Chapter 6 Forced to Apologize +2 Bonus Maxen said , " Seriously ? You're a grown - up , for crying out loud . Why are you making a big deal out of something a kid did ? " Lyra froze . She had expected he wouldn't believe her , but the way he openly took Felix's side still hit her like a punch to the gut . Her eyes stung as she fought back tears . " I didn't push him , " she said , voice tight . Maxen let out a short laugh . " So what , you're saying a kid that age tripped on his own just to frame you ? " Lyra's chest tightened . She wondered why she even bothered explaining when she knew he'd never believe her . She lowered her gaze , trying hard to steady herself . " Fine , I get it . It's just my lousy luck to have to deal with you people , okay ? " Lyra turned to leave , but Maxen called after her , " Stop right there . " She paused in place , refusing to glance over her shoulder . Maxen's tone softened slightly as he said , " Felix is just a child . There's no need to take it so personally . Now , just apologize to him . " Veronica quickly jumped in . " Max , maybe let it go- " 1/6 21:03 Chapter 6 Forced to Apologize +2 Bonus But Maxen's gaze turned cold . " If she was in the wrong , then she needs to apologize . End of story . " Lyra clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms , but it was like she couldn't even feel the pain anymore . She slowly turned back around , looked right at Maxen , and pointed toward the streetlamp where a security camera was mounted . She said , " Maple Grove Towers is covered with surveillance cameras . If you're so eager to play the hero , maybe check the footage first . " If it turns out I really did something wrong , I'll apologize . But if I didn't , don't even think about forcing one out of me . " Once Lyra had gotten the last word in , she turned and left without giving Maxen so much as a second look . A sudden tightness gripped Maxen's chest , and his face grew even grimmer . Veronica had been rattled the moment she heard the word " surveillance cameras " . Afraid he would really go pull the footage , she hurriedly reached for him . " Let's just drop it , Max . Felix is fine , and I really don't think Dr. Sheppard meant any harm . " There was no way she could let Maxen watch that footage . So , 2/6 21:03 Chapter 6 Forced to Apologize & +2 Bonus she hurried to change the subject . " Max , Felix is about to be late . Let's just go . " Maxen pulled his arm free and said , " I've already called the kindergarten director . Just bring Felix over , she'll take care of the rest . I'll get going now . I have a meeting to catch . " With that , he turned and got back into the car . Veronica stood there watching his car pull away , her hand slowly tightening into a fist , completely forgetting she was still holding onto Felix . Felix winced from the pain . " Mommy , that hurts . " Snapping back to her senses , Veronica slowly crouched down and gently gripped his shoulders . Her gaze was cold , though a trace of satisfaction flickered in her eyes . " You did great this time , Felix . Really great . " " Really ? " Felix blinked up at her . He didn't understand much , but he knew that as long as what he did made his mom happy and earned her praise , it must be a good thing . " Felix , you want Mr. Hawthorne to be your daddy , don't you ? " Veronica smiled as she stroked his cheek . Felix nodded eagerly . 3/6 1 21:03 Chapter 6 Forced to Apologize +2 Bonus Veronica's smile sharpened . " Well , you need to win him over , then . Make sure he likes you , okay ? " Felix nodded again . " I will . " ***** As soon as Maxen arrived at the office , his assistant Natalie Cross walked up to him . " Mr. Hawthorne , Madam Hawthorne is waiting for you in your office . " He gave a curt nod and stepped inside . Edith was seated gracefully on the sofa , sipping her coffee with composed elegance . She looked up at him and asked , " Is it true that you placed Veronica at the same hospital as Lyra ? " Maxen loosened his tie and sat down on the couch across from her . " What , did Lyra complain to you ? " Edith slammed her coffee cup onto the table and snapped , " For God's sake , Max ! Stop jumping to conclusions about your wife . Do you really think Lyra is the kind of person who would run to me and tattle ? " Maxen let out a faint , cold smile . " You don't think so ? I haven't forgotten how she married me , or how you forced me into it , either . " 4/6 21:03 Chapter 6 Forced to Apologize +2 Bonus A look of annoyance flashed across Edith's face , quickly replaced by a sneer . " If Lyra really wanted to stir up trouble , do you think Veronica would've even had the chance to come back here ? " Maxen was quiet for a beat before meeting her eyes . " Stay away from her . " Edith gave a short , incredulous laugh . " That woman took 10 million dollars from me to walk away from you . How could you possibly see anything good in a woman who would throw everything away for cash ? " " If it hadn't been for you getting in the way , would she have left in the first place ? " Maxen shot back . Edith frowned . " You … " But before she could finish , something seemed to dawn on her , and she suddenly let out a chuckle . Rising slowly to her feet , she said , " Maxen … You really have no idea how wrong you are . You'll regret it someday . I won't get involved with you and Lyra anymore . If divorce is what you want , then go ahead . It's your call . " With that , Edith walked right out of the office . Maxen's jaw tightened , his expression so dark it seemed almost impossible to read . He was convinced that regret would never come for him . 