Chapter 261: Violet clarified the facts
**【Max's Perspective】**
Even the morning sunlight failed to warm the cold fury coursing through my veins. The muscles in my jaw ached from clenching too long, but I couldn't relax—not with the storm raging inside me.
Lily quickly approached, her face a picture of concern. "Max, you look terrible. What happened?"
I brushed past her without acknowledgment. What could I say? That my wife had just told me she didn't love me anymore? That she'd suggested divorce?
Kevin nervously opened the car door as I approached.
"Bring Violet," I ordered, my voice leaving no room for debate.
Lily's expression immediately soured. "Why are you bringing her? She's just Luna's assistant and has nothing to do with our work."
I cast a cold glance in her direction but didn't bother responding. As I slid into the vehicle, I caught sight of Kevin motioning to Violet. She hesitated, glancing back toward the mansion as if considering whether she should stay with Luna, but ultimately followed me into the SUV.
---
In the rearview mirror, I could see Violet sitting stiffly in the back, maintaining a polite distance. The entire cabin felt charged with tension. I closed my eyes briefly, trying to organize my thoughts, before deciding to cut straight to the point.
"Where exactly did you go after ditching my security team? What were you doing?"
Violet subtly adjusted her posture, her expression carefully neutral. "Mr. Morrison, we just went out for some fresh air. There was no specific destination."
I opened my eyes, meeting her gaze in the mirror. "I won't ask a second time." My voice came out low and dangerous, even to my own ears. "Tell me."
Violet straightened her back. "I won't say. I'm Luna's security chief, and I absolutely refuse to betray her trust."
My patience, already threadbare, snapped completely. "Kevin, arrange to have Ms. Chase sent back. Notify Homeland Security to add her to the security risk list and revoke all access privileges."
Kevin's fingers hovered over his tablet, his face registering shock at my harsh order.
Lily gave a cold laugh from the passenger seat. "This is exactly the caliber of person who shouldn't be allowed near core members of the Morrison family."
---
I pulled the SUV over abruptly. Kevin turned around, lowering his voice as he addressed Violet: "Ms. Chase, please cooperate with Mr. Morrison. He would never do anything to harm Mrs. Morrison."
"They probably did something shady that they're ashamed to admit," Lily commented sarcastically, which only tightened the knot of frustration in my chest.
Violet's gaze hardened as she looked directly at me. "Mr. Morrison, if you really want to know, please ask your two assistants to step out of the car."
"I can't hear it either?" Kevin asked, surprised.
I considered my options briefly. Whatever Violet knew, it was clearly significant enough to risk her career over. "Wait outside," I ordered.
Kevin and Lily exchanged glances before reluctantly exiting the vehicle. Once the doors closed, the cabin fell into a tense silence.
---
"Mr. Morrison," Violet began, her tone slightly more relaxed than before, "we went to the spa center. Luna hacked their surveillance system, installed tracking software, and copied previous security footage. She's investigating Lily Carter."
I felt my composure crack. "She knows how to hack computer systems?"
"It seems you know very little about your wife." Violet shook her head, and each word felt like an accusation. "Luna was once a core member of the European Union's top chemical research institute, involved in the development of multiple cutting-edge military projects. Did you think she was just an ordinary chemist?"
I stared ahead, processing this revelation. "Why is she investigating Lily?"
Violet laughed bitterly. "No wonder Luna doesn't love you anymore. You truly don't deserve her."
The comment stung more than I cared to admit. My jawline tightened involuntarily. "Tell me why."
"Mr. Morrison, the way you protect your mistress—Luna doesn't trust you, so she's determined to uncover the truth herself," Violet's voice filled with anger. "She wants justice for her premature son and for me, who took a bullet for her."
"Lily is not my mistress," I countered immediately. "Our relationship is strictly professional."
"Hmph," Violet scoffed, "what cheating husband ever admits to having a mistress? Luna is exceptional—she doesn't need you. If she feels you're not worth it, naturally she stops loving you."
The accusation hit me like a physical blow. I struggled to maintain my composure as I said, "Continue."
"Why don't you just ask Luna directly?" Violet challenged.
"She barely even looks at me now, let alone speaks to me," I admitted, hating the helplessness that crept into my voice.
"You deserve it," Violet said bluntly, and the worst part was I couldn't entirely disagree.
She proceeded to detail everything Luna had experienced: Lily's casual entries and exits at The Enclave, straightening my shirts and ties; her various accusations toward Luna, claiming she "wasn't like a traditional wife," "wasn't virtuous enough," and "couldn't do what a housewife should"; most importantly, when Luna was shot at and went into premature labor, I wasn't by her side but was rescuing Lily.
"Luna has applied to the Department of Defense to establish an independent research institute," Violet concluded. "She plans to leave the Morrison Group, to leave your sphere of control."
I sat there, feeling utterly defeated. Each revelation was like another nail in the coffin of my marriage. "Luna never mentioned any of this to me."
"Did she ever ask you to reassign Lily?" Violet pressed.
I fell silent, unable to respond. The truth was, Luna had mentioned her discomfort several times, but I'd brushed it aside, convinced she was being oversensitive. Now I could see how blind I'd been.
---
"Thank you, Violet," I finally spoke, my voice hoarse from the emotions choking me. "You can go now. Have Kevin take you back."
"Mr. Morrison, are you alright?" Violet observed me with unexpected concern.
"I'm fine," I answered mechanically, though nothing was further from the truth.
After Violet exited the vehicle, I heard her say to Kevin who was waiting outside: "Your boss wants you to take me back."
Through the window, I saw Lily watch Kevin eagerly nod in agreement and sneer, "Look at you, so spineless."
After Kevin handed the car keys to Lily, he quickly departed with Violet.
---
I took out my phone and dialed a special number, one I rarely used but that always guaranteed results.
"It's me," I said without preamble. "Transfer Lily Carter."
The voice on the other end sounded surprised: "Do you know who her father is? This won't be easy."
"She was personally assigned by you," I kept my voice calm yet resolute. "You have one month to reassign her. Otherwise, I'll resign from all positions, including my board seat."
Silence fell on the other end of the line. We both knew this was no idle threat.
"Also," I continued, "regarding Luna's application to establish a research institute, please politely decline it."
"I'll handle these matters," he finally agreed, "but you owe me a favor, Max."
"Ready when needed, sir."
I hung up and exited the car to face Lily, who was waiting outside with poorly concealed impatience.
"Max, who was that on the phone?" she asked, attempting to sound concerned.
I extended my hand: "The keys."
"What do you need the keys for?" Lily asked, confusion evident in her expression.
"Take a taxi back to the Morrison mansion, pack your things, and then go home," I stated, my tone deliberately icy and distant.
"Why?" Lily asked incredulously.
"You're on paid leave for a month. Someone will notify you of your new position assignment at that time."
"I don't need leave," Lily tried to protest. "Max, what happened?"
I didn't look at her again as I took the keys from her reluctant hand. I slid into the driver's seat and started the engine without another word. As I drove away, I caught a glimpse of Lily in the rearview mirror, standing by the roadside, stamping her foot in anger, her expression changing from shock to fury.
I finally understood the source of the rift between Luna and me, and the first step in repairing that rift was to remove the people and things obstructing our relationship. I only hoped it wasn't too late.