Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“This is simple, isn’t it? You’re staying with us. Anyway, you and Max are getting married in a month or so. When the time comes, you can just go home a couple of days early.”
Sandra felt a little bad, “Sofia, that would be too much trouble for you.”
“No trouble at all! I’ve been hoping for a long time that you would marry Max and give birth to a big, fat grandson for me.”
At this point, Sofia fell silent for a moment.
Then she spoke again, with her voice even softer than before, “You had a miscarriage because you were too tired from work. The next time you’re pregnant, you must not work that hard ever again! You must take a good rest instead.”
“Sofia, it was my fault to begin with. I thought I was young enough, that there wouldn’t be any problem. Otherwise, my child with Max would be four now.”
Sofia let out a laugh as she lowered her head to hide the flash of emotion in her eyes. When she raised her head, there was nothing but doting love and care in them. “When you’re pregnant, I, too, will look after you.”
Half an hour passed. The assistant had completed the discharge procedures for Sandra.
Sofia wheeled her down the stairs and got into the car.
When they arrived at the Gastons’, Sofia had Sandra directed into the living room and ordered the maid to get the room ready.
As she picked up a fruit and handed it to Sandra, Sandra asked, seemingly offhandedly, “Sofia, do you know if Mary is still alive?”
“What did you say?”
The apple in Sofia’s hand fell onto the coffee table and rolled down to the floor.
——
Mary Co.
As business ended for the day, Priscilla found her way into Mary’s office, “Mary, the Garcia Group called and said they would like to cooperate with us, but I have already turned them down.”
Mary looked up from her LCD screen, “Garcia, the aromatherapy business?”
“Yep,” Priscilla replied.
The Garcias of Sheares. That was Sofia’s maternal family.
The Garcia Group had always been focused on aromatherapy products.
The expression on Mary’s delicate face stiffened as her hand gripped the mouse with increasing intensity.
After a moment of silence, her cool, indifferent voice sounded, “What are the specific requirements, and what is the schedule for the collaboration?”
“Mary?”
Priscilla looked at Mary in amazement.
Thinking that she might have been out of the loop all these years overseas, Priscilla tried to explain to her, “The Garcia Group’s aromatherapy products are endorsed by Sandra.”
Mary sneered, her watery eyes were cold.
“I know.”
Priscilla stared at Mary for a few more seconds without further objection, “They want to ride the wave of Sandra and Max’s wedding next month, and have their products up on all our online channels and platforms by then.”
Mary leaned back in her chair and said casually, “To ride on the wave… that’s a good idea. Priscilla, tell them to send over some product samples.”
“Okay, I’ll let them know.”
After Priscilla left, Mary saved the document and shut down her computer. Then, her cell phone rang.
It was a voice message from Max, “I’m waiting for you and Jason downstairs.”
It was a low, melodic voice. That man seemed to have revied God’s favor in every way, from his background, his looks, his figure, to his temperament. Even his voice was attractive.
Mary walked out of the building with Jason and saw Matthew standing in front of a black Phantom on the roadside.
From a few meters away, he greeted them in a respectful manner, and held the car door open for them.
Jason climbed into the car first. He looked at the magnified version of his handsome face for a few seconds, and gave a cute and polite greeting, “Uncle.”
Max smiled a little and reached his hand out, stroking Jason’s head as if he were a puppy.
He raised his eyes and looked at Mary, who got in and sat beside Jason.
As their eyes met, Mary quickly averted her gaze.
Jason was sitting in the middle, with Mary and Max on each side.
Along the way, it was mostly Max talking to Jason, and only occasionally did she respond when Jason directed the conversation to Mary.
As they were about to reach the Hanks Villa, Mary received a message from Paul, “Mary, I’ll send some people to protect you and Jason. When will you be available?”
As she listened to the chat between Max and Jason, she replied, “Not for now, I’ll let you know when I need it.”
When they reached the entrance of the villa, a bodyguard opened the gate.
The Phantom pulled into the villa, and inside stood five bodyguards. All were dressed smartly in black. More noteworthy, was that they were all familiar faces.
Mary, Max and Jason stepped out of the car, and the five bodyguards greeted in unison, “Welcome home, Lady Mary and Master Jason.”
Mary turned to look at Max.
His features were as perfect as a sculpture, and his expression was cool and composed. He stood there without saying a word, possessing an authoritative aura different from any ordinary man.
His noble elegance and gracefulness came naturally.
When he saw her looking, he looked back at her with a sideways glance.
Their eyes met, and Mary withdrew her gaze.
Max said in a soft voice, “From now on, the five of them will keep you and Jason safe. You recognize them, right? If you don’t remember, you can ask them to introduce themselves again.”
Mary looked them over one by one, and her eyes halted on the bodyguard in the middle.
Her eyes widened slightly as the other man pursed his lips tightly. His eyes were moist.
Max saw her staring at the man, his eyes moving slightly as he said coldly, “Back then, it was because he didn’t pick you up that you got into that accident. Then, I got a call that the police found your cell phone and necklace near the chemical plant that exploded.”
“Lady Mary, I’m sorry! It’s my incompetence that caused you to get hurt.”
With a thud, the bodyguard fell to his knees.
His eyes were red as he apologized to Mary.
His name was Fred.
Back then, he wanted to atone for his sins with his life, but Max stopped him and allowed him to cut off three fingers as repentance.
Mary stepped forward to help him up, “Get up, I don’t blame you.”
That day, Fred had been tricked.
“Lady Mary, I heard that you had suffered a lot over the years. From now on, I, Fred, will devote myself to protecting you and Master Jason. If you were to suffer even the slightest harm, I will cut my throat.”
Fred raised his hand to make a vow.
In the past few years, he had been looking for Mary everywhere, But after searching all over Sheares, and even the entire country, there was no trace of her at all.
It was only yesterday that Fred had been recalled from out of state by Max.
Mary’s heart was warmed by what he had done. Fred used to have a good relationship with her.
Although Max spoiled her and indulged her all those years, she did not have the slightest haughtiness or arrogance, whether to Max’s subordinates or to the servants in the house.
She nodded lightly, “Will do.”
Jason, who had been watching and listening, blinked and suddenly spoke up in his cute voice, “Uncle, you cut your fingers for my mom. You must be a very good person to her. What’s your name, are you married?”
“Jason.”
Max’s eyebrows raised as he called him.
Jason looked up at him with a grin on his face and said, “Uncle, I like this tough guy. What’s his name?”
“Master Jason, my name is Fred.”
Fred was a good-looking man, and his personality was not entirely dull.
Back in those days, he was the one who had been with Mary for most frequently and for the longest duration.
Jason went over and took the remaining ring finger and pinky on Fred’s hand and said, “Uncle Fred, after Uncle Max, you treat my mom the best… Hey, Uncle, what are you doing? Put me down!”
Max had grabbed Jason by the collar, ignoring his cries, lifted him up, and headed for the living room..