Chapter 25

Naomi looked up and saw a black car parked in front of her. The rear window was open. Maximus called out to her.

The next second, Naomi exclaimed, “It’s you!”

“It’s me,” Maximus said. “Let me send you home.”

Naomi didn't move.

Seeing Naomi remain still, Maximus explained, “I’m going to Yellowind Bay, so we’ll be using the same route.” It was obvious he knew about Naomi’s situation.

Since Maximus insisted, his secretary got out and opened the door for her. Naomi had no choice but to get in. After she got in, Maximus said happily, “Long time no see.”

“Long time no see,” Naomi responded with a smile.

Two years ago, before she and Brendan married, Maximus had visited her family to propose, but she had refused. Then, Maximus was transferred. Before leaving Ashburg, he’d wanted to meet her, but she was already in Sanya with Brendan. So, they hadn’t seen each other in two years.

As the car started, Naomi changed the subject. “Are you back for good this time, or are you just here for a vacation?”

“I’ve been transferred back. The official notice will be issued within the next few days,” Maximus answered.

“You must have been promoted then! Congratulations!”

Seeing Maximus’s good mood, the secretary turned to Naomi and said, “Ms. Goodwin, Mr. Martin has been promoted. He’s now the mayor.”

Naomi laughed. “Since you’ve become the mayor, I guess I’ll have to fawn over you more from now on.”

Maximus laughed too. “I’ll be very happy to see you do that.”

“I hope you won’t get bored of me,” Naomi said jokingly.

Maximus knew Naomi well. He knew she wouldn’t curry favor with anyone, regardless of their power.

Meanwhile, at the hospital…

When the doctor finished treating Chloe’s forehead wound, she looked at Brendan embarrassedly and apologized, “I’m sorry for causing you trouble and wasting your time again, Brendan.”

Brendan didn’t respond, only asking, “Do you have any other injuries?”

Chloe shook her head. “No.”

“Let me send you home,” Brendan said.

On the way to Chloe’s house, Brendan was silent.

Chloe held her seatbelt tightly and stared at Brendan. “I don’t know what’s wrong with my mother lately. Her condition seems to be getting worse, and she’s acting like a different person. It’s such a relief that Caleb is staying at his teacher’s house. I can’t imagine how shocked he would be if he saw what happened today.”

Chloe’s forehead injury had been inflicted by her mother. Jason was helping with her mother’s affairs, so Brendan had accompanied Chloe to the hospital.

Holding the steering wheel, Brendan turned to Chloe. “Have you ever considered sending her to a hospital?” (He meant a mental hospital.)

Chloe shook her head. “Forget about it. I’ll take care of her myself!”

Brendan reminded her, “The last time you checked her condition, the results weren’t good. It’ll be easier for you to send her to the hospital.”

Chloe took a deep breath. “If I send her in, she won’t have the chance to leave anymore. She’ll no longer be able to live a normal life, so I’d rather take care of her myself. I believe she’ll get better.”

Brendan stopped offering suggestions.

Silence fell until Brendan’s phone rang. He answered and heard Mason’s voice. “Brendan, Maximus is back.”

Brendan’s expression darkened. His mood was ruined. Then, Mason added, “I saw him driving Naomi back just now.”

Brendan’s expression darkened further. He hung up and threw his phone onto the dashboard.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Chloe was shocked. “Brendan, what happened?”

Brendan ignored her, accelerated, and rushed Chloe home in minutes. Chloe got out of the car, but before she could speak, he sped away.

Watching him leave, Chloe felt sad. It had to be related to Naomi. She’d known Brendan for over ten years and had never seen him so angry for anyone but Naomi. If it wasn’t about Naomi directly, it was certainly related to her.

Chloe suddenly remembered something: there was another powerful woman.

Chloe waited until Brendan’s car disappeared before going home.

About twenty minutes later, Brendan returned home with a dark expression. Jennifer asked in surprise, “Mr. Ludwig, didn’t you and Mrs. Ludwig go out together? Why did you come back alone?”

His expression darkened further. “Hasn’t Naomi returned yet?”

“Not yet,” Jennifer answered.

Brendan loosened his collar, took out a cigarette, lit it, and went upstairs. He stood at the bedroom window, smoking and looking out. He was furious, remembering the phone call.

Just as he was about to call Mason to check on Naomi, the bedroom door opened.

Seeing Brendan, Naomi exclaimed, “I didn’t know you were already back!”

Although Brendan had left her earlier, Naomi didn’t argue. However, Brendan didn’t let her off. He abruptly stubbed out his cigarette and asked, “How did you get back?”