My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus) novel Chapter 311

Chapter 0311 

+25 BONUS 

THesperia, 15 Years Agol 

Catherine’s health had been steadily declining, and the last time Leonardo had seen her in good spirits was over two years ago, shortly after Marcus Bartz had visited her. Catherine was perpetually distressed about the life her granddaughter might be living. Despite her best efforts and ring investigators, Mary and Serenity remained untraceable. What Catherine didn’t know was that Leonardo had bought off anyone who might succeed in locating them–whether working for Catherine, Maximus, or anyone else. 

Call it guilt or remorse, but as Catherine’s condition worsened, Leonardo decided to ease his conscience. He reasoned that introducing his mother to her granddaughter night lift her spirits. So, one day, he made up his mind to travel to Hesperia. 

Upon arrival, Leonardo was surprised to discover that Mary was no longer alone. She had remarried and was now Valerie Mary Bartz. ‘That damned woman has made herself untouchable,” Leonardo thought bitterly upon learning the details of her new life. However, what truly enraged him was discovering that Marcus Bartz had legally adepted Serenity, turning her from a Palmer into a Bartz. 

This revelation caused Leonardo’s plans to shift. He had initially intended to convince Mary to return to the Palmer family as Peter’s widow, ensuring Serenity would take her rightful place as Peter’s daughter. But with Mary remarried, she was of no use to him. Worse, her husband posed a significant obstacle. 

Yet, Leonardo remained resolute in his desire to take Serenity. She would be raised among the Palmer, with Catherine acting as her maternal figure. He dismissed Mary’s importance, rationalizing, ‘She’s young and can have more children. But we can’t have another Peter.‘ 

After monitoring the Bartz family for a month, Leonardo identified an opportunity on the day Valerie and Serenity went to Maisie’s alone. The moment they entered the mall Leonardo’s plan was set in motion.. 

“Marcus, we’ve checked the terminals and found the Palmer family’s private jet at the Hesperia terminal. Personnel are on their way. I’m heading there now too. Meet us there, and please don’t do anything reckless,” Frederick said, knowing his friend’s temperament when it came to his family. 

Marcus was en route to the terminal but pulled over momentarily. Reaching under the seat, he retrieved a silenced handgun. His bodyguards exchanged nervous glances, sensing the dangerous aura radiating from him. 

“Let’s go. Don’t stop. That man isn’t taking my daughter. Alive or dead, he’s leaving Hesperia today, but he’s not leaving with her,” Marcus growled, his voice cold and terrifying. 

Serenity had been unconscious for much of the ordeal. To take her out of the mall unnoticed, Leonardo had used a chloroform–soaked cloth. As Valerie and Serenity walked near the domed display, Serenity had let go of her mother’s hand, pointing at the ceiling. In that fleeting moment, an unknown figure scooped her up, pretending she was a sleeping child. 

By the time Marcus and Frederick reached the terminal, Leonardo already had a lead. He was aboard the plane, waiting for clearance to use the runway. Marcus’s men surrounded the jet, weapons drawn, while airport security watched the tense standoff unfold. The commander, however, was a close friend of Marcus’s and refused to grant Leonardo permission to take off. 

“Leonardo, give me my daughter! You’re surrounded. There’s no way out for you. The commander is a good friend 

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+25 BONUS 

Chapter 0311 

of mine. If you try anything, the military will fire on your plane,” Frederick shouted, edging closer to the jet. 

Inside the aircraft, Serenity stirred awake. Confused and frightened, she tried to escape, but Leonardo’s large hand restrained her. 

“No, little one. You’re coming 

with me,” Leonardo said in Lawless Hesperiar. But Serenity didn’t reconize him 

and began crying uncontrollably. 

Marcus reached the airplane door and saw Leonardo holding his daughter. Though Leonardo appeared unarmed and posed no immediate physical threat to Serenity, Marcus couldn’t trust him. With the Palmer, one could never be certain. 

Inside the plane were only Leonardo, Serenity, two flight attendants, and the pilots. Leonardo’s hired help had been detained by either Marcus’s men or the military. As Marcus entered the aircraft, Leonardo turned, surprised by how composed and physically imposing Marcus appeared. 

“Marcus, she’s my granddaughter. Let her come with me. Mary is young–she can have more children. Children with you. But we can’t have more of Peter. We’ve already lost everything of him,” Leonardo pleaded, his face anguished. 

“Marcus, take Serenity and leave. Valerie must be worried sick–she’s already on her way here,” Frederick said, positioning himself between Marcus and Leonardo. 

“Frederick…” Marcus began, his voice low and dangerous. 

“Marcus, listen to me. Take the girl to her mother. Valerie is devastated. Don’t waste time here.” Frederick rarely spoke to Marcus in such a firm tone, but his words carried weight.. 

Reluctantly, Marcus swallowed his rage and took Serenity’s trembling hand. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, her little nose running as she sniffled. She clung to Marcus desperately. 

“Let’s go, sweetheart. Let’s go. Mommy is waiting for us downstairs,” Marcus said, lifting her into his arms. 

As he carried Serenity off the plane, Marcus’s grip tightened. He vowed silently to ensure that no one–not even a Palmer–would ever threaten his family again.