Chapter 196: Chapter 196

"Big Brother, where did you take Flora?" Richard asked cautiously at the dining table.

Maxwell had no intention of answering his question, but Mrs. Smith, on the side, spoke up, slightly displeased, and reprimanded, "Richard, don't mention that woman's name in front of your Big Brother and sister-in-law."

"Oh," Richard replied, lowering his head to continue eating, not daring to ask any more questions.

Chiyoko, on the side, sneakily glanced at Maxwell. She wanted to know what he had done to Flora and if he had truly decided to ignore her this time.

It seemed that the injuries this time were quite worthwhile. Chiyoko secretly rejoiced in her heart as she lowered her head. She fantasized about the beautiful future with Maxwell. Hadn't her days of suffering come to an end?

"Mom, Flora is Big Brother's sweetheart. If you talk about her like that, Big Brother won't be happy," Joshua glanced at Maxwell with a mocking tone, full of sarcasm. His hatred for Maxwell had evolved from admiration and jealousy.

From a young age, he had admired Maxwell because he excelled in all aspects. However, since the leg injury, perhaps due to Mrs. Smith's nagging, he began to feel annoyed every time he heard the name Maxwell, leading to his present resentment.

"Joshua, shut up and finish your breakfast before going to work!" Mrs. Smith scolded.

Just mentioning work made Joshua even more irritated. He couldn't help but exclaim, "I know, do you have to remind me every day?"

Mrs. Smith was momentarily speechless, visibly angered, but she held back her words and looked apologetically at Maxwell. She decided, "Maxwell, is the house in W City ready? Joshua and I should move back."

She could sense Joshua's psychological changes, becoming depressed and unreasonable. Sometimes, he even complained that Maxwell was too controlling. The brothers were starting to diverge, and it was time to let them live separately.

Maxwell was puzzled and asked, "Why?"

Chiyoko also became anxious, holding Mrs. Smith's hand and saying, "Aunt, what's wrong? Why do you want to leave?" She didn't want her to leave! Although Mrs. Smith was not a very authoritative hostess, she could still help a little and keep Maxwell in check. If she left, Chiyoko dared not imagine how Maxwell would treat her. Would he lock her up on the third floor again when he was unhappy?

Mrs. Smith smiled, patted her hand, and said, "I can't live here forever. It's time to go back to my own home. Seeing you all calm down, I can finally be at ease."

"Aunt, wait a while longer before leaving. I plan to go on a business trip to Japan these days," Maxwell said, looking at her. He didn't care about Joshua's mockery; he wasn't someone who liked to dwell on such matters.

"Going to Japan? Why not take Chiyoko with you to relax? Chiyoko hasn't been back to Japan in a long time," Mrs. Smith suggested.

Chiyoko smiled and added, "Yes, I've been wanting to go back to Japan, but I don't want to go alone."

Maxwell looked at her, trying to make his smile appear gentler. He smiled and said, "I'll only be in Japan for a day, and the next day, I have to go to Germany. Your body hasn't fully recovered; it's better not to accompany me and overexert yourself. Stay at home and rest well."

Although she was rejected, hearing his caring words, Chiyoko still felt comforted. She nodded contentedly and said, "Alright then, don't overwork yourself. Remember to come back early."

"Yeah, I know," Maxwell replied. He wiped his mouth with a napkin, stood up from the chair, and turned to Richard Smith, urging him, "Richard, hurry up."

"Oh, I'll be right there." Richard quickly finished the milk in his cup, and then he followed, with a little tail behind him—Robin, who had recently taken a liking to go to the company.

After dropping them off at the company, Maxwell planned to drive to the place where Flora lived. However, as the car turned, it was stopped by someone. After an emergency brake, Maxwell recognized the person flagging him down to be Kevin. Hesitating for a moment, he pushed open the car door and walked down, taunting him, "Mr. Kevin, you were unwilling to meet two days ago. Why did you come to me today?"

Kevin stared at him and said coldly, "Because I don't want to hear about returning to the Smith Family in front of me. That place is no longer my home. So please tell Mrs. Smith not to waste her efforts."

"Is that the only reason you came today?" Maxwell asked, squinting at him. Facing Kevin, he always felt helpless, after all, he was his younger brother, and he didn't want to have such a strained relationship with him.

However, Kevin insisted on following the path given to him by Mrs. Davis, deeply influenced by Mrs. Davis's schemes.

Kevin's expression turned cold, and he glared at Maxwell, saying through gritted teeth, "Maxwell! On one hand, you enjoy a happy life with Chiyoko Tokugawa using your own identity, and on the other hand, you deceive Flora using Oliver's identity. Don't you think you're too much?"

Maxwell frowned. So, it was about Flora. What kind of charm did that woman possess to bewitch the men around her? Even Richard and Robin liked to inquire about her whereabouts.

"My affairs are none of your business," Maxwell replied displeasedly. He didn't want to explain to anyone because he couldn't clarify everything at this moment. It wasn't the time for explanations.

