Chapter 17

Farren’s POV

“Here is the car key. Thank you so much. I owed you a lot.”

I placed the car key on the table. Max picked up his key and shoved it in his pocket. “No problem.”

Max’s face lit up. His radiant smile illuminated the entire café, catching the attention of the women around us. It was no surprise that they couldn’t help but steal glances at us.

Jasmine really has a handsome brother,’ I thought inwardly.

“How’s the investigation going? Did you find the one who messed up with your car?” Max asked. His face etched with worry.

“I found out who it was. Everything’s sorted now,” I replied.

“Really? Do you know the person?”

I couldn’t reveal that it was actually my stepmother behind it all, so I simply said, “Sort of. There’s someone who holds a grudge against me.”

My response caused a visible change in his beautiful face, as it crumpled with emotion. “That’s strange,” he said, his voice filled with surprise. “Farren, you are such a kind person. It’s hard to believe that there’s someone out there who would hold grudges on your behalf.”

His words left me feeling bewildered, unable to respond immediately. It seemed as though Max spoke as if he had known me for a long time, which only added to my confusion.

‘Or maybe because his sister told him about me a lot?’ I wondered.

Shaking off my thoughts, Max continued with a smile on his face. His dimples appeared, adding to the allure of his already angelic face. “Anyway, I’m glad you were able to resolve the issue,” he commented. “Should we grab some drinks before we head out?”

“Sure!” I eagerly agreed. “Since you won’t let me pay for using your car, let me at least buy you a coffee. Or if you prefer something sweet, that’s fine too. It’s payday after all.”

Max chuckled and replied, “I won’t turn down that offer.”

I handed over my order and credit card to Max, who then proceeded to the counter to place the order.

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17:08 Fri, 1 Mar GB.

Chapter 17

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Following that, we engaged in a brief conversation about Jasmine and my job. Interacting with him lifted my spirits, as he was amiable and possessed a great sense of humor.

No wonder why Jasmine and Max are close even if they were stepsiblings.

“I also have a stepbrother.” I revealed, taking the final sip of my coffee before continuing. “Despite having different mothers, we really connected. He’s such a kind and caring person. In fact, I feel closer to him than I do to my own father.”

Max nodded in understanding, murmuring, “Ah, you’re talking about Dominic, right?” He lifted his cup and took a sip of his coffee.

There was a brief pause between us as Max stopped drinking and his gaze shifted towards mc.

My eyes blinked rapidly as I stuttered, “H-How do you know my brother?”

Setting his cup down, Max wiped his mouth and stumbled over his words, “Well, um… I heard it from Jasmine. She mentioned that you have a stepsibling named Dominic.”

I tilted my head, trying to process this information. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

I mean, Jasmine knew a lot about me. But I can’t imagine her telling even my stepbrother’s name to Max.

After glancing at his wristwatch, Max exclaimed, “Oh, it’s getting late!” Realizing the time, he suggested, “I think we should go now.”

Agreeing with Max, I responded, “Yeah, I agree.”

“Do you want me to send you home?” Max asked, concerned about my transportation.

Waving my hands in the air, I chuckled and replied, “No! There’s no need. I’ll just take a taxi. I need to pick up my car from the repair shop.”

Understanding my situation, Max nodded and said, “I see. I also remembered that you have a husband waiting for you at home. He might misunderstand if I take you home.”

Biting his l*p, Max seemed to have a hint of sadness on his face. I couldn’t comprehend where it came from or why.

Although I had enjoyed my time with Max, there was an air of mystery surrounding

him.

Eventually, Max and I bid farewell. He assured me that if I ever needed anything, I could simply give him á call. However, truthfully, I had no intention of doing so in the future.

Fri, 1 Mar GB.

Chapter 17

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I didn’t want my husband to misinterpret my relationship with my friend’s brother and thought that I am breaching our deal.

Tomorrow arrived, bringing with it a mix of anticipation and reluctance. Tonight, I had no choice but to attend my father’s banquet at his house.

Deep down, I dreaded the event, but I had a mission to accomplish – retrieving my mother’s remains and personal belongings from that despicable man’s clutches.

As I stepped out of the house, Secretary Alejandro called out to me, “Ma’am Farren!”

His voice cutting through the air.

I turned to see him standing there, a warm smile on his face, his hand waving in greeting.

I made my way towards him, and he kindly opened the back seat’s door for me. “Good afternoon, Ma’am. How are you?” he asked politely.

“I’m fine, thank you,” I replied, grateful for his presence. I climbed into the car, and Alejandro swiftly joined me in the driver’s seat.

“Where’s Alaric?” I inquired as I settled in, scanning the surroundings.

“He still has some business to attend to, but he’ll meet you at the salon, Ma’am,” Alejandro informed me.

I nodded, acknowledging the information, and glanced at the mirror, lost in my thoughts.

I had complete faith that my step family would behave appropriately as long as my husband was by my side.

“I hope so,” I whispered under my breath.

Alejandro, who overheard my murmur, inquired, “Is something the matter, Ma’am? Do you need anything?”

“No, let’s go,” I replied.

After some time, we arrived at the salon where the stylists assisted me in getting ready. They provided me with clothes, styled my hair, and applied makeup.

They did an excellent job, as I looked completely different from my usual self when I’m working.

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17:08 Fri, 1 Mar GB.

Chapter 17

“You look stunning, Madam, complimented one of the staff members.

“You must say that often to please the customers, don’t you?” I playfully teased the young woman.

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She chuckled and responded, “No, you truly are beautiful. Perhaps the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I’m certain your husband will think the same.”

Will Alaric think so too?

I have my doubts.

“Madam,” another employee called out to me. “Your husband is here. He’s looking for you.”

“Alright, I’ll be right out,” I said as I walked out of the room and made my way to the waiting room to meet Alaric.

When I emerged from the dressing room, my eyes immediately landed on Alaric, who was seated on the couch. He was impeccably dressed in an indigo suit, complete with a crisp white turtlen*eck underneath. His hair was perfectly styled, giving him a striking. and masculine appearance that could easily captivate any woman in the salon, making them momentarily forget that he was a married man.

Reluctantly, I had to admit that when it came to comparing Alaric to Max, I found myself drawn more to Alaric’s rugged and manly features.

As I approached them, I overheard Alejandro complimenting Alaric, saying, “You look incredibly handsome today, Sir.”

Alaric simply nodded, his attention focused on his phone. “Yeah, I’m aware,” he replied. casually before glancing at his wristwatch. “My wife is taking forever.”

Just as I was about to call out to them, Alejandro noticed my presence and eagerly pointed in my direction. “Ma’am Farren is here!” he exclaimed.

Alaric let out a sigh and began to say something, “Why are you so…” But his words. trailed off when he caught sight of me. He seemed momentarily taken aback, his sentence left unfinished.

“I’m finished, I announced, closing the distance between us.

Alaric’s gaze remained fixed on me as he followed my every move.

With a deliberate slowness, he rose from his seat, never once averting his eyes from my presence. There was a certain intensity in his gaze, as if he had stumbled upon something truly astonishing.

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Chapter 17

Suddenly, Alejandro’s voice broke the silence, filled with admiration. “Wow! Ma’am Farren! You look absolutely stunning!”

A smile formed on my l*ps as I acknowledged Alejandro’s compliment, ready to express my gratitude.

However, before I could utter a word, Alaric interjected with a comment that caught me. off guard.

“Yes. She’s beautiful, he remarked.

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