5/6 21:03 Chapter 6 Forced to Apologize +2 Bonus He believed Lyra had already gotten all the wealth and status she ever wanted from him , and in his mind , there was no way she could walk away - she needed him far too much . Write your comment ir Gifts 6/6 Chapter 6 Forced to Apologize +2 Bonus Maxen said , " Seriously ? You're a grown - up , for crying out loud . Why are you making a big deal out of something a kid did ? " Lyra froze . She had expected he wouldn't believe her , but the way he openly took Felix's side still hit her like a punch to the gut . Her eyes stung as she fought back tears . " I didn't push him , " she said , voice tight . Maxen let out a short laugh . " So what , you're saying a kid that age tripped on his own just to frame you ? " Lyra's chest tightened . She wondered why she even bothered explaining when she knew he'd never believe her . She lowered her gaze , trying hard to steady herself . " Fine , I get it . It's just my lousy luck to have to deal with you people , okay ? " Lyra turned to leave , but Maxen called after her , " Stop right there . " She paused in place , refusing to glance over her shoulder . Maxen's tone softened slightly as he said , " Felix is just a child . There's no need to take it so personally . Now , just apologize to him . " Veronica quickly jumped in . " Max , maybe let it go- " 1/6 21:03 Chapter 6 Forced to Apologize +2 Bonus But Maxen's gaze turned cold . " If she was in the wrong , then she needs to apologize . End of story . " Lyra clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms , but it was like she couldn't even feel the pain anymore . She slowly turned back around , looked right at Maxen , and pointed toward the streetlamp where a security camera was mounted . She said , " Maple Grove Towers is covered with surveillance cameras . If you're so eager to play the hero , maybe check the footage first . " If it turns out I really did something wrong , I'll apologize . But if I didn't , don't even think about forcing one out of me . " Once Lyra had gotten the last word in , she turned and left without giving Maxen so much as a second look . A sudden tightness gripped Maxen's chest , and his face grew even grimmer . Veronica had been rattled the moment she heard the word " surveillance cameras " . Afraid he would really go pull the footage , she hurriedly reached for him . " Let's just drop it , Max . Felix is fine , and I really don't think Dr. Sheppard meant any harm . " There was no way she could let Maxen watch that footage . So , 2/6 21:03 Chapter 6 Forced to Apologize & +2 Bonus she hurried to change the subject . " Max , Felix is about to be late . Let's just go . " Maxen pulled his arm free and said , " I've already called the kindergarten director . Just bring Felix over , she'll take care of the rest . I'll get going now . I have a meeting to catch . " With that , he turned and got back into the car . Veronica stood there watching his car pull away , her hand slowly tightening into a fist , completely forgetting she was still holding onto Felix . Felix winced from the pain . " Mommy , that hurts . " Snapping back to her senses , Veronica slowly crouched down and gently gripped his shoulders . Her gaze was cold , though a trace of satisfaction flickered in her eyes . " You did great this time , Felix . Really great . " " Really ? " Felix blinked up at her . He didn't understand much , but he knew that as long as what he did made his mom happy and earned her praise , it must be a good thing . " Felix , you want Mr. Hawthorne to be your daddy , don't you ? " Veronica smiled as she stroked his cheek . Felix nodded eagerly . 3/6 1 21:03 Chapter 6 Forced to Apologize +2 Bonus Veronica's smile sharpened . " Well , you need to win him over , then . Make sure he likes you , okay ? " Felix nodded again . " I will . " ***** As soon as Maxen arrived at the office , his assistant Natalie Cross walked up to him . " Mr. Hawthorne , Madam Hawthorne is waiting for you in your office . " He gave a curt nod and stepped inside . Edith was seated gracefully on the sofa , sipping her coffee with composed elegance . She looked up at him and asked , " Is it true that you placed Veronica at the same hospital as Lyra ? " Maxen loosened his tie and sat down on the couch across from her . " What , did Lyra complain to you ? " Edith slammed her coffee cup onto the table and snapped , " For God's sake , Max ! Stop jumping to conclusions about your wife . Do you really think Lyra is the kind of person who would run to me and tattle ? " Maxen let out a faint , cold smile . " You don't think so ? I haven't forgotten how she married me , or how you forced me into it , either . " 4/6 21:03 Chapter 6 Forced to Apologize +2 Bonus A look of annoyance flashed across Edith's face , quickly replaced by a sneer . " If Lyra really wanted to stir up trouble , do you think Veronica would've even had the chance to come back here ? " Maxen was quiet for a beat before meeting her eyes . " Stay away from her . " Edith gave a short , incredulous laugh . " That woman took 10 million dollars from me to walk away from you . How could you possibly see anything good in a woman who would throw everything away for cash ? " " If it hadn't been for you getting in the way , would she have left in the first place ? " Maxen shot back . Edith frowned . " You … " But before she could finish , something seemed to dawn on her , and she suddenly let out a chuckle . Rising slowly to her feet , she said , " Maxen … You really have no idea how wrong you are . You'll regret it someday . I won't get involved with you and Lyra anymore . If divorce is what you want , then go ahead . It's your call . " With that , Edith walked right out of the office . Maxen's jaw tightened , his expression so dark it seemed almost impossible to read . He was convinced that regret would never come for him . 5/6 21:03 Chapter 6 Forced to Apologize +2 Bonus He believed Lyra had already gotten all the wealth and status she ever wanted from him , and in his mind , there was no way she could walk away - she needed him far too much . Write your comment ir Gifts 6/6 21:03 Divorced : The Cold CEO Went Mad 21:03 Divorced : The Cold CEO Went Mad