcement of Max as the heir. Before that,
she had always been a devoted mother, albeit one who cried too often, which drove Max
toward finding solace in complex literature.
“Max, sometimes I wonder if Aunt Martha’s worsening condition is because she misses her
family abroad. Maybe we should consider transferring her to a sanatorium back home?”
The deeper Alivia’s bond with Martha, the stronger her connection with Max would
become. Martha trusted Alivia implicitly and couldn’t bear to be apart.
Alivia had noticed that Max’s only moments of vulnerability were in the presence of his
mother. By securing Martha, she would secure Max.
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