My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus) novel Chapter 232

Chapter 0232 

In one of the gardens of Cambridge University in London, a refined 20–year–old walked confidently toward his economics class. His stride was abruptly interrupted by the ringing of his phone. Searching through his backpack, he answered the call. 

“My son, 

I need you to come home!” came the voice of a woman on the other end. 

“Mom, have you gotten into another fight with my father?” the young man asked, rolling his eyes. 

“No, Lucius! This is much worse. Marcus Bartz is back in Valentia, and he’s trying to take control of the company!” 

“Is this the same Bartz you’ve been warning me about all these years?” 

“Yes, him! Your father is an idiot. He let that man walk into the company just like that!” 

“Mother, you know how my father is. He wouldn’t act unless it was absolutely necessary. Calm down. Besides, I can’t leave right now–I’m in the middle of exams.” 

“Then reschedule them! I need you here. Remember who fought for you to study abroad at such an exclusive 

university.” 

Lucius Palmer was the spitting image of his father, Maximus, in his youth. There was no denying their resemblance the same features, the same mannerisms–but Lucius had also inherited his father’s worst traits. He was arrogant, egotistical, proud, and, at times, borderline narcissistic. 

Raised by a nanny rather than his mother, Lucius absorbed many of his bad habits from his parents. A heavy drinker and smoker, he had a taste for fine clothes and shoes, was a notorious womanizer, and had a violent streak. While brilliant in business and ruthless in decision–making, he lacked moral boundaries. 

As a child, Lucius showed early promise in business. He had once been a sweet boy, but his family environment slowly eroded his innocence. The constant arguments between Maximus and Alexia left him stressed, with Alexia often using him as a shield in their fights. When the time came to choose a university, Lucius opted to study abroad under the guise of seeking excellence but mainly to escape his family’s toxic dynamics. 

Alexia, proud of his achievements, supported him financially. However, she frequently summoned him home whenever she needed him. Lucius had little choice but to give in to her manipulations, and this time was no different. 

Lucius’s interactions with his grandmother, Catherine, had been limited. Alexia, having changed significantly after marrying Maximus, rarely allowed her son to visit Maximus’s grandmother. Instead, Lucius grew up around Frank Levett, absorbing much of the older man’s influence. Unbeknownst to Alexia, her son had become a product of her own making–someone with dark secrets Marcus Bartz had begun to uncover. 

“Lucius, get permission and come to Valentia immediately. We can’t let that cursed man take over the It’s your inheritance–and your siblings‘,” Alexia insisted 

company. 

Over the years, Alexia had perfected the art of manipulating her marriage. Whenever Maximus was on the verge of leaving her, she would get pregnant, forcing him to stay. Their marriage had devolved into a strange arrangement mostly physical satisfaction with no emotional connection. Maximus couldn’t deny that Alexia still drove him wild, but outside of their bed, they both had lovers.