Chapter 343


    Max had never considered the possibility, primarily because Martha’s troubles had begun back home,


    within the borders of their own country.


    The closer he got to the Dorsey family, the closer he inched toward trouble. It was a certainty that


    someone would try to leverage Martha’s situation to manipte him. He would not stand


    for it.


    “Max, Aunt Martha surely wants to see you all the time, and it’s more convenient back home,” Alivia


    suggested, her shrewd intentions hidden beneathyers of concern as she pressed on.


    Max turned, casting a nce at his mother lying quietly on the bed before letting out a soft sigh. “We’ll


    see.”


    If it were indeed being isted in a foreignnd, without familiar faces to care for her, that had


    exacerbated the situation, he would consider bringing Martha back.


    A flicker of excitement passed through Alivia’s eyes, and her lips curved into a subtle smile. She had


    tried to influence Max indirectly over the years, but he had never wavered. Perhaps the severity of the


    current situation was finally making him reconsider.


    Max bowed his head, absent–mindedly touching the bracelet on his wrist. Noticing his action, Alivia felt


    a surge of warmth, and her attention sharpened as he asked her, “Alivia, are you not nning to stay at


    the overseas research institute anymore?”


    Alivia was a clever woman. She had joined the institute partly because it was close to Martha’s nursing


    home and partly for the prestige.


    Admission to the institute was a badge of honor; among her peers in Beaconsfield, she was the only


    one to have received an invitation. This distinction made her the object of widespread envy. Naturally,


    being in such a prestigious ce also meant expanding herwork significantly.


    By now, her connections were vast enough. It was time to return and get engaged to Max and,


    incidentally, deal with the woman lurking in the shadows.


    “Mm, I’ve applied to study back home, and my mentor has agreed. We’ll be establishing a branch


    there, and I’ll be the head,” she said with a note of pride. Her mentor was a titan in the field, revered by


    many.


    Max’s expression softened slightly. “That’s good. Your mom probably wants you back, too.” His tone


    was indifferent, showing no particr reaction to Alivia’s decision to stay back home.


    Alivia felt a twinge of disappointment but knew this was just Max being Max.


    Max’s gaze drifted out to the scenery, settling on a cluster of blue flowers. They were irises; their petals


    were shaped like the tail feathers of a bird. He chuckled softly, a rare warmth touching his usually cold


    demeanor.


    Alivia had never seen Max like this. He was always the distant enigma, but today, he seemed


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    almost earthly.


    Was it the view that captivated him? Nature did have a way of soothing the soul.


    Unaware of Alivia’s observation. Max was still looking at the irises.


    Time for him was a straight line, ang he was too focused to be concerned with anything outside of it.


    Yet the sight of those flowers seemed to slow everything down. Blue irises were a symbol of hope and


    a passion that was fragile and fleeting.


    “Cough, cough.”


    A cough from the bed snapped him back to reality. Martha’s eyes fluttered open. Recognizing the


    familiar ceiling, she knew she had suffered another episode. “Max,” she called out weakly. trying to sit


    up but finding no strength.


    Max approached, his face softening, though his aura remained chilly. “Mother.”


    Martha’s eyes trembled, and tears fell instantly.


    Max frowned and sat beside her. “You wanted to say something?” His wordscked warmth. yet they


    carried a different tone from how he addressed others.


    “Max, I don’t think I have much time left. The only thing I’m worried about is you…


    “They’re all out to get you, Max. You have to protect yourself. You must marry someone who can


    support you in your ambitions. Alivia is perfect; her family is a match for ours, and she’s kind–hearted.”


    Martha struggled to breathe after every few words. “You must survive; you have to live.”


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    Max’s frown deepened, and after a long pause, he finally asked, “Do you want to go back home?”


    Martha’s eyes flickered, and then she quickly drew her legs in. Her face was clouded with fear. “No, I


    won’t go back, there are ghosts… The Dorsey family is haunted, Max. You must survive and take


    control of the Dorsey family.”