Chapter 6 Bertha's mind was spinning. "Who are you guys? What do you want with me? Let go of me!" Her words were cut off by a rough hand clamping over her mouth. She was dragged out of the hotel. Before long, they hauled her into a tall office building that loomed coldly against the night sky. Marcus was inside that building. He was the very definition of a workaholic. Other than his sons, work was the only thing that ever held his interest. Earlier that evening, he had dropped Brenda off at her house before coming here to finalize plans. He intended to acquire this entire building. Marcus was studying a stack of documents in his office when Axell knocked and stepped inside. 'Marcus, we've done investigating. The car tires were destroyed by micro-explosives. But the boy's identity is nothing unusual." 'He lost his father young. The three brothers were raised by their mother in a mountain village. Today was their first day in Los Angeles. Nothing about the family stands out." 'Our men have already brought the boy's mother here. She's waiting in the conference room." Marcus's brows drew together. Micro-explosives? He laid the papers aside and rose to his feet, heading for the conference room. Axell followed close behind. He knew Marcus well. Those explosives had been expertly measured to damage only the tires and not the car itself or the people inside. That kind of precision wasn't something a child could manage. Marcus was clearly suspecting that someone was behind the boy. Over the years, too many people had wanted Marcus dead. He had no choice but to stay vigilant. Inside the conference room, Bertha sat stunned, her entire body tense. She still had no idea what had happened. Her heart was hammering in her chest so hard she thought she might faint. "Who are you? Why did you bring me here? What do you-" The door creaked open behind her, the sound sharp as a blade. Marcus entered ahead of the others, his very presence charged with a suffocating authority. He looked every inch a king descending from his throne. At six feet three inches, he towered above everyone. Bertha spotted him instantly. Her wide, lovely eyes went even wider, and she forgot to breathe. She looked again, unable to believe it. Shock crashed through her like a wave. 0 16.09 0.9% < Chapter 6 This man looked almost exactly like Alfred and Jacob. Was he their father? Was he the stranger who had ruined her life all those years ago? Her brows drew tight, her fists curling as rage began to boil in her veins. Her pulse spiked. Her breathing turned ragged. The memories were like poison. That night had shattered everything she'd known. The pregnancy, the disgrace, the names spat at her by strangers-slut, whore, filthy woman. As a mother, she felt lucky to have three angels now. But back then...God, she had suffered more than she ever thought possible. And every bit of that suffering had begun with this man. Marcus studied her in silence, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. It wasn't just that she was too beautiful. It was the strange, nagging familiarity about her. He felt certain they had met somewhere before. Yet the harder he looked, the less he could place her face. Expression dark, Marcus took a seat at the head of the long table. Menu When he noticed Bertha glaring at him with naked hatred, as if he were her worst enemy, his frown deepened. Her child had destroyed his car. She wasn't even trying to deny it, and she dared to look at him like that. Small as she was, she had a defiant spirit to match her son's. Why did you order your son to sabotage my car?" The accusation was the first thing out of Marcus's mouth. Bertha was still clutching her fists, her entire body trembling with fury. If it hadn't been for this stranger, she would never have been forced to flee her home. And now he had the nerve to pretend he didn't know her? The rage in her chest finally ignited into something unstoppable. Without thinking, she surged forward and slapped him across the face. "You were the one who ruined me, and now you have the gall to demand compensation?" < Chapter 7 Menu Chapter 7