"But you used Oliver's identity, and I have to care!" Kevin roared angrily.

Maxwell looked at him and sneered, "Didn't you say you didn't want Oliver's identity anymore? Since you don't want it, why do you care about it? Unless you acknowledge Oliver's identity, I'll stop immediately."

Playing the role of Oliver was too exhausting, and he didn't want to continue unless it was for Flora. Oliver! Was he really going to disappear from this world? Surprisingly, he felt a bit reluctant.

"What do you want with Flora?" Kevin asked, his face filled with concern.

Maxwell finally understood. It wasn't about him playing the role of Oliver; it was about Flora. Was he still so obsessed with Flora White?

"I've said, this is my business, none of your concern!" Maxwell continued with a cold tone, trying to make him back off and stop meddling. Otherwise, the final result would undoubtedly be another fight.

Kevin was so angry at his cold attitude that he wanted to step forward and give him a couple of punches. He admitted that he cared about Flora and liked her. He didn't know how far this feeling was from love, but he knew he didn't want to see Flora sad.

However, Flora had been constantly unhappy, and she had even been driven out of the Smith Family mansion. This man had a fiancée, so why did he insist on keeping Flora by his side? Kevin couldn't understand. He really couldn't figure it out!

"I will definitely keep caring! Maxwell! As long as Flora is sad, I will care every day!" Kevin declared firmly. He didn't care about the consequences of his actions or whether Flora was pregnant with Maxwell's child.

"I won't allow you to get close to Flora!" Maxwell said in frustration. "Kevin, Flora is my woman. Is it appropriate for you to keep approaching her, provoking her like this?"

Provoking her? Kevin sneered. Back then, he should have tightly held Flora's hand and not let her go back to Maxwell. Now, looking back, he really regretted it! Otherwise, how could Flora end up in such a situation?

"If you don't want to treat her well, why don't you let her go? Give her freedom?" His voice softened, even sounding a bit sorrowful. Was he feeling sorry for Flora?

Maxwell hesitated for a moment, then stared at him seriously. "I want to treat her well. I will take good care of her. So, please stay away from her. She can never belong to you! Never!"

After saying that, Maxwell turned and got into the car. Through the car window, he glanced one last time at Kevin, who was standing still, started the car's engine, and drove away, gradually disappearing into the distant flow of traffic.

Kevin watched Maxwell's car go further and further, sighed helplessly, and took a deep breath. He wanted to help Flora out of this predicament, but he didn't know how he could help her.

In this mansion, besides a few security personnel and maids, there were no other people. Flora could move around inside and outside the house and the courtyard without worrying about running into anyone she didn't want to see.

Despite deciding to forget about him, within a few days, she found herself going crazy with thoughts. Whenever she quieted down, her mind would wander to what Maxwell might be doing at that moment. Was he with Chiyoko?

Just a few days ago, he had confidently declared their impending marriage, asserting her as his wife. But within a day, everything changed. His promises seemed so fragile.

Returning to her bedroom, Flora sat on the terrace chair to relax, closing her eyes. The gentle breeze played with her hair, and soon, she drifted off to sleep. In her dream, she saw Maxwell and Chiyoko, holding champagne roses, walking across a red carpet. Chiyoko's face beamed with a radiant smile.

In the dream, Maxwell lifted his right hand, gently tilting Chiyoko's chin, approaching her face with a happy smile. Their lips were getting closer, about to meet, and—

"No!" Flora exclaimed, abruptly waking up from the dream. Opening her eyes, she found Oliver's concerned handsome face close by, staring at her. When did he arrive? She had no idea!

Shifting her body, Flora struggled to sit up from the recliner, using her hand to wipe away the cold sweat on her forehead. Awkwardly avoiding eye contact with Oliver, she wondered why she had such a dream. Could it be that Maxwell and Chiyoko had really decided to get married, and she sensed it through some spiritual connection? She hoped it was just a dream, and reality was not like this!

"Flora, what's wrong?" Oliver reached out to wipe away a bead of sweat from her forehead, but his hand hesitated in midair, then helplessly dropped. All he could do now was express his concern verbally. No hugging, no kissing, although he really wanted to!

"I... nothing, just a bad dream," Flora awkwardly chuckled. She couldn't tell him that she dreamt of Maxwell marrying Chiyoko, right? She didn't want him to see this indecisive side of her again!

Seeing her smile, even though it seemed forced, made Oliver somewhat happy. But did this mean she had gradually forgotten about Maxwell? He didn't want her to forget him!

"Really? What kind of bad dream?" Oliver sat down beside her, smiling, and asked.

Flora sighed and changed the subject, "Second Young Master, shouldn't you be at work right now? How come you have time to come back?" It was around ten in the morning, working hours.

