Rise of the Formidable Ex-wife (Lucia and Alex) novel Chapter 162

Chapter 162

The black sedan pulled up to the iron gates of the Kane estate with screeching brakes, the car jerking to a violent stop just inches from the security barrier Marco sat behind the wheel, his hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles had gone white. His eyes were bloodshot from hours of driving around the city, his mind churning with rage and desperation.

Through the ornate iron bars, he could see the sprawling mansion where his children now lived. Warm lights glowed from the windows, and he could make out shadows moving inside. His family, his flesh and blood, living happily without him while he sat outside like a beggar.

Marco slammed his fist against the horn, the sound blaring through the quiet evening air. He held it down for several seconds, the noise sharp and aggressive, before finally releasing it and climbing out of his car.

The security guard, a tall man named Peterson, emerged from the gatehouse with his hand resting casually on his radio. He had been briefed about Marco Hart and told to expect trouble.

“Sir, this is private property. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

Marco ignored him completely, walking straight to the gates and pressing his face against the metal bars like a prisoner looking through cell bars.

“Ria!” The shout toward the house came cracking with emotion. “Lucas! Monica! I know you’re in there! Come talk to your father!”

His voice echoed across the manicured grounds, desperate and raw.

Peterson stepped closer, his tone remaining professional but firm. “Mr. Hart, you need to return to your vehicle and leave the premises immediately.”

“Those are my children!” Marco spun around to face the guard, his face flushed red with anger. “My blood! My family! You can’t keep me from my own children!”

“Sir, I have explicit instructions…”

“I don’t care about your instructions!” Marco’s voice rose to a near–scream. “This is America! I have rights! I have the right to see my children!”

Inside the house, Monica was the first to hear the commotion. She had been reading in the library when the sound of shouting drifted through the windows. Her book fell from her hands as she recognized the voice that had haunted her nightmares for months.

“Mom!” The call came trembling with fear. “Mom, come quick!”

Lucia rushed into the library, followed closely by Lena and Ria. Through the large windows, they could see Marco at the gates, gesticulating wildly as he argued with the security guard.

“Oh my God.” Ria’s whisper came as her face went pale. “He actually came here.”

“Where’s Lucas?” Lucia asked, her maternal instincts immediately focused on protecting all her children.

“Kitchen with Dad.” Lena replied, already moving toward the phone. “I’ll call him.”

Back at the gates, Marco’s behavior was becoming increasingly erratic. He had grabbed the iron bars and was shaking them violently, the metal clanging and rattling under his assault.

“Let me in!” The demand came hoarse from shouting. “Let me see my children! They belong with me!”

Peterson spoke into his radio, calling for backup while keeping his eyes on Marco. “Mr. Hart, if you don’t calm down, I’ll be forced to call the police.”

“Call them!” Marco’s bitter laugh rang out. “Call whoever you want! I’m not leaving without my children!”

He stepped back from the gates and began pacing back and forth like a caged animal, his expensive suit wrinkled and his hair disheveled. The polished businessman facade had completely crumbled, revealing the desperate, broken man underneath.

“Seventeen years!” The shout toward the house carried across the grounds. “Seventeen years I gave you everything! And this is how you repay me? By choosing strangers over your own father?”

His voice cracked on the last word, and for a mor by rage.

Successfully unlocked!

ed across his face before being swallowed again

Two more security guards arrived, flanking Peterson as they formed a barrier between Marco and the gates. But Marco was beyond caring about their presence

Chapter 162

“Alexander Kane!” The bellow came with his face turned toward the mansion. “Come out here, you coward! Face me like a man!®

Inside the house, Alexander was already striding toward the front door, his jaw set with determination. Lucia caught his

arm as he passed.

“Alexander, don’t. Let security handle this.”

“He’s terrorizing our children.” Alexander’s reply came grim. “I won’t have them living in fear in their own home.”

“It’s what he wants. A confrontation. Don’t give it to him.”

But Alexander was already pulling away, his protective instincts overriding his caution. “Stay inside with the children. Keep them away from the windows.”

The front door opened, and Alexander stepped out onto the circular driveway. Even from a distance, Marco could see him clearly. Tall, confident, walking with the assured stride of a man who owned everything around him.

“There he is!” Marco pointed with a shaking finger. “The thief! The man who stole my family!”

Alexander approached the gates calmly, his hands at his sides, showing no fear despite Marco’s obvious agitation. The security guards stepped aside slightly, ready to intervene if necessary.

“Marco.” Alexander spoke quietly, his voice carrying clearly in the evening air. “You need to leave. Now

“I need to leave?” Marco’s laugh was high and hysterical. “This is my children you’re keeping from me! My flesh and blood!” “Your children chose to be here.” Alexander replied evenly. “The court confirmed that choice. It’s time you accepted it.” “Accepted it?” Marco pressed himself against the gates again, his face contorting with rage. “You think I’m going to accept you stealing my family? You think your money makes you untouchable?”

“I didn’t steal anything, Marco. You threw them away, and I picked up the pieces.”

The words hit Marco like physical blows. His breathing became rapid and shallow, and his hands shook as he gripped the iron bars.

“You manipulated them! You turned them against me with your wealth, your mansion, your perfect life!”

“I gave them what they needed.” Alexander spoke simply. “Love, safety, respect. Things they weren’t getting in your house.”

“My house?” Marco’s voice rose to a shriek. “That was their home! I built that life for them! I worked myself to death providing for them!”

“And then you destroyed it all when you put your hands on Lucas in anger.”

Marco’s face went white, then flushed deep red. “He was disrespectful! He needed discipline!”

“He needed a father who loved him more than his own ego.”

The truth of those words sent Marco into a frenzy. He began shaking the gates again, the metal groaning under his assault.

“You have everything!” The scream came raw. “Everything! Money, power, respect! And it still wasn’t enough! You had to take my family too!”

“I didn’t take them, Marco. You gave them to me when you chose Margaret over them. When you chose your affair over your family.”

“Don’t you dare!” Marco’s voice cracked with anguish. “Don’t you dare lecture me about family! You don’t know what it’s like to build something from nothing! To sacrifice everything for people you love!”

“You’re right.” Alexander spoke quietly. “I don’t know what it’s like to sacrifice everything for people I love. Because I would never sacrifice the people I love for anything.”

The words hung in the air like a death sentence. Marco stared at Alexander through the bars, his chest heaving with

emotion.

“You think you’ve won.” The whisper came deadly quiet now. “You think this is over.”

“Marco…”

“You have no idea what you’ve started.” Marco continued, his voice growing stronger, more dangerous. “You think your security guards and your lawyers and your money make you safe?”

Alexander tensed, recognizing the shift in Marco’s tone.

“I’m going to destroy you.” Marco’s eyes blazed with a cold fury. “Everything you’ve built, everything you care about, everyone you love. I’m going to take it all away from you piece by piece.”

“Are you threatening my family?”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify