I Chose Me Over My Marriage novel Chapter 171

Aria froze as if struck by lightning, Maxwell's words ringing in her ears.

"Is that... is that really how you see me?"

Maxwell scoffed. He reached out and grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up at him.

"Did you think I didn't know about your relationship with Mr. Jude? A life-saving favor? I can't believe you even came up with that excuse, Aria. If it weren't for our past, I would have tossed you aside a long time ago. What right do you have to stand here and preach to me?"

"Besides, do you really think you can cover up how many men you kept in touch with during your years abroad? You're still useful to me. As for what just happened, I can pretend it never occurred. But remember this: don't cross me. Otherwise, I can't guarantee what I might do."

With that, Maxwell let go of her and turned on his heel.

Aria stared in shock at his retreating figure. A wave of anger, tightly intertwined with utter helplessness, suffocated her.

So... he knew everything.

Yet he had still treated her like a fool, playing her right in the palm of his hand.

Even after everything that had happened, he still only loved himself.

Right now, she felt like a complete joke.

But she didn't regret it one bit.

Especially after learning Maxwell's true colors, her resolve only hardened.

"I will make sure everything I want stays firmly within my grasp," she muttered to herself, her eyes blazing with determination.

Meanwhile.

Lyra drove back home.

"You know damn well I'm madly in love with you! Why would you set up that trap with her just to push me away? Or are you afraid that if you spend too much time around me, you'll fall for me all over again?"

As he spoke, Maxwell slammed his hands onto the car, trapping Lyra between his arms.

"I've told you countless times," Lyra said, meeting his predatory gaze with icy calm. "There is zero chance for us. As for my actions, I don't owe you any explanations. Don't you agree?"

With that, Lyra shoved against his chest.

But his grip was unyielding. No matter how much strength she poured into it, he didn't budge an inch.

Her patience was wearing dangerously thin, and profound annoyance crept into her eyes.

"Maxwell, how delusional are you going to get? You were the one who threw away a perfectly good life, and now you're here playing the devoted lover? I've made myself explicitly clear: I don't love you anymore. I was blind back then, but I will never make that idiotic mistake again. Instead of wasting your time on me, you'd be better off figuring out how to save your failing company."

She paused for a second before adding.