Chapter 200
“Ms. Claire, you don’t need to feel pressured as you’re the only woman Mr. Hilton has ever brought back to the Hilton Mansion. It is testament enough that he doesn’t care about your background. He wants you only. In a bold move that shocked the social circles, Mr. Hilton canceled his engagement with the Goodwin family last month. The older generation pushed too hard, even threatening to pull their shares, but Mr. Hilton, with his fierce presence in the business world, left them no room to retaliate. Yet, they dared to orchestrate an attack on Mr. Hilton. You know what? Mr. Hilton has almost lost his life, bedridden for a month, and the moment he could stand, he went looking for you p>
As Helen spoke, her eyes briefly met mine, then quickly darted down, silence taking over. I could unmistakably feel Max’s presence behind me.
“Let me know if you need anything, Ms. Claire. I’ll take my leave,” Helen said, her quick departure signaling Max’s unshakeable status within the Hilton family.
“Max, what did they do to you? Are you hurt?” The thought of Max being unable to leave the bed for a whole month was heart-wrenching.
My concern was palpable as I reached out to lift his shirt, but he caught my wrist.
“Seriously, do you want to do this here with cameras everywhere?” His voice was a low murmur, tinged with amusement.
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I realized we were in a public setting. “I just wanted to see if you were okay p>
“How about we go to my room?” His suggestion, accompanied by a teasing smile, made my heart skip a beat.
“It’s just to check the wound,” I clarified, leading the way, my pace quickening.
Passing the open door of the study, I glimpsed Eaton was still kneeling within. Our eyes met, and I quickly looked away, feeling guilty. Max asked, “Don’t you want to know why I’m punishing Eaton p>
I shook my head, not wanting to delve into it.
“He shouldn’t have given you the birth control pills. I want to make up for our past.life’s regrets to protect you and our future.” Max’s words were sincere, his gaze intense as he lifted her chin, his lips meeting my tear streaked eyes. “Believe in me p>
I wanted to, more than anything. But my insecurities held me back. Could I ever truly stand by Max’s side, not as a burden but as his equal?
Max said lovingly, “All I want is Claire, regardless of her background p>
His words were a balm to my soul even as I fought back tears.
But then, his arms were around me, lifting me, my legs instinctively wrapping around his waist. His kisses, initially salty from my tears,
Surned sweet, transporting me
to a blissful place.
Max held me gently and protectively as we moved to the bed. Everything felt so right and inevitable. I couldn’t resist him, nor did I want to miss being with him. Maybe, I thought, if our paths crossed in this life, there would be no mistakes or social
divides.
Touching his scar, a jagged reminder of the attack, I marveled at his strength. There were eight stitches close to his heart. Who could harbor such malice?
Yet, even in pain, Max had made public appearances, a ploy to stabilize his empire. He had never sought the spotlight, explaining his sudden visibility that month.