Chapter 205

“Max survived,” Dominick said, swallowing hard. “Tyson’s grooming him as a successor, but there’s major family opposition. I couldn’t find out why he’s in Harrowfell.”

He tapped his chin, his face a mask. He knew little of the Monteras, but Tyson was legendary.

“Why are we investigating Max?” Julian finally asked.

“I suspect he’s the father of Paisley’s daughter,” Dominick said bluntly.

Julian stared. “What?”

“I saw him today with her,” Dominick said, reluctant. “He said she’s his child.”

Julian sighed. If Max were ordinary, winning Paisley back might be possible. But the Godard family’s influence dwarfed even the Vanderbilts. Montera, their capital city, held immense power.

“Did they notice the investigation?” Dominick asked sharply.

“Yes, sir,” Julian admitted nervously. “But wasn’t that the plan?”

Dominick nodded. He’d intended a public show of force, but it clearly hadn’t worked. Facing an equally powerful opponent was a headache. And Max had a trump card: Serena. Paisley loved Serena. But did she still love Sonny?

Dominick’s head pounded. He slammed his tablet on the table, pacing furiously. Paisley’s daughter was three. Had Paisley been with Max since her disappearance? Were they living together? Planning to marry?

“How could she do this to me?” he growled, pointing at Max’s picture. “What’s so great about him?”

Julian, frozen, finally said, “Sir, we’re late for the airport.”

Dominick glanced at his watch. Their new tutor had insisted on “father-son bonding,” derailing their schedule. He threw on his coat. “Keep digging,” he barked. “I want everything—where he lives, if he’s in contact with Paisley.”

“Understood,” Julian said, following him.

In the hallway, a woman approached carrying soup. Julian’s eyes narrowed. Sonny’s tutor.