Chapter 5

At eight PM, I arrived at the Maxwell family gala, wanting to see Ethan one last time.

After all, he was the child I'd carried for ten months.

But just as I reached the entrance, a children's crayon drawing caught my eye.

It showed my portrait and a dog, with a big red "X" drawn over them.

"Summer Sinclair and dogs not allowed!"

Maxwell's assistant looked embarrassed, stammering at me: "I'm sorry, ma'am. This must be your son's idea of a joke. I'll have someone remove this sign right away."

I watched Ethan and Sophia arm in arm at the gala. My grip on the purse strap made tiny sounds, my knuckles white from excessive force.

I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

Finally, I just shook my head. "No need."

I took one last look at that sign. From now on, my heart would also forbid any member of the Maxwell family from entering.

"Tell them to enjoy their last taste of high society."

Then, without any lingering attachment, I turned and walked away.

A video call suddenly came through on my phone. I answered---it was Sophia.

In the frame, she stood between Ethan and Maxwell, protected by father and son.

Maxwell looked at her affectionately. "Today, I want to introduce to everyone the Maxwell family's most respectable lady, my 'Chief Diplomatic Officer,' Miss Sophia Clarke!"

The good-natured joke triggered thunderous applause from the crowd below. All three faces were full of happiness.

But their smiles pierced my eyes like needles. My stomach cramped. I instinctively pressed my lower abdomen---where the C-section scar remained.

A sharp pain brought me fully awake. I no longer held any expectations for them.

The driver opened the Rolls-Royce door for me. "Miss Sinclair, welcome home."

Sebastian looked at me, smiling gently. "Fiancée, welcome home."

I got in the car, saying coldly, "To Maxwell Corporation headquarters."

At the gala, amid the clinking of glasses, Maxwell seemed distracted. He kept looking toward the entrance but never saw that familiar figure.

Finally, he couldn't hold back anymore and walked to the entrance to look around.

But when he saw the sign Ethan had drawn, he froze.

Ethan stuck his tongue out at him. "I was just joking with Mom..."

Sophia smoothed things over. "Kids playing around. Summer wouldn't take it seriously."

For the first time, Maxwell didn't respond to Sophia. He coldly asked his assistant, "Did my wife come here?"

"Yes... then after seeing this sign, she left..."

Immense unease enveloped Maxwell. Given Summer Sinclair's personality, he could accept her making a huge scene.

But this kind of calm placidity made him feel like a bigger storm was brewing.

He glared at Ethan. "Who gave you permission to disrespect your mother!"

But Ethan said aggrieved, "I learned it from you!"

"How could I..." Maxwell's words stopped abruptly. He suddenly remembered his recent attitude toward Summer Sinclair...

When did I start treating you with such contempt?

Sophia watched Maxwell's daze, bit her lip, and took his arm. "Maxwell, stop thinking about it. We need to get back to the guests."

But Maxwell's unease only grew. He knew my personality better than anyone---how strong-willed I was. This dead calm reaction made him afraid to think deeper.

He grabbed his assistant, demanding coldly, "Where did my wife go?"

"She got into a Rolls-Royce and went to headquarters..."

Ethan, seeing his father's abnormal reaction, asked quietly, "Dad... did I really... make Mom angry..."

Maxwell didn't dare think further. He grabbed Ethan and drove quickly to headquarters, leaving even Sophia behind.

After running thirteen red lights, he finally reached headquarters.

But when he opened the door, he saw the room full of auditors. I stood side by side with a dignified elderly man.

He was my father, head of the Sinclair family.

"Summer..."

Maxwell's heart pounded. My father sneered. "Perfect timing, Mr. Maxwell. Bankruptcy liquidation requires your signature."