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.


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    A sharp glint crossed her gaze.


    Raised as an elitedy 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 firstid eyes on Max. Even then, he possessed an


    aura of unapproachability, standing stoically beside Michael.


    Pride emanated from Michael as he proimed to everyone that this boy was the chosen heir to the


    Dorsey family legacy. Immediately, the atmosphere thickened with significant nces. Alivia even


    thought she saw a few res, sharp enough to cut.


    Max, 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 sess. This was Michael’s philosophy of leadership.


    A sessful 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 bing 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


    wouldsh out at anyone nearby, and in their absence, she would turn on herself. This was the extreme


    manifestation of bipr and depressive disorders. Martha had 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 withpassion. “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 elerated 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 sce


    inplex 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 be. 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.