Chapter 0074 Emma, seeing Maximus's unrelenting stance, reluctantly left the mansion. She couldn't risk losing her job, but her heart was heavy, knowing she was leaving Mary aloric in such a volatile situation. She dared. not inform the grandmother, fearing it would escalate into a larger problem.
As she reached the driveway, she heard a desperate cry from the balcony.
"Emma, help me! Please!" Mary's voice rang out, filled with anguish.
Emma froze, looking back at the mansion, torn between duty and concern. Upstairs, Maximus bolted from the living room and raced toward Mary's bedroom, alarmed at the thought that she might try to jump from the second floor. He burst into the room and ran to the balcony, grabbing her and covering her mouth to silence her cries.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtBut Mary bit down hard on his hand, forcing him to release her. As he recoiled in pain, she bolted barefoot, running as fast as she could. When she reached the staircase, her foot caught on the edge of the carpet, and she tumbled down the steps.
"Mary!" Maximus's panicked voice echoed through the mansion.
He watched helplessly as she fell, unable to reach her in time. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, Mary lay unconscious on the landing, blood seeping from a wound on her head. He knelt beside her, shaking her gently, trying to wake her. When she didn't respond, he grabbed his phone and called Fred Zanley, the family doctor and one of his closest friends.
Fred arrived quickly, his medical bag in hand. He'd been the Palmer family's physician for years, taking over the role from his father. His loyalty to Maximus meant this incident would remain confidential. “Maximus, what happened?" he asked, his eyes narrowing as he saw Mary sprawled on the couch.
"She fell down the stairs while running," Maximus said tersely, avoiding further explanation. “Just.... check on her, Fred. Please." Fred nodded and began his examination. He dabbed a bit of alcohol on a cloth and held it under Mary's and she blinked in confusion. nose, prompting her to stir. Her eyes fluttered open, "Maximus? What happened? Why is Fred here?" she asked groggily. "Why does my whole body hurt?" "You fell down the stairs," Fred explained gently, noting Maximus's silence. "You must've hit your head pretty hard." "Why can't she remember anything?" Maximus asked, his tone betraying a hint of worry.
"It's too early to draw conclusions," Fred replied, calm but firm. “We need to take her to the hospital for further tests. I cquickly and without my full equipment. She'll need scans to rule out anything serious." Maximus hesitated, guilt and fear flickering in his eyes. He knew that taking Mary to a hospital could expose what had really happened. The scandal would destroy not only his reputation but also the Palmer name.
"Can't we treat her here?" he suggested weakly. "The fall was severe. I just... I don't want her moved." 1/3 Chapter 0024 +25 BONUS "Maximus," Fred said, exasperated, "this isn't something we can brush aside. She took a serious blow to the head, and I've noticed other injuries that need attention. If we delay, she could suffer permanent damage." Mary, visibly shaken and disoriented, spoke up, her voice cracking "Maximus, why can't I remember? I feel so... empty.
Maximus felt his chest tighten, a rare pang of regret cutting through his anger. He walked over to the couch and sat beside her, pulling her into his arms.
"Sweetheart, you fell down the stairs while trying to cdown. I couldn't catch you in time," he said softly, stroking her hair. "You scared me. That's why I called Fred to check on you." He tilted her chin up and pressed a kiss to her lips. Mary's cheeks flushed with surprise. It was the first tender gesture her husband had shown her since their wedding. She returned the kiss shyly, unsure of his sudden kindness but too emotionally drained to question it.
Fred, watching from a distance, cleared his throat. "Maximus, I understand your concerns, but this isn't about appearances. Memory loss is serious, and we need to act now. What if she loses her memory entirely? Could you live with that?" Maximus stared at Mary, her head resting against his chest. A cold thought crept into his mind, 'If she forgot everything, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. She wouldn't remember the pain I've caused her, and we could start over." "Mary," he said, forcing a smile, "why don't we get sfresh air in the garden? It might help you feel better." Mary nodded weakly. "Okay. I feel like I can't breathe in here." Maximus scooped her up and carried her outside, placing her gently in one of the garden chairs.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Stay here and rest," he said softly. "I need to talk to Ered." Inside the mansion, Fred wasted no time. "Out with it, Maximus. What really happened? Maximus sighed, running a hand through his hair. “She fell down the stairs.” "I believe that part," Fred replied, crossing his arms. "But the bruises and injuries I saw didn't happen just now. And you're not tellingwhy she was running.
Maximus's shoulders sagged. "She was running because of me. I... I hit her."
Fred's face darkened. "Maximus, what the hell is wrong with you?m She's much youngex and completely defenseless. You're a grown man-nearly ten years older. How can you justify laying a hand on her?" Maximus pressed a hand to his temple, shflickering briefly in his eyes. "I lost control. I know I went too far."
"Too far?" Fred snapped. "You crossed the line long ago. She's barely nineteen, Maximus. And let's not forget, while Maximenting her, you're still seeing Alexia. Everyone knows about your affair, but no one knows you have a wife-much less what you've been putting her through." +25 BONUS Chapter 0074 Maximus opened his mouth to respond, but Fred cut him off.
"She's not just your wife on paper. She's a human being. If you don't take her to the hospital by tonight, I'll go straight to your grandmother myself." "Fred, you can't
"I can and I will!" Fred shot back, pointing a finger at Maximus. "I won't her.
stand by and let you destroy | Either you get her the help she needs, or I'll ensure everyone knows what you've done." Maximus was left speechless. Fred, usually reserved, had unleashed his fury, leaving no room for rebuttal.
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