Two days passed and Max remained unconscious. His family and friends took turns to visit him as he lay on the bed, neither eating or drinking. “How long is he going to remain like this? Do we need to transfer him to a better hospital?” Ryan questioned the doctor worriedly as he came for another full body checkup. “Sir, from today's report, it’s obvious he is doing better. Like I said before, he had lost too much blood before he was brought in. His sudden unconsciousness was as a result of a cardiac arrest.” He announced. Blake and Carl who were hearing of this report for the first time were shocked to their wits, exclaiming in sync, “What?” “Is it possible for a young, healthy and perfectly fit man like him to suffer a heart attack?” Blake asked curiously. “Max is the healthiest person I know. Always hitting the gym and eating right. How is that even possible?” Carl also wondered. “Yes. It is rare but highly possible. It can happen as a result of several factors but in his condi
"Max, I can explain…” “Explain? Explain what? What the f*ck do you have to say when I gave a f*cking clear instructions? What part of ‘Don’t pry on my private life’ do you not understand?” Max bellowed furiously as he stormed into the hospital room once again. Most of his bruises had disappeared, but he still had a bandaid tied around his head. Until a few months back, the boys had hired a guy to seek employment in the Kingsley Mansion just so he could keep an eye on Max and report back to them. Just looking at all Their faces, Max could tell Ryan didn't do it alone. “We did it because we were worried, Max…” Blake was cut short by Max’s interruption. “I never asked you to worry about me!” “But that's what families are for. You always say we should drop social level and just be families, but you’re not even letting us do the slightest thing for you.” Miguel sensibly chimed in. And he was right. Max was the main reason the group chat was created. It was to deepen t
“Welcome, Sir.” All the staff quickly stopped what they were doing and greeted Miguel, Carl, and Blake, knowing who they were. The security guard moved closer to Miguel and decided to explain, “Sir, this loser came…” Before he could finish his statement, Miguel sent a hot slap across his cheeks, making his lips blend. “How dare you call him a loser? Do you have a death wish?” Miguel asked, baffled. Blake scoffed in disbelief, “How did you cope with all this insult for three years?” Max smirked, putting on a fake smile, “Ryan is right. I was desperate to win the challenge.” “I wonder what this stupid challenge even is,” Ryan mumbled to himself. The cashier stepped out of her seat and quickly adjusted her lipstick before moving closer to Miguel. She shut out her chest, gently caressing Miguel's body. “Sir, you don't have to stress your handsome self because of these low class men. Sincerely, this man is a broke ass who has tried to scam us before but horribly failed…”Miguel
Marcella was Max’s younger sibling, and upon reading the earliest pages on the tablet, he realized she had run away from home shortly after he left for his in-laws. Ryan sighed before explaining, “Well, you know she takes a lot after you. She has always wanted to live an ordinary life, and she took up the opportunity the moment she got it. No one can stop her except you.” “What was Blake doing when she left?” He asked curiously. Ryan suddenly burst out laughing, “News flash, Blake was family zoned.” He announced, confusing Max. “Family zoned as in?” He asked curiously. “How can I possibly love you, Blake? You’re like a brother to me.” Ryan mimicked Marcella’s statement. “That’s what she said to Blake when he finally summoned the courage to ask her out. You should have seen how embarrassed Blake was. We teased him endlessly for days...” Unfortunately for Ryan, Max was offended by his joke, “You think being rejected is funny? Just because ladies come easily to you doesn’
“Max, calm the f@ck down!” Blake yelled, pulling him away as the crowd were already gossiping about him. “I heard he had anger issues since his parents’ death, i never thought I’d witness it.” Some one said. Max brushed his hand over his head, casually removing the frail bandaid from his head, “What is there to calm down about? You were all in it too. Where is he?” He asked.“In his room. He left after making a short presence…” Before Miguel could finish replying him, Blake already stormed off through the back door, almost disappearing into the main house. The men helped Ryan up and dusted his clothes, “F@ck, I such have added two more doze.” He complained, wiping his nose with his handkerchief. “You really do have a death wish, hmph..” Carl mumbled. “Well, let’s join him before he wrecks havocs.” Blake suggested and they all quickly ran to the main house while Sr. Stratford’s PA restored the calm at the party. Sr. Stratford was in the living room receiving gifts from Bryce and
Max’s jaw ached as he gritted his teeth. His movements were stiff, but eventually, he found his way back to his seat again. “Tell me about your marriage.” Williams requested. Max scoffed, “What more do you want to hear from me? Direct from the source? Because I know you already got all the juicy details.” He said. “Well, I don’t know what goes inside your house…I mean your in-laws, but I’m sure by now you know you don’t have a son.” He said. Max had to hold his breath for a while, his muscles stiffened as he tried his best to hold back his anger. “You…” He started to speak but stopped to hold back the angry tears that were threatening his eyes. “You had no idea what goes on inside my ‘in-laws’ house, yet you know even the secrets I just found out. How funny.” He scoffed. Williams Stratford understood Max’s anger and quickly replied, “I promise I don’t know what is going on in your in-law’s place but after I confirmed she was really pregnant, I asked someone to keep an eye on her
“That would be for you to find out. Our deal ends here. Remember it was your call.” Williams said. He picked up the landline on the stool beside him and called a number. “James, bring the documents over and announce my return at the party.” He said on the phone. As he attempted to stand up, his guard who was standing meters away quickly ran towards him and helped him with his walking stick. Max sat confused, not sure what the next line of action to take. If only he had this conversation with his Grandpa before leaving for his in-laws’, maybe he would have been a little more attentive in his three years stay. “Come on, you don’t want to keep the crowd waiting.” Williams said just before stepping out of the living room.Max was hesitant to stand up, but eventually, he did, sluggishly following behind the old man’s guard. The crowd quickly assembled as soon as Williams Stratford reappeared. Since he was old, he sat while others stood. Everyone was curious what the old man was going
“You should hurry and finalize it. Those people are sneaky as f@ck.” Miguel suggested, before standing up to make the calls to the media stations.Max forced a smile, remembering they were supposed to finalize the divorce today. “Don’t worry guys. I can’t be fooled twice.” He reassured them. “So what do you plan to do with them now?” Carl asked curiously. “I am going to ruin every single member of that family. I am not going to limit the punishment to just Aria…”Max was interrupted by Miguel whom he heard scolding someone around the corner. “What’s up Miguel?” Blake inquired. Miguel eventually walked back to the men, “It’s Bryce. He was eavesdropping again. I had to make sure he returned to his room.” He explained. The men quickly started to complain about Bryce's incessant interruption in their conversation, causing Max to have a good laugh. “Guys, free this kid. He is already an adult. Let him have fun.” He suggested but no one agreed with him, especially Ryan. “By the way,