"Tired, wanted to come back and rest for a bit," Oliver said with a smile, observing her not-so-good complexion. He asked with concern, "Are you used to living here? Is there anything you need or lack? If there is, remember to tell me, and I'll have someone take care of it for you."

Flora shook her head, looking appreciative, "No need, everything is here, nothing is lacking. Thank you." Oliver was always so good to her, always doing things that touched her, but what she was constantly thinking about was Maxwell!

Living here was, of course, not comfortable because he wasn't here. But even if she wasn't used to it, she had to stay, as she had no other choice!

"Second Young Master, how is Maxwell now? Is he planning to marry Miss Chiyoko?" Flora finally asked the question she most wanted to know. Was her dream derived from reality?

Maxwell returned to the office and lifted Robin, who was lounging in the leather chair playing games. He picked up the phone on the desk and started dialing Darren's number.

A few minutes later, Darren walked in and respectfully inquired, "Big Young Master, is there something you need from me?"

Maxwell leaned back wearily and asked, "How is the investigation going regarding Miss Chiyoko?"

Darren's scalp tingled; he knew Maxwell had called him in for this matter, but he hadn't found anything yet. Apologetically, he replied, "I'm sorry, Big Young Master, I'm still investigating."

The fact that he was still investigating meant no progress at all, and Maxwell couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. This matter couldn't be delayed any longer. Every time he saw the pained expression on Flora's face, he felt like his heart was bleeding.

Looking up, he sternly ordered, "Give me three more days, you must find the evidence for me! I don't want to drag this out any longer, understood?"

"Understood," Darren replied, bowing his head. That was the only response he could offer; he couldn't find any other words to answer him. Failing to handle such a small matter well made him feel guilty, and he was determined to work hard to clear things up.

After hesitating for a moment, Darren spoke again, "Big Young Master, you're pushing yourself too hard. Why not tell Miss Flora the truth to spare her pain? It's exhausting for you as well, isn't it?" As an outsider, he couldn't bear to see him working tirelessly every day. He wondered how much longer Big Young Master could endure, especially in the face of an ongoing conflict with the Yota Gang.

Maxwell shook his head, saying resignedly, "No, Flora won't be able to handle it. The more she knows, the more danger she's in. Do you understand?"

So, he would rather Flora misunderstand and resent him than see her in danger. Right now, his priority was to quickly resolve the chaotic situation, salvage her heart before she completely gave up on him, and keep her love alive.

He could sense that Flora was teetering on the edge of pain between loving and hating him, trying to forget but failing. His heart was torn between joy and sorrow, and he couldn't bear to see her continue in this state.

"Understood," Darren nodded. He trusted Maxwell's decisions, so he didn't insist any further.

"Assign more people to protect her. Don't let anything happen to her, or I'll make you pay with your life ten times over. Do you hear me?" Maxwell stared at him intensely, issuing a serious command.

Cold sweat immediately broke out on Darren's forehead, and Maxwell's words left him both remorseful and chilled. Miss Flora's life was indeed valuable, and he had to be extra cautious. Nodding, he turned around, sweating, and walked out of Maxwell's office.

In the following days, Flora lived in a daze. Oliver continued to care for her, perhaps a bit too much, making her feel embarrassed and guilty.

She didn't know the nature of Oliver's feelings for her—was it love? Flora shook her head, refusing to entertain such thoughts. She didn't believe she had that much charm, nor did she want Oliver to feel more than a friendship towards her.

The bitterness of being hurt by love was too much to bear. She had tasted this bitterness too many times before, and she didn't want to let someone who loved her experience it again.

When she woke up today, she heard the sound of a piano. Following the direction of the music barefoot, she entered the adjacent large bedroom. Opening the door, she saw several staff members tuning a piano.

Flora walked in, surprised. A slightly older butler smiled at her and said, "Miss Flora, this is the piano Second Young Master bought for you. See if you like it; if not, we can have it replaced."

Oliver bought her a piano? Flora stared at the dark and expensive piano, and a sudden surge of gratitude welled up in her heart. She remembered the piano Maxwell had bought for her—the ivory white one! Unfortunately, she never had the chance to sit in front of it and play again.

Oliver must have noticed her melancholy, so he bought her a piano to cheer her up. But how did he know she liked playing the piano? With a head full of questions, Flora nodded absentmindedly and said, "I like it."

"That's good then," the butler smiled, leading the piano store staff out.

Flora approached the piano, sitting in front of it, caressing the smooth body of the instrument. However, there was no joy in her heart. She liked the piano but didn't like accepting such generosity from others, especially when the sentiment behind it was so rich.

If it were a gift from Maxwell, she would have been ecstatic, unable to sleep for days and nights, sitting in front of the piano all day long, unwilling to leave.

But today, as she sat in front of the piano, she hesitated to place her fingers on the keys. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she missed him. She missed how he would domineeringly press his index finger on the high keys, interrupting her annoying playing. She missed how he would lift her from the piano and gently place her on the big bed, commanding her to sleep!