Chapter 1433


    "I''ming with you."


    As the words left her lips, Beck and Ian both reached for her wrist simultaneously.


    "No way."


    Beck, a member of the Sanders family, knew all too well the precarious state of the family affairs. With


    their father incapacitated and shares having been transferred to what everyone considered an outsider,


    showing up tonight was an invitation to criticism and malice that rivaled even York''s.


    But York was just a hothead who caused trouble in the open.


    Beck took a deep breath. "You head back with Ian for now. Stay out of the Sanders'' business for a bit.


    Grandpa and Grandma are understanding folks, but Dad''s been looking for you on the down-low for


    years. Hell, I only found out recently myself, and I bet the old folks are clueless. So, those transfer


    documents—having them is like being a sitting duck with a priceless gem."


    Maja''s brow furrowed with concern. What would happen to Beck and Dn if she didn''t show up at the


    Sanders'' gathering? Could they withstand the sneers and jeers that were sure toe?


    Beck gave her a gentle push towards Ian.


    "Aren''t there more pressing matters for you to attend to? I''m counting on Dad to wake up soon, and


    finding that antidote is on you now. Sorry, Maja, for dragging you into this mess with the Sanders."


    Ian wrapped his arm around Maja, ushering her into the car.


    Maja was beside herself with worry, but Ian rested a hand on her belly.


    "I don''t like the idea of leaving you in North America alone, but I''m even less keen on taking you to that


    ce. You''re pregnant, for heaven''s sake. No fooling around."


    Maja looked down at her stomach, falling silent.


    Just as Ian was about to start the car, the chime of her phone broke the silence—an unfamiliar text


    message.


    [Come over with Beck. We''d like to see you.]


    No need for guesses—it was clearly the doing of the two elder Sanders.


    Unfamiliar with the old grudges of the Sanders family, Maja knew an audience was non-negotiable


    when a direct summon came from Beck''s grandparents.


    She rolled down the window and showed the message to Beck.


    "No getting out of it. Get in."


    Beck''s expression turned grave.


    The vi was a sight of chaos—wreaths around the perimeter, puddles on the ground, a total mess that


    was enough to fray anyone''s nerves.


    But the anxiety paled inparison to the prospect of facing Beck''s grandparents.


    Ian, unfazed, simply let Beck direct him and drove on.


    When in doubt, face it out.


    As they reached the castle, Maja got her first true sense of the Sanders'' wealth.


    Their fortune was notable even on an international scale. She hadn''t grasped the concept until she saw


    the standalone castle in North America—a testament to more than just wealth.


    The massive iron gates slowly swung open, and the car drove inward.


    The size of the castle was daunting—it took a good ten minutes of driving before they reached the


    central building.


    Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    The bodyguards, all in sleek ck tailcoats, approached to open the car doors as they pulled to a stop.


    "Mr. Sanders, wee."


    Beck stepped out, staring at the grand entrance, letting out a faint sigh.


    Maja couldn''t help but ask, "What''s wrong?"


    "It''s just I haven''t seen Grandpa and Grandma in years, maybe over a decade. They handed the reins


    to Dad and ever since, they''ve been living like hermits, barely touching worldly matters."


    A decade without meddling in the family business?


    This old couple was truly an enigma.


    The grand doors opened slowly, revealing an interior that could be described as opulent, reminiscent of


    the aristocracy of the 18th century.


    On the grandest sofa sat two elders, who were dressed in finer.


    Both elders wore emerald bracelets, their faces the picture of benevolence.


    On the other sofas sat various members of the Sanders family, with York standing out due to his


    undisguised animosity.


    The family wasrge. Over twenty people were present, too many to recognize at a nce.


    But with the presence of the elders, no one dared to speak out, no matter their dissatisfaction.


    All eyes were on Maja, appraising her, as if trying to discern her worth.