Chapter 198

At the Rowland family home, Joyce was forcibly kidnapped by Kelly. The Rowland family instructed servants to take her to Max's room. To prevent Joyce's escape, Lily suggested injecting her with a drug en route, rendering her limp and powerless.

The approaching footsteps outside the bedroom door were a prelude to tragedy, slowly tearing at Joyce's heart. Tears of fear ruined her exquisite makeup. When Max opened the door and entered, Joyce despaired.

"Do you think I'll pity you just because you look pitiful?" Max's disgust was evident. Gritting his teeth, he said, "I won't forget that you killed Chelsea!"

He blamed Joyce for Chelsea's death.

Joyce stopped crying, a mocking smile curving her lips. "Hypocrite."

"What did you say?"

Joyce raised her head, her voice rising. "I said you're a hypocrite! Can't you hear me? If you loved your first love so much, why did you agree to marry me? And after she fell from the building, you immediately—"

Max's fury flared. He grabbed Joyce's neck. "What does an outsider like you know? I'm doing this for the Rowland family!"

Knowing she'd been exposed, Joyce smiled calmly, seemingly seeing through him. She felt death at Max's hands would be a relief, but doubted he had the courage. After a while, he released her, throwing her face to the side.

"Don't provoke me," he said. "I know you don't want to marry into the Rowland family, but if it weren't for your schemes, Chelsea wouldn't have died. Didn't you conspire to ruin this marriage? I won't let you get away with it! I will slowly torture you, making you wish you were dead. I will repent to Chelsea and make you pay a thousandfold for what you did!"

Max's self-righteousness nauseated Joyce. He then pushed her onto the bed, pinning her, holding her hands behind her back.

"Max! Don't you have any shame? Why don't you keep your innocence for Chelsea?" Joyce panicked.

"Chelsea will forgive me if I make you suffer. Besides, you're still my wife in name. You should bear the responsibility of bearing my children." He unzipped her gown, revealing much of her back. His actions were rough. Joyce's wrist, held in his other hand, quickly turned red.

This was her second humiliating encounter with Max. Disgust and hatred festered within her.

Chapter 198 (continued)

"Mr. Rowland," a servant stammered outside the door. "The Xander family has sent someone. Mrs. asked me to call you."

Max frowned. "What is it?"

"I'm not sure. Mrs. Ivy, Mr. Duncan, and Miss Emmalie are in the living room."

The significant presence indicated an important visitor.

Corey Xander sat in the living room, legs crossed, his gaze like a predator scanning the Rowland family as if he owned the place.

Max approached respectfully. "Mr. Xander, what's the matter?"

A cold glint appeared in Corey's eyes. He smiled sinisterly. "Let's be frank. Joyce is my woman. We've been dating."

The Rowland family's expressions were telling. They wondered how Corey was involved.

Ivy asked cautiously, "Mr. Xander, is there a misunderstanding?"

Corey replied, "Which part?"

Ivy, trembling, shook her head.

Corey smiled faintly. "I know the Rowland-Maddox marriage alliance was arranged by Mrs. Rowlands and Mrs. Maddox. But this is the 21st century. Free love is the norm. What do you think?" The Rowlands couldn't afford to offend the Xanders. Though illegitimate, Corey was notoriously difficult. They had to show respect, but not be obsequious.

Max, the head of the family, straightened his back. "I've married Joyce. Perhaps Mr. Xander had a relationship with her, but that's in the past. She's my wife."

Corey sneered. "A formality. You haven't registered your marriage. Moreover, the Rowlands promised Thea to me, but that failed, and I even took a punch from Nicolas. Then you offered Emmalie. Is this because I'm an illegitimate child and unworthy of your daughter?"

His mocking tone silenced the Rowlands. Emmalie bit her lip, looking at Duncan with red eyes, tugging his sleeve. Duncan reassured her, then addressed Corey solemnly. "Mr. Xander, how do you want to resolve this?"

Corey said, "The choice is yours. My sons are planning families. I need to marry. Either marry Emmalie to me or return Joyce. Discuss it. I have patience." He wouldn't leave without one of the women.

Chapter 198 (continued)

Ivy took her children to a side hall to discuss. Emmalie wept. "Mom, Max, are you abandoning me?"

Duncan said, "How is that possible? Don't worry. Even if we offend Corey, you won't marry him." Ivy couldn't bear to part with Emmalie. She hugged her, looking at Max with conflict. "Max, your sister suffered. We owe her"

Max's face fell. "So you don't care about the Rowland family's reputation?" Giving up Joyce would make him a laughingstock.

Duncan's gaze was sharp. "Haven't we been laughed at enough? You're only concerned about your face. Don't ruin Emmalie! If you marry her to Corey, I'll no longer consider you my brother."

Tension filled the air. Ivy intervened. "Max, I know I've wronged you, but Emmalie is your sister. Compromise for her?" Before Max could respond, Emmalie smiled, holding his arm. "I knew you loved me most!"

Max felt as if he'd swallowed a fly. He recalled Thea's words: "One day, your family will use moral coercion on you."