After her rebirth

Clara's voice was shaky, "Please, don't tell Maximilian or Grandpa. Katniss is finally catching a break."

Desmond sneered, "That's not easy for someone as reckless as her!"

"Desmond, you..." Clara's voice wavered.

"Clara, I'll take care of it. Just hang tight, and I'll pick you up from school in a few days when things settle down," Desmond reassured her firmly.

"Desmond, you're the best. I really like you," Clara said with a soft smile.

"You're my fiancée and the future mistress of the Boleyn family. Should I be good to you or to that scheming Katniss...?" Desmond trailed off, frowning deeply. "Let's not talk about her. I'm busy."

After hanging up, he sat in his chair for a bit, then decisively went to find Maximilian.

Maximilian glanced at the photos Desmond handed him, a barely-there smile on his lips.

These photos were Desmond's proof of Katniss flirting with other guys.

"Did you have someone take these?" Maximilian's voice was eerily calm but carried a chilling authority.

Desmond instinctively clenched his hand, feeling the air around him thin, and his heart found its answer.

Desmond quickly said, "Maximilian, you misunderstand. These were taken by someone at school, and I intercepted them."

"If Katniss is seen flirting with them and word gets to the board members, it will cause quite a stir. I didn't know how to handle it, so I came to ask you."

"If you have the time to worry about this, maybe you should use that time to study harder, so as not to invite our father's wrath," Maximilian retorted, his eyes narrowing.

Desmond's heart faltered, his eyes clouding with dread.noveldrama

Before coming, he had considered this possibility, but he was desperate to know Maximilian's true attitude towards Katniss.

The result was the one he least wanted to see.

Grinding his teeth silently, Desmond kept his rage concealed, though internally, he seethed with rancor.

'Katniss,' Desmond thought bitterly, 'you are truly a master manipulator.'

Maximilian seemed oblivious to Desmond's thoughts, his black coat making him look even colder.

He instructed with calculated indifference. "You're grounded at the family memorial until dawn tomorrow."

Tomorrow!

Desmond's body tensed, his pupils dilating in shock. It was only two in the afternoon. Maximilian's voice was cold and unwavering, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's. "Anything else to say?"

"Why?" Desmond didn't understand.

Maximilian's eyes lifted, his voice icy, "Blindly trusting outsiders without any judgment, isn't that embarrassing enough?"

"Maximilian, I didn't." Desmond gritted his teeth, lowered his head, and didn't dare say another word. "You're right. I'll go now."

After Desmond left, Maximilian's gaze fell on the photos on the table.

In the photos, Katniss's exuberance was captured perfectly, basking in the sunlight with a group of peers.

The other three were nothing special, Maximilian's gaze lingered on a particularly cool- looking young man before he finally looked away, chuckling with faint contempt.

Maximilian called Emilio in.

"Sir, any orders?" Emilio had just asked when he caught sight of the photos on the table.

He had a rough idea.

"Understand?" Maximilian casually asked.

Emilio nodded slightly, "Understood," he replied, and swiftly exited.

Half an hour later, Emilio returned to the office to report his findings.

In the afternoon, Katniss returned to Golden Crest Estates with a canvas bag slung over her shoulder.

As soon as she entered, she saw Maximilian sitting on the sofa, reading a financial magazine.

Indeed, it was characteristic of exemplary individuals to make productive use of even their leisure moments.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Walking over, Katniss smiled and asked, "Maximilian, why are you back so early today?" Maximilian lifted his eyes, his gaze falling on her face, "You're back?"

"Yeah," Katniss replied, her smile growing. "Maximilian, I came up with a new medicinal dish this afternoon that's perfect for your recovery. I'll make it for you tonight." Maximilian closed the magazine and looked at her. "Katniss."

"What's up?" Katniss's confusion cleared when she saw the photos Maximilian laid out. If someone wanted to twist the truth about her relationships, it could cause a lot of trouble.

Before, Katniss wouldn't have cared about others' opinions. But now, as Maximilian's wife, any rumors would create problems for both the Hamilton and Boleyn families.

"Maximilian, they're just classmates. I'm only close to Cecilia," she explained earnestly. After explaining, Katniss asked seriously, a frown forming. "Maximilian, where did these come from?"

"Someone named Ruby sent them to Clara, who then passed them to Desmond," Maximilian said calmly. "Eventually, they ended up with me, used to accuse you of infidelity."

Katniss's eyes widened. If someone exploited this, they could claim she was unfaithful and push for Maximilian to divorce her, then pressure him to step down.

These people were truly despicable.

Seething with anger, Katniss declared, "Maximilian, let me handle this. Don't interfere." Maximilian's gaze remained calm. "Alright."

Katniss nodded firmly, then waved the list in her hand. "Okay, I'll go make the medicinal dish now."

The dish was intricate, and the ingredients and herbs were tricky to prepare.

Mira, having seen Katniss make it several times, could now help a bit. The two of them were busy in the kitchen for over an hour.

They brought out a steaming bowl.

Maximilian had only eaten a few bites during the company's shareholder meeting at noon, and Katniss's dish whetted his appetite.

His usually stern and cold features seemed to soften in the rising steam from his dinner.

After eating, Katniss gave him acupuncture and carefully checked his body.

Finally, she beamed. "Maximilian, you're showing significant improvement!" she said, her eyes sparkling with hope.

"Maybe..." Maximilian paused slightly, his eyes flickering as they rested on her fair face. "I've been sleeping well lately."

Katniss blinked, recalling the feeling of Maximilian holding her while sleeping at night.

A brief flash of unease crossed her face. She then pursed her lips, steeling her resolve. Maximilian had helped her so much. As a doctor, if her presence allowed him to rest better, it was a small sacrifice to make.

Besides...

She should be worried about Maximilian. What if one day she lost control and took advantage of a sleeping Maximilian?

That would be a grievous offense.

Maximilian chuckled, his voice deep and magnetic. "When are your finals? Are you keeping up with your studies?"

"Finals are still a while away, not until January," Katniss reported obediently. "I'm keeping up. The teachers are all pretty good," she assured him, nodding earnestly.

"Really." Maximilian's bead-rolling slowed. "You're still young. Study hard and don't let irrelevant people distract you," he advised with a soft authority.

Katniss's head throbbed instantly. This was a typical parental line, warning her not to date early, right?

"Don't worry. I've been studying hard at school, and besides studying, most of my thoughts are on how to cure you." Katniss raised her small hand, swearing her diligence.

Felix, passing by the study door, saw the two inside, their proximity exuding an intimacy that made him smile, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepening.

Compared to the previously gloomy and taciturn Maximilian, the current Maximilian in front of Katniss was much more lively.

Love truly had a rejuvenating effect.

He had to inform Samuel immediately. "Maximilian and Katniss are now deeply in love, and you'll soon have Maximilian's child!"